LCG: "The Most Educated and Sophisticated Group EVER!"

On Yahoo Groups there is a forum for Living Church of God (Rod Meridith's splinter cult).  These people tend to be far more  conservative and rabid in their religious stance.  Not quite as bad as Six Pack Flurry, but far out of the realm of reason.

As far as LCG's 'dynamic' growth...it has NEVER happened.  They are still stuck in their time warp.  As for education they are still living in pre-1986 mode.  They frown on higher education, mock theology courses in other colleges, universities and seminaries (where you will get a far better education than you ever would in LCG).

Notice how they still mock Christians in the world around them.  They spell it with a little 'c'.

And true to Armstrongite thought, they say that God is not as pleased with  them as they had hoped for, so God still has to work with them a while longer.  Somewhere along the line they screwed up and God is NOT pleased!  Of that we can be assured because Spanky continually declares churchwide fasts in order for the church to humble it's self.

LCG thinks it is special and set apart from all other COGlet's.


Quote:

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I truly believe that the COG is on a verge of a golden era
and currently Jesus Christ, the head of the body, is laying down a
foundation of people who will be able to handle the stressess, and dyanmism
of fantastic growth. We are the most blessed ERA of christians in the
history of the church of God. By far we are the most educated and
sophiscated group ever, we have access to incredible knowledge, hindsight on
the previous era's of the church their accomplishments, and their failures,
our talents as a whole are wide ranging just look at the different types of
careers most church people have compared to christians in other era's we do
have the tools we have access to God's holy spirit.

God is just working with us a little more, and making sure we can handle a
new flood of his children.
I'm excited to see how it all turns out. We live in exciting times, and
perhaps we could be that generation who sees his Lord coming.

The Marson Report

 

The Marson Report

Concerning Herbert W Armstrong

by Richard Marson

Ashley-Calvin Press

Seattle Washington

1970

(pg 1) Preface

With newspaper in one hand and Holy writ in the other, Herbert W. Armstrong has been preaching the “soon coming-later than we think-downfall of he Untied States and British Empire” for nearly forty years.

Throughout Mr. Armstrong’s long career, the British and Americans have stood it seems, on the bare “last gasp, but eyed, choking” edge of the final and chaotic oblivion.  Final destruction was first slated for 1938; then 1969-1972 and, now, 1979 or 1980.

Possessing “definite knowledge” and “vital keys” this man and his son, Garner Ted Armstrong, utter foreboding omens of certain calamity and doom while expressing unmistakable confidence that their won personal brand of interpretation must be right.

In the mind’s eye, Mr. Armstrong sees most English speaking peoples as none other than the ancient Biblical house of Israel.  To him, Germany must be the historic Assyrian Empire and Italians descendants of the great Babylonian nation.

Many of the Biblical events of yesteryear leap to life before his mind to form a kaleidoscopic series of prophetic events. Mr. Armstrong insists that “one-third of the Bible is prophecy ninety-five percent of which has never yet been fulfilled.

Today, Garner Ted Armstrong carries on the work of his father. He expounds the same doctrines with the perfection of a Xerox machine.  Rare slips of the tongue result in moments of anxiety as he sits at his desk waiting for a phone call from Dad who often listens carefully.  “Ted,” a voice growls as he lifts the receiver, “What are you trying to do, ruin the work???”

(pg 2)Only since joining the work (as far as I know) has Garner Ted Armstrong expressed serious disagreement with his father. At that time, Herbert Armstrong immediately determined he would never again allow his son to speak on radio or television. Garner Ted quickly apologized, however, and today handles virtually all the radio and television broadcasting in the English language.

Whether or not Garner Ted Armstrong always agrees with his father he nonetheless continues to promote the same exact prophetic doctrines with plodding determination.

What about us?  Can we afford to accept the prophetic doctrines of this man without demonstrable proof?  It is high time the millions who hear Herbert W. Armstrong’s didactic prophetic messages had determined detailed analysis of this man’s concepts.

