Greetings from Charlotte,
This has been a busy week. Members of the Council of Elders arrived on Sunday for three days of meetings that began on Monday. The Council meetings were positive and productive. We were able to tape Mr. Meredith's opening remarks for use this summer at the Regional Conferences. During the week, several members of the Council were able to record sermons that will be available for use at the Feast this fall. A special highlight of the week was the ordination of Mr. Gerald Weston as an evangelist. Mr. Weston is the Regional Director for Canada. He and his wife, Carol, have served faithfully in the Work of God for nearly forty years.
Church Administration
Living University
Adjunct Faculty Needed to Teach Online
Living University is currently seeking candidates for teaching part-time via the Internet for its Associate of Applied Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree programs. Candidates must have a doctor's or master's degree in their teaching discipline or a master's degree with a concentration in their teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). Candidates are needed in the following fields: archaeology, behavioral science, biology, computer information systems, economics, English, family studies, geography, health, history, mathematics, music, and speech. If you are interested in becoming a candidate, please send a resume of your qualifications. By e-mail, send to: [email protected]. By mail, send to: Human Resources Office, Living University, 2301 Crown Centre Drive, Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28227-7705.
Applications for Admission (repeat announcement)
Living University is accepting applications for admission for its certificate, diploma, and degree programs. Applications have been received from Germany, United Kingdom, United States, and Zambia. Individuals planning to complete the Certificate of New Testament Studies, the Diploma in Biblical Studies, or a degree at Living University are encouraged to complete an online application at this time. The application is available on the university website at www.livinguniv.com.
Living 4 Tomorrow—Michigan 2007 (repeat announcement)
Living Church of God young adults are invited to attend the Living 4 Tomorrow program at the beautiful facilities of the Northwoods Christian Camp in Pickford, Michigan. The L4T program is open to singles between the ages of 18 and 30. We will also have a few cabins available for young married couples without children who would wish to attend. The L4T format is one of classes and discussion periods focused for the young Christian adult, mixed with recreational activities and fellowship time. The program fee this year will be US$175. The fee will cover the cost of all lodging, food, and activities. Arrival date is the evening of Tuesday, July 10. Departure date is Sunday morning, July 15. We will provide transportation from the Chippewa County International Airport (CIU). Applications and additional information are available on www.youth-web.org and on the LCG Singles website: www.lcgsingles.org. If you do not have Web access, applications may be requested by calling Lambert Greer at 502-228-5917.
Borrowed Hymnals
Hymnals taken to the Feast of Tabernacles or to host congregations for combined services, or just borrowed for personal use, should be returned to their home congregation in a reasonable amount of time to avoid depleting the supply of hymnals of any one congregation. Thank you for your cooperation.
Feast of Tabernacles 2007
Festival Registration
Below are two more USA sites for 2007. However, please do not call the USA or Canadian Feast sites host hotels yet—they will not be ready to receive reservations until our registration date, which will be announced soon. Brethren are free to make arrangements for International Feast sites at their convenience upon announcement. For more information, contact the international Festival Coordinator of the site you wish to attend.
Newport, OR
Newport, Oregon, will be a new Feast site for the Living Church of God in 2007. Tucked in between the Pacific Ocean, Yaquina Bay, and Oregon's coastal mountains, this small coastal town will provide a scenic backdrop to delight many brethren returning to the Northwest for the Feast. Newport has been a recreational destination for local Oregonians since the 1800s, and it still has something for everyone. Brethren will be able to charter an excursion boat, go whale-watching, or visit historical sites around the area. The wooden Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, built in 1871, is the only one of its kind on the Oregon coast. And Yaquina Head Lighthouse, constructed in 1872, is Oregon's tallest and second oldest active lighthouse. Feastgoers can visit the Log Cabin and the 1895 Burroughs House at the Oregon Coast History Center. Festival meetings will be held at: Hallmark Resort, 744 SW Elizabeth Street, Newport, OR 97365.
New Braunfels, TX
In 2007, the Feast of Tabernacles will once again be held in New Braunfels, Texas. Located on the edge of beautiful Texas Hill Country, New Braunfels has the natural beauty, charm and family attractions that have provided a peaceful country setting for the Festival for several years now. Positioned on the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, New Braunfels is known for its German ethnic flavor, shopping, fine restaurants, golf courses, parks, historical sites, museums and tourist attractions. Giant factory outlet malls can be found in San Marcos (about 30 minutes north). Thirty minutes to the south is San Antonio, with its international airport, premium restaurants and popular attractions. Some of the most popular activities there include strolling along the famous River Walk, or taking a gondola river tour. A trip to Sea World offers a firsthand experience of the millennial theme of ultimate peace between man and beast! Six Flags/Fiesta Texas promises to provide thrills and excitement for the whole family. Another highlight is walking through Texas history with a visit to the Alamo—an undeniably moving experience. Daily Feast of Tabernacles services will be held at: Civic Center, 801 W. San Antonio, New Braunfels, TX 78130.
