Greetings from Charlotte,

Reports we are receiving indicate that the Feast of Tabernacles for 2013 was a very encouraging and inspiring experience for brethren around the world—with powerful messages and warm fellowship.  Dr. Meredith spent the Feast in California.  Mr. Ames and I were able to visit three different Feast sites in the U.S. this year, and our brethren who traveled to Israel have returned safely after a very informative Feast.  As we return home, the world appears to be heading for difficult times as violence continues in the Middle East, uncertainty clouds the future in Europe and America, and disasters occur around the globe.  We need to stay focused on our mission to warn this world of the prophesied events ahead and spread the good news of the return of Jesus Christ to usher in the coming Kingdom of God.  Please keep Mrs. Meredith in your prayers as her cancer has returned and she is not doing well.  We need to beseech God to intervene mercifully for all His people who are facing trials and difficulties, and we need to continually seek God's guidance and direction for His end-time Work.—DSW  

Church Administration 

Announcements for The World Ahead—Repeat Announcement

Attention Church pastors:  Please submit any announcements you have for The World Ahead to CAD by Wednesday afternoon for publication on Thursday.

2013 Charlotte Winter Weekend—Repeat Announcement

The Charlotte congregation will be hosting our annual winter weekend event in December. Activities for all ages are being planned. Arrival will be Friday, December 20 and departure will be Tuesday, December 24. Bible Studies, Sabbath services, a dinner-dance and seminars will once again be held at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel. This hotel was very popular with everyone who attended last year and is an excellent value. A special group rate of $92, which includes breakfast, has been negotiated at this all-suite hotel. Plans are underway for a full day of sports tournaments and games, complete with a tasty lunch on Sunday. On Monday morning there will be various seminars for teens, singles, and married couples, followed by singles and youth activities in the afternoon. More details will be announced in the coming weeks. Please start planning now to join us for a weekend of spiritual rejuvenation, fun, food and fellowship!—Jim Meredith

2013 Kansas City Family Weekend—Repeat Announcement

The Kansas City congregation invites you to the 2013 annual Kansas City Family Weekend. It will be Friday, December 27 through Sunday, December 29. We have reserved the Holiday Inn and Coco Key Indoor Water Park for accommodations and all of Friday's and Saturday's events. Sports and children's games will be offered on Sunday. Look for more details and registration to come soon.—Michael Keesee

Internet Operations 

Video Animation "Shorts" Contest

Welcome back from the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day.  As many of you have commented, our new video animation "shorts" (available at TomorrowsWorld.org/shorts) have been a real Social Media and Internet success!  While the Tomorrow's World telecast and magazine are our flagship products, these brief Web video animations can reach an audience that we may not reach otherwise.  They can ask an important spiritual question or make a brief doctrinal point and can encourage some to inquire who may not respond to our other publications.  We want to announce to the LCG membership that we plan to run a contest over the coming year to solicit your best animations.  If you feel that you can create a powerful, short Web video (between 30 seconds and 3 minutes in length) that promotes a Living Church of God booklet, article or telecast, and if you would like to submit that to us for our consideration and possible use, please e-mail us at [email protected].  We will discuss your idea, give you some direction if needed, and we will award an iPad mini to the winning submission!  No guarantee is made to publish submissions, and the decision to publish any submission on any Church Web or Social Media site is the sole decision of Church headquarters.  License of any submissions we consider will need to be granted in their entirety to the Living Church of God, and must be free of any copyright or claims of ownership.—Wyatt Ciesielka

Living Youth Programs 

Online Teen Bible Study—Friday Evening

The online Teen Bible study Friday evening, October 11, will be on "Has Anyone Gone to Heaven?" and will be presented by Mr. Sheldon Monson.  If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for the online Bible studies yet, I encourage you to do so.  It is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath Day.

The chat room is open at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) and the Bible study runs from 8:00-9:00 p.m.  You can access this Bible study at livingyouth.org.  We hope as many of our youth as possible will join us for this wonderful opportunity for godly fellowship and learning.  For those of you who are unable to make it to the study, archives of previous Living Youth Bible studies, including last evening's on "What Does the Bible Teach About 'Hell'?," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson

Feast of Tabernacles 

2013 Festival Survey:  Now that everyone is home from the Feast, we would like to remind brethren to fill out the online feedback form if you did not complete a paper one at the Feast site.  The survey provides us with invaluable information for future festival planning.  You can access the survey at fotsurvey.lcg.org. 

Hymnals Reminder!  For those who took a congregational (blue) hymnal to the Feast, please be sure to return the hymnal(s) to your congregation so the local supply is not diminished.

Comments 

Goals for the Coming Year:  In the book of Proverbs, Solomon advises, "Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.  Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil" (Proverbs 4:26-27).  As we return from the Feast, inspired by the sermons and fellowship, it is a good time to think about setting goals for the coming year.  What changes would you like to make or do you need to make to improve your physical or spiritual health?  What can you do to improve your relationship with God or with your family?  What can you do to serve God and others more effectively?  How can you prepare now for the Kingdom of God?  Now is the time to think and pray about these important aspects of your life!  The Apostle Paul urged Christians to "walk circumspectly [carefully, diligently]" and to make the most of the time and opportunities at our disposal (Ephesians 5:15-16).  Peter exhorted his audience to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).  What goals can you set and work towards in the coming year that will help you prepare for the Kingdom of God?  You might consider reviewing the Bible Study Course, reading a booklet per week or per month, studying a different book in the Bible each month or taking a Living University course.  Now is the time to prepare for the future!

Have a profitable Sabbath,