Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:
Post-Feast of Tabernacles greetings from Branson, Missouri!
Since we have to be at the airport early in the morning, I decided to send this letter out a little earlier than usual.
The Feast of Tabernacles seems to have went well in most places based upon reports I have received from Africa, Australia, North America, and Europe.
My wife, Joyce, however, suffered another serious concussion when she fell after she had taken some photographs of the Ten Commandments here. She has stability and other issues–please keep her in your prayers. Also, we learned that Sheila Doles was diagnosed with stage four cancer and is battling for her life–please keep her in your prayers. Despite severe health issues, Herb Haddon still attended and spoke at the Feast of Tabernacles in Canada–please keep him in your prayers.
Here are some festival reports, starting with one from Serbia, followed by one from Ethiopia, then Kenya, then the Philippines:
Dear Dr. Thiel.I was assigned to send the following report on the Feast of Tabernacles being upheld by the Serbian congregation due to elder Sasha’s trip to Australia.Since situation didn’t allow for me to be present from the beginning of the Feast due to slight health issues and isolation due to COVID policies, I will be joining the brethren at the place determined beforehand tomorrow. Brethren were kind enough to share their impressions with me on the accommodation and venues available to them at Vrnjacka Banja.For now we have 3 of the brethren in attendance (I connect with brethren via Skype) with friends (baptism candidates) and people interested in the doctrine joining us as circumstances allow them.We are having plenty of materials prepared by both you and elder Sasha Veljic, so the spiritual part of the feast is very well covered. When it comes to regular day to day life, some nuances popped up but it is something we are accustomed and well prepared for by both elder Sasha and brother Slobodan who have great experience upholding the feast in the Spirit given to us by our Lord.Eternal grace to Him for covering all our needs especially those that are spiritual so we endure through any tribulation.Warm greetings to both you and all who are upholding the Feast of Tabernacles, brethren and friends alike, and may the Lord keep you safe and well wherever you are.Sincerely Filip Zlatkovic.
Dear Dr. Bob:
This is a day we do celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, which fall today on eight day, which is the Last great day of the Feast here in gambella, Ethiopia.This is a very graceful day of God’s amazing plan of salvation of humankind.This day, was unknown to others groups likes cog7 day based on Denver and other group like cog7day under late Elder A .N Dugger based in Jerusalem.Thank to Almighty God who opened our minds, and to understand his plan which no man knows without filled his hearts with God spirit.I give my greetings to all friends in ccog who are doing the best work God assigned to them both men and women on all continents.Thank,Koang Deng.Dear Dr. Thiel:Much Christian greetings from Kehancha, Kenya.We are very grateful to you and Evangelist Evans for supporting us. We have celebrated one of the best Feast this year.May God richly bless you for the great Work you are doing.Herein attached is the Feast Report.Best regards,Bro. Ondigo.
Dear Dr. Thiel,
Last Sunday, the last day of the feast, I had the privilege to have Bong Tarona as my guest in our Radio Program. We took advantage discussing in tandem the topics about Why the Feast of Tabernacles, the Born Again, and of course the Gospel of The Kingdom of God.As always, a 60-minute episode isn’t enough space of time talking especially when in tandem.We were both excited and happy that for the first time we were together in this job to proclaim the gospel on the air.Please see photo…
Warm regards,Joe
Remember to plan to attend the Feast of Tabernacles in 2023!
Baptisms in Australia and the USA
Jesus said:
7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. …
10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 15:7,10)
So, there should have been plenty of rejoicing this past week or so.
Why?
Well, Tanya Halligan, her son-in-law Jamie Stonham and John Shackelton were baptized during the Feast of Tabernacles in Australia.
Then, Edith Andrade, Teresa Juarez, Courtney Swartz, Robert Holmes, Marla Holmes, and Nate Holmes were baptized during the Feast of Tabernacles in the USA. Below are the photos of those baptized, along with two children of Teresa Juarez:
We are pleased that people are answering God’s call.
Suggested Sabbath Day Service
Here is a suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and other interested people:
- 2-3 hymns (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, contains the materials from the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG with new covers, plus ten additional hymns; there is also some Choral Accompaniment online).
- Opening prayer.
- The suggested sermonette is: Did Job Keep the Ten Commandments? Other sermonettes are available at our Prophecy channel on BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/
- Announcements (if any; though for many it will be this letter) and one hymn.
- The suggested sermon, which for most who receive this letter via email and are not at a festival site, will be a recorded one. The suggested one is: Let’s Talk About Health. Other sermons are also available at the COGTube channel on BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogtube/
- Final hymn.
- Closing prayer.
Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear–if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often–you can select a quality as low as 144p. If your internet connection is still too slow (as my home one is) and/or you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, “Download MP3.” Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some cellular telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. This is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to improve that as well)–and, of course, we have written article options. Some people have found that if their internet connections are not fast enough, that they can simply listen to the messages that are found at the Bible News Prophecy online radio channel.
IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A ‘LETTER TO THE BRETHREN’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE ContinuingCOG channel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE Bible News Prophecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel. There are also messages in the Spanish language at the CDLIDDSermones channel.
World News Items
While the recently ended Feast of Tabernacles pictures a time of peace, Europe is looking to increase its military while also training Ukrainian soldiers (see EU training Ukranian soldiers, while Olaf Scholz calls for larger and militarily stronger Europe).
While the recently ended Feast of Tabernacles pictures a time of food abundance, there are more and more concerns about food shortages, food insecurity, and food price inflation (see also MS: The Food Crisis Of 2023 Is Going To Be Far Worse Than Most People Would Dare To Imagine). Scripturally, we know it will get worse in this age (cf. Revelation 6:5-6).
While in the CCOG, “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, KJV), many are promoting prophetic errors (e.g. see Harbinger Daily wrong about pre-tribulation rapture)–do not fall for Protestant or other deception.
Concluding Comments
Some are facing tests and trials because of God’s Holy Days.
Remember that Jesus said
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:3-12)
Brethren, be courageous and be blessed.
Sincerely,
Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer