Greetings from Charlotte,
As dangerous encounters between nations continue to occur around the world—in the South China Sea, in the Baltic Sea and in the Middle East—these events also can strike closer to home. One of our members from the Paris congregation was on a flight from Paris to Egypt that disappeared over the Eastern Mediterranean today (see announcement below). We certainly need to keep each other in our prayers as problems in the world continue to grow. Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has held a number of meetings this week, and he will deliver the sermon this coming Sabbath. Last weekend nearly 100 visitors attended Tomorrow's World Presentations in the New York area and in Melbourne, Australia. This coming weekend we will hold TWPs in Rolla and Columbia, Missouri. The second Passover will be observed this Saturday evening.—DSW
Church Administration
Urgent Prayer Request
We are very concerned about one of our members who was on the airplane that disappeared while over the Mediterranean Sea early this (Thursday) morning. We received the following from Mr. Rees Ellis, our minister in Belgium:
EgyptAir Flight 804 vanished off the radar on its way from Paris to Cairo with 66 people aboard, an airline official said early this morning. The plane was flying at 37,000 feet when it disappeared with 56 passengers and 10 crew members, the airline tweeted.
Mrs. Monique Dalle, member of the Paris congregation, and wife of Jean-Jacques Dalle, is on the flight MS804 that disappeared en route from Paris to Cairo. Monique was travelling to see their daughter Esther. Her husband their son Nathan are at home in Paris awaiting news from the authorities. Please pray for the family.
We are monitoring the reports about this tragic event for further information.—Dexter Wakefield
Second Passover—Repeat Announcement
The Second Passover this year should be taken shortly after sunset on Saturday, May 21. This Passover is for those baptized members who were unable to take the first Passover due to unavoidable circumstances. The biblical instructions regarding this ceremony are found in Numbers 9:1-4.
Charlotte BRiC Weekend Registration—Memorial Day Singles Weekend—Repeat Announcement
Please Read Entire Announcement for Registration Details:
The theme of this Singles weekend in Charlotte is "Building Relationships in Christ" through servant leadership. Are you interested in profitable discussions on this topic and do you desire to strengthen your relationships? Do you also want to dance, relax, and enjoy a little fresh air? If you're single and interested in the above, then be sure to join us May 27–30.
The Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching. Please be sure to register for the BRiC weekend before the deadline! We need to know you are coming. And with the local housing filling up fast, you'll want to be sure to register soon! You can register for the weekend, as well as find out more details, at charlottelcg.org/BRiC (not an official LCG Web site). If you have any questions regarding the weekend, please e-mail me at [email protected].—Ryan Dawson
Internet Department
Social Media Reach
2015 and 2016 have yielded significant growth for Tomorrow's World social media, with subscriber and "fan" counts consistently growing month by month, and with many thousands of people reading, watching and sharing articles and videos. To see a quick, "real-time" summary of some of our primary English, Spanish and French YouTube and Facebook pages, you can visit the "Social Sites" link at the bottom of the TomorrowsWorld.org Web page (or go to TomorrowsWorld.org/social)."—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
Must Read: Need to Register—Even if Going to Assigned Site
Some brethren have asked the question, "Why do we need to register if we are going to our assigned site?" The answer is simple: out of love for your brethren! Until assigned brethren register for their choice of site, the Festival Office does not know how much room is left for incoming transfers. Therefore, out of consideration for other (transferring) brethren, please register as soon as possible, even if you are going to your assigned site!
For Those Going to Lake Conroe, Texas
The Lake Conroe, Texas, Feast site is a case in point. Further transfers are not now being accepted as the site is nearing capacity. If you have been considering applying to Lake Conroe, you may want to apply to another site. However, many brethren assigned to Lake Conroe have yet to register. If you are assigned to Lake Conroe, please register as soon as possible! That will help us determine if we have the room to accept additional transfers at Lake Conroe, TX.
Sites with Limited Seating Capacity
Most 2016 Feast sites still have room for additional transfers. However, we currently have limited seating capacity at four sites:
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Lake Conroe, Texas
St. George, Utah
Carry-le-Rouet, France
If you have applied for a transfer to any of these sites but have not yet received a transfer approval e-mail, you may wish to re-register at another site.
Register for the Feast at: fot2016.lcg.org. (You can also access it by going to the Living Church of God Web site, lcg.org, and clicking on "Feast of Tabernacles.") If you do not have Internet access, please contact your Festival Advisor. If you do not know who your Festival Advisor is, please check with your local pastor. If you have any technical problems registering, please e-mail [email protected].
