Dear Brethren and co-workers in Christ:
It has been a fairly difficult week in several areas–but we basically made it through it.
To share some details, first of all the audio portion of the last sermon did not record, so the sermon had to be done a second time. Then, when we went to upload it to YouTube, YouTube told us it would take 8-9 days to upload, so after about a day, we cancelled the upload and tried another computer at a different location. And then it took about 20 hours for the first phase to upload and multiple additional hours beyond that. To reduce problems like this, we ordered a new internet board that is supposed to be about 4 times faster. But it is supposed to take some time before it gets here. Anyway, there were a lot more complications with getting the sermon available, but what I have described should give an idea of some of the difficulties we faced.
While all of this sermon uploading was going on, I also got hit hard by a virus that made it fairly difficult to carry out my daily duties (and am barely functional now), but carried them out anyway. But, as Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Obama Kindle Book Promotion
The free Amazon Kindle promotion of the second edition of my book Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States did very well. The promotion still has several hours left to run, but already we have had more than twice the number of books downloaded as were downloaded when the first edition of the book was announced in September 2012. Normally, one would expect that less people would be interested in a second edition, especially if they already had the first edition, yet we of the Continuing Church of God have reached more people this way than prior to the formation of the Continuing Church of God.
Radio Interviews
Did two radio interviews this past week. And while no further ones are currently scheduled, based upon audience estimates as provided by the radio hosts, we of the Continuing Church of God have reached more people in our first few weeks of existence than any non-GTA group that was part of the old Worldwide Church of God or the old Global Church of God.
Since our first month is still not over (and while it may be for radio, it is not for the internet), God willing, I intend to provide statistics related to our reach in the letter next week.
COGwriter and World News
The www.cogwriter.com/news/ website was updated regularly and averaged three article posts per day.
One item that you may wish to read, if you have not already done so, was the article titled 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade: What has happened and what will happen? The 40th anniversary of the US Supreme Court decision overturning USA’ states anti-abortion laws was this past week, yet few seem to realize how far the USA has fallen economically since then.
Journal Interview
It is still not clear if the latest BibleNewsProphecy YouTube will be available for tomorrow yet.
Taking that into consideration, here is my suggested format for Sabbath services for January 26, 2013:
- 2-3 hymns (we are using the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG and the choral accompaniment)
- Opening prayer by an appropriate male if present).
- Sermonette (short 8-15 minute subject) or Bible New Prophecy YouTube video. The newest one is The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South.
- Announcements (which probably will be this Letter to the Brethren) and one hymn.
- Sermon (which for most will be a recorded one), which for nearly all of you will be What is the meaning of your life?
- Final hymn.
- Closing prayer by an appropriate male (if available).
We appreciate you bearing with us as we learn how to better provide sermons and other materials to you all. We expect to do better over time.
Pray for More Laborers
This week, I received emails from New Zealand and Canada asking what some there could do to assist us of the Continuing Church of God in Arroyo Grande, California. One or more assignments were given based upon those requests.
But I would like to add is that what is really needed is prayer.
Specifically, notice something that Jesus said:
37…”The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)
So, please pray for that, as well as myself and my family, as we attempt to serve all of you.
Thank you for your support and encouragement as we strive to do what God would have us do.
Sincerely,
Bob Thiel, Pastor and Overseer
Continuing Church of God