Greetings from Charlotte,
As world leaders focus their attention on the turbulent Middle East and Eastern Europe, other events are occurring in Western Europe that could also prove to be prophetically significant in the near future. The declining influence of Britain and France is opening the door for Germany to play the leading role in Europe's future (see News and Prophecy articles). Dr. Meredith has returned from Houston, Texas, where he spoke last Sabbath to a record attendance of 149 brethren, and on Sunday, he and Mr. Rick Stafford made a Tomorrow's World Presentation in Beaumont, Texas. Last weekend, 104 visitors attended TWPs—53 in Beaumont, 25 in Danbury Connecticut, and 26 in Sudbury, Ontario. This coming weekend, Mr. Hernandez will make a TWP in Geneva, Switzerland; Mr. Rod King and Mr. Pieter van der Byl will conduct TWPs in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa. This week we mailed out the July co-worker letter to more than 12,000 recipients. Living University registration continues (see announcement below). Preliminary reports indicate that the West Virginia Pre-Teen Camp and the LYC Adventure Camp in Yellowstone National Park have gone well. Last weekend, I had a very encouraging visit to congregations in Joplin and Springfield, Missouri, and several visits in the Kansas City area. Please keep God's Work and God's people in your prayers.—DSW
Church Administration
Tomorrow's World Presents in Beaumont, Texas
After preaching to a record attendance of 149 at services in Houston on the Sabbath of July 12, Dr. Roderick Meredith gave a powerful Tomorrow's World presentation on "After Armageddon" on Sunday in Beaumont, Texas. Mr. Rick Stafford then spoke about "The Mystery of God's Holy Days." About 60 people were expected, but it turned out that 87 people came, including 53 guests! The messages were well received and the visitors also appreciated the opportunity to fellowship, ask questions, and enjoy the delicious refreshments that the brethren provided. Several inquired about attending services. We look forward to good fruit resulting from the Tomorrow's World Presentation in Beaumont.
Tomorrow's World Presents in Danbury, Connecticut
On Sunday afternoon, July 13, we conducted a Tomorrow's World Presentation in Danbury, Connecticut. There were 38 in attendance, including 25 guests, providing a solid beginning to launch a new congregation here. This southwestern corner of Connecticut is a priority area for growth and the Danbury congregation will be able to serve the northern outskirts of New York City, the I-95 corridor cities of southwestern Connecticut, and the Hartford area as well. We regularly receive requests for information about a local congregation, but until now have not been able to adequately serve prospective members in this area. The inaugural service will be on the Sabbath of July 19. We pray that God will continue to bless the efforts to preach the Gospel and feed and build the flock in this area.—Jonathan McNair
Adirondack Adventure Program
While most Americans were celebrating their independence with hot dogs and fireworks, sixteen intrepid hikers spent five days of independence from electricity, cell phones and hot and cold running water! Our first annual Adirondack Adventure was a success. For many in our group, it was their first experience with mountain hiking—both the long, challenging climbs, and the magnificent views! God blessed us with protection in thunderstorms, and a rainbow to remind us that He was there! We're looking forward to returning to the Adirondack High Peaks next Fourth of July!—Jonathan McNair
Church Survey 2014
Attention Area Pastors: This is a reminder that the Church Survey, which was distributed during the ministerial conference (or sent to you by mail), is due by July 31. Please return your lists to us by registered mail (within the U.S.) or by private courier (FedEx, DHL or similar service if you are outside the U.S.). Send to: Living Church of God, Attn. Joshua Penman, 2301 Crown Centre Drive, Charlotte, NC 28227, USA, telephone 704-844-1970. Please do not return your lists by regular mail, fax or e-mail. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu Update
On March 12, I traveled to Papua New Guinea to visit brethren in three locations and to conduct baptisms. My first stop was Kokopo, near Rabaul, a new township built after the volcanic eruption that destroyed most of Rabaul in 1994. A couple who have long been faithful to God's word met me and we spent the afternoon and evening together. In the early morning they were baptized in the clear calm waters of Blanche Bay. Although they are isolated, they are very encouraged by the strong messages from the DVDs and Church Web site.
My next visit was to Madang. I met with a lady and her two grown children and we shared a meal and fellowship before I traveled on to Port Moresby. The little group there held Sabbath services in a shady and private area of the Botanical Gardens, which was most pleasant. God really blessed the Sabbath with fine weather and fellowship but as evening came, the heavens opened up with a torrential downpour. Roads were washed out and flash flooding about a meter deep cut off my hotel so that I was not able to meet with the brethren there again before traveling back to Sydney.
Two days after returning to Sydney, I flew to Vanuatu with Mr. Bruce Tyler, arriving in Port Vila late Wednesday evening, March 19. We spent the next day making necessary business arrangements and met with two members there to discuss the Work in Vanuatu and how best to handle the responses to our radio program there.
