Omni Hotel, San Antonio
The Continuing Church of God observes God's Holy Days (click here for you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days), sometimes called festival or feast days, throughout the world.
Information on them is in the free online book: Should You Keep God's Holy Days or Demonic Holidays?
The longest festival is called the Feast of Tabernacles (see The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians?) also called the Feast of Booths. The Jews call it Sukkot. Here is a link to a video related to the 2019 festival sites: Continuing Church of God Feast of Tabernacles 2019.
Some have asked if we plan to hold it in 2020, and the answer is yes.
Because of COVID-19 concerns, there may be issues in various locations.
At this instant, we still hold the Feast of Tabernacles in all countries we have indicated.
But there may be changes in location and how we can conduct services.
But we will still intend to hold services for the Feast of Tabernacles and encourage all who can attend to attend.
For 2020, services are to begin the evening of October 2nd and continue until the Last Great Day which is October 10th in 2020.
Some website links to outside sources are in this post, but this does not mean that they are endorsed by the Continuing Church of God. They are provided as additional sources of information–and hopefully some of that information may be helpful to you and your family as you begin to make plans for the 2020 Feast of Tabernacles.
All CCOG Feast of Tabernacles' sites for 2020 are to have sermons that will cover the entire Book of Deuteronomy as it has been seven years since we did that before (this was done in 2013; see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law).
Christians who observe this festival believe that part of the reason that there will be peace is that people will all be taught the law of God, as teaching the law of God was an important part of this feast during the days of the children of Israel. Look at Deuteronomy chapter thirty-one, beginning with verse ten:
10..."At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 31:10-13).
Notice that this reading of the book of the law was to happen every seven years. I (Bob Thiel) had long felt that this needed to be done, but had been overlooked by most COG groups. So in 2006, when I was first asked to give full sermons at the Feast of Tabernacles, I decided that to try to do this myself. As it turns out, 2013 was seven years later. I believe that this was God's timing, and perhaps one of many reasons that God wanted the Continuing Church of God to form prior to the start of the Feast of Tabernacles in 2013.
Since the Bible teaches that the "word of the law" needs to be preached as part of the Feast of Tabernacles every seven years (Deuteronomy 31:10-13; cf. Nehemiah 7:73;8:1-3,8,13-17; Joshua 8:34), instruction about covering the law, especially through the light of the New Testament, has been conveyed to those givings sermons at the CCOG sites for 2013--and it happened. It is not that other subjects cannot also be covered then, but reading and explaining the law needs to be part of the Feast of the Tabernacles at least once every seven years. 2020 is seven years later. Furthermore, this would make 2020-2021 the 'year of release' (sometimes called the Shemitah or Shmita year) that would be proclaimed on the Feast of Trumpets in 2020 (see also The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets?).
Anyway, the entire Book of Deuteronomy is to be covered at all CCOG sites in 2020.
We expect to have the Feast of Tabernacles in the USA in the San Antonio area of Texas.
Here is the expected schedule for services for the USA site and it should be similar for Canada:
DAILY SCHEDULE
Friday, October 2, 2020. Services: 7:30 pm.
Saturday, October 3, 2020. Services: 2:00 pm.
Sunday, October 4, 2020. Services: 9:10 am.
Monday, October 5, 2020. Services: 9:30 am.
Tuesday, October 6, 2020. Services: 9:30 am.
Wednesday, October 7, 2020. Services: 9:30 am.
Thursday, October 8, 2020. Services: 9:30 am.
Fridday, October 9, 2020. Services: 9:30 am.
Saturday, October 10, 2020. Services: 2:00 pm.
More information on this site is expected to be added once it is available.
We now have an agreement with a hotel there as we were finally able to negotiate a better meeting room rental as well as handle some other details. It called is the Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade located at 9821 Colonnade Boulevard San Antonio, Texas 78230. Here is a photo from its website:
Omni Hotel, San Antonio
Should you stay there, the daily room rate is $119 per night, plus applicable taxes. You can call 1800TheOmni to make a reservation--tell them it is for the Feast of Tabernacles. They also have supplied a link to book directly online: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/san-antonio/meetings/feast-of-tabernacles-10022020.
While you do not have to stay at the Omni, many will find it convenient. In addition to our meeting there, it has two restaurants, one lobby snack bar, and even food available at its pool.
Furthermore, for any who fly in but do not wish to rent a car, the Omni has a complementary shuttle service to and from the San Antonio airport. The representative at the Omni said that in addition to their eating facilities that there are several restaurants within walking distance, so some may not need a rental vehicle.
Perhaps I should mention that I was in San Antonio once back in 1976. My wife Joyce (who has never been there) and I look forward to seeing all of you who may end up coming there for the festival this year.
For other information about this Feast site, contact Dr. Bob Thiel, email cogwriter@aol.com
Because of COVID related rules, Australia has travel restrictions within its own country which makes travel difficult and almost impossible.
Jamie Stonham has volunteered to coordinate a small site at Boomerang Beach on the North Coast of NSW (New South Wales). It will be a site watching video sermons that we have for the Feast in 2020, plus a chance for fellowship. If you may wish to attend, please send him an email at jamie.stonham@gmail.com
Here is information on the Feast site in New Brunswick, Canada.
Holiday Inn
4 00 Main Street
Saint John, NBReservation toll free number: 1 800 475 4656
Link to Hotel page: https://www.reservationcounter.com/hotels/show/5fe1629/holiday-inn-express-saint-john-harbour-side-saint-john-nb/?
We have also booked 1 room for handicap if needed.
The Government of New Brunswick has guidelines for entering NB (registration) and self quarantine that are in effect now.
Herb Haddon also reported:
We don't know if these will be lifted before the Feast or not
Because of these uncertainties, and even if the borders are closed at this time, I would ask the brethren to confirm their intentions for attending the Feast in NB with me by e-mail at: hwhaddon@gmail.com
I would like to add that we can cancel this booking up to 2 weeks prior to the Feast without penalty fees.
Now we will pray that the restrictions are lifted!
Herb
We plan to have a site in Gambella, Ethiopia. Those there came to us from a Church of God, Seventh-day background and are relatively new to keeping the Feast of Tabernacles. The same goes from those in South Sudan who also are likely to attend.
The Ethiopians and South Sudanese are quite poor and there can be health risks here (as well as anywhere in Africa we have sites). If you want to go, please contact Evans Ochieng, email evochieng74@gmail.com or Koang Deng koangdeng5@gmail.com; Koang Deng lives in Ethiopia.
If you can speak (like give sermonettes) that would be helpful.
We have hundreds with us in Ghana. They came to us from a Church of God, Seventh-day background and are relatively new to keeping the Feast of Tabernacles.
I do not have more specific information on the site there. However, here is the email address of two contacts we have there, the leading Pastor Samuel Ofosu Gyeabour fosusamuel81@gmail.com and an elder named Osei Bonsu oseibonsu1234@yahoo.com.
It is expected that there will be a CCOG site in Haiti.
For details, contact Nicolas Moise, email nicolasmoise348@gmail.com
A site in far eastern India is expected.
For more information, contact Alexsandar 'Sasha' Veljic, email aveljic@protonmail.com
We expect to have nine Feast sites in Kenya:
We agreed that the feasts sites in Kenya will be more this year. We shall have 9 feasts sites in Kenya this year. The sites are NDHIWA, KIHANCHA,KISII, CHILANI, DACTECH, BOMET, MAO, NJORO AND MOLO.
Those who want to attend the feast at Ndhiwa will contact Evans Ochieng . phone number 0728216321. Those who want to attend the feast in kihancha will contact Nimrod Ondigo. phone number 0714800150. Those who want to attend the feast in kisii will contact Ezekiel Oanda. phone number 0728632613. Those who want to attend the feast at chilani will contact Sawek Tiongik. phone number 0716737068. Those who want to attend the feast at Daktech will contact David Langat. phone number 0708969729. Those who wiant to attend the feast in Bomet will contact Thomas kosgey. phone number 0726924377. Those who want to attend the feast in Mao will contact Stanley Sawek. phone number 0716446503, those who want to attend the feast of tabernacles in Njoro will contact David Cheriot. phone number 0710329625, Those who want to attend the feast of tabernacles in molo will contact William Kirui and charles. phone number 0729966664.
If you are not from Africa and decide to attend here, please realize that this is not a wealthy area and is not a site for those who expect various Western comforts. However, this will be a unique experience for any who do decide to attend here. Also, African food is normally acceptable to Westerners, as long as it does not have microbes (I avoided eating raw fruits and vegetables, plus drank bottled water, when I was in Nairobi, and I never got ill).
Here is what one website says about the Ndhiwa area:
Western Kenya is a beautiful region of great geographical, agricultural, cultural and natural diversity, with many tourist activities to be explored.
The people of Ndhiwa belong to the Luo tribe, a warm welcoming community with a strong spirit despite the challenges they face. Many lack things that we take for granted such as electricity, running water, sanitation, labour-saving devices, easy transport, medical care and educational opportunities. http://www.karibunicottages.com/
Ndhiwa expected to be one of the largest Feast of Tabernacles' site for CCOG in 2020. For more information on the sites in Kenya, contact Evans Ochieng, email evochieng74@gmail.com
We plan to have a site in Malawi. According to Pastor Evans Ochieng, "it is cheap."
If you want to go, please contact Radson Mulozowa email radsonmulozowa@gmail.com or Evans Ochieng, email evochieng74@gmail.com
If you can speak (like give sermonettes) that would be helpful.
We may have a site in Mozambique. If not, some may go to Malawi.
It would likely be in Balaka if it is in Mozambique.
If you want to go, please contact Wedison Matiya email wedsonmatiya@gmail.com Evans Ochieng, email evochieng74@gmail.com
The Feast of Tabernacles 2020 site in New Zealand has been confirmed. The Feast services will be held on a property on the Kerikeri Inlet, overlooking the Bay of Islands which is 10 minutes drive from Kerikeri Centre.
