Living Church of God Weekly Update 8/7

Greetings from Charlotte –

The summer seems to be moving swiftly! Living University begins its fourth year of operation in just over a week—on August 16—and I hope that many will take advantage of this opportunity to increase their understanding of the Scriptures. Two Living Youth Camps are also underway, in Pennsylvania and in the United Kingdom. Next month we will be observing the Fall Holy Days. Mr. Meredith has been writing this week, and Mr. Ames taped a new Tomorrow’s World program today, titled “Questions Evolution Cannot Answer,” that will offer the booklet The Real God: Proofs and Promises. Mr. Wayne Pyle reports that last week’s TW program by Mr. Meredith, titled “2010 in Prophecy,” drew more than 4,200 responses, and that the response rate for TW programs this year is nearly 11% greater than last year (see below). Mr. Charles Ogwyn reports that 40% of those who respond to our online advertising request literature and that the average cost for our Internet advertising is 81 cents per response. Mr. Joe Brown reports that 18 repeat visitors attended the follow-up TW Special Presentations (titled, “Where Is God’s Church Today?”) last weekend in Thomasville, Georgia and Lake City, Florida. Mr. Mario Hernandez is moving to Charlotte this week so the Spanish Work can be coordinated from here. This coming weekend I will be in Knoxville, Tennessee, for services and a Tomorrow’s World Special Presentation. Next week we have a Living University Board meeting and a Council of Elders phone meeting. Your prayers will be appreciated for these events.

Church Administration

Healing

Mr. John Hunter reports: Two Sabbaths ago I was asked to anoint a young lady (12) whose thumb had been slammed in a car door on Monday of that week; her mother had put a splint on it. A homeopathic doctor who had examined it found it to be broken and put cushion on the splint to add comfort. It was still throbbing when the girl and her parents came to me for an anointing on the Sabbath, after the service. After anointing her, I felt what seemed to me to be that “evidence of things unseen,” and I told the girl, “I think the Eternal is going to give you a blessing here very quickly.” Well the pain stopped very soon. Then during Sunday night the splint fell off. When she awoke to find it off she found she could wiggle the thumb and there was no pain! The thumb was completely healed! Praise to the Eternal our Healer!

New Zealand Update

Mr. Kinnear Penman reports: We are delighted with the ongoing response we are receiving to the Tomorrow’s World program. During July, we averaged a total of 228 responses to each program. Of these, an average of 96 (42%) were first-time callers. We are receiving many favorable comments from viewers who are excited by the information we are giving them. We have had approval for the broadcast of three new 30-second spot ads directing prime viewers to the new program time of 8:30 a.m. on Sundays. During July we mailed 1,422 pieces of mail containing 2,506g 2,506
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individual items of literature. Year-to-date, we have mailed 18,880 individual items of literature. We dispatched 56 sets of Bible Study Course lessons during July.

Jamaica Update

Mr. Lascelles Fraser reports: July started with good attendance in Kingston and Ocho Rios on the first Sabbath. On the second Sabbath, to coincide with the visit of our Regional Director, we had a combined service in Kingston with 108 in attendance (a record for the Living Church of God). After services, we had a meal together and Dr. Scott Winnail had time to fellowship with the brethren. This was not the only record we were to experience during the month—on July 4, the Tomorrow’s World telecast, “Teach Me to Pray,” presented by Mr. Ames generated a record 145 responses. On Sunday, July 11, we had a “Sermonnette Workshop” and the workshop was followed by a brief Feast of Tabernacles preparation meeting with the leading men present and some words of encouragement from Dr. Winnail.

Living University

Fall Semester 2010 Registration

Living University classes begin on August 16—just over a week away. Although more than 100 students have already registered, space is still available in most of our classes. If you are interested in taking an LU course this semester, you should plan to register and purchase textbooks this week. This week we highlight two more courses being offered this semester. We encourage you to take advantage of the opportunity to develop even more spiritual understanding by taking one of the many courses offered by LU this Fall. This week we are highlighting THL 399— Codex “W” in Retrospectand THL 476—Archaeology of Jerusalem. For a complete list of courses being offered this semester, please visit our website at www.livinguniv.com.

