Hello from Charlotte!
We had a great trip to Nashville. Sharon and I drove up through the Great Smokey Mountains resplendent with beautiful, colorful fall foliage. What a sight that was! There were 55 warm, happy brethren in Nashville for Sabbath services. It was great to see everyone there again. Mr. and Mrs. Lester Bowker attend that congregation. Mr. Bowker is 98 years old, but he and his wife are still going strong. They attended the Feast and are fully involved in doing their part in God's Work. I have always been inspired by them! Mr. and Mrs. Bob League are doing very well also. She is much better after her fall and injury at the Feast. We are continuing to get around to the congregations that we have never visited before, and to those that we haven't been to in a long time. We look forward to paying a visit to as many Church areas as we possibly can in the coming year and visiting with many of you.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Philippines Update
Here are excerpts from Mr. Rod King's report on his extended trip to the Philippines: 194 of God's people attended the Feast in Baguio. This was a 25% increase on last year's attendance and offerings were also up. It was so good to hear them sing praises to God with such enthusiasm. They listened attentively to the messages. (Some of this attentiveness was due to them trying to understand an Australian accent!)
Mr Meredith's Opening Night message was received well and the sermons and sermonettes were centered on God's Kingdom in the millennium. I gave sermons on how God is training us to become teachers and on the Philippines in prophecy.
On the Sabbath afternoon I conducted a Bible lecture for readers of the Tomorrow's World. We had a total of 27 visitors hear a message titled, Tomorrow's World—Good News for Mankind.
After the Feast ended Mr Casing took us to the memorial depicting General Douglas MacArthur ashore at Tacloban on October 20, 1944, to fulfill his promise he made before the fall of Corregidor in 1942, "I shall return".
We returned to Manila to hold Sabbath services and hold final talks with the office staff and Church leaders. After four weeks in the Philippines I returned to Melbourne, Australia. The contrast in climate and culture was very noticeable. When I closed my eyes, all I could see were the happy, smiling faces of God's people in the Philippines.
Southwest Update
Dr. Jeff Fall writes from his region: The Holy Day season has come and gone and has truly been a blessing…from Trumpets to the Last Great Day. It is a reminder of how much these Holy Days should mean to us when we see the enthusiasm and excitement of those attending for the very first time. Four different individuals who have attended the Feast for the first time expressed how overwhelmingly thankful they are. As one potential member wrote:
"Quite honestly, the Feast of Tabernacles 2004 was something we will NEVER forget! We all wished it would simply NOT end. What a blessing to enjoy services every day, and fellowship every day, and feel a real sense of happiness through living God's way--every day! I think I have a better understanding of why we pray and ask our Father in heaven to quickly establish His Kingdom upon the Earth, through the righteous, divine leadership of our Savior and King of Kings Jesus Christ."
Encouraging Comment From Someone Who Has "Come Home"!
I just finished filling out my request for free literature. I already have lesson 1, however, and would like to start with lesson 2. I also have Tomorrow's World magazine Sep/Oct 2004 issue and would like to start with November (when it is available).
I will need a member number to send in my tithes and have them correctly acknowledged/recorded. I grew up in the Worldwide Church of God under Mr. Armstrong. I was supposed to keep the Feast of Tabernacles with another group and felt so out of place that I ended up traveling down to Corpus Christi to keep the Feast with your brethren. I felt so much better, like God was leading me to you. I talked to several of the ministers there and met many wonderful brethren. I truly felt at home. Thank you for giving me a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles. It has been such a long time since I heard messages like I grew up with and that I should have been hearing all along. I also know that God truly gets the credit and have been thanking Him every day.—L.M.
Tomorrow's World Readership
More information about where the Tomorrow's World is received throughout the world:
Egypt 6 Iran 4 Jordan 2 Libya 13 Pakistan 6 Saudi Arabia 7 Turkey 7
Several people are also taking the Bible Study Course in many of these places.
FINANCE DEPARTMENT
Well, things are finally starting to get back to normal around here. The hymnal donations are still trickling in; to date we have received $52,094.15. Congratulations and thank you to all the brethren who contributed in making this project a success. We would also like to thank all the members who included their PIN on the blue envelopes. It REALLY helps the speed and accuracy of the whole donation receiving process.
On a house-keeping note, those of you who were sent Festival Coordinator's manuals and supplies, please return them to the Finance Dept so that corrections can begin to be made for next year. If you have any comments or suggestions on the FOT manuals or supplies, PLEASE let us know. We need feedback in order to make the process better. Your identity will remain anonymous. You can fax your comments/suggestions to 704-841-1922 attention Business Office FOT Improvements.
Thanks and have a wonderful Sabbath from all of us in Finance!
COMMENTS
Mr. Meredith reminded us that we need to be praying about the upcoming election for the President of the United States. We are coming to a critical intersection in Bible prophecy and the Work of God. This particular election will end up having a crucial influence in world events and, by extension, God's Work as time goes along. Therefore, all of us need to ask God to intervene and guide the outcome according to His plan and will. Daniel 2:21, "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:..."
God our Father does hear our prayers. Like a loving father, when we get concerned, He gets concerned. He responds. Our relationship with Him is active and dynamic. Although we do not get involved in the politics of this world, our prayers for God's guidance and intervention in world events for the good of His Work and people are right and needful. I Timothy 2:1-3 makes this very clear. It says, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;"
Let's start gearing up now for the big events that are surely coming soon, as prophecy surges forward faster and faster. It is unstoppable.
Have a joyous Sabbath!
Charles E. Bryce