Greetings from Charlotte,
As millions anguish over the growing strife and turmoil around the world, as governments grapple with widespread corruption and division, and so-called "Christian" nations turn away from and reject the laws of God, His Work continues to push forward. This week in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has taped a new Tomorrow's World program and held a number of meetings. Our representatives who attended the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tennessee found the meetings to be very beneficial and returned with a number of exciting ideas. It appears that we will have a number of ministers and members joining us from another COG group—more about that next week. Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Weston and Mr. Rod King are currently visiting the office in Charlotte. Mr. King will tape several new programs while he is here. Dr. Meredi th plans to deliver the sermon this Sabbath here in Charlotte. Please continue to pray that God will guide His Work and His people as we strive to follow His direction.—DSW
Church Administration
Spanish Web Site Update
The future of the Spanish Web site looks promising with the introduction of a new design later in 2014 and a special boost in our Social Media efforts (mainly Facebook and Twitter). But last year was not bad either… It was our best year so far!
The main Web site MundoManana.org recorded 230,000 unique visitors in 2013, which is a 400 percent increase (compared with the 46,000 unique visitors in 2012). They came from 147 countries and territories, including Mexico (19.5 percent), the USA (16.5 percent), Colombia (12 percent), Argentina, Venezuela and Peru (6 percent). These visitors saw more than 500,000 pages and downloaded 288,000 items. In addition, more than 60,000 telecasts have been watched from our YouTube account, jumping from 1,245 views in January 2013 to 14,657 views in December. This steady growth has not slowed down, with more than 20,000 views in January 2014! More than 100 telecasts recorded by Mr. Hernandez or translated by Mr. Bais are available.
Last year, 270 students also registered for the online Bible Study Course, curso-biblia.org, and 60 of them have completed at least the first test (lessons 1-4). We are grateful to God for this growth and we surely appreciate your prayers for the Spanish Work at this time.—VG Lardé
Philippines Typhoon Update
Just four months ago, the Visayas region of the Philippines was struck by what was labelled the strongest storm on record. Thank you to all who contributed generously to our Disaster Fund, which was tasked to assist members with immediate needs and reconstruction of their homes. Many have asked how our members are doing. Let us be thankful to God that none of our members suffered injury or death. And even their property damage was minor compared to the wholesale destruction that the storm unleashed.
Elder Basilio Osillos and I have returned from our second post-typhoon visit to the area. It is pleasing to be able to report that all members seem to be doing well and their situation is vastly better than at the time of our last visit. Houses have been repaired and even some improvements have been made. Children are back in school. Gardens have been replanted. One widow who has five children to care for has restarted her candy-making business and she says "demand is strong." Scars of the typhoon's wrath are evident everywhere in town and country, but God has created humans to be resilient. Everyday life is slowly returning to normal in the region and commerce is thriving.
However, since the typhoon, the southern Philippines have been hit by at least two additional major storm events which have caused scores of deaths by flooding and landslide. There are also weekly deaths through ongoing insurgencies by Islamic and communist rebels who are operating near to where many of our members live. Our prayer of "Thy Kingdom come" remains vital.—Kinnear Penman
Passover 2014—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: This year the Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, April 13. 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, we should have this information by March 17 for U.S. congregations. Information for international congregations should already be here.
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. For U.S. members, we need the information by March 17. International requests should have been received by now. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Cincinnati "Creation Weekend" Planned!
