Update on Dr. Meredith:
Dr. Meredith is resting at home following a diagnosis of cancer. He is keeping in touch with Mr. Weston and others at the office via visits and phone calls. After praying and meditating on the subject, he has decided not to get caught up in various rounds of treatments that MAY prolong life but not quality of life, while in the end the outcome is the same. He is putting his life in God's hands to do as only God knows best. He knows that God can heal him, but he is realistic, knowing that he is 86 ½ years old and has had a full and very eventful life. His concern has always been the Church, serving Jesus Christ, and his family. Tuesday evening he had about 20 people over for dinner—mostly family and a few of those who have been like family to him. He is in good spirits and greatly appreciates everyone's prayers for God's intervention in his life.
Greetings from Charlotte,
I've been very busy meeting with various members of our team here in Charlotte, writing the co-worker letter, and recording a sermon for the fast day coming up on March 18 for those congregations that will not be able to livestream the sermon. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Smith were in Canada for several days to do some filming in our studio there. Mr. Wachowicz flew into Toronto from Edmonton to spend the week in the Canadian office, and we received the good news that Mr. Kinnear Penman's Work Permit for Canada was approved! We hope to see him in Vancouver on March 3. Mr. Mario Hernandez reports that, "This year, for the first time ever, the Feast of Tabernacles will be celebrated in Cuba! Mr. Raúl Colón, our elder in Puerto Rico, will be keeping the Feast in Cuba with a [growing] group of local prospective members. The preaching of the Gospel is also bearing fruit in Spain. The Eternal is calling new people. A small group is being formed. After several decades, the Feast of Tabernacles will be kept again this year in Spain."—GEW
Church Administration
Church-Wide Fast on March 18
Pastors: As announced last week in The World Ahead, there will be a Church-wide fast on the Sabbath of March 18. We plan to livestream a sermon by Mr. Weston on that day. We would like as many congregations as possible to tune in. Congregations tuning in to the livestream should plan their Sabbath service time from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time (U.S.). This may mean changing times at your regular meeting hall, if it is feasible. Please check with CAD before making a time change that will involve significant cost. A pre-recorded DVD of the same sermon is being prepared for those congregations that cannot change their time to accommodate the livestream. This pre-recorded sermon by Mr. Weston should go out to all congregations in the March shipment. The DVD sermon will also serve as a backup, should you have technical difficulties.
Final details of the livestream are still being arranged. More information should be available next week in The World Ahead.
Ministerial Bulletin Index
Pastors and Elders: Please note that an updated Ministerial Bulletin index has been uploaded on the MyLCG Web site. You can access it by going to cogl.org.
Tomorrow's World Presents in the French Caribbean
The first Tomorrow's World Presentations of 2017 were held in the French Caribbean. On February 4, in Baillif, Guadeloupe, Mr. Yvon Brochu addressed the question, "Has God Abandoned Mankind?" and also discussed the incredible potential of mankind before a group of 40, ten of them visitors. The next day he gave the same presentations to 24 people in Gosier, Guadeloupe. Eight of these people were new attendees. The next weekend, Mr. Brochu and Dr. Wilner Pierre spoke in Fort-de-France, Martinique, to a group of 55, 22 of them visitors. Of the 40 visitors who attended these three events, 15 of them expressed a desire to begin attending Sabbath services. It was very good to see so many people come to these presentations despite the fact that Carnival has started on both islands.—Etienne Duval
Annual Saratoga Family Weekend, August 11-13
It's official! You won't want to miss the annual Saratoga Family Weekend this coming summer. Dr. Douglas Winnail from our Church headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be our guest for the weekend, as well as our own Regional Pastor, Dr. Jeffrey Fall. Mark your calendars for August 11 to 13. Call now 307-326-5651 or 866-326-5651) to make your reservations at the Riviera Lodge in Saratoga, Wyoming, before the summer crowd books the hotel full. This venue is located a stone's throw from the beautiful North Platte River, at 104 E. Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, WY 82331. The Riviera Lodge Web site is at http://www.therivieralodge.com/. I can smell the steaks cooking!—Ben Whitfield
Passover 2017—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2017, the Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, April 9. 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 for 2017 has been made by Mr. Peter Nathan. To ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs, information for international congregations should already have been sent in, and we need this information before Monday, March 13 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 already be here and U.S. requests should be received before March 13. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] as soon as possible.
