November 2012

November 14, 2012

Dear Brethren,

The election is over! After spending over two billion dollars on the U.S. presidential election, nothing has changed! Barrack Hussein Obama is president for another four years. And Congress is essentially the same. In spite of all the good intentions of Mitt Romney and those millions who desired to face the reality of the condition of the nation—to change things for the better and do what is right—they were outnumbered and outvoted. Casting aside clear thinking, the majority were persuaded by blatant lies, false promises, fear, hatred and base emotions. This election revealed a telling population demographic: the number of “good, sincere people” who believe in God and hold Christian values is dwindling rapidly—especially in the dumb-downed youth/young adult population who are driven by vanity, pleasure seeking, rebellion and lawlessness, sports, sex, and government handouts. Without a doubt, the majority of people have pushed God out of religion, government, education, finance, and their personal lives. The “Moral Majority” has been replaced by the new “Immoral Majority.”

On the other hand, those who know their Bibles realize that all our troubles are actually correction from God because of blatant sin—public and private. It is true: As we sow, so shall we reap! As a nation we have forgotten God and rejected His commandments—thus, we are burdened down with sin. As the people are corrupt, so we have corrupt government—Federal, State and local. As a result, we have gigantic financial troubles and record unemployment; rampant crime, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse (legal and illegal); and increasing sickness and disease. We see the breakdown of the family—a growing trend in single mothers and fatherless children. We are beset with mammoth weather problems—record drought, storms, flooding, widespread crop failures, tornadoes, hurricanes, and well as record heat and cold.

How did all this happen? How did we reach such a dreadful condition? In spite of the fact that many people can recognize these glaring problems, it seems that it is nearly impossible to bring about any actual change. Why? The scriptural answer is: There are too many wicked men and women in positions of power causing a multitude of problems. Yet, amazingly, key verses in Proverbs 29 clearly describe the differences between righteous rulers and wicked rulers:

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn” (verse 2). “The king establishes the land by justice, but he who takes bribes tears it down” (verse 4). “If a ruler hearkens to lies, all his servants are wicked” (verse 12). “When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases” (verse 16). Hence, lawlessness reigns.

While few realize it, the Bible reveals vile leaders for what they are: “The vile one shall no more be called liberal [noble], nor the miser said to be bountiful. For the vile will speak folly, and his heart will work iniquity, to practice hypocrisy and to speak error against the Lord, to make the soul of the hungry empty, and he will take away the drink of the thirsty. Also the weapons [methods] of the vile are evil; he thinks of wicked ways to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks right” (Isa. 32:5-7). Notice the end result of such wickedness and lawlessness in government and religion: “The wicked walk on every side when vileness is exalted among the sons of men” (Psa. 12:8). What an amazingly accurate description of today’s world. Nearly every area of society has forsaken God and exalted vileness.

Let’s see how this has come to pass. The prophecies of Jeremiah to ancient Israel have a dual fulfillment—they are for our time as well. Notice how clearly God describes the behavior of the modernnations of Israel: “Hear the Word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel.Thus says the Lord, ‘What injustice have your fathers found in Me, that they have gone far from Me and have walked after vanity, and have become vain? Nor did they say, “Where is the Lord Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, Who led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of dry places, and of deep darkness, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man lived?” And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat its fruit and its goodness; but when you entered, you defiled My land and made My inheritance an abomination.

“ ‘The priests did not say, “Where is the Lord?” And they who handle the law did not know Me; the rulers also rebelled against Me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal and walked after things that do not profit. Therefore I will contend with you,’ says the Lord, ‘and against your children’s children [the modern descendents of the twelve tribes of Israel] I will contend’ ” (Jer. 2:4-9).

In effect, God tells us to think on this—to look around the world and see: “ ‘Has a nation changed their gods who are yet no gods? But My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit. Be amazed, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be utterly desolated,’ says the Lord, ‘for My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the Fountain of living waters, and hewn out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that cannot hold water’ ” (verses 11-13). Today, people don’t want the God of Truth, or the Truth of God’s Word as their standard by which to live. Rather, everyone wants to “do what is right in their own eyes,” according to their own evil thoughts. Thus, transgressions are multiplied!

