Greetings from Charlotte,
Tomorrow's World initial presentations were conducted in Crossville, Tennessee and Columbus, Ohio last weekend. Follow-up presentations were conducted in seven additional locations. Carol and I are scheduled to be in Las Vegas, Nevada this Sabbath, and Mr. Rodger Bardo and I are to conduct a TWP on Sunday. We will be pushing out the walls if all who pre-registered do attend. Mr. Yvon Brochu and Dr. Wilner Pierre recently recorded four Le Monde de Demain telecasts in our Canadian studio. Mr. Marc Arseneault was also there to direct the programs and to record advertisements for them. Last weekend, Dr. Douglas Winnail visited congregations in Indianapolis and Knox, Indiana and visited with ministers in Kentucky and Tennessee. This week we also conducted an online Council of Elders meeting. The Holy Days and Festivals put pressure on our editorial staff to get The Living Church News out on time each year and it often arrives within the last couple weeks prior to the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feasts of the seventh month. Yet, these issues are rich in content regarding these important occasions and, as we approach this Festival season, we want to encourage everyone to take time prior to or during the Feast to read and meditate on the content of The Living Church News.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Trinidad Earthquake
On Tuesday, 21 August at 5:31 p.m., Trinidad and Tobago were shaken by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake. It lasted about 90 seconds and even brethren in Guyana, Barbados and Martinique felt tremors. There has been significant structural damage to many buildings, including government offices and other public buildings. Engineers are assessing the roads to see if any structural damage was sustained. Some vehicles were damaged by falling debris and one house completely collapsed. Initial tsunami warnings were quickly discontinued. At 9:27 a.m. on Wednesday, there was a major aftershock measuring 5.8. Both of these events had their epicentre in neighbouring Venezuela, where the damage has been much more extensive. We are extremely thankful to God that no reports of death or injury have been reported and that all the brethren are safe and well.—Paul Shumway and Damian Weekes
Death of Mrs. Woelfle
We are saddened to announce the death of Donna Woelfle (age 77), wife of Irvin Woelfle, an elder serving in Illinois and Iowa. Please remember Mr. Woelfle and his family during this difficult time. Cards and letters of encouragement may be sent to Mr. Woelfle at our Headquarters office in Charlotte, and they will be forwarded to him.
Men's Training Camp 2018—Charlotte
On the weekend of August 17 through 19, we held a Men's Training Camp at Copperhead Island here in Charlotte! The theme of the weekend was, "The Man in the Arena." We had 26 in attendance for the event itself and 36 total for Sabbath Services. Friday night, I opened with a Bible Study focusing on the importance of getting involved in life and not just sitting on the sidelines. Mr. Jonathan McNair gave the sermon at Sabbath Services, exhorting us to act in a careful and mindful way in the "Defining Moments" of our lives. That evening, Dr. Scott Winnail gave a session entitled, "How Dependable Are You?" with Messrs. Josh Penman and Jerry Ruddlesden giving short talks and Q&A with the men. We closed the evening with a sing-along and a discussion of defining moments in our lives. Mr. Jerry Ruddlesden then led the Sunday morning session on "Responsible Finances." Each of the sessions was designed to draw out input, thoughts, and counsel from each of the men attending. Sunday morning, we had a wrap-up of the weekend, focusing on the lessons learned and how we can fully succeed in the arena of our lives.—Rod McNair
Living Education
Life, Teachings and Ministry of Jesus Christ, Unit One
This is a big "thank-you" to those who have patiently navigated the enrollment process for our first online unit. If you are still having difficulties, please start by going to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) menu on the front page of our lcgeducation.org site. This page lists the answers to many questions you might have about how to use the system. If you can't find the answer there, just send an e-mail to [email protected] and we will help you out. We hope you have found the lectures and supporting material beneficial. Perhaps we've even provided some food for thought and conversation on the Sabbath, with our discussion and study questions and "Learn More" components. Happy studying!—Jonathan McNair
Internet Department
The English-language Tomorrow's World YouTube channel recently passed the milestone of 30,000 subscribers and, so far this year, has generated about 1,100,000 new views. About 61 percent of these views come from the United States, with other top countries being Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Philippines. Most of these views are "organic," meaning that most people find these videos because YouTube "suggests" them, or by searching for topics of interest. About 19 percent of these views come from paid advertising. We are very thankful for this growth. Of course, the English-language channel has a lot of catching up to do to match the Spanish Tomorrow's World YouTube Channel (El Mundo de Mañana) which is growing very rapidly, as has been previously mentioned, and is now at more than 82,500 subscribers and 12,900,000 views!—Wyatt Ciesielka
Feast of Tabernacles
Activity Registration Open—Repeat Announcement
Activity registration is now open and Living Church of God attendees and guests may sign up for activities at the Feast. For a detailed list of instructions on how to sign up for activities at your Feast site, please see the instructions below:
To Register for Feast Activities:
- Go to www.lcg.org.
- Click on "Member Resources" along the left margin of the page.
- Click on "MyLCG" at the top of the next page.
- Log in on the next page to the "MyLCG" page with your PIN, or username and password (using your PIN is recommended).
- On your "MyLCG" page, click "Activity Sign-Up" under the blue-headed section titled "Feast of Tabernacles 2018," along the right margin of the page. This will take you to the registration page.
- On the registration page, click on "Activities Sign-up" near the top right hand corner of the red-colored margin. If you are redirected to the "MyLCG" log-in page, enter your username and password again, and then click again on "Activities Sign-up" on the registration page. This will take you to the "Activity Selection" page, which will list all the activities you can sign up and pay for.
- After you have registered for activities and you are ready to pay for activities, click the "Payments" button on the registration page. You may be prompted to log in again using your MyLCG PIN and password.
