Hello everyone,
We are well and busy here. Several HQ ministers will be leaving today for visits to various church areas this weekend. Mr. Apartian is already in Martinique. I believe it was Satchel Page who said "If you didn't know how old you are, how old would you be?" Mr. Apartian seems to embrace that adage. He takes care of himself but, at the same time, he stays busy regardless of his age. He is an excellent example.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Evangelists Syd Hull and Bruce Tyler are being added to the Council of Elders. Mr. Hull is the Regional Director of the Work in South Africa and Mr. Tyler is the Regional Director of Australasia. Both men are too far from HQ to attend every COE conference, but they will participate by teleconference and in person when possible. Congratulations to Mr. Hull and Mr. Tyler!
Feast of Tabernacles—Survey Announcement
To be read in all congregations on the Sabbath of 6/7/03: Next Sabbath, June 14, 2003 we will be conducting our Festival attendance survey. Please be prepared to state your present Feast site preference next week. If you have not fully made up your mind, you should name the site you will be most likely to attend. If your plans change later, that will be all right. The Festival office is conducting this survey for planning purposes and appreciates everyone's help.
Youth Camps
LIVING YOUTH CAMP
Even though the deadline has passed, there is still room for about 5 boy and 7 girl campers at LYC Teen Camp in Michigan. If you are interested in attending this year, please send in an application ASAP. Applications for LYC Michigan and all the preteen camps can be found at: www.youth-web.org or see your minister and he can help you acquire one. There is also room at some of the preteen camps. If you have a preteen who is interested in attending a camp this summer, check one out at www.youth-web.org.
LIVING 4 TOMORROW - A TIME 4 YOUNG SINGLES
We still have openings for young singles ages 18-30 at Living 4 Tomorrow — A Time 4 Young Singles. You can find an application at: www.youth-web.org and it only takes 3 minutes to fill it out online. Don't miss this special opportunity to meet others of like mind.
If you have not received word on whether you have been accepted or not to LYC Michigan or to Living 4 Tomorrow, please e-mail Gerald Weston at: [email protected] or call 905-814-1103.
Business Office
Pentecost offerings: Please be sure and remember to use your pre-labeled green HDO envelope for the Pentecost offering. The use of this envelope saves the Church time and money in processing. If you do not have a pre-labeled envelope, please write your name, address and PIN, if available, clearly on the outside of the envelope. Thank you for your help.
To ministers and hosts responsible for sending in the offering to Charlotte: Please remember to completely fill out the Holy Day Offering Report including attendance and church numbers and/or names of congregations attending with you. This form should be returned with the offering. —Jerry Ruddlesden
INTERNATIONAL
Update Europe: Turbulent Times Ahead – Douglas Winnail
The caldron of Europe is beginning to bubble. European nations are currently embroiled in issues that could dramatically alter the political landscape of a continent and have repercussions that will impact the world. The Committee on the Future of Europe has released a draft of a new European Constitution that calls for a President of Europe and a Foreign Minister to represent Europe on the world stage. In the coming months, debates, horse-trading among politicians, and national referendums will determine the ultimate shape of the new Constitution and of Europe itself. If no agreement is reached, we could see core group of nations push ahead on their own in a "coalition of the willing" to forge United States of Europe. The coming year will be interesting to watch!
Britain faces its own special dilemma. While Britain has chosen not to join the European currency and the general public is leery of the creeping power of Brussels, Tony Blair would like to be President of Europe. To reach this goal he will need to lead Britain into the euro and have his government approve the new Constitution—preferably without a public vote. Yet several British newspapers, sensing national sovereignty is about to be given away, have launched a campaign to force a referendum on the new constitution and also the euro to stop what many see as madness on the part of their leaders. This issue is bound to grow!
France and Germany are in a marriage of convenience in the European Union. Although working together to promote a European Army, they have serious differences about the future of Europe. Germany would like a strong federal structure, while France will be reluctant to give up its veto powers—especially if France is not leading the parade. France would like to see religion excluded from the new constitution, while Germany specifically mentions religion in its constitution. President Chirac of France sees himself as the leader of Europe, yet Joschka Fischer, the Foreign Minister of Germany has his sights set on a high European post. While both France and Germany would like to play the role of Charlemagne in the New Europe, Helmut Kohl has stated, "the future belongs to the Germans"—another issue to watch!
Additional factors could also influence Europe's future. Pope John Paul II, who has lobbied hard for an official Catholic role in the New Europe, is in frail health. A dynamic successor to the current pope could change the nature of the European situation. The German economy is in deep trouble with over five million unemployed—which could bring down the current government and bring in new faces. Lurking like an ominous shadow over this whole drama is the threat of terrorism. An attack on central London, Paris, Berlin or Brussels, or an eruption of violence in the Middle East could create a whole new set of circumstances in Europe where potentially divisive issues already abound. The apostle Paul was not exaggerating when he wrote, "in the last days perilous times will come" (II Timothy 3:1). Europe has turbulent times ahead!
COMMENTS
"All power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely." That familiar statement aptly describes the use and abuse of power by human beings throughout the annals of history. Thankfully, there is a different power, which does not corrode or corrupt, now available to mankind. This is the power from on high promised by Jesus Christ in Luke 24:49, "And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high."
That promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost 31 A.D. in Jerusalem when God poured out His Holy Spirit and made it available to all flesh, not just a small number of His servants as in Old Testament times. Now His Spirit is given as a gift to all who repent, are baptized and have the laying on of hands. In other words, the called-out firstfruits now and then all of humanity later.
The Holy Spirit flows out from God like living waters and strengthens all who have it, to live God's Way of Life. It assists us with extra power to overcome, understand the Truth more deeply and have peace of mind in this chaotic and violent world. II Tim. 1:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
This power does not ruin and destroy people, places and things. Rather, it builds, restores and bears rich fruit in the lives of those who use it and ask for more of it. Luke 11:13 "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
As Pentecost draws near, let us ask God for a greater amount of His Holy Spirit. Mr. Roderick C. Meredith has been urging us to beseech our Father in heaven to pour out more of His Holy Spirit and power on His Church and Work. Now is the time to bear down in our prayers and do that fervently! And let's all rejoice together as we come before God on the Feast of Pentecost to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Have an inspiring weekend,
Charles E. Bryce