Greetings from Charlotte,
Mr. Rod McNair recorded a telecast this week titled “Is COVID Just the Beginning?” advertising the booklet Does God Heal Today? This is the first time in two years the booklet has been advertised, and we expect it will bring a strong response based on the content of the program and how it relates to the pandemic of the last year. This week’s Canadian-produced program by Mr. Stuart Wachowicz is titled “COVID-19 Reveals a Secret Sin.” You can discover what that secret sin is by going to our Tomorrow’s World website and scrolling down to the Canadian program. The Work in the Dutch language received 1,100 responses in a nine-day period, creating a (welcome) problem in how to respond to so many requests. This is more than they had all last year. The U.K. reports that a good number of requests are now coming in for the next set of Bible Study Course lessons. This is very encouraging, as the further people go in the Course the more likely they are to get involved. I’m not putting out a video update this week, but plan to pick up again next week. It’s just been too busy!—Gerald Weston
Church Administration
Tomorrow’s World Presentations
Two months into 2021, Tomorrow’s World Presentations are off to a good start. Since the beginning of January, we’ve had TWPs in the cities listed below, either in-person, online, or both. The numbers represent unique visitors, and some of the visitors came more than once (to the initial presentation and one or more of the follow-ups).
Unique TWP Visitors 2021:
- Fayetteville, North Carolina – 24 unique visitors, in-person or online
- Minneapolis, Minnesota – 21 unique visitors, online
- Williamsburg, Virginia – 35 unique visitors, in-person or online
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 22 unique visitors, online
- Tauranga, New Zealand – 24 unique visitors, in person
This is a total of 126 unique visitors to TWPs so far in 2021, in-person or online. This is in spite of some Post Office mailing delays that meant some invitations did not arrive in time (we are exploring how to remedy this problem). This week, Mr. Paul Kearns will be conducting a follow-up presentation in Tauranga, New Zealand. Your prayers for this event would be much appreciated!
Requests for Passover Supplies—Deadline Is Next Week
Important Notice to All Pastors: In 2021, the Passover Service will be observed on Friday evening, March 26. Please let us know right away if any of the congregations you serve will need additional Passover Service supplies (bread trays and/or wine trays or glasses) or a copy of the Passover Service recording and letter instructions (available in English, French, and Spanish). We need this information before Friday, March 5 for U.S. congregations in order to ensure timely delivery and to save on shipping costs. International requests should already have been submitted. The date takes into consideration the slowdown of mail service in some places because of the pandemic.
Please also let us know of any scattered members who are unable to keep the Passover with a congregation and who need to receive the Passover Service recording and letter instructions for observing it at home. U.S. requests should be received before Friday, March 5. International requests should already be here. Please direct your requests to the Church Administration Department at [email protected] right away.
Change to the Distribution of The World Ahead—Repeat Announcement
Before the pandemic, The World Ahead was sent out Thursday evenings (Charlotte time) primarily to ministers and those who serve in preparing and conducting weekly Sabbath services (for use in the announcements portion of services, for example). When in-person Sabbath services were interrupted almost a year ago, we began sending it to all English-speaking members for whom we have an email address, so that those who were unable to connect to local services would still receive news of the Work and not miss important announcements. We have now reverted to the original practice of distribution, sending The World Ahead on Thursday evenings to those who need it to serve the congregations. However, on Sundays, we are sending it to all members who receive materials in English and for whom we have an email address, to be sure that it reaches those who are shut-ins. That is why some are now receiving it a few days later than they did during the last several months. The World Ahead is also posted every week at lcg.org/weekly-updates.