It is possible to prove when and where Herbert W Armstrong is right or wrong?  Yes!  The answer lies in some of his remarks.  All concepts and doctrines must go back to basic assumptions and foundations. Mr. Armstrong is no exception. We will examine his “vital keys” and find out where he gets his “definite knowledge.”

A copy of a personal letter to Mr. Armstrong follows.  As a former member of his group, I wanted to express in a more direct way some of my feelings concerning facts I have discovered.

(pg 6) Introduction

I became par t of Herbert W Armstrong’s group, now known as “The Worldwide Church of God,” in June 1960.

No doubt many people wonder how a person comes to be an Armstrongite.  Many readers of Mr. Armstrong’s literature do not fully grasp the fact that every article or book distributed by him is designed as a lure with which to lead its readers into his church.

Some of his articles and booklets question common Christian beliefs and practices in the light of Biblical example.  However, other literature is greatly concerned with future prophecy in the light of present-day world news.  Some of these news and prophetic type messages contain elements of fear psychology.

Some people who honestly desire to conform to the will of God or a God-like concept are led to believe Herbert Armstrong’s doctrines represent God’s will, and plan because they contain many plausible sounding arguments.

On the other hand, most who read Herbert Armstrong’s literature remain tranquil in spite of the fear psychology and eventually reach a conclusion that he is incorrect while others fail for one reason or another to seriously contend with the question at all.

For two decades or more, Mr. Armstrong’s church grew at about thirty percent per year.  In recent years, however, the growth rate has declined and present trends indicate a further shrinkage in membership growth. In October 1969, 54,000 members attended the group’s annual convention in the United States and Canada.  An additional 9,000 attended in other countries of the world.  Because attendance is demanded of all members this represents a fair estimate of the present size of (pg 7) the organization, a culmination of about forty years’ effort on Mr. Armstrong’s part.

A new member is rapidly and continually taught that he must not disagree with Mr. Armstrong or his representatives.  By the time a person is declared to be a member he is expected to have “proven” that Mr. Armstrong’s church represents the Almighty’s work on earth.  To expound any other concept to other members is heresy and is not tolerated.

One of the earliest booklets I received from Herbert Armstrong was entitles “1975 in Prophecy.”  This booklet was one of the most noticeable examples of fear psychology distributed by the Armstrong movement.  An approximate representation of some of the pictures contained in this booklet and other booklets are as follows:

The most horrible example of these pictures shows people in the foreground in the throes of stupefying expressions of abject horror!  The entire earth is crumbling around them in cataclysmic convulsions of an unbelievable earthquake.  Volcanoes are erupting everywhere.  Mile-long chasms open on all sides.  People, trucks, cars, buses and bridges are falling into these great yawning gulfs by the thousands.  The sky is black with soot, rocks and smoke as the earth erupts in one last great spasm of utter destruction.

In a second picture we see buildings burning everywhere; the result of a fiery sun seven times hotter than normal. People are dashing about holding their heads in fear and pain.  Bodies everywhere are covered with great blotches and welts the result of great plaques.

(pg 8) The third picture finds us looking at a scene of comparative quiet. People have been reduced to living, leering, vulture-like remains.  One in the foreground is a skeleton clothed in tight fitting skin. Eyes bug from the head, in vacant agony. The mouth, agape, displays missing teeth interlaced with cracked fragmented remains.  The head, perched as it were upon a gnarled, twisted rock like neck, is anchored precariously to the remains below.  One tree exists in the background shorn of all living evidence save two stub. All is in ruins.  A child lies dead in its mother’s grief stricken arms.  Some sit wanting for the final end while others barbarously attack the last morsel of food.

“1975 in Prophecy” has had a very definite effect on many people who have read it including me.  I well remember one person who had to be treated for mental disorders as a result of Mr. Armstrong’s literature.  The book “1975 in Prophecy” was the very first book read by my brother who is still a member of the group.

