Greetings brethren,
Greece's newly elected populist prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, is taking a confrontational stance against the European Union—and in particular against Germany. Since taking office on Sunday, his government has dramatically reversed austerity measures imposed by the EU. He has also called on Germany to repay billions in war reparations, and has visited a World War II site commemorating Greeks executed by Nazis. As this week's News and Prophecy notes, the European Union is facing increasing confrontation with anti-EU contingents in its member nations. It will be interesting to see where this leads politically and prophetically for Europe.
Here in the Charlotte office, Dr. Meredith has been chairing meetings and writing for the upcoming Living Church News. Mr. Richard Ames has been writing and recording for the Festival Web site as well as preparing for his trip next week to Canada, where he will tape several new programs for the Hong Kong Tomorrow's World program. Dr. Doug Winnail and Mr. Peter Nathan spent last Sabbath with our new group in Kendu Bay, Kenya, and also with the congregation in Ndhiwa. They held a leadership conference with 40 elders, deacons, and wives Sunday through Tuesday. Wednesday night, they conducted a Bible Study in Nairobi. They also explored the possibility of airing the Tomorrow's World telecast at a media outlet in Nairobi. They are now en route to Johannesburg, South Africa, where Dr. Winnail will conduct a Church business meeting, Sabbath services, and a leadership conference this weekend. Thank you for your prayers for all our ministers, wherever they may be travelling, all over the world. Like the proverbial postal deliverers, they face rain, sleet, snow, as well as delays, mechanical troubles, and other dangers on the road—all to faithfully serve all of us!—RMc
Church Administration
French Caribbean Update
On January 7, Mr. Jove Jean-Pierre, our elder in Haiti, and I traveled to the city of Gros-Morne to give a Bible Study for 14 prospective members. We returned to Petion-Ville to spend the Sabbath with the brethren there. On Sunday, January 11, I gave a TWP to 22 attendees. During the presentation, there was political unrest in the nation's capital and later I received 24 e-mails from people who were unable to attend because many major roads were blocked because of the protests.
On January 12, Mr. Etienne Duval, our elder in Martinique, and I arrived in Guadeloupe, where we were very encouraged to see the growth of the tiny flock here. The group started out with only three people and now there are twelve in attendance. Two of the new people were baptized on this trip. While in Guadeloupe, I met with a representative from "Canal 10" Television, which has a vast viewership throughout the French-speaking world, including French-speaking countries in Africa.
From Guadeloupe, we went to Martinique on Thursday. The highlight of my visit to Martinique was the baptism of one of the young men. On Sunday, a lunch meeting with the local elders focused on designing a strategic plan to reach out to more people in the area and improving training for our Church leaders.
Next we went to Cayenne, French Guyana, on January 19, and the next day gave a TWP attended by 20 new people. For the first time, there will be a new congregation in French Guyana, which will meet in the home of a couple who, though never members of the Worldwide Church of God, were familiar with the teachings of Mr. Armstrong.
From there, I travelled to St. Maarten, where I met with 12 people. Three of them are preparing for baptism. I gave a TWP on the Sabbath after services and there were 24 people in attendance. This was very encouraging because there were only two members in St. Maarten and one of them died last year.
Your continued prayers for the brethren in the French-speaking Caribbean are greatly appreciated.—Wilner Pierre
Passover 2015—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2015, the Passover Service will be observed on Thursday evening, April 2. Please 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 and letter instructions (available in English, French and Spanish). A new recording of the Passover service in English will be made this year, by Mr. Ken Frank. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, we need this information before February 5 for international congregations, and by March 12 for U.S. congregations.
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. International requests should be received before February 5 and U.S. requests before March 12. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
2015 Southwest Regional "Fun in the Sun" Weekend—February 14-15—Repeat Announcement
The Phoenix Congregation will be hosting the 2015 Southwest Regional "Fun in the Sun" Weekend on Presidents Day weekend, February 14 and 15. Evangelist Richard Ames will be the guest speaker. Events will include a formal Black & White Ball (Sabbath attire or better), Brunch and Learn seminars and a Variety Show followed by a wine reception to wrap up a very memorable weekend!
For information, including the schedule of events, go to LCG "Fun in the Sun" on Facebook. Please click on the "Going" button to register your attendance. If you have a "plus-one" or additional family members, please add a post to give us the number, or contact James Populo at [email protected] or 480-263-2881.
