6/9/05
Hot greetings from Charlotte!
Summer is here and it is hot and muggy, but nice in its own way. This is a very busy time in many of the departments here at Headquarters. Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour’s crew is in the middle of mailing out the semi-annual letter to well over 220,000 people! We are growing on all fronts in the work and picking up speed as we go.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Walter H. Warrington We neglected to include a mailing address last week in the announcement of Mr. Walter Warrington’s death. Mr. Warrington was an elder who was very strong in the faith and impacted many people through his example and service. Cards and letters can be sent to Mrs. Warrington at: 3815 Depot Rd, Salem, OH 44460
Update on Tammy Friz Mrs. Dan Friz continues to need our prayers for God’s healing. Mr. Friz is the area pastor in Lansing, MI. Mrs. Friz writes, “I would like to thank you and everyone for all the prayers you have prayed on my behalf. It lightens my load and helps me realize what a close family we are. Tests show that my problems are definitely in my liver and intestines. It's pretty bad. I'm still jaundiced and very sick. However, we believe that God has healed me in one area! There is no question that God's hand was involved and we hope this will pave the way for more improvement. We thank God for the healing He has given and look forward to the day when my healing is complete. I believe He will finish what He started.”
Pre-engagement Counseling Dr. Jeff Fall presented an excellent lecture on pre-engagement counseling at our recent Pastor’s Conference. Here is a summary of his main points: The Church has historically suggested premarital counseling for all couples considering marriage. The intended purpose has always been to help couples themselves better determine if they are "right for each other" in God's sight and to increase their opportunity for success in a potential marriage. Regrettably, in all too many cases, once a couple is engaged, the couple's focus is finished with evaluating their relationship and whether or not they are right for each other. Because their main concern is now on planning the wedding, they are far less evaluative of their relationship. Counseling can readily be simply an afterthought. Pre-engagement counseling makes far more sense. The couple may be dating seriously but they have not publicly committed to marriage in an engagement and they are much more open to honestly evaluating themselves as potential marriage partners. This, in turn, gives much more opportunity for God to guide their decision-making. To better serve our membership in these critical decisions, the Church requests that all couples considering marriage seek pre-engagement counseling from the ministry before any formal engagement.
Grand Teton National Park Backpacking/Whitewater Rafting Trip We have received an overwhelming response from many who wanted to serve at this activity! Regrettably, we can no longer accept applications for staff positions. All of the staff positions have been filled. We had many more qualified people apply than we could accept this year. Thanks to all of you who applied and offered your services at this camp. Sorry we could not accept more of you. Space is limited – however we will still accept camper applications until June 30. Cost: $300.00 Dates: Arrive – Tuesday, August 2nd (afternoon and evening) Depart – Wednesday, August 10th (morning) Note: You will need to provide your own transportation to and from Jackson, Wyoming. We will provide rides for those flying in or out of Jackson Hole Airport. For applications: Please contact Sheldon Monson @ 713 4th Street, Hudson, WI 54016; by phone @ (715) 386-6898 or email @ smonson@cogl.org
MEDIA DEPARTMENT New Booklet Page Problem Some copies of the new booklet Where Is God’s True Church Today? have pages missing or out of order. We ask that all faulty copies be returned to Headquarters. We will seek reimbursement for these from the printer. Please give us your complete address and PIN to help us quickly send you a new copy. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Television Response Our UK broadcast is doing very well. Last week we aired the program #221, “Armageddon in Prophecy,” which offered, The Middle East In Prophecy booklet. We received 111 calls, which was our second highest response so far. The cost per response was down to $13.51. The overall CPR keeps dropping, so the Inspiration Network International (INI) is doing marvelously well for us.
Starting tomorrow night, INI will air the Tomorrow’s World program at 6:30 pm, Tuesday through Friday and the following Monday night. INI is charging us only $100, but the normal price is over $700. INI hopes we like the 6:30 pm time slots well enough that we buy them. We are expecting good responses. This morning, Rosemary Green at INI asked us if we would like to test 10:00 am on Thursday or Friday for free. The normal price is $660. As of this morning, we are only 3,048 responses away from our 500,000th TV response in the United States and Canada. – Wayne Pyle
COMMENTS The joyous Feast of Pentecost is almost here. Some of the most important events in history are celebrated on this annual Holy Day. For instance: 1) The calling of the spiritual first fruits. This is quite a privilege that carries with it high expectations from God. Lev. 23: 15-17, 21. 2) God poured out his Holy Spirit on this day as He said He would do. Luke 24:49. 3) Christ started His Church which has continued through severe trials and great triumphs right up to today. Matt. 16:18. 4) To the Jewish people, the Feast of Pentecost always reminds them of the historic tradition that the Ten Commandments were given from Mt. Sinai on this day. The desolate valley stretching out before the “mount of God” is called “Wady Er-Raba”—the plain of the law. It is interesting to trace the journey of the children of Israel out of Egypt all the way to Mt. Sinai and discover what day the law was actually given by the Eternal. Ex. 19:16-20, Chapter 20. In closing, let’s prepare to come before God, on Pentecost, and present a thoughtful and prayerful offering to Him.
Mr. Roderick Meredith has always emphasized how important it is to pray about the Holy Day offerings. Let’s specifically do that this year, and about the big opportunities and needs that Christ is now opening up in His Work and Church. May you have a wonderful Sabbath and a spiritually rich Feast of Pentecost!
Charles E. Bryce
COGwriter 2005