Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. and Mrs. Cristian Orrego returned safely Monday from their travels to Mexico and Guatemala. Mr. Orrego will accompany Mr. Hernandez this Sabbath to visit the Hoover, Alabama, area where we have 14 Spanish-speaking people interested in the Living Church of God.
Mr. Rob Tyler reports that “Auckland is now experiencing never seen before flooding. 75% of annual rain in 15 hours. Sabbath services were canceled after a state of emergency was called.” One member’s home was flooded and she had to swim to safety, and her grandson had to be rescued by emergency services. Canada is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures. “Hurricane Hazel” McCallion was elected mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, twelve times, from 1978 to 2014. During that time the city nearly tripled in size and became the sixth largest Canadian city in population. She believed in balancing the budget and few mayors anywhere equaled her popularity. She died at the age of 101 this week.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Past and Upcoming Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last weekend, we held seven Tomorrow’s World Presentations: one initial presentation, five follow-up presentations, and one online presentation. These presentations had a combined total of 69 guests. This weekend, we have eight events scheduled: five initial presentations and three follow-up presentations. A full list of upcoming TWPs can be accessed at the following link: tomorrowsworld.org/presentations. Thank you all for your continued prayers for these presentations.
Passover 2023—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2023, the Passover Service will be observed on Tuesday evening, April 4. 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 physical copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French, and Spanish). Passover Service recordings for 2023 were made by Mr. John Strain in English and by Mr. Kenneth Frank (translated by Mr. Yvon Brochu) in French. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, we need this information before March 17 for U.S. congregations. Information for international congregations should already be here.
Also, please let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive a physical copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions for observing it at home. U.S. requests should be received before March 17, and international requests should already be here. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible. These dates take into consideration the slowdown of mail service in some places.
Note: As has been the case the last couple of years, the Passover Service recording will also be available digitally to pastors and video recipients via the FTP site. A private YouTube link will also be provided ahead of time.
Living Education
L4T Eagle Rock Canceled
We have, regrettably, had to cancel the Living for Tomorrow event in Missouri, as there weren’t enough registered attendees to sustain the activity. Anyone who signed up and paid will be reimbursed in full. Those who wanted to go to the Eagle Rock L4T will have another opportunity—another L4T is planned, and more information will be coming soon. Stay tuned for more details and information on how to sign up.—Jonathan McNair
Men’s Training Camps—Spring 2023
For the current schedule and more information on all Men’s Training Camps, go to lcgeducation.org, and click on the “Resources” tab. Then click on “Activities,” and then on “Men’s Training Camp.” Here is our current line-up:
Livingston, Texas (March 17–19)
Last year, 88 men participated in our MTC at Camp Cho-Yeh, just north of Houston, Texas. This year, we’ll build on last year’s enthusiasm with a new program. We’ll begin on Friday evening, March 17, and we’ll conclude at noon on Sunday, March 19. Registration will begin next week, so mark your calendar to attend!
New Hope, Pennsylvania (April 21–23)
After a two-year break, we are excited to announce the Northeast Region will be hosting a Men’s Training Camp again. The event will take place at Deer Park Camp in New Hope, Pennsylvania, from Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April 23. The cost will be $72 per person, which includes lunches, dinners, and bunkhouse-style accommodations. Those outside the Northeast Region who would like to attend or who have questions are encouraged to contact Mr. Brent Mitchell at [email protected] at their earliest convenience. For more information and to register, go to https://www.lcgeducation.org/mtc-northeast-2023.
Garden Valley, Idaho (May 5–7)
For our men in the great Northwest, this will be the first Men’s Training Camp in your backyard! The River Canyon Retreat, just an hour north of Boise, will host this gathering, beginning Friday evening, May 5, and wrapping up on Sunday, May 7, at noon. The cost for accommodation and meals starts at $85 for bunkroom housing. Hotel-style rooms are also available. For more information on prices for all types of accommodation and to register, go to lcgeducation.org.
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles Congregation Assignments 2023 (USA only)
This year’s Feast of Tabernacles congregational site assignments in the U.S. are listed below, and registration is tentatively scheduled for April 30. Some brethren have asked about our general transfer policy. All American sites are expected to be open for transfer. International sites open to transfer will be announced at a later date. Transfer approvals are made based on a number of criteria, and a detailed list of transfer approval considerations can be found at MyLCG.
Please note: The Church has always encouraged all of us to serve at the Feast as we are able, and often the needs are greatest at our assigned site. Therefore, before deciding to transfer, please talk to your pastor to see if there are service needs locally. In your long-term plans, consider staying to serve at your assigned site once every several years to support the local needs.
To find out where your local congregation is assigned, please consult the following list.
