Weekly Update

Greetings everyone:

I have just returned from Montana. I am happy to report that precipitation and cooler weather have provided the necessary conditions for suppression of the terrible firestorms in the Montana wilderness. The brethren in Montana, and my wife and I, wish to thank all of you who were praying for us. God answered your prayers by protecting lives and property. My wife and I found that the fire that threatened our cabin was completely contained within the wilderness area. I have had no reports from the other areas of the Northwest, but reports now indicate that Texas is becoming the predominant wildfire danger area.

The "dog days" of summer are now behind us, and everyone here is getting excited about the up-coming feast season. I hope all of you are looking forward to a spiritually fulfilling Feast of Tabernacles. This season points toward the ultimate goal of Christ's Work on earth!

Recently I listened to an interview of a Physicist (on a radio talk show) which I found very enlightening. He spoke of the myriad of "universes" out there — and explained that as far as Cosmologists and Physicists can tell 90% or more of them could not sustain "life" as we know it because of the physical conditions within them. These scientists do believe, however, that there is "intelligent life" out there. Furthermore, he said, Physicists believe that there are ten known dimensions (not just five), and the eleventh dimension, which they are searching for, is the "unifying dimension." Perhaps God has only revealed the eleventh dimension through Christ. And, Christ has revealed it through His Word, which is revealed to those who have His Spirit. The wisdom of this world is soon passing away. It will be as obsolete as the abacus, or the steam engines of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries! I hope we all focus on the soon-coming Kingdom of God during the feast. It is truly the only hope for mankind.

MEDIA

Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames are recording for the new season today. Mr. Ames was unable to record last week due to technical problems. He will record two programs today in order to catch up to the production schedule. I hope that all of you Video Hosts are able to get copies of the telecast, and that you play them for the Video Groups regularly. I remember how the daily World Tomorrow radio programs sustained me in the forties and fifties. The only contact I had with the Work was the radio program and the published literature, but it encouraged and strengthened me because it kept me focused on the greater Work of God. The sermon tapes and telecast tapes should sustain God's people, providing they have them available and take advantage of them.

Our brethren are being tried and tested by fire (literally and figuratively) and they need spiritual nourishment from God daily. We can help by encouraging them to read daily, and by encouraging them to listen to tapes of sermons, which bear on matters important to them now. Please, let us think on encouraging things we can share with one another!

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

Mr. Fred Dattolo asks that you note the following items:

• We are planning to mail festival assistance to those who were approved on Wednesday, September 20. You will shortly be notified if you are scheduled to receive assistance. A few late applicants have been disallowed, while a few have been approved because of the mitigating circumstances.
• The Accounting department requests that all HALL VOUCHERS FOR OCTOBER be submitted by September 20.
• Please submit hall vouchers for NOVEMBER by September 29. This is necessary because they need to be entered and processed before Atonement, so that they can be sent out the first day after the feast break. November Hall Rents that need to be paid by the early part of November must be submitted by September 29.

FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The following announcement is from Mr. Ben Whitfield, coordinator of the Jackson, Wyoming site:

• Attention of those who are attending at Jackson, Wyoming. The folks at Jackson Hole Resort Lodging have informed us that "RATES are GREATLY REDUCED" for the folks in the Living Church of God who are planning their fall festival housing. Please call 800 443-8613 for further information. (We have also removed the 30-day advance payment requirement for your housing.)

"Special room rates start at $51.00 per night for a standard hotel room. One-bedroom condominiums begin at $59.00 per night. Two bedroom condominiums start at $93.00 per night. Other special housing needs and special upgrades available at 20% off… just be sure to mention that you are with the Living Church of God fall convention October 13 to the 21^st.

• Choir and Special Music — Jackson Hole, WY. If you are interested in serving in the choir and or performing special music at the Jackson Hole, Wyoming Feast site, please contact Mr. Rodger Hagmaier, e-mail address [email protected] or by telephone (330) 645-1901

RISK MANAGEMENT

Mr. Tom Turner, manager of Risk Management for the Church has asked that all congregations and video groups have an adequate first aid kit available whenever an official church function takes place. You have probably been notified by your Area Pastor of this requirement, and this is a reminder to "have an adequate first-aid kit present" at all Church activities. The reason this is important is that we wish to comply with our own stated policy, which we provide to our insurance carrier. We need to be in compliance.

International

Mr. Mario Hernandez has just informed me that our Elder in Guatemala, Mr. Rocael Ralda, died today, September 7, at the age of 66. Mr. Ralda had suffered from a serious liver condition for over two years. He died still under the effects of anesthesia following an emergency operation for internal hemorrhage.

Mr. Ralda is survived by his wife of 43 years (Consuelo), 8 children and 12 grandchildren. He was a pillar of strength to his family and in his community.

Funeral services are pending. Mr. Mario Hernandez will fly this evening to Mexico City, then to Guatemala for the funeral service. Our prayers and deep condolences go to the Ralda family at this time of their great loss.

Comments

I am enclosing a copy of the "ORDER OF SERVICES" [BELOW] which has been the order within the Church since (at least) the mid-fifties. We have not changed the order of service in either Global or Living. Any exception to the order of service has been without my knowledge, and in-hall Video Groups should follow this order.

The enclosed form has an added Order of Service for In-Home Video Groups. Please follow this order of service in the future, as it gives the Church cohesiveness even with our disparities. If you have any questions about implementation (assuming there is a need to change), please contact your Area Pastor.

Thanks to all for your dedication and service. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the up-coming feast of Tabernacles. Have a great Sabbath!

Carl E. McNair