Greetings from Charlotte,
Dr. Roderick Meredith presided over a U.S.A. Board meeting yesterday afternoon and over a budget meeting this morning. Dr. Douglas Winnail left on Tuesday afternoon for the United Kingdom to attend a Board Meeting and to preside over a regional ministerial and leadership conference that will be attended by our ministers, deacons, other leaders and their wives from the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and continental Europe, including our two recently ordained French ministers, Messrs. Vincent Lardé and Roland Lecocq. Mr. and Mrs. Apartian will be in Montreal and Quebec City for the Pentecost season. He will also be conducting a Public Bible Lecture in Quebec City. Mr. and Mrs. Rod McNair returned this week from a trip to northern California. On Wednesday, Mr. McNair conducted an online Festival Coordinators conference, mainly for the U.S.A. and Canadian sites (see report below). Mr. Charles Ogwyn is attending the "Voices That Matter" Internet conference in San Francisco, California. Dr. and Mrs. Scott Winnail and their two children have arrived in Charlotte and moved into their home this week. Dr. Scott Winnail will be starting a new assignment for Living University. Remember to announce this Sabbath at your local congregations that noon this Sunday, May 3, commences Feast of Tabernacles registration for all USA and Canadian sites!—Church Administration
Church Administration
Second Passover (Last Repeat Announcement)
This year, the Second Passover should be taken shortly after sunset on Thursday, May 7. This Passover is for those baptized members who were unable to take the first Passover due to unforeseen circumstances. The biblical instructions guiding this ceremony are found in Numbers 9:1-14.
Healings
This week we received an inspiring report about the healing of a member who had been suffering for about 15 years with chronic tendonitis in both feet. His condition was extremely painful, swelling his feet and ankles, and making it difficult for him to walk. He wrote, "I began seeing a podiatrist every week to receive cortisone shots in each foot. This, too, was extremely painful, but eased the pain." After being anointed, the relief in his pain was almost immediate and he has been pain-free for six months. He wrote, "I have seen no doctor and have had no cortisone shots since. There is no doubt that I have experienced a miraculous healing."
Health Recommendations Concerning Influenza
The new swine flu outbreak (a combination avian/swine/human influenza) has claimed the lives of more than 160 people in Mexico and one in the USA so far. Eleven other countries have confirmed cases. We as God's Church should do our best to follow the Bible's health laws, including the principle of quarantine.
Considering the seriousness of this strain of influenza, all precautions should be taken to avoid an outbreak within the local congregations. It is very important that we observe the biblical principle of quarantine in the event of contagious illness (Leviticus 13:46). Therefore, if any member has a sore throat, runny nose, persistent cough or any fever, he or she should not attend Church services or other activities, including ministerial meetings or conferences, until those symptoms have cleared up. The danger of spreading a serious contagious virus is too great to ignore.
We should also be diligent in taking the necessary precautions recommended by health officials. Among others, washing hands frequently, cleaning and disinfecting living and working spaces and items, and, if necessary, avoiding greeting people with a kiss or a handshake if they might be sick.
During this potentially serious situation, we should err on the side of caution and let ourselves be guided by the Golden Rule found in Matthew 7:12, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." In these troublesome times, we should not panic. We should look to God for safety and protection (Psalm 91) and be wise (Matthew 10:16).
Swine Flu in Mexico
We are very grateful to God for having received reports that none of our brethren in Mexico, the country hardest-hit by the swine flu virus have fallen ill to this new strain of influenza. In an effort to stop the spreading of the virus, the Mexican government has ordered all schools closed across the country, including universities, until May 6; and it has suspended for five days all non-essential government services. Restaurants, food stands and many businesses in Mexico City are closed for the five-day period as well. In Mexico City, with a population estimated at 22 million, some pharmacies have depleted their supplies of disinfectants and face masks. The scenes of people walking in the streets with their mouths and noses covered, restaurants and food stands closed, have been described as surreal. Continue to pray for our brethren in Mexico, especially for those in Mexico City, for God to protect them from disease and to provide their necessities.
Buenos Aires Public Bible Lecture
A Public Bible Lecture was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 19 with an attendance of 40.
Mr. Mario Hernandez presented the lecture and spoke about the world financial crisis in the light of the Scriptures. Several attendees posed questions after the lecture and stayed to fellowship. The majority of them also submitted literature requests.