THL 399—Seminar: Codex “W” in Retrospect

Students will undertake a chapter by chapter analysis of First Century Gospels Found which will serve to inform them on forensic textual analysis. There are no exams or quizzes, students will complete a one page critical analysis of each chapter in the book. See www.washington-codex.org.

THL 473—Archaeology of Jerusalem

This course deals with the development of Jerusalem from prehistoric through the Byzantine Period in light of archaeological discoveries and extant historical details. Emphasis will be placed upon key stages of the city’s past as Canaanite Jebus, the City of David and Zion, Nehemiah’s Jerusalem, Herodian Jerusalem, Roman Colonia Aelia Capitolina, and Byzantine Jerusalem. Special emphasis will be placed on the Temple Mount, Cenacle, and Golgotha. By the end of the semester, students will better understand Jerusalem’s fascinating history and also the city’s features and key structures.

For more information and to register for classes, please visit us online at www.livinguniv.com or call Dr. Scott Winnail at 704-708-2292.

Living Youth Camp

Teen Camp—Pennsylvania

Mr. Jonathan McNair reports: Pennsylvania Living Youth teen camp is off to a great start! Forty-eight girl campers and 28 boy campers arrived on Tuesday, August 3, and the next day jumped right into orientation and a full day of activities. We have 53 staff members who have done an exemplary job of adapting to the challenges of a new setting and facility this year. A storm brought some rain Wednesday afternoon, knocking out electricity for some in nearby Pittsburgh, but thankfully the camp was spared the worst of it. Activities and classes include dance, archery, ultimate frisbee, aquatics, speech, life roles, adventure class and wilderness trip. And, in the Christian Living classes, we are enthusiastically teaching the “Seven Laws of Success”! We’ll be posting information from camp on the www.livingyouth.org website, including a daily feature written by one camper a day called “Letters to Home.” For pictures and daily updates about camp, check the www.livingyouth.org website.

Teen Camp—United Kingdom

Mrs. Shayne King reports: All is well and the kids are having a ball at United Kingdom Teen Camp in Croft House, Northampton! In the last three days they have done sailing, raft-building, rock-climbing, cycling, bat-watching, swimming and orienteering. Along with the forums on Christian Living, they also participated in a career analysis on Wednesday. Mr. Rod King is heading up the cooking, with two ladies to help, including one from Malaysia, who prepared a seven-dish Asian banquet (we were slicing and preparing all day)! Fanny Ellis is working on a presentation each day and Mr. John Meakin is videoing the highlights. The Ellis’ have done a brilliant job of putting it all together and their approach with the youth is wonderful. All in all, we feel very blessed for our first camp for the European area.

Feast of Tabernacles 2010

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon CDs

Pastors have been asked to provide us with a list of those who will be needing Feast of Tabernacles sermon CDs because they are unable to attend the Feast. If you will be unable to attend the Feast this year, please see your pastor to be put on the list. Note: Feast sermons will also be uploaded (one per day) during the Feast at www.lcg.org, for those who have Internet access.

Services Before and After the Feast of Tabernacles

We will also be putting together a list of where Atonement services, and weekly Sabbath services after the Feast, will be conducted so, as you are travelling to and from the Feast, you will know where you can attend while on the road. When we put this list together, we will post it on the MyLCG website (www.cogl.org). Festival Coordinators are also determining whether or not they will have Sabbath services following the Feast at or near their Feast site—please contact your Festival Coordinator for more information.

Financial Assistance

We are now going over the Festival Assistance request forms, and are having to make difficult decisions because of our limited funds available. We want to let all of our brethren know that festival assistance decisions have to be based on biblical priorities, with priority for assistance going first to widows and orphans (Deuteronomy 14:28-29Deuteronomy 14:28-29
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28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: ²⁹ And the Levite, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.  

). If you have only recently begun attending services, and have thus not saved enough second tithe to attend the Feast, we may have difficulty helping you with assistance. If you are just newly attending and are notified as not approved for second tithe assistance, we encourage you to attend whichever days of the Feast you can—such as the first and last Holy Days or the weekly Sabbath during the Feast if you are close enough to the Feast site. In other words, attend within the limits of the funds you personally have available this year. Then, begin saving second tithe for next year so you can attend the entire Feast. You can also benefit from our sermons posted daily during the Feast on the Church’s website, www.lcg.org.