Please do not make housing reservations until you have registered and been approved for your choice of site.
Le Gosier, Guadeloupe—Repeat Announcement
The Guadeloupe and Martinique congregations warmly invite you to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles 2016 in beautiful Le Gosier, Guadeloupe. Translation into English will be provided during services throughout the Feast. The French archipelago of Guadeloupe consists of five paradisiacal islands located in the heart of the Caribbean. Guadeloupe is a beautiful mix of the traditional Caribbean and France. In Guadeloupe there are many opportunities to enjoy God's creation through gorgeous white sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, forests, waterfalls, volcanoes and breathtaking sunsets. Guadeloupe is also known for its charming towns and markets, and its exquisite cuisine and rum. More information about this site can be found at fot2016.lcg.org. For any questions, please contact the coordinator, Dr. Wilner Pierre, at [email protected].
Living Youth Program
New Living Youth Programs Logo!
We want your input for the new Living Youth Program logo! Over many years, God has blessed the Living Youth Program as a vital tool to make a positive impact on the lives of Church youth all around the world, giving them opportunities to make friends, develop character and learn about God's way. To better reflect the growth in what LYP is all about, we are excited to be rolling out a new LYP logo in 2016/2017 and we want your input as we make the final decision! The designs are posted on our LYP Facebook page and livingyouth.org Web site and youth and members alike can simply select the one they like the best. Your responses will be considered as the final selection is made. Pray about it, and as you consider the logo options, think about not only what camp means to you, but also what the Living Youth Program means to you. Over this year and next, we will begin to implement the new designs in various ways, including a couple surprises that we think you will like!—LYP Staff
North Carolina Preteen Camp Update!
Staff assignments are being finalized as we are now only four weeks away from the beginning of camp! The deadline for Staff applications will be May 30; the deadline for Camper applications is June 6. Space is still available, but please be sure to sign up soon! We're looking forward to a great year!—Jason Fritts
Ohio Teen Camp Update
The master schedule of activities for this year should be posted Friday, May 20, on the Living Youth Web site, www.livingyouth.org. Check it out! A revised Staff Assignments List has been posted for the Ohio Teen Camp as well. Be sure to check it for any changes.—LYP Staff
LYC Ohio Announcement—Repeat Announcement
Are you getting excited about teen camp in Ohio yet? Before you start packing, we want to let you know that the first Saturday night's dance is going to have a Western theme. So, don't forget to pack those cowboy/cowgirl hats and boots! Yee Haw!
Texas Preteen Camp—Counselors Still Needed and Camper Application Deadline—Repeat Announcement
All campers who would like to apply for the Texas Preteen Camp are asked to complete an application as soon as possible, no later than midnight on Wednesday, June 1. This will help us in arranging dorm assignments. Also, we are still currently in need of those who would like to serve as boys' and girls' dorm counselors or assistant counselors. All other staff assignments are being finalized; those accepted as staff will be notified within the next week. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Camp Director Bob Rodzaj at 505-209-1497 or [email protected].
Human Resources
Employment Opportunity: Web App Developer—Repeat Announcement
Are you a Web App Developer? Do you have experience with Drupal, PHP, JavaScript, CSS, Java, Android application development, and/or iPhone/iPad application development, and Linux, Apache and MySQL environments? Are you enthusiastic about Web development, social-media, multi-media, and developing next-generation apps? Are you even more enthusiastic about participating in the greatest Work on the earth at this time by directly helping the Internet Department support the Church's efforts to proclaim the Gospel of the coming Kingdom of God to the entire world!? If so, and if you are a motivated team-player, and a goal-oriented innovator, then we invite you to submit your resume and apply for our Web App Developer opening. We want to add one more position to our team later this year.
The ideal candidate will either: a) have a Bachelor of Science degree and at least one year of professional experience, or will b) have at least five years of related professional experience. The ideal candidate will be able to cooperate effectively with staff in all Headquarters departments. The ideal candidate will also have a positive, "can-do" attitude and will be creative, but able to stay focused and deliver projects without a lot of supervision. Applicants should be truly dedicated to the Church and to the Truth. A successful candidate will be expected to relocate to Charlotte, and the Church will pay for reasonable moving expenses. We request that only those applicants who live and can legally work in the United States apply for this position. If you are interested in the Web App Developer position, please send your resume to: Human Resources Department, Living Church of God, P.O. Box 3810, Charlotte, NC 28227-8010. Fax: 704-844-1973; e-mail: [email protected].