The Ohio congregations are planning a "Creation Weekend" in Cincinnati over Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26. The event will include special Bible Studies, workshops, and activities related to creation, science, and the Bible, as well as a group trip to the world famous, Bible-based Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky. We are planning fellowship and educational activities that will be fun for all ages, from pre-teens and teens to adults and "seasoned citizens"! In an age when biblical teachings concerning man's origins and the creation of the earth and the universe are mocked and ridiculed, we believe that it is all the more important to fortify ourselves and our children with the truth, and this weekend will be dedicated to doing just that. If you are interested in coming, please visit ohiolcg.org (not an official Chur ch Web site), click on the "Creation Weekend" link, and let us know you are interested. Also, you can find more information on this site and even submit your own questions and suggestions! Your information will help us plan, and we will announce more information as the event develops. So pencil in Memorial Day weekend, and we'll see you in Cincinnati!—Wallace Smith
Carolina Singles Weekend
Need a break from the regular routine? Perhaps you could use a social and spiritually uplifting recharge? How does spending an exciting four-day weekend with a vibrant group of people of like mind sound? We invite you to join the Charlotte, North Carolina singles group for a Memorial Day weekend to remember. Spend time with old friends and family. Make new ones. At the Carolina Singles Weekend, you can expect Bible studies on timely, relevant topics. Also—food, dancing, sports, team challenges and a cozy outdoor fire await those who join us this year. Mark your calendar for May 23-26. Don't miss this opportunity to assemble together as a family in this unique way and location (Hebrews 10:25). We look forward to spending time with you!
Upcoming details will soon be posted to the local Charlotte LCG Web site: charlottelcg.org (not an official Church Web site) under "Carolina Singles Weekend."
If you have any questions, please contact Jonathan Bueno: [email protected] or 361-331-1099.
Northeast Family Weekend—Repeat Announcement
The Northeast congregations of the Living Church of God will again be gathering at Kingston, New York, for our annual Spring Holy Day Family Weekend. From April 18 through April 21, we'll enjoy the scenic beauty of the Epworth Camp and Conference Center, nestled along the banks of the Rondout Creek, at the base of the Catskill Mountains. In addition to Sabbath and Holy Day services, we'll enjoy hymn sing-alongs, a Spokesman Club Banquet, and a full day of interactive break-out workshops for all ages. Our focus this year will be on the important, Godly mandate, "Simplify Your Life." In a world that becomes more complex and confusing every year, learning to "simplify our life" is increasingly critical for Christians. In fact, this is one of the core lessons of the Days of Unleavened Bread, as we're taught to "come ou t of spiritual Egypt."
We have plenty of room and a welcome smile for guests! For more information, just go to http://nelcgfamilyweekend.weebly.com/ (not an official Church Web site) or you can contact me at [email protected].—Jonathan McNair
Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend in Greenville, April 18-21
The Anderson, South Carolina congregation invites you to join us for our seventh Upstate South Carolina Spring Holy Day Weekend scheduled for Friday, April 18to Monday, April 21. The weekend promises to be filled with inspiring spiritual messages, uplifting fellowship, and fun activities. Come celebrate the last part of the Days of Unleavened Bread with us in Greenville, SC. We are pleased to announce that the Presiding Evangelist of the Living Church of God, Dr. Roderick Meredith will be our guest speaker for the weekend.
Planned events include a Friday afternoon bike ride on the Swamp Rabbit Trail; a Friday evening opening dinner and Bible Study; brunch, a Bible Question-and-Answer Session, and Sabbath services on the Sabbath; the Black Hat 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 in downtown Greenville.
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 $89 per night for guests staying at the Hyatt. This guaranteed rate expires March 28, 2014. Further details about the event, prices of meals, and registration instructions are located at our local Web site: 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!—Manuel Burdette
General Ministerial Conference Reminder
As a reminder, a General Ministerial Conference is planned for here in Charlotte beginning on Monday, May 5 and lasting through Wednesday, May 7. Arrival for most of you will be on Sunday, May 4 with departure on Thursday, May 8.
Feast of Tabernacles
Ministerial Site Preference Survey
Attention all ministers: Last week we sent you an e-mail requesting that you let us know what Feast of Tabernacles site you would like to attend this year. The deadline to complete this survey is tomorrow, February 28. If you have not yet responded to it, please do so as soon as possible. If you did not receive the message, please check your "junk" or "spam" e-mail folder, as it might have gone there. If you don't find it there, please let us know at [email protected], and we will send you another copy of the message.
