Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Weston are travelling to Kansas City for a Tomorrow’s World Presentation Friday night and church visit on the Sabbath. Last week, 17 visitors attended an online TWP conducted by Mr. Wallace Smith and Dr. Richard Franz for selected cities in eastern Missouri and southern Illinois. We also had nine repeat visitors to an online follow-up TWP given by Mr. Dan Hall in Atlanta. This week at the office, we have been busy working on Feast ministerial assignments, “Behind the Work” film plans, and Festival Advisor assignments.
Mr. Jerry Ruddlesden shared encouraging news this week that the numbers of both donors and co-workers are trending upwards. This represents brand new people who are being moved to see that God’s Work has the answers this dying world desperately needs, and they want to contribute financially. The third on-site Living Education academic year is nearing its end, with only about four weeks left. Graduation day is on May 14. Please see the notes below on the cyclones and earthquake in Indonesia, and volcanic eruption in the Caribbean. Reports are that brethren are all fine, but please do keep them in your prayers.—Rod McNair
Church Administration
Volcanic Eruption in St. Vincent
The following report is from Mr. Paul Shumway, pastor in Barbados, on the volcanic eruptions on nearby St. Vincent: “The island of Barbados was shut down on Sunday and Monday with ash slowly falling. Tuesday morning was beautiful—first time we saw blue sky and clouds in four days! I thought we had weathered the storm, but our respite didn’t last long. We’re back to the gray, overcast sky with limited visibility.… I estimate that we’ve received about ¼ inch of ash here where we live, with some areas north receiving more.”
Cyclones, Flooding, Earthquake in Indonesia
The following report is from Mr. Arius Nusantara, pastor in Indonesia: “Indonesia has been hit with several natural disasters since last week. Heavy rainfall has caused several floods in some eastern parts of Indonesia. This is worsened by the two cyclones, Seroja and Oddete. Last week, Seroja pounded the eastern part of Indonesia. The result of the devastation is bad. Hundreds of people lost their homes, 20,000 people were evacuated, and the number of deaths is more than 40 people. The flood has cut off five bridges and collapsed substantial infrastructure. This week, Oddete came ready to pour out its heavy rain on south Sumatra, Java, and Bali islands. It has been many days that dark clouds are hanging above Malang. Almost each day we have thunderstorms and torrential rain.
“Yesterday, 10 April 2021, after the Sabbath services we experienced a strong earthquake. Around 14.00 PM, a tectonic shift in the southern coast of Malang beach shook the surrounding area. Its depth was only 25 kilometers. This made people run outside of their homes, malls, and other occupied buildings. The quake was 6.0 magnitude and impacted many cities along the coastline of southeast Java: Blitar, Malang, Lumajang and Bali, not including other small cities and villages. This morning we felt another shake from yesterday’s same epicenter. Yet, the depth is 99 kilometers. It measured 5.5 magnitude. I can say that we are all safe and sound although shocked.”
Second Passover—Repeat Announcement
The Second Passover this year is on Monday, April 26, which means that it will be observed on Sunday evening, April 25, shortly after sunset. This Passover is for those baptized members who were unable to take the first Passover due to unavoidable circumstances, as instructed in Numbers 9:1–14. If you have any questions, please contact your pastor.
Living Education
We have sent out a number of acceptance letters for the Living Education-Charlotte program for the 2021–22 school year! We still have openings, however, for both men and women. If you are just graduating from high school and want to lay a foundation for your life, nine months in our intensive program will set you well on your path. Or, if you are in college and feel that it would be a good time to take a “gap year” to re-focus on life from a different perspective, again, LivingEd might be the perfect place to do so. We also have young men and women who have finished college, professional, or technical training and want now to focus on biblical principles as they begin their journey into adulthood in earnest. To apply or for more information, just go to lcgeducation.org or contact us directly at [email protected].—Jonathan McNair
Feast of Tabernacles
Festival Registration—Where Congregations Are Assigned—Repeat Announcement
This year, in the United States, we are planning for a maximum attendance at most of our Feast sites of around 350–400. We have arranged for venues with room to accommodate this level of occupancy with social distancing. In the United States, we will also be allowing a moderate level of transfer requests (keeping our attendance levels at 350–400 max). However, since transfer requests will not be unlimited, we do encourage as many people as possible to go to their home site. (We’ll have more information about International Feast sites and International transfers soon.)
Please note: Festival registration is scheduled to open on Sunday, May 2 at 12:00 noon (Eastern Daylight Time, USA).
For your information, the following is a list of the United States Feast sites and the congregations that are assigned to them:
Boerne, Texas
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Big Sandy, Dallas, Midland, Temple
Branson, Missouri
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Russellville
Kansas: Chanute
Missouri: Joplin, Springfield
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Tulsa
Tennessee: Memphis
Florence, Oregon
Alaska: Anchorage
California: Bay Area, Fresno, Sacramento
Idaho: Boise
Nevada: Reno
Oregon: Myrtle Creek, Portland
Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Tonasket
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
South Carolina: Anderson, Columbia, Walterboro
Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Braselton, Warner Robins
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Iowa: Dubuque
Illinois: Chicago, Peoria
Indiana: Indianapolis, La Porte, Terre Haute
Minnesota: Duluth, Minneapolis
North Dakota: Bismarck
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Iowa: Des Moines
Illinois: Springfield
Kansas: Wichita
Missouri: Columbia, Kansas City, Rolla, St. Joseph, St. Louis
Nebraska: Lincoln, Omaha
Midway, Utah
Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Casper, Cheyenne, Saratoga
Mount Snow, Vermont
Connecticut: Danbury
Massachusetts: Auburn
Maine: Waterville
New Hampshire: Tilton
New Jersey: Hammonton, Rahway
New York: Albany, Corning, New York City, Plainview, Rochester
Pennsylvania: Tannersville
Rhode Island: Pawtucket
Natchez, Mississippi
Alabama: Athens, Birmingham, Dothan, Montgomery
Florida: Pensacola
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport
Mississippi: Jackson, Laurel, Natchez, Ocean Springs
Texas: Lufkin
New Bern, North Carolina
North Carolina: Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Statesville
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Georgia: Blairsville
North Carolina: Asheville, Sylva
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Nashville
Virginia: Bristol
Puerto Rico
San Juan
San Diego, California
California: Banning, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara
Nevada: Las Vegas
South Padre Island, Texas
Texas: Baytown, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, The Valley
St. Augustine, Florida
Georgia: Columbus, Thomasville
Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lake City, Melbourne, Naples, Ocala, Tampa
Sandusky, Ohio
Indiana: Fort Wayne
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
Michigan: Flint, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Traverse City
Ohio: Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Lima
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
West Virginia: Morgantown
Williamsburg, Virginia
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg
Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond, Winchester
West Virginia: Bluefield, Charleston
Ministerial Feast Assignments—Repeat Announcement
On April 6, all pastors and elders were sent a memo with a link to a survey where they can express their Feast of Tabernacles preferences. If you are a pastor or elder and did NOT receive the Ministerial Survey memo, please contact Church Administration right away at [email protected].
Comments
Our Opinions or Christ’s Mind: How many times have you made or heard comments like, “Here’s how I see it,” or “Here’s what I think,” or “Here’s the way it should have been handled.” All too often, these comments are directed at people in leadership positions—even in the Church. Moses was criticized by men who held different opinions (Numbers 16), and Peter differed with Jesus over an issue and even rebuked Christ (Matthew 16:21–23). In both cases, the people expressing critical opinions did not recognize the real source of their negative and divisive thoughts and actions. Before we share our “different” opinions, we need to remember God’s warning, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). As Christians, our focus should not be on going around spreading our own ideas, but on developing a godly perspective that reflects the mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5). Jesus told His disciples, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19) as He sought to think and walk in harmony with His Father. We also need to remember the Scriptural admonition, “the carnal mind is enmity against God” and His ways—including His government (Romans 8:7). Long ago, Solomon wrote, “A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11). It is always good to ask ourselves, “Are we promoting our own opinions and ideas, or are we developing the mind of Christ?”
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—April 15, 2021
World Hunger Set to Rise: Based on a recent, sobering report from the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Deutsche Welle reports, “Acute hunger will increase in over 20 countries if the global community does not take action soon” (March 23, 2021). Thirty-four million people—a group roughly equivalent to the population of Canada or Peru—are experiencing extreme malnutrition, a condition considered “close to dying from starvation.” According to the report, Yemen, South Sudan, and northern Nigeria are in an especially dangerous state, and “acute hunger could also increase in many other countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon and Haiti.”
Experts identify the causes of starvation as war and conflicts, COVID-19-related hunger, extreme weather, locusts, and lack of access to those most at risk (caused by local governments or conflict). Three factors appear to be critical to prevent more starvation: an end to war and fighting, the ability to access and help vulnerable populations, and funding (WFP and FAO estimate $5.5 billion is needed).
The tragic reality is that mankind has not been able to bring an end to fighting and war, and because of this, access to the planet’s most vulnerable populations will not come soon enough for many. From a human perspective, the situation is dire and defies solution! The Bible has long predicted that if Jesus Christ does not return, “no flesh would be saved” (Matthew 24:22). However, the good news is that Jesus is going to return to establish the Kingdom of God, and His government will cause wars and fighting to cease (Isaiah 2:2–4) and put an end to suffering and starvation (Amos 9:13). To learn more about this very real and awesome future, be sure to read or listen to The World Ahead: What Will It Be Like?
Noise Pollution Is Killing Us: Researchers and physicians have long understood the connection between stress and environmental noise, and recent studies continue to demonstrate that relationship. Traffic and aircraft noise has now been linked to a number of cardiovascular risks, including heart attack and stroke (BBC, March 15, 2021). Scientists are also beginning to understand why these risks exist, and it relates to chemicals produced when the body is under a great deal of stress.
According to a 2018 German study of more than one million people, “People living near the Frankfurt Airport, for example, have as much as a 7% higher risk of stroke than those living in similar but quieter neighbourhoods.” A study in Zurich found an increased risk of death with nighttime flyovers. The risk of death and disease increased with the amount of noise, even if people were asleep and not conscious of the noise. Researchers expect this trend to continue as more people move to cities. In 2018, the United Nations recorded that 55 percent of the earth’s population lived in cities, and that number is expected to increase to almost 70 percent by 2050.
Cities, as we know them today, are hubs for trade and finance, but they bring with them many negative consequences—including poor health, crime, high stress, and loud noise. In the coming Kingdom of God, Jesus Christ will restructure human societies to eliminate unnecessary sources of stress and trauma. The prophet Isaiah told of a coming time when God says, “My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:18). This will be a time when “the whole earth is at rest and quiet” (Isaiah 14:7). To learn more about this exciting future, listen to “Global Utopia: The Impossible Dream.”—Scott Winnail, Rod McNair, and Francine Prater