Greetings from Charlotte,
The world seems to be "bumping along" from one crisis to another as anxiety grows over the turmoil in the Middle East, the immigration crisis in Europe, the potential exit of Britain from the EU and the divergent candidates seeking to be President of the United States. As we survey the world scene, we are certainly reminded of the prophecies in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 that "in the last days perilous times will come." Here in Charlotte, Dr. Meredith has turned in an editorial for The Living Church News and held a number of meetings. Messrs. Weston, Ciesielka, Wachowicz, Smith, Gosse and Heykoop were in Nashville this week to attend the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. I returned to Charlotte on Sunday evening after visiting congregations in four countries and spending last Sabbath with congregations in Dallas and Big Sandy, Texas. It was very encouraging to be able to meet and talk with brethren in our congregations around the world. Mr. Dan Hall and I will be in Lake City, Florida this weekend to conduct services and a conference for the leaders in that area of Florida. Your prayers for God's people and for God's Work are certainly needed and appreciated.—DSW
Church Administration
Adirondack Family Canoe Weekend
The beautiful Adirondacks of northern New York State will once again be the site for our Northeast Region outdoor adventure. From July 6 through July 11, we'll be canoeing and hiking in the Racquette Lake country. Our focus will be on building bonds of brotherhood as we practice outdoor skills in God's marvelous creation. Watch next week for an announcement with more details regarding cost and how to sign up to be part of this experience!—Jonathan McNair
Rocky Mountain Winter Weekend
Forty-three brethren from across the United States met at Winter Park, Colorado, for the third annual Rocky Mountain Winter Weekend, February 19-22. We enjoyed a beautiful weekend filled with fellowship, spiritual meat in due season, news of the Work and, of course, some winter fun with skiing, sledding and a trip to Rocky Mountain National Park to view the wildlife.
Mr. Jim Meredith was our special guest speaker from Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. He brought us up to date on happenings in the Work and explained the use of the Internet, television, print and electronic media to preach the Gospel message during these end times. In his Bible Study on Friday evening, Mr. Meredith talked about how these modern tools can reach almost everyone around the globe who has access to the Internet or a cell phone. In his Sabbath sermon he focused on God's message of Hope and Truth to a dying world that has forgotten God.
We're all looking forward to meeting together again next year... stay tuned for that special announcement.—Ben Whitfield
Passover 2016—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2016, the Passover Service will be observed on Thursday evening, April 21. 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). The Passover Service recording is the 2015 recording given by Mr. Ken Frank. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, international requests should already be here and we need this information by March 21 for U.S. congregations.
Also, please 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 here by now and U.S. requests before March 21. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Feast of Tabernacles
Festival Coordinator Online Meetings
This week the Festival Office conducted online meetings with Festival coordinators from around the USA and around the world. In these meetings we discussed getting the Festival Web site "microsites" ready for launch, as well as other important issues. Each Festival Web site "microsite" is a Webpage that is unique to each Feast site, giving all the information you will need to make your choices about which site to attend (general information, recreational activities available, hotel and accommodation details, etc.). The Festival Web site "microsites" should be ready to be viewed in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more information about the Festival Web site!
No Feast Sites Are Closed Yet
Some brethren have gotten the impression that some 2016 Feast sites are already closed. Please note that no sites are closed, because Festival registration has not yet begun. Festival registration will take place around the time of the Spring Holy Days. The Festival Office will announce the date as soon as possible. When Festival registration takes place, brethren and guests will then have the opportunity to register for the Feast site of their choice. Transfer requests will be determined by the Festival Office, taking into account the particular needs of the sites, including seating capacity. Stay tuned to upcoming announcements about Festival registration in The World Ahead!
Ministerial Site Assignments
Ministerial assignments for this year's Feast of Tabernacles are being finalized. Once the final list is approved by Dr. Meredith, all pastors and elders will be notified of the site they should attend in 2016. Thank you for filling out the preference survey to help this process! Note: International pastors/elders—please contact your Regional Office regarding your assignments for this year's Feast.
Another International Feast Site: Argentina
Please note the following additional international Feast site, the Site Coordinator and his contact information:
Villa de Merlo, Argentina – Aarón Bravo – [email protected]
Living Youth Program
Online Teen Bible Study Friday Evening
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, March 4, will be on "What Makes Man Unique?" 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. (Eastern time) 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 "Angels," can also be found on the Living Youth Web site.
LYC Summer Camps Registration Is Open—Repeat Announcement
Registration for the North America camps is now open and detailed information about the camps is available on camp.livingyouth.org.
Adventure Camp, Banff, Alberta, Filling Up Fast!
The Adventure Trip 2016 in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies is filling up fast. Applications for Staff positions must be in by Friday, February 26 and camper applications must be submitted by Tuesday, March 1.
Living University
Living University is pleased to announce that it expects to lease two very attractive residential properties in the Charlotte area for dorm space for on-site students for the Fall semester of 2016. A generous member has offered to lease the two residences to Living University on terms that will be very favorable to the University and the students. More details will be forthcoming this Spring. The continuing generous support of God's people for Living University is much appreciated. We are currently accepting applications from students who would like to study on-site in Charlotte for classes beginning in August 2016.