2014 Feast of Tabernacles Israel Tour
We still have some space open for the Israel Feast tour this year, so if you are interested, please register on the MyLCG page of the Church Web site. This is the last year we will be offering this opportunity to keep the Feast in Israel in the foreseeable future, so unless you go this year, you might have to wait until Christ returns to stand on the Mount of Olives. The trip this year has a revised itinerary from last year, and includes Masada and the Dead Sea in the main trip. The full tour description is posted on the MyLCG page, so check it out for details and pricing.—Jim Meredith
Coming Soon: 2014 Feast of Tabernacles Web Site—Repeat Announcement
Final touches are being made to the 2014 Feast of Tabernacles Web site—it should be available in the next couple weeks. And we will soon be announcing the Festival Registration date—stay tuned!
As a reminder, the USA Feast sites for 2014 are:
Park City, Utah
Seaside, Oregon
Indian Wells (Palm Springs area), California
Boerne, Texas
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Palm Harbor, Florida
Living Youth Programs
Online Teen Bible Study—Friday Evening
The online Teen Bible Study Friday evening, March 7, will be on "The Seven Trumpets Sound," presented by Mr. Sheldon Monson. 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.
The Bible Study runs from 8:00-9:00 p.m. (EST) and the chat room will be open for a half hour before and after the study. 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 "Who and What Is the Beast?," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Living Youth Camps—Repeat Announcement
Registration was due to close for the 2014 Adventure Camp on February 21, but since space is still available we are extending registration until March 7. If you are between 13 and 20 years old and are interested in applying as a camper, we encourage you to register as soon as possible. Adventure Camps have always filled up fast, so this may be a wonderful opportunity for you to attend, as well as to experience the beauty of Yellowstone. The cost of tuition is an exceptional value at $450.00 per camper. If you are 21 or older, in great physical condition, good with young people, and wish to serve as a member of the staff, you can also still apply. You won't want to miss this incredible opportunity, so sign up now! This spectacular park contains over 290 waterfalls, the majority of the world's geysers, and about 10,000 thermal features. They are the main reason this magnificent park was established in 1872 as the first national park in the world, 20 years before Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming were granted statehood. Yellowstone Park experiences approximately 2,000 earthquakes a year, and is one of the planet's active super-volcanoes—the only one to be located on land. This mountain wild-land has the largest concentration of free roaming wildlife in all of the lower 48 states. Home to grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of bison and elk, moose, big horn sheep, and many other animal species, this place is truly among the most beautiful places on the planet!
We are also still accepting registrations for all the other LYC camps to be held in North America this year. If you are interested in applying for any of our camps, please head to lyc.lcg.org for more information.—Sheldon Monson and Joshua Penman
Living University
Thanks to the generous gifts of many brethren, the Living University library continues to grow and become a powerful tool, not only for student research, but also in support of God's Work through our publications and telecasts. As we work to fill in the gaps in our library collection, it has come to our attention that we are missing several years of the Ambassador College General Catalog. The missing years include: 50-51, 52-53, 54-55, 56-57, 58-59, 71-72, 73-74, 75-76, 77-78, 79-80, 81-82, 83-84, 85-86. If you have an AC General Catalog for any of the missing years and would like to donate it to the Living University library, we would be very appreciative. To do so, please send them to the following address:
Attn: Scott Winnail
Living University
Suite A
2301 Crown Centre Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28227
USA
Comments
Prepare for the Future! Jesus admonished His disciples to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). The Scriptures state that the saints will reign as kings and priests with Jesus Christ in the Kingdom (Revelation 5:10). Bible prophecies also reveal the saints will be teachers in the Kingdom (Isaiah 30:20-21) who will explain the laws of God and His way of life to all people (Isaiah 2:2-4). However, you cannot teach what you have not proven to be true. Down through the ages, God has prepared human instruments to accomplish His purpose. God personally taught Abraham. Moses was educated as a prince in Egypt (Acts 7:22) and then received 40 years of additional training by God to prepare him to lead the nation of Israel. Daniel's education included learning "the language and literature of the Chaldeans" (Daniel 1:4). Ezra "prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD… and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel" when the Jews returned to Jerusalem from Babylon (Ezra 7:10). As a child of twelve, Jesus astonished religious leaders with His knowledge of the Scriptures (Luke 2:41-47). The Apostle Paul received much of his education before God began to use him in the Work (Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:14). Part of the mission of God's Church today is to "make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17). This is why we preach sermons, publish literature and why we offer courses in Living University. Are you taking advantage of the opportunities that God is providing now—to prepare for the future?
