Greetings everyone,
Mr. Meredith will preach in San Diego this Sabbath. This will be his last sermon here as he leaves for Charlotte, NC next Thursday. Mr. Apartian departs for Charlotte next Sunday. I will be visiting Mr. and Mrs. Glen Gilchrist and the brethren in Albuquerque, New Mexico this Sabbath. My wife will not make the trip to Albuquerque because she has not totally recovered from the effects of the flu.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE—Important Move Deadlines
Please note corrected dates—The last day Headquarters will issue checks from San Diego will be FEBRUARY 21st. The moving company will pack and load the office equipment and materials beginning February 24th.
From February 24 through March 16, the office will be closed because of the Headquarters move to Charlotte, North Carolina.
REPEAT ANNOUNCEMENT—Mr. Tom Turner:
Legal & Risk Management Services During Relocation: Due to the physical relocation to Charlotte, NC, the Office of Legal Affairs and Risk Management will be closed beginning the afternoon of February 21, 2003 at 1:00 pm until the morning of March 17, 2003 (the official "Grand Opening") at 9:00 am. Mail for this department that is received after February 21st may not be processed until after March 17th. However, we have arranged for certain limited services to be available during this time to address urgent/emergency contract processing, proof of insurance needs and jury duty excusal rejections. Unfortunately, our other services (including requests for Conscientious Objector packets) will not be able to be filled, or forms processed, during the referenced 3-week period. From February 21, 2003 through March 17, 2003 all documents relating to urgent/emergency contracts, proof of insurance and jury duty excusal rejections should be emailed to [email protected], or faxed to (619) 374-7292. (Please note that this special temporary fax number should not be used until after the 21st of February)
Conscientious Objection and Military Service: The potential for the US government to re-institute the military draft grows with each passing week. The Military Selective Service Act provides that no person shall be subject to combatant training and service in the armed forces who "by reason of religious training and belief is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form" (50 U.S.C. App. § 456(j)). There is no draft at present; however, if a war were declared today, the draft could begin immediately. By law, all males must register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Pursuant to the Biblical instruction given in Romans 13:1-2, if you have failed to register within the required 30 days, the Church would recommend that you now register as soon as possible if you are between the age of 18 and 26. The longer you delay, the greater the potential penalty if the draft were re-instituted. Male "adherents" (members, prospective members) of Living Church of God in the United States, who are 18 to 26 years old, should request, read and consider the instructions contained in the Church's information packet on Conscientious Objection to Military Service. The packet includes an exemption request form, instructions for completing that form, recommendations for additional actions to take, and how to be recorded in the Church's official Register of Conscientious Objectors maintained at headquarters.
FROM FINANCE
Greetings from the Business Office!! Thank you for generous support thus far in 2003. We are running over a 10% in increase in income for which we are very thankful. There have been numerous requests of when Tithes and Offerings should be sent to Charlotte, NC and where to send them.
Please begin to mail Tithes and Offerings to the following Charlotte address after February 21st:
Living Church of God
PO Box 3810
Charlotte, NC 28227-8010
You should begin to receive envelopes with the new address with the February Coworker letter, which will be mailed in two weeks. Also note that any mail sent to San Diego will be forwarded on to Charlotte after February 21st.
Regards,
Business Office Staff
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Change of Administration—The administration of CAD will officially transfer to Mr. Charles Bryce March 1st at headquarters in Charlotte, NC. During the transition, there will be a week or two before Mr. Bryce is situated to receive calls. I will continue to serve in an emergency as I am able during this period or until Mr. Bryce notifies you otherwise.
My e-mail address will remain: [email protected]
My phone number will be: 760-751-9615
My address will be: P.O. Box 27468
San Diego, CA 92198
Ordained Ministers Note—If you use Living Church of God business cards with the San Diego headquarters address (or if you have moved and/or changed your telephone, fax numbers recently) please contact [email protected] and let us know that you would like to receive new cards with the Charlotte headquarters address (or provide us your current contact information).
INTERNATIONAL
Barbados Visit
Mr. Jon McNair reported that his recent visit to Barbados was very good. He was able to visit quite a number of members for counsel, encouragement and anointing. The Barbados church office is almost ready for use.
Iraq divides Europe—against America! – Douglas Winnail
The threatened US-led invasion of Iraq has generated sudden, dramatic and stunning developments in Europe. The decision by France, Germany and Belgium to actively oppose American-led efforts was openly challenged by eight European nations—shattering the dream that Europe would speak with one voice on foreign policy and venting pent-up frustrations at France and Germany's self-appointed role as leaders of Europe. This episode is revealing the fragile nature of the European Union. The threat of invasion has also fanned a wave of anti-Americanism. The NATO alliance built around American might and expertise that has protected and nurtured the rebirth of Europe for nearly fifty years appears, to be crumbling—all this in a few short weeks!
