Greetings from Charlotte,
Plans are coming together for Mr. Meredith's special, on-line, live Tomorrow's World Presentation entitled "What's Ahead for America and the World" that is scheduled for Sunday, February 10 at 3:30 p.m. EST (USA). Last weekend Mr. Meredith had an intestinal bug but he is now feeling fine. This week, Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames have conducted a number of meetings. Last week's Tomorrow's World program by Mr. Wallace Smith, entitled "The Four Horsemen Ride," is expected to draw more than 6,100 responses. Mr. Ames' program the previous week, entitled "Can You Trust Bible Prophecy?," drew 6,573 responses. It is also encouraging to report the print run for the January-February 2013 issue of Tomorrow's World magazine was just over 400,000 and the number of subscribers for the News & Prophecy e-zine is now over 16,300. Living University classes are off to a good start. This semester we have 12 students in residence: eight in Charlotte and four in Australia. I am looking forward to making a church visit to Bluefield, West Virginia this Sabbath.—DSW
Church Administration
Passover 2013
Important Notice to All Pastors: This year the Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, March 24. 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 before February 8 (two weeks away) for international congregations, and by March 7 for U.S. congregations.
Also, 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 for observing it at home. International requests should be received before February 8. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Northeast Family Weekend
From March 29 through April 1, the Northeast Region congregations will once again gather during the Days of Unleavened Bread for the annual Northeast Family Weekend. Epworth Camp and Retreat Center in beautiful upstate New York will welcome more than 120 members as they worship God, fellowship, and enjoy meals together. Dr. Scott Winnail and his family will join us as special guests this year. If you would like to enjoy "extreme fellowship" with us as we focus on this year's theme of "Training Camp," just go to www.nelcg.org (not an official Church Web site) and click on the link for "Northeast Family Weekend."—Jonathan McNair
Living For Tomorrow (L4T)
Space is still available for our Spring 2013 L4T program in the beautiful Catskill Mountains. Enjoy five days of fellowship and activities with other like-minded young adults, learning life-skills and building friendships. Dr. Scott Winnail and Mr. Jonathan McNair will host 25 to 30 young adults in interactive classes, discussions and activities from March 25 through March 29. After arrival on March 25, participants will enjoy a relaxing "Night To Be Much Observed," and First Day of Unleavened Bread on March 26. On Wednesday, the theme will be "Breaking the Mold." We will address topics that challenge young adults in our modern culture and put techniques for success into action with the "Catskill Mountain Adventure Challenge" in the afternoon. Thursday, March 28, will focus on the theme of "Relationships Done Right," including finding true friendship, real romance, and becoming Godly men and women. A sock-hop dance will finish the day! On Friday, March 29, the final session will be presented, ending the program at noon. For more information, including details about transportation, cost, etc., go to http://l4tspring2013.weebly.com/ (not an official Church Web site), see our Facebook Event Page at https://www.facebook.com/events/276805965779160/ (not an official Church Social Media page), or contact Mr. Jonathan McNair directly at [email protected] or at 516-724-4452.
Living Youth Programs
Online Teen Bible Study—Sunday Evening
Last year the teen Bible Studies focused on various "People of the Bible." In 2013 we are covering "The Fundamental Doctrines" of the Living Church of God. This Sunday evening Mr. Sheldon Monson plans to cover "The Doctrine of Baptisms" and "Laying on of Hands." The chat room is open at 6:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) and the Bible Study runs from 7:00-8:00 p.m. You can access this Bible Study at www.livingyouth.org.
Feast of Tabernacles 2013
International Feast Sites Update
Following is the updated list of confirmed international Feast of Tabernacles sites (as of this writing) for 2013. The bolded sites have been added since the last announcement.
Australia (Victor Harbor, SA)
Barbados (Christ Church)
Brazil (Moscou)*
Canada (Kimberley, BC)
Canada (Shawinigan, QC)
Canada (Rocky Harbour, NL)
Canada (Collingwood, ON)
Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata)
France (Côte d'Azur)
Guyana (Georgetown)
India (Manipur)
Indonesia (Batu)
Israel (Jerusalem)
Jamaica (Montego Bay)
Kenya (Isibania)
Malaysia (Penang)
New Zealand (Bay of Islands)
Nigeria (Lagos)*
Papua New Guinea (Wewak)*
Philippines (Baguio)
Philippines (Malaybalay)
South Africa (Glentana)
South Africa (Port Shepstone)
Sri Lanka (Ahangama)
Thailand (Tha Song Yang)*
Tobago (Crown Point)
United Kingdom (Buxton)
Vanuatu (Orap)
*Not open to international transfers.
