LCG: Empty on Love

UCG Cancels Services While Gerald Weston Twiddles His Thumbs

United Church of God has made a wise decision to cancel church services for a while.

Will Gerald Weston now step up to the plate and have some balls to do likewise? With most of LCG members being 60-years of age and older, it would be the right thing to do.

eNews from Ministerial and Member Services
Issue 414

March 12, 2020


Personal From the President

Dear fellow servants of God,

Special Announcement For All Churches 

In an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, several governments (including state and federal authorities in the United States) have either encouraged or required people to isolate or self-quarantine themselves.

This month, many colleges, universities, businesses and organizations–including churches–temporarily adopted a policy of working from home and avoiding large gatherings, including church services, sporting events and similar gatherings. This may be disappointing, but it serves an important purpose. As U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the nation on March 11: by “continuing to take these tough measures, we will significantly reduce the threat to our citizens and we will ultimately and expeditiously defeat this virus.”

Following this presidential directive of taking “tough measures” is compatible with our church teachings, as the apostle Paul writes: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God…rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad” (Romans 13:1, 3, English Standard Version).

For the moment, we are going to temporarily do the same with our weekly church services (including our smaller congregations). Since a large percentage of our church members are in the high-risk range (ages 70 and above), it is prudent that we not inadvertently expose potentially vulnerable people to the virus, especially as they travel through public places. There is still no vaccine available for this virus and we are not certain what direction it will take in terms of spreading. We do not want to take unnecessary chances.

Therefore, in consultation with Donald Ward, Chairman of the Council of Elders, we are suspending Sabbath services in the United States and abroad for at least the next two weekends. This is an action taken after much prayer and receiving counsel from a variety of competent sources.

On those Sabbaths, in Cincinnati we will be telecasting special Sabbath services (beginning at 2:30 EDT) minus the physical attendance of brethren. Anyone can access these online services at https://www.ucg.org/webcast through PCs, tablets or smartphones. We invite any and all from all fellowships of the Church of God to join us. Congregations who have local hotlines set up to reach members should activate them at this time.

The act of isolating or quarantining people against the possibility of mass infection represents a sound response to diseases that are known or suspected to be deadly. The book of Leviticus records several such directions, where people with infectious diseases are required to stay apart from others. A variety of infectious diseases are discussed in Leviticus 13. In the case of an infectious leprosy condition, verse 46 describes the outcome: “He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp” (ESV).

It is our earnest prayer that this crisis spawned by the novel coronavirus will quickly abate. Especially on these two Sabbaths, we ask that you devote special time to praying for each other. You may also choose to fast sometime in the next few weeks as we approach the Passover during these uncertain times. We ask that you call or contact your brethren–especially the elderly who may be isolated already to a certain degree. As Jesus commanded us all, we are to love one another (John 13:34). In this challenging time, let us redouble our efforts and ask God to help us raise our personal spiritual efforts in demonstrating the divine love that is given to us through the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 5:5). Finally, as Paul encourages us, let “supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV).

Now is the time to be personally responsible and to trust God, seeking the refuge that He promises (Psalm 91). Please take deliberate action to sensibly protect yourselves.

In Christ’s service,

Victor Kubik

Restored Church of God Letter: "This is HUGE—and leaves us with a very tight window that appears to be closing NOW. "

This is an e-mail we received yesterday. I don’t have to tell you what the next message from Great David will look like, considering the announcement regarding the travel ban that was made by President Trump.

This is the full-length text:

Dear brethren, 

The letter you received Monday stating that each day this week could “become more horrific than the one before” is proving true. No one could want the things we are seeing. But they are indicative of God’s soon intervention! 

Like so many of you around the world, troubles are hitting “close to home” here at Headquarters. Ohio’s governor held a press conference Monday. There are now four confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the state. All are in nearby counties. But we here at Headquarters remain anchored by Christ’s command to “fear not.” Reiterating what Mr. Pack mentioned in the last email, God’s people have no need to worry!

The world on the other hand is entering full-on panic mode. Whole nations and many, many institutions are shutting down almost completely over this virus, but God’s people should certainly not “shut down” in their faith. The German chancellor today warned that as many as 58 million—70%!—in her country could fall victim to the virus. This translates to 2 million dead in Germany alone! And news reports indicate most Americans will come in contact with this pestilence, which the World Health Organization today declared a pandemic! 

All this bad news, compounded by other bad news around the globe, caused the Dow to fall 1,465 points today—the second-worst drop in history. Such volatility (it could again rally as it did yesterday) will almost certainly continue until markets close Friday. 

This very high-level look at the news alone proves time is short and confirms that, as much as we can possibly know, everything appears to be “go” for this week. The Big 12 must be BAD at Christ’s Return—and they are! But—BUT—they cannot be so bad that they conflict with the picture of ongoing eating, drinking, building, buying, selling and marrying described in Matthew 24 and Luke 17. Ask: How many would even go out in public were another week of horror added beyond this weekend? This is HUGE—and leaves us with a very tight window that appears to be closing NOW. In the remaining days, let’s more joyfully than ever hold to the closing words of the Bible: “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20)! 

In Christ’s service,
The Headquarters Ministry