The next day we traveled to Norsup on the Island of Malekula to meet with Mr. Jerry Sam, the elder in Vanuatu. Together we traveled the 16 kilometers to Orap village. Mr. Tyler had not visited Vanuatu for some years and the brethren were overjoyed to meet up with him again.
Orap village is in a millennial setting and is very well maintained by the brethren who live there. They are largely self-sufficient. A river to the ocean provides water for washing clothes and bathing. Rainwater is used for drinking and the members grow most of their food. They even make their own bricks for a number of building projects underway. Power is supplied by a generator and some solar panels. Mr. Tyler and I spent two very positive and productive days in Orap village. We conducted two baptisms and a wedding and held a lengthy question-and-answer session. Mr. Tyler gave the sermon on Sabbath on "The Real Meaning of Christian Baptism" and I gave a sermonette on "The Meaning of Passover." Mr. Sam translated the messages into French for those who could not follow along well in English. (Both French and English are spoken in Vanuatu although not everyone speaks both.) It was wonderful to hear the hymns sung in French and English together. There is much musical talent among the brethren in Orap.
A wedding was held on Sunday and the whole village attended, as well as many who traveled from other areas. The ceremony was followed by a sumptuous lunch of lap lap, wedding cake and beverages—and of course much fellowship. Later that day we said our goodbyes and traveled back to Norsup in an open utility truck full of brethren and villagers. From there we flew back to Vila and met again with the two members, updating them on the discussions about the Work we had with Mr. Sam.
Monday morning we were up at 4:00 to catch our flight back to Australia.—Graeme Hemphill
Visit to Myanmar
On May 29, Messrs. Rajan Moses, John Isaac and I left Malaysia to visit the members in Yangon and Sakhan Gyi, Myanmar. We were greeted in Yangon by Mr. Thomas Tial Hoe and another member. The next morning we traveled to Myaung Mya, a journey of almost five hours through paddy fields, small hut houses and roaming pigs and cows. It is a tiring trip because the roads are not good; however, they are better than they were a few years ago, when the journey took eight to nine hours. Myaung Mya is a small place and people live happily with very few amenities. There were many mosquitoes. On Sabbath morning, members from Sakhan Gyi village picked us up and took us to that village, about an hour's trip by motorbike and boat. The rest of the members there awaited us eagerly and we all walked together about a kilometer to the village. The brethren in Sakhan Gyi have no electricity or hot running water. Services are held in the home of Mrs. Saw Lay Beh. Mr. Moses gave the sermonette and the sermon and Mr. Thomas Tial Hoe translated into Burmese. The children's choir and the adult choir both sang. After services, all shared a variety of dishes for lunch and had wonderful fellowship. There was also time for counselling with Mr. Moses. When it was time to leave, a number of brethren followed us to the boat and some actually travelled back to Myaung Mya with us. Sunday, we travelled back to Yangon. The entire trip was very moving and I learnt a lot from my father... I especially admired the way he was able to break through cultural barriers.—Ronald Moses
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon CDs
Attention Pastors: Please send the Church Administration Department at [email protected] the names of those in your congregation(s) who will be unable to attend the Feast and will need to receive a set of the Feast of Tabernacles sermons on CD. (Sermons are available in English, French or Spanish.) The deadline to submit these requests is August 1 for international recipients and August 30 for recipients in the U.S. Note: Feast sermons will also be uploaded (one per day) during the Feast at www.lcg.org, for those who have Internet access.
Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance Requests—U.S. Only
The deadline to submit Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance requests was July 15 and we have begun to process the forms. Please be patient while we process your request, as it might take a few weeks to receive an answer. As a reminder, our policy is that those who request assistance should attend their assigned Feast site.