Comments
The Importance of Faith: The Scriptures state that "without faith it is impossible to please" God (Hebrews 11:6), and that we must "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith is not something we just wish for, nor an emotion that we work up. Faith is based upon substance and evidence (Hebrews 11:1). You can gather that substance and evidence by studying the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15), by learning what the will of God is (Romans 12:2) and by proving and verifying what you believe (1 Thessalonians 5:21). When we clearly understand God's instructions on a subject, then we must trust God (Proverbs 3:5) and begin to act on those instructions. Noah "walked by faith" when he began building an ark—yet he did not see the deluge for about 100 years (Hebrews 11:7; Genesis 5:32-6:11). Abraham "walked by faith" when he was instructed to leave the land of his birth for another country (Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 12:1-5). This is what James meant when he wrote, "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 20, 24). When we prove and understand what God's will is, we must then put our trust in God's instructions and begin to act in faith on those instructions. This is an important way to please God and to grow in faith.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—January 24, 2013
Britain Continues To Push Against the EU: This week, Prime Minister David Cameron "promised Britons a vote on quitting the European Union, rattling London's biggest allies and some investors by raising the prospect of uncertainty and upheaval" (Reuters, January 23, 2013). Mr. Cameron promised a vote by the end of 2017, pending his reelection, stating "It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time for us to settle this question about Britain and Europe" (ibid.). Recent polls indicate just over half of Britons favor departing the EU. Reactions in Europe have understandably been disappointed, but mixed. The Italian Prime Minister "agreed with Cameron on the need to make the EU more innovative and welcomed the idea of a British referendum." The French Foreign Minister observed, "If Britain wants to leave Europe, we will roll out the red carpet," apparently in response to a comment Mr. Cameron made inviting wealthy French to move to Britain to avoid heavy taxes (ibid.). While no immediate actions appear likely, Bible prophecies indicate that Britain (Ephraim) will not be part of the coming European Beast power, but will instead become subjugated by it (see Hosea 5:5-15). For more information on Britain's remarkable past and sobering future, review our booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
Russia-China Relationship Deepens: As the United States shifts its foreign policy focus from the Middle East to Asia, Russia and China are strengthening their relationship to defend against the perceived U.S. military threat. The U.S. and Australia signed a pact stationing 2,500 U.S. Marines in Australia to boost their Pacific strength against a more aggressive China (New York Times, April 4, 2012). Russia and China both "agreed that because complicated and profound changes are taking place internationally and regionally" they are now "encountering new opportunities and challenges" (China Daily, January 10, 2013). They now have a "10-year development plan" to protect each other's sovereignty against U.S. influence and power. "President Hu Jintao and Putin exchanged New Year's greetings on the last day of 2012 and expressed hope that ties between the two countries would see more progress in 2013" (ibid.). Bible prophecies describe a powerful, 200-million-man army that will move against a European Beast power attempting to dominate the world and control Jerusalem (Revelation 9:13-18; 16:12; Daniel 11:44). This military response from the East will come in retaliation for aggressive actions by the European Beast power (Revelation 9:1-12). This may parallel the Russian response to Hitler's invasion of Russia in World War II called Operation Barbarossa—which eventually provoked a Russian counter-offensive. For more information on these exciting future events, read our article, "What's Ahead for Russia?"
World's First "Gay Bible" Published: In December, the new Queen James Version (QJV) of the Holy Bible was published in the U.S. and made available for sale (Australian Women's Weekly, December 18, 2012). Its cover shows a rainbow cross (depicting gay pride) and its purpose is to edit Bible verses that condemn homosexuality, so homophobic interpretations become impossible (ibid.). In total, eight sections of the King James Version were edited to this end—including Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 and Romans 1:26-27 that clearly condemn homosexuality. QJV editors claim that homosexuality was only mentioned in the Bible in the 1946 Revised Standard Version and declare, "There is no mention of or reference to homosexuality in any Bible prior to this—only interpretations have been made" (ibid.). However, these assertions are absolutely false! The official QJV Web site declares, "the Bible is still filled with inequality and even contradiction that we have not addressed. No Bible is perfect, including this one. We wanted to make a book filled with the word of God that nobody could use to incorrectly condemn God's LGBT children, and we succeeded" (Queen James Bible Web site). On a related note, the National Cathedral in Washington, DC will now perform same-sex marriages (CNN, January 9, 2013). These events certainly reflect the warning of Isaiah who predicted the time would come when the rebellious nations of Israel "will not hear the law of the LORD" and will say to their leaders, "Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things" (Isaiah 30:9-13). We are watching these and other prophecies being fulfilled today—see our booklet Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return.—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, Paul Kearns, and Joette Monson