Greetings from Charlotte,
One of the unintended after-effects of the Ministerial Conference was that a number of those attending came down with an influenza virus. The State of North Carolina also reported a spike in hospital emergency room visits across the state. If you have or feel like you are coming down with this flu, it would be best to stay home and not attend services. This will avoid spreading the disease to others. Mr. Meredith and Mr. Ames and a number of others are back in the office after wrestling with a bout of the flu. It has been very encouraging to read the comments that are coming in about the positive impact of the conference. It appears that nearly everyone who attended the conference has made it back home safely, although a few are still en route. Last weekend, Mr. Gerald Weston made two Tomorrow's World Presentations in Mississauga and Guelph, Ontario, Canada that were attended by 106 guests. This week, we will conclude the seventh year of operation of Living University when students turn in their final exams. Mr. Ames' recent television program has received a Telly Award (see announcement below). Please remember those who are facing trials at this time in your prayers.—DSW
Church Administration
Ministerial Moves
Mr. and Mrs. Rod King will be moving back to Australia from the UK to become the Pastor of the Melbourne congregation. Mr. Gerald Weston will become the new Regional Director of the UK and Europe. Mr. Weston will continue as the Regional Director of Canada and make several trips to the UK and Europe during the year. Africa will be administered from Charlotte for the immediate future. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Rodzaj will be moving from Phoenix, Arizona to Albuquerque where Mr. Rodzaj will be the Associate Pastor of congregations in New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.
Volunteer Translators Needed
Members proficient in one or more foreign languages, who have translation skills and would like to volunteer occasionally with translations for the Work, are encouraged to contact their Area Pastors. Pastors, please forward the names of the volunteers in your areas to [email protected]. We are in need of bilingual or multilingual members with translation abilities to help us fulfill the commission of preaching the Gospel as a witness to all the world and make disciples of all nations.
Final Update for Cincinnati Creation Weekend
Our thanks to everyone who registered for the Creation Weekend in Cincinnati over Memorial Day Weekend! We have had to close registration to finalize our plans. If you requested group tickets to the museum, you should have received an e-mail this past week to confirm your plans. Please respond to that e-mail by Monday, May 19. We are purchasing the group tickets ahead of time on Tuesday, and we need to know that your plans have not changed. You can pay for the tickets when you get them from us Saturday night. Also, if anyone registered but is no longer able to come, please e-mail Mr. Steve Woolley at [email protected] to let us know.
The website at ohiolcg.org (not an official Church Web site) has been updated with details concerning schedules and times, so be sure to check it out. The weekend is almost here, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone!—Wallace Smith
Adirondack Adventure!
The Northeast Region will be hosting an "Adirondack Adventure," July 2-6. The Adirondack Region is one of the most diverse destinations on the East Coast, offering unparalleled outdoor recreation throughout its dazzling lakes, wild mountains, and charming towns and villages. Established in 1892 by the State of New York amid concerns for the water and timber resources of the region, the Adirondack Park today covers six million acres, an area larger in size than New England, and more expansive than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon and the Great Smokies National Parks combined, and is the largest park in the lower 48 states.
We will be using the Adirondack Mountain Club facility, near Lake Placid, NY, for our accommodations, with day-hikes into the surrounding High Peaks Region. Our program will conclude with a Sabbath spent together relaxing, departing on July 6.
This activity is geared toward young adults and teens, though adults of any age are welcome, provided they are in good health for moderate hiking.
Important Details:
Dates: July 1—Arrival in Albany or NYC
July 2—Travel to Adirondack Mountain Club, warm-up/training hike
July 3 and 4—Hikes into the Adirondacks
Cost: The cost for the program is only $95.00
Deadline for application: June 1 (applications must include a $50 deposit, which will be returned if our program is full.)
Register NOW for the trip of a lifetime! SPACE IS LIMITED! For more information and to register, go to http://northeastadventureclub.weebly.com/adirondack.html.
Television
Tomorrow's World Telecast Receives Telly Award!
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Ames' recent telecast, "Seven Secrets of Revelation" was selected to receive a Telly Award. You can find the telecast on our Web page at TomorrowsWorld.org/telecasts/seven-secrets-of-revelation. The more than 12,000 entries represent the best of film and only the top 18 to 25 percent are selected for an award. Telly winners represent "the very best local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs" and receiving a Telly indicates "outstanding achievement" in film. This award has been given to organizations such as Discovery Health Channel, PGA Tour Productions, Walt Disney Studios, E! Entertainment, and PBS. We thank God for His blessing our presenters with His inspiration and blessing the production team with the technical capabilities to produce a powerful and professional telecast as we do our best to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God as a witness to all the world.—Wyatt Ciesielka, Television Operations Manager
Feast of Tabernacles
Argentina Open for Transfers
The Feast site in Argentina has re-opened for international transfers. A new hotel has been booked and space is now available for more Feast-goers. The cost of the Feast remains the same ($290 per person for lodging and three meals a day, for eight nights). Come and enjoy the Feast with the Argentinean brethren! If you would like to attend the Feast in Argentina, register online at www.cogl.org and contact Madeleine Lincoln-Strange at [email protected] for further information.
Living Youth Programs
Ohio Teen Camp 2014—Final week for staff members to apply! Campers must apply by June 1. (To be read in all congregations)
Due to the overwhelming response of adults applying to work at the "Ohio Teen Camp 2014" very few staff positions remain. If you are 18 years of age or older, and wish to apply to work at this camp, you will need to submit an application by no later than Sunday, May 25, 11:00 p.m. EST, to be considered for acceptance.
"Campers" are also encouraged to sign up soon. Already, more than 140 campers have applied. The deadline for camper applications has been moved up to Sunday, June 1, 2014—no later than 11:00 p.m. EST. Any camper applying after this deadline will only be accepted if space permits.
To register for camp, or for more information, visit https://lyc.lcg.org.
Online Teen Bible Studies Suspended During Summer Months—Repeat Announcement
There will be no online Teen Bible Studies through the summer months, although the teen studies given at the Adventure Camp 2014 and LYC Ohio 2014 will be posted during these camps. Also, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies, including last evening's on "The Dramatic Return of Jesus Christ," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
Registration for LYC 2014 Camps—Repeat Announcement
Although the Texas and Missouri Pre-Teen camps are now at capacity for campers, and any further camper applications for these two camps will be placed on a waitlist, there is still room at the West Virginia Pre-Teen camp.—Sheldon Monson
Youth Camp in Europe—Repeat Announcement
Applications for LYC Europe, which is scheduled for August 13-22, are still being accepted but we are getting close to capacity. If you are hoping to come, please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. This year's camp is promising to be a great experience with a new location and some new faces providing more great opportunities to participate in activities and learn about God's way of life. It really is an opportunity not to be missed! If you require more information or application forms, please contact Mr. Rees Ellis [email protected] or Jamie Meakin [email protected] at the UK Office.—Jamie Meakin
Comments
The Value of Wisdom: Solomon said that when we consider the priorities of life, "Wisdom is the principal thing" and that we should seek for wisdom as if it were buried treasure (Proverbs 4:7; 2:1-4). The Bible states that as Jesus grew, He "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:52). The Scriptures emphasize that wisdom "is more precious than rubies" and that acquiring wisdom leads to happiness and a long and honorable life (Proberbs 3:13-16). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to learn to use wisdom in dealing with people (Colossians 4:5-6). According to the Bible, the key to wisdom is learning to fear God and live by every word of God (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). If we ask God for wisdom (James 1:5-7), if we seek wisdom by studying God's word (Deuteronomy 4:1-10; 2 Timothy 3:15), and if we listen to older and wiser people (Proverbs 10:1; 15:7; 18:15; 22:17), we will grow in wisdom and become more like the wise God we worship (Romans 16:27).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—May 15, 2014
Robin Hood Tax and End-Time Prophecy: The European Union is pushing for a financial transaction tax (FTT) and Britain is pushing back (BBC, April 30, 2014). Of particular interest to students of Bible prophecy is that 11 of 27 EU member states are going ahead with the FTT, even though the particulars have yet to be decided upon. The eleven nations are: "Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Greece, Slovenia, Slovakia and Estonia" (ibid.). In recent years, as the EU grew to 27 members, skeptics criticized the biblical idea that ten nations would form the nucleus of a final Beast power in Europe (Daniel 2:41-43). However, the Bible clearly states that at the time of the end, "ten kings… will give their power and authority to the beast" (Revelation 17:12-13). If this Beast is led by a particular nation (e.g., Germany), then the total number involved could well be 11! While it is not yet clear which nations will make up the final Beast power prophesied by Daniel and the Apostle John, world events indicate that a group of 10 or 11 nations coalescing to form the final Beast power is not far-fetched, fictional, or even a far-off idea—it is a soon-coming reality! For more on this vital topic, be sure to read our informative booklet, The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?
Increasing Risk of Nuclear War: A recent report "recounting a litany of near-misses in which nuclear weapons came close to being launched by mistake concludes that the risk of potentially catastrophic accidents is higher than previously thought and appears to be rising" (The Guardian, April 29, 2014). "The report lists 13 instances since 1962 when nuclear weapons were nearly used… The Chatham House authors say the risks appear to be rising. Nuclear weapons are spreading—most recently to North Korea—and disarmament is stalling. Russia and the US still have an estimated 1,800 warheads on high alert, ready to launch between five and 15 minutes after receiving the launch order—a fact that becomes all the more significant with rising tensions over Ukraine" (ibid.). Most people who follow world news realize the world is not becoming a safer place. With unpredictable leaders in nations like North Korea and Iran, the specter of nuclear war looms ever greater. While Bible prophecy indicates the threat to annihilate all life on earth will arise at the end of the age, the return of Jesus Christ will prevent this from becoming a reality (Matthew 24:22). For more information on how world peace will come, be sure to read our encouraging, Bible-based booklet, Armageddon and Beyond.
Clergy Sue for Homosexual Marriage Rights: The "hot topic" of same-sex marriage is heating up in more surprising ways (Washington Post, April 28, 2014). "A church and a coalition of local clergy are challenging North Carolina's gay marriage ban by making a novel argument: that it violates freedom of religion" (FindLaw.com, April 30, 2014). "While many congregations have been reluctant to address or change their policies on same-sex marriage, the United Church of Christ (UCC) has supported same-sex marriage since 2005" (ibid.). UCC clergy claim the state ban denies them the right to practice as their conscience dictates. While the Bible condemns homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-28), Bible prophecies indicate that at the end of the age "the law will perish from the priest, and counsel from the elders" (Ezekiel 7:26). This lawsuit shows how religious leaders are increasingly rejecting God's law in favor of the "idols in [their] heart" and are causing people to "stumble into iniquity" (Ezekiel 14:4). As a result of these sinful actions, God prophesied that many will "bear their iniquity" and reap the consequences of their sin (vv. 10-14). These consequences are described in our sobering article entitled "Vile Passions."—Scott Winnail, Daniel Bennett and Chris Sookdeo