Greetings y'all!
Many have expressed their appreciation for last Sabbath's Church fast—an attitude pleasant to God, for sure. Mr. Charles Bryce is presently on his visiting tour in Australia. The only news we have from him so far is that he is doing well and busy.
FROM EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Dear Fellow Ministers,
Before leaving on his trip to New Zealand and Australia, Mr. Bryce asked me to cover a particular topic for this week's Update. First of all, however, I hope that all of you will remember to keep praying for Mr. Bryce's safety on this long and arduous trip, and for God's divine guidance for him in working with the ministry and the brethren in each area. This is his first trip to this part of the world, and I hope and pray that all goes well and that God increasingly blesses His Work in this part of the southern hemisphere.
Next, Messrs. Bryce, Ames and our entire Executive Team here at Headquarters—backed by the Council of Elders in our recent meetings—desire that all of us make a change in the Sabbath song services. From now on, in order to lessen confusion and to have complete unity in our approach to hymn singing, please instruct the song leaders and all the brethren on this upcoming Sabbath that we will be announcing page numbers only from the blue hymnals which we obtained from the Worldwide Church of God. Most of our churches are already using this hymnal exclusively, and we have certainly been patient and taken a lot of time to think it over and to be sure that everyone understands our motivation. Remember, the majority of the hymns included in this hymnal were personally approved by Herbert W. Armstrong. We have already designated some of the hymns as those "not to be sung" because of incorrect wording. But most are helpful and Christian. However, I would ask all of you to continue to be sure that Dwight Armstrong's hymns are the majority of those hymns sung in most church services. And be sure that the song leaders review the list of 43 unacceptable hymns and never have the congregations sing these hymns.
As soon as we can—within the next year or two—we will try to produce our own Church hymnal. That is still our plan. But since it involves an expenditure of forty to sixty thousand dollars, we feel it more important to support the growth of the regular Work and to postpone this hymnal project until we have a little more flexibility in regard to our financial resources and more time to produce the right kind of hymnal for permanent use in the Living Church of God. So please encourage all of the brethren to be "positive" about this new development—and not to be "judging" us or each other in this matter!
Finally, a number of you have asked about my wife's condition. Thank you for your prayers and for your concern! Since her operation, she has had to undergo radiation treatments—which are much more localized than they used to be—to kill any remaining cancer cells in the affected area. These treatments end this Friday. All seems to be going well and she is gradually regaining strength. The radiation has kept her somewhat weak in the meantime. But she is looking forward to joining me on our upcoming trip to Britain, Ireland and Europe, and this should be an encouraging and positive change for her. So please continue to pray for her. And please pray for God's protection and guidance for both of us as we undertake this journey to conduct the Church board meetings in Britain, in Ireland and to see a number of prophetic and historical sites in these areas.
Again, thank you for your prayers for my wife—and also for me! I really appreciate the job you are doing out there in the "field." I hear good reports from all over and now it appears that God has, in fact, been blessing us with growth in attendance here in the United States of about four to six percent over the past year—plus even more growth in the International areas. Our present growth in financial income is running about eight percent—for which we are very thankful. Perhaps even yet this year God will give us some truly large amounts through estate gifts or other special gifts so we can add more stations and "get going" in the Work more than ever. Please pray for this continually. The world out there truly "needs" what we have to give! Thanks again for your constant help, encouragement and support.
Your brother in Christ,
Roderick C. Meredith
RISK MANAGEMENT
Reminder: All USA assigned fleet drivers (the "drivers" to whom the vehicle is assigned) that do not have a personal vehicle and personal vehicle insurance must purchase "non-owners" insurance policy and provide proof of such purchase to this office (usually takes the form of a certificate of insurance) and such policy must name the Church as "additional insured."
FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Kauai, Hawaii
Here is additional information concerning travel and accommodations for Hawaii. Detailed information can now be found on the Church Web site at http://www.cogl.org/fot2003/kauai.htm
The following three travel agencies may be helpful, but are in no way endorsed by the Church.
1. Marina Pacifica Travel (800) 244-8238 (714) 842-0955 www.marina-pacifica-travel.com.
This agency handles airline ticketing originating from Los Angeles, which is the typical connection city for Hawaii. Agent: Becky
2. More Hawaii For Less, Inc. (800) 967-6687 (949) 261-0173 www.Hawaii4less.com
This agency handles "packages" with air flight, accommodations and car rental.
3. Hawaiian Vacation Rentals (800) 882-9007 (425) 391-0207 9:00 AM- 5:30 PM, Pacific Time
www.wailuabay.com Agent: Linda.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
As we have an overflow crowd expected at Myrtle Beach, we still recommend for those who can switch sites to do so. For those, however, who will be attending this site and leasing a car through Enterprise we have been able to negotiate special rates. Please use "Corporate Account Group Number" 26A3263 if you wish to take advantage of these rates through Enterprise Rent-A-Car at 1-800-593-0505 for Myrtle Beach. Discounted rates will also be available at all other FOT site locations that Enterprise serves, details will follow. Please be sure to book your personal reservations directly with Enterprise using your personal credit or charge card. If booking on-line ( www.enterprise.com), go to the corporate icon, type in "LIV" and then type the 26A3263 corporate number in the appropriate places. All discounts have been passed along to the members and the Church strongly recommends each member to consider adding the deeply discounted Full Collision Damage Waiver Insurance of $6/day or $30/week to the rates. This insurance will protect you up to a total loss on most vehicles with no additional monies out of pocket, in case of an unexpected accident. It can be purchased at the counter upon arrival. Please note that your personal insurance or any insurance purchase from Enterprise—not the Church's insurance—applies to your car rental.
