Hello from Charlotte!
Reports coming in about the Feast of Trumpets are very encouraging. Mr. and Mrs. Meredith were in the New York area for Trumpets, Mr. and Mrs. Ames traveled to Knoxville, and my wife and I were in Los Angeles for the weekend. All of us came back inspired and uplifted by the dedication and service of the ministry and brethren in these areas. Mr. and Mrs. Apartian were here at HQ for Trumpets after being in California for the birth of their first grandchild! Andrew Robert Apartian was born on Tuesday, September 23, weighing 9 lbs 2 oz, and measuring 21 inches. Congratulations to the Apartian family!
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
We thank all of you for your diligence and hard work in getting the member survey forms back to us on time. This is going to help here at HQ immeasurably. It will take a few weeks to enter all of the data into our files but the process is already under way. Job well done!
Mr. John Ogwyn reports:
I just wanted to share some positive news with you. We had 98 in Dallas on Trumpets, 6 of whom (representing 4 different family units) have begun attending with us in the last four weeks. In Henderson (Lufkin & Gladewater) we had 60, two of whom were present for their first Sabbath. It seems that we are getting increased response to the telecast locally and we are beginning to see growth. I just baptized a lady on Monday in Lufkin who is the "firstfruits" of our Lufkin telecast and is brand new, having begun to attend last spring. It seems to me that stability has been restored since the disruptions of five years ago and we are now seeing increased growth, both from those with some COG background, as well as some who are totally brand new.
Annual Lake Tahoe Singles Weekend
The Reno congregation is once again planning a singles ski weekend this winter, scheduled for December 25-29. We have already booked the lodge, and are in the process of making arrangements for another time of great skiing and fellowship. More information and application forms will be available after the Feast. If you have any questions, please contact Rod McNair at [email protected].
Living 4 Tomorrow—A Time for Young Singles
Preliminary plans are going forward to hold another "Living 4 Tomorrow -- A Time for Young Singles" at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri between December 30 and January 4. New Years' Day falls on a Thursday, so most will have no problem attending during this time. The cost will be $155 per person and will include all housing and meals.
In order to hold this event we need to have 32 singles, between the ages of 18 and 30, and we need to know as soon as possible if there is enough interest. Please contact Gerald Weston at: [email protected] if you are interested in participating. It is very important that we have some idea of the level of interest ASAP so, if you can, please contact him prior to the Feast. We will only proceed with plans if there is enough interest.
Hurricane Juan—by Mr. Jim Arnaldo
Hello from the Maritimes,
On Sunday evening, September 28, Hurricane Juan battered the Halifax, N.S. [Canada] area. It started as a class 1 hurricane, but hit with the force of a class 3 hurricane. My wife and I had left Halifax the morning after our Sabbath service in neighboring Dartmouth, N.S. We were told by the locals that the storm would not be bad, so we casually headed back home to where we live on the Maine/New Brunswick border. By early afternoon the wind started to pick up and we experienced a little rain as we reached New Brunswick.
The next morning we heard from one of our members in Dartmouth that the hurricane had caused lots of damage in the entire area, especially Halifax. The airport, schools, military bases and businesses were closed. Trailer homes were damaged, part of the roof of the Halifax Hospital was torn off, small boats in the harbor were sunk, huge trees were plucked out of the ground, docks along the Halifax waterfront were destroyed, and only a few people were killed. In all this horrible damage and destruction, none of our members were hurt or lost property, even though their neighbors in many cases had much damage, with trees having fallen on their homes, cars, etc. One member did lose two or three roof shingles.
We do have a merciful and loving God, Who constantly watches over and protects His people.
FEAST OF TABERNACLES
FROM THE FESTIVAL OFFICE (Please read to all congregations this Sabbath)
Song books for the Feast should be brought by each household to meet its needs, from the local congregation's supply. Pastors should have someone, who has space in his vehicle, take the remaining books to the site he attends. The person accepting this responsibility should be sure to collect the same number of books and return them to the congregation after the Feast. Those families borrowing books should also be sure to bring them back when they return home. Have a great Feast and a safe journey!
Attention Feast Site Coordinators!
