Greetings from Charlotte,
One of the most destructive behaviors we as humans exhibit is failing to forgive. Whether in marriage, among neighbors, at work, or in the Church, a lack of forgiveness hurts not only the person who has wronged us, but also—and even more so—ourselves. Jesus leaves no doubt that if we hold grudges, if we fail to forgive, our own sins will not be forgiven. Do we realize what that will lead to when Christ returns and separates the sheep from the goats? Perhaps someone has said something hurtful to you, perhaps someone has figuratively stabbed you in the back at work, perhaps you were abused as a child—what is the correct response? It is not to deny the problem, but to learn to put it in perspective and recognize that if Jesus died for your sins, you must put to death retaliatory grudges. None of us can change the past. We cannot control the actions of another, but we can control how we choose to react to those actions.
As Paul asked regarding disputes between brethren, “Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?” (1 Corinthians 6:7). Inherent in this passage is the reality that when one person is happy with a settled dispute, the other may not be. Further, judges and ministers are human and don’t always make perfect judgments. We must accept that reality. Hurts turn to anger, anger turns to grudges, grudges turn to roots of bitterness, these roots turn to hatred, and hatred blinds the mind. “He who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:11). We all must learn to deal with hurt feelings and anger, lest we be destroyed. I hope each of us will consider this and not allow Satan to destroy us through these emotions. And furthermore, I hope all of us can feel the burden lifted and the feeling of joy over letting go of the hurts that come upon us.
—Gerald E. Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
This week, TWPs are back in full swing as we have six initial presentations scheduled. Mr. Stuart Wachowicz will present in Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada; Dr. Douglas Winnail in Knoxville and Etowah, Tennessee; Mr. Bob Rodzaj in Hartford, Connecticut; Mr. Rod McNair in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and Mr. Peter Nathan in Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support for the Tomorrow’s World Presentations.
New Hymns Available
The new hymnal will not be available by this Feast, as we had hoped. However, the new hymns that will be included in the new hymnal are available, and we have asked our Feast coordinators to work them into the songleading at the Feast. If you would like to download the recordings of these new hymns, or the sheet music, you can do so at https://tinyurl.com/mtbsz45y.
Feast of Tabernacles
If You Need Help With or Have Questions About the Feast
If you are having trouble registering for the Feast, signing up or paying for activities, logging into your account, or other related issues, you should first check with your local Festival Advisor. Answers related to specific questions about each Feast site—such as questions concerning activities, addresses, or schedules—can be found at the corresponding Festival Microsite at fot2025.lcg.org. For other questions, you can email [email protected].
Green Holy Day Envelopes Have Been Mailed—U.S. Only
Green Holy Day envelopes for the fall Holy Days were mailed out the week ending August 8. If you have not received yours and would like the personalized, pre-addressed offering envelopes, please contact [email protected] or call the office (704-844-1970) and we will mail you a set. If you choose to donate through the envelope system, using these pre-addressed envelopes greatly speeds up the counting and receipting process, which in turn saves valuable time and money. For those who will donate online, please use donations.lcg.org: Click on “Type of Donation,” then choose “Holy Day Offering.” A Holy Day drop-down menu will appear, and there you can select the applicable Holy Day.
Tithe of the Festival Tithe – Repeat Announcement
For many decades, the Church of God has practiced what is called the “tithe of the Festival tithe.” What this means is that brethren who can afford it are asked to send a tenth of their Festival tithe to the Church before the Feast, to help pay for meeting halls and other Feast expenses as well as to help brethren around the world who have limited resources with which to attend the Feast (Deuteronomy 14:27; 16:14). If you are able and you have not already done so, please send in your tithe of the Festival tithe for this year. This contribution is greatly appreciated.
