Greetings from Charlotte,
Parents and children all over the United States are observing Halloween this week, misguidedly honoring the god of this age, Satan the devil. But against this background of corruption and death, God's Work continues: The Tomorrow's World television program continues to air on more than 140 stations around the world. And Dr. Meredith's semi-annual letter is being mailed to more than 440,000 Tomorrow's World magazine subscribers in 188 different countries! We have much to be thankful for—and much more work to do, as Dr. Meredith reminded the office staff in a general meeting this week. In other news, Mr. Richard Ames and Dr. Douglas Winnail are in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada this weekend for the Canadian Regional Conference. One hundred and sixty visitors attended the Tomorrow's World presentations in Cincinnati and Columbus last week (see announcement below). We were also sobered to hear of the death of a long-time servant of God and minister in His Work, Mr. Charles Knowlton (see announcement below). Please keep Mrs. Knowlton in your prayers, as well as all of those who are suffering or have family suffering from health trials.—RMc
Church Administration
Tomorrow's World Presentations in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio
The Cincinnati and Columbus congregations hosted Tomorrow's World presentations on October 26 and 27, with Mr. Wallace Smith presenting. There were a total of 245 people in attendance, including 73 new people in Cincinnati and 87 new people in Columbus. The topic of the first half was "The Gathering Storm," and some visitors commented that the signs they see in the news of such a coming "storm" were what stirred them to attend. The second half of the presentation focused on finding shelter from that storm in the true Church of God. Attendees were challenged to consider their own practices and many expressed an interest in attending Sabbath services in the future. The Church members who attended felt that a good witness had been given to what proved to be very energetic and lively crowds, and it was exciting to see, in these brand new individuals, how God is working in lives through the Church's efforts!—Wallace Smith
Mr. Charles Knowlton: February 12, 1927–October 21, 2013
Mr. Charles Knowlton died on Monday, October 21, at 86 years of age and his funeral was conducted October 25. Charles Knowlton served as a minister of Jesus Christ for more than 30 years, the last several years in the Ohio area. He will be missed very much. Cards of condolence can be sent to his wife and family at the following address: Mrs. Nadine Knowlton, 1309 Azalea Drive, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.—Wallace Smith
Mr. Moses Visits Nepal
On Thursday, October 10, I arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal, and the next morning flew on to Pokhara. There, I was met by a man with whom I have corresponded for over a year. He was very happy to see me and invited me to his home for lunch. After lunch we had a long talk. He related how he came to read The Plain Truth magazine in the 1980s while he was in college in Bombay. However, it wasn't till many years later that he again learned the Truth from the Living Church of God. He was hoping the church he belonged to would support the Truth but many left because of the Sabbath. He now keeps the Sabbath with 13 others. I went through our Church order of services and gave him two hymnals and song CDs along with some literature. On the Sabbath, 13 people attended the service. A few more were unable to come because the local bus service was suspended due to a Hindu festival. There are four people who can speak English. I spoke about, "Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath?" and played the DVD on "Feed My Sheep" to show them the leaders of the Church. After the service we had lunch together and discussed more about the Work. There is a potential for growth in Nepal.—Rajan Moses
Registration is now open for the 2013 Kansas City Family Weekend
Registration is now open for the 2013 Kansas City Family Weekend, which will be Friday, December 27 through Sunday, December 29. Go to LCGKC.org (not an official Church Web site) and click on KC Weekend.
Hotel and meeting hall: This year, all Friday and Saturday activities will be at the Holiday Inn and CoCo Key Water Resort across from the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals stadium complex. The hotel is offering a $79 rate for Friday and Saturday nights but the deadline for these rates is November 27, which is earlier than in previous years. It is also giving our group a complimentary continental breakfast of Danish, muffins, coffee and juices as well as discounted prices to its water park. Please go to the KC Weekend Web site for more information and for the online registration code for the discounted rate. You may make your hotel reservations online or call 1-800-238-9938. Be sure to let them know that you are with the Living Church of God.
Activities: All of the Friday and Saturday activities will be held at the Holiday Inn. On Friday night, there will be a Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. Sabbath morning may include a seminar or Bible Study. Sabbath services will be in the afternoon. Check the KC weekend Web site for updates.
Saturday evening will include an Italian feast, catered by the Holiday Inn, for $10 per person (there is a small surcharge if you use PayPal). We do ask that all who sign up for the catered meal pay in advance via PayPal or by mailing a check. See our food section on the KC weekend Web site for what's included in the meal and for payment details. We'll have after-dinner entertainment followed by a dance. Or, if you prefer, head over to the water park. Tickets are $10 per person, which is a significant discount from the normal rates.
Sunday will include basketball, volleyball, children's activities and fellowship time, once again at the Okun Fieldhouse. Please begin assembling your volleyball or basketball teams now. Register your team or your activity online soon to help us in our planning.
