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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, January 11, 1980
Page 4
ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND IN REVIEW
Mr. Joseph Tkach opened last weekend's Friday night Bible Study (January
4) with these words:
"I'd like to welcome you on behalf of Mr. Armstrong
this evening. We all know why we are here; because one year ago yesterday
Satan launched a most devastating attack on the Worldwide Church of God,
the body of Jesus Christ. And most of us sitting here this evening have
played an instrumental part in helping support the Work of God and cer
tainly prevent Satan from accomplishing what he set out to do."
Mr. Tkach then announced that the overflow crowd at this special anniver
sary Bible Study would see the recently completed one-hour documentary
prepared by our own television department, after which Mr. Ralph Helge and
Mr. Stanley Rader would speak.
Preview of TV Documentary
The TV documentary titled "The First Amendment, Church vs. State," began
with sweeping views of the Pasadena campus, while these words grabbed the
attention of the viewer: "The Ambassador College campus in Pasadena,
California has been the headquarters for the Worldwide Church of God for
32 years. During that time it has grown from one building on a 3/4 acre
lot into a complex that is universally regarded as one of the most beauti
ful campuses in the world.
"Here, on January 3rd, began one of the most dramatic confrontations
between church and state in two hundred years of American legal history.
That morning, with no prior notice given to Church officials, a California
Deputy Attorney General, accompanied by two private attorneys whom he had
deputized, arrived at the Church's Hall of Administration. They announced
to startled employees that, by order of Los Angeles Superior Court, the
Church had been placed in a state of receivership.... "
This dramatic and informative television production, made possible by the
foresight of Church leaders having assigned our own film and sound crews
to record the many subsequent events that transpired during the ensuing
months, will begin to be shown on various stations around the country as a
one-hour special. Its first airing will be in the Southern California area
on January 16. Expected to have real impact in bringing the Church's
plight to the attention of the American public, the documentary will be
publicized in the television sections of leading L.A. newspapers.
Lawsuit's Continued Impact on God's Work
"Many accusations continue to come in," Mr. Helge said, speaking of his
responsibility in the Work's Legal Department which is at the crossroads
of events occurring in this litigation. As we know, and as since proven
as early as last January in Judge Title's courtroom, Mr. Helge reiterated,
there are many lies and unfounded accusations in the state's lawsuit. So
now, since the Attorney General is hard put to legitimize his assault
against God's Church, he is attempting to score with side blows at God's
Work.
Mr. Helge said that the Attorney General has prompted various other
agencies to come out and investigate us. The Internal Revenue Service,
the Tax Exempt Unit from the county and other law enforcement agencies are
. ..