Greetings,
Last Sabbath we were able to meet with a very happy group in the idyllic town of Hixson just outside of Chattanooga. So it came as a bit of a shock to read about the shootings that took place on Thursday in the areas where we had been on Sunday. The shooter lived in Hixson. We need God’s continual protection in this world as it is and we look forward to a time when people can live their lives in peace and safety.
The update this week will mainly address some housekeeping we need to do relative to the Feast of Tabernacles.
Firstly, I need to apologize for the difficulty many have had in registering on the website. Originally we began the development of a registration process on the basis of being able to make payments for activities online. As this progressed the platform was constructed but when we saw the costs involved by all companies that would process credit card payments the decision was made to do the same as we did last year – make payments at the site. However, rather than dismantle all the work that had been done, we proceeded with the same platform, hence the shopping cart approach. Many thanks to all who labored with the system and registered. We expect that there are many who have not registered and also visitors who may make last minute decisions to attend with us. As of today, registration figures stand at Oxnard – 124; Tulsa – 52. If you have not yet registered please do so or send an email to Rita Sampson who will be happy to take care of this for you. We are at the point of needing accurate numbers for activity planning.
On the weekly Sabbath immediately prior to the Feast (September 26) there will be Sabbath services at both Oxnard and Tulsa. We will stream services from Oxnard at the usual 11:00 am Pacific time. There will be no services in Concord CA, Duarte CA, Phoenix AZ, St. Cloud MN, Omaha NE, Oral SD and Denver CO that day.
I am pleased to be able to announce that we have been able to negotiate the use of the larger ballroom at the Oxnard Residence Inn for 2016. A contract is being prepared which we may need to negotiate but it is looking good so far. One thing we are finding is that with many different COG groups, there is strong demand for facilities for the Feast. Another COG group had approached the Residence Inn for 2016 so it is important we get a contract in place early. We are looking for a new location for the Central US so please keep that in your prayers.
Festival Music – Oxnard
Plans for Feast music are in the works and we are asking if those who will be attending Oxnard would be interested in being a part of the choir. The selections would be songs from the hymnal and “With the Sound of Trumpets.” This number has been sung before so hopefully it will be familiar and not difficult to learn.
Also needed are accompanists for special music. Other instrumentalists would be appreciated for offertory or special music.
If you would like to participate in this part of services, please contact:
Ray Newby raynewby@att.net or 925-783-3247
Children’s Choir
This year the children’s choir in Oxnard will be singing two beautiful songs composed and accompanied by John Hinds. If you have children who would enjoy participating please email Rita Sampson — rsampson@surfree.com — for practice recordings and words.
Bay Area Church Picnic
An invitation is extended to any who would like to join us for the annual church picnic on Sunday July 26. Extended family and members from any COG affiliation are welcome to attend this social event.
Details are on the website under the Welcome tab and Announcements.
Prayer Request
Our elder in Ohio, Bill Hutchison, requests prayers on his behalf as he has been diagnosed with the Epstein Barr virus and is combating fatigue which interferes with his ability to accomplish the many responsibilities that he has. Epstein Barr is especially affecting his throat, neck, his voice and upper back muscles.
From Cliff Veal: I have been working on preparations for the Feast of Tabernacles. As you know we have a festival site in Germany and of course also in Madagascar. One of my jobs is to get together sermon transcripts for the Feast of Tabernacles in those locations. In Rwanda our little group of four also gets together for the Feast. This week I worked on sermons so that we can get them off to Rwanda and Madagascar in time to be translated for the Feast of Tabernacles.
After my last trip to Africa I had mentioned that we were helping two of the young lads in Rwanda to find employment. One of them is in the process of getting a drivers license, which will enable him to find work. The other one is looking at getting a job in the cell phone (mobile phone) market. In most African countries almost everyone has a mobile phone, so there are many related peripheral areas which could be a source of a job.
Sabbath services will be streamed from Concord CA this Sabbath.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
