Greetings everyone:
"The world has been shocked and horrified by Tuesday's terrorist attack against the United States," wrote Mr. Ames in his message addressed to LCG Correspondence Department, informing everyone that Mr. Meredith made an immediate and specially recorded commentary on the Web, regarding the unprecedented tragic events. By now, most of you have probably seen that commentary.
Mr. Meredith has just finished an urgent and moving letter addressed to the entire membership, including all co-workers. The MPD is hoping to be able to mail that letter tomorrow.
Miraculously, none of the LCG members have been hurt during the atrocious attacks. All the more reasons for us to be thankful to God and to look forward to the future with faith and courage.
AN INSPIRING REPORT FROM PAUL SHUMWAY, N.Y. AREA.
Thank you for your prayers and concern for our members in this area. The phone lines into New York City have been overloaded and it's been difficult getting through, but all our members are OK. Mr. Klink, our elder in northern New Jersey, and his wife work just a few blocks from the World Trade Center. They 'happened' to leave a half hour later than normal and as they approached the Holland Tunnel, Mr. Klink remarked, "the Twin Towers are on fire!" Mrs. Klink thought he was kidding. Just then they spotted a sign declaring that the Holland Tunnel was closed so they turned around and headed home. Had they left at their normal time, they would have entered Manhattan just before the bridges and tunnels were closed! In His mercy, God spared them from the chaos and confusion.
The Klinks have a son (non-member) who works only two blocks from the World Trade Center. He did arrive at work. Thankfully, he is OK too.
We have a few members who work around the World Trade Center. One even attends a training session with his insurance company on the top floor once each month. Thankfully, he was at his other office across the bay when disaster struck. He observed the tragedy from the rooftop. All of our members 'happened' to be out of the immediate area at the time. One member is a limo driver and has (had) several clients in the World Trade Center. Thankfully, he was on the other end of town on that fateful morning.
Our Deacon in Brooklyn could see the Twin Towers from his bedroom window. He saw the smoke rising from the buildings and turned on his television to watch the news. When the towers collapsed, his TV went blank—all the local network stations except CBS had their broadcast towers on the top of the World Trade Center. (CBS broadcasts from the Empire State Building.) One of our members is a student at John Day College in Manhattan. The school was closed, but she is fine. Another member had to cross the Williamsburg Bridge (5 blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge) on foot and then walk several miles through neighborhoods one would normally not think of going through. She made it home safely. There was a mass exodus with many people covered with soot and dazed.
What a humbling experience! My wife and daughter and I were just in New York this past Sabbath. As we crossed over Upper New York Bay, we observed the Statue of Liberty and the beautiful Manhattan skyline with its impressive skyscrapers. It was a beautiful, clear, sunny day. That view is now forever changed. After services, we honored Mr-Mrs Robert Muus who were celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary! They are the parents of Mrs. Allgeyer. Christie McNair was up for the occasion and flew out of JFK International on Monday—shortly before the airport was closed. God truly watched over all our members here! […]
Thanks again for your prayers and concern. We are profoundly grateful to The Great Living God for His love, mercy and protection—and for allowing us to be a part of His Great Work! - Paul Shumway
THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS TRAVEL UPDATE
Mr. Roderick Meredith was scheduled to be in Reno this Sabbath and in Lodi for the Feast of Trumpets. However, in view of the present traffic congestions on the roads and at the airports, he decided to cancel his trip. On the Feast of Trumpets, he will be conducting the afternoon services at Corona where three congregations (San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County) will be combined. I will be giving the morning sermon. We expect an attendance of about 300 people. Mr. Jeff Fall, our area Coordinator, will conduct the services in Lodi.
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ames plan to fly to Minneapolis and join our brethren for combined services in Eau Claire, Wisconsin for Trumpets.
As for Messrs Carl McNair and Bruce Tyler, they are presently in Thailand. After keeping the Sabbath with the brethren over there, they both will be returning to their respective homes in time for the Feast of Trumpets.
FINANCIAL SERVICES
As expected, mail service to Headquarters has virtually ceased. We received only 20 donation envelopes on Wednesday and only 13 donation envelopes on Thursday (and some of those were tithes from our own office staff). We are considering alternative methods for receiving tithes and offerings in the future when we face similar emergency situations. Please pray that full mail service will resume soon. And please pray that God will bless the Holy Day Offering for the Feast of Trumpets. Remember touse your pre-labeled green envelopes for the offering.
The San Diego business office will be closed from September 27th to October 12th. As a reminder the last day that invoices will be accepted for payment before the feast will be September 25th. We will not write checks again until October 16th. – Richard F Ames
MEDIA
The official Church Web site, www.lcg.org , has already received quite a bit of feedback about Dr. Meredith's new audio commentary, which was uploaded Tuesday evening. In its first 26 hours on the Web site, more than 1,500 visitors either read the commentary text or listened to the audio. You can read and/or hear Dr. Meredith's commentary for yourself at www.lcg.org/commentary.htm. -Bill Bowmer
FEAST OF TABERNACLES' NEWS
Attention all singles attending the Florence, Oregon Feast site.
There will be a "Get acquainted" singles' lunch held between services on Tuesday, October 2nd at the Convention Center. The cost will be $11.50 per person plus gratuity. There will be a donations box set out to cover the cost. Please don't miss this opportunity to meet other singles and to enjoy a delicious lunch."
Attention Singles going to the Feast site in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
On Wednesday, October, 3rd, the singles will enjoy beautiful fall colors on a bicycle ride along the scenic Red Cedar Trail. This trail is made of gravel from an old railroad bed and is very easy to ride. For those who cannot bring their own bike, we have arranged with a local outfitter to rent bicycles. The cost is $15 for bicycle rental and $3 for a state trail pass. We need to know the height and name of those who will be renting bicycles. After the bike ride, the singles will gather at a local restaurant for dinner. Please Email, or write to Jerry A. Stevens, and let him know that you plan to participate. Jerry A. Stevens W4599 Pope Road, Merrill, WI 54452 Tel. (715) 536-7912 [email protected]
CONCLUSION
We received many calls and letters of support from brethren all over the world. It is most encouraging to see the unity that binds the members of the body of Christ. But we also received a few calls from brethren expressing concern over their projected airplane travels during the Feast of Tabernacles. Why? Why should anyone of us be afraid to travel to keep God's Feast? Do we forget that this is His Feast—and that He is our Protector?
During World War II, I was in Switzerland. I still remember the many warnings the Swiss government gave us a few weeks prior to the German invasion of Danzig. We were told to be ready and prepared for darker days ahead. To make provisions, to take all necessary precautions and to remain strong. Not to fear. We were assured that the Swiss government was strong. We could count on it. Many, of course, did not heed…
Today, on the threshold of world calamities, prophesied in the Bible, as darker days are also ahead of us, we as God's people need to be ready and prepared more than ever before. We need to be strong—and not to fear—because our confidence and faith is on God. He is our strength and He will never forsake us. In fact, during the forum Mr. Meredith conducted yesterday morning for the entire office staff in San Diego, he stressed that very point. He exhorted us—as he is also doing in his present co-worker letter—to have faith and courage.
It's high time we heed the warning!
Ya'll have a happy Sabbath and a joyous Feast of Trumpets.
Dibar Apartian