Reminder: Memorial Service for Paul Voss on July 13, 2008

As we announced before, Paul Voss, a long-time deacon in God’s Church, died on May 23, 2008, at his home in Oregon. A memorial service for Paul will be conducted on Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 1:00 pm, followed by a potluck, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2701 East 8th Street, (Paradise Valley), National City, California 91950. All family members and friends are invited to attend. Those who would like to participate in the potluck should plan to bring enough food for themselves and one extra person. Please contact us for any questions.

Noelle Jacobs and Michael Link will be getting married in Ramona, California, on Sunday, June 29, 2008. The marriage will be officiated by Norbert Link. We are wishing the new couple God’s richest blessings for this new chapter in their lives.

A new member letter was written for the month of July. It will be sent out early next week. In the letter, Brian Gale discusses the connection between the Day of Pentecost and the Feast of Trumpets, and the need for God’s disciples to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ.

A new StandingWatch program has been posted on StandingWatch, Google Video and YouTube. It is titled, “Spinning Out of Control,” and raises the following issues:

Midwestern floods; tornadoes and hurricanes; powerful earthquakes; skyrocketing gas prices; abysmal home values; increased air fares; unaffordable health care; endless wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; food shortages; depression on the horizon; voter frustration with Washington–is everything spinning out of control? Are we too proud and unwilling to follow Abraham Lincoln’s admonition to “humble ourselves before the offended Power”? Are politicians and religious leaders deceiving us when they proclaim that we don’t have to obey all of God’s laws? Will we perish soon in natural and man-made disasters, as the civilization at the time of Noah perished in the waves of a worldwide flood?

Our recent StandingWatch program, “Coming–The Great Depression” has been viewed approximately 4,200 times on YouTube. Our recent program, “Food Shortage in the USA” has been viewed approximately 3,000 times on YouTube.

A new member letter is also posted online.

A new StandingWatch program has been posted on StandingWatch, Google Video and YouTube. It is titled, “Ireland Says No–What Now?” In the program, Norbert Link discusses the fact that the Irish people have rejected the Lisbon Treaty–and have plunged Europe into another institutional crisis. As all 27 member states must ratify the Treaty, it is feared that the dream of a European superstate is dead–or that it has been put on ice for many years to come. But is this true? Not at all! The paradox is this: Ireland, by their no-vote, might have set in motion a development which they tried to prevent from happening.

Our recent StandingWatch program, “Coming–The Great Depression” has been viewed approximately 3,600 times on YouTube. Our recent program, “Food Shortage in the USA” has been viewed approximately 2,800 times on YouTube.

The following video-recorded sermon by Norbert Link was posted on Google Video:

Bible Study — By This We Know, June 7, 2008

Information for our Feast of Tabernacles’ sites for 2008 in Great Britain and the USA has been posted on our Website.

A new StandingWatch program has been posted on StandingWatch, GoogleVideo and YouTube. The program is titled, “Beware of Hate Crimes!” In the program, Norbert Link asks the question whether the United States should be concerned when Catholic and Protestant ministers and others are accused of committing a hate crime in Canada, Great Britain or Continental Europe, for expressing their religious beliefs. Why are so many willing to compromise their convictions, when faced with possible repercussions for their job, their status in society, or their religious or political career?

Our recent StandingWatch program, “Coming–The Great Depression” has been viewed more than 3,100 times on YouTube. Our recent program, “Food Shortage in the USA” has been viewed more than 2,500 times on YouTube.

Our first German StandingWatch video program (“AufPostenStehen”) was posted on our German Website, titled “Leben auf dem Mars?” (“Life on Mars?”). In the program, Norbert Link asks the age-old question whether life could have evolved on Mars, and whether man evolved on earth. In addition, the German translation of our booklet on Healing (“Menschliches Leid–Weshalb… und wie lange noch?”) was posted on the German Website.

The following video-recorded sermons by Norbert Link were posted on Google Video:

Bible Study — The Time of Christ’s Return, October 4, 2005

Bible Study — Why Read the Old Testament?, December 2, 2006.

A new StandingWatch program (#168) has been posted on StandingWatch, Google Video and YouTube.

The program is titled, “Is There Life on Mars?” In the program, Norbert Link points out that with astonishing accuracy, the Phoenix Mars Lander reached the Red Planet on May 25, 2008–exactly as planned. The 422 million-mile journey, which began on August 4, 2007, costs us about 420 million dollars. Is this well-spent money? Scientists are hopeful to discover conditions favorable for life on Mars, either now or once upon a time. They would like to find some evidence for the evolution of life on Mars. But is there even evidence of evolution of life here on earth?

A new member letter was written and sent out this week. In the letter, Norbert Link discusses the fact that we must use God’s Holy Spirit to bring about peace, unity and reconciliation. The letter also discusses what we must do to avoid becoming disunified and confused.

As we announced last week, Paul Voss, a long-time deacon in God’s Church, died on May 23, 2008, at his home in Oregon. A memorial service for Paul will be conducted on Sunday, July 13, 2008, at 1:00 pm, followed by a potluck, at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 2701 East 8th Street, (Paradise Valley), National City, California 91950. All family members and friends are invited to attend.

We are saddened to report that Paul Voss died peacefully at 2:30 am on Friday morning, May 23 (his 76th birthday), after battling with painful cancer for a while. Norbert and Johanna Link were able to visit with Paul in Oregon on Wednesday evening, as well as with his wife Joan and Paul’s family and all the brethren in Oregon. Norbert anointed Paul, praying that God would relieve him from his pain and suffering. Joan reports that after the anointing, Paul fell asleep, had apparently no more pain, and never woke up until he died.

