North East USA
The 2002 Feast will be observed at Winding Creek Camp, just south of Hastings, Michigan. This site will focus on the Leviticus 23:41–43 message comparing the Feast of Tabernacles to the wilderness wandering after Egypt. It is not intended to be a typical Feast with “morning sermons followed by expensive entertainment”, but an assembly of believers who will spend eight days spiritually preparing to “go into the promised land”.
The themes for the eight days will be: 1) Purpose of the Feast of Tabernacles; 2) Meeting the Brethren; 3) How has God blessed you? 4) How has God protected you in difficult times? 5) How can we prove God to the outside world? 6) What does God expect His people to learn and do today? 7) What will we help Christ do in the Millennium? 8) The Eighth Day, a new beginning.
During the Feast, we plan to record and distribute CDs of original songs and spoken words as a thanks and permanent memory of what God has done for us. If you are interested in attending, contact us to make a reservation. Camp cabins and lodge rooms are available in varying sizes. They are nice looking and have electricity, but no plumbing or central heat. They are close to the heated bathhouses. Lodging cost for 8 days is $80 per adult, $64 per child 3–12. The 8-day meal plan (you help prepare & serve) is $85 per adult, $55 per child 3–12. You are encouraged to stay and eat at the camp, but several big stores, restaurants and motels are about 2 miles away. (The camp charges $2 per day per person for daytime visitors). The camp has volleyball, basketball, and many other recreational facilities. For more information, see the Jan/Feb 2002 Servants’ News Issue or contact us at PO Box 107, Perry, Michigan 48872-0107; info@servantsnews.com; 517-625-7480.
South East USA
Angle for large-mouth bass on Lake Eufaula. Take in the sun on our beach. Enjoy an old fashioned picnic, then a leisurely boat ride around the lake. While on the green you can drive a ball around our 18-hole golf course, battle through a hot tennis match, or cool off with a dip in our swimming pool. The kids will enjoy zapping the aliens in our video game room!
Lakepoint Resort State Park (334-687-6676) is located seven miles north of Eufaula off Highway 431 on the Alabama-Georgia line (Route 2, box 94, Eufaula, Alabama 36027-9202). Lake Eufaula is known as the “Bass Capital of the World”. This picturesque 1,220-acre park complements the beautiful 45,200-acre Eufaula Impoundment with many resort facilities including a full service marina. You may also enjoy the adjoining National Wildlife Refuge.
The Resort Motel (PO Box 267, Eufaula, Alabama 36027; 334-687-8011 or 800-544-5253) has 101 rooms ($54 dbl, $45.50 sngl), most with balconies overlooking Lake Eufaula. Each is equipped with two double beds, a TV, and telephone. Two-room suites ($106.20) and heated and air-conditioned cabins (2 bdrm $79, 3 bdrm $117, 4 bdrm $158) accommodating 1–8 people are also available. All are furnished with linens, cooking utensils and outdoor grills. Many have fireplaces. The campground has 244 sites ($12 per day) with water and electric hookups. Sewer hookups available at some sites. The dining room, community center, pavilion, beach, boat ramp, bathhouse, laundry, and camp store are nearby.
Marina Facilities include fishing and pontoon boat rental, store, overnight docking, permanent wet storage, fuel dock and boat launching facilities. There are also hiking trails, a picnic area with pavilions, tables, grills and playground, a nature center with a trained Park Naturalist, a beach area, six lighted tennis courts and a swimming pool.
For more information contact Mark Carr (The Simple Truth) at PO Box 70635, Knoxville, TN 37938; 865-922-5420, e-mail: mcarr@theSimpleTruth.net.
The Feast will be sponsored by the Church of God, Fellowship at the Horton Haven Retreat, adjacent to Henry Horton State Park near Chapel Hill, Tennessee. Contact: Paul Bell (615-896-9365) or W.K. Saulsberry (931-294-2127).
The Freedom Church of God is hosting a site at the Summit at Gatlinburg, Tenn. Feast themes will be Bible study, prophecy, and the “faith once delivered”. For more information, contact Helm Hobrath at 440-639-0916 or Jerry Simmons at 601-736-0418.
