Greetings from Charlotte,
Americans were once again shocked by a brutal act of terror last Monday, near the finish line of the iconic Boston Marathon. Three were killed and more than 170 wounded. Further mayhem resulted Wednesday night in West, Texas, when a fertilizer plant exploded, leaving 15 dead and more than 150 wounded. At a time when we need God's protection more than ever, many in our world are turning their backs on Him with nothing but contempt and disgust for God's way of life!
These calamities—and the real hope that God holds out for mankind—make the Work we're doing even more urgent. In furthering this Work, Dr. Meredith conducted various meetings this week and finished the new co-worker letter, which was mailed out to 11,683 co-workers. The Editorial Department reports that R.R. Donnelley began mailing the May-June 2013 issue of the Tomorrow's World magazine this week, the first issue with our newly updated layout. Dr. Douglas Winnail and Mr. Mario Hernandez report that the three days of ministerial meetings in Medellin, Colombia, were very successful. This was the first time most of the Spanish-speaking elders and wives of Living Church of God have been together in one place, and it was very exciting! Dr. Winnail returns to Charlotte today and Mr. Hernandez plans to return next week. The Tomorrow's World Facebook page continues to expand, now surpassing 42,000 fans. Dr. Scott Winnail has been in San Francisco, California this week attending Distance Education and Training Council meetings (related to Living University). Please continue to pray for Mrs. Nancy Hall, who entered hospice last week. Please also pray for Regional Director Rod King, who was recently hospitalized in Charleroi, Belgium (see note below).—RMc
Church Administration
Second Passover
The Second Passover this year should be taken shortly after sunset on Tuesday, April 23. This Passover is for those baptized members who were unable to take the first Passover due to unavoidable circumstances. The biblical instructions regarding this ceremony are found in Numbers 9:1-14.
Prayer Request
Please pray for Mr. Rod King, who experienced some serious medical issues this week. Here is his report:
"Scotland's favourite son Robert Burns, wrote, 'The best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft a-gley (often go awry)'. Such was the case for our trip to Belgium last weekend. Things went awry. We arrived Friday and early the next morning, I found myself in the A&E ward [Emergency Room]. After some procedures I was admitted to the Charleroi hospital on Sunday. It became obvious that there are some problems with my prostate so I will be having further tests next week at the Northampton hospital. Meanwhile, the European Elders and Deacons conference that I had planned had to be conducted by Mr. Ellis in my absence."
Mr. King is back home and recovering, but would certainly appreciate your prayers for his complete recovery.
Carolina Singles Weekend 2013—Repeat Announcement
Registration is open for Carolina Singles Weekend 2013! You can register on our Charlotte Church page, http://charlottelcg.org (not an official Church Web site), as well as see the full schedule. 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. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Darren Brinson at [email protected]. We hope to see y'all there!—Darren Brinson
Living Youth Programs
Online Teen Bible Study—Friday Evening
The Bible Study on Friday evening, April 26, will be on "Healing" and will be presented by Mr. Sheldon Monson. If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for the online Bible Studies yet, I encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath Day.
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, "The Holy Spirit," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Josh Penman
Living Youth Camp—Ohio—Repeat Announcement
For many teens, the highlight of Living Youth Camp each year is the "Final Banquet." Unlike most summer camps, which begin to wrap things up and serve left-overs on the final night of camp, we do the opposite: we have the most formal evening of the camp.
Each year, the dining and dance halls are decorated according to a theme to help tie the evening together and make it more special. This year we're looking for suggestions from the youth in the Church as to what they would like the theme of this year's dinner and dance to be. If you have a suggestion for the theme (for instance, "The Garden of Eden," "The Whole Armor of God," etc.), please e-mail it in to us at [email protected]. Thank you!—Josh Penman
LYC Teen Camp 2013—Camp Lazarus, Delaware, Ohio—Repeat Announcement
This camp is filling up fast! Please send in your applications as soon as possible if you would like to attend.—Sheldon Monson
Texas Pre-Teen Camp Two Months Away!—Repeat Announcement
Important: If you are planning to apply for the Texas Pre-Teen Camp, please do so soon! Since camp starts in two months, camper and staff positions need to be determined as soon as possible.