A site is planned for the Philippines. It is likely Mainit, which is about 45 miles from Surigao City. Since the internet connection there looks to be weak, they do not think they can watch this year’s sermons–so we plan to mainly send DVDs of past ones and a couple new ones for this year.
For further details, contact Joe Lumpay, email is joecags_lumpay@yahoo.com
A Feast of Tabernacles site is being planned for southern Serbia in 2020.
At this instant, we expect this to be our only 'regular' European Feast of Tabernacles' site in 2020.
Serbia is inexpensive by European standards.
For more information, contact Alexsandar 'Sasha' Veljic, email aveljic@protonmail.com
We expect to have a site in Utegi, Tanzania. For more information, contact Martin Wanga, email matinwanga@gmail.com.
We do have some type of services available via the internet for those who cannot get to the festival sites. Sermons, offertories, and some other items are expected to be at the Sermons link at the www.ccog.org website and probably more will be in this article.
Please obey God and keep the Feast of Tabernacles as He would want you to (see also How to Keep God's Festivals).
For 2020, we plan to post sermons related to the Book of Deuteronomy.
Here are some from 2013, when this was last done:
There will be other messages during 2020, but the Book of the Law is to be covered in accordance with biblical instruction.
For 2020, we also made the following three messages:
2020 Feast of Tabernacles Opening Night Message
Offertory - Feast of Tabernacles
Christian Feast of Tabernacles
Behind The Work 2020: Into East Africa
And the following is for the Last Great Day:
Last Great Day Offertory
Last Great Day: God is impartial and has a plan for all
Here are some other past sermons for the Feast of Tabernacles:
Since offerings are taken up on the first Day of the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day, here are links to offertory messages:
Here are some sermonettes that you might wish to watched during the Feast of Tabernacles:
Here are links to sermons given in 2018 at the Feast of Tabernacles in Serbia and Alexandria, Virginia:
Here are links to sermons given in 2017 at the Feast of Tabernacles in New Zealand and two from San Diego:
Here are links to some earlier messages:
Here are links to three sermons given during the Feast in Gouda, Netherlands in 2016:
Here is a sermon by Steve Dupuie: Feast of Tabernacles 2016.
Here is a link to a ceremony from the 2015 Feast of Tabernacles: The Blessing of Little Children Ceremony.
Here are links to sermons given in 2015 at the Feast of Tabernacles in the USA and Canada:
Offertories: Here is a link to two other offertories Tabernacles Offertory: Sojourning Now for the Kingdom and Last Great Day Offertory: Render to Caesar, Render to God.
Here are some messages given in 2014 in the USA that some may watch:
For opening night, you could watch the short message that was prepared for this: Feast of Tabernacles Opening Night Message.
Feast of Tabernacles from Israel This was videoed in Israel to be played at the Feast of Tabernacles and is on the Feast of Tabernacles.
Behind the Work: Go Therefore and Make Disciples Highlights what has been happening in the Continuing Church of God and showing what it has been doing since the last Feast of Tabernacles.
Christian Pilgrims This was given in Orlando, Florida in 2014.
Messianic Jewish Beliefs This was given in Orlando, Florida in 2014.
The Temple, Prophecy, and the Work This was given in Orlando, Florida in 2014.
Human Nature: Where Did it Come From? This was given in Orlando, Florida in 2014.
The Future Kingdom of God This was given in Orlando, Florida in 2014.
Tradition and Scripture This was given in Orlando, Florida in 2014.
For the Last Great Day, we recommend that you watch the sermon given last year on that date (which only those in Orlando, Florida, heard on the Last Great Day in 2014): Shemini Azaret: The Last Great Day.
Others are expected to be loaded during the Feast of Tabernacles and be placed at the ContinuingCOG channel.
Here are links to some sermons given at the Feast of Tabernacles in 2013:
Other Sermons: There are also other sermons at http://www.ccog.org/category/sermons/ which could be appropriate at the Feast of Tabernacles, though they were not specifically prepared for it. Here are a few that some might wish to view:
Again, there are others at the http://www.ccog.org/category/sermons/ website.
May you have a great Feast of Tabernacles and learn what God would have you learn from this Feast.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Should You Observe God’s Holy Days or Demonic Holidays? This is a free pdf booklet explaining what the Bible and history shows about God's Holy Days and popular holidays.
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement--Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians "The Day of Atonement". Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
Tithing Questions and Some Answers Addresses some non-biblical arguments against tithing. Should people tithe?
Are Second and Third Tithe Still Valid Today? Some in the COGs no longer teach payment of third tithe, is this biblically correct? This article also discusses second tithe.
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today's Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law The Bible teaches that every seven years that the law should be read at the Feast of Tabernacles. This is what I did at the first Feast site were I gave an actual sermon (as opposed to a sermonette) in 2006.
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