Greetings from Charlotte,
We had a very inspiring Regional Conference last weekend in Sweetwater, Tennessee! Mr. and Mrs. Meredith were able to attend. More than 200 brethren heard a powerful sermon delivered by Mr. Meredith. About 90 deacons, elders, other leaders and their wives from nine states were able to attend the Sunday-Monday conference. Mr. Meredith and I conducted meetings that covered Principles of Pastoring, Team Building and some doctrinal issues. Comments on the meetings were very positive and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to fellowship and learn together. Last week, Mr. Meredith finished articles for the next Tomorrow's World magazine and tomorrow he is planning to record a lecture for an online Living University class he will teach this fall. Mr. and Mrs. Ames and I will head to Arizona to conduct another Regional Conference this weekend.
**Please read the following announcement about Living University registration.
Living University
Announcement to be read at services this week
Living University is now registering students for the fall semester. Individuals who would like to enroll in one or more single courses, but who do not intend to pursue a certificate, diploma or degree, may do so through the University's Open Learning Program. Open Leaning Program students may accumulate up to fifteen (15) semester hours of designated courses before they must fulfill the regular admission requirements. This fall they can take THL 134 (Life, Ministry and Teachings of Jesus), THL 200 (Principles of Christian Living), and THL 332 (The Biblical Text). To enroll, visit the university's website at www.livinguniv.com and select Enroll Now in the Open Learning Program.
Human Resources
Employment Opportunities—Repeat Announcement
Please review the following job descriptions. If there are any candidates in your Church Areas who might fulfill the requirements for the Television and Information Technology Departments, please encourage them to send a résumé to Suzanne Pyle in the Human Resources Department.
Local Network Specialist in the Information Technology Department. Candidate has experience in providing technical support and guidance to end users for all LAN-based and non-networked applications; experienced in installation of upgrades, patches, new applications and equipment; experienced in installation and configuration of workstations; has knowledge of the latest technology as well as older technology. Candidate must be familiar with Microsoft Windows Server 2003 including Microsoft Active Directory, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and Microsoft Terminal Server. The job requires a technical certificate; or two to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Television Production Assistant in the Television Department. Qualifications: Comprehensive experience with non-linear editing systems such as Media 100i or Avid XpressPro and experience with Adobe Photoshop, After Effects or Boris for graphic design. Experience should include working within a studio environment, which would include working with cameras, lighting and audio recording. Candidates should be highly organized and creative with the ability to multi-task between several projects to meet strict weekly deadlines. One to three years editing experience in a broadcast/production studio environment is preferable.
If you are interested in one of these positions, please submit a résumé to:
Living Church of God
Human Resources Department
Attn: Suzanne Pyle
PO Box 3810, Charlotte, NC 28227
FAX: 704-844-1973
Email: [email protected]
Church Administration
Texas Floods
Mr. Dan Hall, South Central USA Regional Pastor, informed us that NONE of our members in the north Dallas-Fort Worth area were affected by this week's severe storms and flooding, so we are very thankful to God.
East Africa
Mr. Rod King writes: Since my [last week's] report to Dr. Winnail and Mr. Apartian, I have heard from Mr. Muthama and Mr. Chembe that they visited with nine people for a Bible Study in Musoma. This town is on the southern shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, and we have some fine people that God is calling… The region of Western Kenya is an unusual area of the world in that there are many Sabbath-keeping churches there. There are SDAs and Church of God 7th Day members, and on the Sabbath the majority of businesses are closed. In January, Mr. Muthama, Mr. Chembe and I drove from Homa Bay to Kisii and we passed many people walking to church with their Bibles on the Sabbath. We know, of course, that Sabbath observance does not guarantee conversion. We encountered some who, we are told, may still practice witchcraft and also observe the seventh day. As a result, we are careful to ensure that those with whom we talk understand true conversion. Mr. Muthama and Mr. Chembe are working well with the people in the Church there.
