Warm greetings from Charlotte,
And I do mean warm! The rain has stopped here. The sun is out and the heat and humidity have set in! However, it is still a beautiful place and we hope all of you can come and see for yourself sometime.
TELEVISION DEPARTMENT
Mr. Wayne Pyle writes—This past weekend was the beginning of our re-run season, and we got a good start. We aired program #160, "Overcoming Your Anxieties," which first aired back in February. This program offered the booklet, Twelve Keys to Answered Prayer. From Thursday through Sunday, we received 1,596 phone calls, and we are expecting the total to reach 1,856. This is 85 percent of the first response, which was 2,176.
Our new stations did well. Cincinnati's WKRC generated 46 replies through Sunday. Nashville's WZTV brought in 20 calls, which is a good improvement over its first two weeks. CJIL in Lethdrige, Alberta, produced 13 replies.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
We had a Canadian Board meeting yesterday via teleconference. Mr. Gerald Weston, Canadian Director, gave an overview of the progress of the Work in Canada, including the good news of another excellent audit of our books. We also had reports, from the Canadian ministers on the Board, about the growth and stability of the congregations right across Canada. All in all, this was a very encouraging meeting indeed.
Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit the Lafayette and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, congregations. The warmth and dedication found among the brethren there was easy to see. It was everywhere! We had a get together with the Deacons and Elders at Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan McNair's house Saturday night. Excellent fellowship and delicious food, combined with the McNairs' hospitality, all added up to a wonderful evening.
From Finance
Maling addresses—When sending in tithes and offerings to the Work, please use: PO BOX 3810 Charlotte, NC 28227-8010.
When sending in business mail such as hall vouchers or Minex, please use: 2301 Crown Centre Drive Charlotte, NC 28227-7705.
Hall vouchers—When faxing hall vouchers or other faxes intended for Accounting, please use fax number 704-841-1922. Also, please check the ministerial website (www.cogl.org, Church Administration link) for updated forms including hall vouchers. If you do not have access to the Internet, please call Bonnie Bonjour at 704-844-1970 ext 231 and she will mail you copies of our current forms.
From Legal
The new fax number for Legal Affairs & Risk Management is 704-844-1976. All contracts, insurance forms and other such items should be faxed to this number.
Feast of Tabernacles
FESTIVAL ASSISTANCE
By now, all of the ministers should have received Festival Assistance forms to be used by those who will need assistance to attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year. Please announce this at Sabbath services this Sabbath and note that the deadline to have them back to us, properly filled out and signed by the Church Pastor, is August 22, 2003.
To all Ministers and Video Group Hosts
SERMONS AVAILABLE ON DVD
We are currently attempting to expand the number of DVDs available to replace the VHS video tapes that are being sent to the congregations and video groups. The cost to ship DVDs is much less than video tapes and blank DVDs cost less as well. This will be a great savings to the Work. Our eventual goal is to virtually eliminate video tape altogether and have DVD as our main media format for the sermon videos. The picture quality of DVD is much better than VHS tape and the DVDs are not subject to the damage that can be caused by demagnetization during shipping. Also, DVDs do not wear out and they take up very little space for storage. We understand that if a congregation or video group does not already have a DVD player available, one would need to be purchased. DVD players can be found in popular department stores for about $60 to $70.
Sermon DVDs will be available on a first come/first served basis at this time. In order for the Work to transition toward this economical and high quality media format, we need your help and input. Please contact Church Administration to begin receiving DVD sermons, when they become available, by calling 704-844-1960 ext. 220 or by writing to [email protected]. Please be patient, as it could take a few weeks to make this switch.
LETTERS & COMMENTS ABOUT THE WORK
Toronto, Ontario
I'm taking your Bible Study Course. I'm on lesson three. I enjoy it very much. As a child I have seen your magazines and booklets even your television program. I never paid attention. But one day I just picked up the phone and ordered a book for someone else. They changed their minds, so I kept it, read it and eventually ordered your Bible Study, booklets, magazine and bought a Bible. I'm seeing and learning a lot. I really like Tomorrow's World.
