Church News
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Traveling Schedule
Date Minister Location Comments May 17th
John Plunkett
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Sermonette, Bible Study
May 17th
John W. Ritenbaugh
Phoenix, Arizona
Sermon, Bible Study
June 7th
John W. Ritenbaugh
Springfield/Louisburg, Missouri
Sermon, Bible Study
Church of the Great God held an Elders' Conference at the church office in Fort Mill, South Carolina, beginning Thursday, December 13, and ending on Monday, December 17. In attendance were Bas and Roely Belder of Hilversum, The Netherlands; Martin and Sue Collins of Tega Cay, South Carolina; Gerard and Agnes Evers of Albergen, The Netherlands; John and Tricia Plunkett of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; John and Dolores Reid of Bolivar, Missouri; John and Evelyn Ritenbaugh of Charlotte, North Carolina; Richard and Beth Ritenbaugh, also of Charlotte; Mark and Nancy Schindler of Tinley Park, Illinois; and David and Annetjie Wyatt-Mair of Fish Hoek, South Africa. Unfortunately, due to bureaucratic issues, Ramsumair and Evelyn Sookram of St. Augustine, Trinadad, were not able to attend.
The conference's opening and keynote lecture, given by John Ritenbaugh, centered on unity and particularly on how the ministry, in its words and actions, can help to motivate unity with God and thus among the brethren. Later that day, Martin Collins chaired a session on governmental challenges to churches and ministers. In the Sunday morning meeting, Richard Ritenbaugh reminded the attendees of a handful of basic principles of church leadership, and David Grabbe updated them on CGG's efforts to preach the gospel and feed the flock through its Internet sites and email newsletters. On the final day, John Ritenbaugh led a lively discussion on the subject of the Antichrist in the morning, and closed the conference with further thoughts on the roles of faith, hope, and love in cultivating unity.
The ministers had several opportunities for fellowship with each other and with the brethren in the Fort Mill congregation. On Friday evening, in order to avoid the distractions and limitations of a restaurant, a meal was brought in to the church office, and the attendees were able to eat in a relaxed atmosphere and mingle freely. The next day, eighty-seven attended Sabbath services in Fort Mill, and afterward, a potluck dinner gave everyone a chance to talk and get to know one another. On Sunday evening, after a free afternoon, the attendees were treated to lasagna at the home of Bill and Sharon Onisick in Fort Mill. The out-of-town guests returned home on Tuesday, December 18.
The conference proved to be profitable in many ways, not least of which is that the far-flung attendees were able to meet and become acquainted with each other. That in itself does its share in enhancing unity.
We are grateful to all those who helped make the conference a success. Special thanks goes to Kristen Collins, Lacey Graham, Diane and Heather McIver, and Courtney Ritenbaugh for their behind-the-scenes service.
18-Dec-07
Church of the Great God is pleased to announce the ordinations of Richard Ritenbaugh of Charlotte, North Carolina, to pastor, and David Wyatt-Mair of Fish Hoek, South Africa, as a deacon. The men were ordained at the end of Sabbath services on December 15, 2007, in Fort Mill, South Carolina, during the recent Elders' Conference. CGG Pastor John Ritenbaugh, along with the other elders present, conducted the ordinations. Congratulations!
18-Dec-07
The addition to the Church of the Great God's office building is finally complete! Final finishing work was completed soon after the Feast of Tabernacles, and the employees were able to move into their new offices soon thereafter.
The addition enlarges the church office by 1750 square feet (about 195 square meters), bringing the total space to 7000 sq. ft. (778 sq. m.). Most of the added space will be used for five new offices, while adding space to the church library, conference room, and a sixth office. Three large closets for maintenance and storage were also part of the addition.
The staff at the church office extends their appreciation for the help and prayers offered to complete this project. It is our hope that the additional space will make us more efficient and productive in doing the work God has given us to do.
15-Oct-07
On October 7, long-time member Doris Riley of Williamson, Georgia, will achieve the milestone of 80 years.
