Greetings from Charlotte,
As Israelite nations continue to despise God's way and openly embrace pagan practices—condoning corruption, greed, immorality, homosexuality and same-sex marriage—few today understand the connection between these sinful behaviors and the growing problems plaguing our nations. This Sunday, Dr. Meredith will point out that connection in a live hour-long Tomorrow's World online Presentation, entitled "Prophecy and the Decline of the Western Nations" (3:30-4:30 p.m. EDT). As of today, nearly 9,000 people have registered to view this important message. This week Dr. Meredith also recorded his Last Great Day sermon that will be given at the Feast of Tabernacles. Mr. and Mrs. Ames have returned from a profitable congregational visit in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Hernandez is currently visiting congregations in Europe. I had a very profitable trip to Tannersville, Pennsylvania, last weekend for a Sabbath service and a Regional Conference with leaders from the Northeastern Region. Registration begins next week (July 1) for Living University classes that will begin on August 14, 2013. First Semester classes are listed on the new LU Web site, www.livinguniv.com.—DSW
Church Administration
Personal letter from Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour
"Dear brethren, we are sad to announce that on Wednesday, June 26, a light went out. Mrs. Leona Bonjour finished her physical race and now awaits the resurrection. She will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her."
Cards and letters of encouragement may be sent to Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour at Headquarters: 2301 Crown Centre Dr., Charlotte, NC 28227, USA. Cards and letters may also be sent to Mr. Dan Hall to the same address—he lost his wife Nancy last week.
Tomorrow's World Presents in Glendale, California
The Los Angeles congregation hosted a Tomorrow's World Presentation in Glendale, California on Saturday, June 22. It was a two-part presentation given by Dr. Jeffrey Fall and myself. Dr. Fall gave the first presentation speaking on the topic of "The Gathering Storm." He gave a historical perspective on societal changes leading up to the prophesied cataclysmic events soon to grip both our nation and the world. We took a short break following Dr. Fall's presentation. The second presentation was titled "Shelter from the Storm." In the presentation, I outlined the unique work of God's true Church contrasting it to the counterfeit works of Satan. I also showed that God promises to spare His true Church. The audience was given a clear choice to consider and was encouraged to make a choice.
We had a total of 93 people in attendance of which 59 were Tomorrow's World subscribers. Following the two presentations, we provided refreshments for our guests. There were many positive comments with a few showing interest in attending our Church services. Our members represented Jesus Christ well as they interacted with those who stayed for refreshments. When I got home from the presentation, I had a voicemail message from a man who attended the presentation. He thanked us, with great excitement, for the TWP giving us a big "Thumbs up!" on the presentations.—Darrell Lovelady
Northeast Regional Ministerial Conference
On Sunday, June 23, 34 members gathered for the Northeast Regional Ministerial Conference at the Chateau Resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania. We were privileged to have Dr. Douglas Winnail, head of Church Administration, conduct the meeting with our Northeast Regional Pastor, Mr. Jonathan McNair. Over the course of the day, Dr. Winnail covered such topics as the state of the Work, the mission of the Church, important doctrinal issues, qualities of leadership, avoiding deception, building a congregation, and continuing education. Mr. McNair also touched on regional topics and how we can help lead our local congregations to develop a stable church environment. All attendees were very appreciative and motivated to return home and apply the lessons that were taught at this beneficial conference.—Michael Aviles
Visit to Tanzania
My two-week trip to Musoma and Kisorya/Ukerewe in Tanzania has gone very well. In fact, I felt like taking a few more days visiting new people in the villages. As always, the brethren were warm and enthusiastic. Our attendance in Musoma on the Sabbath of June 15 was 17 brethren and on the following Sabbath, June 22, we had a combined Sabbath service with Kisorya, Muluseni and Nansio-Ukerewe, with 86 brethren in attendance. It was inspiring to see brand new people coming into the Truth. We baptized four members, including a married couple. Our number of baptized members in Kisorya and Muluseni is now 20.—Simon Muthama
Omaha, Nebraska, Zoo Trip (Repeat Announcement)
Come to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo where you will find the world's largest open-air aviary with exotic birds from all over the world.
Join the Omaha, Nebraska congregation on a visit to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo on July 14.
You are invited to join the brethren for services and a potluck meal on the Sabbath of July 13. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. at Ralston High School, 8969 Park Drive, Omaha, Nebraska, 68127. The following morning we will visit Omaha's renowned Henry Doorly Zoo and have an opportunity to tour all of the spectacular exhibits.
Reviews by visitors to TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel Web site, have given this Omaha attraction a No. 1 ranking. Its Desert Dome and Lied Jungle were cited as two of the reasons for the No. 1 ranking.
The Zoo is extending its group rate to us:
- Children (2 and under): Free
- Children (ages 3 - 11): $ 9.00
- Adults (ages 12 and over): $14.50
- Seniors (ages 65 and over): $13.00
Payment is to be made in person Sunday morning at the zoo entrance and Mr. Pomicter will then make a single payment to the Zoo for the group.
Guests wishing to stay with brethren may e-mail housing coordinator Mrs. JoAnn Tieken at [email protected] or call 402-339-0213. Space may be limited.
Those wishing to stay at a hotel may make their own reservations. A block of rooms at discounted rates has been reserved at the Travelodge, 7101 Grover Street, Omaha, NE 68106. Their Web site is www.travelodge.com/omaha-travelodge. Be sure to mention that you are with the Living Church of God when you speak to Veronica at 402-391-5757. A room with a king bed is $53 per night. A room with two queen beds is $65 per night. Reservations must be made before June 30 in order for these rates to apply.
Be sure to register for the weekend's activities by contacting us via e-mail at [email protected] or call Alex Pomicter (402-250-7806) or Brian Pomicter (402-650-1614).
