Greetings from Charlotte,
This is a busy time in Charlotte and around the world as responses to Dr. Meredith's semi-annual letter are coming in. It is always exciting to see how many people respond to the offers in these letters. Messrs. Jim Meredith, Wyatt Ciesielka and others are very busy preparing for the Charlotte Family Weekend and the live transmission of the service on the Sabbath of December 24. A lot of work by the Television and Internet Departments goes into it and scores of people are involved in preparing for some 700+ guests to descend on Headquarters. I'm sure the same can be said for those individuals preparing the Kansas City Weekend the following week. Dr. Meredith is busy, along with his other duties, preparing the sermon for the live transmission. I know that he would appreciate your prayers for strength and inspiration for that occasion. Messrs. Rick Stafford and Paul Shumway returned from a successful visit to Brazil, Guyana, and Trinidad. Please see the full report below. Meanwhile, Dr. Winnail was in Arkansas this past Sabbath and I visited our congregations in Tucson and Phoenix.—GEW
Church Administration
Tomorrow's World Presents in Florence, South Carolina
On December 10, the Florence congregation hosted 24 guests and 19 members for a Tomorrow's World Presentation: "Wake Up, America!" Mr. Wallace Smith gave a stimulating opening discussion titled, "Has God Abandoned Us?," detailing America's moral decline. I followed with the second half, describing God's glorious plan for mankind: "The Pathway to Hope!" A few attendees expressed interest in follow-up Bible Studies and attending services. The brethren were thrilled to participate in the Work of God in this amazing way.—James Sweat
Ministerial Trip to Guyana, Brazil and Trinidad
Mr. Paul Shumway and I have returned from a very fruitful two-week trip to Guyana, Brazil and Trinidad. Being with these scattered brethren is a real blessing. The brethren expressed their enthusiasm for being in God's Work and for the encouragement of our visit. The Tomorrow's World Presentation in Georgetown on December 4 on end-time prophecy from the Gentile nations' perspective was particularly successful, with 30 members and 32 guests attending. Ten guests returned on the Sabbath for the follow-up Bible Study conducted by Mr. Damian Weekes. Mr. Shumway and I then traveled to Awarewaunau, Guyana and Moscou, Brazil, where we conducted services, Bible Studies and visited with the brethren. The "question and answer" sessions after the Bible Studies lasted for more than 90 minutes. In Trinidad, we had a leadership meeting with nearly two dozen men and their wives. They appreciated the report from Charlotte and the overview of the recent Council of Elders meeting. We are very grateful that we have returned in good health and have had the opportunity to serve the brethren.—Rick Stafford
2016 Charlotte Family Weekend—Registration Closing!
Registration for the 2016 Charlotte Family Weekend will be closing at 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, December 19. If you plan to attend this year and haven't registered and paid, please do so right away! Please note that since we must give guaranteed numbers to the hotel for the meals, if we don't receive full payment for them by the deadline, they will not be ordered. From now on, only online payments through PayPal can be accepted—do NOT mail any payments (if you have mailed a check to us in the past few days, please e-mail [email protected] to let us know you have sent the check). You may access registration via the MyLCG page of the www.cogl.org Web site. All activity descriptions and schedules are posted here as well. Reservations at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites host hotel may be made by calling the hotel directly at (704) 357-1414 or by using the link provided on the Overview and Schedule page. Technically, the deadline to reserve rooms has passed, but the hotel is still allowing our group to book at the special rate. We do not know, however, how long this will last, so book soon! Please note—due to the Christmas holiday, most restaurants in the Charlotte area will not be open on December 24 and 25, so please remember that when deciding whether or not to eat the catered meals at the hotel. So grab your dance shoes and your tennis shoes and come join us for an exciting weekend of physical and spiritual rejuvenation!—Jim Meredith
Charlotte Family Weekend Livestream
We are once again pleased to be able to live-stream on the Internet a number of the different events at the Charlotte Family Weekend. To watch these events you will first need to log onto the LCG Webcast page at www.lcgwebcast.org. In order to watch the live stream, you will need the appropriate password – these are located on your MyLCG page. The following list of streams will be available for viewing – each having its own unique password:
a. CFW Married Seminars
b. CFW Singles Seminars
c. CFW Sabbath & Bible Study
d. CFW Sports Day
Please go to the Charlotte Family Weekend Overview and Schedule page on the MyLCG page for times of each live event. We hope many of you will take advantage of this unique opportunity to be tied in live to these special events.—Jim Meredith
Kansas City Family Weekend—Deadlines Fast Approaching!