The local congregation will provide housing and transportation on a first-come, first-served basis, so please RSVP.
To register for the Variety Show, please e-mail Adam and Myriah Pujat at [email protected]. We need all acts finalized by February 1.—Rodger Bardo
Northeast Spring Holy Day Weekend—Repeat Announcement
The Northeast Region will once again host its annual Spring Holy Day Family Weekend. This year, the activity will run from April 2 through April 5, including Passover, the Night To Be Much Observed, and the First Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Frost Valley YMCA, located in the picturesque Catskill Mountains, will provide an uplifting setting for four days of education, inspiration, and fellowship. Join brethren from throughout the Northeast Region as we enjoy activities for all ages together. Please go to http://nelcg.org/?page_id=22018 (not an official LCG Web site) for more details regarding location, activities, accommodations, cost and other information. Or you can go to the Northeast Region Web site at www.nelcg.org (not an official LCG Web site) and look for the announcement about upcoming activities.—Jonathan McNair
Internet Department
Statistics for the YouTube Spanish Program El Mundo de Mañana
God continues to bless His Work! We are happy to share the news that we broke the one million views mark on our Spanish YouTube channel, with views coming from over 100 nations, including Israel.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Tomorrow's World now on Amazon Fire TV—Repeat Announcement
The Tomorrow's World telecast is now available on Amazon Fire TV. Now, in addition to channels on Roku, Google TV and Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV users can watch Tomorrow's World 24/7 in high definition at their convenience! Please visit our Web site at TomorrowsWorld.org/tune-in for a complete channel listing.—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles 2015
St. George, Utah, Feast Housing—Repeat Announcement
For those who are planning to go to the St. George, Utah, Feast site and will be staying off-site, we are encouraging early housing reservations. This is for all facilities except the Feast hotel, where services will be held and at which the Church has reserved a block of guest rooms for members' use. The Feast this year occurs at the end of the "high season" for St. George, so availability at other facilities may be limited. Please contact Festival Site Coordinator Rodger Bardo at [email protected] for preregistration approval before booking early. Make sure you clearly know the cancellation policies in case your plans change. Information about the Feast hotel accommodations will be announced shortly and if you need that information, please also contact me directly. Condos for rent can be found at: http://www.visitstgeorge.com/condos-villas/.—Rodger Bardo
Living Youth Program
Online Teen Bible Study Friday Evening
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, February 6, will be on "The Purpose of Dating," presented by Mr. Sheldon Monson. If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for one of the online Bible Studies yet, we encourage you to do so. It is a wonderful way to start the Sabbath day.
The Bible Study runs from 8:00 to 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, "What Is True Masculinity?," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.
Summer Camps 2015—To be made available in all congregations this Sabbath, January 31
Registration begins Sunday, February 8, 2015 for all summer camp programs in the United States and Europe.
Teen Camp Programs:
LYC Teen Camp—Camp Lazarus, Delaware, Ohio
Camp Director: Sheldon Monson
Assistant Director: Jason Fritts
Dates: Staff Arrival – Sunday, July 26; Camper Arrival – Monday, July 27
Departure – Sunday, August 9
Location: Camp Lazarus (BSA)
4422 Columbus Pike (Route 23)
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Ages: Campers – ages 13-18
Staff – ages 18 and older
Tuition Cost: $250 (first camper in family), $200 (second camper), $150 (third camper or more)
International Teen Camps to be held in these countries (details next week):
Europe, Guatemala, Mexico, South Africa
Adventure Camp Programs:
2015 Adventure Trip—Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Camp Director: Sheldon Monson
Assistant Director: Joette Monson
Dates: Staff and Camper Arrival – Tuesday, July 7 (not later than 5:00 p.m.)
Departure – Thursday, July 16 (not later than 12:00 noon)
Location: Base of operation: Cowboy Village Resort
120 S. Flat Creek Drive
Jackson, WY 83001
Ages: Campers – ages 13-20 (preference given to campers age 15 or older)
Staff – ages 21+
Tuition Cost: $450 – Camper
$350 – Staff
International Adventure Camp to be held in Trinidad and Tobago (details next week)
Pre-Teen Camp Programs:
(Listed in order of occurrence)
LYC Pre-Teen Camp—Texas
Camp Director: Bob Rodzaj
Assistant Director: Dennis Shipley
Dates: Sunday, June 21 – Friday, June 26, 2015
Location: Camp Powers
1188 County Road 823
Nacogdoches, Texas 75964
Ages: Campers – ages 7-12
High School Staff – ages 15-17
Adult Staff – ages 18 and older
Tuition Cost: $130 (first camper in family), $115 (second camper), $95 (third camper or more),
$130 (Camper Siblings 13-14 years of age—includes a full camper experience!)
