Greetings from Charlotte,
World events continue to move in the direction of fulfilling ancient Bible prophecies about the end times. On the domestic scene, we are watching fundamental biblical values tossed out the window as special interest groups pressure the leaders of our modern societies to "call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). On the global stage, the influence of Israelite nations that have dominated the world for the last several hundred years is fading as other nations begin to promote their own agendas (Leviticus 26:19-20). These sobering trends are the result of God's people turning away from Him (Leviticus 26:14-17). Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has written a new co-worker letter that will be sent out prior to the Passover. Mr. Richard Ames and Mr. Wallace Smith taped new Tomorrow's World television programs this week. Also this week, Canadian Regional Director Mr. Stuart Wachowicz and Mr. Michael Heykoop visited the office in Charlotte for discussions about the Church Web sites. Mr. Peter Nathan and Mr. Jim Meredith are traveling to Kenya for the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. The Tomorrow's World presentation in Phoenix last weekend drew 56 visitors.—DSW
Church Administration
Adirondack Family Canoe Trip July 6-10
This is the last call for registration for four days of fun and fellowship in the Adirondacks. Created in 1892 as one of the first "Forever Wild" Forest Preserves in the nation, the Adirondack Park is a unique wilderness area. At six million acres, it is the largest publically protected area in the contiguous United States.
We initially exceeded the number of people we could accept. However, we've made more room and can now take another nine people. Remember, this trip is for all ages. We'll be paddling to our camp location, then spend one day learning outdoor skills and another day putting them into practice, before we enjoy a Sabbath rest together. We'll be canoeing and hiking, fellowshipping and eating! We sing hymns, learn about God and talk about His plan as we enjoy His creation. The cost is only $125 and the trip will be from July 6 through July 10, centered on Raquette Lake, in the heart of the Adirondacks. The Adirondack Family Canoe Trip is not just a trip of a lifetime, it's about a way of life!
For more information and to register, go to www.nelcg.org (not an official LCG Web site) and click on the "Adirondack Canoe Trip" tab at the top. To go directly to the information page, just click on this link, http://nelcg.org/?page_id=23054. To find out if the Adirondack trip is right for you, check out our YouTube video at https://youtu.be/LmIjH8snSRI!—Jonathan McNair
New Regional Director—Repeat Announcement
As has been announced, Dr. Meredith plans to bring Mr. Gerald Weston to Charlotte in July to assume duties as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Living Church of God. Dr. Meredith will remain as the Presiding Evangelist and Chairman. As a result of these decisions, Mr. Adam West has been appointed to the position of Regional Director for the UK, Ireland and Europe. Mr. West has pastored congregations in the USA and the UK and has more than a decade of experience working in the corporate world as a Vice-President of Sales and Marketing and as a General Manager of an American-based firm with international operations. Mr. West and his family have lived in the UK for the past three years where he has pastored churches in the London area. He has studied with Living University, written articles for Tomorrow's World magazine and recorded commentaries for the LCG Web site. Your prayers for Mr. West and his family are appreciated as he prepares for this new responsibility.
Charlotte BRiC Weekend (an opportunity for singles)—Memorial Day Weekend
Are you interested in insightful, spiritual discussions on Building Relationships in Christ? Do you desire to strengthen the relationships you already have with those around you? 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 attend this year's BRiC Weekend, May 27–30.
Our theme for this year's BRiC Weekend is Building Relationships in Christ through a culture of servant leadership. You can register for the weekend, as well as find the details for the weekend, at charlottelcg.org/BRiC. In order to purchase your ticket you will need to enter the password "BRiC2016" (which is case sensitive). If you have any questions regarding the weekend and its details, please e-mail me at [email protected].—Ryan Dawson
Television Department
Telly Award for Mr. Ames' Telecast
Mr. Ames' telecast "Victory Over Death" just received a Telly Award in the Film/Video "TV Programs" category. The Telly Awards were founded in 1979 to recognize "the finest video and film productions" in various categories and merit-based awards are granted to the top submissions as judged by a panel of more than 500 industry professionals. We thank God for continuing to bless and grow our various media efforts as we work to fulfill the Great Commission of preaching the True Gospel all around the world. The telecast can be viewed at TomorrowsWorld.org or by clicking here.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
2016 Festival Registration Opens on Sunday, May 1!—Repeat Announcement
Festival Registration is scheduled to open on Sunday, May 1, at 12:00 noon EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, USA). At that time, you will be able to register for the Feast site of your choice. You will also be able to indicate any volunteer service opportunities you would like to sign up for at your site. See new Feast site videos and find out information about each of the sites that are being planned for 2016 by going to the Festival Web site: 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 to print off information for any site(s) you are interested in attending. If you do not know who your Festival Advisor is, please check with your local pastor.
Please do not make housing reservations until you have registered and been approved for your choice of site.
Pastors: In preparation for Festival Registration on May 1, please make sure that Headquarters has been notified about any status changes in your local congregation rosters. For example, the Festival Registration system only accepts registrations from members and prospective members. Any new people who want to attend the Feast this year will need to be classified as PMs in order to register. Any Church Youths (CY) who have turned 18 should also be reclassified as Prospective Members (PM). Please also let us know of any other changes in status of any brethren in your area (i.e. baptisms, etc.) or if any brethren have moved to another congregation. Send these status updates to [email protected].
Festival Advisors: In preparation for Festival registration, all Festival Advisors will be able to access Registration and Volunteer Forms, as well as the Festival Site Guide 2016 which has detailed descriptions of each Feast site on the MyLCG Web site (www.cogl.org). These documents are necessary for you to print, copy, and distribute to brethren who need your assistance in registering. Reminder: Festival Registration begins on Sunday, May 1.
All brethren: Please make sure your MyLCG account is working. This will be necessary for you to register online. To test it, go to www.cogl.org and sign in to MyLCG with your username and password. If you don't have one, you will have the option of creating one. If you have any problems logging into MyLCG, please e-mail [email protected].—Festival Office
Feast of Tabernacles in Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan—Repeat Announcement
For those who are planning to attend the Cypress Hills Feast site, please let me know if you have special needs. If you will not have transportation during the Feast, if you have problems moving around, if you are looking for someone to share an accommodation with, or if you have a big family and require a big townhouse, please let me know. In addition, after you have registered and been accepted, and you then call the hotel to make a reservation, please try to take the lodging that has no more than the number of beds you require. The Feast site may fill up quickly and we will need to use the rooms as efficiently as possible. We also have a hotel in Maple Creek, which is about 20 minutes away. If you are younger and/or able to travel 20 minutes morning and evening, then please consider staying at the Cobble Creek Lodge. This will allow those with special needs and families with young children to be at the Feast site resort. Please contact me [email protected] or call 800-828-0618. Thank you very much for your cooperation as we try to make sure that those with special needs are accommodated.—Marc Arseneault
Living Youth Program
Online Teen Bible Studies Suspended During Summer Months
There will be no live online Teen Bible Studies through the summer months, although the Bible Studies given at the Adventure Camp and the Ohio Teen Camp will be posted during these camps. In the meantime, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on "Is This the Only Day of Salvation?," can be found on the Living Youth Web site at livingyouth.org.
The regular online Teen Bible Studies are scheduled to resume on Friday evening, October 7.
Texas Preteen Camp 2016—Staff Applications Deadline
All who would like to apply to serve on the staff of the Texas Preteen Camp are asked to complete an application by no later than midnight on Sunday, May 1. This includes those who have made a verbal commitment, but who have not yet formally applied. We are still currently in need of those who would like to serve as dorm counselors or assistant counselors. Anyone applying after this deadline will be accepted only if space allows. Staff assignments will be distributed by the end of May.
Teen Camp Ohio 2016—Staff Applications Deadline—Repeat Announcement
All who would like to apply to serve on the staff at this camp are asked to complete an application by no later than midnight on Sunday, April 24. Anyone applying after this deadline will be accepted only if space allows. Staff assignments will be posted in early May.
