Hello everyone,
Responses to the semi-annual letter are pouring in from all over. A total of 15,141 responses have been received so far at the Headquarters office—a rate of return of 9.3% for this office's mailing list. Mr. Meredith offered The Ten Commandments booklet in the letter, and it is truly inspiring to see so many people so interested in that subject in spite of the plunge into secularism in societies of the world today.
The final co-worker letter of this year is being sent out right now. This is an excellent letter, written by Mr. Meredith, containing thoughtful insights and some big news about a very important door that has now swung wide open—and we are going to walk right through it in faith! Thank you for continuing to do your part in the Work of God.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Mr. Mike Elertson was ordained to the ministry on December 5th by Mr. Rand Millich in Kansas City, Missouri. Mike and Roslyn are now in the process of moving to Toronto, Ontario, to serve the growing work there. A big, hearty congratulations to the Elertsons!
Literature on Audio Program
The Audio/Visual department expresses its apologies to the sight-impaired and others on the mailing list for audio recordings of the Church's materials. During a recent reorganization of our department, a number of projects fell behind. A new reader has been recruited and he will do his best to jumpstart our reading program for the blind.
The first 13 chapters of Mr. Bryce's Bible Study of the book of Proverbs will be sent out (on CD) in about a week to the approximately 100 people who are on our list for this program. Thanks to all for your patience.—Don Davis
Public Bible Lecture
Mr. John Ogwyn sends in this report about the Shreveport Public Bible Lecture he just conducted: "We had 16 new people who responded to our invitation letter for the Shreveport lecture, only three of whom had been members in WCG."
One of the attendees sent the following email to Mr. Ogwyn: It was a complete pleasure to hear you speak on Sunday at the Bossier Holiday Inn and to meet your wife and other members and non-members. I have read Church of God material for a couple of decades and consider it to be the "real thing" in a world of illusions. The stakes are too high in one's choices for spiritual life to be on the wrong trail.
I would like to attend Sabbath meetings as you invited. Please let me know the time and location. Your friend.—T.J.H.
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].
COMMENTS
My Church area visit to Medford, Oregon, went well. We had 25 brethren in attendance on the Sabbath with good fellowship and a gourmet meal afterward. Once a month, the brethren there gather around and learn a few new hymns before starting the meal. That was inspiring and really a good idea. I had the opportunity to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wittlake on Sunday morning at brunch. Mr. Wittlake is the Elder in Medford. Mr. Don Haney (the Church Area Pastor) and I had a very profitable and thorough discussion on Sunday afternoon, which I enjoyed very much. Mrs. Haney was sick and unable to join us. Thankfully, she is feeling better now.—C.E.B.
This is an email from Marcel Ginier, the Elder in Martinique. Here is the translation we received: Mr Hodebar Symbert tumbled from roofing on which he worked. His life is not in danger, and he remained aware despite of the pain around pelvis and vertebral column. Only his wife and two of his children was able to speak with him. I'll have more information about his condition this afternoon. I know that your fervent prayers joined to ours will contribute to his healing. Concerning Mr Joseph Edward, he's in reeducation and must follow a drastic diet in view of bring down his blood pressure.I just received some news about Mr Hodebar. The scanner reveals a pelvis fracture. However, he profited of the God's protect because he doesn't tumbled on the head.—Fraternally, M.G.
From the Philippines we received the following news: So far, we have not had any negative feedback from the brethren about the typhoon in those areas you've mentioned. Don't worry too much about us here at the office, okay? We'll be fine. Here in Makati, the weather is cool with a little rain. They say that there's a lull before the storm. We need your prayers. Thanks a lot for the e-mail and for your love & concern.
Just to update you a little bit. God has also spared us from the wrath of the second typhoon, Yoyong. According to reports, it carried strong winds but lesser rains; it moved so fast right across into the country from the Pacific Ocean and exited so fast, too. As of early this morning, Yoyong was already on its way out of the Philippines off to Taiwan. Now, rescue/relief and rehabilitation operations are well on their way. Thanks for your prayers.—M.C.
From Thailand, our deacon there writes the following to one of our members in Singapore: "I am really very pleased to know that you are doing well for Marathon which will be on 5th December. I like sport very much. I was a goal keeper and also a flyweight boxing champion when I was a student. But as none could tell me about the True God and His way, my life was failing with the true success or true happiness at every occasion - even I became a lawyer. Finally, my life has to turn down into the death end by deathly lungs disease and so many bitter experiences. However, God has opened the door for me to escape from those nightmares by giving me the special opportunity of reading The Plain Truth in late 1988 when I was working for All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) in the deep jungle of Thai/Burma border.
"Since then, I was doing to the best of my ability for my dedication to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I am confident that God does not want me to leave Him and He is continually redeeming me from destructions. He has totally renewed my life particularly since I and my wife were ordained as deacon and deaconess conducted by Mr. Moses, instructed by Mr. Bruce Tyler on 24th November 2001.
"I am now restarting my morning exercise by walking about one kilometer and breathing exercise for a few hours everyday although I have to use 2 kinds of expensive Inhalers. I am not able to run as you do everyday, but very much interested in your healthy and happy lifetime. Well, I will write to you again. I have to continue the Burmese translation for the Bible Study in the evening of this Sabbath. Thanks for your regards all."—M.P.S.
Well that's it for now. We just thought you would like hearing from our brethren in the body of Christ from various corners of the earth, some of whom live in precarious circumstances and need our fervent prayers daily. Because we all love one another, I'm sure we are all eager to receive news about each other. Paul said it well in Colossians 4:7-9, "Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here."
In Christian love—and may you have a pleasant Sabbath!
Charles E. Bryce