From the Presiding Evangelist
Dear Brethren and Friends,
Thank you for the enthusiastic response so many of you have shown for the coming Church fast! As Passover approaches, we certainly do need to draw very close to God, examine ourselves and be sure that we are truly in the very center of God's will—as best we can. Even since my last message to you indicating that we have some serious problems and weaknesses here at Headquarters, I have received word from Mr. Gerald Weston that—like at Headquarters—Satan appears to be striking directly at the television area in Canada. Because we do not have enough "Canadian content," we are being put off of our third best station there. Also, because of "doctrinal differences," we are being put off of our second best station in Canada. Then, on top of that, our overwhelmingly major station in Canada, VISION Network, is in danger because of certain governmental regulations that are being changed.
The "prince of the power of the air" is striking directly at the major center of our media efforts in God's Work today—our television program! We would be stupid not to realize this. All kinds of other "excuses" can be factored in. But in the end, it is obvious to me that Satan is directly involved—as it is to a number of others who know all the circumstances. So we need to seek God our Father in heaven and ask Him to intervene, to "fight our battles" and to help us do everything we can do to get these things straightened out so that Christ's message may go out with increasing power on television, on the Internet, in publishing, and in every other way. We will deeply appreciate your fervent prayers, dear brethren, that God will intervene and help us do everything we can do and should do so that He can bless us and deliver us in all these situations.
Additionally, we have just heard that Mrs. Dan Hall has come down with a very serious degree of cancer. She certainly needs our earnest prayers as well as do many others who have serious illnesses at this time.
Therefore, as a Church—the Body of Christ—let us cry out to our Father and ask Him to intervene more than ever to heal His own people, to apply the stripes of Jesus Christ to our bodies and to make us well. As a family, we need to love one another, support one another and pray together for all these things. Please do cry out that God will deliver us from all these trials and—more than ever—bless us in healings, in our financial income and media production, and in every other way that we may glorify His name. This coming day of fasting is certainly a powerful "tool" to make all of this possible. Let us draw truly close to God with all of our hearts and seek God at this time in a special way for His help and for His intervention. Thank you, dear brethren, for your help and your support.
With Christian love,
Roderick C. Meredith
Church Administration
Greetings from Charlotte,
World events continue to move in interesting directions. Meteor displays in Russia, more strife in the Middle East, America facing another budget crisis, and China is now being accused of hacking into American computers—and we are barely into a new year! This weekend we will hold a Church-wide fast to seek God's guidance and blessing on His Work and that He will hear the needs of His people. Last week's Tomorrow's World television program, entitled "How Can You Know God?," by Mr. Meredith has received 4,577 responses so far. Mr. King's program the previous week, entitled "Where Would Jesus Go To Church?," received 4,951 responses. The Tomorrow's World Presentations last week in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana by Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka drew 76 guests. This weekend I will be in Sacramento, California for a Ministerial Conference.—DSW
Passover 2013—U.S. Congregations—Repeat Announcement
All Pastors: please let us know as soon as possible if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays, wine trays, or wine glasses) or a copy of the Passover Service recording. 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. (U.S. pastors will automatically receive one copy of the Passover Service recording.)
To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, please let us know this information as soon as possible and before March 7. You can direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected]. The Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, March 24.
Tomorrow's World Presents
Tampa, Florida: Dr. Wilner Pierre was invited to give a presentation in French to a group of Haitians in Tampa on January 26. Seventeen people attended. The group has been studying the Bible together and has come to realize that the Living Church of God teaches what they read in Scripture.