Registration is now open for summer fun at LYC Texas Pre-Teen Camp, June 16–21 at Camp Whispering Cedars in Dallas—six days of recreation, fellowship, sports and adventure for pre-teens and their families.
Campers ages 7–12 will participate in full days of challenging activities while making friendships that will last a lifetime. Mini campers ages 6 and under will take part in many of the activities their older siblings do, but with more unstructured time for games, crafts, and play. Older siblings, campers ages 13 and 14, will be a part of our camper/staff training program and have an opportunity to learn and practice skills needed to be an effective camp staff member while also partaking in many of the activities provided for the campers. Parents are always needed to fill our staff positions, and more importantly, to create the family atmosphere that has always been a big part of LYC Texas Pre-Teen Camp. We encourage all who are interested in attending to register by filling out the applications online at http://lyc.lcg.org/. If you are unable to apply online, you may receive a paper copy of the application by calling Jenny Penman at 704-844-1960, ext. 2283. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact our Camp Director, Mr. Phil Sena, by phone at 512-535-6771, or by e-mail at [email protected].
LYC European Teen Summer Camp—Chevetogne, Belgium—Repeat Announcement
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's 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.
Feast of Tabernacles
2013 Registration Open
As of Thursday, more than 4,400 brethren around the world are registered for the Feast of Tabernacles. If you requested a transfer, but have not been notified of your approval, thank you for your patience. We are processing the transfer requests as quickly as we can.
Please note: We are about 80 attendees short of our minimum for the Punta Leona, Costa Rica Feast site. If we do not reach our minimum, we may have to cancel the site. If you are interested in transferring to Costa Rica, please register as soon as possible!
Site closures: Chattanooga, Tennessee is closed for further transfers.
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic is closed for further transfers.
Montego Bay, Jamaica is closed for further transfers.
Two new sites:
Antigua, Guatemala
Cuzco, Peru
Please check the Festival Web site (www.fot2013.lcg.org) for more information about these sites.—Festival Office
2014 Israel Feast Tour
An e-mail was sent out this week to those individuals on the waiting list for the 2014 Israel Feast Tour. If you did not receive this e-mail and still want to attend the Feast in Israel in 2014, please contact me at [email protected] by Wednesday, April 24. If I do not hear from you by then, your name will be removed from the list.
In the next couple of weeks we will be opening registration for any not on the waiting list who want to join the 2014 Israel Feast Tour. Next year's tour should be similar to this year's. If you want more information, please go to the Israel Feast site page at www.fot2013.lcg.org.—Jim Meredith
Internet
We are pleased to announce a new, monthly video summary from Church Administration and the Regional Directors, titled "Around the World." This video update will provide you with a brief review of some of the exciting opportunities, some of the challenges, and some of the doors that God is opening for His Church all around the world! We hope to produce this video monthly, and we hope to include all Regional Offices most months. However, because of the demanding schedules that our Regional Directors keep, we may not be able to receive a video from every office every month. We hope you enjoy this brief video update and that this information will not only be inspiring, but will also give you insight into what God is doing through His Church all around the world. Please click the following link to view the video: "Around the World."—Wyatt Ciesielka
Comments
The Two Trees: I have two plum trees of the same variety in my yard. One is about seven years old, the other a year and a half. The seven-year-old has the look of a healthy and vibrant tree. It has a strong trunk and good branch structure. It produces a plethora of beautiful leaves every year. But in seven years of life, it has yielded only two or three plums, and those fell off prematurely. What a disappointment! The other tree is still young, and had a rough start. It was bought at a discount, as a "reject." It is short and stubby. Its spindly limbs were chewed off last winter by our dog, leaving ugly gashes. But when I inspected it a few weeks ago, I saw the beginnings of a beautiful, perfectly shaped, healthy little plum! Fruit! I was overjoyed!