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 27, 2014
Why We Talk About News and Prophecy: Some have asked why we focus on news events and Bible prophecy each week—since prophecy seems like "bad news" that can be depressing and upsetting, especially to young people. So why do we do it? Because Jesus Christ repeatedly instructed His disciples, "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming" (Matthew 24:42; 25:13). The Apostle Paul also warned, "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6). The Scriptures state that many will be surprised by the end-time cataclysmic events because they are caught up in "the cares of this life," but that we should "Watch… and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stan d before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:34-36). We need to know what is prophesied to happen as we approach the end of the age, and watch as world events begin to fulfill those prophecies, so we are not lulled into complacency and caught by surprise (Matthew 25:1-13). Another reason for the weekly News and Prophecy is to help promote an atmosphere of faith among God's people. As we watch Bible prophecies being fulfilled, we are reminded that there is a real God who declares "the end from the beginning" and whose "counsel shall stand" and come to pass (Isaiah 46:8-11)! Fulfilled prophecy is a powerful proof that the God of the Bible does exist, and that should spiritually energize God's people. When we understand Bible prophecy, the future is nothing to fear. Bible prophecies contain the good news of the coming Kingdom of God that Christians are called to be part of and prepare for. For more details on why it is important to study Bible prophecy, be sure to watch the Tomorrow's World telecast, "Why Bible Prophecy?"
More Rumors of Wars: Nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus foretold that one of the signs of the approaching end of this age would be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matthew 24:3-8). This accurately describes what we are seeing today. In the Middle Eastern nation of Syria, a civil war is tearing the country apart, and thousands of refugees attempt to get out of ruined cities. In Eastern Europe, Ukraine is also being torn by rioting factions that want independence and closer connections with the West, while others want closer ties with Russia (Associated Press, February 19, 2014; Associated Press, February 26, 2014). Across the South American nation of Venezuela, violent protests continue against the government of President Nicolas Maduro (Agence France-Presse, February 18, 2014). Protests were initially started by students and have grown to involve opposition politicians and thousands of people. Protestors "are angry about living conditions—rampant crime, dismal job prospects, high inflation and other woes—in the country with the world's biggest proven oil reserves" (ibid.). In Southeast Asia, tensions are rising between China, Japan, the Philippines and several other nations over who is going to control territory in and around the South China Sea (Wall Street Journal, February 27, 2014). This growing trend is going to continue until Jesus Christ returns to bring lasting peace on earth in the Kingdom of God. For more information on this topic, read our article, "Will Wars Ever Cease?"
Babies Have Different Needs! Scientists have recently discovered that "Bottle-fed babies could benefit from formula milk made according to a sex-specific recipe" (The Times, February 15, 2014). Research on monkeys, whose physiology closely reflects that of humans, demonstrated that "mothers produced higher fat and protein when they were nursing male offspring, and that these differences were pronounced for the first-born son." Their milk for males was also 35 percent higher in calories, yet female babies consumed greater quantities of milk that was higher in calcium (ibid.). While liberal intellectuals push the idea that males and females are no different, scientific research suggests quite the opposite—that males and females are actually different fro m birth! In addition, emerging research continues to highlight the superiority of natural processes like breast feeding over human attempts to recreate breast milk through formulas. King David noted that human beings are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14), and Jesus stated that God made males and females different from the very beginning (Matthew 19:4). For more information on the awesome God who created all things, read our booklet, The Real God: Proofs and Promises.—Douglas Winnail, Scott Winnail and Susan Bennett