Greetings,
The full moon this week reminded us that the Feast of Tabernacles is just a short two months away. Preparations are going well and we should have all the activities posted soon, so you can make your selections.
The opening night message was pre-recorded this week to allow time for translations as well as preparation for distribution to international sites. This message will be posted online prior to the first service for any who cannot attend a site or are in a time zone where streaming the live opening night service would be difficult. The daily services during the Feast will be uploaded to the website shortly after the conclusion of each service. This enables the international sites to download for play the next day.
Our brethren will be making use of this technology in their homes and/or in groups in Germany, the U.K., Rwanda, Madagascar, the Philippines, Australia and perhaps other countries as well. The technology that allows the streaming and recording of services is a great help, especially when we are so scattered. Recent upgrades to the editing process allows us to post videos in a more timely manner. For reasons beyond our control, the editing and posting process fell behind after the Days of Unleavened Bread, but we are now caught up and should not experience those delays again. We are very grateful for the volunteer laborers who devote so much time and energy into making these services available to others.
There will be announcements in the lead-up to the Feast requesting information (such as special music and handicapped needs for example) so please help by being ready to respond quickly. To date there has been a poor response to the request for special music, so if you are considering the possibility of a musical offering please let a coordinator know. Bentonville: Herb Van Curen hgvancuren@yahoo.com; Oxnard: Ray Newby raynewby@att.net. Music for a children’s choir has been prepared. If you have children who would like to participate please send an email to Ruth Myrick: remyrick@gmail.com.
Both Oxnard and Bentonville will have casual, Wild West themed dinner dances this year. For those attending in Oxnard a quality Dinner Cruise is being organized. It should be noted, though, that the cruise has to be paid for in advance of our arrival in Oxnard. The details are posted on the website under “Announcements.” For any further information contact Ken or Joy Vail at kjvail05@gmail.com.
As we approach the Feast of Tabernacles season it is not only very encouraging but also necessary to keep in mind the spiritual principles associated with the proper functioning of the body of Christ – “… the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share …” (Ephesians 4:16).
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
