Greetings Everyone:
My wife and I arrived home last night from a very profitable visit to Montana. Thank you to those who pray for our safe travel—we truly need your prayers on the road. The brethren in Montana continue to hold fast to the truths we have been taught. They are also are growing older, like many across the country, and struggle with health problems of one kind or another. Dorothy had a severe earache while we were in Montana—the first earache she has experienced in her entire life I think. She has concluded that she needed the experience so that she could fully sympathize with others and me in our family who have suffered earaches off through the years.
Speaking of health, Mr. Meredith and all at headquarters are in good health. Dr. Meredith had a visit to the dentist this week, with the resultant sore jaw, thick lip and tongue. Nobody loves sitting in the dentist's chair!
MEDIA—Mr. Richard Ames
The following TV programs were taped this Wednesday, with accompanying air dates:
- #119 - RCM - "When Will the Great Tribulation Begin?" - Offers WAA – Airs 1/27/02
- #120 - RCM - "How YOU Have Been Deceived!" - Offers RAC - Airs 2/3/02
- #121 - RFA - "Unlocking the Book of Revelation" - Offers DOL tape – Airs 2/10/02
- #122 - RFA - "Who Will Invade the Middle East?" - Offers BR - Airs 2/17/02
Mr. Don Davis submitted the following for your information (not to be announced):
Some have suggested that the Living Church of God make "live" Headquarters sermons available on the Internet, as some groups are doing. We have considered making headquarters sermons live on the Internet. There are both technical and practical reasons we have decided thus far not to do so.
The most important reason can be found in Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
We are called to grow spiritually and to support the Work of God as His Co-workers. We place special emphasis on attending services each Sabbath, if at all possible, in order to encourage and exhort others. A "live" Internet service does not provide the fellowship so very vital to us. While sermons shown live may assist those who are sick, posting the sermon sound track later fulfills this need equally well. Neither live Internet nor later posting of a sermon fulfills personal contact with the brethren, but the latter serves our needs.
Some groups may develop followers or draw attention to themselves by emphasizing their Internet or tape activities. Our mission on the Sabbath is interactive fellowship that is not achieved by Internet, not to bring the world into our worship service.
Area Pastors may arrange a phone hook-up for a shut-in under certain circumstances if they choose to do so, and they may hook up two or more groups by phone or Internet connection if they desire.
It must truly be a Laodicean people who will stay at home rather than drive for an hour to services, or attend with the "nearest" Church of God group to their home, rather than the nearest to Christ's commission. We do not wish to encourage anything that will discourage members from assembling on the Sabbath with their brethren. As a result, Dr. Meredith has decided not to authorize "live" Internet services from HQ each Sabbath.
If you are unable to attend a Living Church of God congregation on the Sabbath, we urge you to contact your Area Pastor, and see whether transportation can be arranged for you.
Also, some brethren have expressed disappointment that sometimes they see videotapes that are months old. We understand the desire to see current material. If there is a serious backlog of unplayed sermons in your area you should discuss the matter with your Area Pastor. We encourage Church Pastors to make the audiotapes available in the library as soon as possible unless there are extenuating circumstances.
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS' MEETING
I remind you that we solicit your prayers for the Council of Elders' meetings next week. Many important items are on the agenda. Nearly all of the members of the Council will arrive Sunday, November 4th.
CONCLUSION
I presume that most of you are familiar with "Aesop's Fables," each designed to convey a lesson or a point. I think the following fable addresses the human urge to criticize.
A boy who'd gone swimming in a river was about to drown. He called for help from a man on shore. Instead of helping the boy, the man began criticizing him for taking chances. "Oh, sir," the boy shouted, "please help me now—and scold me later!"
Criticism and correction in a time of distress is not appreciated. God our Father is not like the man in Aesop's fable. Rather, He has consistently sent warnings through His servants the prophets of impending punishment. Six times in the book of Jeremiah the prophet said God (in nearly identical words): "Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them." (Jeremiah 7:25)
The prophet Amos could confidently say, even to 21st century Israel: "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7)
God has made known end-time events. The Church of God has proclaimed and published for seventy years, through Mr. Herbert Armstrong and faithful ministers taught by him, the disasters for the nations of Israel and ultimately for all nations of the earth. Thousands of you brethren have been a part of those "rising early" to fulfill His Work. Thank you for your faithful support and continuance in doing that Work.
Have a great Sabbath!
Carl E. McNair