From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear fellow servants of Christ,
Greetings to all of you! And thank you again so much for your love, for your loyalty and for the wonderful sense of unity which we have in the Living Church of God. It has certainly helped us move ahead to do this Work and to honor God.
But after receiving several requests for a Church-wide Fast—as we had last year—our leaders here have decided that this would, indeed, be a very good idea and would certainly honor God and draw us even closer together before the Passover. So, after emailing our ministry and receiving no objection, we have set the Church-wide fast for the Sabbath of March 6, 2010. This will be just twenty-two days before Passover! And with Satan the Devil attacking many of us, attacking and even dividing many of our separated brethren and with the traumatic prophetic events now under way around the world—especially in Haiti—we as a Church need to "seek God" in prayer and fasting more than ever! As the end of this age truly draws close, God's Word tells us in many ways to draw closer to Him.
So please announce to all the brethren that we as a unified body will be conducting a Church-wide fast on the Sabbath of March 6! Urge everyone to take part and to wholeheartedly "seek God" and ask the Father and our Head, Jesus Christ, to bring more and more of His faithful people together into one Church so a truly significant Work may be accomplished! Even now, many of us are putting our very beings into the Work—as many of you know. But we need help, we need more laborers and we need the "gifts" of the Holy Spirit in order to reach and to convict this very confused world.
So let us go "all out" in seeking God's guidance and blessing on this coming fast and to draw us closer to Him in every way. God willing, I will be writing a complete letter to all of our brethren—explaining the reasons in more detail. But please earnestly encourage all of their participation, let them know the date so they can prepare, and let us pray for the success of this effort to draw closer to our Creator.
Your brother in Christ,
Roderick C. Meredith
Church Administration
Greetings from Charlotte,
We have made contact with our brethren in Haiti. All are alive, but some will have rebuilding to do, and we are exploring ways to assist them (see Mr. Apartian's report below). Meanwhile, world events continue to move in sobering directions. Severe weather, widespread corruption and threats of violence continue to dominate headlines. In the USA, news items are beginning to appear in the press that "the hand writing is on the wall" for a President and his party who have been pushing a liberal socialist agenda that advocates same-sex marriage and government spending that threatens not only America's financial stability, but the financial stability of the global economic system. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has been writing and holding meetings. We have had a number of planning sessions regarding the budget and anticipated activities for 2010, and yesterday we held a Regional Pastors meeting over the Internet. This week, Living University started a new semester in its third year of operation with more than one hundred students (see below). On Saturday, we will hold a Tomorrow's World Bible Lecture in Sacramento, California. Your prayers will be appreciated for that event.
Haiti Update
The tragic aftermath of Haiti's January 12 earthquake is unfathomable. We are, however, comforted to know and deeply grateful that God protected the lives of all our Church members, and their families, in Port-au-Prince. Last Sabbath, all the brethren except one prospective member met at the place where services used to be held, our deacon's home, which was completely destroyed by the earthquake. From there, a member with a working cell phone was able to communicate with Dr. Wilner Pierre, our elder in Charlotte, to give him the good news of the brethren's well being! When Dr. Pierre shared the news with the Charlotte congregation during his sermonette, the moved headquarters brethren erupted in applause.
Our brethren in Haiti didn't have much, physically speaking, before the earthquake. Now they have less. We are thankful, though, that they are all alive! We are in the process of finding ways to send them all the material help that they need, and we thank God for continuing to protect them. Please keep them in your prayers, since strong aftershocks are still occurring on the fault line that runs through the Caribbean.—Dibar Apartian
Feast of Tabernacles 2010
Feast preparation is once again hitting high gear! USA sites have been finalized and contracts signed, and the Festival Office will be having an organizational Web meeting with coordinators next week on January 27. We are planning to have early International registration in February for brethren in International areas and for those who might want to transfer to an International site this year. We will announce the early International registration date soon.