First it's Charlotte, then it's Kansas City! The KC Family Weekend is right around the corner, from Friday, December 30 through Sunday, January 1. Friday night's Bible Study begins at 7:30. The Saturday morning Bible Study begins at 10:00, with services starting at 1:30 p.m.
The deadline to reserve a room at the Embassy Suites has been extended to December 19. If you've signed up for the catered dinner, please pay for it via the PayPal link on the KC Weekend Web site, or by sending a check. Please submit your payment by December 25. We have to submit final numbers next week and need an accurate count of those who have paid. E-mail [email protected] if you're sending a check in the mail prior to this deadline, so we can account for your payment.
Thanks to everyone who has signed up for teams! We still have a few folks who have not. The deadline for registering your team for Sunday's Family Games or sports is Sunday, December 18. On the Weekend Web site, just click on "Sunday Activities," then choose the activity (Family Games, volleyball or basketball) that you're creating a team for. Finally, follow the step-by-step instructions. You can always add other team members later. If you are not signed up for a team by the deadline, we will place you on one.
Visit our Web site at kclcg.org (not an official LCG Web site). Then click "KC Family Weekend." Parts of the site are password-protected and "security" (all lowercase) is the password. We look forward to seeing you soon!—Michael Keesee
Northeast Spring Holy Day Family Weekend
In 2017, the Northeast Region will again host our annual Spring Holy Day Family Weekend at Frost Valley YMCA facility in the Catskills Mountains of New York, from Friday, April 14, through Monday, April 17. In keeping with the spirit of the Days of Unleavened Bread, our focus and theme will be "The Better Way." For three days, we'll practice "extreme fellowship," drawing closer to brethren young and old through worship, learning and shared meals. Together, we'll practice the way of harmony that Christ taught His disciples—through activities, music and fun. If you would like to join us, then you're welcome! Stay tuned for more information!—Jonathan McNair
Canadian Family Civic Weekend: August 4-7, 2017
Be sure to mark your calendars! You are invited to the first Canadian Family Civic Weekend (CFCW) from Friday, August 4, to Monday, August 7. Come join us for a Dinner/Dance on a five-mast ship taking in the city skyline of Toronto, walking through a piece of both Canadian and American history, and discovering Ontario's wine region. Activities will also include a trip to the Fort George Historic Site and a board game night. This weekend will provide brethren with a wonderful opportunity to draw closer through seminars, Bible studies, activities and fellowship.
If you are interested in attending, for more information and to register, please send an e-mail to Timothy Dranov at [email protected].—Michael Heykoop
Internet Department
December 24 Live, Special Sabbath Service and Dr. Meredith's Live Sermon—Must Read
Please register for the on-line, live Charlotte special Sabbath Service on December 24 if you plan to watch, whether as part of your local congregation, or from home before or after your local Sabbath Services. This will help us very much in our planning. Even if your local LCG congregation plans to "tune in" over the Internet to watch this special Sabbath Service, please still register yourself and your family. Just go to TomorrowsWorld.org or LCG.org and click on the "The Future of God's Work" registration banners.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Improved Online Donations Interface—Repeat Announcement
Many people now make purchases, pay bills and do their banking "online," so a few months ago we deployed a new, secure online donations system to make it more user-friendly to pay tithes or make offerings online. The feedback is that people really like this new system. Online donations reduce paperwork for you, and they also reduce paperwork and administrative time for headquarters. Last week we added functionality to the donations system to support "recurring" donations. Many of us in the office have been using the "recurring donations" feature for the past few weeks, and it works great. It is easy to set up. Just click the "donate" link at the bottom of the Web sites.
Feast of Tabernacles 2017
Even as the Feast of Tabernacles 2016 fades into our rear-view mirror, Festival 2017 is already appearing on the horizon! The Festival Office has been hard at work for months to get contracts underway for this coming year's Feast. We are pleased to be able to announce Feast sites for 2017 in the United States and in some international areas. (Please note: The international list is not yet complete—more information will be forthcoming as plans are firmed up.)
