Greetings from Charlotte,
While the world is watching the escalating war of words in the Persian Gulf between Iran and other nations of the world, Americans are listening to another war of words between men who hope to be the next President. This past week, another big storm and deadly tornado swept through the southern states injuring more than 100 people and killing two in Alabama. Here in Charlotte, Mr. Meredith has been writing and taped a new television program today. Mr. Wayne Pyle reports that last week's Tomorrow's World program by Mr. Ames, entitled "The Sabbath Controversy," is expected to draw more than 4,700 responses and set a new record for responses to this topic. Mr. Meredith's Tomorrow's World Special Presentation in Houston, Texas, last weekend, drew 103 visitors. Mr. Ames' TWSP in Mandeville, Jamaica drew 59 visitors. Dr. Wil Pierre spoke to two large groups in Haiti last weekend (see reports below). I will be in Geneva, Switzerland this coming Sabbath and then make visits and take care of business items in Germany, Holland and Belgium. Your prayers for these activities and for God's people are much appreciated.—DSW
Church Administration
Passover 2012
Important Notice to All Pastors: This year the Passover Service will be observed on Thursday, April 5. Let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or a copy of the Passover Service recording. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, please let us know this information by February 3 (next week), for international congregations, and by March 2, for U.S. congregations.
Additionally, let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive the Passover Service recording and letter instructions to observe it at home. Please direct your requests to Dorothy McNair at the Church Administration Department by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 704-844-1960, ext. 2248, as soon as possible.
Tomorrow's World Special Presentations
Houston, Texas: Thank you for your prayers for what turned out to be a very successful TWSP in Houston on January 21. There were 103 visitors and a total of 230 people who heard Mr. Meredith deliver a powerful message on "The Gathering Storm," which had many in the audience audibly agreeing with key points throughout. One woman left her home in Conroe at 6:00 a.m. to walk to the presentation more than 40 miles away, but realized after three hours that she was not going to make it on time. She found a man to drive her to a bus station, and he paid for the bus ticket that would take her near the Houston Community College where the TWSP was held! Of course, one of our members gave her a ride home afterward. A very special "thank you" to all the Houston brethren who did a fantastic job in welcoming our visitors. I believe everything went very well, and the entire presentation was blessed. Please pray that nothing will keep those who said they planned to return next Sabbath for my follow-up presentation on "Where Is the Church Christ Built?" And I appreciate your prayers that God will inspire me to give the message they need to hear!—Phil Sena
Mandeville, Jamaica: We had 59 visitors and 39 members for Mr. Ames' presentation in Mandeville. Thirty-four have signed up for the follow-up presentation on February 4 and there are four who showed interest in attending our Sabbath services. A picnic was held the day after the presentation, Sunday, so that the brethren would have time to fellowship with the Ames.—Las Fraser and Scott Winnail
Pensacola, Florida: On the first Sabbath in Pensacola after the TWSP, we had 13 individuals return for Sabbath services (10 adults and three children). There were a total of 35 people. Of them, six have no COG experience at all and seven were associated with the Radio Church of God or the Worldwide Church of God at one time. Our elder in the area, Mr. Steve Climer, gave the sermon and one lady commented to a member that she had not heard a sermon so powerful since she last heard Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. We had Spokesman Club and Advanced Leadership Training lessons this Sunday for the Pensacola and Ocean Spring congregations and everyone was excited about the results of the TWSP. We want to thank everyone in Charlotte for their part in helping us to spread the Gospel in our area.—Ed Breaux
French Work Update
Visit to Haiti
My wife and I returned home safely from an exciting trip to Gonaives and Gros Morne, Haiti. On Saturday, January 21, 118 people met in the city of Gonaives for the first official Sabbath service after attending the Tomorrow's World Special Presentation in November. After Sabbath services, Mr. Jove Jean-Pierre and I met with the group's leading men to explain the correct format for Sabbath services. They were very positive in making changes. The leading men agreed to help each congregation member obtain a French Bible so that they can begin to study.
During the meeting, the leading men asked me to explain the differences between the Living Church of God and the Seventh Day Adventists. At the end of the meeting, everyone was given a copy of the Living Church of God's Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs in French.
On Sunday, January 22, 136 people attended the first TWSP held in the city of Gros Morne. The small congregation in Petionville (a suburb of Port-au-Prince) is doing very well. Some of the leading men from Gonaives will be attending Sabbath services there at least once a month. [Following is a detailed report on the presentation in Gros Morne].—Wilner Pierre
Tomorrow's World Special Presentation in Gros-Morne, Haiti: On Sunday, January 22, 136 people attended the Tomorrow's World Special Presentation in the town of Gros-Morne, located in Haiti's northeastern mountainous area. Dr. Wilner Pierre, French-speaking Caribbean Area Pastor gave a presentation in Creole titled, "The Meaning of the Seven Seals." Gros-Morne is located in an isolated part of the country. It was extremely difficult to travel through the mountains because the roads were covered with rocks. Mr. Gary Blanc, a long-time member of the Port-au-Prince congregation had to drive a Jeep through five river beds over large rocks. Six of the leading prospective Church members from the group in Gonaives accompanied Dr. Pierre to provide support. One of the leading men from the group in Gros-Morne had also spent the night in Gonaives so that he could guide Mr. Blanc through the mountains.