- Select/check the activities for which you are ready to pay, then click the "CHECKOUT" button.
- Select "PayPal" or "Cash or Check" to pay, then click "SUBMIT."
- If you select "PayPal," you have the option to pay with a credit card directly or use your PayPal account. If you select "Cash or Check," the mailing address to send a check for payment is provided. Please print the page and send it with payment to the address provided. Make checks payable to "Living Church of God." Please don't send cash through the postal mail.
Green Holy Day Envelopes—Repeat Announcement
Green Holy Day envelopes were mailed in the United States this week. Using these preprinted envelopes greatly speeds processing of the offerings.
Feast of Tabernacles Sermons
Attention Pastors: All requests for Feast sermon CDs should already have been sent to the Church Administration Department. These sermons are available (at your request) for those in your congregation(s) who will be unable to attend the Feast, who do not have Internet access to Feast sermons online, and who wish to receive them. The sermons are available in English, French, or Spanish. Note: For those who have Internet access, Feast sermons will be uploaded (one per day) during the Feast at www.lcg.org. The French sermons will be uploaded to www.eglisedieuvivant.org.
Living Youth Program
Adventure Camp 2018 Photography Contest
All participants in the Adventure Camp of 2018, staff as well as campers, are eligible to enter the Adventure Camp 2018 photography contest. Your photo entries should be sent to Mr. John Robinson at [email protected]. No more than five photo submissions per person, please. The contest winners will be announced in two weeks.
Comments
Avoid Satan's Devices: The Bible contains numerous warnings about Satan, and it describes how he operates to deceive, divide and destroy individuals. Satan moves like a hunting lion, carefully stalking his unsuspecting prey (1 Peter 5:8). He is a dangerous adversary searching for vulnerable individuals (1 Timothy 5:14–15). However, Satan does not hunt with claws or bullets, but instead spreads rumors, gossip and lies about other people (1 Timothy 5:13; Leviticus 19:16; John 8:44). He encourages sharing confidential information that will discredit others (Proverbs 11:13; 17:9). He fosters dissension and division by stirring up fears, jealousy and inappropriate ambitions (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). Satan will use anyone—friends, neighbors, members or ministers—to sow discord and do his work (2 Corinthians 11:1–15). Satan will zero in on people who have doubts, hurts and resentments, who feel wronged or overlooked, or those whose ideas, opinions or ambitions are ignored or denied. He will use such individuals to accuse, undermine or criticize others. This is why the Apostle Paul warned that we must not be ignorant of how Satan operates (2 Corinthians 2:11)—because he still operates that way today. Let's be alert and resist his attempts to deceive and divide (1 Peter 5:9) so we do not become unsuspecting victims of negative ideas and attitudes that he beams in our direction (Ephesians 2:2).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—August 23, 2018
The Horn of Africa and Prophecy: After years of a destabilizing relationship following their two-year war from 1998 to 2000, the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea recently met and began what many are describing as a "warm friendship" (CSIS, July 25, 2018). This new friendship brings a thaw in relations and the resumption of air flights between the two nations. It also opens up the potential for Ethiopia, a land-locked nation of 70 million people, to use Eritrea's strategic Red Sea ports. Resumption of relations between these two nations could greatly improve their economies and even stem the tide of refugees to Europe. The two nations have an ancient connection in a region that was once known entirely as Ethiopia.
Other nations—including the United States, Russia, China, Egypt, Turkey, and the Gulf nations—are also interested in Eritrea's strategic coastline for security and trade reasons. As Ethiopia and Eritrea begin to function together, they will have the potential to greatly impact the future of the entire Horn of Africa.
Bible prophecy also sheds light on the future of this region. Daniel 11:42–43 prophesies of a time, shortly before the return of Christ, when a European "beast" power will be in control of the Holy Land. At some point, provoked by events in North Africa—perhaps related to trade and security—the "beast" or "king of the north" will "stretch out his hand against" several nations in North Africa. "But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels" (NASB). While short on details, God's word indicates that Ethiopia and its ancient territory will be involved in the fulfillment of end-time Bible prophecy. For additional information on this timely subject, be sure to read or listen to The Middle East in Prophecy.
California Seeks to Ban Effective Therapy: A controversial bill that stalled in the California legislature earlier this year has now passed the state Senate and could become law (Desert Sun, August 16, 2018). The bill would effectively prevent those seeking help to resist homosexual tendencies from obtaining professional help. According to Liberty Counsel, the American Psychological Association claims that such counseling is "probably ineffective and may cause harm." Contradicting such claims, Liberty Counsel recently published a study involving men who went through sexual orientation change efforts that they claim demonstrate the "overwhelming effectiveness" of such efforts (LC.org, August 16, 2018).
The aim of the legislation, authored by homosexual activists, includes having an impact on those whose religious beliefs condemn homosexuality. During debate on the bill, California Assembyman Al Muratsuchi said, "The faith community, like anyone else, needs to evolve with the times (Fox News, August 22, 2018). Opponents of the legislation see this bill as a direct attack on free speech and freedom of religion, expressing concern that it could lead to the banning of any book labeling homosexuality or transgender confusion "immoral," including the Bible.
Prophecy warns that, as the end of the age approaches, people will call evil things good and good things evil—turning upside down fundamental moral guidelines that have undergirded society for millennia (Isaiah 5:20). The Bible also warns that leaders cause society to sin (Isaiah 9:16). These trends are emerging today as our so-called Christian world turns further away from the laws of God. The question on many minds is, "Where is all this going to end?" For real prophetic insights and answers, read "America's Moral Meltdown."—Scott Winnail