Greetings from Charlotte,
This week Dr. Douglas Winnail left on a trip to Australia, where he will be meeting with ministers and conducting a Tomorrow’s World Presentation in Perth. Mr. Martin Montgomery held a follow-up presentation in Melbourne where 26 guests attended, three of whom did not attend the first presentation. Mr. Stuart Wachowicz is scheduled to be in Surrey, British Columbia for a presentation next Sabbath, and I am scheduled to be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana next weekend for a TWP and a ministerial conference. Mr. Richard Ames recorded a Tomorrow’s World program on the subject of the Sabbath and asked a couple of powerful questions for the audience at the end of the telecast. Be sure to keep up with the telecast and all our efforts to preach the Gospel to a dying world, and be sure to pray that our efforts will be magnified by God. Mrs. Shirley Apartian was laid to rest last Sunday. Mr. Davy Crockett was the main speaker, but Shirley’s son Dan and nephew Steve Wood also participated. Many commented on the dignity and appropriateness of the service, which seems to be a rarity today, where rock music, a lack of dignity, and a focus on entertaining are becoming the norm.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Passover 2019—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2019, the Passover Service will be observed on Thursday evening, April 18. Please let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or a copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French, and Spanish). To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, we need this information before February 19 for international congregations and by March 19 for U.S. congregations.
Also, please let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive the Passover Service recording and letter instructions for observing it at home. International requests should be received before February 19 and U.S. requests before March 19. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Note to Ministers: Please be reminded that the deadlines are fast approaching to send in requests for Passover service supplies, and the lists of those who will need to be mailed the instructions for keeping the Passover at home.
The deadline for international requests is next Monday, February 19, and for U.S. requests is March 19.
It saves the Work considerable money, as well as smooths out the workflow at Headquarters, when these requests are received in a timely way. Thank you very much for your help with this.
Living Education
International Adventure
This week, we are finalizing plans for six of our Living Education students to participate in an archaeological dig at Tel Burna, in Israel. Tel Burna, about 35 miles southwest of Jerusalem, is thought to be the site of ancient Libnah, mentioned in 2 Chronicles 21:8–10 where we read that the city rebelled against King Jehoram. Libnah (Tel Burna) is located in the Shephelah region, on the ancient border between the kingdoms of Judah and Philistia. The students will spend a week working at the dig site, and another ten days touring sites like Caesarea, Capernaum and, of course, Jerusalem. This international adventure is an example of the opportunities available to our Living Education-Charlotte students.
Living Education-Charlotte
At this point we are still accepting students for the 2019–20 school year. This is a nine-month, full-immersion, educational program. Students take foundational classes in the doctrines of the Living Church of God, learn Bible basics, and how to apply the word of God to real life. They also have the opportunity to meet and socialize with other young people who are just as passionate about God’s way of life as they are.
For more information and to apply, just go to lcgeducation.org.
Feast of Tabernacles
Congregational Assignments for the Feast of Tabernacles, USA
Please note that Bristol, Virginia, is assigned to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, not to Florida, as shown last week.
To find out what Feast site your local congregation is assigned to, please consult the following list. When registration opens, you may request to transfer to a site other than your assigned site. Please do not make housing reservations until you have registered and have been approved for your choice of site.
