Greetings from Charlotte,

 

We have a number of encouraging developments to share this week. Our final Feast of Tabernacles attendance figures show that more than 8,000 people attended the Feast at 46 sites in 31 countries. The attendance at sites in the USA increased by 7.5% over last year, and the attendance at international sites increased by 3.6%. This amounts to a 5.7% increase worldwide, which is exciting to see. This week, Mr. Meredith’s latest co-worker letter was mailed to more than 10,000 households. Mr. Rod King’s TW program #377, “Are These the Last Days?” offering the booklet Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return is expected to draw more than 3,100 responses. Mr. Gerald Weston and several staff from the Canadian Office were in Charlotte to film new programs for future airings in China. Last week, more than 100 visitors attended the four Tomorrow’s World Special Presentations that Mr. Weston made in Ontario, Canada. Eight guests attended Mr. Lecocq’s presentation in Geneva, Switzerland. This week I will be in Louisiana to do TWSPs in Lafayette and Baton Rouge. Mr. Apartian is still undergoing rehabilitation therapy and his condition remains steady. Please keep the Apartians and the coming TWSPs in your prayers.

 

 

Mr. Dan Hall reports: I wanted to share with you a remarkable healing that my mom, Bertha Hall, experienced while we were at the Feast. My mom had an ugly growth on the middle of her left leg near the shin bone, that the doctor felt strongly was a melanoma.  He directed us to see a dermatologist.  I decided to go ahead and anoint her.  At age 93, any surgery on my mom’s leg would create more complications since she has poor circulation.  So, we waited until after the Feast to see a dermatologist. This past Friday in the dermatologist office, upon unwrapping my mom’s left leg, Nancy and I noticed that the “melanoma” had disappeared leaving only a slight scab.  We immediately asked my mom what had happened.  She said that she bumped it during the Feast and the large raised blackened growth fell off.  Surprisingly, there was no bleeding.  The dermatologist looked at the location where it had been and decided that there was no indication of anything wrong.  Needless to say, we thank God for His mercy and intervention in my mom’s behalf!  And, wanted to share the good news! God heals even in the smallest of matters and will heal regardless of one’s age.

Mr. Lascelles Fraser reports: For the three Sabbaths leading up to the Feast, attendance was very encouraging—97, 101and 96 respectively. On Trumpets, the offering was up 36% over last year. On Atonement, with 96 in attendance, it was 25% more than last year.

The Knox, Indiana, congregation invites you to experience Hoosier Hospitality at its finest. Make plans to attend the annual “Down on the Farm” weekend on October 30-31, 2010.  Activities will include a hayride, bonfire, sing-along, and family games, and you will also enjoy good old-fashioned country cooking along with great Christian fellowship.  For more details and additional information contact Todd Lawrence at 574-220-0929 or by e-mail at mintfarmer@hotmail.com. Hope to see you there! E-I-E-I-O!!!

 

 

 

The first semester of the academic year is now half-way completed. Students are taking mid-term exams and submitting mid-semester papers. Now is also the time to begin planning to register for second semester classes.  Registration for next semester’s classes will begin on Monday, November 15, and continue through mid-January. Second semester classes will begin on Wednesday, January 12. For second semester, we plan to offer 14 different courses. A list and descriptions of these courses can be found on the Living University website, www.livinguniv.com. In a couple of weeks, we will begin highlighting the different courses that will be offered.

 

 

The Blessings of Unity: David wrote, “how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Jesus said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). He also prayed for His disciples “that they may be one as We are” (John 17:11). The Scriptures reveal that Peter and Paul at times had different personal perspectives (Acts 15, Galatians 2), but they learned to work together as a team to achieve their mission (2 Peter 3:14-16). They obviously realized that if each marched to his own drum, the job they were given would not get done. This is why Paul stated that as we do the Work of God we must be respectful and patient with each other, “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). Paul also emphasized that there is “one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism” and that the work of the ministry involves fostering the unity of the faith and not being split apart by different doctrinal ideas and the maneuverings of men (Ephesians 4:4-5, 11-16). As we are led by the same Spirit, we will see divisions diminish, and we will be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Peace, harmony and unity in the Church of God become visible fruits when we are led by God’s Spirit.