Americans and others who sacrificed thousands of lives to liberate France and Belgium and donated millions to help rebuild Germany find it incredible these nations would openly oppose what America and others see as moral obligation to remove a dangerous regime. Angry American legislators claim they have been betrayed by their allies—who seem to have forgotten the help they received! However not all Europeans have enjoyed their dependency on American power. France and Germany, who aspire to lead the new Europe, are reluctant to appear as following the US. European leaders have also resented America's continuing role in Europe and chaffed under what they see as a prolonged occupation. The builders of the new Europe have openly stated that European integration is intended to rival the United States in order to bring more balance to the world. The Iraq issue is bringing this all to a head.
While analysts search for reasons, Bible prophecy explains why this is happening. God warned that because the descendants of Jacob have forgotten God and turned from His ways, "your lovers have forgotten you" (Jer.30:14) and "your lovers will despise you; they will seek your life" (Jer.4:30). Jeremiah also writes, "all her lovers have dealt treacherously with her; they have become her enemies" (Lam.1:2) and "those around him [Jacob] have become his adversaries" (Lam.1:17). A French newspaper commented recently "two hundred years ago, France was America's greatest ally…but today France is virtually the enemy of the United States." The Bible reveals the children of Jacob will cry, "I called for my lovers, but they deceived me" (Lam.1:19). God also prophesied, "you made payments to all your lovers…I will gather all your lovers…against you…I will give you into their hands" (Ezekiel 16:33, 37-39). We have sometimes viewed these "lovers" as Gentile nations (like Assyria—who will be involved), yet Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh) was also sold into slavery (Gen.37:27) by his brothers! Jeremiah comments about this coming time of Jacob's trouble, "in the latter days you will consider [understand] it" (Jer.30:24). We appear to be entering this time of trouble. It is amazing how rapidly the political landscape of the world can change!
COMMENTS
As we transition into a new administration, I want to thank all of you for your loyal support and patience over the past four years, and to ask you to support Mr. Charles Bryce as he assumes CAD. It has meant a great deal to me to work with folks who are totally committed to the Work being done through Living Church of God. Without your support we could not have continued with the telecasting and print media as we have. Without our support Mr. Bryce's job will be onerous.
We have experienced many things over the past four years. Some were wonderful, some were disconcerting—but all were instructive!
One of the most profound lessons I have learned is the meaning of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 1l.
Verses 7-8: "And as they departed, [John's disciples who had visited on John's behalf] Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. [John's message was no idle prattle—like the noise of a reed blowing in the wind. John's dress was not of one living the good life—rather of one who was a fieldworker.]"
Verses 16-19: "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, and saying; we have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."
Depending upon our level of understanding and our spiritual mindedness, we also misjudge one another; we find fault and condemn one another. If we please one person or group another person or group will condemn us. Why does this happen? Because we are focused upon "self" and "self-interest" rather than upon the big picture—doing the Work of God and looking toward the Kingdom of God.
A second important lesson I have learned (again) is the importance of structure. Why is structure so important? It provides security, stability and continuity—in our case, the TRADITION of the Church.
How? Let's take for an example the order of church services. Security, stability and continuity are maintained and enhanced when the leader of the group adheres to the traditional order of service practiced by the Church for the past seventy years.
- Security—without "traditions" there is an inclination to do ones own thing. We have a traditional "order of services," which every Pastor, Elder or Host is expected to follow. When the order is not followed once there is "slight discomfort." When the order is repeatedly changed there is serious insecurity.
- Stability—when the traditions relating to the order of services are not followed the group is uncomfortable and may become destabilized.
- Continuity—when the traditions and teachings of the Church are clearly defined and followed, there is a sense of continuity—a connection to the historical Church of God.
God is not the author of confusion. Satan is the author of confusion and disorder. A disorderly meeting or society is not conducive to learning or construction. A disorderly service is like a rodeo—lots of starts and stops, with many ending in a wreck!
Primarily, we have sought to provide a safe haven for the worship of God. Secondarily, we have sought to provide and maintain a place for fellowship in Christian love. While the Living Church of God has provided a haven for doctrinal and Christian fellowship, Satan has also sought to enter—and on occasion he has found a welcoming friend. Keeping him out is difficult—keeping his influence out is impossible. We have fought and will ever continue to fight against his spiritual influence.
Have a great Sabbath, and may God guide and keep you in His service of love.
Carl E. McNair