San Juan, Puerto Rico: On Sunday, February 10, Mr. Raúl Colón (pastor of our Puerto Rico congregation) and I gave two Tomorrow's World presentations in one afternoon, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Out of approximately 300 English-version Tomorrow's World subscribers (and a small number of Spanish-language El Mundo de Mañana subscribers), we had nine visitors. Eleven local brethren also attended. The guests were very knowledgeable about the Bible and seemed interested to know what the Church had to say. Mrs. Annie Colón provided Spanish-language translation for a few guests who requested it. The brethren did a fantastic job in welcoming our guests and providing logistical support. After Mr. Colón's presentation we had a break to fellowship for about half an hour and then we gathered again and watched Dr. Meredith's powerful online presentation on the big screen—perfect timing!—Rod McNair
Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Louisiana: Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka gave presentations to 40 visitors in Baton Rouge last Saturday and 36 visitors in Lafayette last Sunday. Mr. Glen Harrison plans to give follow-up presentations in those two cities Saturday and Sunday, February 23 and 24.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Mr. Rod King reports that the follow up presentation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday, February 17, went very well, with 16 keen attendees eager to learn more about God's truth and, "We now have to plan how to best look after them." Mr. King gave an earlier presentation there in December. He is now in South Africa for a short ministerial conference on Friday.
French Work Update
We are excited to announce that the Tomorrow's World magazine in French, Le Monde de Demain, which debuted in 2012 as an online publication, is now available in print! The first issue of 2013 was mailed last week to more than 10,000 people in 93 countries. Those who would like to subscribe to it can do so by contacting LCG Headquarters or one of our international regional offices, or by filling out the subscription form online at www.MondeDemain.org/abonnement. The magazine is also available online at www.MondeDemain.org/revues. Your continued prayers for this project and for the Work in French are greatly appreciated!
Upstate South Carolina Holy Day Weekend—Greenville, SC—March 29–April 1
The Anderson, South Carolina, congregation invites you to join us for our sixth Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend scheduled for Friday, March 29 through Monday, April 1. The weekend promises to be filled with inspiring spiritual messages, uplifting fellowship, and fun activities. Come celebrate the conclusion to the Days of Unleavened Bread with us in Greenville, SC. Only three weeks remain to register, so please take time to complete your registration this week.
Planned events include: a Friday afternoon bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail; a Friday evening opening dinner and Bible Study; brunch and services on the Sabbath; the Carolina on My Mind Banquet and Ball on Saturday night; a picnic and recreational activities, including a 5K road race and softball games, on Sunday; and Holy Day services on Monday, the Last Day of Unleavened Bread. Services and the Banquet and Ball will be held at the Hyatt Regency Greenville in downtown Greenville. A children's activity will be held prior to Sabbath services.
Additionally, we invite those with musical talent to perform special music for the Sabbath or Holy Day services or to perform appropriate danceable music for the Ball. Please contact us with your proposed performance selection.
We have secured a room rate of $80 per night for guests staying at the Hyatt. Further details about the event, prices of meals, and registration instructions are located at our local Web site: http://lcganderson.org/ (not an official Church Web site). Or, you may contact Manuel Burdette for further information at 864-638-7719 or by e-mail at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you in Greenville for the best Spring Weekend ever!
Carolina Singles Weekend 2013
The Charlotte singles would like to welcome you back this Memorial Day for Carolina Singles Weekend 2013! We are excited to have had so many people come in over these last three years. Won't you join us for this exciting event? The dates are Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27. We will be having lots of wonderful messages, exciting activities, great fellowship and delicious food. A schedule can be found on our local Web site http://charlottelcg.org (not an official Church Web site). More detailed information on cost, housing and transportation will be coming soon and registration will open in the near future. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Darren Brinson at [email protected]. We hope to see y'all there!—Darren Brinson
Living for Tomorrow (L4T) Cancellation—Repeat Announcement—Please Announce
Thanks to those who signed up for our L4T in the Catskill Mountains this year. Regrettably, we didn't meet our number quota for the facility we are using, so we'll have to cancel the program planned for March 25-29 and make arrangements for another time. Thanks again to those who expressed interest in coming.—Jonathan McNair
Living Youth Programs
Online Teen Bible Study—Friday Evening
This year we are conducting weekly Living Youth Bible Studies on the subject of the fundamental doctrines of the Living Church of God. The Bible Studies have been moved from Sunday evening to Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. EST (USA). If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for one of the online Bible Studies yet, I encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath day.