Cathedral City, California
Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
California: Banning, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Barbara
Nevada: Las Vegas, Reno
Sandestin, Florida
Alabama: Dothan, Birmingham, Montgomery
Florida: Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lake City, Melbourne, Ocala, Pensacola, Tampa
Georgia: Columbus, Thomasville
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Ferriday, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans
Mississippi: Jackson, Laurel, Ocean Springs
Puerto Rico: San Juan
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Alabama: Athens
Georgia: Blairsville
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
North Carolina: Asheville, Sylva
Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Nashville
Virginia: Bristol
West Virginia: Bluefield, Charleston
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Russellville
Kansas: Chanute, Wichita
Missouri: Columbia, Joplin, Kansas City, Rolla, St. Joseph, St. Louis, Springfield
Nebraska: Lincoln, Omaha
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Tennessee: Memphis
Seaside, Oregon
Alaska: Anchorage
California: Eureka
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
Oregon: Myrtle Creek, Portland
Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Tonasket
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Braselton, Warner Robins
North Carolina: Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Statesville
South Carolina: Anderson, Columbia, Walterboro
Boerne, Texas
Louisiana: Shreveport
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Beaumont, Big Sandy, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, Lufkin, Midland, San Antonio, Temple, The Valley
Midway, Utah
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction
Idaho: Boise
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Casper, Cheyenne, Saratoga, Thermopolis, Wheatland
Mount Snow, Vermont
Connecticut: Danbury
Massachusetts: Boston
Maine: Waterville
New Hampshire: Tilton
New York: Albany, Corning, New York City, Plainview, Rochester
Rhode Island: Providence
Williamsburg, Virginia
District of Columbia: Washington
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
New Jersey: Hammonton, Rahway
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Tannersville
Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond, Williamsburg, Winchester
West Virginia: Morgantown
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Illinois: Chicago, Peoria, Springfield
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Knox, Terre Haute
Iowa: Des Moines, Dubuque, Keokuk
Michigan: Kalamazoo, Lansing, Traverse City
Minnesota: Duluth, Minneapolis
North Dakota: Bismarck
Ohio: Lima
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Greece Feast of Tabernacles—Reminder
Good news! We still have room for a few more people to attend the Feast site in Greece this year. If seeing the places where the Apostle Paul and others walked and taught God’s word, and going to Greece, have been on your “bucket list,” now is your opportunity.
The main venue for the Feast is the lovely Divani Appolon Palace Hotel in Vouliagmeni, situated right on the Aegean Sea near Athens. The main package will include touring in Athens, Corinth, and Delphi, as well as an optional cruise to the island of Aegina. An optional pre-Feast tour of Thessaloniki, Philippi, and Kavala, and a post-Feast visit to the islands of Santorini and Crete, are also planned.
If you would like to join us for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the Feast in Greece, please e-mail Mr. Jim Meredith right away at [email protected]. Final deadlines for registering are approaching quickly, so make sure to register soon.
Living Youth Program
Living Youth Friday Evening Bible Study
The online Friday evening Teen Bible Study on February 22 will cover Matthew 27:47 to the end of the book, and will be given by Mr. Sheldon Monson. Join us at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The chatroom will be open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of the study.
To join, just visit livingyouth.org, and follow the links to “Friday Evening Bible Study.” If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. For those who are unable to make it to the study, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening’s covering Matthew 27:1–46, can be found on the Living Youth website.—Josh Penman
Morgan Montgomery Memorial Youth Fund Assistance Applications Deadlines
Applications for assistance from the Morgan Montgomery Memorial Youth Fund will be due on the following dates for U.S. camps and LYP Europe:
- Foreign Applicants: April 1, 2019
- Domestic Applicants: May 1, 2019
Those interested in applying for financial assistance to attend camp should contact their local pastor to get a copy of the application. Pastors can request a copy of the application from Jenny Penman ([email protected]) or Maranda Orrell ([email protected]). Applications received after the applicable deadline will not be considered for assistance.
A big “thank you” to all those who have contributed to the fund, making camp possible for deserving applicants!
North American Camp Registration Open!—Repeat Announcement
Registration for the North American camps is now open! This year we will have three Preteen camps, in West Virginia, Missouri, and Texas; our Teen camp in Texas, and our Adventure camp on the Boundary Waters between the U.S. and Canada. For information on all of the camps, and to begin registration, visit camp.livingyouth.org. Registration for most of the camps will be open for several months, but the Adventure Camp fills up quickly, so registration for it will only be open this month. For planning purposes, it’s helpful for us that people register early, enabling us to start matching people with duties and see what assignments we still need to fill.
If you have any questions about the registration process or require assistance, please contact Jenny Penman at the LYP office at [email protected] or call 980-254-0132. We look forward to seeing you at camp!—LYP Office
Living Church of God Youth Camps 2019—Repeat Announcement
Camp registration for all U.S. camps is now open, and applications for the summer camp in Europe are now available from the UK Regional Office (see announcement below for further information). Important Requirement: Be sure to submit a photo of yourself with your application.
The listing of camps in the United States and Europe, with locations, dates and Camp Directors, follows.
