Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Smith returned from Arkansas where Mr. Smith conducted Tomorrow’s World Presentations in Russellville and Fort Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Rod McNair returned Monday from Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, where they joined 100 members and ministers for a Winter Family Weekend. Bible Studies, seminars, fellowship, and family-oriented activities made for an enjoyable experience for all. Mr. Dexter Wakefield and Mr. Mike DeSimone are in Nashville, Tennessee, this week, attending the National Religious Broadcasters Association conference. This gives us facetime with our agents as well as access to seminars and the opportunity to keep up with the latest in religious broadcasting and social media. Mr. Mario Hernandez, Mr. and Mrs. Cristian Orrego, and Carol and I are scheduled to leave this week for Chile and Argentina. Mr. Jonathan McNair, Mr. Ryan Dawson, and I held a lengthy meeting this week to finalize some plans for U.S.-based LYP summer camps. As a reminder, if you plan to participate in one of the camps, either as camper or staff, be sure to get your application in as soon as possible once the camp details have been posted on our livingyouth.org website.—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Last week we held four initial Tomorrow’s World Presentations and two follow-up presentations that drew a combined total of 100 guests. This week Dr. Winnail will travel to give presentations in Kansas and Missouri, Mr. Ames will conduct a presentation in North Carolina, and Mr. Montgomery will give an initial presentation in Devonport, Tasmania, Australia. We will also hold four follow-up presentations. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
Cornwall, Eastern Canada, Family Weekend
From February 16 to 18 was the first Eastern Canada family weekend. About 100 members came together and enjoyed the crisp February air in a beautiful setting on the shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Six Bible studies plus Sabbath services provided the spiritual food. Then physical food and fellowship provided a wonderful atmosphere. And finally, games and activities for children, youth, and adults completed the menu of this event’s packed family weekend. By many accounts, it was a successful weekend and many expressed the desire of having it again next year.—Marc Arseneault
Passover: Deadline for Requesting Supplies and Materials—Repeat Announcement
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2024, the Passover Service will be observed on Sunday evening, April 21. March 17 is the U.S. deadline for requesting Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or a physical copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French, and Spanish) for congregations. International requests should already be here. (This year we have a new Passover Service recording presented by Mr. Wallace Smith.) Any requests for Passover Service recordings and letter instructions for home observance, needed by members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation, should also be received by the above deadline. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected]. Note: As in the last couple of years, the digital Passover Service recording is available to pastors and video recipients via the FTP site, and a private YouTube link will also be provided.
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast of Tabernacles Congregation Assignments 2024 (USA only)
This year’s Feast of Tabernacles congregational site assignments in the U.S. are listed below, and registration is tentatively scheduled for May 12.
Please note: The Church has always encouraged all of us to serve at the Feast as we are able, and often the needs are greatest at our assigned site. Therefore, before deciding to transfer, please talk to your pastor to see if there are service needs locally. In your long-term plans, consider staying to serve at your assigned site once every several years to support the local needs. To find out where your local congregation is assigned, please consult the following list.
Arroyo Grande, California
California: Arroyo Grande, Banning, Bay Area, Fresno, Garden Grove, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego
Nevada: Reno
Boerne, Texas
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City, Lawton
Texas: Abilene, Amarillo, Big Sandy, Dallas, Midland, Temple, the Valley
Branson, Missouri
Arkansas: Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Little Rock, Russellville
Kansas: Chanute, Wichita
Missouri: Columbia, Joplin, Kansas City, Rolla, Springfield
Oklahoma: Tulsa
Canaan Valley, West Virginia
Maryland: Baltimore, Salisbury
Michigan: Flint, Kalamazoo, Traverse City
Ohio: Akron, Columbus
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
Virginia: Bristol, Winchester, Wytheville
West Virginia: Charleston, Morgantown
Dubuque, Iowa
Iowa: Des Moines
Illinois: Chicago, Peoria, Springfield
Indiana: Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, La Porte, Terre Haute
Minnesota: Minneapolis
Missouri: St. Joseph, St. Louis
North Dakota: Bismarck
Nebraska: Lincoln, Omaha
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
Wisconsin: Appleton, Merrill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Dells
Florence, Oregon
Alaska: Anchorage
Idaho: Boise
Montana: Great Falls, Helena
Oregon: Bend, Myrtle Creek, Portland
Washington: Richland, Seattle/Tacoma, Spokane, Tonasket
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Alabama: Birmingham, Dothan, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa
Florida: Pensacola
Louisiana: Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport
Mississippi: Hattiesburg, Jackson, Ocean Springs
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Georgia: Atlanta, Augusta, Braselton, Columbus, Savannah, Warner Robins
South Carolina: Anderson, Columbia, Gaffney, Walterboro
New Bern, North Carolina
North Carolina: Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kannapolis, Raleigh, Statesville
Virginia: Norfolk, Richmond
Palmetto, Florida
Florida: Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Lake City, Lakeland, Melbourne, Naples, Ocala, Sanford, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee
Georgia: Valdosta
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Alabama: Athens
Georgia: Blairsville
Kentucky: Berea, Louisville
North Carolina: Asheville, Sylva
Ohio: Cincinnati
Tennessee: Chattanooga, Clarksville, Crossville, Etowah, Knoxville, Memphis, Morristown, Nashville
Puerto Rico
San Juan
Rockport–Fulton, Texas
Texas: Baytown, Corpus Christi, Houston, Lufkin, San Antonio, San Marcos
St. George, Utah
Arizona: Phoenix, Prescott Valley, Tucson
Colorado: Colorado Springs, Denver, Grand Junction
New Mexico: Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Nevada: Las Vegas
Utah: Layton
Wyoming: Cheyenne, Rawlins
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
Connecticut: Hartford
Massachusetts: Auburn
Maine: Waterville
New Hampshire: Tilton
New Jersey: Hammonton, Rahway
New York: Albany, Binghamton, New York City, Plainview, Rochester, Syracuse
Pennsylvania: Harrisburg, Tannersville
Rhode Island: Pawtucket
Living Youth Program
Summer Camps Information—Repeat Announcement
For information about this year’s summer camps, please visit https://camp.livingyouth.org. For any assistance in registering, please contact Jenny Penman ([email protected]) for U.S. sites, and Mr. Rees Ellis ([email protected]) for the European camp.