Please stay tuned to The World Ahead for more information about the Feast of Tabernacles 2017!
United States Feast Sites in 2017:
AK, Anchorage
CA, San Diego
CO, Snowmass
FL, Panama City
MO, Lake of the Ozarks
OH, Cincinnati
OR, Seaside
SC, Hilton Head
TX, Lake Conroe
VT, Mt. Snow
WI, Lake Geneva
International Feast Sites in 2017 (partial list):
Argentina: Villa de Merlo, San Luis
Australia: Nelson Bay, NSW
Barbados: Christ Church
Brazil: Moscou
Canada: BC, Kimberley
Canada: ON, Niagara
Guatemala: Antigua
Guyana: Georgetown
Haiti: Paillant
Jamaica: Montego Bay
Kenya: Kendu Bay
Martinique: Ste. Luce
Mexico: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
New Zealand: Hanmer Springs
Nigeria: Lagos
Papua New Guinea: Port Moresby
Peru: Huaychulo
South Africa: Port Shepstone
South Africa: Stillbaai
Spain: La Alberca, Salamanca
Tanzania: Nansio, Ukerewe
Thailand: Chiang Mai
Tobago: Bon Accord
Togo: Afagnan
Vanuatu: Orap Village or Malekula
Living Youth Program
Friday Evening Online Teen Bible Study
There will be no online Teen Bible Study on the Friday evenings of December 23 and 30, because of the Family Weekend activities in Charlotte and Kansas City. However, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on "Pentecost—Only 'Firstfuits' Now Called!," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Living University
Living University: Registration for Second Semester
There are just over three weeks left to register for Spring semester classes. Those interested in taking classes this semester should register as soon as possible in order to order textbooks and be prepared for the start of classes on January 11, 2017. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for your selected course. For a listing of classes being offered this semester, see our "Spring 2017 Class Schedule" link on the Living University Web site. Those age 65 and above are eligible to audit one class per semester without a tuition fee. High school students interested in taking LU classes while in high school can register for the Early College program and take classes at a significantly reduced rate. Brethren in many developing nations are also eligible for a 50 percent reduction in tuition. For a list of nations that qualify for this tuition break, visit the ISI Web site: https://www.isi-web.org/index.php/resources/developing-countries. To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com Web site. For additional information or questions, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294.
THL 467 – Historical Geography of Bible Lands. This course deals with the historical geography of the Bible Lands as represented in ancient texts (the Bible as well as Egyptian, Mesopotamian and Canaanite sources). Emphasis is on the interrelationship of history and geography during the Bronze and Iron Ages, including settlement, economic, military, and communication factors in ancient Israel. Students will study relevant archaeological, historical and biblical material and correlate it with important sites, roads, and features within the eastern Mediterranean region. This class is offered every other year.
THL 473 – Archaeology and the Old Testament. This course deals with the archaeology of the Bible Lands from the fourth millennium BCE through the Intertestamental Period. Topics addressed include patriarchal Palestine, Joseph and Moses in Egypt, the reigns of David and Solomon, the divided kingdom, the exile, and the intertestamental period. Additional focus is placed on how understanding of the social, political and religious background of the biblical world aids illumination of the Hebrew Scriptures. This class is only offered every few years.
COMM 260 – Public Speaking. This course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a variety of settings. In this class, students will focus on research, preparation, delivery, and evaluation of informative, persuasive, and special occasion public speaking. It is a very helpful class for those giving sermonettes. This class is offered only every other year.
NOTE: For BUS 112 – Introduction to Business, we have removed the requirement to purchase a textbook for this class. All readings will now be online. This class takes a very biblical approach to business topics.
