Greetings from Charlotte,
As December comes to a close, we are preparing to wind up another very productive and encouraging year. This morning, Mr. Meredith spoke at an employee meeting, thanking everyone for their dedication and urging us to stay close to God and to make sure our hearts are in the Work. Mr. Ames taped a new Tomorrow's World telecast this week titled, "The Coming Day of the Lord," offering The Day of the Lord audio CD. This week also, we had the opportunity to interview Mr. Adam West for a position as a ministerial trainee to work in the Kansas City area with Mr. Rand Millich. Living University students will take final exams this week. Registration is also underway for spring semester classes. Mr. John Turner, a minister in the St. Joseph, Missouri, area is still having serious health problems that have left him with stroke-like symptoms. Please keep him, his wife and other brethren in need in your prayers.
Mr. Bruce Tyler and Mr. Dayrell Tanner are currently in the Philippines to improve the Church's operations there. Dr. Wilner Pierre, local elder in the Charlotte congregation, flew to Haiti this morning. He will be conducting a public Bible Study in Port-au-Prince tomorrow afternoon. More than 300 subscribers have been invited by e-mail. Your prayers for the spiritual and physical growth of the Work and Church in Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, are appreciated.
Church Administration
General Ministerial Conference Planned for April 2010
We are excited to announce that a general ministerial conference is being planned to take place next spring. Arrival date is set for Sunday, April 25, with ministerial meetings taking place Monday through Wednesday, April 26-28. More details will be forthcoming.
Southeast Regional Weekend in Charlotte next week!
We still have seats available for the Saturday, December 26, dinner at the University Hilton, and we want them filled! If you would like to come to the Saturday night dinner, but can't afford the full amount, please just pay what you can (with the duly filled-out form). We want everyone to come who wishes to come. Those who are interested in donating extra funds for those who need help, that is much appreciated, too! Please contact Mrs. Dorothy McNair right away (by phone or e-mail) to reserve your dinner, if you have not done so already. Please do not send any more checks at this late date, as we will allow payment on the evening of the dinner. Purchased tickets will also be picked up on the night of the dinner. For more information, call Mrs. Dorothy McNair or check the Informational/Payment Form on the MyLCG website (www.cogl.org).
The regional weekend activities will begin with a Bible Study by Mr. Richard Ames on Friday night, December 25 at 7:00 p.m., and a Sabbath sermon by Dr. Meredith on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., and run through Sunday, December 27 (basketball, volleyball, family and children's games, bake sale and fellowship at Sun Valley High School). Rooms are available at the Hilton Charlotte University Place hotel for a discounted rate of $69 (plus taxes) per night. When making reservations, be certain to identify yourself as being with the Living Church of God. This discounted rate will be available from Tuesday, December 22 until Wednesday, December 30.
Location of Bible Study, Sabbath Services and Dinner-Dance:
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 JM Keynes Street
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-547-7444
800-HILTONS (800-445-8667)
Family Activities and Bake Sale Silent Auction (lunch will not be served):
Sun Valley High School Gymnasium
5211 Old Charlotte Highway
Monroe, NC 28110
Feast of Tabernacles 2010
Early (International) Registration
It is hard to believe, but in just a couple of months we will begin early registration for next year's Feast of Tabernacles! International festival coordinators are now in the process of pulling together the details of our International Feast sites for 2010. We plan to start posting this information on the MyLCG website in January. In order for brethren to take advantage of lower rates for international travel, we are planning on having early registration for International sites in early February (about six months ahead of the Feast). Registration for USA and Canadian sites will not open until after the Spring Holy Days. Stay tuned for more information!
Living University
Registration for the next semester of Living University courses is currently underway. Classes begin online on January 19. Eleven different courses are being offered next semester. This week we will highlight three different courses. A full listing of "Spring Semester" courses (Spring in the northern hemisphere) can also be viewed on the Living University website under the link "2010 Spring Schedule." To make application to Living University and to register for courses, please visit the www.livinguniv.com website.
For our "senior" members, ages 65 and above: you are invited to AUDIT one free online class per semester. For those who are interested, please register on our website www.livinguniv.com . For those not already in our system, you will need to send verification of age (for example a copy of your driver's license) to Mrs. Jenny Penman at 2301 Crown Centre Dr., Charlotte, NC 28227, or fax it to 704-766-1967. If you have additional questions, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail [email protected], or 704-844-1966, option 7.
For those with questions about on-campus study or for any other questions, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at [email protected], or 704-844-1966, option 7.
THL 413—Epistles of Paul II (3 credits). This second course focuses on the Apostle Paul's life and writings from his first Roman imprisonment to his death, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, the book of Hebrews, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Timothy and Titus. The course focuses on the details of Paul's writings and the doctrinal foundations of the New Testament Church. Students desiring to take this course must also have taken the THL 136: Acts and Writings of Paul course.
THL 416—General Epistles (3 credits). This course introduces the historical setting, purpose, and central themes of the letters of James, Peter, John, and Jude. Emphasis is placed on the use of critical, historical, archeological, and cultural analysis to add clarity and deeper understanding of the teachings of God through the different authors. This course complements the Epistles of Paul sequence of courses.