Feast of Tabernacles 2009
Feast of Tabernacles 2009—Registration this Sunday, May 3!
We had a successful Festival Coordinators Web conference last Wednesday, with 12 of our coordinators in attendance. All sites are gearing up in preparation for the United States and Canada festival registration, beginning Sunday, May 3, 12:00 noon, EDT. Everyone is invited to register at that time! As a courtesy to other brethren, please wait to make housing reservations until you have a confirmation of your registration and/or transfer approval. When making your reservations please be certain to identify yourself as being from the Living Church of God. This helps us track the housing needs of our brethren and to negotiate group rates and discounts. If you need additional help, please see your Festival Advisor. Festival Advisors: We have updated PDF files of the site descriptions you may download from the MyLCG (www.cogl.org) website.
Wisconsin Dells: Housing Update
In addition to the Chula Vista Resort, the Luna Inn will once again be offering Living Church of God members reduced hotel rates during the Feast of Tabernacles in the Dells. We have updated the housing information on the Church's website. Please visit the Festival Information section at MyLCG (www.cogl.org) for more details regarding housing at both properties.
This week, we feature in The World Ahead abbreviated descriptions of the sites in Chile and Vanuatu. Unabridged descriptions of these and other sites can be found on MyLCG (www.cogl.org). As a reminder, International and Hawaii Feast registrations are now available at the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org.
El Quisco, Chile
The Chilean brethren extend a warm invitation to attend the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day in El Quisco, Chile. El Quisco is a peaceful coastal city located some 80 miles north of Santiago, the nation's capital. The city offers millennial vistas, outdoor activities and trips to cultural sites. Feast services will be at the Puertas del Sol complex, which has a capacity for 90 people. The complex has indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzi, children's play areas, and is equipped with wireless Internet. The cost per person, per day, including lunch and dinner is USD$28 at this complex. Rooms are equipped with kitchenettes. For more information on this complex, visit its website at www.turismopuertasdelsol.cl. Services at this site will be in Spanish. English translation has not been secured.
If you like to attend the Feast in Chile, and can speak Spanish, request a transfer by registering through the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org and contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at [email protected] or by phone at 704-844-1960, ext. 217.
Orap, Vanuatu
The Feast in 2009 will again be held in Orap, a village on the island of Malekula. Orap is the home of the largest Living Church of God congregation in Vanuatu. Overseas visitors will be made very welcome by local members. Plan to fly into the capital, Port Vila, and then travel by commuter airline to Norsup, which is not far from Orap. Local members will meet your plane in Norsup and will arrange transportation to Orap. Services will be held in the site's tabernacle building. Most meals will be prepared and enjoyed communally. At past Feasts, members have gone on picnics and played sports.
Local members speak English and French and services will be largely conducted in or translated into English. We expect about 60 to attend. Costs incurred during the Feast should amount to no more than USD$10 per day. Accommodations will be in small guest houses which have been built for visitors or you could use your own hiker's tent. The Feast site is on the river bank and just a five minute walk from the ocean. Orap is a safe locality and recommended as suitable for all ages.
If you like to attend the Feast in Vanuatu, request a transfer by registering through the MyLCG section of www.cogl.org.
Living Youth Camp
The deadline to apply for the 2009 Living Youth Camp in Voyageurs National Park is next Wednesday, May 6. For planning and organizational purposes, we will not be able to accept any new applicants after May 6. Also, if you have applied but have decided not to come, please let us know by next Wednesday. We need to make sure we have the proper number of permits and housing arrangements for those participating in the trip. We are accepting applications for campers ages 13-17 and young adult workers ages 18-30. Further details and applications can be found at www.youth-web.org.
Finance Department
As we wrap up the month of April, it seems clear that our membership and other supporters are being affected by the downturn in the economy in the U.S.A. and around the world. Evidence of this fact is that, through April 2009, requests for Third Tithe assistance are up more than 20% compared to the same period last year.
We find that the Church's income from tithes and offerings is about even compared to the same period last year. However, the amount is below our budgeted income, which means that we must find economies wherever possible. To that end, we are examining our expenses carefully and are making reductions in many areas in an effort to avoid deficit spending.
