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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, December 4, 1979
Page 3
EXCITEMENT--THE KEYNOTE OF THE FEAST
Based on the mail response of the past weeks, the 1979 Feast of Taber
nacles has proven to be one of the most inspiring and exciting Festival
seasons ever observed by the Church of God!
There was an overall contagious spirit of excitement leading up to and
continuing through to the end of the Feast. Prior to the Feast, Mr.
Armstrong set a tone of anticipation with the series of "Back on Track"
articles. For the youth, the advent of the YOU/YES program encouraged
them and gave them additional opportunities to participate in Feast
activities.
By general consensus, the high points of the Feast were the messages by
Mr. Armstrong. The first day Mr. Armstrong's filmed sermon set a sobering
but expectant tone for the entire Feast. On the Last Great Day the live
microwave broadcast capped off the Feast by reassuring God's people of
Mr. Armstrong's vitality and by reinforcing the theme of the importance
and purpose of God's Work. Many letters mentioned how the miracle of the
microwave hookups was very exciting--as 65,000 members were able to join
one another in seeing and/or hearing Mr. Armstrong, as well as in prayer
and the singing of hymns.
Mr. Rader's filmed comments were also much appreciated. Many members
expressed their gratitude to him for his role of service and support to
Mr. Armstrong.
The ministers' sermons at each site also had a profound impact. Strong
meaty messages drew many positive comments. In fact, the general tone
was one of gratitude to the ministry for following through with the
direction set by Mr. Armstrong in his efforts to clean up the Church.
In conclusion, the letter response received from the
belief that the 1979 Feast of Taberancles was one of
ever held. Out of the hundreds of letters received,
of overall Festival events!
Feast supports the
the most exciting
not one was critical
--Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
German Work
"For me personally, the 1979 'Laubhuttenfest' was the best Feast of
Tabernacles ever!" This comment was typical of the brethren's attitude
at both German-language Feast sites this year. Another reflection of
uplifted spirits was the increase of 14.7% over last year's offerings on
the two Holy Days.
At the main Feast site in Bonndorf, in West Germany's "Black Forest," 550
attended.
At Karlsbad, Czechoslovakia, 165 attended the Feast. Many North American
visitors commented enthusiastically on the luxurious living quarters and
majestic meeting hall at Karlsbad. However, most unforgettable were the
intense sermons inspired, according to one visitor's opinion, at least
partially by the unique situation of keeping the Feast in a Warsaw-Pact
nation.