Upcoming Northeast Region Activities—Repeat Announcement
Over the spring and summer, three major church activities will be conducted in the Northeast Region.
Spring Holy Days Family Weekend: In the heart of the Catskills, the Frost Valley YMCA Camp will again host our Spring Holy Day Family Weekend. Arrival will be the afternoon of Friday, April 14. We'll spend the Sabbath, Sunday and Monday (Last Day of Unleavened Bread) enjoying "extreme fellowship" together. Our goal is to learn more about living the "better way" that God has revealed to us through the examples in the Bible and the instructions that He has given us. Everything from the Bible Studies, music, focus meetings, and activities will reinforce that "better way" that we'll learn together. For more information and to register, just go to www.nelcg.org (not an official LCG Web site) and click on the "Spring Family Weekend" tab at the top. Registration will close on March 15.
More Details for the Adirondack Family Cycling Adventure: Last summer, we had an awesome trip canoeing and hiking. This year, we'll revisit the Adirondacks, but on two wheels instead of in canoes! We will be cycling approximately 300 miles through mountains, valleys, and beside beautiful lakes and forests. The trip will begin on June 25 and conclude on July 2.
This activity is open to all who are up to cycling 300 miles. Those who would like to come along on the trip and support the cyclists by helping to set up, prepare meals, and provide first aid and maintenance are welcome as well. Together, we'll build bonds of brotherhood with brethren of all ages. Most importantly, we'll learn about God's word, applying the daily Bible lessons directly to the activities of the day. For more information and to register, just go to www.nelcg.org (not an official LCG Web site) and click on the "ADK Cycling Adventure" tab at the top of the page, or contact me at [email protected].
Northeast Men's Training Camp: Once again, we'll be conducting our Men's Training Camp in New Hope, Pennsylvania this summer. The dates for this activity are August 18-20. Registration will begin next month.—Jonathan McNair
Charlotte BRiC Singles Weekend (Memorial Day Weekend)—Repeat Announcement
If you are single and would enjoy a fun, easy, relaxing opportunity to meet, fellowship, and build relationships with like-minded individuals, then join us in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the BRiC (Building Relationships in Christ) Weekend over the Memorial Day Weekend! This year's BRiC Weekend will take place May 26–29. There will be Bible studies, BRiC Talks, activities, dancing, food, fun, and fellowship. We do hope you will be able to come! Details concerning registration will be made available shortly. If you have any questions regarding the weekend, then please contact Jacob Hall ([email protected]) for more information.
Feast of Tabernacles
2017 Site Preference Survey
Pastors and Elders: Please fill out the Ministerial Site Preference Survey by February 19. Many thanks to those of you who have filled it out already. This is extremely helpful in determining assignments for the Feast. If you have not filled it out already, please take care of it right away (if you didn't get the e-mail survey, please write to [email protected]). The e-mail survey enables you to give the Festival Office your first, second, and third choice preferences for Feast of Tabernacles assignments. Again, we need your responses by February 19.
2017 Festival Service Survey
Pastors: Headquarters recently sent out an e-mail to Area Pastors, asking them to recommend individuals in their areas to serve at the Feast. Service areas include sermonettes, song-leading, piano accompaniment, choir director, special music, etc. If you haven't already responded, please send your recommendations by Wednesday, February 22. This information helps Headquarters and the Festival Site Coordinators to fill assignments and schedules for all the Feast sites.
2017 Registration Opens on Sunday, March 12!
Festival Registration is scheduled to open on Sunday, March 12, at 12:00 noon EDT (Eastern Daylight Time, USA). At that time, you will be able to register for the Feast site of your choice. You will also be able to indicate any volunteer service opportunities you would like to sign up for at your site. If you do not have Internet access, please contact your Festival Advisor to print off information for any site(s) you are interested in attending. If you do not know who your Festival Advisor is, please check with your local pastor. You can see a list of U.S. and International sites open to transfer below. (More information about these Feast sites will be available online at fot2017.lcg.org after February 22).