Comments
Beware of Divisive Ideas: The Apostle Paul warned that “in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1–4) and that many will prefer to believe their own ideas instead of listening to sound doctrine (2 Timothy 3:1–6). Paul also warned that critics within and from outside the Church will try to divide the Church to gain a following (Acts 20:29–30). He pointed out that Satan will try various ways to mislead well-meaning people to accomplish his purposes by appealing to the human desire for recognition (2 Corinthians 2:11). To counter these divisive efforts, we must carefully examine what we choose to believe (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We must also hold fast to what we have been taught (2 Thessalonians 2:15) and avoid those who spread other ideas (1 Timothy 6:3–5). When doctrinal questions arise, the biblical instruction is to take the issues to the leaders of the Church (Acts 15:1–31). Nowhere do the Scriptures encourage individuals to take it on themselves to correct or to “save” the Church. That is something that Jesus Christ will take care of in His time and in His way.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy
Will Europe Stand Up? In a powerful commentary published in Politico, Gary Kasparov, former world chess champion and public advocate for democracy, and Gabrielius Landsbergis, member of the European Council on Foreign Relations and former Lithuanian foreign minister, highlighted the European Union’s current ineffectiveness on the world stage (August 3, 2025). They state that the EU we know today was founded on the principles of peace, diplomacy, incrementalism, and cooperation—thus, most of the EU’s efforts to work with its adversaries have involved trying to gently bring them to the negotiating table. However, these writers claim that this philosophy cannot work in today’s world, where dictators and extremist leaders are continually on the rise. In their opinion, incrementalism is ineffective with such rulers and “only feeds their aggression.”
“The solution,” they claim, “requires a wholesale re-envisioning of what European leadership will look like in the 21st century, in response to the new threats facing the continent.” Their vision is reflected well in the essay’s title: “Europe’s Future Depends on Confrontation, Not Compromise.” They conclude their essay by asserting, “Europe is not doomed to fail. But to survive will take the understanding that freedom is no longer free, and that all available means must be used to defend it.” In essence, they suggest that Europe begin to take a more “No more Mr. Nice Guy” approach to world affairs or face becoming irrelevant. Such a dramatic change of direction may force the EU to revisit the “two-speed Europe” idea that has been bantered about for so long.
What is the future of Europe? Will it continue to flounder politically, or will there be a drastic shift that causes it to face the changing world with confidence and determination? The Bible actually reveals the answer! You can learn more about that answer by reading or listening to “Europe’s Time Has Come.”
Is A.I. a Teen’s New Best Friend? According to a recent study, more than half of today’s teenagers regularly communicate with generative artificial intelligence companions (Common Sense Media, 2025), fueled by the appeal of constant companionship and even mental-health support. Yet experts caution that these digital confidants can foster unhealthy dependency, deepen loneliness, and offer unpredictable or harmful responses. To the unsuspecting or unaware, A.I. can take on many human-like traits. The truth, however, is that A.I. remains completely lacking in the emotional depth, wisdom, and experiential knowledge that many are seeking.
The Bible speaks directly to the irreplaceable value of authentic human connection. King Solomon wrote, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). This reminds us that our character grows when we engage in genuine give-and-take with our fellow human beings. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 points out that “two are better than one… for if they fall, one will lift up his companion,” illustrating how shared burdens and victories cement bonds of trust. Hebrews 10:24–25 urges those who devote themselves to following Christ not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” While A.I. can simulate empathy, it cannot bear burdens or offer true emotional support.
Leaning on digital “friends” risks stunting the relationships God designed to refine, preserve, and improve us. Parents and leaders must guide young people to exercise discernment in their tech habits, always directing deeper emotional and spiritual needs toward trusted human friends and advisors—and especially to God. When we share our own struggles and doubts and invite others into real conversations, we discover the profound value human interaction possesses that digital convenience never will. Technology can serve as a tool, but it must never replace authentic, living relationships. You can learn more about the real dangers of A.I. by reading or listening to “Live Not by (A.I.) Lies.” —Scott Winnail, Francine Prater, and Richard Franz