Herbert W Armstrong

Post-Feast Letdown? Now that we're all back home from the Feast of Tabernacles and getting settled into our routines again, we must be on guard to avoid what many call "post-Feast letdown. " God's people must now face the vast contrast between the vivid picture of God's world to come that they enjoyed at the Feast and the grim reality of the world they must live in today.

We have about six months ahead of us without the special spiritual lift of one of God's Holy Days.

But, in fact, God has given us a foretaste of His coming Kingdom once every week! His holy Sabbath day! It is your job as God's ministers to teach God's people the true value of the Sabbath as a God-given opportunity to be refreshed in the water of God's Word, and to rest from this world in the pleasant and encouraging environment of the people who make up the temple of God.

Put even more earnestness and zeal into your sermons and Bible studies. Ask God for more of His Spirit to lead you in setting an infectious example of enthusiasm and excitement about the magnificent calling God has given His people, and about the wonderful future that lies just ahead. Point them to the goal, the product, of diligently striving to overcome and to draw close to God. Emphasize the need to grow, to change, to learn of God's way and to become like Jesus Christ.

As Mr. Dexter Faulkner mentioned in last week's "Pastor General's Report," all Mr. Armstrong's new and revised booklets will be sent automatically to Church members. Be sure to encourage the brethren to read and study these booklets along with "Mystery of the Ages," and remind them of the value of regularly studying all the booklets as well as the Correspondence Course.

Time is growing shorter every day. God has placed you in an important responsibility. Be sure you are not doing alone. You need God! Stay Close to Him.

Thanks: Thank you for your enthusiastic response to the fast for Mr. Armstrong's health. He appreciates deeply your continued support and prayers on his behalf.

Recent Ordinations: We are happy to announce the following ordinations that took place during the Fall Festival season this year:

On October 7, Messrs. Norman Smith and Robin Webber raised Mr. Lyle Welty, pastor of the Albany, New York, and Springfield, Massachusetts, churches to Pastor rank.

Raised to Preaching Elder on Trumpets were Mr. Steve Shafer, associate pastor of the Seattle and Bellevue, Washington, churches; Mr. Larry Hinkle, associate pastor of the Queens, New York, church; Mr. Stephen Elliott, associate pastor of the Washington, D.C., and Front Royal, Virginia, churches; and Mr. Lloyd Longley, associate pastor of the Perth, Western Australia, church.

Raised to Preaching Elder during the Feast of Tabernacles was Mr. Tom Smith, pastor of the Great Falls, Helena and Butte, Montana, churches. Also, Mr. Dean May of the Fleet Administration office in Pasadena was ordained as a Local Elder during the Feast.

Several Local Church Elders were ordained during the Feast this year. In the Philippines, Mr. Pedrito Cara, San Fernando; Mr. Augusto Cernol, Ozamiz City; Mr. Miguel Datu, Tarlac; Mr. Cyrus Ellorin, Butuan City; Mr. Rodrigo Forencondia, Davao City; Mr. Ernesto Gabriel, Olongapo City; Mr. Juanita Gapul, Sr., Valencia; Mr. Napoleon Meimban, Urdaneta; Mr. Tito Mina, Santiago; Mr. Eduardo Rodrigo, Iloilo; Mr. Laurencio Sabanal, Bacolod; Mr. Henson Santos, Quezon City; Mr. Virgilio Yap, Manila.

In the United States, Mr. Richard Anderson, Waukesha, Wisconsin; Mr. John Brown, Brooklyn, New York; Mr. Lewis Bryant, Cookeville, Tennessee; Mr. Jay Deyton, Asheville, North Carolina; Mr. John Perry, Champaign, Illinois; Mr. James Powell, Bowling Green, Kentucky; Mr. Howard Stein, San Diego, California; and Mr. Harvey Wierenga, Sr., Grand Rapids, Michigan.