Greetings from Charlotte,
We held an online meeting for ministers on Wednesday to pass along information that came out in the recent Council of Elders meetings and to answer questions that come to our ministers from time to time. One question discussed by the COE was that of applauding Special Music. Many of our congregations rarely, if ever, have Special Music, but some have it every week, and most Festival sites have it as well. The Church has not been consistent through the years in its position on applauding Special Music, and we do not find in the Bible a “thus sayeth the Lord” one way or the other. After due discussion, it was decided that, going forward, we should not applaud for Special Music. This is an administrative decision based on counsel and decades of experience. A question then comes up: “What about performances by children?” Making children an exception becomes a slippery slope. Instead, our children should simply be informed that, going forward, it is our practice not to applaud Special Music. We believe they can understand this when all others who perform Special Music are treated the same way. As always, we encourage members to directly express their personal appreciation to those who contribute in this manner, just as they often do to the men who give sermons and sermonettes. A sincere, personal compliment means much more than tepid, dutiful applause. Thank you, dear brethren, for your understanding and support in this decision.
—Gerald E. Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week, we held six Tomorrow’s World Presentations, which drew a total of 25 guests. Due to Pentecost, we do not have any TWPs scheduled this week. Evidence of the fruit of TWPs is reflected in the three new congregations that have been started so far this year: Bakersfield, California; North Charleston, South Carolina; and Fredericksburg, Virginia. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast Sites Closed for Transfer
The following Feast of Tabernacles sites are closed for further transfer:
- Branson, Missouri
- Gulf Shores, Alabama
- Russell, Manitoba, Canada
The following Feast sites are nearing capacity:
- Fernandina Beach, Florida
- Poconos, Pennsylvania
The following sites have plenty of space and are welcoming transfers:
- Boerne, Texas
- Dubuque, Iowa
- Madison, Indiana
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- San Diego, California
- South Padre Island, Texas
- St. George, Utah
Volunteers Needed
A couple of Feast sites need volunteers for specific areas of service. Help in any of the following areas would be greatly appreciated:
- South Padre Island, Texas: Pianist, Choir Director, and Special Music
- St. George, Utah: Pianist, Choir Director, Special Music, and First Aid
If you are able and willing to serve in any of these capacities, please contact either Mr. James Populo for South Padre Island ([email protected]; 480-263-2881) or Mr. Stephen Elliott for St. George ([email protected]; 480-553-1042).
Comments
Your Special Calling: Do you recognize and deeply appreciate what God has called you to be part of? Jesus told His disciples, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you” (John 15:16), and He also stated that He is choosing only a few in this age (Matthew 20:16). God made that abundantly clear when He poured out His Spirit on His disciples in a dramatic fashion on the day of Pentecost. The sudden rushing wind, the flames of fire, and the capacity to speak and be heard in different languages was a stunning and memorable occurrence that marked the dramatic beginning of the New Testament Church of God (Acts 2:1–12). This and other miraculous events aided the spread of the true Gospel throughout the Roman world. You have been called to continue carrying out that God-given mission (Matthew 28:19–20; Mark 16:15). That is an incredible calling. Be thankful for it, and don’t ever take it lightly!
Have a profitable Sabbath and an inspiring Pentecost,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy
The Rise of Sin and Fall of Morality: The sort of sins that were once concentrated in certain cities are becoming mainstream everywhere. Many social and regulatory restraints have crumbled as local and federal authorities encourage the moral plummet (Axios, May 12, 2026). New York Times columnist Ross Douthat noted, “As our laws have become less moralistic and more libertarian, addictive behaviors have increased” (New York Times, February 3, 2026).
Not long ago, selling or smoking marijuana consistently carried the risk of jail time. Now, nearly half of U.S. states have legalized this psychoactive drug for recreational use (Axios, August 8, 2024). In Europe, 28 countries have legalized marijuana in some form (Forbes, January 29, 2026).
More than half of American men ages 18–49 actively participate in gambling (Siena, April 13, 2026). The “adult-entertainment” industry now generates revenues exceeding $250 billion (TransparencyMarketResearch.com). In South Korea, 78 percent of men report using pornography (Worldmetrics.org, 2026 Report). In Japan, 65 percent of men report using it. Today, thanks to A.I. and “deepfake” technology, there is an entirely new category of harm that barely existed two years ago.
The great nations of the earth, including the West, are experiencing plummeting moral standards. Israelite-descended nations once guided by at least a basic sense of biblical morality increasingly operate on a purely man-made morality. So, what does the future hold for the Israelitish peoples? You can find out by reading or listening to our free, comprehensive study guide The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch: Out in the Pacific Ocean is the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch,” a swirl of plastic trash more than twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France (CNN, April 18, 2023). An astonishing 1.15 to 2.41 million tonnes of plastic find their way into the ocean from rivers every year (Nature Communications, June 7, 2017). Microplastics float on the surface but also exist in water columns that reach to the ocean floor. These plastics damage the health and safety of marine animals and of humans. When plastics accumulate in smaller marine species, they are eaten by larger fish and finally end up on our own dinner plates. Due to the size and color of plastics, sea animals often mistake them for food. And the Garbage Patch—alongside landfills, roadside litter, and car tires—contributes to the dangerous microplastics and nanoplastics in the air we breathe.
Loggerhead sea turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, among their favorite foods. Albatrosses mistake plastic pellets for fish eggs and feed them to their chicks, making them vulnerable to starvation or ruptured organs. Plastic fishing nets from illegal fishing can trap and sometimes drown seals and other mammals.
This sad ecological reality brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s lament in Romans 8:19–21. God’s creation has been polluted and decimated. However, there is real hope ahead when the earth and its creatures will be liberated from their current bondage and the world will be restored to its intended splendour. You can learn more about the coming restoration of our planet from our free study guide The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like? —Scott Winnail and Richard Franz