Today, in order to present a better image, Mr. Armstrong is becoming less vivid in describing future events as he sees them.  A short time ago members were ordered to destroy “1975 in Prophecy” was well as certain other booklets.  “1975 in Prophecy” was to be destroyed, members were told, because they were too prone to set dates for the downfall and destruction of the Untied States and British Empire.  As mater of fact, this booklet did leave one with an impression that the United States and Great Britain would be destroyed about 1972 and the end of the present world would come in 1975.  Due to the fact that these dates were approaching all too fast, Mr. Armstrong felt compelled to do something about it.  He has become increasingly desirous of playing down such dates.

(pg 9)  There is still one book which Mr. Armstrong widely advertises containing similar dating and fear psychology.  This booklet is called the Untied States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy.” One could easily miss the dating evidence in this book because Herbert Armstrong uses non dated phrases similar to the following: A staggering turnoff world events will erupt in the next four to seven years.  To see when test four to seven years are to occur, one need only turn to the title page and find the words “Copyright 1967 Ambassador College.”  By doing so, it became clear that Herbert Armstrong meant 1971 to 1974 when he wrote the book.  I intend to expound on much of what Herbert Armstrong writes in that very book.

In some old Plain Truth articles, particularly in his magazine the Plain truth, Herbert Armstrong has been quite specific in dating prophetic events but has been quite emphatic in denying this fact in recent years.  Lately, Mr. Armstrong has begun to feel that there may be about nine more years before the United States and Great Britain are destroyed.  Is Mr. Armstrong correct in any of his prophetic interpretations?  At one time, he even felt the end of the present world would occur about 1938 to 1949.  Many events from the present world News are used by him in an effort to substantiate his predictions.  Do these vents prove him right?

(Pg 10) The Marson report is concerned with getting to the core of Herbert Armstrong’s convictions.  What are the basic concepts from which he develops his predictions?  If these basic foundations are proven wrong then the predictions on which they depend will fall with them.

Herbert Armstrong affected the lives of millions and is looked upon as the interpreter and guide to truth to tens of thousands, who believe he is right.  It is high time these members and the general public had a completely documented report expounding on Herbert Armstrong’s doctrines – a report determined to prove, once and for all, whether his concepts can stand the test of a determined, point by point examination.

Many Armstrongites are in for a real shock!

My Big Shock

During a period of time prior to leaving the group, I began to notice certain problems which seemed to exist between doctrines of Herbert Armstrong and Biblical example.  It became obvious to me that there was either error in the basic Bible writings or error in the Herbert Armstrong’s interpretation of the Bible or both.  I set about examining and making extensive notes on these matters with the thought of bringing them to the attention of the local group in Seattle and Mr. Armstrong.

(pg 11) Before I was able to do so I received a great shock.  One night, the local director brought a small group of members together, as he does from time to time.  My wife and I were included.  During the course of the conversation he began to say that he had doubts as to whether or not the Bible would be used in the world tomorrow because it contained inaccuracies.

At this point, my early warning radar sprang to life! Alarms sounded and my ears perked to attention like great searching antenna.  Just what was he trying to say?  In Mr. Armstrong’s church the Bible is supposed to be regarded, in its basic form, as being one-hundred percent the inspired word of God without error.

One of the ladies in the group began to question the local director. He did not seem anxious to pursue the subject.  His final statement was essentially this: whether or not the Bible was used in the world tomorrow was not important because Herbert Armstrong’s booklets and literature represented an understandable rewriting of the Bible.

I began to have little incentive for remaining a part of this organization. The time had come to conduct a careful investigation into every aspect of the group’s doctrines.  About a month later, I mailed a hasty report expounding on some of the concepts which I had begun to seriously question.  The report went to about one hundred of Mr. Armstrong’s members. I left the group at this time, whereupon they quickly slammed he door behind me – for sending the report-and forbid any member to see or talk to me.

Continuous investigation since then h as brought shock after shock. It is hard for me to believe how utterly deceived I had been.  In this report, I will present some of this vast evidence. Much more must be left for subsequent reports.

