Greetings from Charlotte,
As the United States prepares to celebrate this year's Independence Day on July 4th, ironically, America is anything but "free," enslaved by an impossible debt burden. Fireworks and parades cannot mask the growing uneasiness about the unthinkable—but increasingly possible—chance of a "technical default" on America's soaring debt this summer. Prophecy is truly being fulfilled before our eyes.
Meanwhile, through God's mercy, the Work continues to surge here in the United States and around the world! Last weekend, Tomorrow's World Special Presentations were given in Belfast and Dublin, Ireland (Mr. Henry Cooper); two each in Edmonton and Grand Prairie, Alberta (Mr. Gerald Weston); and in Austin, Texas (Mr. Phil Sena). These presentations generated 99 visitors, for which we are grateful. This coming week, Mr. Dan Hall will conduct the Texas Pre-Teen Camp at Fort Parker State Park, just south of Dallas (see announcement below). The winners of the Living Youth Camp essay (and scholarship) contest have been announced on the www.livingyouth.org website. They are: Haley Ginn (first place), Wes Kendall (second place), Shawn Plagenza (third place), and Ariana Del Signore (honorable mention). Congratulations to all the participants!
Dr. Douglas Winnail has arrived in Auckland, New Zealand, where it is a cool 7 degrees Centigrade (sounds kind of nice!). More than 100 visitors are expected for his presentation on Saturday afternoon. Please keep him and Mr. Mario Hernandez (who will be travelling to Europe next week), and all of our traveling ministers in your prayers.—RMc
Church Administration
Austin Follow-Up Tomorrow's World Special Presentation
We were greatly pleased to have had 11 visitors for the Austin TWSP follow-up. Of those, six were repeats from the week before. I also had a couple of calls during the week from subscribers who said they would not be able to make it, but were interested in learning more about us. I informed them that we meet every week at the same time and location as the presentations, and they would be welcome to come when they are able. Our brethren were very encouraged by the number of visitors we had, and we are looking forward to seeing if we have any again this week when Wyatt Ciesielka will be giving a sermon about the Sabbath.—Phil Sena
Personal Hymnals
Final preparations are being made for the ordering of personal hymnals! We will soon have a website up where brethren can make their order. Personal hymnals will be purple in color (to differentiate from the blue congregational hymnals) and will have the option of standard or spiral binding, as well as options of standard size (same as current blue congregational hymnal) or large print edition (9" x 11"). The cost per hymnal will be around $10 per hymnal (possibly more for the large print edition), inclusive of shipping. It will take several months for printing and shipping, and we will ask that each family only purchase a limited quantity. To order personal hymnals, you will need to have a MyLCG account. Stay tuned!
French Update
Ministerial Appointment: We are pleased to announce that Dr. Meredith has approved Dr. Wilner Pierre, of the Charlotte congregation, to be appointed as Area Pastor for the French-speaking Caribbean islands of Martinique, Haiti, and Guadeloupe. For a number of years, Dr. Pierre worked closely with Mr. Apartian, travelling periodically to help the local Church leadership in the French-speaking Caribbean areas, and will continue to do so in this new capacity.
Radio Broadcasts in Guadeloupe and Haiti: Our French radio program Le Monde Demain (past recordings made by the late Mr. Dibar Apartian) is now playing on a new radio station (104.9 FM) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, every Sunday at 7:00 a.m. We are also back on air with this radio program in Guadeloupe, in the French West Indies, from Monday through Friday at 6:15 a.m, on 99.4 FM. We are very grateful for these doors that God has opened for the Gospel to be preached to French-speaking nations.
Belgium Singles Weekend
Thirty-six people attended the Pentecost weekend at Chevetogne, Belgium, representing 14 countries and 12 different languages! Sabbath services were held at the facility and the theme of "passing the baton" was present throughout. For Pentecost services, we joined with the Charleroi congregation, boosting their numbers to 87. We enjoyed an excellent buffet meal prepared by local members and sermons from Mr. Ellis and Mr. Meakin. Adding a remarkable European touch, Mr. Jean-Luc Pirotte led a captivating interactive Bible Study on Europe, highlighting numerous aspects such as its symbols, its emblems, its anthem and its currency—the euro. Activities included walks, horse riding, canoeing and mini-golf on the Monday. John Meakin commented: "The event was remarkable for the diversity of the group, yet [there was] unity, enthusiasm and friendliness. We made many new friends as we explored together different aspects of God's Way of life. Thanks go to Rees and Fanny Ellis and their team of tireless helpers for a wonderful time over the Pentecost weekend." We certainly look forward to a similar activity for Pentecost next year.