Coalmont, TN
I don't know who signed up for me to receive the Tomorrow's World but I am sure glad someone did.
Barbados
I am glad to be a Tomorrow's World subscriber. I am glad that you try to send personal letters describing what is behind the Work that you are doing.
Peterborough, ON
I am an Anglican and belong to a wonderful church in my area. I feel so blessed to be able to worship in a church that recognizes the Holy Trinity, as preached and taught by Jesus Christ Himself. Reading your answer to the person in your March-April issue who asked about being born again, makes me wonder how you manage to so badly misinterpret the scriptures; you say, "At present, there are only two members in the God family-God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son!" What have you done with the Holy Spirit? He was certainly there at Jesus' baptism and at the Day of Pentecost. Please cancel my magazine. I simply can't believe what you purport to be the truth.
Chicago, IL
I have read your article in this month's magazine "Will You Be Left Behind?" by Roderick C. Meredith and have to greatly disgaree with you about Revelation 12:6. You are half right! Don't preach wrong information! There is a rapture.
Hamilton, AL
I love your booklets and so do the other members of the Church that I share them with.
Athol, ID
Mr. Meredith! I thank you for your letter reference to the request of your booklet, God's Church Through the Ages. I knew you way back in the church in 1954. I was a deacon in San Diego in the 70s. I was baptized by Mr. Cavio in 1976. I always hold you in high regard.
Aurora, CO
Thank God for saints like you! And for the great work you do! So many ministers are spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ but few without a price tag attached to it. I have no problem with doing my part to financially help, but so many send me things saying send money to be blessed. I can't support them all. But you do well by your method. Please accept this $1 as it is all I have. As God increases me financially I will increase my giving!
Eugene, OR
Thanks for the magazine and letter. I pray Mrs. Meredith is in good health. I am remembering her in my prayers. Thank God the Work is going out in a greater way. I look back and am thankful someone made it possible for me to receive the Plain Truth in the 1940s.
Savannah, GA
As a former member of the WCG, it is especially wonderful that you have not in any point compromised the Truth. That leads me to the most important part of this letter. Is there a congregation or a Bible Study group in Savannah? If not, is there one near to Savannah, or across the border in SC? Please understand that it is very lonely away from the fellowship of God's people. It is so wonderful to once again hear the Truth since we are so close to the times prophesied by Amos, when there will come a famine of the Word.
Granite, OK
I look forward to becoming a true member in the near future. It is my understanding that Mr. Solomon is trying to set up a visit through the prison administration. If it had not been for another member in here, I never would known there was a true church. I am enclosing my first tithe. It isn't much, but it's about three month tithe from what I make on prison wages. But I felt I would be cheating God if I didn't start sending it in now that I know the Truth. I hope it will be helpful in spreading the word. I know how much your magazine and booklets have helped me with their inspired writings.
Leesville, CA
Just a note to let you all know I'm praying for you all, because I've been listening and believing this Truth since the 40's. We listened to Mr. Armstrong when he was on XEG on radio. I remember when the college was started and you, Richard (Mr. Armstrong's oldest son) and two more I forgot their names were first to go to the college. When you said you celebrated your 50th year since you were ordained, boy did I feel old. I'm 80 1/2 years old.
Denham Springs, LA
I have a hobby of using numbers:
PO Box 3810=21=3,7s
Zip 28227=21=3,7s
I was baptized when the church was the Radio Church of God.
Miami, AZ
You made my day when I received your letter today. Praise the Lord you all have gotten moved. I want you to know how much I have enjoyed the magazine Tomorrow's World. I just watch the mailbox every day hoping to receive more. I was asking our pastor and his wife to get them at our church. So far I just pass mine on.
I thought you might enjoy just a sampling of the comments that flow into Headquarters about the Work all of us are involved in. Also, it is always interesting to note how often people, especially the old timers, connect Mr. Meredith to Mr. Armstrong.
Have a restful Sabbath,
Charles E. Bryce