Next Friday, March 1, Mr. Sheldon Monson plans to present a Bible Study titled, "Clean and Unclean Meats." The chat room is open at 7:30 p.m. (EST) and the Bible Study runs from 8:00-9:00 p.m. You can access this Bible Study at www.livingyouth.org. We hope as many of our youth as possible will join us for this wonderful opportunity for Godly fellowship and learning. For those of you who are unable to make it to the study, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's, "Tithing," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Josh Penman
Youth Program Updates
Due to overwhelming interest in the Adventure Camp in California—we've had twice as many people apply as we can accept—we've added an "essay" portion to the camper application process. If you applied to the Adventure Camp as a camper, you should have received an e-mail. However, if you didn't receive it for some reason, we are asking you to submit an up-to one-page essay on why you want to attend the adventure camp and e-mail it to [email protected]. The deadline for this is Monday, February 25, at midnight Pacific time (3:00 a.m. EST).
Additionally, if you haven't had a chance to check out our two Web sites, I would like to encourage you to do so! There is a wealth of information about our Living Youth Camps for the upcoming year at http://lyc.lcg.org. At http://www.livingyouth.org you will find Bible Studies for the youth, as well as archives of LYC camps from previous years and other information. We're constantly adding new content to both sites, so be sure to take a look.—Josh Penman
LYC European Teen Summer Camp—Chevetogne, Belgium
The dates for this year's camp are arrival on Friday, August 16 and departure on Sunday, August 25. The cost for each person attending will be £120 sterling/€150 euros. Accommodation is in a dormitory where also Sabbath services, Bible Studies, meals and sing-alongs will take place. See http://www.domainedechevetogne.be/fr/new_maison_foret.php?style=stylebase, the resort Web site, for more information about the facility.
Schedule permitting, activities will include hiking/orienteering, water-skiing, leather work, music, Bible and Christian education, volleyball, football, badminton, basketball, nature discovery, PowerPoint Presentation skills, speech and initiative training. We have two Sabbaths for relaxation and spiritual instruction, and the week will culminate with a special Sabbath dinner followed by a sing-along.
Application Forms are available from the LCG office in the UK, [email protected], or from Mr. Rees Ellis in Belgium, [email protected]. Camper and staff applications are to be sent to the UK Office with a copy e-mailed to Mr. Rees Ellis. Deadline for applications to be handed in to your local minister is March 23.
Tomorrow's World Television Department
In addition to a number of Tomorrow's World telecast enhancements that you will start to see over the coming months, we are excited to announce that we are now beginning distribution of the Tomorrow's World telecast in high definition to a select number of network stations, beginning with CW-Plus, BET and Impact! We intend to expand high def distribution to more of our regional and national networks over the coming months.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles 2013
2013 Registration
Festival Registration for 2013 will begin Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 12:00 noon (EDT). Please do not make housing reservations until you have been given confirmation of your acceptance to your requested Feast site. For those without Internet access, please contact your Festival Advisor for assistance. (Festival Advisors—we will be contacting you soon with more information for you to pass on to the brethren). All information about this year's Feast sites will be posted on the Church's Festival Web site by March 15—stay tuned for more details. Pastors: If you have not yet filled out your Ministerial Site Preference survey please do so right away.