Activity Registration Open
Feast of Tabernacles activity registration is open! Brethren are encouraged to sign up for their Feast site's activities. It is a great help to those who are arranging for the activities to have an idea how many people plan to participate in them. Check the Festival Web site (fot2014.lcg.org) or with the Festival Site Coordinator for more information about payment options that may be available.—Rod McNair
Living Youth Programs
2014 Adventure Camp—Yellowstone National Park
On Tuesday afternoon, 32 determined hikers returned from a challenging and exhilarating hike through the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park. Campers and staff alike marched through rugged terrain, crossed the Continental Divide, and finally exited some 40 miles later at Old Faithful. Rushing waters and pesky wildlife were unable to quench the enthusiasm of the group, as countless images of beautiful waterfalls, geysers, and thermal features were stored in memories to last for years to come. Chilly rivers combined with hot springs to create natural "hot tubs" for the ultimate swimming experience! Snowballs were tossed, stories shared and friendships built all along the way as they climbed and by blazing campfires in the evening. Once again, God has certainly blessed the adventure of a lifetime!—Sheldon Monson and Jason Fritts
Davao, Philippines, Youth Camp
This year more than a dozen campers and six parents gathered on May 24 for a three-day youth camp of learning, fun, and developing healthy independence in the outdoors. The camp started after the Sabbath with an evening Bible Study by Mr. Felipe Casing and a Bible Quiz by Mr. Jose Arendain. Uniform t-shirts were distributed and the campers were divided into three groups to assist with food preparation during the camp. Miss Conie Casing gave a class on etiquette and taught basic dance steps. The second day the campers woke at 4:00 a.m. to walk and jog one and a half kilometers then cooked breakfast and lunch before their beach outing at Vales Beach Resort. Through much of the rest of the day they enjoyed swimming, playing ball games, fellowshipping and laughter. Mr. Robert Mallen taught compass reading and Mr. Arendain taught volleyball and basketball. In the evening they learned dancing and line dancing. May 26, the last day of camp, was spent playing volleyball and swimming. After dinner they shared their experiences and presented the dances they had learned. Certificates and tokens of appreciation were given to both campers and parents. When it was time to go, the young campers sang the "Farewell" song and each talked about what they had learned at camp and how much they had enjoyed it. One camper said, "The teachings that were imparted to us by the different speakers will never be forgotten and will always stay in our minds and importantly, will be applied to our daily lives... A million thanks to all of you!"—Conie Casing and Kathleen de Leon
Ohio Teen Living Youth Camp 2014—Repeat Announcement
The "Dress Code" for the following special events is as follows:
- Dress for Friday Evening Bible Study
Bible Study dress is nice casual. Boys are expected to wear a dress shirt, slacks, and dress shoes. No tie required. Girls are expected to wear skirts/dresses. No shorts or blue jeans or tennis shoes allowed.
- Dress for Sabbath Brunch and Dinner on the Sabbath (other than the final banquet)
Dress is the same as noted above for Friday evening Bible Study.
- Dress for Sabbath Services and the Final Banquet
These are dress-up occasions. Boys are expected to wear a dress shirt, coat and tie and dress shoes. (Coats may be removed if it is too hot.) Girls are expected to wear skirts/dresses and dress shoes or dressy sandals.
- Dress for Topics and Dance
Boys are expected to wear polo shirts, dress slacks and dress shoes. Girls are expected to wear sun-dresses (hats optional), and dressy sandals.
We have moved the "Topics and Dance" to the afternoon (2:00-5:30 p.m.). One boys' dorm and one girls' dorm are scheduled for each topics and dance session. Special cold beverages and appetizers will be served in a "Garden Party" type atmosphere. Each girls' dorm will be required to come up with decorations and a theme, and will have the morning to decorate and prepare for this special event.
The "Daily Activity Schedule" for the Teen Camp in Ohio is posted on the Living Youth Site. The "Evening Activity Schedule" and a revised "Staff Assignments List" have also been posted.—Sheldon Monson
Living University
Living University—Registration for First (Fall) Semester
Registration for fall semester classes is now underway. Classes will begin August 18 and students may register anytime between now and then. For those who have never taken a Living University course, you will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for your selected course. Enrolling is quick and easy—it will only take five to ten minutes. Just visit our Web site and click on the "Apply Now" link. The following are brief descriptions of several courses being offered next semester. We plan to highlight a few more courses next week. A complete listing and more details of "2014 Fall Semester Classes" (spring in the Southern hemisphere) can also be viewed on the Living University Web site. To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit www.livinguniv.com. For additional information, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294. As a reminder, those in their third tithe year at the start of the semester are eligible for a 50 percent reduction in tuition. Just be sure to submit the Application for Financial Aid sheet available on the LU Web site. Let us know if you have questions.
THL 332 – The Biblical Text: This in-depth course deals with proving the authority, inspiration, canonization, literary unity, and textual criticism of the Bible. Emphasis is on Bible translations, versions, textual analysis, exegesis, and research. Students taking this course will have a much firmer grasp of the validity of the Bible and be able to defend that validity more convincingly. This course is part of the Certificate of New Testament Studies program as well as the diploma and degree programs.
THL 344 – Christian Women: This fascinating course focuses on to the unique role in life that a Christian woman fills, with special emphasis on qualities relevant to the life and work of the Christian woman in the Church. It also contrasts current societal perspectives on womanhood with the biblical perspective. Selected topics include the lives and examples of outstanding women of the Bible and the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual issues affecting all Christian women, including the practical and biblical methods of dealing with them.
