Hello from Charlotte,
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith are visiting the Living Youth Camp in Michigan for the remainder of the session. My wife and I had the privilege of being there for the first six days. This year's camp is maxed out with more than 200 campers and staff. It is taking place in a beautiful millennial setting, with deer and one lonely unnamed sheep running around the grounds. Everything there seems to be going exceptionally well, thanks to God's blessing, hard work from Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Weston and all the staff, and the cooperation, enthusiasm and energy of the campers. After all, they are the focus of everything we try to do there. All of them appear to be learning good things and having lots of fun! Please continue to ask God to bless and guide this year's camp in a special way.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Feast of Tabernacles 2004
Festival Assistance—A Repeat Announcement
Please note that the deadline to have applications for Festival assistance forms back to us, properly filled out and signed by the Church Pastor, is August 16, 2004. We ask you not to wait until the last minute to submit them.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Those who would like to sing in the Festival choir at the Lake of the Ozarks or provide special music are asked to contact the Festival Choir Director, Jim King. He plans to provide choir music practice tapes and CDs to those who will be in the choir. Also, if there is anyone who has experience directing a children's choir and would be willing to serve in that way at the Feast, please contact Mr. King. His email address is [email protected] and his phone number is 402-991-0049—Randy Gregory
Rapid City, South Dakota
If you are interested in performing special music at the Feast in Rapid City, please contact Mr. Eng Monson by phone at 306-545-5250 or by e-mail at [email protected]. We request that you note your experience and send a copy of the sheet music that you have selected. Those who would like to volunteer in the Festival choir, please contact Mrs. Pat LeVoir by phone at 320-587-4793 or by e-mail at [email protected]. We will mail you the music, a cassette, and a schedule of performances and practices. Parents of children who are ages 3-12 and are interested in singing in the children's choir at the Feast are asked to contact Mr. Dan Contardi by phone at 763-553-0784 or by e-mail at [email protected]. We plan on performing on Family Day. As soon as we hear from you, we will mail you the music, a cassette and a schedule of practices.—Sheldon Monson
COMMENTS
We had a Bible Study last Friday night at LYC. Camp Director Gerald Weston and I answered written questions submitted by campers in attendance. As we expected, they asked very thoughtful, interesting and worthwhile questions about the Bible, Christian living, problems they encounter and how to handle them, etc. We were very encouraged, but not surprised, at the depth of interest among the young people in God's Church. That bodes well for the future and reflects very favorably on the families and ministers of our youth in their homes and congregations. I was reminded of another young person who lived long, long ago but who started out very well because God was introduced early into his life and became the center of all that he did, and in a balanced way. His name was Timothy and he actually grew to become an evangelist in God's service.
One of the main reasons for his success is found in II Timothy 3:14-17, where the Apostle Paul writes, "But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished [equipped] unto all good works."
"From a child" he was taught God's word and he became "thoroughly equipped" unto all good works. We must do that very thing today and for that very reason. And who were some of the best examples of this precious knowledge given to Timothy? Notice II Timothy 1:5, "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned [genuine] faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also." His extended family! So teamwork will achieve the best results in guiding our youth in THE way of life. LYC, the ministry, friends, family and home life, all working together with love, right examples and true knowledge from God's word, go a long way in preparing our youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. It is a vital process requiring full participation from every single one of us.
Have a happy Sabbath!
Charles E. Bryce