Greetings from Charlotte,
Here is a very encouraging update from the Gregory family:
"First, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love and concern not only for our family but the entire Milwaukee congregation. We've received letters of support from all over the world and have been strengthened by the prayers and consideration of the brethren. My mom, Marjean, is making a speedy recovery, as her health and spirits continue to improve. One of her nurses commented that she has never enjoyed having a patient more. Although my mom enjoyed the nurse's help and company, she was more than ready to leave. Since being released, we've been staying at the Diekmeier house, which is a second home to us. The Diekemeier family would also like to thank the brethren for their love and support during this time. Mr. Millich, in last week's sermon, quoted I Corinthians 12:26, "When one member of the body suffers, all the members suffer with it; or when one member is honored all the members rejoice with it." We know this scripture has been exemplified in the body of Christ, and we look forward to rejoicing again, and the ultimate fulfillment, at Christ's return, when we can see our loved ones again, rejoicing for all eternity. Your continued thoughts and prayers are appreciated, as we work through this tragedy together.
Love,
The Gregory Family"
FROM OUR PRESIDING EVANGELIST
Dear fellow ministers and wives,
Thank you again for "pitching in" to hold the Church solid during this recent crisis. Things do seem to be settling down and many of the brethren have written me encouraging notes and e-mails. But now, as we approach the special Church fast, I want to encourage all of you to make this much more than a "routine fast." God has allowed Satan to strike a terrible blow to us—killing seven of our people plus the shooter. We need to draw very close to our heavenly Father at this time—especially as we approach the Passover. We all need to ask God to help us "learn" anything we need to learn from this tragedy.
Frankly, God is already showing us a number of things. But we obviously need to learn more. Please encourage all the brethren to pray fervently about this entire matter! Yet, we must not "go negative." For, as we pray and examine ourselves at this time, God is even now starting to open many more "doors" for preaching the gospel than He has done in a long time. He has also given us an unusual "name recognition"—although in a way we would have never have anticipated or wanted. So our God expects us to move forward to proclaim the full Truth with greater power than ever. This we will do! And you will be hearing and reading about this growth in the near future.
Let us sincerely humble ourselves and fast with all our hearts and be the kind of genuinely humble and submissive servants God can use and imbue with greater power. As world events speed up and a new pope is elected soon, I can sense very clearly that awesome things are just ahead!
On another note, I want all of you to know that in my March 19 "Must Play" sermon I stated that one of our members had posted "inappropriate information" on his website regarding crosses. However, at the time I had not personally seen his comments and relied on second hand information. So I was not aiming my comments primarily at Dr. Robert Thiel.
But, having now read the website comment that Dr. Thiel posted regarding "crosses," I want to state that his comments were not offensive and I do not want anyone thinking that I was trying to publicly "correct" him by that comment in my sermon. Though Dr. Thiel's comments on his personal website and in his articles do not necessarily represent "official" Church teaching, he has tried hard to be helpful and we should all appreciate that—which I certainly do.
So, again, let us go forward in the "unity of the spirit in the bond of peace" and honor our God and our Savior as we prepare for Christ's return as King of kings.
Roderick C. Meredith
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Living Youth Camp
Camp applications are now available online at www.youth-web.org. Please note that while the application can be filled out online, it must still be printed, signed in all the appropriate locations, a picture attached, and then it must be sent in. Filling it out online will ensure that all fields are completed and that we can read the applications. For those who do not have computer access, you may still order a camp application for the Michigan teen camp by following the directions found on the back cover of the January/February Living Church News.
—Gerald Weston, Youth Director
Living Youth Camp (Grand Teton National Park)
The Living Church of God is planning a backpacking trip in Grand Teton National Park from August 3-9. Located south of Yellowstone National Park in northwestern Wyoming, this mountain range is unlike any other range in the Rockies. The Tetons rise with stunning abruptness in a row of peaks that tower 1.5 miles above the saltbrush plains. Majestic snow-covered mountain peaks, glaciers, meadows covered in multicolored wildflowers, and an abundance of wildlife are a few things that will make this one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
We will be staying in accommodations in the Jackson, Wyoming area on Tuesday evening and begin hiking on Wednesday, August 3. We plan to spend the Sabbath in the wilderness. Following the backpacking trip we hope to go whitewater rafting down the Snake River. Plan to depart for home on Wednesday, August 10.