Feast of Tabernacles 2007
Colorado Feast Site Finalized
After a last-minute change in venue became necessary, we have contracted for a meeting room at Silverado II, a lovely place for Feast of Tabernacles in Winter Park, Colorado. The property should have the Living Church of God in their system by Sunday, June 24, so that reservations can be made for those wishing to stay at Silverado II, an Alpine Resort property. Their website gives detailed information about the property and the area. The link is
http://www.alpineresortproperties.com/lodging/condominium_silverado_2.htm
Those who wish to stay at the YMCA of the Rockies can certainly do so. Those who may want to move from the YMCA may do so without penalty or losing any part of their deposit. Reservations at Silverado II can be made by calling 800-797-2750. When calling, please identify yourself as being with the Living Church of God. The property has a wide range of condominium accommodations available at off-season prices for the period of the Feast this year. A block of rooms is being set aside for the Church, but as we are publishing this information, we are awaiting the pricing. Actual prices of accommodations will be posted on the www.cogl.org website as soon as available.— Davy Crockett
Arklow, Republic of Ireland
Those wanting to participate in the Festival Choir in Arklow, Ireland, should contact Mr. VG Larde at [email protected]. They should let him know which of the SATB parts they will sing. VG would also like to know if you are a pianist able to accompany the choir and/or if you have conducted choirs in the past.
Comments
Together on the Sabbath—for a Reason! We are admonished in the Scriptures to encourage one another, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some" (Hebrews 10:24-25). We see how the members of the early New Testament Church gathered together on the Sabbath to preach, worship and fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:1; 13:14, 44; 17:2). In doing so, they were following the commandment to "remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8) and the example of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:16). Today, with many small independent groups, it is easy to assume that observing the Sabbath is all we have to do to be part of God's Church. However, we need to remember that God's Church is commissioned to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). We need to make sure that the group we gather together with on the Sabbath is part of a Church that is fulfilling that mission.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—June 21, 2007
Israelite-Descended Nations Increasingly Against EU Constitution. "London is becoming increasingly isolated in the European Union over its efforts to limit the scope of the revived EU constitution" while Britain and Germany war over support by the new French President (The Times, May 17, 2007). Britain's opposition to the constitution is closely followed by two other "Israelite-descended" nations, Denmark and Sweden, while some of the staunchest supporters of the constitution are Gentile-descended nations such as Hungary, Poland, Estonia, and Slovenia (EU Observer, June 19, 2007). Meanwhile, Russian President Putin is warning against a military buildup in Eastern Europe that could prompt a strong response by Russia (The Times, June 4, 2007). For decades, the Church has warned about a coming group of ten nations in central Europe that will arise as the Beast power of Revelation 17. Developing relations in Europe are separating many nations down historical and ethnic lines, making way for the ten prophesied nations. Additionally, increasing division between Russia and the rest of Europe also fits well with God's prophesied warning of a clash between a future Beast power in Europe and a massive army that will attack from the north and east of Jerusalem (Daniel 11:44-45; Revelation 9:13-21).
Impact of Drought and High Temperatures. Lake Superior, the largest and deepest freshwater lake in the world, is at its lowest point in 81 years, according to the US Army Corps of Engineers. As a result, some hydroelectric power plants are operating at half capacity, cargo ships are carrying less cargo, including coal, due to the need to traverse shallower channels, and wild rice crops along the lakes shores are failing (USA Today, June 13, 2007). Although a 20-inch (half meter) drop in water levels in a lake that is more than 1,300 feet deep at its deepest may seem insignificant, the economic and social impacts are considerable. Eight years ago when water levels were at this same "low," reliance on the lake for food, goods and electricity was minimal and affected comparatively few. Today, the drop in water levels is much more serious. God warned that, at the end of the age, famine would be one precursor to the return of Christ (Matthew 24:7). Additionally, God warned that due to the sins of His people, He would make the heavens like iron and the earth like bronze—and the land would not yield its produce (Leviticus 26:19-20). One of the items we produce from the land is electricity—through hydroelectric or coal power plants.
Australian Storm Ravages New South Wales. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on June 10 that three days of torrential rains flooded parts of the Australian city of Newcastle. Morris Lemma, Premier of New South Wales, said the storm caused greater damage than the 1989 Newcastle earthquake. "What I saw were parts of Newcastle that resembled the kind of damage that followed the earthquake. Construction sites and scaffolding, debris on roads, abandoned cars, homes that were damaged, trees having fallen on homes, extensive damage." Australia's State Emergency Service fielded 10,500 calls during the storm. Several flood-related fatalities were reported. Many areas suffered power and phone outages. Potable water almost ran out; a power outage in the city of West Gosford put two pumping stations out of service, stopping the transfer of water to municipal reservoirs that were down to 10 percent of capacity. One way God shows displeasure with His people is through the weather. "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'I will cause a stormy wind to break forth in My fury; and there shall be a flooding rain in My anger…'" (Ezekiel 13:13).—Don Davis, Daniel Bennett, Scott Winnail