(pg 13) After joining that organization, I studied and believed all that was written or said.  At times, small questions would arise but we would seldom allow ourselves to question Mr. Armstrong feeling he must know best.  Many times we were reminded that Herbert Armstrong was supposed to be the Almighty’s top physical representative on earth today.  How could we question God?  Large questions and problems concerning the doctrines of this man failed to arouse me to the realization that much of his doctrinal foundation could be in error.

Eventually, I was used by his group to visit members as ahead of a two-man team under the local representative. I expounded his doctrines faithfully, can could not conceive or understand when others differed with him.

Some time later they ordained me (a) deacon. I was then assigned responsibility in taking care of certain physical functions of the local group area.  Bookkeeping and sound communications were my basic duties.

(pg 14)  Many would ask why I failed to question various doctrines before ten whole years had elapsed.  The answer is simple.  When a person enters this group he normally finds his time completely taken up.  Members are encouraged to study their Bibles but, in reality, seldom find time for the real searching effort needed to properly understand many little understood facts concerning it.

Many people realize the fact that Mr. Armstrong’s organization distributes large quantities of books, booklets, articles, study courses, etc.  Members are asked to study and restudy them as they have time. They must attend Saturday services each week and attend regular Bible Study meetings as often as possible.  There are also special Holy Day meetings plus resultant review notes they must study.  Many belong to local choir groups with rehearsals once or twice a week.  The groups conducts a speech club for men once a week plus the many extra-curricular activities associated with it including speech preparation, money raising activities, banquets, etc.

There are also many social activities which while good and of an excellent nature, are designed to devour spare time. Thus, this great use of time contributes to the fact that few members will question basic ideas once caught in the fold.  There is just not much time in which to become suspicious.

(pg 19)  Mr. Armstrong says in his book to “expect breathtaking surprises,” We are to be ready for “startling, amazing, eye-opening facts until now hidden from our eyes.”  We are told that these prophecies have not been understood or believed until now because the vital key which unlocks prophecy to our understanding has been lost.  At last, Mr. Armstrong stands ready to reveal those secrets to us! He asserts that the great lost key is none other than the proof of the identity of the United States and the British peoples in Biblical prophecy!  “The same key has been found” he says, and it is to be presented to “those whose unprejudiced eyes are willing to see it.”

It becomes obvious at once reading U.S. B.C.P. that this theory is pretend as being revealed knowledge to Herbert Armstrong from God. However, Garner Ted Armstrong has mentioned on the (pg 20) radio broadcast, from time to time, that U.S.B.C.P. was taken from another book. Which book he does not say. Some within the organization recognize the book mentioned as being Judah’s Scepter and Joseph’s Birthright. This book was written by JOHN Allen in 1917.

But, if this great “reveled” knowledge is not unique to with Herbert Armstrong…then neither is it unique with J.H. Allen.  In the preface to Mr. Allen’s book we receive a clue as to where the theory came from.  We will quote:  “Consequently, when, perchance, we found some prophetic utterance therein [the Bible], which we were forced to admit had not become a historic verity, and since this was the dispensation of the Spirit, we felt at liberty to give the reigns to our somewhat vivid imagination, and let it run unchecked through the verdant and fruitful fields of speculation…”  Who gave him this liberty? God?

Was the result of J. H. Allen’s “vivid imagination” really unique with him? No, not quite!  The ultimate invention of the concept originated with a man by the name of Richard Brothers. The Hastings Encyclopedia of religion and Ethics states: “Anglo-Israelism owes its modern success to Richard Brothers (1757-1824), a half-pay officer of eccentric habits in the English Navy. He described himself as ‘nephew of the Almighty’ and claimed descent from David.  Among his prophecies were those from the immanent restoration of Israel to the Holy Land and the elevation of himself as ‘Prince of the Hebrews’ and ruler of the world!  Richard Brother’s was confined as a lunatic, but succeeded in obtaining many admirers.”

(pg 21)  Mr. Armstrong’s book U.S.B.C.P.  Is a direct though modified, descendent of Richard Brothers’ Anglo-Israelism.  A good insight into the past history of this theory may be gained by reading J.H. Allen’s Judah’s Scepter and Joseph’s Birthright as it shows some of the revising used to get the concept into its somewhat modern form from which Herbert Armstrong obtained it.  One might also read The Delusions of British Israelism by Anton Darms.