We look forward to seeing you soon!—Michael Keesee
2013 Charlotte Winter Weekend Is Still On!—Repeat Announcement
A number of individuals recently received an automated e-mail stating that the Charlotte Winter Weekend had been canceled. The weekend is definitely still on! (The automated e-mail was due to the deletion of the 2012 LCG Charlotte Winter Weekend Facebook page.) Activities for all ages are being planned for this fun-filled family weekend in December. Arrival will be Friday, December 20 and departure will be Tuesday, December 24. Bible Studies, Sabbath services, a dinner-dance and seminars will once again be held at the Renaissance Charlotte Suites Hotel. This upscale all-suite hotel was very popular with everyone who attended last year and is an excellent value. A special group rate of $92, which includes breakfast, has been negotiated at this hotel. We will once again have a sports day with basketball and volleyball tournaments on Sunday. (Now is the time to put your teams together.) We will also have free-play courts, organized children's games, and top it all off with a tasty lunch. On Monday morning there will be seminars for teens, singles, and married couples, followed by a seniors luncheon and singles and youth activities in the afternoon—different from last year. Visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/LcgCharlotteWinterWeekend, for more information and updates. Registration for the weekend will be open soon. Please start planning now to join us for a weekend of spiritual rejuvenation, fun, food and fellowship!—Jim Meredith
Living Youth Programs
Online Teen Bible Study—Friday Evening
The online Teen Bible Study Friday evening, November 8, will be on "Has Time Been Lost?" 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. (EDT) and the Bible Study runs from 8:00-9:00 p.m. You can access this Bible Study at 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 on "Predestination—Does the Bible Teach It?," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Comments
Value of Wisdom: Solomon wrote that one of the most important goals in life is to gain wisdom (Proverbs 4:7) and that the value of wisdom is even greater than gold or rubies (Proverbs 8:11; 16:16). Solomon wrote the book of Proverbs to help others gain wisdom (Proverbs 1:1-6) and taught that the key to gaining wisdom is developing a proper fear of God—having a sincere desire to follow God's instructions (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Wisdom helps us discern between right and wrong, and it also leads to happiness and a longer life (Proverbs 2:10-11; 3:13-16). As Jesus grew up, He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52), because He obviously followed the instructions in Proverbs 2:1-5 to seek after wisdom, to cry out (in prayer) for discernment, and to treasure the commandments of God. The Apostle James urged us to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5). The Apostle Paul admonished us to study the Scriptures "which are able to make you wise" (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Do a word study of "wise" and "wisdom" in a concordance to gain a better understanding of this vital subject. As you grow in wisdom, you will be developing one of the attributes of God and Jesus Christ (Job 9:4; Romans 16:27).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—October 31, 2013
U.S. Spying Implications: Nations spy on other nations—they have for a very long time—and most national leaders understand this (BBC, October 26, 2013). However, this fact does not make it acceptable to those being spied upon, nor does it make it right. In recent weeks, it has become clear that the U.S. National Security Agency was tapping phones of high-ranking leaders in France, Germany, Mexico and Brazil (ibid.; New York Daily News, October 21, 2013). U.S. ambassadors to both Germany and France have been "called in" and Chancellor Merkel even spoke to President Obama directly about the matter. While some world leaders may move on past this news, other leaders are shocked at this major breach of trust and many citizens are building resentment. One headline declares, "Europe falls out of love with Obama over NSA spying claims" (CNN, October 25, 2013). A Swedish journalist noted, "I blame Hollywood for the fact that Merkel, Cameron, Reinfeldt, Hollande and the whole European bunch have fallen in love with President Obama" (EU Observer, October 26, 2013). But, is Hollywood really at fault? Long ago God prophesied against modern Israelite nations, "All your lovers have forgotten you; they do not seek you; for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy… For the multitude of your iniquities, because your sins have increased" (Jeremiah 30:14). God also noted that Israel "played the harlot even though she was Mine; and she lusted for her lovers, the neighboring Assyrians [modern Germany]… Therefore I have delivered her into the hand of her lovers, into the hand of the Assyrians, for whom she lusted" (Ezekiel 23:5, 9). Bible prophecies foresaw a time when the friends and allies of modern Israelite nations will reject them and take them into captivity. God may use this current row to prepare for the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies.
Western Access Through the Arctic! With the thawing "northeast passage," sea travel has increased through the Arctic. "Last year 46 ships sailed the route. More than 400 are expected this year." Some estimate that the trading power of this Arctic passage could rival the Suez Canal—linking trade between Europe and Asia (The Times, September 17, 2013). At the same time, "The Russian Navy is moving to establish a 'constant presence' in the region, according to the military. A Soviet air force base is being rebuilt after two decades in mothballs" (ibid.). Russia's aim is to maintain a "constant presence" in the Arctic and protect its assets. Bible prophecy reveals that near the end of the age, the European Beast power will become a major global trading power (Revelation 13:17). Ultimately, nations of the earth will be made rich through the "abundance of her luxury" (Revelation 18:3). However, this influential trading power will fall after a few years, and merchants of the earth will "weep and lament" over this demise (vv. 8-10). The opening of this northern trade route is occurring at the same time China is looking for a new trade and economic partner. If turmoil in the Middle East continues to grow, China and Russia may find that control of this northeast passage is important to their economic trade with Europe. For more on this developing subject, read our article on "U.S.-China Trade War: Coming Soon?"
Perverting Justice: Millions are upset over the brutal gang rape of a teenage girl in Kenya. Three of the men convicted of the crime were sentenced to mow the lawn around the police compound and then were released (Yahoo News, October 28, 2013). A spokesperson for one victims group observed "Letting rapists walk free after making them cut grass has to be the world's worst punishment for rape… It's an absolute failure of the entire system and an absolutely shameful response by Kenya's police" (ibid.). More than one million people have signed a petition asking that the government get involved to bring justice. God's word clearly states, "Cursed is the one who perverts the justice due the stranger, the fatherless, and widow" (Deuteronomy 27:19). Proper justice is very important to God. It is the reason why God provided specific statutes and judgments in the Bible. God's very throne is founded on justice (Psalm 89:14). Jesus Christ also taught that "justice" is one of the most important aspects of God's law (Matthew 23:23). Thankfully, with the return of Jesus Christ, the world will finally be judged with righteousness and truth (Psalm 96:13)! Read our booklet, The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?, for more about that wonderful day!—Scott Winnail, Ron Ramsingh, and Sue Bennett