Media
Television Department: First Russian Telecast!
We are excited to announce that the first Tomorrow's World telecast translated into the Russian language is scheduled to be broadcast over our new, powerful four-satellite Russian television network on Wednesday, July 24, beginning with Dr. Meredith's program titled, "How Can You Know God?" Although this satellite network is concentrated in Russia and the former Soviet Union nations, this global Russian satellite network provides coverage literally all around the earth. We are very thankful for this major new door that God has recently opened. For the first time in history, we can now reach hundreds of millions of new people in the Russian language via this powerful satellite network with the true Gospel about Christ's return and the coming Kingdom of God. Please join us in prayer for the success of this new effort, and stay tuned for more details over the coming months.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
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.—Rod McNair
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).
2014 Israel Feast Tour (Repeat Announcement)
We have been able to approve all who have registered for the 2014 Israel Feast. If you applied for the Israel Feast 2014 and have not received an acceptance e-mail from me, please contact me at [email protected]. If you have not yet registered for this trip and would like to be a part of this wonderful tour, there is still room. You can go to the MyLCG page of the www.cogl.org Web site and register and read about the trip. If you have any questions or concerns about this trip, please feel free to contact me.—Jim Meredith
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
What Really Motivates You? In today's world, many people are motivated by a personal quest for a position, power, prestige, pleasure and a paycheck—and a failure to be acknowledged or acclaimed is hard for some people to deal with. Sometimes this even spills over into the Church and local congregations when individuals jostle for positions and seek to be noticed or given positions and responsibilities. However, Jesus sternly admonished the religious leaders of His day for seeking prominent positions and relishing public recognition (Matthew 23:6-7). In place of these self-seeking motives, Jesus emphasized the importance of genuine humble service, "whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:26). The Apostles Paul and Peter also warned against seeking offices in the Church for personal aggrandizement (1 Timothy 6:5; 1 Peter 5:2). They, too, urged sincere Christians to avoid such selfish motivations (1 Timothy 6:5) and to be examples to others by serving with humility (1 Peter 5:2-6). As we strive to come out of this world and its ways, we need to understand that when we eliminate selfish motives and develop the genuine humility to serve others as Jesus Christ did, then God can use us as more effective instruments in His hands (Philippians 2:3-12).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—June 27, 2013
Church of England Promotes Pagan Worship: The Mother Church of the Anglican Communion, or Church of England, has become known for its increasing departure from tradition and Scripture itself. Last week, the Church took advantage of the "summer solstice to recruit new Christians to 'pagan' churches. The established Church is using its 'fresh expressions' initiative, where a new type of church is developed, to encourage congregations to meet outdoors and use pagan-style rituals" (The Times, June 22, 2013). "The Rev Steve Hollinghurst, who trains evangelists for the Church Army, said: 'There is a growing interest in spirituality outside religion, and with that, paganism and the New Age.' He said that the aim was to explore the idea of 'pagan churches with Christ at the centre'" and to rediscover "the immanent God as Mother and Father" (ibid.). But what does the Bible say about having pagan churches with Christ at the center and God as mother and father? God warned the Israelites before entering the Promised Land, "do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods…" (Deuteronomy 12:30-31). God also warned the Israelites that because of their idolatry and rejection of Him, He would bring destruction upon them (Deuteronomy 28:20; 30:15-20; Jeremiah 13:10; 25:6). This warning still applies today! To understand where our nations are headed when professing Christian church leaders promote the worship of Christ through pagan practices, review our booklet entitled Satan's Counterfeit Christianity.
Ancient Britons Traveled Broadly: New archaeological research from Kent, England, shows people were traveling to and from Britain 1,000 years before Christ (The Times, June 5, 2013). Research measuring strontium levels in teeth enamel (absorbed from drinking water while enamel is being formed in childhood) demonstrated that immigrants came from Sweden and Norway, as well as the western Mediterranean—which could include Spain and North Africa—to England (ibid.).Some also left Britain, lived abroad, and returned several years later (ibid.). Spain and Gaul were areas the Israelites and even the Apostles traveled to (Romans 15:24, 28). The Church of God (and other sources) has long understood that Israelites migrated to the British Isles and were visited there by the Apostles. While critics ridicule these ideas, mounting evidence from DNA and chromosomal studies, including this new study on isotopes in teeth, confirm the traveling nature of the inhabitants of ancient Britain, including travel from regions where the Israelites were known to be. For more information on this topic, view our Tomorrow's World telecast, "The Apostles' Amazing Journeys."
GMOs and Stomach Troubles: New research reveals that pigs fed a diet of genetically modified (GMO) corn and soybeans had significant increases in stomach inflammation. GMO-fed females had more than twice the rate of inflammation than did non-GMO-fed females, while males had four times the rate of inflammation, with all other factors controlled (Reuters, June 11, 2013). To date, the plant science industry studies show no significant health risks related to GMO consumption in animals. However, this independent study was conducted by researchers in Australia and published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Organic Systems (ibid.). Pig research is done because much of pig anatomy and physiology (especially related to the digestive system) corresponds to that of humans. Credible research examining health risks of GMOs on humans is still lacking. However, one must wonder what the impact of inserting genetic information from bacteria and other species into grain or plant DNA can have on the human body. GMOs are developed to make crops resistant to pesticides and pests—allowing for greater crop yields and increased revenue, especially for seed manufacturers. When God created plant life on day three of creation, He made its seeds to reproduce after its kind "and God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:11-13, KJV). In man's greed and pride, he has foolishly determined he can create plants and animals more perfectly than God. The sobering thing is that pride always goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18).—Scott Winnail, Daniel Bennett and Annette Wright