Correction: Attempted Robbery Account
The encouraging note last week about God protecting His people during a robbery attempt in Pensacola, Florida, was incorrectly attributed to Mr. Joseph Brown. It should have been attributed to Mr. Ed Breaux, Area Pastor of the Mississippi and Pensacola, FL congregations. Our apologies!
Living Youth Camp
Texas Pre-Teen Camp
Plans are well underway for an outstanding LYC Pre-Teen Camp at Fort Parker State Park in Mexia, Texas. We still have room if parents would like to send their preteen(s) to the camp. This year, we plan a full array of outdoor and indoor activities that include Christian Living, Life Skills, Field Sports, Canoeing, Team Building, and Astronomy. And, our kitchen staff will be quite busy preparing delicious and nutritious meals to meet the needs of all the campers, volunteers and staff. We appreciate all who have volunteered to serve this year—in many cases sacrificing their employment to give their time and expertise to help make this the most successful camp ever! And, we appreciate your prayers for all the LYC camps! If you are coming to Texas, we look forward to seeing you all this Sunday!—Dan Hall
Feast of Tabernacles 2011
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 Friday, 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 website (www.cogl.org).
Please Register for Activities!
Hundreds of brethren have already signed up for activities and volunteer services, and we thank you! But many more brethren have not signed up. The Festival Coordinators have put in a lot of work to have their activities ready this early. Some of these activities require deposits in order to reserve the event, and those deadlines are coming up fast. In order for the coordinators to finalize the events, we need to get an accurate count of how many are interested in the activities. If you haven't already, please log on to MyLCG and sign up for the activities of your choice. Thank you!
Festival Advisors, please assist those who do not have computers or Internet access. If you have any questions, please contact the Festival Office at [email protected].
Living University
Fall Semester 2011
Registration for the Fall Semester/Semester I Living University courses is now underway. This semester we are planning to offer 20 different courses, three of which are brand new! For those who have never taken LU courses before, be sure to visit our website at www.livinguniv.com and complete an Application for Admission to the university – this will allow you to then register for a class. The website also provides detailed information on our programs, fees, courses, and much more. We encourage you to consider taking a class for credit, if you want to work toward a degree or certificate. Or just "audit" a course if you desire the content without the stress of exams and papers. Those age 65 and over are eligible to "audit" one free course per semester. If you have questions, please send e-mail to [email protected] or call Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-708-2292. Below we highlight three different courses being offered this semester.
CIS 101- Introduction to Computers
This course is extremely beneficial to those wishing to better understand how to use one of the most important innovations of the modern era. It introduces computer concepts, including fundamental functions and operations of the computer. Topics include identification of hardware components, basic computer operations, security issues, and use of software applications. Students will understand the role and function of computers and also use the computer to solve problems. Students will conclude the semester far more comfortable and confident in using the computer.
ENGL 111 – Written Expression
This course will be extremely helpful for those who have limited writing experience and who need to improve their abilities and written communication skills. It will also make future courses, where writing is a major component, easier. ENGL 111 is the required first course in a series of two designed to develop the ability to produce clear expository writing. Emphasis is on the writing process including audience analysis, topic selection, thesis support and development, editing, and revision. Upon completion, students should be able to produce unified, coherent, well-developed essays using standard written English.
HIST 111 – Western Civilization to 1648
This fascinating and exciting course deals with the ancient Near East, classical Greece and Rome, Middle Ages, the Papacy, Renaissance and Reformation, early nation states and the Thirty Years' War. It is designed to help students understand the history that both shaped our modern Western civilization and that was also occurring in parallel with biblical events. Students will learn to analyze significant political, socioeconomic, and cultural developments in early Western civilization.
Media
Heads Up Podcast: "Yo-Yo Weather"
The June 24 Heads Up podcast is titled "Yo-Yo Weather?" with special guest Dr. Scott Winnail. Download or listen at www.headsupshow.org.
Comments
Are You Behind the Curve? If your home is anything like ours, there are always plenty of things to do, and this is especially true in the summer. Cutting the grass, weeding and hoeing the garden, picking vegetables, feeding and caring for animals, mending fences and fixing innumerable things—and those are just the outside projects! If we procrastinate and put off tasks, the list can get very long, very quickly. And we find ourselves getting "behind the curve," so to speak, discouraged because we can't catch up.