LYC Pre-Teen Camp—Missouri
Camp Director: Gene Hilgenberg
Assistant Director: Phil West
Dates: Sunday, June 28 – Friday, July 3, 2015
Location: Knob Noster State Park
Camp Bob White
873 SE 10 Road
Knob Noster, Missouri (approximately 50 miles southeast of Kansas City, MO)
Ages: Campers – ages 7-12
High School Staff – ages 15-17
Adult Staff – ages 18 and older
Tuition Cost: $130 (first camper in family), $115 (second camper), $95 (third camper or more)
$65 (Camper Siblings 13-14 years of age)
LYC Pre-Teen Camp—North Carolina
Camp Director: Wallace Smith
Assistant Director: Jason Fritts
Dates: Sunday, July 12 – Friday, July 17, 2015
Location: William B. Umstead State Park
8801 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27617
Ages: Campers – ages 7-12
High School Staff – ages 15-17
Adult Staff – ages 18 and older
Tuition Cost: $130 (first camper in family), $115 (second camper), $95 (third camper or more),
$65 (Camper Siblings 13-14 years of age)
More information will be available on our Youth Web site at time of registration. Registration for these camps begins Sunday, February 8!
Youth Program Donations Requested—Repeat Announcement
Thank you for your continuing support of our youth programs. These programs allow teens around the world the chance to fellowship and learn new skills in a Godly environment each summer. As our program expands in number and in size, we are constantly faced with rising expenses of food and facility rentals plus the addition of new camps around the world and in the United States.
Additionally, we would like to add dormitories for the boys, and purchase a used ski boat in good condition for our new, and very popular, water ski program at the Teen Camp in Ohio.
And of course it is also our desire to continue covering camp tuition for international campers travelling to the U.S. as they already spend a large sum of money to purchase plane tickets, passports, etc. to get here. Young people in these international areas are very scattered, and these camps provide opportunities for them to meet new friends, and build godly relationships that will last a lifetime!
If you would like to make a contribution to further these programs which are designed to serve young people in God's Church, it would be greatly appreciated! Please send donations to the Living Church of God and earmark them for the youth program.
2015 LYC Adventure Trip—Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming—Repeat Announcement
The imposing peaks of the Teton Mountain Range boldly stand nearly 7,000 feet above the valley floor below. These rugged mountains rise through steep coniferous forests into alpine meadows strewn with wildflowers, past blue and white glaciers, to solid granite summits. The valley floor is covered with sagebrush punctuated by forested buttes and occasional groves of aspen that support pronghorn antelope, deer and other animals. The wetlands created by the Snake River and the jewel-like string of lakes set tightly against the foot of these mountains are fed by crystal clear, cool, mountain streams. Home to grizzly bear, black bear, moose, elk, beavers, trumpeter swans, and all sorts of other birds, this is truly one of the most spectacular places on earth! You won't want to miss this opportunity to climb high into the mountains, circling around behind the Grand, Middle, and South Tetons before arriving at "the wall," and beginning the steep descent to Jenny Lake and the valley floor thousands of feet below! Sign up beginning February 8—as space is limited at this premiere camp!
Difficulty: Strenuous!
Includes: Whitewater rafting trip on the Snake River (Level III – IV Rapids)
Dinner & show at the Bar J Chuckwagon Dinner Theatre
LYC 2013 Yearbook Now Ready!—Repeat Announcement
Living Youth Programs is happy to announce the availability of the 2013 Living Youth Camps yearbook. For further details and ordering information, go to LivingYouth.org/album2013/. The yearbook covers the Pre-Teen camps in Texas, Missouri and West Virginia (the latter not mentioned in last week's announcement—sorry!), the Ohio Teen Camp, and the Yosemite Adventure Camp. Books must be ordered by February 15, and will be shipped by the end of March. We look forward to releasing the 2014 yearbook later this year.
