Greetings from Charlotte,
I have mentioned on more than one occasion that as we approach the end of mankind’s rule on Earth, one of the greatest trials for the people of God is that of controlling our emotions of anger and hatred. Satan loves to have us angry and revels when he sees us hating one another, whether in the Body of Christ or the outside world. Politicians give us plenty of ammunition for anger. A biased and divided media stirs it up. We are to be ambassadors for another kingdom, a kingdom of peacemakers.
As we enter into this fast, let us meditate on the words of Paul as they apply to us personally: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3–6). It is easy to become angry and to hate—not so easy to put things into proper perspective and wait patiently for God to straighten out our evil world.
—Gerald E. Weston
Church Administration
Reminder: Special Churchwide Livestreamed Sabbath Service on January 31 Fast Day
This Sabbath, January 31, designated as a Churchwide fast day, there will be a special Sabbath Service livestreamed from Headquarters. Mr. Weston is scheduled to give the sermon, and all congregations are invited to tune in. Services will begin at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, USA. For congregations in time zones where this is impractical, a recorded version will be available at a later date.
Video link information:
- Livestream: https://members.lcg.org/stream (Note: The stream page will not be active until shortly before services on the Sabbath)
- No password required
Phone call-in information:
- Phone call-in: +1-415-655-0001 (U.S. toll number)
- Connection access number: 2300 702 2581
- For a list of call-in numbers for those who are outside the United States, please click on this link: Global Call-in Numbers
We look forward to meeting virtually together!
French Translation of Church-wide Services, January 31
If you would like to tune in to the French translation of the service, the zoom connection info is:
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82320714227?pwd=aeyBhnS7IEKns1C8STDzdKsEBaOmF3.1
- Meeting ID: 823 2071 4227
- Passcode: 815755
Par téléphone
- 647 558 0588 Canada
- 438 809 7799 Canada
- 301 715 8592 États-Unis (Washington, DC)
- 346 248 7799 États-Unis (Houston)
- 33 1 7037 2246 France
- 33 1 7037 9729 France
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last weekend, we held four in-person Tomorrow’s World Presentations in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Though the winter storm affected attendance, these events still drew a total of 31 guests. In spite of the weather, three guests traveled to hear Mr. Gerald Weston speak in Marietta, Georgia, and two traveled to hear Mr. Wallace Smith speak in Conway, South Carolina. While we do not encourage dangerous travel, we are certainly grateful for the zeal of these guests. We also held follow-up presentations in Phoenix and Prescott, Arizona, and these events drew four new guests and five who had attended the initial presentations the previous week. This week, we are scheduled to hold follow-up presentations in Alabama and Georgia, as well as initial presentations in Ft. Lauderdale and Melbourne, Florida. Thank you for all your continued prayers and support for the TWPs.
Television Department
Full-time Employment Opportunity: Video Editor / Graphics Animator
We are seeking a skilled video editor with experience creating animated explainer videos. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of how video performance can be improved through data, including using YouTube analytics and/or “voice of the customer.”
This role operates in a continuous improvement environment, where products and processes are regularly optimized to increase effectiveness. The candidate should be receptive to feedback and comfortable working through iterative changes to achieve better results. Applicants should be proficient with Adobe video editing products or similar software. The ability to work effectively within a team and meet deadlines is essential. Experience with videography and general video production is a strong plus.
Applicants must meet the legal requirements to work in the United States and must be adherents in good standing of the Living Church of God. To apply, please submit a résumé/CV, cover letter, portfolio, and a letter of recommendation from your pastor to Human Resources via email at [email protected].
Feast of Tabernacles
Festival Microsites Coming April 13
Work on the 2026 Feast of Tabernacles is in full swing here in Charlotte. As those in God’s Church look forward to the Feast of Tabernacles every year, no doubt many are already making plans for this year’s Feast. The Festival Microsites are scheduled to go live on April 13—just after the Spring Holy Days, so as not to take the focus off the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. These microsites will contain information on hall locations, hotel locations and negotiated rates, and other things specific to each Feast site. We request that you please check the microsites before contacting coordinators or the Festival Office with questions about any Festival location.
Living Youth Program
Lifeguards Needed
One of the most pressing staff needs at our camps each summer is that of lifeguards. Lifeguard certification programs often conflict with the Sabbath, however, and it can be challenging for our young people to enroll in these programs. This year, we’re introducing a special opportunity. For those who would be interested in obtaining a lifeguard certification or recertification in order to serve as a lifeguard at one of our camps and are able to travel to Neosho, Missouri, we have arranged training and certification at no program cost to you. Housing will be provided or individuals may choose to stay at a local hotel at a special group rate. You must provide your own transportation to Neosho.