United Christian Ministries (Ray Wooten) will again be at the Sevierville Civic Center and Community Center in Sevierville, Tennessee. If you would like to receive an area housing and attractions booklet and map, contact United Christian Ministries, P.O. Box 361725, Hoover, AL 35236; 888-985-9066, e-mail: ucm3821@aol.com.
This site, sponsored by the Church of God, Big Sandy (Dave Havir), is at the Pelican Beach Resort hotel on the Gulf Coast. It hosts a kiddie pool, a swimming pool and a jacuzzi as well as a sauna, weight-room and sandwich shop.
The area has plenty of enjoyable restaurants, shopping, fishing, kayaking, jet-skis, sailboats, cruises and, swimming. Beautiful sunsets on the beach with temperatures in the mid-80s °F (30°C) during the days make this site a delight for nearly anyone.
For more information, contact Shelly at 800-946-5545 or e-mail: destin@bigsandychurch.org.
This Feast site is sponsored by Christian Educational Ministries (Ron Dart). It features sermons to inspire, encourage, uplift, motivate and take you deeper into understanding what God’s Word can do for you and through you; congregational music to bring out the best in every voice in praise to God; outstanding special music and great choirs for all age groups provide opportunities, pleasure and inspiration; thought-provoking seminars to titillate your curiosity, prepare you for greater Christian service, and help with your spiritual and personal needs; and fun activities for every age group to encourage friendships, fellowship and bonding (most are free).
Each day there will be Sabbath School classes where kids age 3–19 will discover God’s ways are best for them and love every minute of it. Free full-color state of the art lesson books will be provided for every student. Focused, relevant themes address issues each age group faces. Trained teachers facilitate exciting active and interactive classes. No effort will be spared to reach the hearts of every youth in each class. Action, action, action coupled with fun and effective biblical learning are the orders for each day!
Kids need fun opportunities to create interfaith relationships and to bond. Supervised activities include such things as a family skating party and picnic with a clown and free charcoal broiled hamburgers and hot dogs. A teen beach party, dance, miniature golf, and go-carts are just some of the activities designed to make your kids want to return every year. Youth empowerment is the plan for Youth Day. The entire service is dedicated to our youth and conducted by them. Teen presenters will tell us how their walk with Christ has made growing up easier. Three youth choirs will sing—one with its own band. An outstanding play from the book of Exodus will be put on by all the kids attending.
There’s a condo, motel, house, or great camp site to fit almost any budget in Destin and Niceville. For more information on excellent discounts call CEM’s toll free number 888-BIBLE-44.
Everyone is welcome! CEM’s Feast site is a festival for the people of God! There is no preregistration and no prior approval needed. Niceville offers a cordial atmosphere of love and encouragement. Your friends will be there to welcome you. Learning and growing opportunities prevail in a warm, encouraging, friendly climate. It’s a place where God pours out His Spirit. Don’t you think you should honor our Creator and rejoice with us? We hope you do! Contact Christian Educational Ministries, P.O. Box 560, Whitehouse, Texas 75791; 903-509-2999 888-BIBLE-44; fax: 903-509-1139; e-mail: adm@cemnetwork.com.
The Christian Church of God (Florida) is planning to host a Feast of Tabernacles’ site in Lantana, Florida We have hosted a Feast site most years since 1986 when we hosted the original cruise ship Feast. Services will basically be a traditional Church of God format with one service per day. We will have a fun/talent night and limited scheduled activities.
After two years of intensive research and study, we determined a change from the traditional calendar was necessary. We believe these dates more closely comply with the instruction in Gen 1:14 in determining the time, and Deut 16:13 to go to the Feast after the harvest; hence it will be Oct 22nd through 29th. Contact Neville Gilbert; PO Box 3827, Lantana, Fl 33465; 561-585-4580.
North Central USA
Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles 2002 in the Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. This family-oriented feast site is open to all. The site is being sponsored by members of the Church of God Fellowship (Lansing, Michigan) and by members of the Church of God from Berthoud, Colorado.
