Greetings everybody,
The trip to the Philippines went well in every way. We held ministerial meetings on two days and they were very productive. We had 150 brethren in attendance in Manila on the Sabbath during which we ordained two men and raised in rank a minister. Mr. Catanco Anastacio and Mr. Freddie Benitez were ordained Elders, and Mr. Gideon Benitez was raised to a Pastor.
By the way, when Mr. Meredith was in South Africa recently, he and Mr. Syd Hull ordained Mr. Hermanus Bouwer as an Elder. Congratulations to all these servants of God! It was indeed heartwarming to see ministerial love and brotherhood in action as we made the administration change-over in the Philippine Work from Mr. Rod McNair to Mr. Rod King and Mr. Bruce Tyler. Mr. King and Mr. Tyler will now serve that area from Australia. This transition has been seamless and very smooth—what a treat!
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Must Play Sermon
The sermon by Mr. Meredith, "We Need A Church Fast" (marked as a "Must Play"), should have reached all areas by now. If you received it last week and have already shown it, that's fine. Otherwise, it should be played this Sabbath during the Church fast. If this sermon has not yet arrived, please show it at the earliest opportunity.
Feast of Tabernacles 2004
Wait until you see the Festival Planner 2004! Editorial has outdone itself on this one. Your personal copy should be arriving at your home around Pentecost weekend.
Living Youth Camp
The Living Church of God is sponsoring three camps this summer: Preteen Texas, Preteen Missouri, and LYC Teen Michigan. There are still spaces available for campers, High School Workers, and Adult Workers. Please get an application and send it in as soon as possible if you are interested in attending or working at one of these camps. All applications can be found at the private Web site: www.youth-web.org. For a Teen Michigan application you may call Sue Ruddlesden at: 704 844-1960, ext 235. For Preteen Texas call Mr. David Crockett at 682-518-8292. For Missouri call Mr. Randy Gregory at 847-249-1057.
Living 4 Tomorrow—A Time 4 Young Singles
Singles ages 18 to 30 are invited to attend Living 4 Tomorrow—A Time 4 Young Singles at beautiful Thunder Bay Resort near Hillman, Michigan, July 14-18. We still have room for both men and women, but right now we need more men. Please fill out the very simple application found at the private Web site www.youth-web.org if you are interested in attending this activity. Those who have attended past L4T sessions have found this activity to be very rewarding. L4T is filled with learning, fun, and fellowship. Get your application in quickly, as there is a limit to how many we can take.
COMMENTS
Mr. Dibar Apartian covered the upcoming Church fast very well in the last update, so I don't need to say more except to encourage everyone to carefully reread Mr. Meredith's letter explaining why we, as God's Church, are doing this. When God's dedicated people cry out to Him, He hears our prayers. This does make a profound difference with our Heavenly Father. I Peter 3:12 makes that very clear, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Have a deeply meaningful and strengthening Sabbath.
Charles E. Bryce