United States Camps 2019:
Teen Camp – Texas – Mr. Sheldon Monson
Location: Camp Lone Star – Athens, Texas
Dates: Staff arrival on Sunday, July 7, by noon; Camper arrival on Monday, July 8 by 6:00 p.m. – Departure on Sunday, July 21
Adventure Camp – Boundary Waters – Mr. Mike Kreyer
Location: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
Dates: Friday, July 26–Monday, August 5
Preteen Camp – Missouri – Mr. Yancy Taber
Location: Knob Noster State Park, Knob Noster, Missouri
Dates: Sunday, June 30–Friday July 5
Preteen Camp – Texas – Mr. Phil West
Location: Camp Lone Star – Athens, Texas
Dates: Sunday, July 21–Friday, July 26
Preteen Camp – West Virginia – Mr. Mark Sandor
Location: Glenwood Park 4-H Campgrounds, Princeton, West Virginia
Dates: Sunday, July 28–Friday, August 2
European Teen Camp 2019:
European Teen Camp – Mr. Rees Ellis
Location: Domaine de Chevetogne, Belgium
Dates: August 2–11
2019 Adventure Camp: Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—Repeat Announcement
This year’s Adventure Camp is an exciting excursion in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and Quetico Provincial Park, an all-park region of lakes and islands situated along the International Border between Minnesota and Ontario. The planned route is approximately 50 miles of canoeing in beautiful, pristine waters through breath-taking vistas, portaging around falls and rapids, navigating and exploring various lakes on the Canadian side of the border, and also into Quetico. Quetico, which is paddle only, is a million-acre park with 600 lakes. Quetico has the best pictographs in North America. Three pictograph sites (labeled as Indian Paintings on area maps) are along the planned route, with one site in Quetico. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Quetico are the most extensive canoe regions remaining in the world.
The base camp is situated in this boundary region on Saganaga (Sag) Lake, Ontario, at a wilderness island resort, and hosted by brethren who live there. Campers will be transported via motorboat(s) to/from base camp on the entry and exit days. Saganaga Lake is approximately 20 miles by 20 miles with 300 islands. The theme song of a famous TV commercial filmed on Sag in the 1980s described this area as the “Land of the Sky Blue Waters.” This region is rich in history and was part of the legendary French-Canadian Voyageur route of the late 1700s and 1800s. Never logged, much of the area remains as pure and untouched as it was in that era. This region of clear, granite-bottom lakes is also known as “The Land of the Drinking Water Lakes,” and the motto for camping in this area is “Leave no trace.”
Please note that for this camp you will require a passport book or passport card and will be responsible for acquiring a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit. Information on applying for this permit will be made available upon acceptance.
Camp Director: Mr. Mike Kreyer
Dates: Camper and Staff Arrival: Friday, July 26, not later than 1:00 p.m.
Camper and Staff Departure: Monday, August 5, not later than noon, and departing Minneapolis Airport (MSP) not later than 3:00 p.m.
Applicant Information: To be considered for staff positions, applicants must be 21 years of age or older. Campers ages 13–20 may apply. Preferential acceptance will be given to those ages 15 and up. If there is room available, we will consider younger applicants.
Costs: Application and Tuition Fees: Camper: $5.00 and $350.00. Staff: $5.00 and $250.00
Note: Tuition is due in full by May 31.
Airport Transportation to/from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP).
Required Documents and Permits: Applicant will be responsible for acquiring the following. BOTH are required to attend LYP Adventure Camp 2019:
- Passport or Passport Card
- Remote Area Border Crossing Permit (RABC)
Deadlines: Applications will be accepted from Sunday, February 10 through Friday, March 1.
Apply early, as space is limited and this camp will fill up quickly!
LYP Teen Camp in Europe 2019—Repeat Announcement
The LYP Teen Camp in Europe will again be held at the beautiful Domaine de Chevetogne in Belgium, from August 2 to 11. Staff arrival is July 29.
Cost: £145 sterling/€165 euros
Applicant Information: Staff – ages 18 and up; Campers – ages 13–18; Mini-campers – ages 12 and under.
Accommodation: Dormitories, where Sabbath Services, Bible Studies, meals and other indoor activities will take place as well.
Activities: Bible and Christian education, hiking, orienteering, water-skiing, leather work, music, volleyball, football, speedminton, basketball, netball, swimming, softball, nature discovery, speech, and leadership training, schedule permitting. We will enjoy two Sabbaths together for relaxation and spiritual instruction, and the week will culminate with a special Sabbath dinner.
