We were again privileged to hear Mr. Herbert Armstrong give the afternoon sermon on the last day of Unleavened Bread. As always when Mr. Armstrong speaks in the Auditorium on a Holy Day, his sermon was piped into the Imperial and College Gymnasiums and the Recital Hall via closed-circuit television for the other three Pasadena congregations. Mr. Armstrong gave a truly inspiring message about why God has called us now, often referring to his new book, MYSTERY OF THE AGES. We are all excitedly looking forward to its publication this summer and distribution during the Feast of Tabernacles. I know this book will prove to be another major step forward for God's Church and the spreading of the Gospel around the world.
An audiotape of Mr. Armstrong's sermon will be sent out to be played in all the congregations. Frankly, I wish you all could have been here to see and hear the warmth and loving concern, as well as the conviction and power exuded by Mr. Armstrong. We all deeply appreciate the outstanding example of faithful service to God set by Mr. Armstrong. Thank you for your continued prayers for his strength, health and inspiration in fulfilling the commission of God's end-time Church.
I also want to mention how much I appreciate, as Mr. Armstrong certainly does, the fine job the ministry is doing. You church pastors, carrying the weighty responsibility for the spiritual health and well-being of the local congregations, are of great and special value in God's sight. You associate and assistant pastors have the special responsibility of acting as supports, backups, helps and reflections of your pastors. You are able, by the way you perform your duties, to increase the effectiveness of the men under whom you serve. And you local church elders provide the stability of a godly example which forms a solid part of the foundation of a local congregation. Finally, you wives provide the quiet support, encouragement and gentle prod that gives your husbands the added ability they need to remain close to God, faithful and diligent in His service. Your role in God's eyes is of paramount importance! Realize that your husbands' effectiveness can be greatly increased by your example and love.
The job all of you are doing is not easy. The stress on you and your families is not easy. The burdens of others you are asked to carry are not easy either. But the supreme power of God's Holy Spirit, which God Himself has given you, makes it possible to endure the trials, problems, heartaches, weaknesses and difficulties that are part and parcel to your calling as a minister. God's Spirit enables you to fulfill the high calling He has given you! So use that Spirit. Don't allow yourself to become a casualty in the spiritual war that we must all fight. As Paul told Timothy, "Stir up the gift of God which is in you" (II Tim. 1:6, RAV). And as Jesus said, Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, RAV). It is that same Jesus, who lives His life in us through the Holy Spirit, that will help us to overcome. We each have what it takes. Not of ourselves, of course, but from God who made us and called — Us. Let's pray for one another.
Since several new local church elders have been ordained during the past year, I thought it would be good to mention again the decision Mr. Armstrong made a number of years ago regarding their paying of third tithe. Mr. Armstrong decided, as reported by Mr. Rod Meredith in the March 7, 1972 MINISTERIAL BULLETIN, that local church elders are not required to pay third tithe. I might also add, since some have asked, that if an elder wishes to continue paying third tithe, he is certainly free to do so. But it is not required, and he should not feel guilty or bad in any way if he does not. As stated in the aforementioned MINISTERIAL BULLETIN, "…a number of these men definitely give enough of themselves in using their cars, homes, time and energies in visiting, anointing and serving God's people that they more than make up for what this would amount to anyway."
Mr. Armstrong often mentions that he prays daily for all of us in the ministry. Let's each remember him in the same way.
Recent Ordinations
The first day of Unleavened Bread was an especially joyful Holy Day for several men. Raised to pastor rank was Mr. Maurice Yurkiw, of the Saskatoon, Canada congregation. Messrs. Paul Shumway, serving the Olympia, Washington congregation, and Douglas Winnail, who serves the Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts congregations, were both raised to preaching elder. Ordained as local church elders were the following men: Messrs. George Bell, Jr., Hammond, Indiana; Steve Burns, Midland, Texas; John Coco, Chicago (West), Illinois; Gregory Griswold, Hammond, Indiana; David Hatmaker, Hammond, Indiana; John Isola, Pennsauken, New Jersey; Melvin Spangler, Denver (West), Colorado; and John Turner, St. Joseph, Missouri.
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
Worldwide Church of God