But think about it—does this ever happen spiritually? Sometimes we procrastinate on the tasks God gives us to do. Do we pray every day? Do we study our Bibles every day, and spend time thinking about what we have read? Do we fast from time to time? If we are not doing these things, more than likely spiritual problems will pile up, and suddenly our list—of bad habits, improper attitudes and frustrations about life—will seem to bury us. As we walk with God every day, He helps us stay on top of issues in our spiritual life. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:33-34). If we deal with the issues at hand, we prevent today's trouble from becoming tomorrow's trouble, too!
Have a meaningful Sabbath,
Rod McNair
News and Prophecy—June 30, 2011
Germany's Rising Star. A recent Wall Street Journal article observed, "Germany is sitting on top of the world. But the rest of the world thinks it's getting too comfortable up there… What is Germany's place in the world?" John Kornblum, former U.S. ambassador to Berlin recently asked the question: "Germany is rising in a Europe that's coming apart at the seams… How is this country—the only major economy in Europe that can keep up with globalization—going to fit into this Europe?" According to the article, "Germany's traditional allies even fret that the country is losing interest in Europe and the West. After all, when you've carved out a lucrative niche selling precision machinery and luxury cars to fast-growing emerging economies such as China, who needs stodgy old Europe?" Critics are also asking "whether Germany is becoming an unpredictable country and an awkward partner." At the same time, German leaders reassure the West that they are very much a part of it (Wall Street Journal, June 27, 2011). While many wonder where Germany is headed, Bible prophecy notes a powerful Germany at the end of the age—it will become a tool that God uses to humble the Israelite-descended nations (Isaiah 10:5-11). The Bible indicates this nation will lead the final European Beast power (see Revelation 17). Ultimately, Germany will be a leading nation for peace in God's Kingdom (Isaiah 19:23-25). Events are now taking place in Europe that will propel Germany forward on the world stage—an exciting series of events to watch. For more information on this fascinating topic, read or request our reprint article, "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"
Do-or-die Moment for Israel? The Jerusalem Post recently ran a powerful Opinion/Editorial article highlighting the unrest throughout North Africa and the Middle East. It noted the instability and the bloody intents of regional leaders. It highlighted the continued "rise to power" of extremist groups like Hamas, al Qaida, the Muslim Brotherhood and Hezbollah and the rapid nuclear and space-technology advancements of Iran. The article ended by linking the current situation with Israel's: "What this means is that—as was the case in May 1967, when the combined Arab armies gathered with the express purpose of wiping the Jewish state off the map—today again, Israel is alone at its hour of greatest peril. All of the lesser threats now gathering from Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey will become insurmountable if Iran becomes a nuclear power. As was the case in May 1967, Israel has arrived at a do-or-die moment. And we should all pray for the strength and courage of our leaders, our soldiers and our nation at this time" (www.jpost.com, June 17, 2011). Bible prophecy predicts that Jerusalem will be overtaken by "gentiles" again one day—"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near" (Luke 21:20). Importantly, Arabs will not eventually take control of Jerusalem, a European Beast power will! (Daniel 11:40-43). This is made more interesting by Germany's recent promises to support and protect Israel. For more information about this, review our free booklet: The Middle East in Prophecy.
Britain can do "nothing" to prevent Argentina retaking Falkland Islands read a recent headline in the British Telegraph. "The head of the Naval task force in the Falklands War has warned that defense cuts mean Britain can now do 'precisely nothing' to prevent Argentina retaking the islands…. a substantial task force of two aircraft carriers, a dozen frigates and destroyers, four submarines and a total of 100 surface ships along with 25,000 servicemen were to retake the Falklands in 1982. But the Royal Navy no longer has aircraft carriers, has lost its force of Harrier jump jets and seen its warship fleet cut in half over the last decade" (Telegraph, June 12, 2011). British Prime Minister Cameron recently commented on how the Falklands are unquestionably British. In response, Argentina's president reprimanded Mr. Cameron for his "mediocrity and stupidity" while also labeling Britain a "crude colonial power in decline" (Telegraph, June 17, 2011). God promised to give the Israelite-descended nations the "gates of their enemies"—which would include the sea gates that Britain and the U.S. once possessed. Now, not only does it appear that Britain will soon lose its two remaining sea gates (Falklands and Gibraltar), but also that the pride of their power is truly broken (Leviticus 26:19)—all due to a rejection of God and His ways.—Debra Young, Deborah Lincoln-Strange, John Meakin, James and Sue Bennett, Scott Winnail