Greetings from Charlotte,
As much of the world prepares to celebrate Christmas with jingle bells and songs about peace on earth, the majority of mankind has little to celebrate. In the Middle East, thousands are suffering and dying from warfare, terrorism, religious persecution and adverse weather conditions. In much of Africa and Asia, fighting, corruption and political intrigue are the rule of the day. Thousands in the Philippines are still struggling after the super-typhoon that killed more than 6,000, dislocated nearly 4 million people and caused an estimated $8.2 billion in damage. The world doesn't need more Santa Clauses and reindeer. What the world desperately needs is the return of Jesus Christ and His kingdom! Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has held a number of planning meetings that look ahead to next year. Living University students are completing assignments and exams for this semester. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have returned from an encouraging congregational visit to Ripley, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Rod McNair had a profitable visit with brethren in Barbados, in spite of flight delays caused by adverse weather conditions along the East Coast. This weekend we anticipate more than 600 people will attend the Charlotte Family Weekend for services, a series of Bible Studies and seminars and other activities. In this world of conflict and disparate contrasts, we have much to be thankful for—especially the knowledge of God's overall Plan for mankind—and we have much to prepare for! —DSW
Church Administration
2013 Kansas City Family Weekend
The Kansas City Family Weekend is just one week away, and that means several deadlines are upon us. If you are still planning on eating the catered meal but have not sent your payment in yet, you have two choices. 1. You can go to the KC Weekend Web site (lcgkc.org, not an official Church site) to pay via PayPal, or 2. You can pay at the weekend. If you haven't signed up for the meal but would like to, there are still seats available. If you would like to eat with us, but have financial concerns, please contact Michael Keesee at 816-847-5635.
The meal is being catered by the Holiday Inn for $10 per person ($11/person if you use PayPal). The meal will include a feast of cavatappi noodles in meat sauce, salad, breadsticks and a bread pudding with caramel sauce. A cash bar will be available as well.
All Friday and Saturday activities will be at the Holiday Inn. On Friday night, there will be a Bible study at 7:00 p.m. Sabbath morning will include a seminar by Dr. Scott Winnail at 10:30 a.m. Sabbath services will be at 2:00 p.m.
Our theme this year is Tropical Getaway. After dinner, we'll fly off to a far-away paradise where you'll be treated to some of the finest entertainers imaginable. And we're not just strumming our own ukulele!
After the dinner and entertainment portion of the evening, we'll have the Tropical Getaway Dance. Wear your best tropical shirt or dress and luau the night away. Or if you prefer the water slide over the Electric Slide, head over to the hotel's CoCo Key water park. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at that rate that evening or throughout your stay at the hotel.
Sunday's activities will include basketball, volleyball, children's games, Lori's extreme fitness class—not to mention plenty of fellowship time, once again at the Okun Fieldhouse. Make your teams tonight or tomorrow—the deadline is December 22. Any remaining players without teams will be placed on one.
We look forward to seeing you soon!—Michael Keesee
Living Youth Programs
No Online Teen Bible Study on Friday Evening, December 27
There will not be an online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, December 27. The next online Teen Bible Study is scheduled for Friday evening, January 3. Archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies can be found on the Living Youth Web site at livingyouth.org.—Sheldon Monson
Internet Department
LCG Sermons Video Player Upgrade
We upgraded the LCG.org Web site sermon video player this week. Now, our members who use tablets and smart phones such as iPads and iPhones (or other non-Flash devices) should be able to play the sermons with no trouble. We hope that you are edified and spiritually uplifted by the expanding library of Headquarters sermons available!—Wyatt Ciesielka
Living University
Registration for Second Semester
Registration for second semester classes is now underway. The spring semester will begin in less than four weeks, on Wednesday, January 15. Students may register for the spring semester (fall in the Southern hemisphere) anytime between now and January 14. Those of you who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first and then register for your selected course. We are offering a number of repeat courses and even a couple of brand new courses. A complete listing of second semester courses can be viewed on the Living University Web site under the link "2014 Spring Schedule." 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, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294.