Online training will begin March 1, and the deadline to sign up is February 20. The in-person skills training will take place at the YMCA in Neosho, Missouri, on March 22. If you are interested in this training opportunity, please contact Shannon Christal at [email protected].
Comments
Foundations Are Crumbling: America and many other western nations have been strongly influenced by biblical values. Yet numerous studies reveal that these nations are experiencing a growing crisis of biblical illiteracy. Increasing numbers of people do not read the Bible and cannot name books of the Bible or even half of the Ten Commandments. Many think Sodom and Gomorrah were husband and wife and that the story of Superman may be biblical. These are the results of removing religious content from schools and religious programming from the media—and of churches simply not teaching what is in the Bible. The Bible has long warned of a coming famine of hearing the word of God (Amos 8:11–12), that professing Christian nations would come to view the laws of God as “a strange thing” (Hosea 8:12), and that these nations would be destroyed for a lack of knowledge of God’s word (Hosea 4:6). David observed in Psalm 11:3 that “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” We need to develop David’s attitude of a deep love for God’s law so we can help reverse this dangerous trend as members of the Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy
Growing Frustration with the U.S.: The first year of President Donald Trump’s second term was marked by unpredictability, and the second year seems to be proceeding in similar fashion. Recent months have witnessed the extraction of Venezuela’s president, threats of taking control of Greenland, and other unexpected upsets. While some argue that the rationale behind President Trump’s actions has been sound, they have generated frustration not only among America’s foes, but also among nations generally considered its friends and allies.
Actions taken by the White House are pushing Europe together in a way nothing else has in decades, and they are also inspiring other regional powers to cooperate more in opposition to the U.S. Once seen as a friend of many nations, certainly a friend of Europe, the United States is increasingly distrusted as a partner and seen as undermining world peace—as it withdraws from dozens of organizations aimed at promoting international unity and cooperation (Deutsche Welle, January 8, 2026). Europe had sent a symbolic number of troops to Greenland to push back against what they thought to be a potential U.S. military action (Reuters, January 15, 2026).
Is there more to be learned from the changes taking place in the world order? Bible prophecy foretells that, at the end of the age, the modern Israelite-descended nations (including the United States) will be hated by other nations and taken into national captivity (Jeremiah 30:14; Deuteronomy 28:41). Such prophecies have often seemed outlandish to some, given the U.S.’s role as a protector of many nations since World War II. Events in recent months are beginning to reveal one possible route. As the U.S. isolates itself with its dramatic actions, frustration and even hatred for the nation are on the rise, and God could be using the current administration to accelerate the fulfillment of age-old Bible prophecies. You can learn more about prophecies concerning the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and many of the nations of Western Europe by reading or listening to The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
Tattoos and More Health Problems: Tattoos are increasingly becoming commonplace, and a growing number of people spend thousands of dollars to obtain tattoo “sleeves”—covering an entire arm or leg with tattoos. Aside from an apparently small risk of infection from the needle and maybe a mild allergic reaction to the ink, tattoos are thought to be relatively harmless. But are they?
A new study examining the impact of tattoo ink on immune function was recently published by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine at the Università della Svizzera Italiana in Switzerland (EuroNews, December 5, 2025). The study’s researchers warned, “This work represents the most extensive study to date regarding the effect of tattoo ink on the immune response and raises serious health concerns associated with the tattooing practice.” They found that tattoo ink not only remains in the skin but also travels through the bloodstream and accumulates in the immune system—where it can remain for years! The ink begins to cause cellular death and inflammation and may also weaken the immune system. Researchers are also studying long-term effects of tattoos on the risk for developing lymphomas and other types of cancer. As tattoos become more ubiquitous, research on their risks will likely increase, and in the years to come we can expect to learn far more about the negative health impacts of this popular practice.
In light of the emerging negative health effects of tattoos, it is not surprising that the God of the Bible forbids them (Leviticus 19:28). While there are spiritual reasons why God told His people not to get tattoos, there are physical health reasons behind many of His commands, as well. It is in His love that He directs His people to avoid such practices. You can learn more by reading or listening to “Marks of Regret.” —Scott Winnail and Francine Prater