Comments
Together on the Sabbath—For a Reason! We are admonished in the Scriptures not to forsake "the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some" (Hebrews 10:24-25). In the New Testament we see how the members of the early Church gathered together on the Sabbath "with one accord in one place" to worship, hear instruction and to fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:1; 13:14, 44). In doing so, they were following the commandment to "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8) and the examples of Jesus Christ (Luke 4:16) and the apostle Paul (Acts 17:2). Today, with easy access to personal television sets, computers and DVD or CD players, some assume that all that is necessary on the Sabbath is to stay home and watch a sermon. Yet, this overlooks the importance of gathering together to worship and fellowship with other believers—which involves giving, sharing, learning to relate to other people as part of a family and to be part of a team. We have been called to become part of God's family and commissioned to preach the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God. The reality of that vision is enhanced when we come together on God's Sabbath with others of like mind who share that same focus. This is why we are commanded to gather together on the Sabbath.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 25, 2016
Saudi Arabia Leads 20 Nation War Exercise: "Saudi media said some 350,000 forces from the Persian Gulf Arab states and a number of other countries will take part in the Saudi-led military maneuver in the area of Hafer al-Batin in northern Saudi Arabia" (Alalam News, February 9, 2016). Named North Thunder, Saudi Arabia aims to use this massive exercise to "boost military cooperation between the 20 Muslim nations taking part," such as "Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jordan, Sudan and Senegal" (Reuters, February 22, 2016). In addition, Saudi Arabia "has sent planes to Turkey to help fight against 'Islamic State' militants in Syria… to intensify aerial operations along with missions launched from bases in Saudi Arabia" (Deutsche Welle, February 14, 2016). Some speculate that Saudi Arabia and Turkey are planning a ground invasion in Syria, but that "will only happen if the United States gives its support and participates in such an expeditionary land force" (Al Arabiya, February 17, 2016). Bible prophecies are coming alive in the Middle East! In the years ahead, a great war will take place between a powerful "king of the north" and another "king of the south" (Daniel 11:40-43). Jesus told His followers to "watch" world events that would fulfill ancient prophecies at the end of the age (Mark 13:37). The rise of ISIS is drawing Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations together in a manner that could lead to the emergence of the long-prophesied "king of the south" that will focus world attention on the Middle East. To learn what is ahead for this turbulent region, read our informative booklet, The Middle East in Prophecy.
Britain's EU Tenure Almost Over? "Prime Minister David Cameron on Friday pledged Britain will never become part of a 'European superstate' thanks to a hard-fought deal for a less intrusive European Union which he hopes will sway voters in a referendum to keep the island nation in the 28-nation bloc" (Washington Post, February 19, 2016). This agreement would give Britain greater political autonomy, financial autonomy, freedom from EU immigration rules, protection if/when EU core nations create a superstate, and more (ibid.). However, the agreement will only take place if the British people vote on June 23 to remain part of the EU. If they decide to leave the EU, the deal will not be binding and will open a floodgate of other issues (Business Insider, February 23, 2016). Either way, with this agreement, Britain will never be part of the "core" of Europe—"A European superstate" that many are now saying is "inevitable" (Telegraph, February 19, 2016). Interestingly, the Dutch are also desirous of a referendum on EU membership (Dutch News, February 22, 2016). Bible prophecy has long indicated that Britain, descendants of the Israelite tribe of Ephraim, will not be part of the core of Europe—the European "beast" power. In fact, Britain, along with other Israelite-descended nations, is prophesied to go into a future "captivity" under the direction of the "beast" (Ezekiel 39:24-29; see Hosea 7; Amos 5:1-3). For more on Britain's future, be sure to read The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy.
Valueless Babies: "The Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani… blasted the United Nations for encouraging Latin American governments affected by the Zika virus to allow abortion, comparing the organization to a modern-day King Herod, who ordered the slaughter of babies at the time of Jesus' birth" (Breitbart.com, February 10, 2016). "'How can they ask these women not to become pregnant, but not offer … the possibility to end their pregnancies?' asked UN Human Rights office spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly… UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein was similarly forceful in calling for a relaxation of abortion laws. 'The laws and policies that restrict access to these services should be urgently reviewed in accordance with human rights, in order to ensure, in practice, the right to health for all,' he said" (ibid.). Recent statements by the pope also have the appearance of situation ethics. He recently suggested contraceptives be used to limit the impact of the Zika virus—an action that goes against long-standing Catholic teaching (CNN, February 18, 2016). As we approach the end of the age, we will see more individuals and governmental bodies advocating actions that trivialize the sanctity of human life. God created all humans in His very own image (Genesis 1:26), and He alone controls the gates of death (Job 38:17). For more on this topic, read "Abortion: A Modern Holocaust?"—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, John Meakin, Chris Sookdeo, Deborah Lincoln-Strange and Francine Prater