Greetings from Charlotte,
We had a very profitable Council of Elders meeting this week in Charlotte. Dr. Meredith was able to preside over three days of meetings that involved reports from around the world, doing the Work more effectively and preparing future leaders in addition to discussions about policies and several doctrinal subjects. Dr. Meredith has also finished a semi-annual letter that will be mailed this week to more than 500,000 people. Mr. Weston is taping two new Tomorrow's World programs in Charlotte before returning to the UK. This weekend, Tomorrow's World Presentations will be held in Long Island, New York; Mississauga, Ontario; and Melbourne, Australia. On Monday, 18 recipients will receive degrees or certificates at the Living University graduation. Please pray that God will continue to watch over His people and guide His Work.—DSW
Church Administration
Second Passover—Repeat Announcement
The Second Passover this year should be taken shortly after sunset on Saturday, May 21. This Passover is for those baptized members who were unable to take the first Passover due to unavoidable circumstances. The biblical instructions regarding this ceremony are found in Numbers 9:1-4.
Northeast Men's Training Camp 2016—August 26-28—Repeat Announcement
We live in a time of crisis for men. The role, identity and the very purpose for being a man is being called into question. How do we fight the demise of men... as a man? Here's one way. Come and be part of this unique program this summer. Our spiritual "boot camp," August 26-28, is specifically designed to build and strengthen men through eye-opening and interactive learning. We'll learn what it takes to build bonds of brotherhood, serving God, our family and our brethren. It's time to stand in the gap and take action against the tide of cultural correctness sweeping over our nation.
For more information and to register, just go to www.nelcg.org and click on the Men's Training Camp link, or go directly to the following Web address: http://nelcg.org/?page_id=23802. (These are not official LCG Web sites.) Or, call or e-mail me for more information(516-724-4452; [email protected]).—Jonathan McNair
Charlotte BRiC Weekend (an opportunity for singles)—Memorial Day Weekend—Repeat Announcement
Please Read Entire Announcement for Registration Details:
Are you interested in insightful, spiritual discussions on Building Relationships in Christ? Do you desire to strengthen the relationships you already have with those around you? Do you also want to dance, relax, and enjoy a little fresh air, too? If you're single and interested in the above, then be sure to be at this year's BRiC Weekend, May 27–30.
Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, so be sure to register before the deadline! We need to know you are coming. And with the local housing filling up fast, you'll want to be sure to register soon! You can register for the weekend, as well as find the details for the weekend, at charlottelcg.org/BRiC. If you have any questions regarding the weekend and its details, please e-mail me at [email protected].—Ryan Dawson
Internet Department
Social Media Reach
2015 and 2016 have yielded significant growth for Tomorrow's World social media, with subscriber and "fan" counts consistently growing month by month, and with many thousands of people reading, watching and sharing articles and videos. In addition to our Internet video platforms such as Roku and AppleTV, and our Web sites in numerous languages, our many social media pages are an integral part of our Internet strategy and our efforts to fulfill the Great Commission to "preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15) and to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19). Please continue to pray for the growth of our many media efforts. And to see a quick, "real-time' summary of some of our primary English, Spanish and French YouTube and Facebook pages, visit the "Social Sites" link at the bottom of the TomorrowsWorld.org Web page (or go to TomorrowsWorld.org/social)."—Wyatt Ciesielka
New Donations Interface—Repeat Announcement
We have deployed a new online donations interface which is accessible from the links at the bottom of the TomorrowsWorld.org and LCG.org Web sites. Our goal was to provide a more user-friendly online donations service and also to eliminate some of the processing fees that were associated with the old interface. To use the new online donations interface, please note two important points: 1.) Log in to the new online donations system with your "MyLCG" username and password (not the username and password that you used for the old system). 2.) If you previously "bookmarked" the old donations interface (link) or made it a "favorite" in your Web browser, then you need to update that link with the new link from the new interface. We thank you for your faithful support as we all work together to preach the Gospel even more powerfully around the world! —Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
Must Read: Need to Register—Even if Going to Assigned Site
Some brethren have asked the question, "Why do we need to register if we are going to our assigned site?" The answer is simple: out of love for your brethren! Until assigned brethren register for their choice of site, the Festival Office does not know how much room is left for incoming transfers. Therefore, out of consideration for other (transferring) brethren, please register as soon as possible, even if you are going to your assigned site!