Likewise, the prophet Isaiah wrote of our time. In fact, God specifically told him to write His words for the end times—and God has preserved His words for us today. Notice how similar his message is to Jeremiah’s: “Now go, write it before them in a tablet, and note it in a book, so that it may be for the time to come forever and ever, that this is a rebellious people, lying children. They are children who will not hear the law of the Lord; who say to the seers, ‘See not,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us right things, speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions; go out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.’ Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, ‘Because you have despised this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and rely on them; therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. And He shall break it as the breaking of the potters’ vessel that is smashed in pieces. He shall not spare, so that there shall not be found in the fragments a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water out of the pit’ ” (Isa. 30:8-14).

Unwilling to believe God and face reality, this world—under Satan the devil—has created a false reality, with lies and deceit woven throughout every aspect of life. This is particularly reflected in national borrowing and spending habits. Without a doubt, the world has stacked up so much debt—hundreds of trillions of dollars—that it is impossible to calculate, let alone ever be repaid. Yet, because of covetousness, lust, and insatiable greed bordering on insanity, we are unable to stop! As Jeremiah declares: “ ‘For everyone from the least of them even to the greatest of them is greedy for gain; and from the prophet even unto the priest everyone deals falsely. They have also healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed, nor could they blush; therefore they shall fall among those who fall. At the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord.

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Hearken to the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they said, ‘We will not hearken.’

“ ‘Therefore hear, you nations, and know, O congregation [the churches of God today], what will happen to them. Hear, O earth; behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts because they have not hearkened to My words, nor to My law, but have rejected it….’ ‘Your own evil shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you; therefore know and see that it is an evil and bitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord your God, and that My fear is not in you,’ says the Lord GOD of hosts ” (Jer. 6:13-19; 2:19).

The Great Sin of Abortion: In spite of the sins listed above, our national obsession with sexual depravity—pornography, rampant youth sex, homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and other unthinkable perversities—is the great sin bringing the wrath of God upon this nation! The Lord God Himself says to Israel—our nations today:“ ‘How shall I pardon you for this? Your children have forsaken Me, and have sworn by them that are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, then they committed adultery, and gathered themselves by troops in a harlot’s house. They were like lusty, well-fed stallions in the morning; every one neighing after his neighbor’s wife. Shall I not punish for these things?’ says the Lord. ‘And shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this?’ ” (Jer. 5:7-9; also see Lev. 18:3, 24-30).

In ancient Israel, because of their great sexual sins, they had to eliminate unwanted children. They did so by sacrificing their infant sons and daughters to the fiery idol gods of Moloch and Baal. “ ‘For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight,’ says the Lord. ‘They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to pollute it. They have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I did not command them, nor did it even come into My mind” (Jer. 7:30-31).

God warned them over and over again, in the Law and through His prophets, that He would punish them for these evil abominations. He commanded Jeremiah: “And say, ‘Hear the Word of the Lord, O kings of Judah, and people of Jerusalem. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, which shall cause the ears of him who hears it to tingle. Because they have forsaken Me, and have profaned this place and have burned incense in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents. They have also built the high places of Baal to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I never commanded nor spoke, nor did it come into My mind”’ ” (Jer. 19:3-5).

Furthermore, God calls these slaughtered infants and small children HIS CHILDREN! God is the one Who created them, forming and fashioning them in the womb. They all belong to Him. God denounced ancient Israel for sacrificing children. “And you have taken your sons and your daughters, whom you have borne to Me, and you sacrificed them unto these images to be devoured. Is this, your whoredoms, so small a matter? You have slaughtered My children and delivered them up and caused them to pass throughthe fire” (Ezek. 16:20-21).

In the same way that God gave the Promised Land to ancient Israel, God also gave to us, their descendants, the choicest lands in the world. As their ancestors did, so their modern progeny do today. Through abortion, unborn children are being slaughtered to demons, just as in ancient Israel: “And they served their idols, which were a snare to them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons, and shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan; and the land was polluted with blood [of the innocent]. And they were defiled with their works, and went a whoring after their own inventions” (Psa. 106:36-39).

How we have fallen—yea, having deliberately walked away from and rejected the Word of God to become brazenly corrupt in our evil imaginations and wicked abominations. As a result, a majority of people today comprise the new “Immoral Majority,” wallowing and delighting in wickedness and sin. And the most evil of such sins is the murder of the unborn as a legal “right” under law—sanction and approved by the government—in direct opposition to God Himself! Think of this! In the United States alone, since the inception of legalized abortion, over 52 million unborn children have been “legally” murdered! And it continues at the rate of 1.2 million a year.

However, there is still a “Moral Minority” of people who believe in God and His Word and are striving to stop abortion. There are a few organizations, such as the National Right to Life Organization, striving to make people understand that a child is human at the moment of conception. Most newly pregnant women do not realize that a mere 26 days after conception the beating heart of the newly conceived child can be heard! Through the efforts of such organizations, many children have been saved from the knives of abortion doctors. What a shame that they may never be able to completely eliminate this great evil. But we can be thankful for such efforts; otherwise the number of abortions would be far greater.

Indeed, what a far cry this evil practice is from the words of the Original Thirteen Colonies’ Declaration of Independence, which proclaims: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness….” Because we profess to be a “Christian” people and declared His name in that document, God is holding this nation accountable to His Word and the preamble of our Declaration of Independence. However, since we have forsaken God, His judgments are coming upon us like the unstoppable waves of the oceans—roaring upon us one after the other. Unless a great number of people repent and return to God, His judgments will continue to fall upon us with greater frequency and intensity, just as prophesied in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28.

Even when God brings the severest of judgments and punishments, He acknowledgesrepentance—on an individual basis, as well as on a community or national basis! “ ‘If you will return, O Israel,’ says the Lord, ‘Return to Me. And if you will put away your abominations out of My sight, then you shall not be removed, and will swear [in complete repentance to God], “As the Lord lives,” in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; then the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory’ ” (Jer. 4:1-2).

God pleads with Israel to repent and do what is right: “ ‘Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do good; seek judgment, reprove the oppressor. Judge the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword;’ for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it”(Isa. 1:16-20).

Again, through Ezekiel, God says: “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked one, you shall surely die;’ if you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked one shall die in his iniquity; but I will require his blood at your hand. But, if you warn the wicked of his way, to turn from it; if he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your soul. And you, son of man, speak to the house of Israel. Thus shall you speak, saying, ‘When our transgressions and our sins are on us, and we are wasting away in them, how then shall we live?’ Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no delight in the death of the wicked, except that the wicked turn from his way, and live. Turn you, turn you from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?’ ” (Ezek. 33:8-11).

I realize that this letter contains some very serious predictions and dire warnings from God. However, do not be discouraged or downhearted, because God the Father and Jesus Christ have called each one of us to be kings and priests in His glorious kingdom. When Christ returns, then we will be able to help undo all these evils and bring in the righteous reign of God over the entire world. Think on how glorious that will be!

Thanksgiving: After seeing how we stand before God today, let us remember how we started out as a nation by giving thanks to God for His mercy and grace and for giving us this great land. Please continue to pray for this nation, and pray for God’s blessings and protection on all of His people.

Feast of Tabernacles Reports: The Feast reports are included in this mailing.

Proverbs DVD: You should have received the Proverbs DVD in the last mailing—enjoy!

Brethren, once again, thank you for your love and your prayers. As never before, we need to stay close to God in prayer and study, preparing for His great kingdom to come. Thank you for your continued support through tithes and offerings. We pray for you every day that God will continue to bless you and yours in every way. Remember, every day we are to stand in grace, walk in faith, believe in hope, and live in love. This is how we can get through these tough times ahead.

With love in Christ Jesus,

Fred R. Coulter
FRC

2012 Feast of Tabernacles Reports

Hollister, California

For the Feast of Tabernacles 2012 in Hollister, we had about 25 in attendance. Most were from the local area and attend regularly in Hollister. Most of the brethren stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Gilroy.

Wayne Julian hosted the first four days of the Feast, which was held at the CBCG office facility. Fred arrived on Thursday, the 5th day. He and Michael Heiss spoke on the last three days of the Feast, including the Last Great Day.

Potluck meals were served each day after services for those who wanted to stay and fellowship. Others took advantage of the fine restaurants in Hollister and Gilroy.

Our small group size contributed greatly to wonderful fellowship, giving us all a chance to get to know one another better. There were two excursions to a Greek restaurant in Gilroy that Dolores Coulter had recommended.

David Froloff

Wells Beach, Maine

About 34 brethren enjoyed a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles in Wells Beach this year. We had attendees from Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Maryland—as well as a few from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Held at the “Village By The Sea” resort, the Feast sermons, Bible Studies, and open-houses provided wonderful opportunities to fellowship and enjoy the unity of God’s Feast.

The New England autumn came into its peak during the Feast, and although there were several days of rain, the friendship and hospitality was not dampened.

Richard Roberg

Bozeman, Montana

We had a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles in Bozeman. With an abundance of Christian fellowship, old friendships were renewed and new ones made. The Feast messages were the best ever, and we had several very good sermonettes as well as beautiful choir and special music performances. We started each day’s services with a chapter out of Proverbs from Fred’s new Book of Proverbs DVD.

As for activities, brethren participated in a group hike in Yellowstone Park where we saw the “Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone,” Old Faithful (and other geysers), and lots of wildlife. Other activities included indoor rock climbing, bowling, and indoor fast-cart racing. In addition to enjoying many meals together, we also had a fun/variety show with games and a movie night. It was obvious that we drew closer as a group as we spent time together.

The Bozeman brethren received a surprise musical/video message (“shout out”) from two young adults who were unable to keep the Feast with their parents. They shared the presentation with us via the Internet on the Last Great Day. We also had one baptism during the Feast, and a courtship that has now developed into wedding plans.

Most of the brethren stayed at the Comfort Inn where we met at the Conference Center, and were able to walk to nearby eating establishments. The scenery was beautiful, the air fresh, and the people in town friendly. Several brethren commented that it was the best Feast they had had in many years, and many expressed a desire to come back.

John & Hiedi Vogele

Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada

Seventeen brethren enjoyed the Feast of Tabernacles for 2012 at two alternating sites near Smiths Falls, Ontario. The main site was our usual hall for Sabbath services—the South Elmsley Community Center. Since there were days when this hall was unavailable during the daytime hours, we held some services at the Portland Community Center, Portland, Ontario.

Despite moving back and forth, everyone had a great Feast, culminating in a church-sponsored luncheon on the Last Great Day (which this year coincided with Canada’s Thanksgiving Day). The beautiful resort Hotel Kenny in Smith Falls hosted our group with a gourmet traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner with “all the fixin’s” as we enjoyed wonderful fellowship and the panoramic view of the water and fall colors.

Planning and site exploration are under way for a different Ontario site for next year’s Feast, where we’ll be able to have services at the same place all eight days.

Duncan MacLeod

Houston, Texas

The Feast in Houston went very well with lots of beautiful weather. On the first Holy Day we had 70 in attendance; on the weekly Sabbath we had 66; and on the Last Great Day we had 68. On the other days we averaged 48-55. We were blessed to have 15 visitors from the New Orleans area; everyone else was from a wide variety of scattered places.

Our main activity was lots and lots of great fellowship, usually with potluck meals. We did show a couple of movies—The Indestructible Book, which is about the Bible and was a big hit, and another movie about the Hubble Space Telescope.

On the weekly Sabbath, we had one baptism. In fact, we have had one baptism every year at the Feast for the past seven years!

Almost everyone commented that this was one of the best Feasts ever. And we really enjoyed Fred’s messages. Many commented that they would definitely be back next year.

Frank Penny

Payson, Arizona

Payson is located 75 miles northeast of Phoenix in a forested, mountainous area about 5000 feet in elevation. There were approximately 30 brethren who met for the Feast of Tabernacles at this site. Several folks came from Canada, Washington state, and Idaho to enjoy the crystal clear skies and 80-degree, arid climate. There was an occasional “cloud alert,” but they were short-lived.

We had sermon transcripts printed and bound for all in attendance. This made it easy to follow the sermons and review them later. We all agreed that the sermons were wonderfully inspired and felt blessed to be able to hear and read the message God provided for us. God’s Holy Spirit was evident in the rich personal fellowship and deep conversations we enjoyed, whether at our daily services, at meals, or just relaxing together.

The beautiful weather and quiet mountain setting in Payson provided opportunities for many activities. Horseback riding, exploring the Natural Travertine Bridge, hiking, and catching lizards were a few outdoor activities enjoyed by the brethren. We were also able to eat many of our meals outdoors, and a few of the guys would sit outside and play chess. This was a bonus blessing for this Feast of Tabernacles—experiencing the beauty of God’s creation in such a peaceful setting.

Leon Ritchie

Shipshewana, Indiana

The Feast at Shipshewana went very well this year. We had 77 on the first day, then a daily average of about 67. Fred visited on the first day, and everyone appreciated his sermons and the great meal between services.

Steve Duram was our song leader throughout the Feast. Our piano players were Martha Friedman and Makiko Jones—and both were very pleased with the new Yamaha piano we rented. Martha, a professional pianist, performed special music on the first Holy Day. Makiko also performed special music, including some songs she has written.

Outings were minimal this year because of rainy weather, but we grouped together and enjoyed several game nights and movie nights. The game nights were especially enjoyable, as everyone stayed around and fellowshipped for hours.

After the service on the Last Great Day, we had a group photo taken by Mike Flake, a professional photographer and member from the Indianapolis group. Mike plans to compile a Feast photo album for the group.

Gene Palm

Tulsa, Oklahoma

  At the Feast held in Tulsa we had an average attendance of 40 each day; about 35 stayed for the church meals.

The messages were great! This year we downloaded all the Feast messages and made transcribed copies for each person. This allowed the members to read along with the sermon, make notes, and go back and study some point if they wish. This really worked great!

We had wonderful autumn weather for the Feast with only a couple of very cool days. The Tulsa Fair was going on as well, so some of us were able to take in the Fair in the afternoon.

We had a new family show up for a couple of days; they had found us by searching the Internet. They seem to be very interested.

Lawrence Burchfield

Moama, Australia

Moama on the Murray River NSW (which borders the state of Victoria) was once again the location for a Feast site for the CBCG in Australia. Twenty people attended, most of whom would have kept the Feast at home had there not been a site in southern Australia. Services were held in a comfortable, private hall at the Moama RSL Club. There was ample parking, a friendly staff, and convenient dining facilities.

Fred’s Feast sermons were much appreciated and made for an encouraging spiritual Feast. It was so exciting to be reminded in detail of God’s plan for mankind and of the personal part we all have to play in it. We were blessed to have two live messages on the weekly Sabbath, which wonderfully added to the Feast. Roy Assanti’s recorded message on the afternoon of the Last Great Day was likewise well received. Everyone had a willing attitude and contributed in any way they could—thus we enjoyed beautiful flowers, delightful refreshments, and wonderful special music. The five children in attendance added to the intimate family atmosphere, and they also helped out in various tasks. The sermon transcripts printed by Ron and Kay Whitford were much appreciated by all the brethren as they made it very easy to follow each message.

Overall, there was a strong bond between the brethren and a joyful anticipation of the future as each sermon featured a foretaste of Christ’s millennial rule. It was a truly wonderful Feast of harmony and pleasant fellowship!

Activities were planned to ensure maximum fellowship—such as trips to adventure playgrounds, viewing Australian memorabilia, and enjoying a genuine paddle steamer cruise down the Murray River. But some of the most relaxing moments were over meals—just “catching up” and getting to know one another better. The two Holy Days and the Sabbath featured catered luncheons for everyone, and there was ample opportunity to get together for shared meals in the evenings in peaceful outdoor settings.

A final group meal was enjoyed at a local restaurant at the end of the Last Great Day. The brethren were sad to be parting company, but looking forward to seeing each other again.

Joe & Ruth Pezzaniti

Orlando, Florida

Every Feast of Tabernacles kept for the last three years in Orlando has been exceptional. The messages presented by Fred have all been relevant and meaningful. And the fellowship has always been so meaningful. Indeed, each Feast has been the “best” in its own right. 

The Feast this year was no exception. It is obvious that God is granting exceptional favor to the Christian Biblical Church of God—as evidenced by a closeness to God felt by all. We are greatly anticipating future festivals as we follow Fred’s guidance in drawing closer to God and learning to trust Him on a personal level.

Some commented that this was the best Feast they have had in years. With the millennial setting, the wonderful fellowship, and the inspirational messages, we are greatly encouraged to draw closer to God as we look forward to His kingdom.