Arroyo Grande, California
California: Arroyo Grande, Banning, Bay Area, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego
Nevada: Reno
Boerne, Texas
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Big Sandy, Dallas, Lufkin, Midland, Temple, The Valley
Branson, Missouri
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Russellville
Kansas: Chanute
Missouri: Joplin, Springfield
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Tennessee: Memphis
Fontana, Wisconsin
Illinois: Chicago, Peoria
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, La Porte, Terre Haute
Michigan: Flint, Kalamazoo, Traverse City
Minnesota: Minneapolis
North Dakota: Bismarck
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Braselton, Columbus, Savannah, Warner Robins
South Carolina: Anderson, Columbia, Gaffney, Walterboro
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Illinois: Springfield
Iowa: Des Moines
Kansas: Wichita
Missouri: Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, St. Joseph, St. Louis
Nebraska: Lincoln, Omaha
Natchez, Louisiana
Alabama: Athens, Birmingham, Dothan, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Florida: Pensacola
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport
Mississippi: Jackson, Laurel, Ocean Springs
New Bern, North Carolina
North Carolina: Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Statesville
Newport, Oregon
Alaska: Anchorage
Idaho: Boise
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
Oregon: Myrtle Creek, Portland
Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Tonasket
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Georgia: Blairsville
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
North Carolina: Asheville, Sylva
Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Morristown, Nashville
Virginia: Bristol
Poconos, Pennsylvania
Connecticut: Hartford
Maine: Waterville
Massachusetts: Auburn
New Hampshire: Tilton
New Jersey: Hammonton, Rahway
New York: Albany, New York City, Plainview, Rochester, Syracuse
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh, Tannersville
Rhode Island: Pawtucket
West Virginia: Morgantown
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
San Juan
Rockport–Fulton, Texas
Texas: Baytown, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio
St. Augustine, Florida
Florida: Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lake City, Melbourne, Naples, Ocala, Sanford, St. Petersburg, Tampa
Georgia: Coolidge
St. George, Utah
Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
Colorado: Denver, Grand Junction
Nevada: Las Vegas
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Cheyenne, Rawlins
Williamsburg, Virginia
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg
Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond, Winchester
West Virginia: Bluefield, Charleston
Living Youth Program
Camp Registration—Repeat Announcement
Registration for Teen and Preteen Camps is now open. Camps are planned for:
- Texas Teen
- Texas Preteen
- West Virginia Preteen
- Missouri Preteen
For dates, tuition, other information, and registration go to camp.livingyouth.org. Registering early helps immensely in planning, so please register early.
Comments
Prove Your Beliefs: Many assume that simply “believing in Jesus” and accepting Him into your heart is all that is required to be a Christian. However, the Bible teaches differently! The Scriptures warn that false teachers will also talk about believing in Jesus and will deceive many (Matthew 24:3–5; 2 Corinthians 11:1–4). The Apostle Paul advised Christians to “Test [carefully examine] all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Luke states that the Christian belief in Jesus’ resurrection was based on “many infallible proofs” seen by many witnesses (Acts 1:1–3), and Peter mentions that the Apostles were eyewitnesses to events they wrote about (2 Peter 1:16). The Apostle Paul confidently provided a persuasive defense for his beliefs (Acts 26). If we take time to prove what we believe, we, too, should be able to defend and explain what we believe to anyone!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 2, 2023
American Exodus from Christianity: In Europe, the secular exodus from what is called “Christianity” has been gradual, but in the United States, the decline has been very rapid since the early 2000s (GRID News, December 17, 2022). The Pew Research Center projects that those who call themselves “Christian” will be a minority in the U.S. by 2070. The largest group of the non-religious are those aged 30 and under, raising concerning questions about the future. Research suggests not only that these millennials will raise their children to be atheists or agnostics, but also that the vast majority of those children will remain that way after becoming adults.
The Guardian reports that a consequence of this rapid mass secularization of America is the closing of church buildings by the thousands every year (January 22, 2023). “About a quarter of the young adults who dropped out of church said they disagreed with their church’s stance on political and social issues,” according to one researcher. And the impact of Covid-19 has only accelerated the exodus, as Protestant pastors report church attendance is only about 85 percent of their pre-pandemic numbers.
What many don’t realize is that what we think of as mainstream Christianity has been off track for centuries. Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day for “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). False teachers in the early centuries substituted their own ideas for biblical Christianity—seeds that would blossom at the end of the age, producing a massive “falling away” from even the most basic truths of God (2 Thessalonians 2:3) and the rise of a generation pursuing an empty and powerless form of spirituality (2 Timothy 3:5). This turning away from God in a nation that once considered itself “Christian” is sobering to watch. To learn more about the implications of this burgeoning trend of secularism, be sure to watch “Sunset for Britain and America.”
Discovering Lightning’s Path! Benjamin Franklin discovered that lightning was caused by electrical discharges from clouds, and he is credited with inventing the lightning rod. Almost three centuries later, high-speed photography in the twenty-first century has revealed precisely how a lightning discharge happens, and it is much more complex than previously thought. Slowing down the flash observed by the human eye revealed that normally unseen negatively charged branches, called leaders, fork their way from the cloud towards the ground. Meanwhile, positive leaders grow upward from high places, like lightning rods. When two leaders make contact, the electrical connection is completed and a channel is made. Instantly a massive high-current discharge (a return stroke) occurs between the ground and the cloud along this pathway. This return stroke is what the human eye sees. This fascinating video captures the channel being made.
Last month, European researchers published a report in Nature Photonics about using a high-powered laser on the ground to create a virtual lightning rod that would guide a leader to a physical lightning rod (Interesting Engineering, January 16, 2023). By ionizing the air, the laser creates an artificial pathway directing the leader to the lightning rod.
This scientific phenomenon bears a striking resemblance to the Creator’s own description of lightning. God challenged the patriarch Job, “Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, or a path for the thunderbolt?” (Job 38:25), or as the King James Version renders it, “a way for the lightning of thunder?” How fascinating that modern, high-tech equipment has revealed details of the Creator’s design of this part of Earth’s electrical system that fit so precisely to the Bible’s own description, written about 4,000 years ago. To learn more about God’s fantastic creation, be sure to read or listen to “God and the Foundation of Science.”—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Craig Marley