March 13, 2013 Member Letter

(Note: This letter was included with the printed booklet that was mailed to all households in March.)

March 13, 2013

Greetings Everyone,

I am excited to provide you with a copy of our first printed booklet—From Holidays to Holy Days: God’s Plan for You. For the past year we have dedicated most of our resources to our websites and getting settled in the office here in Allen. But now we have reached the point where we can print and mail literature to you directly. The new booklet is being sent to all U.S. members as well as members in English-speaking areas outside the U.S. We will mostly use our senior pastors and regional directors to distribute the booklet outside the U.S. rather than use expensive mailing. Our primary focus for preaching the gospel will continue to be the Internet, but it won’t be our only avenue!

When Jesus Christ walked on this earth, He came “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14). We believe that we must carry on with that mission today. And as we get closer to the end of this age, it becomes more important that the message be heard. We continue to believe that God will yet call more people. After all, His plan is to bring “many sons to glory” (Hebrews 2:10). Where will all those “sons” come from? These are those whom God will call out of this world (John 6:44). And as Paul says, how can they “believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:13-15). Our job is to make sure they can hear and/or read the gospel message. Printing and distributing booklets will assist us in doing our part. God the Father will do the calling.

This booklet lays out in very clear fashion the biblical teaching about the world’s holidays versus God’s holy days. This is one of the fundamental beliefs of the Church of God. It is a “game changer,” to use a sports term. If one accepts these beliefs, his life will be dramatically changed. I remember vividly as a child learning the true origin of the holidays and being taught the need to observe the holy days and how it changed the lives of my family. The seven festivals outline in symbolic form the seven steps in God’s plan of salvation. This booklet is concise and written to be understood by anyone who will take the time to read through it. We hope this will be something that can be used to help those who want to know more about this important topic and to confirm among the membership the ongoing significance of these days. This is the first of a series of booklets we will be producing this year, all on core topics, to be published on the Internet as e-booklets to begin with.

I hope you will read the entire booklet, but I encourage you to especially review the section on the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread. The booklet should arrive at your home within a few days of the Passover. Not only is this the first festival of the year, but it also sets a tone for all the festivals. Jesus Christ is central to our understanding of the Holy Days. The Passover is the commemoration of His death. We don’t celebrate the world’s holiday of Easter, but we will be observing the Days of Unleavened Bread immediately after the Passover.

Passover and Unleavened Bread are separate festivals and each has a distinct meaning, symbolizing different steps in God’s plan. Some people try to combine them as though they were one festival, but by doing so they miss the uniqueness of each one. It is by accepting the sacrifice of Christ for our sins at the Passover that we begin the journey of Salvation. Unleavened Bread is the second step. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and repent of our sins, we must change our life. Unleavened Bread pictures this profound change of life – removal of sin and commitment to live righteously. The symbols used each year for these two festivals are filled with meaning – footwashing, unleavened bread and wine for the Passover; and removal of leavening and eating unleavened bread for the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Since we are mailing this letter as we approach springtime in the United States, I also want to mention registration for our Youth Camps. The theme this year is “A Call to Greatness.” Campers and staff members will begin the online registration process shortly. Each year we provide an opportunity for you to participate in the camp program. We can’t all take off work and be with the youth, but we hope you will still consider supporting the program. The benefits to our youth from these camps have been highlighted many times over the years. Along with this letter and booklet you will find additional envelopes that can be used either for contributing directly to the camp program if you desire or for general donations (tithes and offerings). Please indicate on your check if you wish the funds to be used for the camp program.

I want to thank all of you for your generosity over the past several months. We are now moving away from the start-up mode to more efficient and diversified efforts to preach the gospel and care for the brethren. Through the Internet, booklets, special videos, sermons, magazines and other avenues as they open to us, we will continue to expand those efforts. We ask for your prayers and your support as we approach the spring Holy Days. I hope you will enjoy the new booklet and feel free to share it with any others who may have an interest!

Sincerely, your brother in Christ,

Jim Franks