A lesson well learned in studying the whole history of British Israelism is the fact that the theory grows around events of history, not Biblical example.

The main question is, of course, is not who invented the concept but whether or not there is any shred of Biblical truth in it.

The vast importance of knowing the truth regarding this theory becomes all too evident when one understands how it effects virtually all prophecy of the Bible in this latter day as interpreted by Herbert Armstrong.

(Marson the recommends that the ready take up a copy of the US&BC in hand and follow along.  He proceeds to debunk and disprove Armstrong’s various interpretations. 

Most books on Armstrong’s tend to attack the British Israel silliness.  This theory is the first obstacle they need to remove. Once you removed and debunked British Israelism, everything else in Armstrong’s House of Cards starts crumbling. )

News From The Past: Religion was key to slain Lessard family, relatives say

Armstrongism like many cults, always has had people pushed over the edge.  When your entire belief system continually makes you out to be a worthless, sinful and doomed human being; what hope is there?

Just take a look at a typical COG 'Passover' service.  You are made to feel like human excrement because you dared walk in the room.  You are unworthy to even be there.  They read those scriptures over and over.
And then the ministry rise up in all their pompous glory and pull the microphone down low over the tray of matzo's.  Then they start breaking the matzo's.  Making sure to go as slow and deliberate as possible.  They want to make sure you re-crucify Jesus over and over , year after year, decade after decade.  When you walk out of the room that evening you don't know Jesus any more than you did when you walked in the room. 

When you have no hope all joy has been taken from you because you are exhausted trying to measure up. You try to attend all services, Bible Study's, choir practices, spokesmen clubs, helping people move, painting the minsters home and cleaning his house then what fun is left? You don't have time to do anything away from church members.  And if you do, you feel guilty.

Here is story about a man in the WCG who killed his family and himself.  The relatives blame Armstrongism



------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Religion was key to slain Lessard family, relatives say

By DIANA COSTELLO
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: February 24, 2007)

Steven and Kathy Lessard of Lake Peekskill were quiet people who met at a church event as young adults and deepened their devotion to God as they traveled to religious festivals around the country.

Polite. Generous. Personable.

These are the qualities people who knew them -whether intimately or just in passing -attributed to the couple and their only child, Linda.

"If you're standing in line and somebody looks in your basket and sees you've got fewer things and lets you go by -that's the kind of kindness I'm talking about," said the Rev. Jeffrey Broadnax of the Worldwide Church of God, an evangelical Christian denomination. "They were always just really pleasant people, and you just enjoyed being around them."

But the family's final chapter ended in tragedy last week, authorities said, when Steven Lessard strangled his wife and 14-year-old daughter before thrusting a steak knife into his groin to kill himself.

The gruesome event has since taken a toll on family and friends, who say they are struggling to make sense of a fate they never imagined would befall what had seemed to be a lovely family.

Autopsies have led police to think that 51-year-old Steven Lessard strangled his 48-year-old wife with his bare hands the night of Feb. 15 or early Feb. 16. He then used a ligature to strangle his daughter when she returned from school the afternoon of Feb. 16, police told the wife's family.

He tucked them both into their beds once they were dead.

Lessard took his own life by cutting the femoral artery on the right side of his groin sometime after 3 p.m. Saturday, police said.

He had been receiving psychiatric treatment for emotional problems and was worried about losing his job at the Indian Point nuclear power station in Buchanan, where he had been put on leave this month for overreacting to a flat tire on his car.

In conversations, one aspect of the Lessards' lifestyle that has emerged as a sore spot with relatives was their involvement with the Worldwide Church of God.

The church was founded in Oregon in 1933 by Herbert W. Armstrong, who viewed himself as an apostle chosen by God.

Under his leadership, the church followed a strict interpretation of the Old Covenant. As such, members were forbidden to celebrate such traditional Christian holidays as Christmas and Easter.

