Greetings everybody,
The Festival Planner 2003 is nearing completion and should be mailed out to everyone before too long. Feast fever is gradually beginning to crop up here and there, but first comes Pentecost in just a few days!
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
We will be mailing Festival assistance forms out to the ministers in the U.S. next week. Please see your minister if you anticipate the need for assistance to attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year. The International areas will administer Festival Assistance from their Regional offices.
Feast of Tabernacles Announcements:
Eureka Springs, AR
We are looking forward to the Feast of Tabernacles in Eureka Springs this fall. We will again be meeting in the Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center.
We have arranged for blocks of rooms at various establishments to be set aside for our attendees. This is important, since there are other activities going on in the area during the Feast this year. Because of this, it is very important to book accommodations early, since motels, hotels and rental units will be under pressure to release the rooms to others.
The following information should be useful to our members:
IMPORTANT: Book rooms early!
Best Western Inn of the Ozarks Resort and Convention Center
Highway 62 West at Historic Loop.
PO Box 431
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Phone: 800-998-9620
Fax: 479-253-9768
Inn of the Ozarks, standard room (one king, two queens, two doubles) $79.00 plus tax. Up-graded rooms $89.00 plus tax. Note: it is important for us to book as many rooms as possible at the Inn of the Ozarks to reduce the cost of the meeting facility.
For those who do not wish to stay at the Inn of the Ozarks, there are many hotels and motels near the convention center. Economy rooms can be found at the Budget Host (800-238-4678) and the Dogwood Inn (800-544-1884) for $39.00 plus tax per night.
Those interested in homes, condos or cabins can contact Holiday Island Rentals (888-465-4753) or Island Rentals (888-443-5004) or Association of Cabins and Cottages (479-253-8281). More detailed information on all types of housing will be posted on the Festival Web site and at www.eurekaspringschamber.com.
Davy Crockett, Festival Coordinator
UK Festival site – Llandudno, North Wales
For anyone thinking about attending the Feast in the UK it would be wise to begin making plans now. Llandudno is a pleasant Victorian resort located on a scenic peninsula beside the Irish Sea. North Wales offers castles, Roman ruins, and stunning scenery (see www.llandudno-tourism.co.uk).
Llandudno is about 50 miles from the ferry port at Holyhead, about 80 miles from the international airport at Manchester and about 250 miles northwest of London. Roads to Llandudno are excellent (expressways) and rail connections through Manchester to Llandudno are convenient. For more information see the LCG website.
Services will be held at the Risboro Hotel in central Llandudno. Accommodations at the Risboro are 40 GBP (about $65)/pp/B&B – phone 0044-1492-876-343 or www.risboro-hotel.co.uk. Numerous reasonable priced (20-25 GBP - $30-40) small hotels, guest houses (B&B) are located within walking distance of the Risboro. Self-catering cottages are also available (see www.northwalesholidaycottages.co.uk or www.wales-holidays.co.uk).
The Llandudno Feast site will be limited to 150 people. Those wishing to attend should notify Douglas Winnail ([email protected] or phone 353-41-987-3386) or Jim Bennet (phone 0044-1492-540-834 or [email protected]). Llandudno is popular tourist destination so it would be advisable to make your arrangements as soon as possible. Airfares between New York and London or Manchester are about $600 rtn.
Doug Winnail, Festival Coordinator
From the Business Office:
Just a reminder, please clearly identify all tithe of tithe and excess Festival tithe donations. Each year we use these funds to pay for Festival expenses, including hall rentals, equipment and Festival tithe assistance. Your help is greatly appreciated to make this the best Feast yet for everyone.
Rodger Bardo, CFO
INTERNATIONAL
Bruce Tyler sends a short update about our brethren in Thailand. They are isolated and in need of prayers about the dangerous circumstances they live in.
We normally have 16-20 members and prospective members meet each Sabbath with our Deacon and Video Host. Most of them try to get work at clothing factories. They earn about $2.00/day for a 12-16 hour shift. This is just enough to get them rice and some greens and that's about it.
In early May, our deacon reported: "My health is still up and down. I am getting better a little bit, may be." And then last week (16 May) he wrote: "I also have to spend some money for housing which was damaged by a heavy storm on 7 and 8 May. The house owner does not take responsibility for that. (Many houses were damaged on 8 May in our village). I am now going on regular treatment. The problems of my illness are confusing particularly in lungs, nose, throat and ears. However God is keeping me in touch to do His work. Tomorrow's World Bible Study Course translation is going ahead. I hope that I can be able to give you a few more Lessons on your next visit. The boys are going well at school."
PRAYER REQUEST
Mr. C. B. Short, one of our long-time dedicated Elders in Corpus Christi, has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver. He is continuing to work when he can but he needs our fervent prayers for God's intervention and healing. Please remember Mr. Short and his family regularly.
COMMENTS
In Matt. 16:18, Christ said, "And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
In Acts 2:1, we read, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." V. 47 "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."
Jesus Christ said He would build His Church, and He did just that, starting on the Feast of Pentecost 31 A.D. in Jerusalem. And the gates of hell have not prevailed against His Church even though Satan has attempted many times to destroy it, and continues in his efforts to do so.
In Dr. Meredith's recent Tomorrow's World subscriber letter, he mentioned some very encouraging news about the growth God is giving to His end time Church and Work. As you read it, you will see that an abundance of fruit is being born and in some very exciting ways. Dr. Meredith also offers Mr. John Ogwyn's excellent booklet, God's Church Through the Ages. I strongly recommend that you carefully study this booklet. It ties right in with the Pentecost season we are getting ready to observe. You will read about how Christ started the true Church of God on Pentecost and has guided it down through the centuries as the Good Shepherd.
The Church in the days of the Apostles began the Work and now we, in our day, must finish it by God's strength and power. All of those true Christians in all of the church eras before us are our "spiritual kinsfolk." They are family. They endured great hardships and persecution to carry on with the great mission given to them. The spiritual responsibilities that rested on their shoulders now rest on ours and we are charged with carrying out the same vital commission they had from God, all the way to the end.
We have been called and placed into that stream of Church history continually flowing from the time of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, until He comes again. What a privilege. What an opportunity. What a responsibility! We must not let Him, or those who have gone before us, down. We must finish what they started. And we will because we draw on the same strength they drew on, mentioned in II Tim 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
This is only one of the many inspiring blessings we share and celebrate on the Feast of Pentecost, just 10 days away!
Have a restful Sabbath,
Charles E. Bryce