After a difficult four-hour drive, Dr. and Mrs. Pierre arrived safely to the meeting hall, where 136 people were patiently waiting. At the end of the special presentation, one of the new prospective members from Gonaives surprised Dr. Pierre when he walked on stage with a Bible Hymnal and led the group in singing "Onward Christian Soldiers." This was one of the songs rehearsed during the song-leading workshop in Gonaives. He used the opportunity to practice in front of a large crowd. It was a wonderful experience.
Prayer Request Update: Wenceslas Kamwenubusa
Mr. Rees Ellis has informed us that our brother in Christ Mr. Wencesles Kamwenubusa died last Monday, January 23, at about 3:00 p.m., local time in Burundi. Mr. Ellis wrote, "As I said in my email last week, Mr. Kamwenubusa insisted just how very grateful he was for all the prayers and words of encouragement during his illness. Please pray for his wife Jacqueline, his family and members in Burundi."
East Africa Update
Visit to Tanzania: I have just arrived from a successful trip to Musoma and Ukerewe in Tanzania. I took off for Musoma on January 11 and arrived there the next day. On January 13, we had a Bible study with 10 brethren in attendance. We held Sabbath services on January 14 in Musoma with an attendance of 20 brethren. On Sunday, Adonis and I travelled to Kisorya-Ukerewe, arriving late in the evening. For three days we had Bible studies with an average attendance of 57 brethren in Ukerewe. Both in Musoma and Ukerewe, we covered the subject of self-examination in preparation for the Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. The Sabbath of January 21 was an inspiring one with 74 brethren in attendance (38 children and 36 adults). After Sabbath services, I was asked to anoint a member who had a severe fever; such that he could not come out of his bed. After a brief Bible study on healing, I anointed him. On Sunday morning, he woke up with all his fever symptoms gone and was able to continue with his daily business.—Simon Muthama
Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend
The Anderson, South Carolina, congregation is pleased to announce the opening of registration for the Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend which is scheduled for Friday, April 6, to Sunday, April 8. Planned events include: a Friday afternoon bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail; the Night to Be Observed on Friday evening; Holy Day services on the Sabbath; the Black and White Banquet and Ball on Saturday night; and a picnic and recreational activities, including a 5K road race and softball games, on Sunday. Services and the Banquet and Ball will be held at the Hyatt Regency Greenville in downtown Greenville, South Carolina.
We have secured a room rate of $79 per night for guests staying at the Hyatt. Further details about the event and registration instructions are located at our local website: http://lcganderson.org/ (not an official Church website). Or, you may contact Manuel Burdette for further information at 864-638-7719 or by e-mail at [email protected]. Those interested in arriving on Thursday evening and keeping Passover with the Anderson congregation should contact us for directions and time of the service. We look forward to seeing you in Greenville for the best Spring Weekend ever!—Manuel Burdette
Living Youth Programs
Living Youth Camp United Kingdom 2012
All LCG Youth Camps strive in their different ways to provide a balance of spiritual instruction and active pursuits in order to challenge and excite our young people both physically and spiritually. Each camp takes place in a well-supervised, godly environment.
This year's summer camp in the United Kingdom will be held at the Frontier Centre, Wellingborough, not far from the UK Office in Northampton. Camp starts on Friday, August 3, and finishes the following Friday, August 10. Parents may collect their children that afternoon. However, we are planning to have a special youth-themed Sabbath service in the local area on August 11, and teens who would like to attend this service (and we hope you will) may spend Friday night at the Frontier Centre at no extra cost. Any parents living close enough to drive up to Northampton on the Sabbath (or who make their own arrangements to spend Friday night in the area) are also invited to attend this special service. This camp will be slightly different from previous years, in that all activities will be on-site and the accommodation will be in cabins. Activities will include mountain biking, abseiling, high ropes, kayaking, archery, fencing, bridge building, football, basketball, volleyball, team work and trust-building challenges, education, and maybe more!
The cost of camp this year is £120 and it is open to teens aged 12-18. If you would like to attend or serve as a member of staff, please obtain a Camper or Staff application form from your local congregation or the UK Office. The deadline for applications to be handed in to your pastor is February 19. Once you have received your acceptance, a £40 deposit will be required. The remainder of the camp fee may be paid in installments or when available. Overseas applicants who require early notification of acceptance so that flights can be booked, should submit their applications promptly and make this point clear on their form. Please direct any e-mail communications to Jamie Meakin at the UK office [email protected].