Comments
The Importance of Mercy: One of the fundamental qualities we must develop as Christians, if we hope to become like God and reign with Jesus Christ, is mercy. Showing mercy involves patience, understanding, compassion and a willingness to forgive. The Scriptures reveal that God is full of mercy and compassion (Exodus 34:6-7) and that He requires us to develop these same qualities (Micah 6:8; Hosea 6:6). Solomon also stated that when we show mercy, we honor God (Proverbs 14:31). Jesus taught that if we show mercy, we will receive mercy (Matthew 5:7) and that God values mercy over sacrifice (Hosea 6:6; Matthew 9:13). Jesus also taught that mercy is an important key for promoting better human relationships and that individuals who have received mercy, but do not show mercy to others, will face serious consequences as a result (Matthew 18:21-35). In human relationships, we sometimes want to judge people guilty before the law, yet the Apostle Paul stated that "Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13). As we strive to develop the mind of God, we will come to understand the importance of showing mercy to everyone we deal with—and we will be preparing to rule with Jesus Christ in His Kingdom.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 15, 2016
Liberal Theology and Declining Church Attendance: Church attendance in Western "Christian" nations has been falling steadily for decades. In America, less than 20 percent of the population now attends church each week (Statistics and Reasons for Church Decline, Richard Krejar) and in England, less than 2 percent of the population attends church each week (The Guardian, January12, 2016). According to the Toronto Star, mainline Protestant denominations in Canada have lost 40-60 percent of their members since 1960 (thestar.com, December 6, 2016). Often-cited reasons for such declines include a lack of interest within our increasingly secular societies. However, the Star article highlights a recent statistical study that reveals that "Liberal theology leads to decline." The study defines "liberal theology" as attempts by clergy to water down what the Scriptures actually say and to discount belief in the supernatural "in order to make their religious message more palatable for modern audiences," and finds that it is actually "conservative theology—with its emphasis on the factual truth of scripture and God's activity in the world—that fuels church growth." It appears that the move away from the Bible has led to shrinking attendance in mainline Protestant churches in Western societies. While mainstream churches, in general, have a history of ignoring Scripture in favor of tradition, ancient prophecies have long warned that moves even further away from the Bible would happen. God inspired Jeremiah to write, "those who handle the law did not know Me… Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture… who try to make My people forget My name" (Jeremiah 2:8; 23:1, 25-27). As this world continues to turn away from God, it is encouraging to know that after Jesus Christ returns, His Truth will eventually fill the earth (Isaiah 11:9). To learn more about this exciting future, see The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?
The Need for a Savior: Reports coming out of Syria describe the desperation of people trapped in the besieged city of Aleppo. One young man who posted videos of the death and destruction occurring in the city said in a clearly worried voice, "I can't see what is happening in street, but I hear bombs approaching… There is no safe building left. Possible that we (will be) exposed to bombing any moment" (USA Today, December 13, 2016). Numerous reports indicate that Syrian troops were killing people on the streets as they moved to re-take control of the city from rebels. As the civil war rages in Syria, with its consequences of devastation and death, it is easy for people in safer environments to ignore the atrocities committed against other human beings. Yet Jesus taught, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). The Bible also reveals that God notices those who "sigh and cry" when they see the abominations that are committed in this world (Ezekiel 9:4). These terrible and worsening conditions should motivate caring Christians to earnestly pray to God for His Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10). The true Gospel is actually about the return of Jesus Christ as the "Savior of the world" (John 4:42), who will ultimately bring peace and justice to this very troubled world (Isaiah 9:6-7). To learn more about the real hope for the future, read Do You Believe the True Gospel?
Superbug Gene Found on Pig Farm: NBC News reports, "Researchers have found a rare and frightening superbug gene on a U.S. pig farm and say their discovery suggests raw meat could carry the dangerous germs into the human population" (December 6, 2016). According to the report, the gene imparts bacteria with resistance to carbapenems, a family of antibiotics used in "last resort" cases when nothing else will work. Any bacteria able to resist this antibiotic—such as the suberbug, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), which kills up to half of those infected—would potentially represent an extreme danger to human life. The NBC News article emphasizes that researchers are concerned about the possibility that those who handle such meat, even if they themselves don't become infected, may become carriers of deadly germs who could accidentally expose others. God made it clear long ago that there were certain meats to avoid in our human diet, including pork (Leviticus 11; Deuteronomy 14:3-21). It should be no surprise that people experience negative results when God's health laws are ignored. For more information, read our article "Biblical Principles of Health."—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway and Francine Prater