Weekly Update

December 24th, 2015

Greetings from Charlotte,

At this time of year we hear a lot about "Joy to the World" and "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men"—but there is little real joy in the world and very little peace or good will because mankind has rejected or not been shown the way to real peace. Yet, real peace will come when Jesus Christ and the saints establish the Kingdom of God on this earth and show mankind the way. Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith is preparing for a live sermon presentation this Sabbath that will be streamed to a considerable viewing audience. More than 800 brethren have registered for the Charlotte Family Weekend that will include tours of the office, seminars, a dinner dance and other activities. To view Dr. Meredith's sermon and the live "Meet the Living Church of God" service at 2:00 p.m. EST on Saturday, December 26, click on the "Meet the Living Church of God" banner on the Tomorrow's World Web site. Please see more details below. Reports from the Youth Camps in Australia, Guatemala and New Zealand have all been very positive. Let's continue to ask God to watch over His people and to thank Him for His protection as we strive to do His will in this very challenging age.—DSW

Church Administration

Charlotte Family Weekend Live-streamed Service and Activities

To view the special, live "Meet the Living Church of God" Sabbath service at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on Saturday, December 26, click on the "Meet the Living Church of God" banner at www.TomorrowsWorld.org, or go directly to the following link: www.tomorrowsworld.org/meet-the-living-church-of-god. To access other seminars, Bible Studies and Charlotte Family Weekend activities, please log in to MyLCG and follow the instructions there.

To all Pastors: Mr. Wallace Smith will make some introductory comments and concluding comments for the live-streamed service this Sabbath at the Charlotte Family Weekend. He will welcome everyone and may mention this is not a Christmas service because neither Jesus nor the Apostles observed Christmas. During his comments at the conclusion of the service, he will mention that we have congregations around the world and our representatives will be glad to talk with you. Viewers can find a map of our congregations on our Web site. If they want to contact one of our representatives, they can call the number on the screen or visit our Web site. We wanted to let you know about this announcement so you can be prepared to answer questions when you are contacted.—DSW

Sermon Transcripts

We have recently begun to distribute transcripts of our sermons to serve the needs of our members who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. We plan to distribute one per week by e-mail and also printed copies by mail. If you are a member who is deaf or hard-of-hearing and would like to receive sermon transcripts, please notify your Area Pastor who will then send your information to the Church Administration Department ([email protected]), to be added to the distribution list. These transcripts will also eventually be posted online in the sermons section of www.lcg.org. 

Kansas City Family Weekend

The Kansas City Family Weekend is just one week away. Registration is still open for visitors, but the catered meal and team sign-up deadlines have passed. You can find a full schedule and details on our Web site, kcweekend.moluf.net(not an official LCG Web site). We look forward to seeing you soon.—Michael Keesee

Fayetteville, Arkansas, Family Weekend—Registration Open—Repeat Announcement

The Fayetteville, Arkansas, Family Weekend is scheduled for the Presidents Day weekend, February 12-15, 2016 and online registration is now open. The weekend will again be held at the Mount Sequoyah Retreat & Conference Center. Housing is available for $89/night and Sabbath breakfast and lunch as well as Sunday breakfast and lunch are included.

Weekend activities will include: Friday night pizza social, Saturday morning Bible Study and afternoon Sabbath Services (guest speaker Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka), Saturday evening tailgating party, and then on Sunday, "The Amazing Race" and a Preparedness seminar.

Registration and housing reservations can be made online at lcgfayetteville.org (not an official LCG Web site). This Web site will give you more details and also enable you to contact us directly with questions you may have.—Gene Hilgenberg

Third Annual Rocky Mountain Ski Weekend—Repeat Announcement

Coming up February 19-22 is the Third Annual Rocky Mountain Ski Weekend in Casa Vista Colorado… just 15 minutes away from the Winter Park, Mary Jane, and Granby Ranch ski resorts. Check-in will be at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19, and check-out will be Monday, February 22, at 11:00 a.m. The Friday evening Bible Study, Sabbath services, and a Sabbath workshop will again be held in our rented group home, and we're working on arranging a special guest minister for the weekend. There will be activities for all ages, including snow skiing, snowboarding and other winter recreational sports.

