Greetings from Charlotte,
We have received very positive comments about Dr. Meredith's powerful Tomorrow's World online presentation last Sunday, entitled "Prophecy and the Decline of the Western Nations." The presentation was viewed by more than 9,100 people. Last weekend, I had a very inspiring visit with our Lansing, Michigan, congregation on the Sabbath. On Saturday evening and on Sunday, Mr. Lambert Greer and I conducted a Regional Conference for our leaders in Michigan and northern Indiana. Mr. Gerald Weston reports very positive responses to recent Tomorrow's World presentations in Lethbridge, Alberta and in Salmon Arm and Kelowna, British Columbia. Registration is now open for Living University classes that will begin on August 14, 2013 (see announcement below). Your prayers will be appreciated for the Living Youth Pre-Teen Camp in Missouri and the Adventure Trip to Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in California that both begin next week. Also, please remember in your prayers your brothers and sisters around the world who have serious needs at this time and that the Work of God will be able to go through the doors that are open to us.—DSW
Living University
Redesigned LU Web site!
After six years of consistent and effective service, the current Living University Web site design is being retired. We are, however, excited to announce the redesign of the Web site! The new site is fresh, professional, more user-friendly, more functional and more interactive. Be sure to check out our redesigned Web site at www.livinguniv.com.
Fall Registration
Fall registration for Living University began on July 1. This coming semester we plan to offer 16 different courses, three of which are brand new. Registration began July 1 and runs through August 14 when classes begin. For new students, be sure to make an application to the University first—then register for your classes. As always, seniors age 65 and over are eligible to take courses numbered 399 and below as an audit and have their tuition waived. Fees and book costs still apply. As a reminder, we offer the Dual-Enrollment program for High School students. This program offers greatly reduced tuition. For more information on the Dual-Enrollment program and our other programs, classes, tuition and fees, be sure to visit our Web site at www.livinguniv.com. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Michelle Broussard at 704-708-2294 or [email protected].
Feast of Tabernacles
E-mail Notifications
Attention all members: Please add the e-mail addresses [email protected] and [email protected] to your e-mail address book or "safe senders" list. The Festival Office and your Festival Coordinator may occasionally send you messages or notifications concerning the Feast of Tabernacles from these two addresses. Adding them to your address book or "safe senders list" might prevent them from being blocked by your Internet Service Provider's anti-spam filters.
Activity Registration Begins July 14! (Repeat Announcement)
The Festival Office would like to announce that Feast of Tabernacles Activity Registration will begin on Sunday, July 14! Brethren are encouraged to begin signing up for their Feast site's activities on that date. Check the Festival Web site (www.fot2013.lcg.org) or with your site coordinator for more information about payment options that may be available.
Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance Requests—U.S. Only (Repeat Announcement)
Attention U.S. Pastors: The deadline to submit Festival Assistance Request forms to the Church Administration Department is Monday, July 15. All forms should be properly completed by the members requesting second tithe assistance to attend the Feast this year. Then, the Area Pastors should write their recommendations/comments on the forms before submitting them to CAD. Festival Assistance Request forms are available to ministers on the MyLCG Web site (www.cogl.org).
Human Resources
Employment Opportunity: TV Production Assistant (Repeat Announcement)
The Headquarters Office is looking for a TV Production Assistant with experience in video editing and TV studio equipment. The successful candidate will enjoy video production and will have some experience in video editing software (such as Avid or Final Cut). The right candidate for this position will be a "team player" able to produce results quickly in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment. This job is in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Church will pay for reasonable moving expenses. Applicant must meet the legal requirements to work in the United States, and must be a Living Church of God adherent, in good standing, who is truly dedicated to the Work. If you are interested in this position, please send your résumé, along with a cover letter and a letter of reference from your Area Pastor, to: Human Resources Department, Living Church of God, 2301 Crown Centre Drive, Charlotte, NC 28227. E-mail: [email protected]; FAX: 704-844-1973.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Comments
Be Thankful for the Truth: The Sabbath is a good time to reflect on an important question: Are you thankful for the Truth? It is easy to take the Truth of God for granted if you are a long-time member or if you have grown up in the Church. Yet, Jesus said that people cannot come to a real understanding of the Truth unless they are called and their minds have been opened to see the big picture (John 6:44, 65). The capacity to understand the plan of God, the purpose of life and the true way of life is a gift that God is making available to only a few at this time (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). These precious truths are a mystery to most people (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) because Satan—"the god of this age"—has blinded their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Jesus said that it is an incredible privilege to be given an understanding of the Truth (Matthew 13:10-17). The Apostle Paul said that to be called out of darkness into the light of the Truth is something to be extremely thankful for. He also said that those who were unthankful and let go of or reject the Truth of God will reap serious consequences (Romans 1:18-32). Let's never forget to be thankful for the opportunity to understand the Truth of God that "endures to all generations."