Comments
Keys for Working Together: Jesus referred to His disciples as His “friends” and He encouraged them to “love one another” (John 15:12–17). The Apostle Paul referred to those who assisted him in the ministry as “my fellow workers” (Romans 16:3). He also referred to members of God’s Church as “God’s fellow workers” (1 Corinthians 3:9), and “workers together with Him” (2 Corinthians 6:1). These are exciting opportunities that carry an important responsibility. The Scriptures give us guidelines about how to work together. We are urged not to let contentions divide us, but to “be perfectly joined together in the same mind” (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). We are also advised to avoid being haughty and conceited or ambitious for a position, but to be humble and strive to work together peacefully (Romans 12:16–18). James said we can avoid divisions by being gentle, teachable, and easily entreated (James 3:13–18). As we learn to “love one another” and treat each other as “friends” we will be more effective “fellow workers” for the Kingdom of God.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 22, 2024
Europe Pushed to Grow Stronger: The “European experiment” has struggled over the last couple of decades with periods of strength and growth and periods of weakness and hesitation. While Bible prophecy reveals a powerful German-led European “beast” power will lead the world for a time in the years ahead, the continual vacillation among European leaders has raised questions about these prophecies. But, before the eyes of the world, something is happening on the continent.
Pressed by Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the continuing need to feed its war machine, Russia’s military industrial complex is operating at full capacity and has created over a half-million jobs (The Guardian, February 15, 2024). Arms factories are in continuous operation. Russia now claims to spend 7.5 percent of GDP on its military, and its capacity is increasing—and Europe is responding. Recently, multiple European nations have increased their defense spending to the 2 percent minimum required by their NATO membership—a first for many NATO members. Germany just broke ground on a new munitions factory and has increased production of tanks and other military weaponry, as have many other European nations. Recent comments by former U.S. president Donald Trump—threatening not to support non-paying NATO members in the event of a Russian attack—are not only motivating greater overall European military spending, but are pressuring Europe to seek a European nuclear shield. EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen made very direct comments in a recent interview about Europe’s defense infrastructure: “We have to spend more, we have to spend better, we have to spend European” (MSN, February 16, 2024).
Bible prophecy states that a core of European nations will coalesce in the not-too-distant future (Revelation 17:12–13), creating an economic, political, and military power that will drastically change the world as we know it. Events that are now unfolding could be profoundly connected to the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies. We need to continue to watch events in Europe, Germany, and the Middle East. To gain a biblical perspective on these important events, watch “Four Prophecies for Germany.”
What if Iran Goes Nuclear? Experts believe that Iran is closing in on the capacity to produce nuclear weapons. It already possesses the missiles to launch them. At this point, “Iran has been rapidly advancing its uranium enrichment, approaching levels of 83.7% close to the 90% needed for nuclear weapons capability” (Gatestone Institute, February 10, 2024). The clock is ticking, and Iran’s creation of the bomb seems not far off!
It is widely understood that Iran sponsors terrorist groups throughout the Middle East. What are the potential consequences if this regime—that has vowed to wipe Israel off the map—obtains the ability to launch nuclear missiles? Where will this take the region and the world? North Korea’s president has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons against Western nations, including South Korea, Japan, and the United States. More recently, Demetri Medvedev, former Russian president and the current deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine should they attack Russian missile launch sites within Russia (Reuters, January 11, 2024). While various world leaders have threatened other nations with all-out retaliation, never before have so many nations possessed the means to cause such far-reaching and long-lasting destruction! We are reaching a point in history where, if Jesus Christ does not return in the near future, then—as He warned—no flesh would be saved alive (Matthew 24:22). This topic is explored in detail in our insightful booklet Armageddon and Beyond.—Scott Winnail and Francine Prater