Application Forms: Available from the UK Regional Office ([email protected]) or from Mr. Rees Ellis in Belgium ([email protected]). Camper and staff applications are to be sent to the UK Office and an e-mail copy sent to Mr. Rees Ellis. You cannot apply to the European camp through the North American Camp registration system.
Comments
Do You Love Your Neighbor? Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God, and the second greatest is to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:36–40). Love for God involves obeying His commandments (John 14:15). Jesus instructed His disciples to love one another (John 15:12–17). He stated that love for others would identify real Christians (John 13:34–35). However, problems emerge and unchristian comments, actions, and attitudes erupt between individuals who claim to be Christians. The Scriptures state that if we profess to be disciples of Jesus Christ and we hate (offend, despise, talk against, or make comments about) a brother or sister, we “walk in darkness” and are deluding ourselves—because we are not acting like real Christians (1 John 2:9–11). The Apostle Paul said that real love is without hypocrisy (claiming to be a Christian but not following Christ’s instructions—Romans 12:9–20). Christian love acts with kindness, it promotes peace and is respectful and forgiving, it does not hold grudges, it does not make rude comments or actions, and it does not offend or speak or think evil of others (1 Corinthians 13). This is how Christians who obey God’s commandments treat their neighbors. Jesus said that interpersonal problems should be straightened out before coming to worship God (Matthew 5:21–26). Sometimes, a sincere “I am sorry” is a good place to start. Let’s remember these important commandments and put them into practice as we strive to become real Christians by showing love to our neighbors!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 14, 2019
Saudi Arabia’s Ballistic Missile Project: Experts believe Saudi Arabia is testing and possibly manufacturing ballistic missiles at a military base deep within the country’s borders (Times of Israel, January 26, 2019). “The November satellite images show what appear to be structures big enough to build and fuel ballistic missiles. An apparent rocket-engine test stand can be seen in a corner of the base—the type on which a rocket is positioned on its side and test-fired in place. Such testing is key for countries attempting to manufacture working missiles, experts say.” Multiple experts who reviewed the satellite images seem to concur.
Saudi Arabia has felt pressure from Iran, and Riyadh has been targeted by ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said plainly, “Saudi Arabia does not want to acquire any nuclear bomb, but without a doubt if Iran developed a nuclear bomb, we will follow suit as soon as possible.”
The Middle East is increasingly unstable, and many of its nations continue to militarize at increasing rates (Haaretz, November 29, 2018; CSIS, March 13, 2018; Daily Caller, August 21, 2018). Many of these nations are arming against each other. However, Bible prophecy also indicates that a number of these Middle Eastern nations will likely work together at the end of the age as the “king of the south.” This Arab-Muslim force will ultimately challenge a European “king of the north” (Daniel 11:39–43). For decades this Work has advised readers, based upon Bible prophecies, to watch the Middle East—and we continue to do so. For more insights about this critical part of the world, read or listen to The Middle East in Prophecy.
Billion Oysters Project Aims to Save New York Harbor: New York Harbor has been highly polluted for decades—so polluted that its marine life has been greatly depleted (CNN, January 17, 2019). Many ideas have been considered to restore the health of the harbor, and one organization is actively working to do this by reintroducing oysters into the ecosystem. So far, the Billion Oyster Project has “restored about 30 million oysters to local waters. But that’s only a fraction of what used to thrive in the area.” Ultimately, the group hopes to live up to its name and restore one billion oysters to the harbor and its estuaries and tributaries.
But why oysters? One adult oyster cleanses about 50 gallons of water each day. God designed these powerful underwater filters to remove debris, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other toxins from the water. Some of these filtered elements are deposited on the ocean floor (like sediment) while others, mostly chemicals, heavy metals, and dangerous microbes are stored in the flesh of the oyster. This is why it is no surprise that God gave the command millennia ago to avoid eating shellfish (Leviticus 11:10–12). Not only are those who eat oysters and other mollusks consuming large amounts of dangerous chemicals and disease-causing microbes, they are also consuming creatures designed to keep river and ocean waters clean! For more details and insights into this fascinating topic, be sure to read our article “Bible Principles of Health.”—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater