Gerald Weston Finally Reacts: Church Wide Fast Called, All Church Services, Passover and NTBMO Services Cancelled, To Be Held In Homes Instead

After two weeks of being stung by allegations of inaction and countless questions by church members., Gerald Weston finally makes some decisions.  All Living Church of God services are now canceled and members are to either watch sermons online or live stream them if their local pastor does so.

As usual, he starts his missive off with making church members feel unqualified to do anything right:

The pace with which the COVID-19 crisis is evolving keeps all of us on our toes as decisions and changes need to be made constantly. Transitioning to Sabbath services by means of electronic transmission is not entirely new to the Church, but the scope of the task creates challenges for us. Many members lack basic knowledge of how to connect to a livestream and ministers may lack the knowledge of how to help those less technologically astute. This is where we will need patience, as members may experience difficulties in some areas. However, there is no need to panic, as we will all get through this.

Stung by the questions by LCG members and others about his inaction during this pandemic, Weston blames people for speculating and making pronouncements about his inaction.

One challenge that we face is avoiding rumors. We have already heard a number of speculations and pronouncements floating about. They often begin with a grain of truth, perhaps something that was considered and/or discussed, but get passed along as though a decision has been made. This is how truths turn into “half-truths” and total errors. These do not benefit anyone, so please be patient. We will record a message updating everyone on developments in the Church during this COVID-19 crisis, and post it on the LCG website at the end of each week. These messages will be approximately 15 minutes in length. And, we may post additional messages as needed.

All LCG members are required to fast this coming Saturday.

Due to the serious nature of the current crisis, I am calling for a Church-wide fast for the Sabbath of March 28. We will livestream the service from Charlotte and it will be recorded for those unable to log in live. Time of services will be 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Savings Time).—Gerald Weston

Next, he lays out some guidelines:

...all LCG Sabbath and Holy Day services will be conducted online, not in person, during the current crisis. We don’t know how long this will last, but it appears it will be with us for a number of weeks. Pastors will be working out details on how to conduct these remote services and how brethren can access them in their own homes. If you have any questions about arrangements being made in your local area, please contact your pastor. 

...Pastors will also be working on arrangements so that brethren can keep the Passover in their own home, with baptized household members. Two options are available: (1) Pastors who are set up with livestreaming and/or phone hookups may conduct the Passover online with brethren in their area; and, (2) Pastors who are not yet set up with livestreaming or phone hookup may opt to have brethren in their area use the recorded Passover DVD, conducted by Mr. Ken Frank. Instructions are being distributed on how to self-administer the Passover.  

...Mr. Weston also explained in his meeting with the ministry that the Night to Be Observed should also be kept in our own homes, with members of our own household. The goal is, again, to limit physical contact with others outside our household, as government and health officials have strongly advised. Brethren are encouraged to, during the evening, call other brethren on the phone or through the Internet, with programs such as Skype, to fellowship electronically, but not to meet in person. 

...Mr. Weston encouraged the ministry in meetings this week to encourage brethren to take care of one another during this crisis. Phoning each other, assisting with ordering groceries (for delivery—many stores offer this) for those who cannot get out, checking on elderly members, and other acts of kindness are ways to show love in a time when some can suffer from great anxiety and loneliness. Now is the time to show we care, when others need it most. 

With all members now required to keep Passover in their homes, Weston laid down the law on what kind of wine and unleavened bread to buy.  God forbid if anyone used their own brain and bought anything outside his recommendations!

Wine: Members should obtain a small amount of red wine (grape juice is not acceptable). This should be done soon, in case grocery or liquor stores in your area unexpectedly close. Be sure you obtain natural, unfortified wine. Alcoholic content will be between 10–13 percent, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, or any other natural wine. Wines containing 19–20 percent alcohol are fortified and should not be used (the label will tell you the percentage of alcohol). 

Unleavened Bread: Members can purchase or prepare a small amount of unleavened bread. If you intend to purchase Matzos or Ry-Krisp (which is unleavened), you are encouraged to purchase it soon, in case your neighborhood grocery stores close unexpectedly or are out of stock. You may also make your own unleavened bread. 

Weston also has warned his followers that they should abandon their plans for the Feast of Tabernacles and stay locally. The church will eventually end up telling people where to attend instead of allowing them to go where they want if it is even possible at that point in the year.

Care Regarding International Travel for the Feast—Repeat Announcement

COVID-19, the coronavirus, has now been declared a global pandemic. One of its greatest dangers is that it is highly contagious, and the general population has no immunity to it. It is a killer to a small percentage of those who contract it, and about a fifth of those who contract it become seriously ill. The rest may have mild, flu-like symptoms, but still spread the illness as they continue to go about their normal activities instead of seeking medical assistance or quarantining themselves. Therefore, this is something to take seriously and, as we know, it is causing disruptions all over the world. We cannot predict what conditions will be like seven or eight months from now for the Feast of Tabernacles. We will keep the Feast, but we may need to cancel or limit travel to some sites. Governments, at any time, may ban group gatherings where they deem necessary. Therefore, please do not make reservations or final travel plans until we see how this is going to shake out. You may even want to consider attending your locally assigned site this year rather than traveling halfway around the world by air. As the scripture counsels us, we should take precautions when we see trouble on the horizon (Proverbs 22:3). 

Dave Pack/Restored Church of God: Even Though 6,000 Year's Ends Tuesday Night March 24, RCG Members Still Required To Give Money And Attend Church During "Stay-In-Place" Order

If you thought Dave and the Restored Church of God cannot get any whackier, then wait till you read this.  

From an RCG source

Meanwhile, the Great Packster is telling the RCG members that services are mandatory, so is tithing and offerings. No matter what local governments are saying about NOT traveling. And HQ also has this ‘encouraging message’ for the RCG members:

By now you have heard yesterday’s message that mentioned the Work of God is under threat of immediate shutdown.

Even though the governor of Ohio issued an order for its residents to "stay-in-place" Dave thinks he is above that order and is still requiring his employees and members to work and attend church. To do otherwise is letting Satan have his way.

While the Governor of Ohio has been praised for his leadership during the coronapocolypse, Dave thinks he knows more than he does, which is standard practice for COG leaders worldwide. 

Earlier this afternoon, the governor of Ohio announced a stay-in-place order, shutting down all non-essential businesses in the state beginning Monday. While this was expected, the blessing (and answered prayer!) is that religious organizations are still exempted. Think about this. If the Work was still headquartered in California—where a more strict stay-in-place order without a religious exemption was put in effect late last week—this would be a much different notification.

God’s Work today can continue!

Brethren, we do not know how much longer this religious exemption will apply. But without a doubt God’s hand is clearly on His Work and He has given us additional time to finish strong. Allow this to encourage you.

RCG members will soon be forced into giving money online. 

Given the current situation, the Business and Accounting Office will soon update you on more efficient ways to send your contributions to Headquarters. These steps are important in case there are disruptions to the mail service or further restrictions are enacted.

Dave wants to make it abundantly clear that he CANNOT be stopped, even though he says they risk being shut down. 

It is amazing the clarity that the passing of time will bring. Today, Mr. Pack took time to cover what may be the biggest reason yet that time is short. Unsurprisingly, it has much to do with the world collapsing around us. The Work of God—a Work that Christ promised cannot—CANNOT!—be stopped, is at risk of being shut down. Members in an increasing number of states in the U.S. are already being forced, under the threat of fines or jail time, to stay in their homes. They are being permitted to leave only for the barest essentials. Other parts of the world are today—right now—under even stricter circumstances as governments are shutting down public life.

In Mr. Pack’s message, he referenced the situation with the brethren in California. However, we have learned that brethren in several other locations are under increasing pressure. Shelter-in-place orders are now in force for Illinois, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Oregon and California. Some states have issued similar orders for specific counties. And this is just the United States!

Orders are also expected or have already been issued in Ontario, Canada, the United Kingdom, much of Europe, as well as the Philippines.  

With all the bad news going on around us, today’s message is actually one bringing encouragement. You will want to listen to it as soon as possible to see for yourself. While we cannot know the day or the hour (something that will be covered in the message) we are able to project what has to be ever so close. 

Well, I guess we had better bend over and kiss our asses goodbye because the 6,000 years of God's supposed plan is ending tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 24, 2020.   

One thing to consider, this Tuesday evening, going into Adar 29, is the exact day—the last day before the first day of the sacred year—we reach the 6,000-year plan of God. Could this be the “last day” we have all been looking forward to? Only time will tell but so many things line up for us to consider this possibility.

Or course, "Regardless" is in order here.  Like every other lying COG self-appointed prophet, Dave is a liar and does not know the time or the hour of Jesus' return.

Regardless brethren, we are to wait, and God tells us exactly how to do so. In Revelation 3:10, a people are lauded for keeping “the word of [Christ’s] patience.” The Greek word for patience there, as we know, is hupomone, or cheerful endurance. Notice this is not hupomeno, which means to “stay under” or “bear.” Christ meant what He said. We are to cheerfully endure as we await the return of Jesus Christ. This is despite those in the world (and our brethren in the splinters) who are bearing under all that is going on around us.

To close, stay encouraged! Why? To quote Mr. Pack, “Everything is right on track.”

The Headquarters Ministry

Just think how exciting it will soon be as Dave reports to us how Jesus Christ has returned to Wadsworth and is walking the grounds of the most beautiful campus ever built, where Jesus Christ tells Dave just how things will be as they prepare for His third coming.

Dave has it made. Once the world falls apart, he and his crew can run over to the Giant Eagle where they will willingly hand over all of their food and supplies because they know Jesus Christ is now living across the street, at least for a short while.  Who knows, the Big C may even walk across the street and shop for himself before all hell breaks loose.

It is certainly is an exciting time to be alive!

Norbert Link Upset Church Has To Be Canceled

End of age fatalist and Millerite false prophet, Norbert Link, is upset that church services have to be canceled due to the coronavirus. It is all vast conspiracy to numb people to future shutdowns of the church.  Apparently, he and Bob Thiel have been drinking too much of the same fermented tea. Biblical rules about quarantine are not convenient when it interferes with the personal interpretations these guys need to get their end-time malarkey across to the tens of their viewers.

Are We Heeding God’s Warning?
Norbert Link

Coronavirus! A man-made pandemic which originated in China, apparently due to the ungodly consumption of unclean meat. It is destroying the world—its civilization; its societies and global economy. Panic reaction to the virus has changed our daily lives… including cancellations of social and sport events; closure of schools, restaurants and shops; serious restrictions for our jobs and work abilities; national and international travel bans; prohibitions of assemblies and confinements in mandated isolation and quarantine… as well as cancellations of our religious worship services. 

Many countries have already banned church services, and who is to say as to how long these limitations of our religious and individual liberties and freedoms will continue… It is as if we are victims of a worldwide war… and in a sense, we are—each country seems to fight a suicidal war against itself and an all-encompassing “preemptive” war against other nations. 

When hearing this mind-boggling news which affects many innocent people and which sounds like the wild imaginations of a science fiction or horror movie, I wonder how much we have taken our freedom from autocratic restrictions and totalitarian governmental intervention for granted with the opportunity to assemble each week for our religious services. Many times, the sad truth is…

It is always the Church of God being attacked.  To hell with the rest of humanity.  It is always about them.