Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith have returned safely from the UK, where Mr. Meredith delivered sermons on two weekly Sabbaths and on Pentecost in London. It was very exciting for everyone to see nearly 300 people attend his Tomorrow's World Special Presentation at King's College in London (see below). Last weekend, we had 88 singles from around the U.S. and Canada attend weekend activities here in Charlotte, and Mr. Jonathan McNair gave a TWSP in Hammonton, New Jersey. This week, Mr. Gerald Weston is giving four TWSPs in British Columbia, Canada. We are very thankful for the generous Pentecost offerings that were 11% more than last year in the U.S.—other areas also report encouraging increases. Mr. Las Fraser reports that the brethren in Kingston, Jamaica were not affected by the violence that has recently shaken parts of the city. Today, we had LU and LCG Board meetings here in Charlotte.
Church Administration
United Kingdom Update
Mr. Rod King reports: The numbers are in! Dr. Meredith's strong message to the British people was heard by 290 people (of whom 94 were members). The presentation was held at the King's College Auditorium, Waterloo, just across the Thames River from the Houses of Parliament. It was an outstanding success. More than 90 of those attending requested literature via the literature request forms and 19 of these asked for visits from the London pastor, Mr. Rick Stafford. He also had others speak to him on that day asking for a visit.
Dr. Meredith was in good spirits and health… He came to our office near Northampton to conduct meetings for the U.K. and Irish entities. After lunch, he took about 50 minutes to talk to the board members about their responsibilities as Church leaders, recounting his experiences over the last 60 years in the Church of God. Those present were able to appreciate a gift from the British and Irish churches to Dr. Meredith for his many years of service to this part of the world. It is a three-volume set of the Bible printed in 1839 in its own oak presentation case. It represents a time in British history, as the Empire was growing, when the Bible was valued and revered. Sadly, this is no longer the case and our efforts to preach the Gospel are hindered by a godless society.
Carolina Singles Weekend
Eighty-eight singles took part in the Carolina Singles Weekend over the Memorial Day holiday here in Charlotte. Activities included whitewater rafting, a social and dance, a cookout and bonfire, topical and question & answer Bible studies and lectures, and lots of food and fellowship! Local Charlotte brethren generously chipped in by providing transportation and housing, by preparing and contributing food, helping in the registration process, setting up and cleaning up for the many activities, and just being friendly and welcoming hosts! From the feedback and comments we have received, many of the singles—some coming from as far away as Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, British Columbia—appreciated the activities, fellowship, and the spiritual messages. We would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts that made the Carolina Singles Weekend a success.—Rod McNair
Feast of Tabernacles 2010
Festival Advisors: As our Festival Site Coordinators make plans for this year's Feast, many of them are beginning to send e-mail notices to everyone registered at their respective sites. We do need help from the local Festival Advisors in this regard: if you registered brethren for Feast sites, you may be receiving informational e-mails from the coordinators of those sites intended for those whom you registered. Please assist us by passing on those e-mail messages to the brethren for whom they are intended. Thank you again for your service.
Panama City, Florida—Prayer Request: As the whole world watches the spreading oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, it is now feared that the oil will spread to the coast of Florida. Our Feast site in Panama City is not yet threatened by the oil spill, but if the leak continues, it could be. Please pray that God will intervene and prevent any damage to the Florida coastline, especially to our Feast site, where more than 1,000 people have registered. We will keep our Feastgoers apprised of the situation.
International Transfers: We still have room at some international Feast sites, such as Tobago, for additional transfers, including an Elder or two. If any Elders would like to consider transferring to Tobago for the Feast, please contact the Festival Office at [email protected].
Hyères, France—Volunteers Needed: Experienced hymn players for services, choir participants for a high-quality adult chorale, children's choir participants and talent show participants are needed to serve during the Feast of Tabernacles in Hyères, France. Please contact Mr. Eric Boyer at [email protected], as soon as possible, if you are able to serve in these areas.—Rees Ellis
Festival (Second Tithe) Assistance Requests—USA Only (Repeat Announcement)
Attention USA Pastors: The deadline to submit Festival Assistance Request forms to the Church Administration Department is Tuesday, July 15. All forms should be properly completed by the members requesting second tithe assistance to attend the Feast this year. Then, the Area Pastors should write their recommendations/comments on the forms before submitting them to CAD. Festival Assistance Request forms are available to ministers on the MyLCG website (www.cogl.org).
Living Youth Camp
Adventure Program Update: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Rocky Mountain National Park is just four short miles west of Estes Park. We will begin a 35-40 mile backpacking trip from the Bear Lake Trailhead on Thursday morning, July 8, and five days later, on Monday, July 12, arrive back at Bear Lake Trailhead. Sabbath Services will be conducted in the wilderness! On Monday evening, July 12, we will take showers and have dinner back in Estes Park. Tuesday, July13, will be spent Whitewater Rafting during the day, with dinner and shopping in the evening. The Whitewater Rafting trip is a half-day trip down the Cache la Poudre River. The Poudre is a fast-moving river with nearly continuous Class II to IV rapids and little float water.