Living Youth Program
Teen Camp Staff Registration Closing Soon
Enthusiasm for the 2021 Teen Camp has been very high. We have more staff applicants than we can accept! Registration for camp staff will close on Monday, March 8. If you have not yet applied and would like to, please do so right away. Camper applications will continue to be accepted until May.— LYC Office
Preteen Camps Registration Opens This Sunday
Registration for the Living Youth Preteen Camps will open Sunday, February 28. These camps serve our youth in the 8- to 12-year-old range, and will be held in Missouri, Texas, and West Virginia this summer. We are preparing an exciting and enriching God-centered program that is guided by the overall motto of “Do everything decently and in order, without confusion and in peace.” Please register as early as possible to assist us in planning. We will be accepting staff ages 15 and older. Also, we need lifeguards or those willing to become certified! For details about each preteen camp and to register, visit http://camp.livingyouth.org or email Jenny Penman at [email protected] for a paper application to be mailed to you.—LYC Office
Comments
The Value of Trials: Trials are never pleasant. Yet, when trials come, it is important to maintain a godly perspective (Isaiah 55:8–9). The Bible reveals that God allows us to experience trials to accomplish His purposes. Job was a “blameless and upright” man “who feared God and shunned evil,” yet he encountered a sudden series of tragic reverses because God was working out a purpose in his life (Job 1–2). Jesus and John the Baptist did not suffer and die because they sinned. They each had an important role to play in God’s plan, and their lives ended when they had fulfilled God’s purpose. We can be confident when trials come if we remember that God cares for each of His children (Matthew 10:29–31) and that God is molding and fashioning each of us for a much bigger purpose (Philippians 1:6). We also need to remember God’s promises: that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28), and that God will “make the way of escape” when we look to Him during our trials (1 Corinthians 10:13). This is why James wrote that we can rejoice as we endure trials, so we can learn lessons as we see God’s purpose for our trials (James 1:2–4).
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail
News and Prophecy—February 25, 2021
Danish Law vs. Religious Freedom: A new law under consideration in Denmark would require all sermons not given in the Danish language to be translated and submitted to the state (The Guardian, January 31, 2021). According to the government, the purpose of the new law is to “enlarge the transparency of religious events and sermons in Denmark, when these are given in a language other than Danish”—ostensibly part of an attempt to combat growing Islamic extremism.
However, many are concerned that the proposed legislation represents extreme governmental overreach that would squelch freedom of religious expression—as it impacts all religious minorities in the country, not just Muslims. In addition, many fear that, if the law is passed, it will “be replicated elsewhere in Europe at a time when religious minorities were generally finding their freedoms being encroached upon.” At this time, it is unclear whether translated sermons would need to be submitted before or after they are given.
Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of thought are all central tenets of Western civilization—and have been for centuries. These fundamental freedoms have allowed the Church of God to freely preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to nations all over the world (Matthew 28:18–20). However, Bible prophecies indicate that the freedom to preach the truth of Scripture will be greatly restricted as we approach the end of the age (Amos 8:11–12). Bible prophecies also reveal that a European “beast” power will emerge that will control not only trade but even religious ideas and teachings. The newly proposed Danish law could be a small foretaste of what is coming in the years ahead. For other important insights into Europe’s future, be sure to read The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality?
Extortion Grows Around the Globe: Recently in South Africa, criminals strapped an explosive device to an ATM technician and forced him to open the machines he was hauling so they could steal the money (Institute for Security Studies, February 18, 2021). Thankfully, the victim was released after the ordeal. Extortion efforts like this are being used with increasing frequency by cartels and gangs around the globe.
Experts say that tactics such as these demonstrate the extreme lengths to which crime syndicates are willing to go. For all the measures taken to defend against them—by law enforcement agencies and the financial industry—criminal organizations continue to display a dangerous willingness to raise the stakes themselves, including the use of stolen explosives.
God warned that at the end of the age, especially in Israelite-descended nations like South Africa, terror and terrorist acts should be expected (Leviticus 26:16). Bible prophecies also warn that the social and moral fabric of these nations would begin to decay rapidly: “Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off; for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey” (Isaiah 59:14–15). Individuals and organizations that do not follow these evil ways will stand out and invite attacks because they are trying to act morally.
Events such as this should motivate followers of the God of the Bible to “sigh and cry” over the abominations they see in the land (Ezekiel 9:4)—and pray more fervently “Thy Kingdom come.” Jesus Christ promised He will return (John 14:1–3), and His return will bring peace and justice to this earth. When we look around, we see powerful reasons why this world needs Him to return soon. For even more reasons, read our article “Seven Reasons Why Christ Must Return.”—Scott Winnail and Carl Skal