Speaking Schedules

United States and Canada speaking schedules for the Feast of Tabernacles have now been sent. Most international speaking schedules have also been sent. If you are on the speaking schedule, please begin preparing now for your assignment(s), placing special emphasis on giving meat in due season (2 Timothy 4:22 Timothy 4:2
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2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  

), specifically on the Good News of the return and wonderful reign of Jesus Christ on earth! Sermonette and sermon speakers: please submit the title(s) of your message(s) to your festival coordinator by September 1.

Prescott, Arizona

Festival Chorale and Children’s Choir: The Prescott Feast site still has a need for volunteers to serve in either the Festival Chorale or the Children’s Choir. If you wish to participate in the Chorale or if you have children who would like to perform in the Children’s Choir, and you did not sign up at registration, please contact Vincent Fratto at vfratto@cox.net or at 480-220-7948.—Darrell Lovelady

Panama City, Florida

Children’s Choir: Good news, brethren! We have a director for our Children’s Choir at the Panama City Feast of Tabernacles. Mrs. Rachel Nicholson is prepared to send practice CDs to all children who would like to sing in the Children’s Choir in Panama City. If you have a child who would like to sing in the choir, please send your name and address to marcnrachel@etcmail.com.

Services after the Feast: If you are staying after the Feast in Panama City, please contact the site coordinator at jlowe@lcg.org. Early responses indicate there is enough interest to hold Sabbath services in Panama City, but we need to make sure we book a space that is large enough.

Media

Television Update

The new ION Network is really helping boost our summertime audience. Each week more than 68% of our ION respondents are brand new, first-time callers (the normal percentage for TV stations and networks is about 50%). So far this year, over 138,000r 138,000
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Izbrano poglavje ne obstaja! Štetje svetopisemskih vrstic se začne z ¹! Vrstica ⁰ ne obstaja!

people have responded to Tomorrow’s World television programs. Please pray that God will continue to bless these broadcasts.—Wayne Pyle

Internet Update: New E-List Launched!

This week a new e-mail subscription list—the LCG Weekly Digest—was added to the Church website, www.lcg.org. This will allow subscribers to the LCG Weekly Digest to receive an e-mail each Saturday which provides an overview and a link to each of the featured items added to the website in the previous week. This will include the website Commentaries, News & Prophecy briefs, as well as a sermon from Headquarters. This new e-mail subscription list will provide an alternative to the Commentary e-mail list which is programmed to be delivered automatically each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. These e-mail lists provide a way for interested individuals to stay abreast of the new content added to the website each week. Since January 2008, these e-mail campaigns have resulted in more than 670,000 clicks to our websites! To start receiving the LCG Weekly Digest in your e-mail inbox, simply visit the website—www.lcg.org and click the “Subscribe for E-mail Updates” link at the top of the page.—J. Charles Ogwyn

Comments

Gentleness is Godliness: We understand from the Scriptures that Christians have been called to become kings and priests—civil and religious leaders—in the Kingdom of God. In this world, leaders often feel that to appear as a leader, they must exert control over others to show who is in charge. Yet, Jesus said this human tendency to “lord it over” others will not be tolerated in His coming government (Matthew 20:25-28Matthew 20:25-28
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25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. ²⁶ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; ²⁷ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: ²⁸ Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.  

). Instead, God is looking for individuals who are able to serve and lead in a gentle—but not weak—manner. David records how God dealt gently with him (Psalm 18:35Psalm 18:35
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35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. thy gentleness...: or, with thy meekness thou hast multiplied me  

). Solomon said that patience and gentle words can persuade difficult people (Proverbs 25:15Proverbs 25:15
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15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.  

). The Apostle Paul dealt gently with brethren instead of using his position to make demands and issue orders (1 Thessalonians 2:6-71 Thessalonians 2:6-7
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6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. been...: or, used authority ⁷ But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  

). Paul also urged Christians to be humble, gentle and patient when dealing with others (Ephesians 4:1-2Ephesians 4:1-2
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4 ¹ I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, of the Lord: or, in the Lord ² With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  

). Bible prophecies indicate that while Jesus Christ will return and rule with a “strong hand,” He will gather His flock as a shepherd and “gently lead those who are with young” (Isaiah 40:10-11Isaiah 40:10-11
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10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. with strong...: or, against the strong his work: or, recompense for his work ¹¹ He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. that...: or, that give suck  

). Anyone who hopes to lead in the Kingdom needs to remember that gentleness is a trait of Godly leaders.

Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

News and Prophecy—August 5, 2010st 5, 2010
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20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.  

China’s Growing Global Threat. “ALMOST half of Australians believe that China will become a military threat to Australia within 20 years,” according to a recent Lowy Institute poll. While most Australians appreciate the economic benefits of a relationship with China, most believe that their government has allowed too much Chinese investment in Australia. A majority also feel China’s goal is to dominate the Asian region. The survey revealed that Australians “were positive about China’s economic growth but fearful of its military aims” (The Courier-Mail, May 31, 2010). While Bible prophecy does not indicate that China will “rule the world” prior to Christ’s return, it does inform us that populations of Israelite-descended nations, like Australia, will experience captivity by gentile nations at the end of the age (Amos 5:3Amos 5:3
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3 For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.  

; Deuteronomy 28:41-50Deuteronomy 28:41-50
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41 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. thou shalt not...: Heb. they shall not be thine ⁴² All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. consume: or, possess ⁴³ The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. ⁴⁴ He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail. ⁴⁵ Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee: ⁴⁶ And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever. ⁴⁷ Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; ⁴⁸ Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. ⁴⁹ The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; understand: Heb. hear ⁵⁰ A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: of fierce...: Heb. strong of face  

). God often uses other nations as the “rod of His anger,” in order to get the attention of the people He works with. Egypt and Assyria are two historic nations God has used. Might He also use China to “bring Israel low”? Time will tell, but events certainly appear to be moving in this direction.

More Oil Spilling. Monday, July 23, witnessed another oil spill—this time in the state of Michigan. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the spill at more than 1 million gallons. Oil began spilling from an aging pipeline built in the 1960s along the Kalamazoo River. Officials fear the environmental ramifications if the spill travels through the river and reaches Lake Michigan. The owner of the pipeline apparently delayed cleanup efforts for three days following the spill, creating a public outcry about this safety violation-plagued company (Associated Press, July 29, 2010). Crumbling infrastructures and an apparently insatiable demand for petrochemicals has set up situations ripe for disasters—as is being witnessed around the globe. As the creation itself “cries out” for Christ’s return (Romans 8:19-22Romans 8:19-22
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19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. ²⁰ For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹ Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. the...: or, every creature  

), we should be moved with compassion as Christ was, and follow His command to pray to the Father, “thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10Matthew 6:10
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10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  

). Only after God’s Kingdom is set up on earth, will man’s futile attempts to create a perfect society be set right, as the world learns to live by the perfect law of liberty (Isaiah 2:2-4Isaiah 2:2-4
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2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. established: or, prepared ³ And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. ⁴ And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. pruninghooks: or, scythes  

; James 1:25James 1:25
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25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. deed: or, doing  

).

Water and the Future. Population scientists and world leaders warn that water will be a major factor in future geopolitics. As the world population soars and global demand for food grows, the finite water supply available for food appears to be dwindling. In fact, in some areas of the world, farmers are vying for irrigation water with those who need it for drinking water. The World Bank’s vice president recently warned “the wars of the next century will be about water” (UncommonWisdomDaily.com, July 28, 2010). Other experts believe that water shortages in the future will lead to higher food prices around the globe (Daily Mail, April 19, 2010l 19, 2010
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). Bible prophecies reveal that increasing famines and pestilence will appear as we approach the end of the age (Matthew 24:7Matthew 24:7
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7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  

). In addition, hyperinflation will also affect the cost of food (Revelation 6:5-6Revelation 6:5-6
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5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. ⁶ And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. A measure: the word choenix signifieth a measure containing one wine quart, and the twelfth part of a quart  

). The time is coming when “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst…” (Isaiah 41:17Isaiah 41:17
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17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.  

). Although difficult times are ahead due to nations rebelling against God and His way, there is also hope, because God promises that He will eventually cause rivers to open in “desolate heights” and He will make the wilderness a “pool of water” (Isaiah 41:18-20Isaiah 41:18-20
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18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. ¹⁹ I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: ²⁰ That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.  

).—Scott Winnail