THL 412 – Epistles of Paul I: Paul's letters have been a stumbling block to many for decades yet they can be clearly understood. This course will shed light on topics that often confuse the world's Christians. THL 212 is the first of two courses on Paul's epistles and focuses on the Apostle Paul's life and writings including the background, message, purposes and theme of each of his epistles. Emphasis is on Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians and Galatians. Note that THL 136 is a prerequisite for this course.
Comments
Where Is Your Focus? The cares and worries of this life tend to keep our focus on the here and now and what is happening to us as individuals. Yet, Jesus admonished His disciples to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). Jesus also warned that "the cares of this world" can choke the truth and cause us to become unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). Are your thoughts and efforts really focused on this Big Picture—of doing God's Work and building the character necessary to function as kings and priests (leaders and teachers) in the soon-coming Kingdom of God? The Apostle Paul urged Christians to "walk circumspectly" (live purposefully) and to make the most of our time "because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). Paul also instructed Christians to treat each other with respect and avoid bickering and doctrinal arguments that can shift our focus away from the Big Picture (Romans 12:9-12; 14:20; 1 Corinthians 1:10). We need to periodically evaluate what dominates our lives, how we use our time, and what we are really trying to accomplish. Are you following the biblical admonition to focus our minds on what is true, noble, just and pure (Philippians 4:8) so you can become productive members of God's Family? Let's all strive to stay focused on this Big Picture.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—July 17, 2014
Failing German-American Relations: "Germany may be America's most important European ally, but the relationship between the two countries is on the rocks" following the discovery of a CIA spy in Berlin. This is just one more nail in the coffin of German-American relations following the Snowden leaks (CNN, July 11, 2014). "The New York Times soberly noted that German-American relations have reached their low point with the expulsion of the CIA's representative from Berlin. Experts on Germany in Washington view the events more dramatically: President Obama, they fear, is on the verge of losing Germany" (Deutsche Welle, July 11, 2014). Relations between Germany and the U.S. appear to be growing worse by the day. Bible prophecies have long warned that due to the sins of the Israelite nations—especially the descendants of the sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh—Britain and America), God will cause their "lovers" (allies) to turn against them (see Jeremiah 30:14; Ezekiel 16:37; 23:22). In light of these prophecies, it is sobering to see the rift and lack of trust that is developing today between America and Germany. For more details on the future of the U.S., Britain and Germany, be sure to read The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy and The Beast of Revelation.
Return of Germany: Germany's fourth World Cup championship has rekindled long-suppressed feelings of pride and patriotism in a nation that has felt constrained by its militaristic past. However, the victory could be one more critical factor in the transformation of a nation that is at a crossroads in its history. In recent years, Germany has emerged as "Europe's reluctant leader" and an economic superpower that is seeking to establish its role in the world (The Washington Post, July 13, 2014). NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen addressed this issue recently when he stated, "Germany has become such an important actor on the world stage economically and politically that it can't simply sit back when it comes to international affairs. Germany is strong, and everyone expects it to take on an active role. That is decisive for Europe's future" (spiegelonline, July 11, 2014). Bible prophecies have long foretold that Assyria (modern Germany) will play an active role on the world stage at the end of the age. Germany will lead an end-time revival of the Roman Empire that will dominate Europe as the "king of the north" (Daniel 2:42-44; 11:40-44; Revelation 17:12-13). That German-led confederation will be used by God to punish the Israelite nations that have forgotten God and turned from His ways (Isaiah 10:5-6). To learn more about Germany's surprising future, read our article entitled "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"
More Weather Woes! Less than a year after Typhoon Haiyan (the strongest storm ever to hit land) struck the Philippines and killed more than 6,300 people, another powerful storm, Typhoon Rammasun (a Thai word for god of thunder), packing 100 mph winds pounded the Philippines this week. The typhoon toppled trees, destroyed thousands of homes, displaced nearly half a million people and left some 40 people dead (Houston Chronicle, July 16, 2014). Damage to infrastructure could run above $1 million and the loss in crops and livestock could exceed $14 million. In the USA, California is in the third year of a crippling drought that has parched much of the American Southwest. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 80 percent of the state is listed as showing either "extreme" or "exceptional" drought conditions (droughtmonitor.unl.edu, July 15, 2014). In addition to the economic costs to the state's farmers, ranchers and recreational businesses, this drought has serious implications for the rest of the nation as about half of all the fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in the USA come from California (International Business Times, July 15, 2014). Another consequence of this "worst drought in a generation" is that state fire officials say they have battled more than 3,000 fires so far this year—about 900 above the average—and they are currently preparing for "a potentially catastrophic fire season" and "one of the longest and most difficult fire seasons in memory" (The Sacramento Bee, July 12, 2014). Bible prophecies have long warned that droughts, famines and increasingly severe disasters would be a prelude to the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:3-7; Luke 21:11). For more information on the significance of end-time events, see our booklet Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return.—Scott Winnail and Marc Arseneault