For Those Going to Lake Conroe, Texas
The Conroe, Texas, Feast site is a case in point. We currently have several dozen brethren on the transfer waiting list, waiting to hear if their transfer can be approved. However, 186 brethren assigned to Lake Conroe have yet to register. If you are assigned to Lake Conroe, please register as soon as possible! That will help us determine if we have the room to accept additional transfers at Lake Conroe, TX.
Sites with Limited Seating Capacity
Most 2016 Feast sites still have room for additional transfers. However, we currently have limited seating capacity at two sites:
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Lake Conroe, Texas
If you have applied for a transfer to either of these sites but have not yet received a transfer approval e-mail, you may wish to re-register at another site.
Register for the Feast at: fot2016.lcg.org. (You can also access it by going to the Living Church of God Web site, lcg.org, and clicking on "Feast of Tabernacles.") If you do not have Internet access, please contact your Festival Advisor. If you do not know who your Festival Advisor is, please check with your local pastor. If you have any technical problems registering, please e-mail [email protected].
Please do not make housing reservations until you have registered and been approved for your choice of site.
Le Gosier, Guadeloupe
The Guadeloupe and Martinique congregations warmly invite you to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles 2016 in beautiful Le Gosier, Guadeloupe. Translation into English will be provided during services throughout the Feast. The French archipelago of Guadeloupe consists of five paradisiacal islands located in the heart of the Caribbean. Guadeloupe is a beautiful mix of the traditional Caribbean and France. In Guadeloupe there are many opportunities to enjoy God's creation through gorgeous white sand beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs, forests, waterfalls, volcanoes and breathtaking sunsets. Guadeloupe is also known for its charming towns and markets, and its exquisite cuisine and rum. More information about this site can be found at fot2016.lcg.org. For any questions, please contact the coordinator, Dr. Wilner Pierre, at [email protected].
Living Youth Program
LYC Ohio Announcement
Are you getting excited about teen camp in Ohio yet? Before you start packing, we want to let you know that the first Saturday night's dance is going to have a Western theme. So, don't forget to pack those cowboy/cowgirl hats and boots! Yee Haw!
Texas Preteen Camp 2016—Camper Application Deadline and Counselors Still Needed
All campers who would like to apply for the Texas Preteen Camp are asked to complete an application as soon as possible, no later than midnight on Wednesday, June 1. This will help us in arranging dorm assignments. We are still currently in need of those who would like to serve as boys' and girls' dorm counselors or assistant counselors. All other staff assignments are being finalized; those accepted as staff will be notified within the next week. Thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Camp Director Bob Rodzaj at 505-209-1497 or [email protected].