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—July 3, 2013
The EU's Ever-Changing Face: The Israelite-descended Netherlands is one of the EU's six founding members. Yet, the Netherlands is now criticizing the EU for its "creeping powers"—amassing power to itself while eroding national sovereignty of member nations (EU Observer, June 22, 2013). While Dutch opposition to the EU grows, Croatia has become the 28th EU member nation (Reuters, July 1, 2013). Mainly Catholic Croatia, mired in recession, hopes for economic benefits by joining the EU. However, it does not plan to join the common currency anytime soon (ibid.). For decades, the Church of God has understood that prophecies in Daniel and Revelation refer to an end-time Beast power composed of ten kingdoms or nations. These nations will give their power over to one leader (Revelation 17:12-13). This configuration of European nations may have five "toes" in Western Europe and five more in Eastern Europe (Daniel 2:41-44). Currently, ten of the 28 EU nations are in Eastern Europe. Yet, a number of EU states in Western Europe that are resisting EU efforts to gain more power are Israelite nations. The final formation of the Beast power will be interesting to watch in the light of Bible prophecy. For more on this exciting topic, read our free booklet, The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?
U.S. Surveillance Frustrates Europeans: "Washington is under increasing pressure following reports about US bugging devices in EU buildings in Brussels and the United States" (Deutsche Welle, July 2, 2013). French President Hollande, in relation to the U.S.-EU trade deal, stated, "There can be no negotiations or transactions…until we have obtained guarantees [related to privacy]… for all of the European Union" (ibid.). And German Chancellor Merkel has compared the spy allegations to Cold War tactics (Der Spiegel, July 1, 2013). While the EU is frustrated by U.S. spying, "German security officials are now able to pull up personal data of internet and cell phone users with a couple of clicks… Opponents fear that it will allow German intelligence agencies to collect private data on a large scale and without sufficient reason" (Deutsche Welle, July 1, 2013). History records the consequences of such actions when surveillance from Nazi organizations led to the deaths of more than six million Jews and others in WWII. Moses prophesied of a future nation who will punish Israel (many modern English-speaking and Western European nations), "The Lord will bring a nation against you from afar…as swift as the eagle flies…a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young" (Deuteronomy 28:49-50). Germany (ancient Assyria) is prophesied to be the rod of God's anger (Isaiah 10:5) and will ultimately form the world dominating empire called the Beast, before repenting and being blessed by God after Christ's return (Isaiah 19:24). For more information on this vital topic, read our article "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"
Circumventing Disease Man's Way: "Britain may allow a controversial technique to create babies using DNA from a mother, father, and a donor" in order to help prevent the spread of rare genetic diseases (Associated Press, June 28, 2013; Telegraph, June 28, 2013). Millennia ago, God promised to protect His people from diseases if they would choose to obey His laws and statutes (Exodus 15:26; 23:25). Good health is a reward God will give for obedience to His laws. Yet, today, science is trying to bypass God's laws and prevent disease and disability by genetic manipulation. This allows people to continue breaking God's laws without any consequences. With scientific advancements, not only are people left with the belief that they do not need God's laws to "prevent" sickness and disease, but they are also be left with the attitude, "who needs God as a healer?" Although science may discover how to reduce physical disease and disability through genetic manipulation, human choices are destroying society through decadence, selfishness, and greed—as Adam and Eve chose to follow their own way nearly 6,000 years ago. For more on this important topic, be sure to view our telecast entitled "God Heals."—Scott Winnail, Deborah Lincoln-Strange, Justin Ridgeway, Annette Wright, Ron Ramsingh, Sue Bennett