Greetings from Charlotte,
We are receiving inspiring reports from all over about the wonderful Feast of Pentecost observed by God's people last Sunday. All of the ministers traveling out from Headquarters came back very encouraged by the brethren and ministers in the Church areas they visited. We want to thank all of you for your hospitality and for your dedication to God's Work and way of life.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Feast of Tabernacles
FESTIVAL SURVEY 2003
To be read in all US & Canadian congregations this coming Sabbath: This Sabbath, June 14, 2003 we will be conducting the Festival attendance survey in all our US and Canadian congregations. Please be prepared to state your present Feast site preference. If you have not fully made up your mind, you should name the site you will be most likely to attend. If your plans change later, that will be all right. The Festival office is conducting this survey for planning purposes and appreciates everyone's help.
FESTIVAL PLANNER
We received the 2003 Festival Planner from the printer this afternoon (Thursday). It will be mailed tomorrow morning. Information from the Planner will be available on the Members' Web site www.cogl.org early next week.
FESTIVAL ASSISTANCE
By now, all of the ministers should have received Festival Assistance forms to be used by those who will need assistance to attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year. Please announce this at Sabbath services this Sabbath and note that the deadline to have them back to us, properly filled out and signed by the Church Pastor, is August 22, 2003.
Youth Camps
LIVING YOUTH CAMP
Even though the deadline has passed, there is still room for about 5 boy and 7 girl campers at LYC Teen Camp in Michigan. If you are interested in attending this year, please send in an application ASAP. Applications for LYC Michigan and all the preteen camps can be found at: www.youth-web.org or see your minister and he can help you acquire one. There is also room at some of the preteen camps. If you have a preteen who is interested in attending a camp this summer, check one out at www.youth-web.org.
LIVING 4 TOMORROW - A TIME 4 YOUNG SINGLES
We still have openings for young singles ages 18-30 at Living 4 Tomorrow — A Time 4 Young Singles. You can find an application at: www.youth-web.org and it only takes 3 minutes to fill it out online. Don't miss this special opportunity to meet others of like mind.
If you have not received word on whether you have been accepted or not to LYC Michigan or to Living 4 Tomorrow, please e-mail Gerald Weston at: [email protected] or call 905-814-1103.
Ben Whitfield sends this interesting report:
Just this past May 31st, I traveled to Monument Valley, Utah, our southernmost town in our circuit (620 miles one way from Rawlins, WY) to baptize a Navajo Indian man, Mr. Wayne Holiday. He had been listening to Mr. Armstrong during the 60s and 70s, then lost contact with the Church and when he came across it again (WCG) he said, "That's not it." "Where did it go?" Then he came across another group and received some of their literature and said, "That's not it either!" Then his brother had some of our LCG literature and gave it to Wayne and said, "Read this." Wayne said, "This is it!" He then got on the mailing list, made contact with HQ and requested baptism. We baptized Mr. Holiday in the Blanding, Utah, reservoir 60 miles from his home. Beautiful country, yes, but what was more memorable was to baptize a man who had been waiting for years and finally exercised his commitment and surrendered to God! The Work is far from finished! If it had not been for the booklets, the telecasts, the magazines, etc., Wayne would not be in the family of God today. He would have still been lost. What we do does have an effect on many, even in the four corners of the earth, literally. (Monument Valley, Utah is very close to what is called the "Four Corners" region. That is where four states come together and form boundaries that cross, causing 4 corners. Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado).
Now we have a new video group in Monument Valley, Utah. Wayne's family is large with over 20+ including his children, their spouses and his numerous grandchildren. I expect more to come along in the future, God willing.
INTERNATIONAL
Philippines Update—Rod McNair
Please continue praying for our ministry and brethren in Lanao del Norte. There is reported fighting only 11 kilometers from Maranding, between rebels and government troops. They are feeling the ground shake all the way to Maranding, from the impact of the bombs from the fighting.
Please also be praying for each other, as the rainy season brings with it the Dengue fever, from infected mosquitoes. This is a recent report from Mr. Tex Benitez:
"The last week of May, here in Don Carlos, residents were aware of the presence of Dengue fever. There were reported deaths of children and many were taken to hospitals. The health care department made the announcement that all residents should clean their homes and surroundings. Our Church members were also responding to the announcements, to protect their children from becoming victims of the disease. Pray that God will continue to protect our people."
Canadian Update—Gerald Weston
The growth in Barrie is very real. Even on Pentecost we had 2 brand new people attend in Toronto who would normally attend in Barrie. The others who have come with us came from WCG. Alberta is the other really hot area at this time. Here in Ontario we continue to have a lot of new visit requests, but we see little commitment from these people, even though they talk very enthusiastically when we visit them.
My plans call for me to visit Newfoundland this month (June) and I have visits lined up with 4 new contacts. It would be very encouraging to see some growth in that area.
Reports are upbeat across Canada. Most people seem to be happy and there are enough new church inquiries to give hope for new growth, and indeed we are seeing small growth (one or two new people) in most areas.
COMMENTS
My wife and I had a very enjoyable trip to Sacramento last weekend. It was great to spend time with Rod and Dana McNair and their children again. There were 123 in attendance for the Feast of Pentecost, with several congregations combining for the day. We were impressed with the attitudes and enthusiasm of these churches.
One of the most stimulating conversations we had, with several in attendance, centered on how blessed we are to see God's Church expanding and growing out of the ashes of the apostasy. The Work continues to gain momentum and strength to carry out the Great Commission all the way to the end.
Mr. Herbert Armstrong often reminded us about the sin of ingratitude. Are we as thankful and as excited as we ought to be about being where the whole Truth of God is taught, and the Work of God is zealously being done, led by Mr. Roderick C. Meredith?
God warned Israel, "Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: […] Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage…" Deut 8:11,14. We need to heed that warning and apply it spiritually. What a blessing it is to gather in peace and safety and unity with the people of God, and enjoy the fellowship and the Truth taught straight from the Bible. If we find ourselves getting tired or bored with that, and start to forget where Jesus Christ has led us out from and where he has led us into, we had better get help fast because we are drifting into dangerous territory!
Have a great Sabbath,
Charles E. Bryce