On Wednesday, July 14, we will cycle Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park. This classic is the famous ride featured on TV that everyone dreams of taking! Beginning at 11,796 feet on the highest paved continuous road in the country, we will descend through the pine and aspen forested mountainsides down into the wide glacial valleys. On this trip, we will stop for a picnic lunch, and then bike back to town through an area rich in Bighorn Sheep and Elk. This 29-mile ride contains moderate, downhill, and flat pedaling.
Wednesday night will be spent enjoying local musical entertainment in downtown Estes Park. We will cap the evening off with a special treat, back at the hotel! Campers will depart for home on the morning of Thursday, July 15. All staff and camper positions have been filled. Acceptance packets were mailed out this week. Those who have been accepted, kick your training schedule into high gear and get geared up! Transportation will be provided for those flying in and out of the Denver airport. Roundtrip ground transportation costs are $25.
Comments
Trials in Perspective: Sometimes, when we encounter trials and difficulties, we wonder what is happening and whether God has forsaken us. However, in challenging times, we need to remember several fundamental scriptures. Jesus told His disciples, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). God has also promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The Apostle Paul reminds us that, "all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28) and that even in trials, God will make a "way of escape" if we look to Him (1 Corinthians 10:13). James admonished Christians to be thankful for trials, because they provide opportunities to build patience as we exercise faith in God and His promises—and while we do our part to work through the challenges that we face (James 1:3-4). Let's all strive to remember and maintain this godly perspective when we encounter trials.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—June 3, 2010
More Friction Between France and Germany. Despite the approval of a ˆ110 billion Greek bailout package by the European Union, the European Central Bank (ECB) has already purchased an additional ˆ25 billion of Greek debt in the form of government bonds. A recent magazine article highlighted German frustration with ECB actions: "By buying up Greek debt, the ECB keeps the prices of the bonds artificially high. French banks, in particular, benefit from this policy because it enables them to sell their Greek bonds to the ECB, as an inexpensive way of cleaning up their balance sheets. France's banks and insurance companies have a total of about ˆ80 billion in Greek government bonds on their books. German banks, on the other hand, are not potential sellers, because they have made a voluntary commitment to Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble to hold their Greek bonds until May 2013." The result? Since Germany owns the majority of shares of the ECB, they are in essence, purchasing French debt as well as Greek debt. This is a situation that the Bundesbank and most Germans are obviously unhappy with. The fact that the current ECB President is also French is not helping matters (Der Spiegel, May 31, 2010). As prophecy marches on, the "iron and clay" nature of the European Union becomes increasingly apparent (see Daniel 2:41-43). God certainly knew the character of nations when He inspired these prophecies millennia ago!
Risk of War Between the Koreas? The recent sinking of a South Korean naval vessel, apparently by a North Korean torpedo, has escalated tensions between the two nations. Military forces from both sides are at the highest state of alert since the post-Cold War era. Analysts suggest that neither nation is eager to go to war because neither side could conceivably win. The result would be massive casualties and destruction of national infrastructures on both sides. However, with both nations on high alert and "adhering to their own national (and contradictory) definitions of where disputed boundaries lie and with rules of engagement loosened," some experts believe there is great risk for an accident—and such an accident could quickly escalate to an all-out war. Both nations possess large standing armies and have planned for military conflict for the better part of 50 years, and both stand ready (Stratfor.com, May 26, 2010). "Wars and rumors of wars" of "nation against nation" are two clear signs of the end of the age prophesied by Christ (Matthew 24:6-7). The Korean Peninsula is one obvious area where we see this prophecy coming to pass today.
Cassava Blight Spreading. Cassava is a root plant that is low in nutritional value, but it is hearty, drought resistant, and fills the stomach. It is also a major staple crop for people around the globe. Cassava's newest enemy is "brown streak"—a blight that forms brown lumps in the tuber, ruining the flavor—even hogs refuse to eat it once infected. Experts cannot stop the blight and resistant crops are likely five years away. "Although it has been seen on coastal farms for 70 years, a mutant version emerged in Africa's interior in 2004." Since then, there has been "explosive, pandemic-style spread," observed Claude M. Fauquet, director of cassava research at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis. "The speed is just unprecedented, and the farmers are really desperate," he said. Some experts fear the blight could become global—a sobering possibility given that cassava is the world's third largest food crop, after wheat and corn. Some worry that the blight could have an impact similar to the Potato Famine in Europe in the 1840's (New York Times, June 1, 2010). Jesus warned that at the end of the age, "famines and pestilences" would be signs of His impending return (Luke 21:11). New infectious diseases and blights appear to be coming to the fore, regularly. Many of these diseases have the potential of causing tremendous damage to human civilization. More than 800 million people in Africa, South America, and Asia regularly consume cassava. God speed the day when crop failures will be a thing of the past!—Scott Winnail