The cost of housing for the entire weekend will be $115-$150 per person (private rooms will be priced differently). Please note that the more guests we have, the lower the housing rate will be per person. Food costs per person for the entire weekend will be in addition to the cost of housing and will be determined once we know how many people will be attending. For budgeting purposes, expect the cost to be around $50 per person.

To reserve your spot for this wonderful winter activity, please contact Krista Keefe at [email protected]  or Shawn McMillin at [email protected].—Ben Whitfield

Internet Department

Charlotte Family Weekend Livestreamed Service and Activities

To view the special, live "Meet the Living Church of God" Sabbath service at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on Saturday, December 26, click on the "Meet the Living Church of God" banner at www.TomorrowsWorld.org, or go directly to the following link: www.tomorrowsworld.org/meet-the-living-church-of-god. To access other seminars, Bible Studies and Charlotte Family Weekend activities, please log in to MyLCG and follow the instructions there.

Feast of Tabernacles

Feast of Tabernacles 2016 USA Sites—Repeat Announcement

We are happy to announce the following sites have been secured for the 2016 Feast of Tabernacles:

San Diego, California – The Bahia Resort on Mission Bay www.bahiahotel.com

Seaside, Oregon – Best Western Ocean View Resort www.oceanviewresort.com

St. George, Utah – Red Lion Hotel www.redlion.com/st-george

Montgomery, Texas – La Torretta Lake Resort latorretta.com

Osage Beach, Missouri – Tan-Tar-A Resort www.tan-tar-a.com

Traverse City, Michigan – Great Wolf Lodge www.greatwolf.com/traverse-city

Mount Snow, Vermont – Grand Summit Resort Hotel www.mountsnow.com/your-stay/grand-summit

Panama City Beach, Florida – Boardwalk Beach Resort www.boardwalkbeachresort.com

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina – Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort

www.hhibeachandtennis.com

Gatlinburg, Tennessee – River Terrace Resort and Convention Center www.westgateresorts.com/river-terrace

We have been able to contract some very special rates at these establishments and we plan to post them on the Festival Web sites in January. Please do not make any reservations at these properties until you have been accepted, even at your assigned site.

With six exciting new sites this year, you should have plenty of time to check them out and make a decision where you want to spend the Feast next year. We hope to have registration in March again this year, so start planning now!—Jim Meredith

Living Youth Program

Living Youth Camp in New Zealand 

Living Youth Camp in New Zealand is underway! Please pray for the success of the camp, and check out #LivingYouthCamp on Instagram, Facebook.com/Living.Youth.Programs, and www.livingyouth.org for pictures, video and updates.

No Online Teen Bible Study on January 1

There will be no online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, January 1 because of the Family Weekend activities in Kansas City. However, archives of previous Living Youth Bible Studies can be found on the Living Youth Web site, at livingyouth.org.

Living University

Registration for Second Semester

There are just over two weeks remaining before classes start again on January 13! It is important to register for classes and order textbooks as soon as possible so that text books arrive prior to the start of the semester. Those who have never taken a Living University course will need to enroll in the University first, and then register for your selected courses. This semester, along with many of our traditional spring semester classes, we will be offering two completely new courses. A complete listing of our exciting second semester courses can be viewed on the Living University Web site under the link "Spring 2016 Class Schedule." To make application to Living University, to register for courses, and to find out more, please visit the www.livinguniv.com Web site.

Early College Program: Teens in their last three years of high school/secondary school are encouraged to enroll in LU's Early College program. This is a great way to build a solid "spiritual foundation"! This program allows high school students to take one LU class per semester while completing their high school course work—and they can do this at an 80 percent discount in tuition. THL 226 Christian Living is a great class for Early College students to begin with next semester. For more information on the Early College program, visit the following link, www.livinguniv.com/early-college. For additional information on this and our other programs, please contact Assistant Registrar Mrs. Michelle Broussard at [email protected] or 704-708-2294.

