Greetings everyone:
In his Update last week, Mr. Carl McNair wrote that we had a great Feast of Tabernacles everywhere. Since that report, we have received many more letters and phone calls from our brethren expressing their appreciation and enthusiasm for what we now can call the most harmonious and unified Feast of Tabernacles ever—around the world! You will read more about it in Mr. Meredith's Co-Worker letter that is being mailed. Moreover, the next issue of the LCN will contain excerpts from most of the 40 Feast sites in 24 different countries.
During the Feast, in France, we were happy to see Mr. Josef Felber ordained as a deacon. He and his wife are faithfully serving the brethren in Switzerland. You will read more about the couple and their family in the next issue of the LCN.
Yesterday, October 24, Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames taped the following four television programs:
- #115 -RCM - "What's Ahead for 2002?" - Offers WAA - Airs December 30, 2001
- #116 -RCM - "What's Ahead for the Middle East?" - Offers FS - Airs January 6, 2001
- #117 - RFA - "What Do You Mean, 'Salvation'?" - Offers YUD - Airs January 13, 2001
- #118 - RFA - "Comfort in Times of Tragedy" - Offers ODS - Airs January 20, 2001
The two presenters are scheduled to tape four more programs on October 31. (Don't quote me, but one wonders how long they can keep such a pace. Of course, I constantly remind them that they are young!)
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS' MEETING
Your prayers are also needed for the Council of Elders' meetings, scheduled from November 5th to 7th. An important and well-charged agenda has already been submitted to Mr. Meredith for his approval. Nearly all of the visiting Elders, including Dr. Doug Winnail from Ireland, will be arriving on Sunday, November 4th.
MINISTERIAL RESOURCES WEB PAGE
For those who have access to the Ministerial Resources Web Page, there is a new section labeled Church Administration that contains several documents and forms, such as Ordination Notice, Baptism Notice for Ministers' use. We will add more reference documents to this section in the near future. Please note that the "Greenland" shortcut is no longer available; go directly to the page at www.cogl.org.
FOR CHURCH AND VIDEO GROUP LIBRARIES
Mr. Don Davis reports: "Dr. Meredith's 32-part Bible Study series on the Gospel According to Matthew, which appeared on the Internet, is being prepared for audiocassette distribution to Church and Video Group libraries. The first in what we anticipate to be an eight-cassette collection should be arriving in the next monthly video pack. Each month thereafter, we hope to send you one or more additional tapes until the entire set is completed."
CONCLUSION
One of the most frequently heard remarks during my recent trip in Europe was, "After the September 11th terrorist attacks, the world will never again be the same". How true! Not only Church members who attended the Feast of Tabernacles in France, but also outsiders with whom I came in contact expressed this thought with concern.
However, the big question is, "What are we going to do about it, each and everyone of us? What are the changes we are going to bring into our personal lives?" For some, these world-shaking events have been a WAKE UP call—after a long period of lethargy and complacency. For others, they have been only a cause of fear and alarm. Some are zealous, determined to work harder and keep closer to God and His teachings. Others are merely frightened spectators, hoping for God's protection but neglecting to assume their own responsibilities. One aspect of our duties, as ministers, is to constantly remind God's flock the purpose for our calling. We must be much less self-centered and more involved in the Work. But, as ministers, we first need to practice what we preach and give the right example. Let's remember Christ's warning, "Watch and pray!" And his admonition to His disciples, "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them."
The CAD Director will be back next week.
Y'all have a wonderful Sabbath!
Dibar Apartian