Nolan Joseph

Palm Springs (La Quinta), California

The 2012 Palm Springs area Feast was observed at the Homewood Suites in La Quinta. Attendance was 52, 42 and 49 respectively for the Sabbaths. We averaged about 45 for the rest of the days. We had brethren in attendance from New York, Ohio, Michigan, Nevada, Arizona, and California. The sermons on the Kingdom of God were particularly enlightening, uplifting, and inspiring.

We were able to eat two meals a day as a group since the meals were included in the cost of the rooms. This allowed us opportunities to fellowship and discuss the sermons, the Kingdom of God, and current events. The spirit of Christian love and fellowship was evident in attitude, serving, and caring.

Because the temperature was 100+ degrees daily, outside group activities were limited.

Willie H. Miller

Sevierville, Tennessee

Everyone enjoyed the Feast in Sevierville this year. We had very positive feedback from all the brethren. The average daily attendance was around 90, with a high of 122.

  The brethren really enjoyed the fellowship and showed genuine love toward one another. Many commented that this was their best Feast ever. We had several visitors who really enjoyed the messages and how they were made to feel welcome. God greatly blessed this Feast, and His spirit was obviously at work within the brethren.

  We recommend having a Feast in Sevierville for 2013. Location, area attractions, and affordability make it a desirable site. We’ve built a good relationship with the resort group and they are hoping to have us back. We toured a larger meeting facility for next year and it appears to be available. Rhonda and I really enjoyed hosting this year and appreciate your support.

Tom & Rhonda

Caloundra – Sunshine Coast, Australia 

In addition to Moama, the CBCG featured a Feast site in Caloundra, Queensland, on the Sunshine Coast (east coast). There were 45 attendees on the first Holy Day and 54 on the Last Great Day, with a noticeable increase in attendance each day over the previous year. The weather was warm, but not too hot for this time of year; there was a nice sea breeze coming in each day and during the overnight hours.

Brethren often ask, “What happened to Israel in the past?” and “What is going to happen in the future?”—and the big question, “What are we going to be doing in God’s Kingdom?” This Feast, we received messages from Fred that clearly answered these questions and more. The entire eight days were full of information and encouragement—with a clear description of what our responsibilities will be in the Kingdom. Fred emphasized that we need to be well versed in the Word of God—because we are going to be using that information as the basis of all teaching and instruction in the Kingdom of God. Fred’s messages were inspiring and thought-provoking, and generated much discussion and interaction. No doubt this year’s messages will be replayed over and over during the coming year. 

Right from the first day, brethren were invited to come early and fellowship over breakfast (volunteers got up very early and prepared a big Aussie breakfast!). Lunches were provided on a daily basis and everyone was encouraged to stay for the meals after services and fellowship together. 

This was truly a wonderful, warm, fellowship-filled Feast with the brethren all drawing closer together to learn more about God’s plan for mankind. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make this a wonderful Feast, and thanks to Fred for his teachings and messages.

Greg Paxton

Summerland, BC, Canada

The 2012 Feast in Summerland, located on the shores of Okanagan Lake, was held at the Summerland Waterfront Resort for the third year in a row. The attendance averaged 74, with 85 as the high on the weekly Sabbath.

The resort, the facilities, the guest rooms, and the weather were superb, and the brethren were elated for the beautiful millennial setting. During the Feast, the local area was having their annual wine fest (the Okanagan area is well known for its superb wines). Brethren visiting from other areas were able to enjoy sampling a wide variety of the local wines.

The warmth and fellowship among the brethren was outstanding. And with the many inspiring messages, all the brethren were well fed spiritually—not to mention physically! The Christian love shown throughout the Feast was clear evidence of the presence of God.

To the many visitors from the USA who added tremendously to the Festival atmosphere, we thank you for choosing Summerland. Canadians love to host guests and sincerely welcome brethren from everywhere to visit Summerland for a true Canadian experience.

Norbert & Denise Bohnert

Kimberling City, Missouri

The Feast in Kimberling City went very well this year. Our average in-house attendance was 36. But, we did something special this year: we established a telephone conferencing hookup and had 10 or more people “dial in” so that the Feast was brought into their home. These were people who were unable to attend the Feast personally. Their response was wonderful. Perhaps more sites could do this next year for those unable to attend. Between the messages, bible studies, and food, I think everyone had an enjoyable stay and hopes to attend next year.

Wendell & Bettie Yeary