Warm greetings to everybody,
The weather is gorgeous here at last! There are a lot of great things going on in God's Work at the same time that prophecy and news seem to be on the move.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Southern Region Update
Mr. John Ogwyn sends news from the Southern Region: "Our Regional Conference was held on Monday, August 30, and went very well with meetings running from 9:30 AM to 5 PM with a break for lunch (which was served in the meeting room). There were 17 in attendance: the ten full-time ministers in the region and seven of the wives. We opened with an ordination service, Charles Ogwyn being ordained an elder, and Carl Ponder and Larry Solomon being raised in rank from elder to pastor. We discussed a number of topics, including our part as ministers in "watering God's crop" and also the matter of how to better foster a healthy family atmosphere in our congregations. In addition each man gave a brief report on his area, and there was an update on news from HQ, as well as comments on administrative proceedures. At 6 PM we all gathered at the home of Ray Joffrion, a local deacon, for a delicious sit-down meal prepared and served by him, his wife, and several other local members. It was a pleasant, relaxing social occasion to end up a jam-packed day."
Mr. Sheldon Monson was also raised in rank from elder to pastor by Mr. Rand Millich, who ordained him on the Sabbath of August 14, 2004. Congratulations to all of you! Keep up the good work.
Trip to India
Mr. Rajan Moses reports on his recent trip to India: My wife and I arrived home safely from our thirteen day trip to India. It was a very exciting and successful trip. We arrived at the Chennai airport at 9:40 pm on Wednesday, 18 August. Raj Kumar met us and then took us to our lodgings at the hotel near the Central Railway station. The next day we traveled to Bhimavaram by train, which took us about 12 hours. It was Rachael's first experience of Indian train travel.
On Sunday, August 21, nine group leaders attended a special one day meeting. I spoke again on what the Church is and its commission, and explained clearly the meaning of the church and how it is organized. We had lunch together and in the afternoon I went through the Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs of the Living Church of God. Raj Kumar is presently translating it into the Telugu language. After the meeting we discussed about the Feast. This year the Feast will be held in Perrupallem, near a beautiful seaside area. This will be first time for the 100 brethren to come together in one place. In past years they had several locations.
We met another subscriber who is a pastor of a Seventh Day Adventist church. He was very happy to see us both. He told me how important the Sabbath is and was surprised that we also keep the other seven Festivals. He promised me that if he can prove from the Bible that the Festivals are to be kept today he will also keep them and will preach and teach his congregations. He looks after two churches in Chennai — one with 54 members and another with 83 members.
Our entire trip was very successful. The only problem we faced was with the hotel in Chennai. We were given a room that had mosquitoes, bed bugs, and insects in the bathroom. We decided to go to another hotel situated in the city centre and only 12 km to the airport and 7 km to the railway station.
Indonesia Update
Mr. Bruce Tyler reports: You may have already heard in the news there was another terrorist attack in Indonesia, outside the Australian Embassy. Arius, our video recipient there, sent me the following e-mail soon after it happened:
Our head of police department suspects two persons that are involved in the bombing terror. The bomb exploded outside of the Australian embassy gate and killed victims. People who are inside the building were slightly injured, but they who were near to the gate are terribly injured and killed. Once my office got a bomb threat on an education exhibition we were about to establish. Anyway, that threat never came true. I am completely saddened by this tragedy and hope that the situation will be normalized soon.
Healing
Mr. Charles Ogwyn, new Area Pastor in Little Rock, writes about a healing: Something very exciting happened this morning and I wanted to share it with you. Early this morning I got a phone call from a member here in Little Rock who requested to be anointed. I told him that I would be right over.
Before I left the house I prayed to God about this man's health, knowing that God does have the power to supernaturally intervene. When I arrived at his house, he was laying in a recliner and was visibly not well. He was having problems with his equilibrium, was so dizzy that he was nauseous, and was having bladder problems as well. These problems set in yesterday evening, and had been gradually getting worse.
I anointed him, asking for God's healing, and as I sat and visited with him afterward, God did heal him. When I left, he was no longer dizzy or nauseous and was able to get up and walk around on his own. He even walked me to my car outside afterward.
It was very exciting to see God's intervention and healing so quickly and dramatically. This was something that I have been looking forward to since I found out that I was going into the ministry, and it was tremendously exhilarating to be there and watch God intervene in such a dramatic fashion.
