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Dear Brethren;
The Sabbath Campers Fellowship is a group of people who desire to act as a hand that reaches across all barriers of men and organizations, and doctrinal differences, to celebrate the things that we share in common—faith in God, obedience to Him and the Sabbath, to name a few. What is it, after all, that makes us brethren? Isn't it the fact that we have the gift of God's spirit? I think that we all would have to agree with that statement.
Brethren, we sure hope that you will be able to join us at our Sabbath Campers Fellowship gatherings this spring and summer. We are looking forward to seeing you all there.
In Christian Love,
Sabbath Campers Fellowship
Tom and Joy Moody
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35
Christian Sabbath keepers are planning campouts for fellow Sabbath observers of all affiliations to celebrate their common bonds as God's people in a spirit of love and edification. These campouts will be held in the northern Indiana and southern Michigan areas beginning in May, 1996. Sabbath services are being planned, featuring exciting speakers such as Jim Rector, Ray Wooten and Carl Franklin. We will sing sons of praise to God, listen to inspiring messages and enjoy evening campfire fellowship as weather permits. The campouts will be a great opportunity to meet more brethren, promote our mutual purpose and show love one to another! If you would like to participate in one or more of these campouts, you will need to make your own reservations, so contact us for more information. If you do not wish to camp overnight but would like to join us for Sabbath services and/or fellowship on Friday or Sunday, please feel free to come on any of the scheduled camp days. (The campgrounds charge a small fee for entry.) All campgrounds offer swimming and other activities for families.
The first campout is planned for the weekend beginning Friday, May 17 through Sunday, May 19, 1996, at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Fremont, Indiana, close to the intersection of I-80 and I-69.
Our second campout will be the weekend of Friday, June 21 through Sunday, June 23, 1996, at the Holly State Recreation Area in Holly, Michigan.
The third campout will be the weekend of Friday, August 23 through Sunday, August 25, 1996, at 5000-acre Yankee Springs State Park, in Middleville, Michigan, just off M-37.
Please contact one of us if you plan to attend any of the Michigan/Indiana campouts. We will get the camp site information out to you because you will need to make your own reservations by calling the appropriate parks. We will also need to have you on our campers' list in order to advise you of any necessary changes in plans, as well as to inform you of specific times and locations of Sabbath services.
We hope that many brethren, whether independent or affiliated with an organization, will feel free to join us. If the distance is too far, why not form your own Sabbath campers fellowship in your area, and be sure to include us on your mailing list!
If you would like to participate in our Sabbath Campers Fellowship, please contact:
Sabbath Campers Fellowship
P.O. Box 520
Genesee, Michigan 48437-0520
(810) 232-2288
(810) 232-5562 (fax)
E-mail: TMoody8480@AOL.com
Amocogal@AOL.com.
The following letter, asking the Church of God to set aside a day of fasting and prayer, is submitted from a member of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Church of God. After seeing a similar request in IN TRANSITION the entire local church felt that this is an effort worth pursuing.
The Hattiesburg Church is served by Mr. Steve Meyers (UCG) and Mr. John Ogwyn (GCG). The congregation is made up of members from both organizations and also members of the body of Christ who have chosen not to affiliate with any physical organization at present.
They feel that the spirit and body of Christ transcends ALL physical organizations and therefore have put aside their organizational differences to worship and live in unity, peace and harmony as the Church of God at Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
--------------------
January 8, 1996
Dear Brethren,
I would like to make an appeal to each member, group and organization of the Church of God to come together before God in a day of fasting and prayer. Many people have expressed their desire that all the groups be 'one', that is, one physical organization. Whether or not that is possible at this time, I do not know, but through fasting, we can seek to be one in Spirit and in purpose. As individuals we seek God in prayer, study and fasting, humbling ourselves to Him; asking that He will show us His will, help us overcome, help us love Him and love one another as our own self. Collectively, God calls us to humble ourselves to one another. As Churches of God we have so much in common. Even with the differences we have the most important things in common. We will be one in the world to come, working side by side as sons and daughters of God.
Perhaps God is working out something I can't see in allowing the separate groups, but it is certainly pleasing to Him for His people to come together before Him to seek His will and purpose! It seems to me the least that could come from a fast would be a better attitude in each of us, and that each group could do their part of God's work more effectively. How can we know what could come of our collectively seeking God with all our heart?
I believe it is worth the effort. I suggest the date, March 23, 1996, to be set aside by all the Churches of God as a day of fasting and prayer. Additionally, I would like to ask that everyone who is in agreement with the feelings expressed here please write to the head of each organization and tell them their feelings.
A member of the
Hattiesburg Church of God
This list contains a number of organizations with many Sabbath-keeping congregations and/or regular sermon-tape mailings. There is a diversity of doctrinal teachings so we encourage everyone to study the scriptures and prove doctrines for themselves. Most of these organizations welcome visitors, though individual congregations greatly vary. We encourage the people of the Eternal to fellowship and serve each Sabbath if practical.
Christian Biblical Church of God (CBCG). PO Box 1442, Hollister, CA 95024. 408-637-1875.
Church of God, 7th Day [Salem WV]. PO Box 328, Salem, WV 26426. 304-782-1411.
Church of the Great God (CGG). PO Box 471846. Charlotte, NC 28247. 800-878-8220 or 704-544-2100
Congregation of God Seventh Day (CGSD). PO Box 2345, Kennesaw, GA 30144.
Cornerstone Publications (CP). 3802 Olive Street, Texar kana, TX 75503. 903-792-1352
Christian Educational Ministries, (CEM). P.O. Box 560, Whitehouse, TX 75791.
General Conference of the Church of God 7th Day. PO Box 33677, Denver, CO 80233. 303-452-7973.
General Council of the Church of God (7th day). 1827 W. 3rd St. Meredian, ID 83642. 208-888-3380.
Global Church of God (GCG). PO Box 501111, San Diego CA 92150. 619-675-2222.
United Church of God (UCG). PO Box 661780, Arcadia CA 91066- 1780. 818-294-0800.
E-mail Information Lists
Those interested in E-mail discussions about learning and growing from the scriptures with or without organizations might like to be placed on the "Like Minds" e-mail list run by Rick Stanczak: Buffinc@teleport.com.
A "Church of God" e-mail list of people interested in discussing doctrinal subjects is available begin run by Alan Ruth: Aruth88521@aol.com.