Services will be held at the new (opening in June 2002) Welcome Center at the Crazy Horse Memorial near Custer, SD. Service format will be a split-sermon message (with an interactive question and answer period following the close of services). Inspiring song services and special music will also be presented each morning. A seminar or Bible study and teen and youth studies/activities will be conducted before services each day.
The Feast site is four miles north of Custer and nine miles south of Hill City. Feastgoers can find a variety of housing options including: hotel rooms (some with suites and family rooms), kitchenette units, cabins, rental homes, lodges and camping. Those who plan to attend this site must make their own housing arrangements. Some establishments are offering a discount. Please see our website at www.feast2002.com for more details or you may contact: John Bensinger, 12630 Shaftsburg Rd, Perry, Michigan 48872; 517-675-5758 or Matt Gaffney, 5413 Schofield Rd., Berthoud, Colorado 80513 970-532-0522.
[I personally know the people organizing this site—some attend our fellowship. While it may not be quite as interactive as the Feasts I have organized, it should be very well run and enjoyable. Independent believers should find the speakers good and the teaching acceptable. — NSE]
This group has observed the Feast using the visible new moon calendar for nearly 20 years.
For more information, contact Church of God of Colorado Springs, PO Box 9901, Colorado Springs, CO 80932-0901; 719-577-9066, e-mail: jehines29@earthlink.net.
Join us in the Wisconsin Dells/ Baraboo area for the feast. It will be held from September 20–30 to accomodate the traditional Hillel calendar as well as the observed first crescent. Several interdependent congregations of the Church of God will be working together to sponsor the third annual multi-church Feast site in the Wisconsin Dells area.
The format for services may be different from last year, but there will be plenty of interaction and discussion. A daily lunch buffet will follow, giving the opportunity for more discussion. We are planning to broadcast services over the Internet, link to other feast sites, and broadcast those services also. If you would like information on linking your Feast site to ours e-mail networking@thinkgod.org.
This year we will again be meeting at Papa’s Place Conference Center in Baraboo, Wisc. (just 6 miles from the Wisconsin Dells). This year we are again pleased to offer a daily lunch buffet following services. Menu items include: pepper steak, beef lasagna, vegetable lasagna, baked chicken, manicotti, roast beef, beef tips, and baked cod. Salads, side dishes, baked dinner rolls, and coffee, tea or milk are also included. Prices for the buffet should be approximately $7.95/adult plus gratuity (no tax). Children 5–10 years of age $5.95; children 5 and under free.
We will have an on-site network available for access to Bible programs, Bible resources and the Internet. We will be able to accomodate an unlimited number of laptops, but please be sure your laptop has a network adaptor card. Without one, you will be unable to access the network. A limited number of computer workstations will also be available for those who don’t have laptops but wish to use the network.
Many enjoyable activities are now being planned. These include: a Steak Out, a family dance, a hike at the beautiful Devil’s Lake State Park, a fun show and ice cream social, a boat trip or train ride, a pool party or visit to a local water park (indoor of course), a women’s seminar, a children’s festival program, and calendar seminars.
For information contact Tim Lindholm; 8703 Green Haven Dr; Brooklyn Park, MN 55445-2345, 612-525-5012 or see the website at: cogbereanfellowship.tripod.com/feast02.html.
South Central USA
It seems with each year the urgency, tension and insanity in the world builds to a more intense level. Along with that I experience a more intense desire and need for God’s feasts and His Kingdom. I hope you do also. Sadly some experience burnout and lose interest, or are diverted from the goal partially or wholly by divisive ideas, different doctrines or false teachers. My aim this year is to provide a safe site where we may all come together to praise our Father. As diverse doctrines and ideas rage out of control in the church let us pray for the unity of the brethren. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psa 133:1, KJV)
This year we will add more activities for youth, elders and the church to promote a sense of family. The fun/talent show, Sabbath school, seminars, Bible studies, fun park, prayer meetings and fish fry will continue. Ideas are welcomed and volunteers needed for Bible studies and seminars.