Feast of Tabernacles 2004
Cranbrook, BC, Canada
A reminder for all attending the Feast at Cranbrook this year: Please bring your favorite board games, and don't forget your dancing slippers for family night. To volunteer your talent for the variety of entertainment, please contact Mr. and Mrs. Aitchison at 604-539-5459 or email [email protected]. And be sure you don't forget swimsuits for the swim party. That will also be a total family event at the new aquatic centre.—Eldon Davis
Prescott, Arizona
Anyone with vocal musical talent, don't pass up the opportunity to serve and inspire the brethren at this year's Feast of Tabernacles in Prescott, AZ! If you would like to participate in the choir, please contact the Choir Director, Mark Fischer, by email ([email protected]) or phone (919-742-3234) or mail, citing your vocal range to enable him to provide you with practice tapes for the music. Interested older teens are also welcome to participate.
Anyone wishing to participate in Children's Choir at the Feast in Prescott, please contact Mrs. Myrtle Forrestier at [email protected], or by phone at 903-834-6459. Plans are being made to have a "special music night" in Prescott to accommodate those who wish to serve in this way. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ruth Wood at [email protected], or by phone at 505- 832-9187.—Glen Gilchrist
Panama City, FL
There will be a meeting of all who have volunteered to serve at the Feast in Panama City at 3:30 PM in the Saint Andrews Ballroom at the Marriott. Those serving in the choir should not attend this meeting but should arrive at 1:00 PM for choir practice. Experienced clarinet players are needed to accompany the choir during the Feast. If you play clarinet, please call Mr. Dave Hilton at 334-263-6716.—Carl Ponder
Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Parking at the Lake of the Ozarks Feast site will present some challenges. There is a fairly large parking lot just above the meeting hall that will accomodate many of us, but probably not all of us. To help with these challenges here are several guidelines:
- If you are staying at Tan-Tar-A, please walk or take the shuttle.
- If you are staying at an off-site hotel, please car pool if possible to services.
- For those driving into the Tan-Tar-A resort, the roads are winding and include some hills, so drive carefully, watch for the LCG signs and follow the directions of the parking crew.
- For those who have very limited mobility, there will be a drop-off point in front of the meeting hall.
- The street is narrow between the main parking lot and the hall, so both drivers and pedestrians are asked to exercise caution and patience.
- Be prepared to do some walking wherever you are asked to park, and if your parking lot is far from the meeting hall, a shuttle will be provided.
All children who are interested in singing in the Children's Choir at Lake of the Ozarks should ask their parents to contact Laura Bashus by phone at 402-733-8585, or by email at [email protected]. Mrs. Bashus will send you the words and a practice tape.—Randy Gregory
Kid's Activity Adventure Book
The Feast of Tabernacles "Kid's Activity Adventure Book" is on its way to the Festival Coordinators. These beautiful books will be passed out to our youth at the Feast. Enjoy!
COMMENTS
Mr. Paul Shumway, Area Pastor for Florida and Regional Director for the Caribbean, files the following report: "Two hurricanes in three weeks have left quite an impression on the people of Florida. Those who found themselves in the direct path of both storms had their strength sucked right out of them. Thankfully, our members are all safe, although several have sustained home and property damage. A number in the Ft. Lauderdale area remain without power and a few are still unable to return to their homes. Grocery stores opened on Tuesday, but are unable to carry anything needing refrigeration. Service stations are now being supplied with gasoline. The water is not potable so people are still having to boil it or drink bottled water.
As you know, a third hurricane—Ivan—has been on a rampage in the Caribbean. Our members in Trinidad and Barbados were protected as it went through their areas; some lost their roofs and suffered property damage, however. Puerto Rico had some wind and rain, but was virtually unaffected. Regrettably, the island of Grenada was not so fortunate. It was devastated. We have no members in Grenada but one gentleman has been reading our literature and had made plans to keep the Feast with us in Trinidad. We pray that he will still be able to do so.
Ivan is now a category 4 hurricane and heading towards Jamaica. It is projected to escalate to a category 5 and reach Jamaica on Friday. (Gilbert which caused so much destruction in '88 was a category 3 when it hit this region.) The area around our Church office was without power tonight (Wednesday). Many are bracing for the worst and praying for the best. Even though it's been 16 years since Hurricane Gilbert, vivid, haunting memories remain. We have many wonderful members living in Jamaica as well as a beautiful Feast Site. Our adversary is very, very angry.
Throughout all this turmoil, I have been deeply moved by the example of so many of our members. The predominant attitude is one of thankfulness—a humble gratitude for God's goodness and mercy in keeping His saints from the much greater fury that could have struck. We pray fervently for our Jamaican brethren and all who may find themselves in the path of 'Ivan the Terrible.' With all that has been happening in recent weeks, this promises to be some Feast!"
We send our love, prayers and best regards to all of you.
Charles E. Bryce