Latin American Teen Camp 2016—Repeat Announcement
This year the Spanish teen camp will be held once again at Misión el Faro, Punta Palma in Guatemala. Misión el Faro is a beautiful seaside camp located on the beaches of the Caribbean Sea and surrounded by lush vegetation. It provides a unique setting for fellowship and spiritual growth in harmony with God's creation. The camp will be held from December 15-22, 2016. Simultaneous translation into English will be available throughout the camp. The maximum age allowed for campers is 22. If you would like to attend this camp, please contact us at [email protected] by August 12.—Cristian Orrego
Comments
Adjusting Your Focus: Prior to the Passover and during the Days of Unleavened Bread is a good time to evaluate how we spend our time and where we focus our energies and concerns. Jesus admonished us to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). Are your thoughts and efforts really focused on this big picture—of doing the Work and building the character necessary to function in the Family of God? The Apostle Paul advised Christians to "walk circumspectly" (live purposefully) and to make the most of our time and opportunities "because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). Paul also instructed Christians to treat each other with respect and to avoid interpersonal bickering and arguments over issues that shift our focus away from the big picture (Romans 12:9-21; 14:20; 1 Corinthians 1:10). Jesus warned that "the cares of this world" can choke the truth and cause us to become unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). We need to periodically evaluate what we watch on TV, what we read and what we do and say on the Internet, and ask ourselves, "Should a Christian be doing these things?" The Internet is a powerful tool that can be used and misused. Regrettably today, it gives anyone with an opinion a soap box to attack others or spread wild ideas! If we are really going to follow the biblical admonition to focus our minds on what is true, noble, just and pure (Philippians 4:8), let's use the Spring Holy Days to adjust our focus once again on the big picture!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—April 14, 2016
Big Plans for Saudi-Egyptian Alliance: Saudi Arabia and Egypt will build a massive bridge over the Red Sea, connecting their two countries. "Saudi Arabia regards Egypt as a crucial partner in efforts to build a bloc of friendly Sunni Muslim states as a bulwark against growing regional influence of Shia-led Iran" (BBC News, April 8, 2016). Saudi King Salmon and Egyptian President Sisi agreed that this historic step could ultimately connect the continents of Asia and Africa. It "will increase trade between the two continents to unprecedented levels" (ibid.). The bridge follows last year's announcement from Egypt "to build a new capital to the east of the present one, Cairo… The announcement was made at an investment conference that aims to revive the Egyptian economy" (BBC News, March 13, 2015). At that time Egypt's housing minister stated "We are talking about a world capital" (ibid.). Since President Sisi took office, the Egypt-Saudi Arabia alliance has strengthened. The projects in the works will strengthen the regional power of Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Bible prophecy foretells that in the years ahead, a powerful "king of the south" (south of Jerusalem) will create a powerful kingdom that will eventually conflict with a European "king of the north" (Daniel 11:40-43). The budding alliance between wealthy Saudi Arabia and Egypt's might (the most powerful military in the Middle East) could play a role in the fulfillment of this prophecy. To learn more about these pivotal events, read our booklet The Middle East in Prophecy.
Russia's Military Buildup and Support of Iran: Responding to the NATO military buildup on its border, "Russia is to beef up its military forces all the way from its western border to the Pacific islands amid ongoing strains with the West, the military said Friday… As part of a response… new units… including two new divisions, will be formed. The military forces in western Russia will receive 1,100 new weapons systems, including warplanes, helicopters, tanks and other armored vehicles" (Associated Press, March 25, 2016). Russia also is delivering "S-300 surface-to-air missiles to Iran… The $800m (£562m) contract, signed in 2007, was frozen by Russia in 2010 because of the international sanctions. President Vladimir Putin unfroze it a year ago" (BBC, April 11, 2016). The world appears to be dividing into three power blocs with the US, Britain, and a number of other Israelite-descended nations moving to the periphery. The Arab bloc has Egypt and Saudi Arabia taking the lead, a more streamlined European bloc has Germany at the center, and an eastern bloc includes Russia, a number of Asian nations including China, and possibly Iran. The Bible has long-foretold that a "king of the south," a "king of the north" or "Beast," and a group of "kings from the east" would dominate the world scene just before the return of Jesus Christ (Daniel 11:40-45; Revelation 16:12). We could be witnessing the emergence of these prophesied kings! For more on the end-time superpowers, read our booklet Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled.
Growing Depression in Children and Young Adults: "Something in modern life is undermining mental health… Specifically… young people's mental health, especially girls" (Quartz, March 21, 2016). Teenagers "in the 2010s were twice as likely to see a professional for mental health issues than those in the 1980s; more teens struggled to remember things in 2010-2012 compared to the earlier period; and 73% more reported trouble sleeping compared to their peers in the 1980s… In the UK, the number of teenagers (15-16) with depression nearly doubled between the 1980s and the 2000s and a recent survey found British 15-year-olds were among the least happy teenagers in the world" (ibid.). A Boston College researcher noted "… if progress is measured in the mental health and happiness of young people, then we have been going backward at least since the early 1950s" (ibid.). Another researcher said "My hypothesis is that the generational increases in externality, extrinsic goals, anxiety, and depression are all caused largely by the decline, over that same period, in opportunities for free play and the increased time and weight given to schooling" (ibid.). The Bible offers an encouraging vision of God's Kingdom—a time when children will be happy and at peace. They will "play in the streets" with their grandparents looking on in a marvelously peaceful setting (Zechariah 8:4-6). For a more detailed picture of God's coming Kingdom, read or listen to our free booklet The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, Francine Prater and Kenneth Frank