Everyone has returned safely from the Feast of Tabernacles which was conducted in both the United States and Germany. On the Last Great Day of the Feast in Germany, Rene Messier from Canada and Brian Gale from England, were elevated in ministerial rank to the office of Pastor. Also, we had five baptisms from among those attending in Germany. We will give more details in our upcoming Member Letter.

A new German sermon has been recorded by Norbert Link, and this will be played on the Sabbath. It is titled, “Das heutige Sodom.” (In English: “Today’s Sodom.”).

Norbert and Johanna Link have arrived safely in Germany. Mr. Link will conduct services for the Day of Atonement and then he will be giving sermons at the Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day. Ministers Rene Messier, Brian Gale and Mike Link, as well as Deacon Kalon Mitchell, will also assist at this newly established German Feast site. You may find more details by visiting our website and searching “Feasts.”

“Why Christ Will Return!,” is the title of our recent Feast of Trumpets sermon presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. This is now posted and here is a summary:

In this sermon, we are showing you many reasons why Christ will come back very soon. The biblical Feast of Trumpets symbolizes His return and the accompanying circumstances and conditions. Without Christ’s second coming, mankind would have no future, and even converted Christians would be lost.

As a reminder, here are the dates for the upcoming Holy Days: September 14th–Day of Atonement; September 19th (beginning with opening night on September 18) through the 25th–Feast of Tabernacles; September 26th–Last Great Day. We will be broadcasting services live in the United States from our location in Vail, Colorado. For further information on our Feast sites in Colorado and Germany, please consult our website: www.eternalgod.org. For additional information on our Feast site in Germany, please also go to http://www.aufpostenstehen.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2013/.

Two new StandingWatch programs, presented by Evangelist Norbert Link, have been produced and are now posted:
 
“Watch Germany as the World’s New Leader”

Washington is pushing Germany “to take on a greater global leadership role”, while America abrogates its leadership position. Germany’s disappointment with the USA and President Obama is growing. Germany is still a reluctant giant, but it has begun to assert itself “with the creeping recovery of self-confidence.” It is now being asserted that history has given Germany “a mandate to play an influential role in all of the world’s affairs”; that “the role of being an active player falls on” it; and that “the rest of the world is waiting for Germany.”

“America’s Self-Inflicted Isolation”

The Syrian debacle shows once more the unparalleled troubles America is facing. Being attacked by its enemies and completely isolated from its allies, President Obama does not seem to know what to do. At the same time, America’s spying activities and its policy to assist Egypt’s successive governments, while refusing to grant individuals asylum who are being religiously persecuted in other countries is a sad indictment of a nation which has forsaken values which it once possessed.

“Kampf für die Freiheit” (English title: “Fight for Freedom”) is the title of a new German sermon.

“Warum Christus Zurückkehrt!,” (English title: “Why Christ Will Return.”) is the title of the German sermon for the Feast of Trumpets.

“Ägypten, Syrien und Iran in Ihrer Bibel” (English title: “Egypt, Syria and Iran in Your Bible”) is the latest AufPostenStehen program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link.

Also, our most popular SW program, “When Will Russia Attack America,” has by now received about 142,800 views.

As a reminder, here are the dates for the upcoming Holy Days: September 14th–Day of Atonement; September 19th (beginning with opening night on September 18) through the 25th–Feast of Tabernacles; September 26th–Last Great Day. We will be broadcasting services live in the United States from our location in Vail, Colorado. For further information on our Feast sites in Colorado and Germany, please consult our website: www.eternalgod.org. For additional information on our Feast site in Germany, please also go to http://www.aufpostenstehen.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2013/.

“The Ten European Revivals of the Ancient Roman Empire,” has now been published, and it is available online. Copies are available upon your request. Also, we will have copies for distribution at our U.S. Feast site.

A new German booklet is being printed in Germany, and this is a translation of the English booklet, titled, Human Suffering, Why…and How Much Longer? This booklet will be finished and available at our Feast site in Germany.

“Alaska in Bible Prophecy” is the title of a unique and insightful StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Inspired by a recent trip to Alaska by him and his wife and Mr. and Mrs. Messier, Mr. Link discusses the biblical relevance of Alaska being included in the great national blessings given to the United States–part of the promises of God to the descendants of Abraham! Here is a summary:

Does the Bible say something about the past and future of Alaska? How, when and why did Alaska become a member of the Union? Why is Alaska so blessed with natural resources, and why has it been plagued with natural and man-made disasters? What is in store for Alaska?

“God’s Viewpoint on Transgender and Homosexual Individuals,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

Bradley Manning says that he is a woman and requests hormone therapy or sex-reassignment surgery. Students in California public schools can now choose their gender. California and New Jersey prohibit gay-conversion therapy for those under age 18. Chris Christie states that homosexuality is not a sin, and that gay people are born that way. Germany is the first European country allowing parents to opt out determining their baby’s gender to allow their children to choose later in life whether to become male or female. What does the Bible say about these developments?

Global Trailer 8 is about Jesus Christ–A Great Mystery. These trailers join a growing list of presentations by Mr. Brian Gale specially targeting YouTube viewers in Great Britain.

“Neu! Erdbeben—nur ein natürliches Phänomen?,” is the title of this week’s German sermon. It covers earthquakes in the Bible. English title: “Earthquakes—Just a Natural Phenomenon?”

“The Kingdom of God,” is the title of last Sabbath’s sermon by Norbert Link. It is now posted for viewing. Here is a summary:

Why does the Bible speak of the kingdom of God, the kingdom of the Father, and the kingdom of Christ? Who and what is God? Is Christ God? Was He God before He became a Man? Who is YHWH—the God of the Old Testament? Did the Jews know the Father? What exactly is the kingdom of God? Is God a Family? How can we inherit the kingdom of God? Are converted Chritans today already a part of the kingdom and the Family of God?

On Sunday, August 25th, we conducted our monthly ministerial meeting via SKYPE.

The Member Letter for September has been written and mailed out. In this letter, Mr. Norbert Link addresses the autumn festival season, encouraging us to reflect on the purpose of our calling and the task which is still ahead of us.

As a reminder, here are the dates for the upcoming Holy Days: September 5th–Feast of Trumpets; September 14th–Day of Atonement; September 19th (beginning with opening night on September 18) through the 25th–Feast of Tabernacles; September 26th–Last Great Day. We will be broadcasting services live in the United States from our location in Vail, Colorado. For further information on our Feast sites in Colorado and Germany, please consult our website: www.eternalgod.org. For additional information on our Feast site in Germany, please also go to http://www.aufpostenstehen.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2013/.

“We Told You So-America’s Sickness and Egypt’s Turmoil,” is the title of our newest StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:
 
America is sick. Egypt is in turmoil. Beware of false prophets. This program shows how these three concepts are related. It explains why America’s behavior towards Egypt is sick, and warns of those who “prophesy” falsely about Egypt’s future.

“Lehrt die Bibel eine heimliche Entrückung?,” is the title of a new German AufPostenStehen program. It speaks about the secret rapture and refers to an article in German (translation of an English Q&A) on the subject, which was just posted on our German website. Title in English: “Does the Bible Teach a Secret Rapture?”

“Neu! Was ist das Reich Gottes?” (“New! What Is the Kingdom of God?“), is the title of this week’s new German sermon, with special emphasis on the nature of God and Christ, and man’s potential of becoming a God being in the Kingdom and Family of God.

Global Trailer 6  presents biblical reasons why women are not to preach in church–Global Trailer 7 is about training children in the right way. These trailers join a growing list of presentations by Mr. Brian Gale specially targeting YouTube viewers in Great Britain.

For some on our new subscribers to the Update, you might also find the following StandingWatch Radio Schedule of interest:

 KWDF 840 AM Alexandria, Louisiana 10:30-10:45 AM Sunday
 KLNG 1560 AM Omaha, Nebraska 1:15-1:30 PM Saturday
 WFAM 1050 AM Augusta, Georgia 10:00-10:15 AM Saturday
 WBXR 1140 AM Huntsville, Alabama 11:00-11-15 AM Saturday
 WLMR 1450 AM Chattanooga, Tennessee 6:00-6:15 PM Wednesday
 WSKY 1230 AM Asheville, North Carolina 5:00-5:15 PM Tuesday
 WIJD 1270 AM Mobile, Alabama 5:30-5:45 PM Saturday
 WNVY 1070 AM Pensacola, Florida 5:45-6:00 PM Monday
 WCPC 940 AM Tupelo, Mississippi 5:30-5:45 PM Monday
 KXKS 1190 AM Albuquerque, New Mexico 6:15-6:30 PM Friday
 KCNW 1380 AM Kansas City, Kansas 11:00-11:15 AM and 6:00-6:15 PM Saturday

As a reminder, here are the dates for the upcoming Holy Days: September 5th–Feast of Trumpets; September 14th–Day of Atonement; September 19th (beginning with opening night on September 18) through the 25th–Feast of Tabernacles; September 26th–Last Great Day. We will be broadcasting services live in the United States from our location in Vail, Colorado. For further information on our Feast sites in Colorado and Germany, please consult our website: www.eternalgod.org. For additional information on our Feast site in Germany, please also go to http://www.aufpostenstehen.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2013/.

A new member letter has been written by Mr. Rene Messier. In this letter Mr. Messier comments on his recent visit to Kenya (Africa) to meet with members and interested parties. He also reflects on the Western world’s abuses of its freedoms and blessings while reminding us that the establishment of God’s Kingdom is now the only true solution. This letter has been mailed and is now posted on our website.

Two new StandingWatch trailers with Brian Gale for the British audience have been produced, titled “We Must Be Changed” and “Biblical Prophecy in the Light of World Events”. All five British programs (so far) can be viewed on  www.globalchurchswBG.

“Are You Following God’s Lead?,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:
 
Does God lead you to choose or not to choose a certain course of action? Do you act at times against your better judgment, only to realize that you should have followed your “instincts” or your “first impression”? Do you sometimes feel that you are being motivated to do or not to do something, without fully knowing as to why that is? If you truly know God and are close to Him, you will experience that you are being directed in certain ways, and it is always good to carefully listen to and consider that guidance.

A new German sermon has been posted, titled, “Werden Sie von Gott geführt?” (“Are You Being Led by God?”).
 
As a reminder, here are the dates for the upcoming Holy Days: September 5th–Feast of Trumpets; September 14th–Day of Atonement; September 19th through the 25th–Feast of Tabernacles; September 26th–Last Great Day. We will be broadcasting services live in the United States from our location in Vail, Colorado. For further information on our Feast sites in Colorado and Germany, please consult our website: www.eternalgod.org. For additional information on our Feast site in Germany, please also go to http://www.aufpostenstehen.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2013/.

As a reminder, here are the dates for the upcoming Holy Days: September 5th–Feast of Trumpets; September 14th–Day of Atonement; September 19th through the 25th–Feast of Tabernacles; September 26th–Last Great Day. We will be broadcasting services live in the United States from our location in Vail, Colorado. For further information on our Feast sites in Colorado and Germany, please consult our website: www.eternalgod.org. For additional information on our Feast site in Germany, please also go to http://www.aufpostenstehen.de/wir-uber-uns/laubhuttenfest-2013/

“Nur Berufen oder auch Auserwählt?,” is the title of this week’s new German sermon. In English, the title is, “Just Called or also Chosen?,” and it is based on the sermon given in English by Mr. Norbert Link from Woodburn, Oregon (see below).

“Just Called or also Chosen?,” is now posted–here is a summary:

Only very few are called today to salvation, and only they can truly understand God and His Way of Life. Christ did not come to convert the world in this day and age, and neither does the Church of God have that commission. True Christians have been predestined to be called and chosen now. They are not called because of their good works. Why then do we read that many are called, but few are chosen?

Norbert and Johanna Link, along with Mrs. Margaret Adair, will be visiting the Oregon brethren for Sabbath services on August 3, 2013.

Our newest booklet, “The Ten European Revivals Of The Ancient Roman Empire,” has now been sent to the printer. We anticipate distribution of this publication in September–at the Feast of Tabernacles and then to those on our mailing list.

We are also in the process of printing the German booklet on human suffering (“Human Suffering, Why…and How Much Longer?”). This will be distributed at the German Feast site and mailed to others following the Feast of Tabernacles.

“What Man Should (Not) Do,” is the title of last week’s sermon presented by Norbert Link, and it is now posted. Here is a summary:

The Bible gives us many examples as to how men should and should not act towards their present or future wives. What would you do if you were to find out that your bride had betrayed you? How would you respond if your mate were to ask you to forsake God? How does the Song of Solomon describe the love between husband and wife? Why did God punish Ananias and Sapphira so severely? In what way did Lot, Samson and David sin? Why are we warned not to follow the beast—a man in Europe to arise very soon on the world scene?

“Where is the Throne of David?,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:
 
The Bible says much about David and his throne. But does the throne of David really exist today? Will Jesus occupy that very throne when He returns? If so, where is it today, and who is sitting on it?
 
On July 28th, we conducted our monthly ministerial meeting via SKYPE. Of special note was a review by Rene Messier of his recent trip to Kenya to visit brethren and others who have contacted us.

Norbert and Johanna Link, along with Mrs. Margaret Adair, will be visiting the Oregon brethren for Sabbath services on August 3, 2013.

Rene Messier has returned from Kenya and submitted the following report:

“While in Kenya, I had three meetings with several members, prospective members and visitors. On Friday, I met with 9 people. We discussed various topics and I fielded questions.

“On the Sabbath, there were 17 in attendance–13 men, 3 women and one child. We opened our services with three hymns and I gave the opening prayer. I showed the StandingWatch program on hell, gave a sermon about the Sabbath, and closed with prayer.

“We then took a break with tea and coffee and some goodies that I had brought from  Canada—chocolate-covered almonds, wrapped candies and assorted nuts. In the afternoon, I talked about church government and organization; requirements for baptism and commitment to God.  I also answered questions at the end of the session.

“On Sunday morning, I conducted a session on leadership, with three men in attendance.

“All were very friendly. Some of the prospective members had experienced former Worldwide Church of God association or fellowship.”

“Neu! Versammlungen am Sabbat und Gottes Jahresfesten,” is the title of a new German sermon which discusses the requirement of appropriate Church attendance on the Sabbath and the Holy Days, with special focus on the Feast of Tabernacles. The title in English is:  “Assemblies on the Sabbath and God’s Annual Feasts.”

“Is Pope Francis Really Changing the Catholic Church?,” is the title of a new StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:
 
Recent developments within the Catholic Church should not go unnoticed. It appears as if Pope Francis “truly wants to change the Catholic Church,” and some of his decisive actions are of great concern to the “Vatican apparatus.” However, his changes do not address core Catholic teachings, such as the unbiblical beliefs in purgatory, indulgences or dead Catholic “saints” who are supposed to work now miracles from heaven. The Vatican is once again “rocked by scandal,” pertaining to corruption within the Vatican Bank. What does all of this mean in the light of biblical prophecy?

“Sex between Angels and Women?,” is the title of another new StandingWatch program presented by Mr. Link. It will be posted this weekend. Here is a summary for this program:

Many believe that at the time of Noah, angelic beings had sexual intercourse with women and produced giants. Is this the teaching of the Bible? If not, what are the origins of this concept? And how are we to understand the biblical statement in the book of Genesis, chapter 6, that “sons of God” “took wives for themselves” from the “daughters of men” who “bore children to them”?

 As we announced in the last Update, Brian Gale has begun recording audio programs for the UK, promoting our literature and StandingWatch programs. Johanna Link is adding visual components and posting the programs on YouTube. For this purpose, we have opened a local YouTube account in the UK, under the designation globalchurchsw BG

We have so far posted three programs on this local channel, namely “The Gospel of the Kingdom of God” and “The StandingWatch program”; “Have You Been Born Again?’” is the title of the third StandingWatch program presented by Mr. Gale. Further programs will follow.

We have recently learned that Mrs. Win Cartwright died peacefully in her sleep at her home on the 7th July. She lived in North Lincolnshire in England and was in her 103rd year.  Although not a baptized member of the Church of God, she supported her son who was a member of the Global Church of God and who preceded his mother in death in 2009 at the age of 64.

Win, as she liked to be called, was very positive about the church and members and attended weekly local Sabbath services and the Feast of Tabernacles until both the death of Peter and her advancing age precluded her from continuing to do so. She was a very postive and cultured lady who will be missed by her family and friends.

RADIO TIME CHANGE: We are going to move our StandingWatch radio program from 10:45 to 11:00am Saturday on KCNW (Kansas City). The program will begin airing at 11:00am on August 10th. In addition, we will add a play time at 6:00pm every Saturday beginning July 27th.

We discussed at our recent Church Conference the possibility of producing British and Canadian SW “advertising” programs. The first one has been produced, targeting the United Kingdom. In this British StandingWatch presentation, Mr. Brian Gale covers some of the intriguing questions about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God along with offering listeners more information for obtaining our free booklet on this subject. Johanna Link, our Video Production Manager, added visual componets to make this inaugural program very appealing. This program can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCEChFr_Dx4.

Mr. Rene Messier departed for Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday to visit brethren and interested parties in that nation. Mr. Messier will spend several very active days in which he will conduct Sabbath service, hold a leadership meeting, counsel potential candidates for baptism and deal with a series of questions we have received from this area. Once again, we ask that you pray for Mr. Messier.

“Race No Issue in the Zimmerman Case,” is the title of this week’s StandingWatch program presented by Evangelist Norbert Link. Here is a summary:

On July 13, 2013, the jury of six mostly white women found Hispanic George Zimmerman not guilty of murder or manslaughter of black 17-year old teenager Trayvon Martin. The mainstream media had created a nationwide circus and resorted to falsehoods and lies in order to invent a case involving race. Sadly, the real crux of the matter took back stage in view of the hype and hysteria of unsupported allegations of racial profiling. 

“Sex zwischen Engeln und Menschen?,” is the title of this week’s German sermon. In this sermon, Mr. Norbert Link presents information which was also covered in our recent Q&A on alleged sexual intercourse between angels and women (See Update 597).