Ken & Nancy Williams
Oleh & Dianne Kubik
By Ken H. Williams
Oswego, New York--Joseph Tkach, WCG president, visited WCG congregations from rural eastern New York and northeastern Pennsylvania Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
At the worship service, Oct. 31, pastor Oleh Kubik expressed appreciation on behalf of church members from the Binghamton, Elmira, Syracuse and Utica, New York, and Wilkes-Barre, Lewisburg and Towanda, Pennsylvania congregations.
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The title of Mr. Tkach's sermon was "No Second Coming Without the First." He explained why the Christian church celebrates the Incarnation.
In response to the sermon, many expressed that they felt the tug of Scripture and the Holy Spirit to acknowledge that celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is appropriate and meaningful for Christians to do.
God loves us enough to become one of us for our salvation. Many Christians spend time each year celebrating this great miracle.
The next day, Nov. 1, 86 participated in the Ministry Equipping Workshop, a regular event in the Rochester region.
Mr. Tkach presented a three-hour session on the Worldwide Church of God worship calendar.
He emphasized the following values of our church: All of our members are important. We want to pastor all of them. We want them to know God loves them. We want to lead them in worshiping God.
Jesus tells us to love one another. Love does not condemn. Love is patient. Love is faithful and honest.
Mr. Tkach gave an inspiring overview of how the Holy Spirit has led us away from legalism and old covenant practices. He emphasized the need to speak the truth in love.
Many remarked that this session was extremely helpful in providing further understanding of why we have gone through our doctrinal changes.
During a group prayer, Dianne Kubik prayed for the Tkach children, Joe III and Stephanie. Mr. Tkach was visibly touched by this and expressed his gratitude.
Church members gathered around Mr. Tkach and laid hands on him and prayed for him. The bond that had developed over the weekend was sealed by taking communion together.
Dorice Maybury of the Syracuse congregation gave a prayer we won't likely forget. She thanked God for his love for us and for giving our pastor general heartfelt love for the members. She became more enthusiastic as she prayed and declared: "He is down to earth. He's one of us. He even acts like he likes us! This is really cool!"
This may be one of the few group prayers we have participated in where everyone laughed out loud. It was humorous but expressed the bond of love and peace Jesus has given us.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998