• A small group assembles each night for a song, prayer, reading Psalms, and prayer requests: for all who wish to participate.
• No collections will be taken up. An offering box will be in the back of the room for anyone wanting to make an offering. Funds donated at the feast will be used for feast expenses and festival assistance. Additional envelopes will be provided for you to designate “an offering to the Lord” (Deut16:13–17) and we will forward it as designated; or you are free to attend to that matter on your own.
The Lake Texoma Resort Park has tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding stables, miniature golf, go-carts and a beautiful lake. There’s also a fort nearby. There are recreation and naturalist staff to help plan activities. It has a beautiful lobby downstairs and a second-floor seating area overlooking the lobby—plenty of room for visiting and fellowship. There will be another group there this year so lock in your reservation early and mention you are with the Church of God.
The accommodations (without tax) are: lodge guest rooms $48, king room $58, cabanas rooms $80, studio cottages $52, two-bedroom cottages $89 (no cooking or eating utensils are provided in the cottages). Lodge rooms and suite rates are for two adults, each additional adult is $10 extra. Call 405-564-2566 for campground information. There is a 3,000-foot runway for private planes. The meals are served in the newly remodeled restaurant overlooking the lake. There are two other motels within a short distance.
Feast Coordinator: Steve Kieler, 2193 Sheker Drive, Fort Dodge, IA 50501-8707; 515-576-5743; e-mail: skieler@juno.com. For rooms, contact: Lake Texoma Resort Park, P. O. Box 248, Kingston, OK 73439-0248; 800-654-8240 (4). Be sure to mention you are with the Church of God.
Note: the State of Oklahoma is considering closing some of its parks, but Lake Texoma is not one of them!
Truth On The Web Ministries will be hosting the Feast of Tabernacles in beautiful Oklahoma. This year’s site will be in Kingston located in scenic Southern Oklahoma in Lake Texoma Resort Park. We shall be keeping the Feast days in accord with the Biblical New Moon observation-based calendar (determining the new year by the Abib barley), but all from other calendar camps are peaceably welcome. All who read this page are cordially invited to attend the blessed event with us in accordance with the Word of God.
Lodge guest rooms are $49.50 per night, studio cottages with kitchenette (sleeps 4) are $63.00, two-bedroom cabins (sleeps eight) are $94.50. Campsites range from $6 for a regular campsite without utilities, $12–$15 for an RV site with water and electricity, to $15–$18 for all utilities. Camping is not reservable, first-come, first served. Expect a lot of warm fellowship and Bible teaching. Contact: Brian Hoeck 847-593-8943, e-mail: brihoeck7@aol.com, website: http://welcome.to/GodsTabernacles.
This site is sponsored by Raymond Kaping, a long-time Servants’ News reader. It will give those who attend a chance to experience the outdoor Feast, to live in booths and to dress modest, chaste and washed. There will not be sermons or an entertainment program, but a chance to join together in dialog to discuss Bible topics. “Come let us reason together says the Lord” (Isa 1:18). There will be assemblies on the high days, other activities will be planned at the Feast.
Roaring River State Park is West of Branson, Missouri and North of Eureka Springs, Ark. It will take place at campground number two, the only one that can be reserved in advance. It has only electric hookups. Water is available and there are restrooms and showers.
For information contact: Church of God, PO Box 521, Shell Knob, Mo. 65747; 417-858-3807.
The Mid-Missouri Church of God (MMCG) will again be sponsoring the Feast of Tabernacles at the 54,000 acre Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. It will be held this year at the beautiful new Baymont Inn in the town of Lake Ozark. To browse the extensive Lake of the Ozarks attractions, see the website: www.funlake.com.
Members of all Church of God organizations will be welcome. Information and registration will be at 5:30p.m. in the Baymont Conference Hall, with opening services commencing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night, September 20. (A traditional format is planned—with worship services at 10:30 a.m. on most days.)