Congregations Site Assignments
Once again this year, brethren in the Living Church of God will be assigned to a Feast site by congregation, not by home address. Each congregation in the USA is assigned to one of the eleven American Feast sites for 2013. Please note below the congregation you attend, and your corresponding Feast site assignment. International areas, please check with your Regional Office if you do not know what Feast site your congregation is assigned to.—Festival Office
ANCHORAGE, AK
Alaska: Anchorage
BOERNE, TX
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Ferriday, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport
New Mexico: El Paso/Las Cruces
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Hawkins, Houston, Lufkin, Midland, San Antonio, Temple
CHATTANOOGA, TN
Alabama: Athens, Birmingham, Montgomery
Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Blairsville, Braselton, Columbus, Macon
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
Mississippi: Columbus, Jackson, Laurel, Ocean Springs
South Carolina: Anderson
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Knoxville, Nashville
INDIAN WELLS, CA
Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
California: Arroyo Grande, Concord, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Diego
Hawaii
Nevada: Las Vegas, Reno
LAKE OF THE OZARKS, MO
Arkansas: El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Harrison, Little Rock, Russellville
Iowa: Des Moines
Kansas: Chanute, Wichita
Missouri: Columbia, Joplin, Kansas City, Rolla, Springfield, St. Joseph, St. Louis
Nebraska: Omaha
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Tennessee: Memphis
NEWPORT, OR
California: Eureka, Redding
Idaho: Boise
Oregon: Grants Pass, Portland
Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Tonasket
PALM HARBOR, FL
Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lake City, Ocala, Pensacola, Tampa
Georgia: Thomasville
Puerto Rico: San Juan
South Carolina: Walterboro
PARK CITY, UT
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Meeker
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Casper, Saratoga, Wheatland
SNOWSHOE, WV
DC: Washington
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
North Carolina: Asheboro, Asheville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Statesville, Wilmington
Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Lima
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
Virginia: Bristol, Norfolk, Richmond, Williamsburg, Winchester
West Virginia: Bluefield, Logan, Ripley
TANNERSVILLE, PA
Connecticut
Delaware
Massachusetts: Auburn
Maine: Bangor, Freeport
New Hampshire: Lebanon
New Jersey: Cranford, Hammonton
New York: Albany, Corning, Melville, New York City, Rochester
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Stroudsburg
Rhode Island: Providence
WISCONSIN DELLS, WI
Iowa: Dubuque
Illinois: Chicago, Peoria
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Knox, Terre Haute
Michigan: Detroit, Kalamazoo, Lansing, McMillan, Traverse City
Minnesota: Duluth, Minneapolis
North Dakota: Bismarck
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
South Dakota
Israel Feast Tour 2013
If you have been accepted for the 2013 Feast tour in Israel, you should have received an e-mail with some updates this week. There is some important information in that message, so if you did not receive it, please e-mail Jim Meredith at [email protected] as soon as possible. You should also be receiving an e-mail from the Travel Gallery in the next few days with more updates, information and reminders. There is another deposit due on March 1, and this e-mail will include that reminder. If you do not hear from them in the next week, please let me know.—Jim Meredith
Human Resources
Employment Opportunity: Information Technology Manager
The Headquarters Office is looking for an experienced IT professional to manage its IT Department. The successful candidate will be a member of the Living Church of God, will have a strong background in network administration, database management and computer hardware, and will be expected to relocate to Charlotte (the Church will pay for reasonable moving expense). Competencies with Microsoft Exchange Server, SQLServer and a MCSE certification (or better) are very desirable. Supervisory and/or management experience and programming ability are a plus. Please send your resume to Suzanne Pyle via e-mail [email protected], or fax 704-844-1973, at the Human Resources Department. We request that only those applicants who are able to legally work in the United States apply for this position.—Dexter Wakefield
Comments