Comments
Real Philadelphia Christians: The Scriptures reveal that Philadelphia Christians are dedicated to carrying out Christ's instructions to preach the Gospel (Mark 16:15), warn the world (Matthew 24:14) and prepare a people to reign with Jesus Christ in the coming Kingdom of God (Luke 1:17; Revelation 5:10). However, as the name "Philadelphia" means "brotherly love," true Philadelphians will also strive to follow Jesus' admonition to "love one another" (John 15:12-17). They understand that showing unselfish, outgoing concern for others (instead of criticizing and sitting in judgment of others) is one of the distinguishing marks of a real Philadelphia Christian (John 13:34-35). Let's all look for ways to develop and show brotherly love to others.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—January 26, 2012
Iran Raises Threat Level. Recently, when a U.S. aircraft carrier passed through the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian top commander "stated that Iran's submarines are able to ambush and hit enemy vessels specially US Aircraft carriers from the seabed throughout the Persian Gulf." This could be done using its Russian-made, sonar-evading, diesel-electric submarines. A Major General followed up by threatening, "We are not in the habit of repeating the warning and we warn only once" (TheBlaze.com, January 18, 2012). Now with oil sanctions imposed on Iran, a U.S. aircraft carrier, flanked by French and British warships, passed through the Strait of Hormuz, in open defiance of Iran's threats. There are also "clear statements coming from Saudi Arabia and the UAE (United Arab Emirates) saying, indirectly, that they will replace Iran's oil" (Reuters, January 25, 2012). In response, Iran is threatening to close the Strait to all ship traffic (msnbc.com, January 23, 2012). Iran's actions appear to be causing the nations of the Middle East to coalesce, but not around Iran. Instead, Iran's threatening actions appear to be pushing them together, "away from" Iran. Bible prophecies indicate at the end of the age, a King of the South will arise and "push" against a European Beast power, or King of the North (Daniel 11:40, KJV). God uses different peoples and nations to bring about His will (Daniel 2:21), and it appears that Iran may be used by God to bring together nations that will make up the King of the South.
Atheist Wins Court Battle Over School Banner. Last week, a judge ordered the removal of a 49-year-old banner in a gymnasium at Cranston West High School in Rhode Island. The banner reads as follows, "Our Heavenly Father, Grant us each day the desire to do our best, To grow mentally and morally as well as physically, To be kind and helpful to our classmates and teachers, To be honest with ourselves as well as with others, Help us to be good sports and smile when we lose as well as when we win, Teach us the value of true friendship, Help us always to conduct ourselves so as to bring credit to Cranston High School West. Amen" (WPRI.com, January 12, 2012). The lawsuit was brought by an ACLU-supported sixteen-year-old student who stated, "I'm an Atheist, and I don't believe in the Heavenly Father, so I shouldn't have to look at it [the banner]." The school is considering whether to appeal the case and has stalled in removing the banner (CBS/Associated Press, January 12, 2012). Long ago, God prophesied that the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh would become a "company of nations" and a "great nation" (Genesis 48:17-19)—Great Britain and the United States (see our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy). The U.S. has been a God-fearing nation founded on biblical principles, thus the references to God in many of its founding documents, monuments and even its currency. It is sad to watch the Israelite-descended nations slowly reject their God-given heritage as citizens seek to do what is right in their own eyes (Deuteronomy 12:8).
The Universe is Full of Planets! For thousands of years, mankind has known the universe is full of stars. When the Hubble space-telescope was launched in 1990, scientists began to number the stars in our Milky Way galaxy alone at more than 100 billion. But the assumption, based on Hubble data, was that there were very few planets outside our own solar system. Now, NASA's new and more powerful Kepler space-telescope is sending back evidence of planets outside our solar system—thousands of them. Based on the newly arriving data, scientists now think that the galaxy has "at least" one planet per star and likely more. This means hundreds of billions of planets! One Harvard University astronomer commented, "We're awash in planets where 17 years ago we weren't even sure there were planets outside our solar system." An astronomer from San Diego State University wrote, "Nature must like to form planets because it's forming them in places that are kind of difficult to do." He was referring to planets that circle two suns—for which we now have evidence (Associated Press, January 11, 2011). As scientists make new discoveries, it becomes more apparent how vast and diverse God's creation really is. The universe was created for an incredible purpose that is outlined in the pages of Scripture. For more information on this exciting topic, review our booklet Your Ultimate Destiny.—Scott Winnail, Ben Whitfield, Michelle Bottella, Phyllis Api