Anyone interested in sermon, sermonette, Bible study or seminar presentation, or serving as a choir member, individual or group special music volunteer, accompanist, or assisting with the children’s Bible classes, please get in touch. Other kinds of service will also be needed.
For an information packet, please write to Duke Schneider at 31879 Triangle Cove Road, Gravois Mills, MO 65037; 573-372-3221; e-mail: ddinmo@advertisnet.com or Bud and Connie Houston, 573-392-6677, email: budhouston@prodigy.net.
The Church of God San Antonio is extremely happy to announce that it will once again host the Feast of Tabernacles in beautiful San Antonio, the Alamo City. All brethren regardless of organizational affiliation are welcome to attend. We are ready to serve as your host to make the Feast in San Antonio a very enjoyable, memorable, and Family Oriented celebration where Our Children will play an important role in our Worship Services. Inspiring sermons, music to honor our Creator, and fellowship opportunities for the entire family are being planned. A family atmosphere, love for one another, and “Rejoicing Before the Lord” are themes that will predominate the Feast in San Antonio. Workshops and Youth Bible Classes are also being planned.
We will meet in the The Park Inn Conference Center, 10811 I-35 North San Antonio, Texas 78233; 800-276-0679; 210-590-4646; fax: 210-590-2464; website: www.parkhtls.com. Mention you are attending the Feast of Tabernacles, Group ID #007 to obtain room rates of $46.50 plus tax for single, double, triple, or quad. The Church of God, San Antonio has contracted to pay the hotel an additional $1,400 in order to obtain this very attractive low room rate for our brethren. Reservations accepted only with a deposit or a major credit card. We must fill at least 30 rooms by August 31, 2002 to avoid forfeiture of any deposits paid or payment of penalties. Please help us by making your reservations as early as possible.
Rooms include microwave, refrigerator, modem hookups, hair dryer, coffee maker, iron/ironing board, pool access and complimentary continental breakfast (each day begins with a bountiful breakfast of freshly brewed coffee, muffins, Danish, and an assortment of fruit and other delightful fare).
There is an RV Park one mile from the Park Inn Conference Center: Greentree Village North, 12015 O’Connor Rd, San Antonio, Texas 78233; 210-655-3331; website is at www.greentreevillage.com.
Contact Julian Cruz, 219 Whitefield Ave, San Antonio, Texas 78223; 210-333-7229; e-mail: jcruz@ix.netcom.com, website: churchofgodsa.com.
North West USA
The Sunriver Feast Site is not hosted by any organization. Rather it is organized by a small core of brethren from various Churches of God and volunteers who attend the Feast. The hall rental, services, food, and activities are all funded by those who attend. All contributions are collected at the Feast and spent only for the Feast.
No organizations or person(s) receives any funds or gifts. Any contributions that are not spent one year are rolled over into the next year’s Feast. This Feast site enables brethren from many different organizations to come together for eight days to worship God the Father and His Son Jesus as their primary Goal.
Daily services are held at the Thousand Trails Great Hall Lodge, about 5 miles south of Sunriver, at 10:00 a.m. Services, sermons and Bible studies are consistent with traditional Sabbath-keeping Church of God theology and do not promote or criticize any Church of God organizations.
Contact: Al Murrey at 541-881-8600, e-mail: amurrey@fmtc.com; Jim Woods at: 480-998-3073, e-mail: jwoods88@cox.net; or Steve Moyer at 541-330-0410, e-mail: skibumm358@aol.com.
Fir Point Camp will be the site of this year’s Feast celebration sponsored by the Omega Praise Fellowship. Come for an experience in worship, praise, teaching and sharing together. There will be plenty to do for all eight days. Messianic dancing will be taught to those interested. This is a family experience—living and eating together. Heated cabins have electricity and hold 6 to 12 people. Bathrooms are in the bath house. Three meals per day are provided. RV with electric hookups are available. The total Cost is $240 per adult; children under 18 are free. There are motels in the area for those who prefer them.
Contact Jim Sorenson, 541-837-3642, e-mail: jsorenson@mcsi.net or Sharon Bonney, 541-825-3573, e-mail: sbonney@citlink.net.