Armstrong's death in 1986, however, was the beginning of the end for the church's restrictive philosophy.

His successor initiated a series of doctrinal changes and set forth a new proclamation in 1995 that transformed the movement into a mainstream evangelical denomination. The National Association of Evangelicals voted to accept the Worldwide Church of God into its membership in May 1997.

Steven and Kathy Lessard apparently met at a Church of God event in the Baltimore area, according to Kathy's family.

They had belonged to the Mount Kisco branch since at least 1993, according to Broadnax, who became pastor that year.

He described the family as active participants, frequently attending services and church events throughout the country.

But the family left the church about the same time it joined the evangelical association.

It was also around the time the Mount Kisco church relocated to Armonk and the family bought a home in Lake Peekskill after moving from Cortlandt.

Helen Beach, Steven Lessards' mother, said the family was upset about the church's new direction.

"I know they were very unhappy. I don't remember the specifics," Beach, 78, said by telephone from her Florida home.

After leaving, the family members apparently did not belong to any formal religious organization, but nevertheless continued to follow the same customs they had been living by, Beach said.

They read the Bible. They loved God. And they still shunned traditional Christian holidays.

That infuriated Lessard's mother, who had raised her son Methodist and said his family must have been brainwashed. She said her son had returned to a Methodist church within the past few months.

Kathy Lessard's family also was troubled by the couple's approach to the holidays. Kathy was raised in a Catholic tradition, attending church in South Baltimore, her family said.

"We were told very clearly that we could never send a Christmas gift or even a card at Easter time. They did not have a Christmas tree or house ornaments," said her nephew, Michael Aro, 38, of Glen Burnie, Md.

It particularly bothered Rosella Aro, who was married to Kathy Lessard's brother.

"I'd see something in a store and think of Linda, the same age as my granddaughter, and would want to get it for her, but then I remembered that they would not want me to," she said this week.

"I did send a holiday card for the New Year and was told that was all right. We never got one back."

Since the local church turned more mainstream, it has seen membership drop to about 70 families from about 250, mirroring declines and splits in the Worldwide Church. The church overall says it has 67,000 members in more than 100 countries.

Seeing Steven Lessard labeled as a "killer" and "family annihilator" in the newspapers has hurt Broadnax, who said he doesn't view him that way and trusts God will deal judgment appropriately.

"We do believe that in the afterlife all people will stand before God and will have to give account for themselves," said Broadnax, who lives in Peekskill. "We believe that God is a merciful God who judges what we can't see as human beings. He judges the heart, not always just the actions."

Staff writer Barbara Livingston Nackman contributed to this report.
Reach Diana Costello at dcostell@lohud.com or 845-228-2278.
Religion Key To Murder
--------------------------------

Family of murder victims shocked at the brutality of their deaths

By BARBARA LIVINGSTON NACKMAN
THE JOURNAL NEWS
Related Articles:
Tragedy divides relatives of slain family
Mother of man who killed wife, daughter, self: Psychiatrist 'could have stopped it'



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(Original publication: February 23, 2007)

PUTNAM VALLEY - After Steven Lessard, a nuclear engineer battling emotional problems, strangled his wife and daughter, he tucked them neatly back into their beds. Much later -after shoveling snow off the end of his driveway - Lessard took a steak knife and killed himself, leaving behind two inches of blood in the bathtub.

The grim details and grisly remains of the drawn-out murder-suicide at the house on Maple Road are what the family of Kathy Aro Lessard has had to confront over the last several days as they prepare to take her and 14-year-old Linda back to Baltimore, Md. for burial.

The horror of what happened to the Lessards seemed beyond comprehension as Kathy Lessard's side of the family sat yesterday in her pink-and-beige living room surrounded by her needlecrafts. Above the front door a plaque read: "Home Sweet Home."

"Seeing the house tells you he provided for them and she took care of things," said Edward Aro, 69, a 30-year veteran of the Baltimore city police department who's seen more than his share of gruesome crime scenes. "It makes you think what was wrong that this happened?"