Trials Test Our Faith: The Apostle Paul warned, "know this, that in the last days perilous times will come" (2 Timothy 3:1). Jesus wondered aloud, "when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8), and He prayed that Peter's faith would not fail when he encountered trials and tribulation (Luke 22:32). When the challenges of life begin to mount, we need to remember that faith is one of the fruits of God's Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and that God gives His Spirit to those who trust Him and obey His instructions (Acts 5:32). We must do our part to stir up God's Spirit to help us overcome our trials and fears (2 Timothy 1:6-7). We can also ask for more faith (Luke 17:5). We need to remember that faith comes from hearing (and studying) God's word (Romans 10:17), which states plainly that God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9) and that He is like a rock and a fortress that protects and preserves His faithful people (Psalm 31:3, 23). James wrote, "the testing of our faith produces patience" (James 1:3-4). Let's do our part to build faith by studying the examples of faith recorded in Hebrews 11, as we strive to please God and stay focused on His plan.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 21, 2013
The Power of an Undead Pope: Vatican watchers are questioning how a newly elected pope might function while a living "past Pope" resides within the Vatican. Some warn that "Benedict XVI may be too frail to continue as Pope, but even in retirement he will be able to keep an iron grip on the church... Benedict XVI has embarked on an unprecedented and potentially perilous endgame. He will know his successor, witness his progress, exert an influence just by being alive… The Catholic Church has entered the era of a watchful undead pontiff" (The Times, February 17, 2013). Will the new Pope "toe the Vatican line" and "continue on the same path" as his predecessors, or will he bring about reforms to revitalize a corrupt church? (Der Spiegel, February 18, 2013). One thing to realize is that popes tend to act with the future in mind, considering how they can influence coming years, decades, and even centuries! Bible prophecy indicates that the Roman church will play an increasingly powerful role on the world scene in the future, even bringing wayward Protestant churches back into the "fold" (see Revelation 17). Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI both worked hard to re-connect with the Protestant churches. This new pope will also likely play a powerful role in moving forward the "European experiment." We are now seeing significant events occurring that will shape both "the woman" who rides the beast, and the Beast itself! For more information on this fascinating topic, be sure to review our booklet The Beast of Revelation.
Muslim Jihad funded by Non-Believers? Muslim imam Anjem Choudary was secretly filmed in the UK mocking non-Muslims and calling on Muslims to wage a state-funded jihad against the non-believers (Telegraph, February 17, 2013). He personally receives more than £25,000 ($38,000) in benefits from the UK government—£8,000 more than the average British soldier fighting in Afghanistan (ibid.). He later told the crowd, "We are going to take England—the Muslims are coming" (ibid.). Choudary also encouraged Muslims to take a stand against Western governments, people and national beliefs. "Democracy, freedom, secularism, the parliament, all the MPs and the Presidents, all the kuffar's [non-believer's] ideas, everything the people worship, we have to believe that they are bad and we have got to reject them" (ibid.). God warned the Israelite nations that if they forsook His commandments and followed their own wicked desires, He would allow foreigners to "eat the fruit of your land and the produce of your labor" (Deuteronomy 28:33). The UK (Ephraim) is fulfilling Hosea's prophecy by acting like "a silly dove, without sense" and providing economic benefits to Muslims who outwardly hate and want to harm the British people (Hosea 7:11). If the UK and the other Western allies continue to promote homosexual marriage, abortion, and other sins, God will continue to bring His promised punishments upon His disobedient children (Deuteronomy 8:15-20).
Impact of a Small Meteor: Last Friday a meteor entered Earth's atmosphere and broke up, "raining fireballs" over central Russia. About 1,200 people were injured, most by shards of glass from windows shattered by the shockwaves. It created a flash of light described as making the night sky look "as bright as if it were day" (Reuters, February 15, 2013). According to a Russian science agency, the energy released by the meteor entering the atmosphere was equivalent to a small atomic weapon. Cell phone service was disrupted and 300 buildings were damaged, with damage estimates totaling more than $30 million (ibid.). While the meteor in Russia is not the end of the world, it does illustrate that a small object (relatively speaking) can cause major damage. What would happen if a much larger object were to hit? Bible prophecy reveals that at the time of the end there will be "fearful sights and great signs from heaven" (Luke 21:11). Revelation also shows that powerful meteor showers will result in many hitting the earth prior to Christ's return (Revelation 6:13). The experience last week over Russia is only a tiny foretaste of what is prophesied to come. For more information on future prophetic events read our booklet Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled!—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway and James Bennett