Greetings,
This Sabbath Steve Andrews will be visiting with the Dallas congregation and I will be visiting with the El Paso congregation. I will join Steve on Sunday in Dallas and we will have some time with the leadership of the COGaWA group which is headquartered there. At their request we will get together with them to build and maintain an open relationship. Hopefully this will happen with other groups in time. Some have wondered why we might do this since we are not seeking to meld into an existing organization. Perhaps a reminder of the second major goal we set for ourselves back in January would be timely: To define a ministry of reconciliation—firstly, within the ministry itself, and secondarily, to seek reconciliation of the scattered flock—mending relationships with God and each other (2 Corinthians 5:17–20).
Feast Report
Submitted by Cliff Veal
The European site for the Feast of Tabernacles 2014 was the picturesque Bavarian village of Aschau im Chiemgau. Aschau is located between Munich and Salzburg, just north of Innsbruck, Austria. Our group of 20 participants came together from Germany, Switzerland, England and the USA. Despite language differences the joy of being at the Feast and the commonality of our spiritual bond enabled us to understand each other quite well. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and godly fellowship.
Aschau was primarily a German language Feast site, but care was taken to make sure that all messages given (whether in German or English) were simultaneously translated. English-speaking messages provided by our overseas speakers as well as recorded sermons from the Tulsa, USA site were well received and very much appreciated.
As Aschau lies at the base of the Kampenwand mountain (part of the Bavarian Alps), one highlight of the week was a cable car ride to the mountain peak behind the hotel. The view from that height was most inspiring. An afternoon touring the well-known city of Salzburg as well as a visit to the Herrenchiemsee Palace of King Ludwig II of Bavaria (patterned after the Versailles Palace outside Paris) were two of the highlights. Early on during the Feast a picnic on the banks of the Prien River, which runs through Aschau, afforded an excellent opportunity for getting to know one another better.
As was evident at the other Festival sites, we also felt God’s blessing as He once again instructed, taught and inspired us during this Feast of Tabernacles.
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The small group of brethren who met this year in Gitarama, Rwanda, reported that they had a wonderful Feast. They expressed their thankfulness and appreciation for the prayers and support of the brethren, as well as the sermon transcripts provided in advance which were then translated for them into the Kinyarwandan language.
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Over 20 brethren celebrated the Feast this year just outside of Antananarivo, Madagascar. As with Rwanda, transcripts of English sermons were provided in advance, which were then translated into the Malagasy tongue. The new site this year contributed positively to the atmosphere of rejoicing. The comment was made that the Malagasy brethren came away from the Feast feeling spiritually renewed.
Prayer Request
Betty Whitehead from the San Antonio TX area has been dealing with cancer for some time. Back in June Betty was told that all indicators were clear and she did not need to see her oncologist until a routine check scheduled for just before the Feast. Results just in from a PET scan have revealed that her cancer markers have been going up and indicate a mass under her right breast and armpit area. Betty had an ultrasound and biopsy today, October 31st and will see the oncologist next week for the results. She is grateful for our prayers.
Jack and Judy Rector: Jack had some complications from his back surgery and needed to go back to the hospital, but is home again now. Judy and her mother both had knee-replacement surgery this week, but are both out of the hospital. They are all in a great deal of pain and request your prayers.
Services this Sabbath will originate from South Dakota.
Warm Regards,
Brian Orchard