18-Sep-07
The pace of construction on the addition to the church office in Fort Mill, South Carolina, has begun to pick up speed. The interior framing using aluminum studs has been completed, as has most of the electrical wiring. The drywall has been delivered and is expected to be hung in the next day or two, at least on one side of the studs (the other side will be hung after the electrical inspection is performed).
Still to come are the mechanical work for the heating and air conditioning system, the hanging of the suspended ceiling, and the exterior brick work, besides a great deal of finish work on the interior. Your prayers for the quality, speed, and timing of this project are always greatly appreciated.
27-Aug-07
A construction crew has been hard at work all this week in stifling temperatures and humidity, erecting the structural steel for the office addition. Temperatures reached 104°F on Thursday, an all-time record for the Charlotte area, but the men worked steadily all day, completing the perimeter steel and hanging a large part of the insulation and aluminum skin. Once the addition is completely enclosed, securing the building, the interior work can begin in earnest. Please pray that the construction crews for the various trades can be scheduled efficiently to allow the addition to be finished before the Feast of Tabernacles. Thanks!
09-Aug-07
The church office of Church of the Great God in Fort Mill, South Carolina, will be receiving its long-awaited addition this summer. When the building was constructed in the spring and summer of 2005, its size was reduced by 25% due to rising materials costs, but now after two years, the church can complete the building to its original size and specifications.
The addition, which will add 1,750 square feet to the building, will contain a conference room, a storage closet, and five full-size offices for the church's employees, who are presently working in what were originally planned to be storage or multi-purpose rooms. It will also add area to three present spaces, two of which will be combined, making them more functional.
So far, the footings and concrete pad have been poured and are curing. The structural steel will be delivered in the next week or so, and will be erected when the concrete is ready to bear the load. Last week, an additional air conditioning unit was installed to assist in cooling the auditorium during the hot spring and summer months. Construction is expected to be completed by early September.
26-Jun-07
Church of the Great God is pleased to announce the ordination of two deacons, James Beaubelle of Santa Ana, California, and Ted Bowling of Lancaster, South Carolina. The men were ordained during church services on Thursday, October 12, 2006, at the Feast of Tabernacles site in Columbia, Missouri. CGG Pastor John Ritenbaugh, along with the other elders present, conducted the ordination. Congratulations!
18-Oct-06
Samuel Marete, a member of the church of God, lives in a small town of 20,000 people in the Philippines, and subsequently has few brethren to fellowship with. His town has only one phone and receives mail only once a week. There are few television sets and most people have never even seen a computer, so he asks for correspondence by regular mail. He is a school principal and reads and writes very good English. If you can, please write him at:
Samuel D. Marete
Dasol Central School
Dasol 2411 Pangasinan
THE PHILIPPINES
Because God has called people without regard to ethnic or national boundaries, we have friends and brethren all around the world. Among them are Wallace and Agnes Cozyn of Victoria, Australia. These longtime members once lived in South Africa and now reside in the land of kangaroos, koalas and the Outback. Please drop them a line and let them know they are not alone! They would be thrilled to hear from their brethren!
Wallace & Agnes Cozyn
2/6 Kellay St
Clayton Station, Victoria
3169
AUSTRALIA
Email: cozyn@optusnet.com.au
The Boyer Family of Normandy, France, request more fellowship?by mail or fax?with their American, Canadian, South African, and Australian brethren. Please drop them a line. They will eagerly devour it! (They understand English enough to correspond without difficulty.)
Gilbert & Francoise Boyer
Hameau Bourg L'Abbe
La Mailleraye sur Seine
76940
FRANCE
Fax: (33)(2) 35 37 56 01Thierry & Anna Boyer (children: Sabrina, 15, and Joanna, 12)
Route Du Pont Audemer
La Mailleraye sur Seine
76940
FRANCE
Fax: (33)(2) 35 37 86 83
Email: boyertb@aol.com