 

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

 

Catholic Church to Re-Evangelize Europe. “Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday outlined his most tangible initiative yet to try to revive Christianity, creating a Vatican office for re-evangelizing Europe and other traditionally Christian regions where the faith is falling by the wayside. In an official decree, Benedict said the new office would work with bishops to promote church doctrine, use modern communication methods to get the church’s message out and mobilize missionary-type activities using members of religious orders and new religious movements… Benedict has made reviving Europe’s Christian roots a priority of his papacy and has concentrated his foreign travels on the continent” (Associated Press, October 12, 2010). In recent years, the Vatican and the Pope have worked hard to reintegrate the “church” into the European fabric, including seeking greater prominence in the EU. Bible prophecies reveal that a great mother church will play a major role in end-time events (Revelation 13:11-16; see Revelation 17). The foundation for the church’s role in the coming European Beast power will be “strengthened” in Europe in the days ahead!

 

Winds of Change in Germany and Europe. In a recent speech, “Chancellor Angela Merkel has declared the death of multiculturalism in Germany, saying that it had ‘failed utterly’, in what has been interpreted as a startling shift from her previous views. The German leader said it had been an illusion to think that Germans and foreign workers could ‘live happily side by side’… Merkel’s verdict marks a shift in her previously liberal line on immigration which had always put her at odds with the more conservative wing of the party” (The Guardian, October 17, 2010). In a recent survey “58.4 percent of Germans said they wanted to restrict the practice of Islam in their country, while 30 percent felt that Germany was ‘overrun’ by foreigners” (EUObserver.com, October 18, 2010). There appears to be a societal shift in Germany, back to more conservative views. A recent study found that 13% of all Germans would welcome a “Führer… to run the country with a firm hand.” Further, “the study’s overall snapshot of German society shows new forms of extremism and hate are no longer the province of far-right cohorts who shave their heads or wear leather jackets adorned with silver skulls but register in the tweedy political center, on the right and the left. Indeed, the study found, extremism in Germany isn’t a fringe phenomenon but is found in the political center, ‘in all social groups and in all age groups, regardless of employment status, educational level or gender’.” Far-right parties are gaining political ground all across Europe (YahooNews Canada, October 15, 2010). Scripture shows a powerful person will come on the scene in Europe at the end of the age and lead the future Beast power (Daniel 9:26-27, 11:36-37; Revelation 13:1-7; 17:12-13). The current “shifts” throughout Europe could facilitate this process.

 

Pension Reform in France Turns Violent. In an effort to help the French economy recover, President Sarkozy is moving to increase the national retirement age from age 60 to 62 (still one of Europe’s youngest retirement ages). As a result, protests have erupted throughout the nation. This week, some three million took to the streets across France, resulting in the torching of vehicles, smashing of store fronts, and clashes with riot police. Aviation workers are on strike, grounding hundreds of flights. Petroleum refinery workers are striking, resulting in the closure of nearly a third of the gas stations nationwide. The domino effect of no gas has forced many who want to work to remain home without transportation. In the face of all this, Mr. Sarkozy is strong and insistent on the retirement age reform measures (Associated Press, October 19, 2010). Observers believe the actions of protestors are due in part to those “nearing” the current retirement age who will be “backed up” in receiving benefits they have been counting on, and the fact that one of the largest groups of unemployed members of the French society are over the age of 55 (RT.com, October 20, 2010). Civil unrest could signal national instability to some European leaders, further pushing the effort for a more central government and one strong leader. The outcomes of the current situation in France bear watching.—James Ginn, Susan Bennett and Scott Winnail