In the meantime, we wanted to announce the Feast sites that have been finalized for 2010:
USA Sites
Anchorage, AK
Branson, MO
Cobleskill, NY
Helen, GA
New Braunfels, TX
Newport, OR
Panama City, FL
Prescott, AZ
Wisconsin Dells, WI
Canadian Sites
Rocky Harbour, Newfoundland
Mount Orford, Quebec
Penticton, British Columbia
International Sites (this list is not exhaustive—other sites not on this list are still being finalized)
Argentina, Islas del Delta
Australia, Victor Harbor (South Australia)
Chile, El Quisco
France, Hyères (Provence d'Azur)
Guatemala, Quetzaltenango
Indonesia, Batu
Jamaica, Montego Bay
Malaysia, Penang
Martinique (French West Indies)
Mexico, Tolantongo (Hidalgo)
New Zealand, Nelson (South Island)
Papua New Guinea, Wewak
Philippines, Baguio City
Philippines, Davao City
South Africa, Still Bay (Western Cape)
Sri Lanka
Tobago, Crown Point
United Kingdom, Llangollen (Wales)
Vanuatu, Orap
Experienced Interpreters Needed
Experienced Spanish-English simultaneous interpreters are needed to serve at the Argentina and Guatemala Feast of Tabernacles sites this year. If you are able and willing to volunteer to serve in this capacity at either of these two sites, please contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at [email protected] or call 704-844-1960, ext. 217.—Mario Hernandez
Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend
The Anderson, South Carolina congregation will host its third annual Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend from Friday, April 2 to Monday, April 5. Planned events include: a Friday evening Bible Study; regular Sabbath services on Saturday afternoon; a banquet and dance on Saturday night; a 5-kilometer race and 1-mile run, softball game, and picnic on Sunday; and two services on Monday, the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. Services and the dinner/dance will once again be held in the Greenville Hilton. Details about the event (such as an itinerary, and airport and lodging information) and a registration form are available online at www.lcg-anderson.org. If you plan to attend, complete the registration form and remit payment in time for receipt by March 20, 2010. For further information, contact Manuel Burdette at 864-638-7719 or, by email, at [email protected].
Carolina Singles Weekend
The Charlotte, North Carolina congregation will be hosting the Carolina Singles Weekend on Memorial Day Weekend 2010 (May 28-31). Activities are being planned, and we will have more details and registration information coming soon. So, plan now to join us in May for fellowshipping and learning—a great opportunity not to be missed. For more information, please contact Mark D. Smith at 704-844-1960, ext. 238 or [email protected].
Living University
Living University began an exciting new semester of classes on Tuesday, with 110 students enrolled across 12 different courses. Eighteen of these students are taking advantage of our Free Senior Citizen Audit option!
On-Campus Opportunities: Would you like to study at the Church's international headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina? Living University is looking for a few more men and women who are interested in on-campus study for the 2010-2011 academic year! Applications are now being accepted and classes will begin in August 2010. If you are interested in earning a college degree, or just attending LU for a year or semester, consider this one-of-a-kind God-centered program for your higher education. LU also accepts home school students with the appropriate credentials. You may access the application and other related materials on the LU website, at www.livinguniv.com. On the home page, simply click on Making Application for instructions and further information. The website lists estimated costs as well as materials that are necessary to complete the application process. Note that the application deadline for on-campus study in Charlotte is February 15, 2010, so it is important to compile and send in your application materials right now! You will be notified of your admittance by April 1. For those desiring to attend the on-campus program and who do not have previous college, you will need to take your college entrance exam (SAT or ACT) and have your test scores sent to Living University before the application deadline. Applicants should plan to sit for their ACT or SAT exam as soon as possible, and can do so at a local junior college or university. More details on these exams can be found on the LU website. For specific questions or more information, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-844-1960, option 7, or send e-mail to [email protected].
Finance Department
Regular tithe and offering income for January is off to a slow start. This is not surprising, since many of our contributors in the USA accelerate their giving in December for tax planning purposes. For those who claim charitable deductions on their tax returns in the USA, the following advice was contained in a recent tax law update. Please note: Your tax return should not be filed until you receive your year-end receipt for donations. The Internal Revenue Service requires this receipt as part of the tax documents to claim this deduction. Year-end donation receipts are being mailed out today (Thursday, January 21).
On other matters, the United States Postal System is under increasing strain as its retired employees are not being replaced. This has resulted in a deterioration of mail service with delayed delivery of mail and items damaged in processing. We are working with the USPS on these problems that adversely affect our mail delivery.
Many have inquired about what can be done for Haiti. The Church has made a donation to a relief organization for the general populace in Haiti. We also have a relief plan in place for our brethren in Haiti to be administered by Dr. Wilner Pierre, our elder who serves the Haitian brethren from Charlotte. Needs are being determined and methods of delivery are being explored. Please continue to pray for their protection and that their needs will be met. Note: At this time, we have adequate funds in our Disaster Relief Fund to meet their needs. If there is a need for additional funds, we will let it be known.