Comments
Reasons to Rejoice: The Scriptures emphasize the importance of rejoicing! The Sabbath is a special time to rejoice—to reflect on the blessings that God has given to us (Isaiah 58:13-14). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4). James states that we should even rejoice when trials come along (James 1:1-3). One of the fruits of God's Spirit is joy (Galatians 5:22). An important key that enables us to rejoice—even during trials—is to remember that we can rejoice "in hope" (Romans 12:12). We need to remember the hope of our calling to be in the Kingdom of God, the hope of eternal life, the hope of forgiveness of our sins. We need to remember that God promises to bring us through the trials that we encounter (1 Corinthians 10:13), and He promises that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). These are reasons that God has given us to rejoice!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 19, 2013
Vatican to Control Jerusalem's Holy Sites? According to a quietly revealed U.S. plan, the Vatican and an international coalition would control some of Jerusalem's most holy sites (WorldNetDaily, December 15, 2013). "The exact composition of the international mandate is up for discussion… but [U.S. Secretary of State] Kerry's plan recommended a coalition that includes the Vatican, together with a group of Muslim countries such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia" (ibid.). The plan, favored by a number of high-ranking Israeli officials, would also designate the Old City of Jerusalem as an international zone (Israel National News, December 15, 2013). For decades, the Work of God has understood biblical prophecies that show the Temple Mount will one day be controlled by a political-religious power that will allow Jews to begin sacrifices again (Daniel 9:27; 12:11). Bible prophecies reveal that a coalition of nations will make a short-lived peace agreement over Jerusalem. This coalition will contain Arab and European nations (see Daniel 11; Psalm 83:5-8; Ezekiel 23:22-23). Events developing in Jerusalem could lead to the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies. For more information on the future of Jerusalem, be sure to read our revealing article, "Huge 'Rebellion' Just Ahead!"
China's Moon Landing and the Future: On December 1, after years of preparation and hard work, China reported landing a robotic vehicle on the moon (BBC, December 14, 2013). The lander touched down in a lunar region about which little is known (ibid.). Many wonder about China's lunar ambitions (BBC, November 29, 2013). In an interview with the BBC, Professor Ouyang Ziyuan of China's Department of Lunar and Deep Space Exploration gave several reasons for China's lunar exploration, including "The Moon could be a 'beautiful' source of minerals and energy" such as Helium 3, which could be used in nuclear fusion reactors. It could also be an important site for collecting solar energy (ibid.). China also plans future manned-missions to the moon (ibid.). China's advances in space and other areas appear to be leaving the U.S. and western Europeans in their wake—it is rising "higher and higher" as many of the Israelite-descended nations go lower and lower (Deuteronomy 28:43-44). If China succeeds in obtaining and developing resources from these lunar missions, China would hold a new key of wealth and power. Bible prophecy reveals that at the end of the age, a huge army of 200 million will move towards the Middle East (Revelation 9:13-21; Daniel 11:44). Vast financial and material resources will be needed to support such an army. For more on the future of China, read our insightful article "China's Century?"
Are Animals Really People? In an attempt to force better care and treatment of animals, "A US animal rights group is calling on a New York court to recognise a chimpanzee as a legal person, in what is believed to be a legal first" (BBC, December 4, 2013). The Nonhuman Rights Project founder noted "We are claiming that chimpanzees are autonomous—that is, being able to self-determine, be self-aware, and be able to choose how to live their own lives… Once we prove that chimpanzees are autonomous, that should be sufficient for them to gain legal personhood and at least have their fundamental interests protected by human rights" (ibid.). The group's goal is to have the chimpanzee placed in a wildlife refuge and removed from his current caged habitat (ibid.). The Bible reveals that God placed Adam and Eve in a garden and directed them to "subdue" and "have dominion over [manage]" the animals (Genesis 1:27-28). God created creatures to be valued and cared for along with the rest of His creation (Proverbs 12:10). However, the Bible makes clear that animals are not human beings. Upon death, the "spirit" of humans returns to God and is saved for the resurrection (Ecclesiastes 3:21; John 3:13; Ezekiel 37:11-14; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54), while the spirit of animals comes to an end (Ecclesiastes 3:21). The ideas and actions of our well-meaning but misguided society illustrate the truth of God's declaration: "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God" (1 Corinthians 3:19).—Scott Winnail and Ron Ramsingh