Comments
Key to Christian Fellowship: The Apostle Paul urged brethren "to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… but exhorting one another" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Warm Christian fellowship involves communication, companionship, participation and the mutual sharing of common interests and activities. The Bible reveals that the foundation of our fellowship in God's Church is our common belief in the Gospel preached by Jesus Christ (Mark 1:14-15). That foundation also involves receiving and using God's Spirit as we share the love, the joys and trials that come to the followers of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:1-5). Our fellowship also includes participation in the mission and activities of the Church as fellow workers with Christ (Colossians 4:11), fellow servants of God (Colossians 1:7; 4:7) and fellow soldiers in the Work of God (Philippians 2:25). However, the real key to fellowship in the Church of God means having "no fellowship" with the unfruitful ways of this world (Ephesians 5:11), and developing a closer relationship with God, with Jesus Christ and with each other (1 John 1:3, 6-7). God's weekly Sabbath is designed to make this kind of fellowship possible.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—May 19, 2016
NATO–Russian War Ahead? In April, "Russian warplanes conducted 'simulated attacks' on a U.S. Navy vessel in the Baltic Sea… repeatedly flying within 30 feet of the ship" (Military Times, April 13, 2016). In another incident, "RAF fighter jets intercepted five Russian aircraft flying near Estonia… just days after British Typhoon jets were scrambled from the same base to intercept three Russian military transport planes" (The Telegraph, May 17, 2016). Russia is angered by "a U.S missile defense site in Romania aimed at protecting Europe from ballistic missile threats" because Russia "opposes having the advanced military system in its former area of influence" (Military.com, May 12, 2016). Former British General and Deputy Commander of NATO, Sir Alexander Richard Shirreff, warned "that the West is on course for war with Russia" (The Guardian, May 18, 2016). Echoing Shirreff, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Admiral James Stavridis stated, "Under President Putin, Russia has charted a dangerous course that, if it is allowed to continue, may lead inexorably to a clash with NATO. And that will mean a war that could so easily go nuclear" (ibid.). Jesus warned that before His return there would be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matthew 24:6-7). One prophesied event will be a large-scale military engagement between Europe and superpowers "from the east"—likely to include Russia (Daniel 11:44; Revelation 9; 16:12-16). The standoff between NATO and Russia could lead to such a conflict. To learn more about future prophetic events, see "The End of War."
Chinese Buy Up Israelite Nations: According to a recent study, "Chinese nationals have become the largest foreign buyers of US property after pouring billions into the market in search of safe offshore assets… A huge surge in Chinese buying of both residential and commercial real estate last year took their five-year investment total to more than $110bn" (The Guardian, May 15, 2016). "Chinese investment in property has also helped to inflate prices in other developed countries, notably the UK and Australia in the wake of the dip in world stock markets in 2015. And despite a slowdown due to Beijing's subsequent clampdown on capital outflows, the figure for the second half of this decade is likely to double" (ibid.). Although Chinese investments in Israelite-descended nations may be interesting, it is also prophesied to increase as these nations turn further from God and His ways. Long ago, Moses warned that due to Israel's disobedience, "The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower" (Deuteronomy 28:43). Jeremiah also warned, "the word of the LORD is a reproach to them… their houses shall be turned over to others." As the Israelite nations continue to despise their biblical heritage, we will see even greater foreign control over Israelite property. Future events will plainly reveal that God inspired the prophecies in His word. For a better grasp of what is happening in Israelite-descended nations, be sure to read "Jews, Israelites, God's Love and Prophecy."
Brexit and Germany: The British referendum on remaining in or leaving the EU is just over a month away, and tempers and rhetoric are rising. Telegraph commentator Simon Heffer noted recently, "The Fourth Reich Is Here—Without a Shot Being Fired" (The Telegraph, May 15, 2016). In his commentary, Mr. Heffer highlights how Germany has increased its financial and political control of Europe, and he then offers a counter to David Cameron's recent speculation that a Brexit could usher in World War III. Heffer states, "It's not war we should fear, but what the Germans do in peace" (ibid.). In addition, former London Mayor Boris Johnson recently made the following inflammatory remarks about the EU experiment in an interview with The Telegraph. He commented that "both the Nazi leader [Hitler] and Napoleon had failed at unification" and that "the EU was 'an attempt to do this by different methods'" (EU Observer, May 17, 2016). Events in Europe are driving a wedge between Britain and the core nations of the EU (including Germany). Bible prophecies have long warned that the Israelite-descended nations (which include Britain) will be dominated in some way at the end of the age by a German-led beast power (Jeremiah 30:10, 46:27; Ezekiel 39:23). To learn more about this vital issue, read or listen to our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy and our article "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway and Francine Prater