Those who are 15-18 years of age are eligible to apply. We plan to accept no more than 20 applicants this year. If accepted you should plan to arrive in Jackson, Wyoming on Tuesday August 2. You will be required to organize your own transportation to and from Jackson; however, rides will be provided for those flying into the Jackson Hole Airport.
You will need to supply your own backpack and zero-degree sleeping bag as well as personal items. Tents, cooking gear, etc., will be supplied.
We are still working out some of the details and are finalizing the costs for the trip. Camper and Staff applications should be available beginning April 15.
—Sheldon Monson, Camp Director
Living 4 Tomorrow – A Time 4 Young Singles (Michigan 2005)
Living Church of God young adults are invited to attend Living 4 Tomorrow – A Time 4 Young Singles at the beautiful facilities of the Northwoods Christian Camp in Pickford, Michigan. The L4T program is open to ALL singles between the ages of 18 and 30. The L4T format is one of classes and discussion periods focused for the young single Christian adult mixed with recreation activities and fellowship time. Having access to the facilities of the beautiful Northwoods Christian Camp this year will provide an opportunity for the "best" L4T program to date. The program will be one day longer and remain at the same price as last year – $155 US. The fee will cover the cost of all lodging, food, and activities. Arrival date is the afternoon of Tuesday, July 12, with a get acquainted cookout scheduled for that evening. Departure date is Sunday morning, July 17. Applications may be requested by calling Lambert Greer at 502-228-5917 or by email at: [email protected]. Apply soon and plan ahead as airline tickets can be expensive if you wait too long.
—Lambert Greer, Coordinator
COMMENTS
Following are important instructions about the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread, which are coming up in just over two weeks. These are reprinted from last year's The World Ahead dated March 11, 2004.
Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread
Undoubtedly everyone is now fully engaged in preparation for the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. With that in mind, I thought it would be helpful to cover a few Passover matters discussed at past Council of Elders conferences. It was reiterated, and all agreed, that only baptized members should participate in the Passover service, including the foot-washing. The foot-washing, the bread and the wine all go together and are all connected to the deep meaning of the Passover. Therefore, only baptized members of the Church, who have examined themselves and are prepared, should take part.
The question of unbaptized members attending the Passover, just to observe, was discussed as well. The conclusion was that this should not be done except for the rare exception. In such cases, it is left up to the Church pastor's discretion to make that decision, keeping in mind the quietness and privacy of this most important occasion.
Following are policy guidelines answering questions that have recently come in about the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread:
Passover
- Only ministers should conduct the Passover service. We have many fine deacons and leaders who can coordinate the service, if need be, and play the H.Q. Passover tape if the minister is unable to be there.
- All Passover services should follow the format and cover the material in the official ceremony from Headquarters. Please be diligent in starting on time and ending on time. We have had reports that some Passover services are running too long, which must be avoided. We don't want to rush through it, but we don't want to drag it out either. If we all follow the Passover ceremony closely, we will achieve the best results.
- The Passover service should not start before sunset.
Days of Unleavened Bread
- There is no biblical command to have two services on the first day of Unleavened Bread. The brethren are often together the evening before, for the Night to be Much Observed; therefore, it may be advisable to hold only one service on the first day of Unleavened Bread, depending on the situation in the local area. Each Area Pastor should make this decision for his area. Otherwise, as has been our practice, the Church should normally hold two services on the annual Holy Days, except for the Day of Atonement.
- Leviticus 23:6 states, "seven days you must eat unleavened bread." Among other things, the unleavened bread symbolizes Jesus Christ. In John 6:33-35 we are instructed to feed on Christ, which we should do every day, including the seven days of Unleavened Bread, not just when we decide to eat the bread. Our focus should be on becoming more like Christ. Eating unleavened bread every day and focusing on the meaning of that unleavened bread is what is really important. Therefore, during the Days of Unleavened Bread all members of the Church are instructed by Scripture to eat at least one piece of unleavened bread per day.
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Charles E. Bryce