Please do not make housing reservations until you have registered and have been approved for your choice of site. Also, note that March 12 is the day when clocks in the Eastern Time Zone (USA) move forward by one hour to accommodate Daylight Savings Time.
Pastors: In preparation for Festival Registration on March 12, please make sure that Headquarters has been notified about any status changes in your local congregation rosters. For example, the Festival Registration system only accepts registrations from members and prospective members. Any new people who want to attend the Feast this year will need to be classified as PMs in order to register. Any Church Youths (CY) who have turned 18 should also be reclassified as Prospective Members (PM). Please also let us know of any other changes in status of any brethren in your area (i.e. baptisms, etc.) or if any brethren have moved to another congregation. Send these status updates to [email protected].
Festival Advisors: In preparation for Festival registration, all Festival Advisors will be able to access Registration and Volunteer Forms, as well as the Festival Site Guide 2017, which has detailed descriptions of each Feast site, on the MyLCG Web site (www.cogl.org). These documents are necessary for you to print, copy, and distribute to brethren who need your assistance in registering. Reminder: Festival Registration begins on Sunday, March 12.
All brethren: Please make sure your MyLCG account is working. This will be necessary for you to register online. To test it, go to www.cogl.org and sign in to MyLCG with your username and password. If you don't have one, you will have the option of creating one. If you have any problems logging into MyLCG, please e-mail [email protected].—Festival Office
As a reminder, here are the sites planned for 2017:
Anchorage, Alaska
San Diego, California
Snowmass, Colorado
Panama City, Florida
Northern Kentucky
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Seaside, Oregon
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Lake Conroe, Texas
Mount Snow, Vermont
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
International Sites (open to transfers):
Villa de Merlo, San Luis, Argentina
Nelson Bay, NSW, Australia
Christ Church, Barbados
Kimberley, British Columbia, Canada
Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada
Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Sorel, Quebec, Canada
Concon, Chile
Armenia, Colombia
Punta Leona, Costa Rica
Carry-le-Rouet, France
Antigua, Guatemala
Georgetown, Guyana
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Sainte Luce, Martinique
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Baguio City, Philippines
Davao, Philippines
Port Shepstone, South Africa
Stillbaai, South Africa
Negombo, Sri Lanka
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Bon Accord, Tobago
Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Orap Village, Vanuatu
Living Youth Program
Friday Evening Online Teen Bible Study
The online Teen Bible Study on Friday evening, February 24, will be on "Who and What Is God?" If you haven't had the opportunity to join us for one of the online Bible Studies, 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 find instructions for joining the Bible Study and also access it 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 "A New Beginning!," can be found on the Living Youth Web site.—Sheldon Monson
LYC Europe—Chevetogne, Belgium
Attention all teens! Camper and staff applications are being accepted for this year's summer camp to be held once more at Chevetogne, Belgium, about an hour south of Brussels in the beautiful Ardennes region. It will run from Friday, 4 August, to Sunday, 13 August. Check out the venue Web site at http://www.domainedechevetogne.be/fr/new_maison_foret.php?style=stylebase. The focal point of camp will be two adjacent chalet-style housing units, with comfortable bunkbeds, shower facilities, kitchen and dining hall, and space for all indoor activities. Once again, an exciting range of outside activities is in preparation. Come and enjoy an action-packed week of fun and fellowship where you'll make new friends, renew acquaintances, and expand your knowledge of God and His amazing creation.
- Application and tuition fees per camper (ages 12-19) total £130/€165.
- Application forms for campers and staff are available from the UK Office (Jamie Meakin,+44 (0)1536 520042, e-mail [email protected]).
- If you have questions, please contact Mr. John Meakin, Camp Director (Home: +44 (0)1460 54240, Mobile +44 (0)7795 814623, e-mail [email protected]), or Mr. Rees Ellis, Assistant Director +32 475 276821, e-mail: [email protected])
- More details will be available shortly on the Living Youth Web site, at livingyouth.org.