Brethren, when God considers our life, what does He see? Does He see joy and peace? Does He see self-control and gentleness? Does He see love? Whether we are "babes," or whether we've been around a long time, God wants good fruit. Solomon said even children are expected to yield good fruit: "Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right" (Proverbs 20:11). But do we ever "outgrow" the need to bring forth fruit? Should we become "all leaves and no plums"? Of course not! Paul explained this to the Hebrews, saying, "by this time you ought to be teachers… [but] you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). As we learn at Pentecost, we are God's firstfruits! Wherever we are in the spectrum of life—in the early goings, middle-aged, or full of years, let's make sure we're giving God good fruit!
Have a meaningful Sabbath!
Rod McNair
News and Prophecy—April 18, 2013
China Releases Military White Paper: In a recent, unprecedented move, China publically released a military White Paper detailing its military structure and size (BBC, April 16, 2013). "The army has a total of 850,000 soldiers, while the navy and air force have a strength of 235,000 and 398,000," for a total of over 1.4 million soldiers (ibid.). Its navy operates three distinct fleets, while the second artillery force controls both conventional and nuclear missiles. China's military budget rose by more than 11% last year (ibid.). China currently has 350 million men eligible for military service. Bible end-time prophecy tells of a 200-million-man army from the East that will eventually converge on Jerusalem and devastate the armies of the European Beast power (Daniel 11:44; Joel 2:2; Revelation 9:13-20). As we approach the end of the age, it is important to continue watching the military build-up in China, and also increasing alliances between nations of the East. South Korea and Japan also have growing militaries. And, despite the tyrannical leadership in North Korea and its consequent national poverty, the nation itself possesses significant military hardware and forces. The prophetic puzzle for the Kings of the East is cooperating and preparing for a time when God will use them to complete His long-prophesied plan. For more on this topic, read our revealing booklet, Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled!
Terrorism in Boston. During Monday's Boston Marathon, two bomb blasts near the finish line caused devastation, death and injury and brought an early end to the race (The Lookout, April 16, 2013). More than 170 people were reported injured, 17 were in critical condition, and three died at the scene. Several of the injured underwent amputations due to the severity of their injuries. The bombs were laced with nails and other metallic debris—apparently intended to cause maximum harm. The bombs themselves appeared to be crude, but experts describe the attack as "sophisticated, coordinated" and planned (CNN, April 16, 2013; NY Post, April 17, 2013). Many large U.S. cities and airports have subsequently implemented heightened security measures. The devastation in Boston comes just months after the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. These events are appalling and disheartening, and should lead us to "mourn" for the victims and the society that breeds such tragedies (Matthew 5:4). But as sad as these horrendous events are, Bible prophecy reveals that more "terrors" are on the way, due to the sins of the modern Israelite nations (Leviticus 26:14-16). The exciting news is that Christ will return and bring with Him a Kingdom that will enforce peace throughout the world—a world that will learn to live by every word of God, and the Ten Commandments (Isaiah 2:3-4). For more on this wonderful time of peace and safety, be sure to review our encouraging booklet, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in New Zealand! It has only been a few months since the "Definition of Marriage Bill" was introduced in the New Zealand Parliament, yet it has raced through the parliamentary process with blistering speed. The bill's third reading, which passed emphatically with 77 votes to 44 on Wednesday evening, now means that men can legally marry men and women can marry women in New Zealand. This news was generally received with joy across the nation, and parties were planned to celebrate the occasion (Yahoo News, April 17, 2013). Although this decision was made by the parliament of New Zealand for New Zealanders, the impact of the new law will be felt more widely. It has been reported that more than 1,000 Australian same-sex couples plan to fly to New Zealand in the coming months to "get hitched" (ibid.). New Zealand now joins other nations such as Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay in legalizing same-sex marriage, with most of these nations being of Israelite descent. In one of the darkest days in New Zealand's history, it is certainly high time to "sigh and cry" over the abominations being committed in Israel (Ezekiel 9:4, 9-10). It is no wonder that the time of "Jacob's trouble" is coming soon on disobedient Israelite-descended nations (Jeremiah 30:4-7) that embrace a perverted lifestyle which God describes as an "abomination" (Leviticus 18:22). For more information on what lies ahead, read our booklet, The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.—Scott Winnail and Paul Kearns