Please remember that your Feast site greetings should be e-mailed to [email protected] (or faxed to 843-497-7469 if you do not have e-mail access during the Feast) no later than Monday, October 13. After you have sent your Feast greetings, you will receive other sites' Feast greetings. If you must send a fax, be sure to write your return fax number clearly on the cover sheet. Thank you!
Myrtle Beach, SC
Here is the opening night and first day schedule of services at Myrtle Beach, SC: Opening night, Friday, October 10, 2003 will be a full, 2 hour service beginning at 7:00 pm. On the next day, Sabbath, October 11, there will be only an afternoon service, beginning at 2:00 pm. The offering will be taken up at this service. This unusual arrangement is due to a hall booking conflict.
The Kingston Plantation is a gated complex and a vehicle pass is required to enter the property. Those staying at another facility off the grounds should drive over to the Festival site after they arrive and ask the gate attendant for a pass. Just say; "I need a day pass to attend the LCG convention." The pass will allow you to enter the grounds each day during the Feast for services and activities, without having to stop at the gate each time.
The opening night and Holy Day services will be held in the ballroom of the Embassy Suites Hotel. Please follow the directions of the men wearing green vests; they will assist you in finding parking and the hall.
Leave home early, so you can get settled in your housing before the Sabbath begins. Drive carefully and arrive at the Feast safely. See you there! —Mr. Don Davis
Llandudno, North Wales, United Kingdom
The first service of the Feast will be held in the Risboro Hotel ballroom at 7:30 pm Friday evening. Services on Saturday will start at 10 am. There will be a catered luncheon served between services at the Risboro Hotel. The charge will be about 8 GBP per person ($12-13.00). –Dr. Doug Winnail
Panama City, FL
Volunteers are needed for stage crew, ushering, and parking at the Feast in Panama City. There will be a meeting for all volunteers in an upstairs room above the lobby of the Marina Civic Center at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10. All volunteers who can should be there. Also anyone who can play trumpet or trombone should contact Mr. Dave Hilton, Panama City Feast Choir Director, at: 334-263-6716. –Mr. Carl Ponder
Prescott, AZ
Reminder for elders/deacons and hosts attending the Prescott Feast Site: We need to get a count of those who would like to attend the Ordained/Host Luncheon during the Feast. Please contact Glen Gilchrist at (505) 892-3264, e-mail [email protected] or Phil Steagall at (520) 744-6453, e-mail [email protected]. If you have already contacted us, thank you. Choir Pianist: Anyone who is available to play piano for the Festival Choir, please contact Jonathan Bryce at (210) 317-2438.
COMMENTS
This will be the last update until after the Feast of Tabernacles. The Day of Atonement is this coming Monday, then comes the Feast of Tabernacles followed immediately by the Last Great Day, one of the most important Festivals because of what it pictures for all humanity!
One of the lessons I learned early on about keeping the Feast, is how much more meaningful and enjoyable it is when we serve others. Whether this is your 1st or 50th Feast, if you really want to make it special and unforgettable, just look for ways to serve while you are there. Special music, hall set-up, parking, ushering, etc., are just some of the needs at nearly every Feast site. There are other ways to serve as well. Giving rides, taking the elderly and widows out for a special meal, helping big families carry things to and from services, clean-up crews, or just a friendly conversation and a cheery hello can help others have a wonderful Festival.
We don't want to over-do this, of course, and turn the Feast into slave labor! Balance and teamwork is the key. Spreading the opportunities and responsibilities around so everyone shares the load is how to get the job done. Each Festival Coordinator will organize and administer the Feast with that approach in mind. The Feast gives all of us a great chance to put into practice Apostolic Christianity. Here is a time to let our light shine to the world as Ambassadors of Jesus Christ and to freely give and share in practical, concentrated doses just as Jesus Christ describes in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
If you want to make this one of the best Feasts for you, your family and others, figure out ways to give and serve throughout all eight days and you'll personally experience what a difference it will make in the quality of this year's Festival.
Please remember to pray daily that God will bless all of His Feast sites and protect all of His people during this high point of the year.
Have a happy Sabbath and a safe and inspiring Feast!
Charles E. Bryce