Adventure Camp 2017—Mount Rainier National Park—Repeat Announcement
At 14,410 feet above sea level, Mount Rainier, a stratovolcano, stands as an icon in the Washington landscape. It is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S.A., spawning six major rivers. Towering over the heart of the Cascade Range, this mighty mountain is viewable from nearly every corner of the state. The 236,381-acre park encompasses more than 300 lakes and more than 100 waterfalls! From deep old-growth forests in low valley bottoms to the frosty summit of the peak, you will experience a variety of terrain, including wildflower meadows that John Muir called the most superb subalpine gardens he'd ever encountered. After spending five days in the backcountry, we'll raft the White Salmon River, which offers some of the best class III-IV rapids in the west (including rapids like S-turn, Top-Drop, The Flume, Bomber's Drop and more)! The water is clear and the rapids are big and numerous. This is an Adventure Trip you will not want to miss! This camp will fill up fast so you must register by March 1. Tuition is $450 per person and will be due not later than the month of April. For more information and details on the camp, and to register to attend, please visit camp.livingyouth.org.
Dates:
Staff and Camper Arrival: Tuesday, August 1, 2017 (no later than 5:00 p.m.)
Camper and Staff Departure: Thursday, August 10, 2017 (no later than noon)
Living University
Call for On-Campus Students in Charlotte: For young men and women seeking a unique and exciting learning opportunity, LU is now accepting applications for full-time students to study on campus in Charlotte, North Carolina beginning in the fall of 2017. Important: Tuition rates for the 2017-2018 academic year will be lowered by roughly thirty percent, resulting in a cost savings for on-campus students of up to $1,000! On-campus students experience special opportunities beyond online study. Students meet for weekly discussion classes with many of their professors, including Dr. Germano, Mr. Ames, Drs. Douglas and Scott Winnail, Mr. Ken Frank, Mr. Peter Nathan, Mr. Wyatt Ciesielka, and Mr. Jerry Ruddlesden. Weekly Assemblies are delivered by many of the Church leaders based in Charlotte and around the world. Monthly student outings and other social activities are planned and students also participate in congregational opportunities unique to the Charlotte congregation and Headquarters (including Spokesman Club, Singles Bible Studies, Outreach activities, service during Council of Elders and Ministerial conferences, and much more). Student housing is available for both male and female students. Most of our on-campus students also participate in our work-study program—working part-time in different departments throughout the Work and Living University. Student work-study helps defray most living costs. Application to the on-campus program can be made online through the University Web site (www.livinguniv.com). Additional details and requirements can also be found online, as can an estimate of costs associated with on-campus study.
If you are interested in on-campus LU study and have questions, please contact us. At this time we can only accept on-campus students who are legal residents of the U.S. Our hope is to expand this opportunity to international students in future years, as God allows. Interested students should begin their online applications by the end of February 2017. Those with no previous college should submit college entrance test scores (ACT or SAT) along with other application materials and should plan to take that examination as soon as possible. You can find out more about these exams through a local high school guidance counselor or local community college or university testing service. Home-schooled students are also encouraged to apply. If you have questions about on-campus study or to find out more, please contact Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-708-2292 or [email protected].