Rental rates include the following: Guaranteed rates year round at any of our locations in North and South Carolina, Augusta, Savannah, and Brunswick, Georgia. Discounted rates available at over 4,000 locations coast-to-coast. Guaranteed availability on all vehicle classes listed in this packet. Clean, well-maintained, late model vehicles. Rates available for business and personal use. No fees for additional drivers OR drivers under 25 years of age. All renters should be at least 21 years of age or older to rent. Customer pick-up available at all locations. Just call your local rental branch to schedule a time convenient for you. 24-hour roadside assistance. Enterprise guarantees you will receive the highest quality service delivered by professional employees. For out-of-town reservations call 800-593-0505 or visit their website at www.enterprise.com.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
UPDATE ON DVD SERMONS
From Audio/Video Department
We are both gratified and overwhelmed by the huge response to our offer of DVDs to the congregations. The demand has outstripped our current production capacity. We are attempting to acquire additional equipment to fulfill the avalanche of requests. Please bear with us, until we can get into full production. We will keep you informed as our efforts progress. If your congregation has not yet been signed up to receive DVD's, don't wait, it will only cause it to be further down the list.
Attention Elders and Hosts: Each DVD will contain only one sermon. The Tomorrow's World telecasts that are sent with the sermons will also be available in DVD, four telecasts per DVD. The audiotape sermons that accompany the video sermons will continue to be sent after the switch to DVD. As we previously wrote, we will only be able to supply DVDs in the NTSC format. If your video group or congregation is currently receiving videos in the PAL format, a Multi-System DVD player will need to be purchased. Thank you for your response and support on this project. For more information, please contact Church Administration.
YOUTH CAMPS
Living 4 Tomorrow – A Time 4 Young Singles
All is well for thirty singles who are enjoying beautiful weather, warm fellowship, and thought-provoking classes at Living 4 Tomorrow — A Time 4 Young Singles at Trout Lake in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The occasion began with a chicken barbecue on Tuesday evening and will end with a banquet and dance Saturday night. Four classes are held each day on topics ranging from "This Isn't Your Mama's Church" to "Creating a Culture of Purity, Honor, and Respect." A clear theme is developing in all the classes — the choices we make today determine what our lives will be tomorrow. We can live for today, or live for tomorrow. In addition to the classes, there is plenty of "get to know one another" time. A more detailed report on this activity will be given in a future LCN article.
—Gerald Weston
Living Youth Camp
For those attending Living Youth Camp in Michigan please note that in the final letter sent to you there was an error in the time of the final banquet. It will be Sunday night, August 3 rather than Saturday night as stated. Your son or daughter will be e-mailing or calling you upon arrival to camp. Please find out which dorm he or she is in and include this information on any correspondence.
—Gerald Weston
MINISTERS' BUSINESS CARDS
For those ministers requesting business cards, please send as soon as possible to CAD the following information by fax (704-841-2244), e-mail ([email protected]), or mail:
Your name (as you want it to appear on the card)
Personal address (preferably a PO Box, if available)
If you don't want your personal address to be used, the Church's HQ address will be used
Contact information (phone number, fax, and/or e-mail)
Preferred quantity of cards (please keep in mind that business cards get less expensive the more we order)
FROM BUSINESS OFFICE
Greetings from Finance! As of today the income is remaining steady at approximately 8.4% YTD. We praise God and thank each one of our members and coworkers for your wonderful continued dedication. I received a call from an individual inquiring about assistance to our needy and third tithe. His heart is in the Work. He reflects the attitude of so many in numerous letters and calls we receive almost on a daily basis who continuously show love and kindness, as we get this message out to all the world and also toward the household of faith who are in need. If donations are specifically earmarked for Third Tithe, Excess Second Tithe or Tithe of a Second Tithe, please clearly mark these contributions as such in your correspondence with Headquarters, so each can be credited properly. And again, thank you! – Rodger Bardo
COMMENTS
I am only a dilettante in History. But ever since I have been studying the Bible, I have a pretty good idea as to why, when and how major events occur. The month of July has its mark in the history of two influential modern nations: the United States of America and the Republic of France. On July 4th 1776, known as Independence Day, thirteen States formed a union that gave birth to what is recognized today to be the powerful United States of America. And on July 14th 1789, popularly known as Bastille Day, a national revolution not only changed France's course of history but also the fate of Europe.
We speak of key men like Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, General Lafayette and many others who were instrumental in these historic events. They certainly were instrumental, but who was really in charge of the turn of events? God or men? Who was in control of the multiple battles, during the First World War, when the allies finally won it? Who made the Americans and the allies win the Second World War, even though the Germans were fully equipped and capable to win it ? And who controlled the weather, at Dunkirk, when the British sailed for home, in desperation?…
We know of course the answer but do we always think or act accordingly when facing personal challenges in our lives? Tragedies occur in the lives of individuals or nations, but God never forsakes those who turn to Him in faith and do what is pleasing in His sight. God is the one who makes nations rise and fall (Proverbs 16 sheds an interesting light on this subject). Would you believe that Napoleon signed the Louisiana purchase for $15 million mainly because he couldn't win a war he had started against Haiti? Yes, tiny Haiti became, according to historians, France's Viet Nam, and played a role in the formation of the United States of America! God said, "Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure'" (Isaiah 46:9-10). God also promised that He "will restore the excellence of Jacob like the excellence of Israel…" (Nahum 2:3).
As world events accelerate dramatically, we need to remind ourselves constantly that the God of Love, Justice and Peace is always in charge of everything in the whole universe.
Y'all have a restful and profitable Sabbath.
Dibar Apartian