Comments

The Real Path to Peace:  We are told in the Scriptures that mankind does not know the way to peace (Isaiah 59:8), but that Jesus Christ is going to return to this earth as the "Prince of Peace" and show the world the way to peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). Jesus clearly said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). David wrote, "Great peace have those who love Your law"—speaking of the laws of God (Psalm 119:165). Isaiah records, "The work of righteousness [obeying the commandments of God – Psalm 119:172] will be peace" (Isaiah 32:17). The Apostle Paul explained that we can become peacemakers by not seeking revenge, by not mistreating others when we are mistreated, and by overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:14-19). Solomon wisely observed, "A soft answer turns away wrath" and "He who covers [overlooks and forgives] a transgression seeks love" (Proverbs 15:1; 17:9). Jesus warned that reacting angrily to a brother or sister is the same as murder (Matthew 5:21-26). Real peacemakers are willing to go to their brother or sister when problems arise and talk things over in a spirit of meekness (Matthew 18:15; James 3:17-18). The Bible reveals that learning to apply the laws of God is the real path to peace.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

News and Prophecy—December 24, 2015

U.S. Power Grid Dangers: "About a dozen times in the last decade, sophisticated foreign hackers have gained enough remote access to control the operations networks that keep the lights on… The public almost never learns the details about these types of attacks—they're rarer but also more intricate and potentially dangerous than data theft. Information about the government's response to these hacks is often protected and sometimes classified; many are never even reported to the government. These intrusions have not caused the kind of cascading blackouts that are feared by the intelligence community. But so many attackers have stowed away in the systems that run the U.S. electric grid that experts say they likely have the capability to strike at will… And according to a previously reported study by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a coordinated attack on just nine critical power stations could cause a coast-to-coast blackout that could last months" (AP, December 21, 2015). Bible prophecy has long foretold of dire consequences if God's people reject His laws, "I will lay your cities waste… I will bring the land to desolation" (Leviticus 26:31-32) and "many houses shall be desolate, great and beautiful ones, without inhabitant" (Isaiah 5:9). We do not know exactly how God will bring to pass these "curses" on the Israelite-descended nations. However, the power grid is one mechanism that could be used. Consider the consequences if power to the northern states were cut for months in the dead of winter. If people cannot stay warm, they cannot remain in their homes. God wants His people to see their sins, repent, and return to Him and part of the job of His Church is to spread this loving warning. For more, read our free article "Modern Warnings from an Ancient Prophet."

Praying to the Dead for Intercession: Pope Francis recently announced the canonization of "Mother Teresa" as a Roman Catholic saint. The pope "approved the findings of the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints, which found the 2008 healing of a Brazilian man with a brain infection and kidney disease had been due to the intercession of Mother Teresa. The Catholic Church normally requires one 'medical' miracle before a deceased Catholic can be declared 'blessed,' and another such miracle, occurring after that declaration, before he or she can be canonized as a saint" (Wall Street Journal, December 18, 2015). "Catholics believe a saint is someone who lived a holy life and who's already in heaven… [They are] believed to be capable of interceding with God on someone's behalf when a request for help is made in prayer" (CNN, December 18, 2015). By contrast, the Bible reveals that the dead are asleep (Job 14:12) and that "the dead know nothing" (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10). Isaiah records God's warnings, "should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living?" (Isaiah 8:19). We are told in the Scriptures that Jesus Christ came to be our one and only intercessor before God the Father (Romans 8:34). The Bible contains many warnings that false teachings will abound as we come closer to the end of the age (Matthew 24:3-5), and that in the last days, an influential religious leader will deceive the world with great signs and miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Revelation 13:13). The true saints of God must keep His commandments and not fall prey to these misleading teachings (Revelation 14:12). To learn more about these coming events, read our booklet Who or What Is the Antichrist?

Not-So-New Superbug Found: Scientists have discovered what they initially thought was a new gene (mcr-1) that makes bacteria resistant to the last-line-of-defense antibiotic, colistin. However, this gene has been around for some time and can be passed from one type of bacteria to another. Bacteria can now share their antibiotic resistance with each other (WBUR, December 16, 2015; Forbes, December 19, 2015). Infected E coli bacteria have been isolated in imported meats and also in human blood, and scientists believe that because of the gene's structure, it is more easily transmissible between bacteria species (Forbes, December 10, 2015). Jesus Christ warned long ago that one of the signs of the end of the age would be the increase of "pestilences [plague, disease epidemics]" (Luke 21:11). As we approach the end of the age, we see the increasing potential of severe outbreaks of unstoppable diseases. The mcr-1 gene powerfully emphasizes this point. For more information on God's use of disease to fulfill His prophecies, read "Coming Plagues: The Pale Horse."—Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, Justin Ridgeway, Chris Sookdeo and Sue Bennett