2009 was a remarkable year for the Church for many reasons; not the least of which is that regular tithe and offering income actually increased over the previous year. However, special offerings—including estates and other large gifts—were down. The faithfulness of our members and co-workers is very inspiring and we are very thankful for their dedication and sacrifice for the Work.—Davy Crockett
Comments
Perseverance—a Vital Quality: Perseverance is one of the laws of success! The word "perseverance" is defined as tenacity, remaining steadfast under pressure, and determined continuation along a chosen course in spite of difficulties and opposition. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of this vital quality. Solomon wrote, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small" (Proverbs 24:10). Jesus stressed, "he who endures to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). The Parable of the Sower explains the consequences of compromising when we face temptations or becoming distracted and discouraged and buckling-under when we encounter difficulties and trials (Matthew 13:18-23). The Apostle Paul warned, "let us not grow weary with doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9). The Apostle John offers the same advice and encouragement to the Philadelphian Era of the Church, "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world… Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown" (Revelation 1:10-11). When trials and difficulties come our way, let's remember this important advice!
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—January 21, 2010
Will Brussels Make Its Way into National Parliament Sessions? A recent EU proposal suggested allowing EU Members of Parliament to "sit in on" at least one parliamentary session annually in their own nations—basically as advisors. The thought is that they can help national leaders better understand what is transpiring with the EU. Although this might sound helpful on the surface, many are concerned that allowing "unelected officials" to participate in national law-making sessions is dangerous and just another step by the EU to control internal affairs of EU member nations. One British politician, reacting to the potential of the British government backing such an option, put it this way: "Those whose job it is to guard our rights in Westminster seem to be sleepwalking into oblivion" (Mail Online, December 26, 2009). God revealed long ago that, at the time of the end, the "kingdoms" that will comprise the Beast power would willingly "give their power" over to the Beast (Revelation 17:12-13)—perhaps in some type of tradeoff for a high level of authority within the Beast's governmental structure. Prophecy appears to be speeding up and events are occurring that are bringing about the formation of a powerful entity within Europe. It is remarkable how easily and quickly a centralized European government has acquired the trust and authority over so many nations—without applying much pressure at all!
U.S. Still a Blessing to Nations. In a syndicated column, writer Frederick Kissoon commented on the increasing political uncertainty in Guyana. "Last year was punctuated with fear, silence and inexplicabilities. As the exercise of power became more demonic, more abominable, the society became even more reticent," he wrote. "In 2009, the miasma flowed from every conceivable corner from the corridors of power, but only the US Embassy gave us hope… It acted against a child molester who occupies a position of importance in the corridors of power" (Kaieteur News [Guyana], January 8, 2010). In Guyana, as in many nations around the globe, political corruption runs deep, as those who gain power go to great lengths to maintain it. Even amid a declining moral foundation, the U.S. still maintains a value-base that promotes proper treatment of children. America is still willing to push for proper treatment in nations in which it has little-to-no jurisdiction. God warned that, in the last days, leaders would gain power and be only interested in feeding themselves (Ezekiel 34:2-5). However, even in its current state of moral deterioration, the U.S. and Israelite-descended nations are still a blessing to other nations (Genesis 18:18).
New Killer Bacteria Enters U.S. Forty years ago, the world assumed that tuberculosis (TB) had been defeated. Yet, in just the last few months, the U.S. witnessed its first case of Extremely Drug Resistant TB in Florida. The case is not treatable by any known methods and can easily be passed from one person to another. It is one of only a few cases of the disease known in the entire world, but experts fear this is the tip of the iceberg for these types of diseases. Scientists recently confirmed a new case of drug-resistant malaria. In Africa, 5% of new HIV cases are mutations with much higher drug resistance. Drug resistance has come about because of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics that were once touted as this type of diseases' downfall. The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently commented, "We are all connected by the air we breathe, and that is why this must be everyone's problem" (AP, December 27, 2009). Jesus predicted in His Sermon on the Mount that one of the signs of the end of the age would be pestilences (Luke 21:11). The disease threats of the future forecasted by public health experts will be extremely powerful, fast acting, easily spread and difficult or impossible to treat. This is yet another prophecy revealed by the Great God that is coming to pass before our very eyes. This is a sobering reminder that God is not slack concerning His promises and that He cannot lie (2 Peter 3:9; Titus 1:2).—Scott Winnail, Floyd Spencer and Sue Bennett