Hello from Charlotte,
The Council of Elders conference starts this coming Monday the 15th and will continue through the 17th. Mr. Meredith will lead the sessions, which will include important discussions about needs and plans for the Work, the ministry and the congregations. Several of you have asked who the Council members are, so here are their names in alphabetical order (except for the Presiding Evangelist, who is listed first): Roderick C. Meredith, Richard Ames, Dibar Apartian, Charles Bryce, Donald Davis, Jeffrey Fall, Lambert Greer, Mario Hernandez, Syd Hull, Rand Millich, John Ogwyn, Bruce Tyler, Gerald Weston, and Douglas Winnail.
As you can see, there are 14 of us—including Mr. Syd Hull from far away South Africa and Mr. Bruce Tyler from "down under" in Australia. We ask for and appreciate your prayers for God's guidance and blessings throughout this conference and the one-day Regional Pastors Conference, which will be on Thursday the 18th. Thank you!
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Update on DVD and CD Production
Video recipients are reminded that after December 1, 2004, headquarters will switch from duplicating sermons on VHS and audio cassettes to DVDs and CDs. Please be sure you have a player on hand that meets the technical requirements of the DVD and CD discs you have been receiving. If the appropriate player is not available, please notify your Area Pastor right away.
For those who have experienced a problem with lip synchronization in the DVDs you have received from HQ, try pushing the pause and play buttons on your remote control. This should alleviate the situation.
Los Angeles Singles' Weekend
The Los Angeles (La Crescenta) congregation would like to invite all LCG singles to a Singles' Weekend from Friday evening, Dec. 24 through Monday evening, Dec. 27.
We hope to see you here for a weekend full of activities, including a singles' Bible Study, Sabbath services, a fun & game night, a picnic/hike, a special dance, and an amusement park outing.
For details from the L.A. Singles' Weekend Committee, please contact John at (818) 349-1123 or e-mail him at [email protected].
We Have Two Inspiring Healings to Report
"Last spring we were called as a church to fast by Mr. Meredith; one reason was for spiritual gifts. Mr. Meredith asked we inform headquarters of healings. I updated you of my husbands improved health shortly after that time. He's had a pituitary tumor that's caused us to be infertile. After the fast his tumor began shrinking. At the Feast we were both anointed for conception and his complete healing by Mr. John Turner in the Ozarks. One week later I conceived and am now pregnant with our first child. Please let this be encouraging to the rest of the brethren as many have prayed with us about this. It is truly miraculous that a baby be born to the two of us considering our long & difficult trial. Only God could take credit for this blessing and His answer is a powerful intervention in our lives."—M. M
"I would like to tell my story. I began having much pain in my right hand wrist in January 2004, after a minor fall.
"I consulted different trauma doctors, until I was told that I should see a hand specialist, who did various studies arriving at the conclusion that surgery was necessary.
"Months went by. When October arrived, a surgery was scheduled because there had been no improvement. It was scheduled for Friday, October 22. When I was in the surgery room (right before being operated on for a sort of 'ball' in my wrist that was formed by tendonitis), the surgery was suspended because a fire started in the electric generator of the surgery room. So the surgery was rescheduled to the next Friday, October 29. I was in the surgery room at the appointed time of 2:00 pm, to start surgery at 6:00 pm. Just before starting, with the entire 'surgery team' ready, the doctor does the pre-surgery examination and with GREAT AMAZEMENT he can't find the 'ball' in my wrist. All the medical team gathers, everyone examines me again of NONE OF THEM can find ANYTHING. Nobody could believe it. Everybody hugs me and congratulates me. I come home without surgery and without the 'ball.'
"I can truly prove the power of the Eternal, His great love and mercy. After going through trials and battles I can prove that keeping His commandments is not grievous, as 1 John 5:3 says; and as Psalm 119:18 says, 'Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.'"—M. A.
COMMENTS
My visit to the Albuquerque church area went exceptionally well. This group is very warm, friendly and hospitable. We had 54 in attendance on the Sabbath. After services we enjoyed a truly great meal and wonderful fellowship. I was able to spend a good amount of time with Mr. and Mrs. Glen Gilchrist. Mr. Gilchrist is the Area Pastor there. We had some very good discussions about the church area and plans for the future there.
This trip reminded me all over again about one of the greatest strengths in the Living Church of God—our local congregations. The people of God are growing in their commitment to finishing the commission given to us by Jesus Christ and in shining our lights as true Christians.
Wherever you go around the world, you will find that not only are we growing in numbers but we are also growing spiritually in our individual lives. This bodes well for the future because strong Christians make strong congregations which in turn excel in finishing the Work of God powerfully and wholeheartedly.
The vast majority of our brethren take their calling very seriously and gladly shoulder the responsibilities that come with it, zealously. I see that wherever I go, and like many of the ministers, I find it strengthening and invigorating! 1 Peter 2:5, 9-10 says it best, "you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."
We hope you have an enjoyable Sabbath!
Charles E. Bryce