Greetings,
Mr. Meredith had a very good visit with the brethren in Florida for Passover and the first day of Unleavened Bread. He reported that the last day of Unleavened Bread in Alexandria was very well attended.
Mr. Richard Ames returned from a visit to Atlanta, Georgia for the last day of Unleavened Bread. He gave an enthusiastic report on Atlanta and the work of Mr. Rand Millich, Area Pastor in Atlanta.
INTERNATIONAL
Mr. Apartian Reports From Canada:
For some (including those in Montana!), taking the Passover under snowy weather may be normal, but it was a totally new experience for my wife and me. New and chilling, but at least relaxing since Jacques Secours, our elder in Montreal, did the driving for us. Friday evening, 28 French-speaking brethren took the Passover in that city. The attendance rose to 40 the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread because of the visit of some English-speaking brethren from Ottawa. The capricious weather was no challenge to them! Would you believe that in two days we experienced winter, fall, summer and spring-in that order? I wonder if Vivaldi was in Montreal when he composed his "Four Seasons"….
Next we visited the Regional Office in Toronto where the staff, composed of Mr. Charles Bryce, two members of his family and Mr. Ross Abasolo, are carrying a heavy load. This meeting allowed us to find better means of communication between our two offices. We celebrated the last day of the Feast in Toronto with the combined churches of Guelph and Orilia. A total of 87 people, counting the few Americans who had come from the U.S.A.
Mr. Jonathan McNair Reports on Jamaica and Trinidad:
Jamaica — We had a record 74 responses to the telecast on the first week of March. These responses were for the prophecy program, 'The Day of the Lord.' We also had 28 responses for the Bible Course the following week. Average weekly response for March is 38!
Trinidad — We began our transition from the radio to television this past week. The 1st Tomorrow's World program was aired on Saturday at 3.30 p.m. We had 58 telephone responses, most within the first 45 minutes. Fifty-six of them are 1st-time responses. By Tuesday, three more responses had arrived by mail, bringing the total to 61 responses!
We were told that some callers weren't able to get through, due to the heavy call traffic. We're planning to set up a church line, with a voice mail box to improve this situation.
One lady who called had been observing the Holy Days and Sabbath by herself, and was thrilled to see Mr. Ames on the telecast, teaching the truth! Needless to say, she plans to be at services soon!
FEAST OF TABERNACLES NOTICE
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
Some brethren have been calling the incorrect number at the Smokey Mountain Convention Center Offices. Please take note of the following update.
Location: Smokey Mountain Convention Center, 2440 Parkway (Behind Colonel Sanders Restaurant) Pigeon Forge, TN.
For reservations at Smokey Mountain Convention Center and Resort Establishments—including the special rate for the adjacent Ramada Inn— call 1 (800) 523-3919, and identify yourself as a member of Living Church of God.
The Smokey Mountain Convention Center offers a variety of motels to our members at a "reduced" rate. For instance, the Ramada Inn offers a reduced rate and the advantage of a short stroll across the parking lot to the meeting hall. The quality of motel is similar to an older Day's Inn or Roadway Inn (no elevators).
The brethren are not limited to the Smokey Mountain Convention and Resort offerings. There are cabins, condominiums and other independent establishments offering comparable rates with similar or better quality. Therefore, compare prices, amenities, and quality before making your reservations. If you have any questions, call Mr. Dan Hall, Festival Site Coordinator at (334) 626-0585.
CONCLUSION:
My wife and I had a very enjoyable visit with brethren in the Northwest during the Passover season.
I am pleased with the general spirit of cooperation and support we received. Mr. Terry Graves and Mr. Gary Ullerick are doing a wonderful job supporting Area Pastor Don Haney. Mr. Ullerick was in Alaska conducting Passover, so he and his wife were not with us in Washington. We sure appreciate the hundreds of Elders who serve diligently around the world without remuneration as assistants to Area Pastors. Without them, we could not adequately serve the brethren, without sacrificing the Work of proclaiming the Gospel to the world.
Each person who is called into the Church of God is PRECIOUS in His sight. There is not way we can place a value on a Son of God in His Kingdom for the Millennium and for Eternity. If we are indeed at the end of this age, we may be fulfilling the "cleanup work" Jesus spoke of in Luke 14:23. "Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
Satan most certainly is seeking to destroy those who would qualify to rule with Christ in His soon coming Kingdom. He is overthrowing a few by injecting his bitter, accusative spirit into their hearts. We have just kept the Passover (renewing our commitment to Him and His Body the Church), and Satan is seeking to re-introduce his divisive spirit in us. I hope you all pray daily with us that Satan's hand and spirit is stayed. I hope we constantly focus on the Kingdom of God, which we are soon to inherit — if we endure.
Jesus Christ is shaping us through "fiery trials" in everyday experiences. The Apostle Peter admonished, (I Peter 4:1-5) "Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
v. 9-10 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
v. 12-13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
I hope that you have a spiritually edifying Sabbath and safe traveling.
Carl E. McNair