Comments
Humility—Key to Unity: King David wrote, "How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1). The Apostle Paul urged Christians to "walk worthy" of your calling "with all lowliness and gentleness… endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:1-3). He stated that the work of the ministry is to edify (build up) the body (the Church) "till we all come to the unity of the faith" (Ephesians 4:12-13). Paul also told the contentious Corinthians that they should be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10). In order to grow together in unity we need to understand the causes of contentions that disrupt unity. The Scriptures reveal that pride is an underlying cause of contentions (Proverbs 13:10) and that pride will contribute to a person's downfall (Proverbs 16:18). Insisting on our own way also leads to strife (James 4:1). However, humility will bring a person honor (Proverbs 15:33; 29:23) and will promote peace and unity (James 3:17-18). Just as Jesus Christ humbled Himself and followed His Father's instructions (Philippians 2:5-9), as Christians we must be subject to government (within and without the Church) and not resist proper authority (Romans 13:1-2). As we learn to exercise true humility and treat others with love and respect (Romans 12:10-18), we will promote unity in the body of Christ.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—May 12, 2016
London Elects Muslim Mayor: For the first time in British history "Sadiq Khan, a practicing Muslim and Labour Party politician, has been elected mayor of London, marking a political milestone in the world" (CNN, May 6, 2016). In his victory speech, Mr. Khan claimed to be a mayor for all Londoners, though many speculate about his true motives. In 2006, Khan attended "a rally with an extremist Muslim leader… Dr Azam Tamimi, a senior figure in the Muslim Association of Britain" and later defended the speaker's use of genocidal language (The Sun, February 8, 2016). Mr. Khan has also "faced fresh questions over his extremist links after it emerged his ex-brother-in-law was a hate preacher" (The Sun, February 12, 2016). It may prove significant that a Muslim mayor will now lead London, a city that has played a major role in Western civilization for centuries and the capital of a modern Israelite nation. The Bible has long warned that if Israelite nations walk contrary to God's laws, "the alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower" (Deuteronomy 28:15, 43), and that "those who hate you shall reign over you" (Leviticus 26:17). God inspired Hosea to call backsliding Ephraim (modern-day Britain) a "silly dove without sense" (Hosea 7:11). As the future unfolds, Londoners will have a chance to see what the fruits of this historic election will be. For more information on these important events, read our informative articles "'Goodbye' to England?" and "Islam vs. the West: Final Conflict Ahead?"
Many Europeans Unhappy with EU: With weeks remaining until the United Kingdom holds a national referendum on EU membership, a new poll released this week showed that "Almost 50 percent of voters in eight big EU countries are in favor of voting on their membership… A third of participants also said they would opt to leave the EU if given the chance" (Deutsche Welle, May 9, 2016). "The Italians in particular hope to have their own opportunity to go to the polls on their EU membership, which lends a sense that even if the [UK] vote does... stick with the status quo in June, it will not be the end of the EU's woes" (ibid.). Sobering rhetoric is also circulating that should Britain choose to leave the EU, the prospect of war in Europe will become more likely (Telegraph, May 9, 2016). Bible prophecies have long referred to an end-time iron-and-clay configuration in Europe composed of ten kings or nations (Daniel 2:42-43)—which suggests that the 28-member EU will downsize. While another war in Europe will not happen immediately, Bible prophecy reveals that some type of major struggle will occur in Europe's future, resulting in Britain and other nations being taken into national captivity (Hosea 9:11-17; 11:3-7). For more on this topic, be sure to read "Will the United Kingdom Break Apart?"
Canada Wildfire Continues to Burn: For more than a week, the Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta, Canada has burned, bringing a halt to up to a quarter of the country's oil production! Over 100,000 residents of the area have been evacuated and 20 percent of homes have been destroyed in a fire that experts expect to take months to completely put out (BBC, May 8, 2016). At present, the fire is burning out of control; however, officials are encouraged that the fire is now burning into uninhabited areas and cooling temperatures are slowing its spread (CNN, May 9, 2016). The fire has destroyed more than 400,000 acres in what many predict to be Canada's most expensive forest fire (ibid.). Thankfully, there has been no human life lost to this fire so far. However, it is sobering to watch the power of fire fueled by high temperatures, dry conditions and wind. One of the warnings God gave ancient (and modern) Israelites was that if they rebel against His laws, their "heavens [would become] like iron" and their "earth like bronze" (Leviticus 26:14-20). Sadly, this may be only a foretaste of cataclysmic end-times events that are prophesied to come. Shortly before the return of Christ we can also expect that an entire third of the earth's trees will be burned up by fire (Revelation 8:7). God will use these frightening events to get our national attention in the hope of motivating us to repent and return whole-heartedly to Him. For more on this vital topic, be sure to read "There Must Be National and Personal Repentance."—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, Chris Sookdeo and Francine Prater