Comments
Inner Peace in a World of Turmoil: As we look at world news—Hezbollah attacks on Israel, Russian-backed insurgency in the Ukraine, economic uncertainty in Greece, and mounting problems closer to home—we can become anxious and worried ourselves. We are told to watch—yet watching increasingly bad news can be depressing! It is good to remember that Christ foretold these events, warned His servants about them and explained how to respond. He said in Matthew 24:6, "See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet." We must "sigh and cry" for the abominations committed in our nations, and the horrible suffering caused by them (Ezekiel 9:4). But we should not be overwhelmed by them.
How can we find inner peace as our world careens out of control? By focusing on God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Savior. Jesus told His disciples, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). As we seek God, live a life committed to Him, serve in His Work, and lay our lives down for Him and His Son, we will find a peace that "surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) no matter what circumstances swirl around us.
Have a peaceful and inspiring Sabbath,
Rod McNair
News and Prophecy—January 29, 2015
The Rapidly Changing Face of Europe: The "European Experiment" appears to be reaching its end, at least in its present form. With the fiscal turmoil in the south, the European Central Bank just issued its own quantitative easing program, excluding Greece because it is too great a risk for default (Stratfor, January 27, 2015). Between growing financial issues, Muslim terrorist threats and worries, and increasing nationalism, some experts have observed, "Virtually every European country has developed growing movements that oppose the European Union and its policies" (ibid.). "The question about Europe now is not whether it can retain its current form, but how radically that form will change. And the most daunting question is whether Europe, unable to maintain its union, will see a return of nationalism and its possible consequences" (ibid.). This Work and its predecessor have for decades understood from the Bible that there will be an end-time configuration of nations and kingdoms in Europe forming a religious/political "beast" power. This highly select group will form behind the "beast" and will comprise "ten kings" who "receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast" (Revelation 17:12-13). For years we have warned that the 28-member European Union will not stand, but will fragment. From the pieces will eventually arise this smaller, more unified, more focused "beast" that will be spiritually led by the Roman Catholic Church—"the woman who rides the beast" (v. 3-5, 18). For more on this apocalyptic topic, be sure to read our booklet on The Beast of Revelation.
The Future of Greece: "Just hours after bringing his far-left Syriza party to victory in the Greek elections, Alexis Tsipras has been appointed PM and shown that he is prepared to play hardball with eurozone fiscal hawks..." (EU Observer, January 26, 2015). Tsipras, age 40, "is the youngest Greek PM in modern times" and was elected to bring an end to austerity (ibid.). Greek debt is mounting and deadlines for repayment are looming in the next couple of months. While Mr. Tsipras has vowed to keep the euro, experts warn that unless Greece can reach a deal with its creditors, it will default on its loans and be forced to return to the drachma (Telegraph, January 26, 2015). Will Greece return to the drachma and break with the EU or will it strike a deal and "sell its soul" to Germany—giving its power and authority to what will eventually become "the beast of Revelation" (see Revelation 17)? This is an unsettled time for Greece and most of Europe as increased terrorism, financial stresses and a host of other factors put increasing pressure on the iron-and-clay bonds that loosely join these fiercely independent nations (Daniel 2:40-43). The Bible books of Daniel and Revelation shed light on the future of Europe. For more insight into this topic, watch "The Superpower 'Beast' of Revelation."
Germany's Repatriation of Gold: "Under the Bundesbank's new gold storage plan in 2013, [Germany] decided to bring back 674 tonnes from abroad by 2020 and store half of its gold in its own vaults… Since the transfers began in 2013, the Bundesbank said it has relocated a total of 157 tonnes of gold to Frankfurt—67 tonnes from Paris and 90 tonnes from New York" (AFP, January 19, 2015). Germany placed much of its gold reserves in foreign banks following WWII in order to protect it from possible Russian seizure, with the instability of East Germany. Now it is repatriating large quantities of gold due to "surging mistrust of the euro during Europe's debt crisis" (ibid.). In 2014 alone, "120 tonnes of gold were transferred to Frankfurt from storage locations abroad" (ibid.). Could it be that Germany is also preparing for a possible future switch in currency and that its on-hand gold could be used to back this future currency? Bible prophecy reveals that Germany will play a powerful and important role in end-time events, both before and after the return of Christ. For more on Germany's incredible future, read "Resurgent Germany: A Fourth Reich?"—Scott Winnail, Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Francine Prater