Greetings everyone,
Early reports show that, this year, Pentecost celebration by Living Church of God members was more uplifting than ever. Yesterday at lunch, Mr. Meredith told us (Mr. Richard Ames, Mr. Raymond McNair and me) about his successful visits to the Reno and Sacramento churches. When I asked him to write a few lines for this Weekly Update, he smiled and changed the subject. But I don't give up so easily. I called Mr. Rod McNair, the pastor of the Sacramento church, to brief us with some details.
From Mr. Rod McNair
135 brethren from five congregations all over Northern California and Northern Nevada spent Pentecost with Dr. and Mrs. Meredith at a combined service in Sacramento, California. The previous day, the Merediths observed the Sabbath with 48 brethren in Reno, Nevada. On both days, the ladies provided delicious potluck meals, which gave everyone a wonderful opportunity to fellowship and get to the know the Merediths more personally. It was a very inspiring Holy Day weekend for everyone, as we were powerfully reminded by Dr. Meredith of our role as firstfruits, and our vision for the future.
OTHER PENTECOST REPORTS
From Mr. Richard Ames, Alaska
The Alaskan brethren traveled to the city of Homer on beautiful Kachemak Bay for Pentecost weekend. Homer, "the halibut fishing capital of the world," is a 4.5-hour drive southwest of Anchorage, and faces the majestic snow-covered Kenai Peninsula mountain range.
Mrs. Ames and I had been encouraged to bring warm clothing, but we found the sunshine and crisp days just perfect—similar to San Diego weather. On the weekly Sabbath, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Roth volunteered their commercial fishing vessel to transport all 25 of us across the bay to Otter Cove Resort for services. On the way, we enjoyed visiting a "sett" of about 100 sea otters, including dozens of newborn baby otters, playing in the bay near 60-Foot Rock.
On Pentecost, we met at Land's End resort, located at the end of a two-mile spit jutting out into Kachemak Bay. While the weather and spectacular setting were uplifting, God's people—radiating their faith, hospitality and dedication—and God's proclaimed truth were the most inspiring part of Pentecost in Alaska.
From Paul Shumway, Danbury, CT
Our weekend was most inspiring. We had a Bible Study in Providence, RI, on Friday evening, followed by Sabbath services in Boston the next day before heading to Danbury, CT for Pentecost. We met at the Sheraton. This was one of the nicest, most inspiring Holy Days I can remember! We had 155 in attendance—11 % over last year's! I can only imagine how many would have come had we had a guest speaker from HQ!
From Ernest Owino, Nairobi, Kenya
We had a spiritually uplifting Pentecost. I traveled to Western Kenya where I conducted the services for both Ndhiwa and Oyugis congregations. In Oyugis, 15 brethren assembled to celebrate this joyous and commemorative Festival. And on the Sabbath of May 18, Oyugis had 16 in attendance. While in Ndhiwa (because of a slight hitch which is not worth mentioning at this stage), 42 attended Pentecost. It is interesting to note that the Sabbath (May 18) preceding Pentecost, 81 attended the services in Ndhiwa alone.
From Rajan Moses, Malaysia
Warm Greetings to you Dr. Meredith from Malaysia! Thank you for the powerful sermons you have been giving recently. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you always. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler were here for Pentecost and will be visiting Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Sri Lanka. I will be leaving for India on 26th May and will be back on 4th June. Please pray for my trip as the place I am going to visit is experiencing heat wave. I will be mostly indoors teaching the Elders there. Thank you for all the kind letters you sent us.
From Kansas City
My wife and I were in Kansas City where I practiced (successfully) my customary "Y'all" greetings! Mr. Charles Bryce, who recently moved to that region, is very excited with this "new" assignment—their 13th move, he told us. The Kansas City congregation, the largest of all U.S.A. churches, is blessed with an attractive contingent of young people. If only we, in San Diego, could lure them to move closer to us! Both on the weekly Sabbath and on the day of Pentecost the attendance was 240, approximately.