We are planning a memorial service for Paul in or near San Diego, California, on Sunday, July 13. More details as to the exact time and place will be announced soon.

All our members were spared from the recent tornado in Colorado. However, the tornado did a lot of damage in the city of Windsor, 15 miles south or southeast of Fort Collins, where many of our members live. Its path took it just about 5 miles east of Fort Collins, as it moved toward the northwest. Its original path, as shown on the map, would have brought it right into Fort Collins, but it changed its path before reaching the city.

A new StandingWatch program (#167) has been posted on StandingWatch or Google Video or YouTube.

The program is titled, “Corrupt Communication–Why Not?” In the program, Norbert Link asks the question whether your language reveals your character. Do your words benefit or offend others? Do you blaspheme God with foul conversation? Are you using God’s name in vain? Do you know what words NOT to use in your daily talk?

Each of our recent StandingWatch programs, “Food Shortage in the USA” and “Coming–The Great Depression,” have been viewed more than 2,000 times on YouTube.

Norbert and Johanna Link  traveled to Portland, Oregon, this week to visit brethren in the area. Long time member and deacon, Paul Voss, is suffering from terminal cancer, and the Links were able to visit the Voss family. The health of Mr. Voss is extremely fragile, and prayers on his behalf as well as for his family are deeply appreciated.

This is a brief report regarding our Internet advertisement campaign in the USA. We have sent out so far in excess of 80 copies of our booklet on “Human Suffering;” over 35 copies of our booklet on “The Mysteries of the Bible,” and over 95 copies of our booklet on “And Lawlessness Will Abound.” Over 70 people requested to be placed on our email list for receipt of our weekly Update.

The following video-recorded sermon by Norbert Link has been posted on Google Video:

Bible Study: Envy–A Deadly Poison (May 17, 2008)

Eric and Shana Rank are happy to announce the birth of their second son, Nolan Sterling Rank. Nolan was born on May 19th, 2008 at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, CO without complication. The Rank family is currently home and enjoying the warmth and glee of a newborn child.

A new StandingWatch program (#168) has been posted on StandingWatch, Google Video and YouTube.
    
The program is titled, “Famine in the USA.” In the program, Norbert Link is challenging the audience not to believe those who tell us that the food situation in the USA isn’t all that bad. It is much worse than many might imagine. Some astonishing FACTS are presented proving HOW BAD our food supply really is. And HOW terrible devastations–such as the recent cyclone in Burma or Myanmar–will affect ALL of us. But there are solutions, even though they are not that popular today.

The following video-recorded sermon by Norbert Link has been posted on Google Video:
    
Bible Study: Why Not Heaven?, Part 2 (August 12, 2006)      
    
The following video-recorded sermon by Edwin Pope has been posted on Google Video:
    
Bible Study: The Key to Faithfulness (February 18, 2006)

A new member letter for May, written by Dave Harris, was sent out this week, together with a hard copy of our new booklet, “Is That in The Bible?–Man’s Holidays and God’s Holy Days.” Both the member letter and the booklet are posted on the Web. In the letter, Dave Harris emphasizes the fact that the Church of God has a commission and mandate to preach the gospel in all the world as a witness, and he shows how our three organizations are fulfilling our part in this awesome task.

Norbert Link’s recent StandingWatch program No. 166, “Food Shortage in the USA,” has broken all viewing records. The program is posted on StandingWatch or Google Video or YouTube. On You Tube alone, more than 1,250 people viewed that program by the time of this publication.

A new StandingWatch program (#167) has been posted on StandingWatch or Google Video or YouTube.

The program is titled, “Why Unprecedented High Gas Prices in the USA?” In the program, Norbert Link discusses the fact that the President blames Congress, and Senators blame the President. Oil companies report all time profits, thanks to record high oil prices. Republicans and Democrats propose certain actions but tell us that even if they survive “election-year partisanship” and interest groups, they would not affect the gas prices in the short term. WHY is it that the most powerful nation on earth seems to be helpless to deal effectively with this situation?

The following video-recorded sermons by Norbert Link have been posted on Google Video:

BIBLE STUDY: Alcohol–Friend or Foe? (May 21, 2005)

BIBLE STUDY: Why Not Heaven, Part 1 (March 4, 2006)

The following video-recorded sermons by Edwin Pope have been posted on Google Video:

BIBLE STUDY: Do Not Quench the Holy Spirit (August 20, 2005)

BIBLE STUDY: Communicating With Our God (October 29, 2005)

A new StandingWatch program (#166) has been posted on StandingWatch, Google Video and YouTube.

The program is titled, “Food Shortage in the USA.”  In the program, Norbert Link discusses the incredible fact that the USA has begun to experience a once unthinkable phenomenon–food rationing. Many stores and retailers are limiting purchases of flour, rice, wheat, cooking oil, and other commodities. How did we get into this mess? And it’s not limited to the USA–we are also hearing of GLOBAL HUNGER and RIOTS because of lack of food and high food prices, including in countries such as Japan, Haiti, Indonesia, and several African nations. Has the biblical third horse of the Apocalypse–picturing worldwide famine–begun to ride?

Norbert Link’s video-recorded sermon, “Bible Study–Let There Be Light” (April 26, 2008), has been posted on Google Video.