Greetings y'all,
It is said that there is a first time for everything. I believe it. Never before in my forty years in God's ministry was I asked to preach on Christmas day. That's my assignment this week in Charlotte. Of course, I accepted it "graciously" because God's Sabbath this year falls on December 25th. This reminds me the answer I received back in 1955 when, for the first time, I met God's ministers at Ambassador College in Pasadena and asked, "Why do you people keep the Sabbath?" One of them, who later became a very good friend of mine, simply replied, "Because God says so." I was speechless. Checkmate.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Mr. Meredith and Mr. Davy Crockett conducted a Headquarters staff meeting last Friday, December 17, encouraging all of us to really appreciate our individual part in God's Work. We were given instructions on how to better serve and please God. We were reminded once again that Christ is the true Head of the Church.
Mr. Charles Bryce and his wife, Sharon, will be visiting the brethren in San Diego this Sabbath. Mr. Bryce will also perform Vicki Thornton and Daryl Monson's wedding this Sunday in Los Angeles. Daryl is the son of our elder Mr. Eng Monson and brother of Mr. Sheldon Monson, also an elder.
Mr. and Mrs. Bryce will return to Charlotte on December 29.
Mr. Meredith's "The Ten Commandments" booklet has been mailed to all LCG member households. The Mail Processing Department is now busily fulfilling requests for the booklet from Tomorrow's World subscribers who returned the card included in the "semi-annual" letter. To date, more than 18,000 subscribers have requested the booklet.
This week's Update is delayed one day because of unforeseen circumstances. I myself returned last night from El Dorado, Arkansas, (what a hectic trip due to the weather) after attending my mother-in-law's funeral. She had been sick and unconscious for several weeks.
New Congregations
We are happy to report that we have recently started new congregations in Detroit, Michigan and in Lima, Peru—our first video group in Peru since the beginning of the Living Church of God. This year a total of 14 new congregations have commenced—two in the United States and the rest in international areas of God's Work.
From the United Kingdom
Dr. Doug Winnail informs us that he has received approval to rent a house north of London, about 14 miles from Cambridge. Dr. Winnail will be moving from Ireland to the United Kingdom to better help the growing Work there.
From the Philippines
Mr. Rod King writes, "I have just received a note from Mr Gideon Benitez telling me of the successful camp that was held in Don Carlos, Bukidnon this past weekend. Twenty-eight campers were given excellent instruction in areas of the Ten Commandments, honoring your elders, table etiquette and moral values. Mr Benitez was assisted by Mr Freddie Benitez and other members of their family as well as capable church members from the Bukidnon region."
Euro Currency Beating Records
As reported by the Associated Press, the euro beat a selling price record vs. the dollar today, selling for 1.3548 USD. In a little over two months, the worth of the euro has appreciated 10.5% relative to the US dollar. Since its lowest selling price in October 26, 2002, when it sold for 0.8230 USD, the euro has appreciated 65%.
COMMENTS
"Attitude is the key to conversion," Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong used to say. This time of the year, particularly, all of us in God's Church must remember this admonition and behave like true Christians when people around us wish us "Merry Christmas." How do we react? What do we say to them? Do we look down on them, superciliously, thinking that they are pagans? Why can't we be courteous and polite—and simply say, "Thank you"? Regrettably, some of you will not receive this Update until after Christmas, but there will be other such occasions. Like New Year's. Or even whenever in a restaurant, we inquire about the ingredients of a dish. A true Christian doesn't offend his neighbor. He is not argumentative. He does not judge. A true Christian does not boast of his righteousness. You can't be a light to the world and please God when you are in a self-righteous attitude looking down on people. God said, "As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil." (James 4:16).
Y'all have a wonderful Sabbath,
Dibar Apartian