THL 422—History of Christianity II (3 credits). This course deals with the history of mainstream Christianity from the time of the Reformation to the present. Its focus is on the Protestant Reformation, Roman Catholic reform, Protestant liberalism and fundamentalism, the ecumenical movement, Christianity in developing countries, and the Christian decline of the industrialized West. Upon completion, students should be able to explain the modern history of Christianity as a global religion and to show the diversity of its beliefs and practices. This course will help create a context for better understanding how mainstream Christianity has developed and been impacted by world events and other religions throughout history. Students desiring to take this course must first complete THL 421: History of Christianity I.
Media
Internet Update: Continued Growth
The number of people visiting our websites around the world continues to grow. Last month we were blessed with a 30% increase in the number of visits to the Tomorrow's World website compared with the previous November. This comes at a time when due to cost-saving measures, our Internet ad spending was 30% less than a year ago! Among our international websites, the French website, www.mondedemain.org, experienced the greatest increase in visits during the same time frame. The French website is updated by M. VG Lardé. Surely the increase comes from God (1 Corinthians 3:6).—J. Charles Ogwyn
Comments
Are You a Peacemaker? Jesus Christ explained a fundamental aspect of Christianity when He told His disciples, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). The Apostle Paul advised brethren in Rome that Christians should do all they can to "live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:17-21). He explained that we can become peacemakers by not seeking revenge, by not mistreating others when we are mistreated and by overcoming evil with good. Solomon wisely observed, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). Jesus warned that reacting angrily to a brother or sister is the same as murder, because it breaks the spirit of the Law (Matthew 5:21-26). One important lesson we must learn as Christians is that peace comes when we follow and learn to apply the laws of God. This is why David wrote, "Great peace have those who love Your law" (Psalm 119:165).
Have a peaceful Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—December 17, 2009
Nuclear Weapons in Europe. Many people know that Britain and France possess nuclear weapons. What few people know is that there are nuclear weapons in other European nations as well. "Under a NATO agreement struck during the Cold War, the bombs, which are technically owned by the U.S., can be transferred to the control of a host nation's air force in times of conflict. Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Dutch, Belgian, Italian and German pilots remain ready to engage in nuclear war." These nations currently possess the aircraft to deliver such weapons (Time Magazine, December 2, 2009). Many have criticized the notion that a European military could be fully operational in a few years. However, taking note of the existing weapons already in Europe, many currently "owned" by the U.S., opens up a world of possibilities for future military expansion. Although we do not know all the future details, Bible prophecy reveals that a Beast power will develop in Europe that will have considerable military and economic might (See Daniel 11; Revelation 13 and 17). We are currently witnessing the economic growth of the EU. We hear calls for an increased military buildup within Europe. We are aware of the existing military might that resides within European borders—even if it is currently owned and operated by the U.S. But things could change quickly if, for example, U.S. military assets were sold to reduce U.S. debt. Time will tell as prophecy marches on.
EU High Representative Making "Waves" Already. In her second week of office, Lady Ashton was pushing her staff hard to establish her diplomatic service as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence, as she tries to establish the service ahead of the possible election of David Cameron in Britain. The Diplomatic Service needs the consent of a majority of the 27 member states in order to set and change its structure. As long as Gordon Brown is in office, Ashton has support; but she may lose it if David Cameron is elected. Baroness Ashton also just faced her first challenge when she denied 12 European foreign ministers admittance to an upcoming European summit in Brussels. The rationale was that since the EU is now one government, issues between member states are no longer "foreign policy" issues, but rather "domestic policy." Things are now occurring very rapidly in Europe, causing uncertainty and confusion among some. One Foreign Affairs Committee representative of the European Parliament noted that, "If you have EU embassies, this is an EU state." Lady Ashton's predecessor, Javier Solana, stated similarly, it is "futile for member states to think they could still act unilaterally" (The Times, December 11, 2009). The European Experiment is moving steadily towards a European Super State. Just how and how rapidly this state develops into the future Beast power described in Scripture will remain to be seen (see Daniel 11 and Revelation 17). These are certainly sobering and exciting times in Bible prophecy!
EU Builds Palestinian Police Force. The EU is hard at work to develop a completely independent Palestinian Police force under the guidance of British Chief Constable (ret.) Paul Kernaghan. The goal of the Palestinian Police force is to support "the whole of the Palestinian criminal justice system from the civil police to the penitentiary system, and everything in between" (Jerusalem Post, December 10, 2009). From a societal perspective, it might be encouraging to see the Palestinians empowered to protect and direct their own people. However, from a biblical and prophetic perspective, it is sobering to see the ever-increasing role played by the EU in the stabilization and development of "peace" in the Holy Land—both in the Palestinian territory and in Israel. The Europe-centered Beast of Revelation is prophesied to control Jerusalem during the few years immediately preceding the return of Christ. It will "rule from Jerusalem" and simultaneously control it with military force (Daniel 11:30-31; Luke 21:20-24; Revelation 11:2). The developments we are now watching may indeed be the "lead up" to those end-time events.—Scott Winnail, Richard Bourne and Sue Bennett