Herbert W Armstrong

As usual, Mr. Armstrong was in top form, very energetic and feeling well. I am always amazed at how good he looks and feels after these long and arduous trips, compared to how exhausted the rest of the party looks. I know that our collective prayers for him play an important role in that. God certainly can and does renew Mr. Armstrong's strength like the eagle's, as described in Isaiah 40:31.

Let's be sure to continue praying diligently for Mr. Armstrong's health and vigor, as well as follow Paul's admonition in Ephesians 6:18-20 to pray that God would continue to help Mr. Armstrong boldly proclaim the Gospel. God does expect us, as His elect, to have our hearts in the work of His Church in this way, discussing it with Him daily in earnest, heartfelt prayer. As God's ministers, we should faithfully seek God's blessing and direction upon His Apostle to preach the Gospel to the world with power.

We're very thankful for the continued growth God is giving His Church in each of the international areas. In this week's PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT we are including very positive reports from the French and Spanish Departments. Please continue to pray for each of the Regional Directors of the international offices. As God has called us all to be one body, let us be mindful of the needs, problems, and blessings of our brethren in every part of the world, keeping in mind the Apostle Peter's comment in I Peter 5:9.

There are only ten months left before the 1985 Feast of Tabernacles! This would be a good time to give a sermon on second tithe. Such a sermon would serve to encourage the brethren to be thinking about next year's Feast by including such topics as:

— faithfully saving second tithe as God has instructed (review basic scriptures).

— planning ahead, allowing sufficient time for travel to and from the Feast, etc.

— following instructions so the Feast runs smoothly for all.

— Making housing reservations well in advance of departure and in line with guidelines given in next year's FESTIVAL PLANNER.

— carefully budgeting for the Feast trip.

— importance of giving and serving at the Feast, and ways this can be done.

— reflecting on any problems they may have had this year, and to plan on avoiding those problems next year.

Reviewing these important aspects of the Feast while they are still fresh on the members' minds will help them do even better next year, as well as encourage them to faithfully save second tithe throughout the year. It will also serve as valuable instruction for new members.

It would be good to impress upon the brethren the need to review their Feast sermon notes, so that the instruction and encouragement they received this year can be more firmly cemented in their minds.

This year's Feast was the last one for my mother, who died at the age of 93 this week. I was thankful that God allowed her to die with little suffering. She lived a full life and died in the faith. I will be attending the funeral in Chicago this weekend.

Recent Ordinations

The following men were ordained local church elders on the Feast of Trumpets, September 27: Gabriel Castaneda of Long Beach (East), California; Edwin Jacobs of Portland (South), Oregon; John Orchard of Palmer, Alaska; Vernon Schemm of Scott City, Kansas; and Larry Sharp of Long Beach (West), California. Ordained to preaching elder on the Feast of Trumpets was Walter Neufeld, who serves the Flagstaff and Prescott, Arizona congregations. During the Feast of Tabernacles, on October 14, Wayne Trainor of the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario congregation was ordained a local church elder.

Safeguard Your Gelco Credit Card! (U.S. Ministers)

We have received notice that two of our field fleet vehicles were stolen this week. In both cases, the minister had left his Gelco credit card in the car! It is a common human trait to think, “It won't happen to me I'm sure the two men it happened to thought this.

As a reminder, I am reprinting below the memo Mark Mickelson sent to each U.S. fleet driver last July. Please reread this memo, and do not leave your Gelco card in your car. Our careful cooperation in matters such as this will result in much savings for God's Church, and help each of us be wise stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.

I hope the services Gelco provides for you are working well. I realize there are problems here from time to time and we are always willing to assist you in their solution.

The Universal Oil Card which Gelco supplies now includes Chevron and Shell. As soon as we have a card with these logos on the back we will forward it to you. Gelco has held off producing this new card because they are still hoping to add additional oil companies this summer. To my knowledge they have the most widely accepted card in the industry.

This credit card does carry a heavy liability with it if it is lost or stolen. We cannot cancel it as you can a personal card and we are liable for all charges incurred regardless of the user. It is very important that you protect these cards and make every effort for their recovery if they are lost. Please do not leave them in your car or anywhere where they could be removed by someone without your permission. We are able to use the program only as long as we can guarantee its integrity.

Thank you for your help.