South West USA
The Church of God with Minister Mr. Harold Cormany will again be holding the Feast in beautiful Showlow, Az. The dates are Sept 21–28th The address is 151 West Deuce of Clubs Ave, Showlow, AZ 85901. For more information please contact Keith Hoeck at hoeckksrr@aol.com or 480-917-2738.
Our congregations is Etz Chayim-Tree of Life Messianic Congregations of Las Cruces and Alamo gordo, New Mexico: www.etz-chayim.org.
We will be holding a Sukkot-Tabernacles Feast in Las Cruces Mornings will be free time. We will meet for lunch and an afternoon of teaching. Dinner will be together and afterwards a time of praise, worship and prayer. We will open Friday evening with an Erev Shabbat service and have a Torah Service Saturday morning followed by lunch and an afternoon of teaching.
Contact Mordechai Silver: e-mail treelife@etz-chayim.org; 505-382-0193; 505-644-7706; PO Box 467, Organ, NM 88052. We have openings for teachers and can use help in all areas. This is a first time for us and we hope to turn this into an annual gathering.
The Big Sandy Church of God sponsors this site at the Angelfire Community Center.
For info on Church services, interactive studies and activities, contact Ron Avey, 903-636-4238, e-mail angelfire@BigSandyChurch.org.
The Eternal Church of God will again celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles at beautiful Big Bear Lake at the Holiday Inn. This year’s Feast features wonderful activities for the entire family.
Contact: Art Bradic at 661-274-7862 or The Eternal Church of God, P.O. Box 4063, Sunland, CA 91041; 800-723-6108, or contact via e-mail: Witness@EternalCOG.org; or visit the website: www.eternalCOG.org.
International
Christian Renewal Ministries International will once again be celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. This is a non-denominational site, open to everybody. Although most all of our attendees are Christian, most of our speakers are Jewish. Some are Orthodox Rabbis, some come from Israel Universities, and others are authors. You will find it educational, inspiring, and an event that will change your life! For more information visit our website at www.originsofourfaith.com/ftjb1.html or e-mail us at crmi@frugal.com or call us at 253-839-6489. We are limited to about 225 people, so we are encouraging those who want to attend to register soon.
Thank you for passing along this information, Rick Richardson, CRMI, www.Shalom-CRMI.org, P.O. Box 111, Auburn, WA 98071; 253-839-6489.
Last year, 13 people from a variety of church groups gathered to keep the Feast in Edmonton, Alberta. This is the third year that the Hansen family has co-ordinated a site. Tapes from Dave Havir and a lot of fellowship make it a good Feast. It is a long way between sites in the great expanse of Canada, so come if you are close. Contact Bill Storey, 18817 62nd St NW, Edmonton, AB, T5W 4C5; 780-471-2820.
The Canadian Church of God is hosting this site at the Toronto S. Call Len 416-492-8651 or Veronica Martin 416-531-9701. Website: www.canadianchurchofgod.com.
After researching the costs of keeping the Feast in central England it became apparent that North Wales represents outstanding value and some of the most varied and breathtaking scenery in the whole of the UK. Llandudno is the jewel of North Wales, a vibrant Victorian coastal resort backed by the dramatic mountains and castles of the Snowdonia National Park.
The Conference Centre there will provide the ideal location, with easy access for all; very central on the promenade and surrounded by a huge choice of accommodation. A well illustrated brochure listing a vast range of accommodation with prices can be obtained free by request from the Llandudno Tourist Information Centre by e-mail llandudno.tic@virgin.net, tel: 01492-876413, fax: 01492-872722 (from USA dial 011-44 in place of initial 0).
For Feast information, write to North West Church of God, PO Box 88, Wirral, CH63 2R, website: www.nwchurch-of-god.org.uk.
This year’s Festival of Tabernacles sponsored by the Churches of God, UK will be held in Filey, North Yorkshire, England. For information contact James McBride 01526-861217, e-mail: coguk@aol.com.