On a positive note, the Holy Day offerings for the Days of Unleavened Bread came in at the amount budgeted, for which we are very grateful.
We deeply appreciate the dedication and generosity of our members, co-workers and donors. Please pray that our Heavenly Father will provide the financial means to do His Work so that we may continue the pattern of growth that He has established.—Davy Crockett
Comments
Thankful for the Truth? The Sabbath is a good time to reflect on an important question: How thankful are you for the Truth? It is easy to take the Truth 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). 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). Paul said that to be called out of darkness into the light of the Truth is something for which we should be extremely thankful (Ephesians 5:8-20). He also mentions that those who were unthankful for what they could have understood let go of the Truth and embraced faulty ideas generated by human reason—which had 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" (Psalm 100:1-5).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—April 30, 2009
Dutch Increasingly Skeptical of the EU. "The Dutch are far more skeptical about the European Union in the run-up to 4 June's EU parliamentary elections than they were before the EU polls of 1994 and 2004," according to a recent poll of Dutch voters. We must also recall that in 2005, it was the French and Dutch voters who rejected the European Constitution (Radio Netherlands Worldwide, April 7, 2009). God prophesied that the final European Beast power would consist of 10 kingdoms or groupings of people (Daniel 2:37-41; Revelation 17:12-13). The Scriptures also reveal that this Beast power will eventually subjugate or destroy many of Israelite-descended nations (Isaiah 10:5; Amos 5:2-3). For Bible prophecies to be fulfilled, something may cause the current EU to downsize from 27 nations to 10 kingdoms or groupings. How this will happen remains to be seen. However, present treaties allow for any 10 nations to move out ahead of the others in areas of cooperation. Another change we should watch for is the inclusion or exclusion of Israelite-descended nations like the Netherlands, the Scandinavian nations, Britain, Ireland, France, and Belgium from the current EU organization.
EU Moving Forward with the Lisbon Treaty—Despite the Irish. The EU is currently training more than 500 people for its diplomatic core, as it prepares to launch EU Embassies all over the world. This action is occurring, despite the fact that not all EU member-states have signed onto the treaty. One Irish voter noted the blatant disregard for member-state votes, "It is cause for serious concern that, by implementing the Lisbon Treaty, EU institutions are manifesting outright contempt for democracy." In secret meetings, the diplomatic arm of the EU has noted the importance of not agitating the Irish prior to the re-vote in June (Sunday Telegraph, April 12, 2009). God prophesied that the end-time European Beast power would be composed of kingdoms or groupings of "iron and clay," identifying the inherently divisive nature of the Beast power (Daniel 2:34, 41). The Scriptures also reveal the dictatorial nature that the Beast power will have (Daniel 11:20-28, 36-37). As it develops, we are already beginning to see the cunning nature of this end-time force and its proclivity to forgo considering the "will of the people."
Confusion Among U.S. Christians. In a recent survey of "self-identified Christians" in the U.S., the Barna Research Group unearthed some interesting findings. First, 40% of respondents stated that Satan was not a "real" being, but rather just a "symbol" for evil. Only about 30% identified Satan as a real, evil being. Next, while nearly half of respondents stated emphatically that Jesus did not sin while on earth, 39% stated that He did sin while on earth, in direct opposition to the Scripture. Two-thirds believe that humans can be influenced by demonic forces, while an entire third believe that it is not possible for humans to be influenced by demonic forces. Only 55% of those surveyed had a negative view of organized witchcraft ("wicca"), while 40% did not have an opinion about wicca, even though it was described as "organized witchcraft." When confronted with the statement that "the Bible, the Koran and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same spiritual truths," 41% of respondents agreed! (Barna.org, April 16, 2009). This recent research is sobering and also telling. According to the survey results, professing Christians differ greatly in their understanding of what the Bible really teaches. In fact, only 55% strongly agreed that the Bible is "accurate" in the principles it teaches. With this in mind, and the statistics on Satan and demons, is it any wonder that professing Christians today are deceived? Very few actually read and study the Bible on a regular basis (according to previous Barna research), and therefore have a very weak moral compass. God stated "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." (Hosea 4:6). God speed the day when the "earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea…" (Isaiah 11:9).—James Ginn, Sue Bennett and Scott Winnail