Comments
Trials Test Our Faith: The Apostle Paul warned, "know this, that in the last days perilous times will come" (2 Timothy 3:1). Jesus predicted that the end of the age would be marked by increasing trials and turmoil on a global scale (Matthew 24). Jesus also wondered aloud, "when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8), and He prayed that Peter's faith would not fail when he encountered trials and tribulation (Luke 22:32). When the challenges of life begin to mount, we need to remember that faith is one of the fruits of God's Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and that God gives His Spirit to those who trust Him and obey His instructions (Acts 5:32). We must also ask for more faith (Luke 17:5). We also need to remember that faith comes from hearing (and studying) God's word (Romans 10:17), which states plainly that God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9) and that He is like a rock and a fortress that protects and preserves His faithful people (Psalm 31:3, 23). James wrote "the testing of your faith produces patience" (James 1:3-4). Let's do our part to build faith by studying the examples of faith recorded in Hebrews 11, as we strive to please God and stay focused on His plan and purpose for our lives.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 16, 2017
Watch Europe! The summer of 2017 could see historic changes in Europe. The Brits will begin their exit from the EU, and "the Netherlands, France and Germany are holding general elections this year, in which populist anti-EU parties are expected to make strong showings" (The Telegraph, February 11, 2017). European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker "fears… the Brits will manage without big effort to divide the remaining 27 member states… by making different promises to each country during its Brexit negotiations" (ibid.). French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has promised "to pull France out of the EU" as well as NATO and to restore the French franc if she is elected (Times of Israel, February 5, 2017). The director general of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Mark Littlewood, has commented that "the credibility of the EU would be on the line if founding members, including the Netherlands and France, were to leave… [If] many other countries leave the bloc then it could be forced to change 'unrecognisably'" (The Daily Express, February 11, 2017). While the EU currently consists of 27 members, the Bible has long foretold that ten kings with links to the ancient Roman Empire will emerge in Europe just before the return of Jesus Christ (Daniel 2:40-44; 7:7; Revelation 17:11-14). To understand the prophetic significance of changes coming in Europe, read or listen to The Beast of Revelation.
Russia and China Test Western Military Dominance: China "accounted for a third of Asia's military spending in 2016 and was looking to sell more arms abroad, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) said… On air power, China 'appears to be reaching near-parity with the West,' IISS said, adding that Chinese-made drones had been seen in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia" (Deutsche Welle, February 14, 2017). Russia is also becoming more aggressive in its military role across the globe. "Moscow has secretly deployed a SSC-8 cruise missile, a move violating the 1987 INF deal accredited with ending the Cold War… Reports of the recent missile deployment have further complicated US-Russia relations… Russia now has two battalions of the cruise missile, quoting administration officials" (Deutsche Welle, February 15, 2017). This comes on top of the news that a "Russian ship was in international waters, 70 miles off the coast of Delaware and heading north at 10 knots, according to one official," which likely is a test to the new administration in Washington, DC (Fox News, February 14, 2017). The recent build up and assertiveness of Chinese and Russian militaries could fit with Bible prophecies that describe a future 200-million-man army that will invade the Middle East from "the east and the north" (Daniel 11:44; Revelation 9:14-16). These kings will form a powerful eastern alliance, wielding extraordinary military might and massive troop numbers, which will destroy one-third of mankind (Revelation 9:18). This alliance will likely involve the heavily populated, militarily strong nations of Asia, including China and Russia. For more information, read our booklet Revelation: the Mystery Unveiled.
Africa's Armyworm Invasion: "Scientists warn that parts of southern Africa already hit by record droughts now face another potential food crisis because [of] the invasion of a crop-eating pest, known as the 'fall armyworm'" (BBC, February 14, 2017). Experts are unsure of how this caterpillar, native to the Americas, arrived in Africa, and the pest has arrived following two years of drought. "South Africa, the region's biggest maize producer, has confirmed the destruction of crops from the pest in six different provinces. The Zambian government has said that 130,000 hectares (321,236 acres) of land have been affected, with the prime suspect the fall armyworm" (ibid.). There have been many plagues down through man's history, but Joel 1:4 describes a time when one disastrous plague will follow another. It may be premature to say that the fall armyworm invasion in Africa signals the end of the age, but at a minimum, it gives us a glimpse of what Bible prophecies have long predicted is to come. Famines, pestilences, and plagues are predicted to wreak havoc and devastation at the end of the age (Luke 21:11). The underlying cause of these coming calamities is that modern Israelites have come to the point where they despise God and His laws (Leviticus 26:14-22). Modern generations need to understand these ancient prophetic warnings are real; they are not fairy tales. True Christians should sigh and cry for fellow humans who are suffering, and fervently pray "Thy kingdom come!" To learn more about signs to watch for related to Christ's return, read or listen to Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ's Return.—Scott Winnail, Justin Ridgeway, and Francine Prater