Although there was nothing to hint at the violence Steven Lessard visited on his own wife and child, there were other signs, family members said, that the marriage was unhappy.

"He controlled everything that went on in the house and to them," said Michael Aro, Kathy's 38-year-old nephew. "I did not really think about it, but looking back, it was bad. She smiled, but you can see in these photos it was a sort of plastic, fake smile."

The family described Steven Lessard, a 1977 Naval Academy graduate, as a manipulative man who kept Kathy and Linda Lessard away from the Aros. The Lessards visited Baltimore many summers, but always stayed in a hotel rather than relatives' homes.

Kathy never was in a room without Steven present, her nephew recalled. His mother, Rosella Aro, said when she called her niece, Kathy often gave clipped answers and it was clear that Steven was in the room too.

"I just can't believe, can't imagine, my husband or kids getting that mad to do something like this. Why didn't he pack up and get out, or tell her to get out?" Rosella Aro said.

The bodies of the Lessard family were discovered Monday after police received a call from Steven Lessard's mother concerned that she was unable to reach them.

Lessard was placed on leave Feb. 8 from his job at the Indian Point nuclear power plants in Buchanan for bizarre behavior. He had been seeing Sleepy Hollow psychiatrist Mark Russakoff and, according to his mother, had an appointment with Russakoff Thursday but the doctor was not there.

Sometime that night or the next morning, autopsies led police to conclude that Lessard strangled his wife with his bare hands. The next day, after his daughter came home from school, he strangled her with some kind of rope, police told the Aro family. Lessard did not take his own life until sometime after 3 p.m. Saturday. A neighbor said she nearly ran over Lessard with her car as he shoveled snow from the end of his driveway late that afternoon. He later bled to death on the staircase after stabbing himself in the groin.

The Aros arrived Tuesday night, finding what otherwise appeared to be an orderly house where the bills were paid on time and Kathy Lessard had recently redone the kitchen. It was their first visit to the house in Lake Peekskill although the Lessards had lived there for 10 years.

The Aros said there were more than 100 messages of support and condolence left on the answering machine. They unplugged the machine and said they would listen to every message and return the ones with phone numbers when they got back to Baltimore.

It was there at Martin's West, a popular Baltimore caterer, that Kathy Aro married Steven Lessard 18 years ago. Their wedding photo shows Kathy in a sweeping white dress embraced in the arms of her blond-haired, dark-suited groom.

Raised a Catholic, the youngest of five, Kathy grew up in South Baltimore's Federal Hill neighborhood and later worked as a clerk for the state of Maryland. She became involved in the Worldwide Church of God, an evangelical denomination with 67,000 members in more than 100 countries. She met Steven Lessard at a church event for young adults.

Family members said the Lessards often traveled on what they thought were church-sponsored trips. They did not celebrate holidays and while they could receive cards, as far as the Aros knew, there was never a Christmas tree in their house.

There will be a funeral Mass for Kathy and Linda Lessard on Tuesday and a wake sometime before that.

Yesterday, some 50 of Linda Lessard's classmates at Putnam Valley Middle School gathered for two counseling sessions.

"If only one person showed up it would have been worth all of our planning," said Principal Edward Hallisey, who opened the school during the winter break to help the community cope with the tragedy.

Linda Lessard was a talented artist, her cousin Michael recalled, sharing two sketches she drew in January showing emotionless faces of a boy and girl with careful details of spikey hair and proportional features. Linda often sang the 1970s tunes of Barry Manilow and the BeeGees that her mother loved.

The Aros said they did not want to pry when they heard less frequently from Kathy - the Lessards did not make the trip to Baltimore last summer - but figured that she knew her family was there if she needed them.

They had no inkling that she and her daughter were in danger from Steven Lessard.

"He wasn't a favorite character in the family," said Edward Aro, his clear blue eyes growing wet with tears. "Now we are just sad, very sad."

Staff writer Diana Costello contributed to this report.
Reach Barbara Livingston Nackman at bnackman@lohud.com or 845-228-2272.
Murder Article