Herbert W Armstrong

With regard to black Africa, you will also recall that several weeks before Mr. Brown's report, we had asked you to pray that God would provide a suitable site for the Feast of Tabernacles in Nigeria. We're happy to report that God has answered our prayers. Arrangements have now been made and plans are proceeding well. But please continue to pray that there be no unexpected obstacles, and that everything will run smoothly during the Feast there.

The Feast of Tabernacles is now only about nine weeks away! As it draws near, pastors can help ensure that the brethren will have a well-planned, safe and happy Feast, free from illness or other major problems, by giving certain reminders and instruction in advance. Bible studies, sermonettes, sermons and announcement time can be used to mention a number of areas of importance. Among them, be sure to include the following:

1. Prepare Your Children for the Feast: We should be preparing our children for the Feast by discussing with them how important their examples are. Their behavior in public — not being noisy, not running in buildings, etc. — should be a part of their instruction well before the Feast.

Now is also the time for parents to tell their children's schoolteachers about the Feast. Many hard feelings and problems for members' children can be avoided by politely and courteously discussing Feast plans with their teachers far in advance, thereby showing respect for and cooperation with the teachers' needs and plans.

New members or nonmembers attending the Feast should be advised of the biblical and church teaching against improperly disciplining their children. It must be remembered that we are to be a light to the world, and the Feast is being conducted in publicly-owned facilities. Therefore we do not want to have a new member or nonmember give the public the wrong impression of the biblical view of child correction.

Parents will need to plan ahead to have on hand quiet but effective methods of holding the interest of younger children during services. Members should carefully read and think about the recent series of articles on child rearing in The PLAIN TRUTH, and apply the principles prayer fully and consistently. The obedient children of Church members will then serve as a powerful witness to a world that has lost the truth on this vital subject.

2. Conduct at the Feast: Jesus said, "You are the light of the world." We have a responsibility before God to set a right Christian example at all times. At the Feast, we are under even closer scrutiny than at any other time of the year. Another area that has been a problem, sadly, is conduct on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is not the time for pool parties, loud playing and shouting by children, playing video games, sports, etc. Let's show respect for God by keeping the Sabbath HOLY AS HE MADE IT. The same admonition certainly applies to God's annual Sabbaths as well.

3. Plan Ahead to Serve Others: There is no surer way to have a miserable Feast than to go with the primary goal of having a good time for oneself. Deuteronomy 16:14 shows that our rejoicing is to include far more than just ourselves. In fact, unless we do have the attitude of helping others have a wonderful Feast, we simply will not be able to properly and truly rejoice as God intends. The Feast points us to the time when true happiness, based on God's Law of love, will prevail. That is the attitude we must carry to the Feast if we hope to fully observe it.

A sermonette on ways to serve at the Feast would be helpful to many. This would be especially good for singles and teenagers. By involving themselves in Church activities and seeking ways to serve others, their Feast can be much more meaningful than if their minds are focused only on "singles activities" or "youth activities." Being a part of the whole Church through service and active participation, instead of becoming part of separate special-interest groups, should be of paramount importance to our singles and older teenagers.

4. Plan to Have a Healthy Feast: There is a cause for every effect. Colds and flus can dampen the Feast for oneself and others. We should strive to avoid illness by getting enough exercise and sleep both before and during the Feast. We should also avoid overeating well as eating too many rich or sugary foods. The better we feel, the better Feast we can have.

5. Planning Ahead: Thought and planning should go into the Feast trip so that potential problems can be avoided. Vehicles should be checked out and made ready before the trip to help prevent problems from occurring at the Feast, where parts and repair work may be far more expensive and difficult to find. A budget should be prepared so that funds are regulated throughout the Feast, with no surprises in the middle. All articles and suggestions pertaining to Feast planning and preparation that appear in THE WORLDWIDE NEWS and other publications should be read well ahead of time so that all bases are covered.

6. Driving When Tired: Mr. Armstrong has repeatedly admonished us to avoid driving all night or late into the night. We should plan to begin our travels early enough to allow reasonable driving distances each day, and even make motel reservations in advance to avoid being forced to drive further than we should. A common-sense rule of the road is to pull off and rest or sleep anytime one feels drowsy. This is not only a matter of safety for one's own family or passengers, but also for other drivers on the road. This is a specific application of God's law of love — of outgoing concern and consideration for others.

The same principle of showing love applies to driving within the speed limit. Not only are we as Christians to be considerate of the safety and welfare of others, God also instructs us to obey the laws of the land. Highway laws, as all laws that do not prevent us from obeying God, should be carefully observed by God's people. As Mr. Armstrong wrote in the March 1980 GOOD NEWS, "If the government sets a speed limit of 55 mph, I as an individual do not exceed it." The use of seat belts and proper safety restraining systems for little children should definitely be stressed.

7. Plan to Have a Spiritual Feast: The Feast of Tabernacles is no time to let down in prayer and Bible study. How can we expect God to be with us and bless us during the Feast if we shut off communication with Him? How can we expect to fully understand the spiritual meat given to us at the Feast if we are not spiritually renewing ourselves daily, as God instructs us to do through Paul? (II Cor. 4:16.) We should definitely plan to set aside time each day for these spiritual priorities at the Feast.

Spending time with God's people in wholesome fellowship and activities is another important facet that will contribute to having a spiritual Feast, and is something that should not be neglected.

Proper emphasis must be placed on attending services. Attendance at every service ought to be a priority! THIS INCLUDES THE OPENING NIGHT MESSAGE! We should not miss any service for some activity, trip or any other reason except illness or emergency. We must not let the purpose of the Feast escape us by putting too much emphasis on fun and activities.

Another area to be mindful of is excessive talking and walking around during services. (Sometimes it seems that the biggest offenders in this are ushers, deacons and ministers. These are the people who ought to be setting right example.) Only such talking as is absolutely necessary should take place during services. Storytelling, laughing, general discussion and all other unnecessary conversation simply display a lack of respect for services, the speaker and for God.

God intends the Feast of Tabernacles to be a time of great rejoicing. With careful preparation physically and spiritually, following the principles outlined above, we can all have a superb Feast this year!

Supervision of Teens at the Feast

The Feast is a family occasion — something we should all strive to emphasize in every possible way. Therefore, teenagers should not be attending the Feast alone. If there is a case where the parents must attend a different site than their children, they should see to it that the children are under the supervision of qualified adults. This provides not only for the proper supervision of the children, but also for their safety and well-being!

In the case of teenagers no longer living at home, it should be up to the pastor to determine whether they should attend the Feast away from their parents. If the young person is genuinely interested in the Church, he or she should be treated as a prospective member.

Even for teenagers who will be attending with their parents, there should be some instruction in services prior to the Festival regarding parental responsibility and the proper supervision of children of all ages at the Feast.