Another International Feast Site for 2007
As a reminder, those interested in attending an international Feast site that has been announced in The World Ahead may begin making their arrangements without having to wait for the USA and Canadian registration date. Simply contact the Festival Coordinator.
Armenia, Colombia
This year the Feast of Tabernacles 2007 in Colombia will be celebrated in the town of Armenia. Services will be held at the Karlaka hotel. This excellent hotel has a restaurant, conference halls, sport amenities, beautiful gardens, and lots of room for fellowshipping, resting and meditating, all in perennial spring weather. The hotel is only fifteen minutes from the airport (direct flights arrive from Bogota's International Airport, El Dorado). Armenia is surrounded by forested mountains and is located at the heart of Colombia's coffee plantation country—where world-famous traditional coffee beans are harvested and processed. The cost of lodging is approximately USD$29 daily, per person. The cost includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and hotel insurance. The hotel's website is www.hotelkarlaka.com.co. There will not be interpretation into English during the Feast. Members fluent in Spanish who would like to attend this Feast site, please contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at [email protected] or, by phone, at 704-844-1970.
Comments
The Importance of Doctrine: The Apostle Paul commended Christians in Rome because they "obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine [teaching] which was delivered to you" (Romans 6:17). He also urged the young evangelist Timothy, "take heed to yourself and to the doctrine… for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you" (I Timothy 4:16). However, Paul also warned repeatedly that "in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy…" (I Timothy 4:1-3). He also warned that as the end of the age approaches, one-time believers would "not endure sound doctrine" but would "have itching ears" and follow various teachers—turning their ears away from the truth to fables (II Timothy 4:1-4). In order to avoid being deceived and misled, we need to study the Scriptures carefully so that we know what the Bible teaches as doctrine (example of the Bereans, Acts 17:10-12), and exercise the spiritual discernment that comes from nourishing and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 1:6-7).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—May 3, 2007
Who Is Rearing the Next Generation? A recent study by Oxford University showed that children in full-time nursery care (more than 30 hours per week) are "more likely to display antisocial tendencies and anxiety than those who stay at home or attend part-time… Toddlers spending more than 7 hours daily in daycare "were more prone to be bossy, tease other children, stamp their feet, obstruct other play mates…" State-funded schools in Britain are moving to "wraparound" daycare that would allow children to spend 50 hours a week in day care—providing parents (especially mums) with the choice to combine their "professional life with other commitments [family, etc.] " (The Times, April 5, 2007). Recent studies show a tremendous amount of staff turnover in daycare facilities. Additionally, within daycare facilities, a child's primary social interaction and training comes from other children. It is not surprising that increasing antisocial and abhorrent behavior exists among teens and adults, considering many children are reared by everyone but their parents. God commanded that "You shall teach them [God's laws] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7). God intended for parents to rear their children, yet this Satan-inspired society pressures parents to abdicate their God-given role to other adults and even to children. God speed the day when this statute is fully in force in society!
Confidence in the U.S. Continues to Erode. In a recent 18-nation study conducted by the Council on Global Affairs in Chicago, the majority of respondents expressed doubt that the U.S. can be trusted to act responsibly in the world. "There's clearly a trend in terms of deepening negative attitudes to the U.S. in how it executes foreign policy," said Christopher Whitney, executive director of the study. Somewhat ironically though, most nations still felt that the U.S. should be involved in its "world policeman" role (AFP, April 17, 2007). As time goes on, God's prophecies are increasingly coming to pass. The Bible foretold that the "pride of the power" of the Israelite-descended nations would be broken due to their lack of obedience to Him (Leviticus 26:19). As we see increasing hatred for God and His way of life among world leaders and nations, we must expect the pride of our power to be broken further.
Prophesied Wheat Blight on the Way? Ug99 is a black stem rust fungus that dates back to Roman times. It last hit the U.S. in 1954, destroying 40 percent of America's wheat crop. Genetically modified wheat has been immune to the infection since the 1960s. The fungus surfaced again in Africa in 1999 and has been spreading, but with little publicity or public concern. Scientists tracking the airborne blight expect it to "blow into Egypt, Turkey and the Middle East, and on to India, lands where a billion people depend on wheat." Although new genetic modifications are being researched, experts expect it to take five to eight years before enough seed wheat will be available for planting in these regions. The U.S. government also recently looked at a worst-case scenario where Ug99 could be brought to the U.S. as a bioterrorism tool. Stem rust spores have also been identified on international travel passenger clothes (New Scientist, April 3, 2007). God prophesied that famines and pestilences would occur at the time of the end (Matthew 24:7). He also specifically prophesied about the exorbitant cost of "wheat" just prior to Christ's return—one quart of wheat for a day's wages (Revelation 6:5-6). Could this wheat blight be one of the tools God will use to fulfill His prophecies? Time will tell.—Don Davis, Sue Bennett, Scott Winnail