A BRIEF REPORT OF MR. CARL MCNAIR'S TRIP
From Mr. Franz Peeters, our deacon in Holland
We are very grateful to Mr. Winnail who invited us to Ireland to meet Mr. and Mrs. Carl McNair and our Irish brethren. We spent three joyful days with Mr. Winnail and the family McNair. Also Mr. Ray Clore and Mr. Bob Storrier came over. Mr. McNair gave the sermon on the Sabbath afternoon. He spoke about God's Plan to bring us in His Family. Questions he asked were: Are we able to grow doing the same things for years? Do we add to our knowledge every year eating from God's table? How does God write on the table of our heart? What to do in case of apostasy and corruption in the Church of God? At the end he gave us a strong 7-point advice/admonition. After the Sabbath service we fellowshipped with the Deacons and Elders from Ireland in Mr. Winnail's house and had a nice meal together. Then we listened to a tape from Mr. Meredith speaking at the Ministerial Conference in the States and had the opportunity to ask questions. Next day we met again in a beautiful country house, where we had lectures from Mr. Winnail and Mr. Carl McNair. On Monday, Mr. Ray Clore and Mr. Bob Storrier went home. Next day Mr. Winnail and the family McNair flew to London to have a Board meeting and in the evening a Bible Study with the brethren in England.
Another report from Mr. Peeters:
LCG literature in Dutch is available in the following web page: http://www.wereldvanmorgen.org From this web site you can read and download several booklets, articles, letters from Mr. Meredith, and 12 Bible Study Course lessons plus three tests.
FROM THE FESTIVAL OFFICE (this is a repeat from last week)
Feast Attendance Survey (reminder)
Please announce next Sabbath: "The Feast Attendance Survey will be held on the Sabbath of June 1st in all USA and Canadian congregations. Please be ready to give the most-likely Feast site you will attend this year. It is not a commitment, only your intended choice. This Survey helps Festival Coordinators better plan the activities for the Feast of Tabernacles."
FROM THE MAIL PROCESSING DEPARTMENT
Dr. Meredith's semi-annual letter, in which he offers Tomorrow's World subscribers his newest booklet, "How God Intervenes In World Affairs"—a substantial enlargement and revision of the old "God's Intervention in World Affairs" booklet—is being mailed this week. Please remind all Church members that they will receive this booklet automatically. They should NOT return the reply card enclosed with the semi-annual letter.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
Pentecost Attendance
Pastors and Assistant Pastors, please send the Pentecost attendance numbers of the churches and video groups in your area to CAD. You can do so by fax, mail or e-mail ([email protected]).
COMMENTS
The celebration of Memorial Day in the United States began on May 5, 1868, three years after the Civil War ended, when an organization of Union veterans established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. It is believed that May 30 was chosen because the flowers would be in bloom during that time of the year. The first massive observance was held at Arlington National Cemetery. Approximately 5,000 attended. After World War I, the day was expanded to honor all those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress and was placed on the last Monday in May.
But why do we have wars? The Apostle James clearly answered that question (James 4:1-3). Under Satan's influence, men began quarrelling among themselves and fighting as they multiplied on the face of the earth. In Genesis 4, we find the story of the first human being ever born on earth who killed his own brother. Afterwards, history continues with this precedent on a larger and larger scale. Strangely enough, nations claim to go to war to establish justice and peace on earth. But where is justice and peace? Undoubtedly, men don't know the way of peace (Romans 3:17). Do you realize that according to some historians (I don't know how reliable this is) nations have known over 14,000 wars since their existence, including the two World Wars during the 20th century. And where are we today? Just look around. In fact, we have enriched our vocabulary with a new term: The War on Terrorism!
As members of God's Church, our mission is to bring hope, to proclaim the wonderful World Tomorrow where there won't be wars any more (Micah 4:1-3). But our task does not consist of merely announcing this good new to the world, but by living as true Christians. By being an example to others. A light in this world of darkness (Matthew 5:16). An inspiration to our fellowmen with our words, acts and conduct. We must procure peace, not seek it only. We must love one another as Christ love us (John 13:34-35). We can achieve this by getting closer to God, every day. Then, we can look forward to the day when nations won't have any reason to celebrate Memorial Day!
Y'all have a wonderful Sabbath,
Dibar Apartian