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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, AUGUST 10, 1984
(2) Planning Ahead Thought and planning should go into the Feast trip so
that potential problems can be avoided. Vehicles should be checked out and
made ready before the trip to help prevent problems from coming up at the
Feast, where parts, repairs, etc. may be far more expensive and difficult
to find. A budget should be prepared so that funds are regulated throughout
the Feast, with no surprises in the middle. All articles and suggestions
pertaining to Feast preparations in the WORLDWIDE NEWS and other publica
tions should be read well ahead of time so that all bases are covered.
(3) Plan Ahead to Serve Others There is no surer way to have a miserable
Feast than to go with the idea of having a good time for yourself as the
only or main goal. Deuteronomy 16:14 shows us that our rejoicing is to in
clude far more than just ourselves. In fact, unless we do have the attitude
of helping others have a wonderful Feast, we simply will not be able to
properly and truly rejoice as God intends. The Feast points us to the time
when true happiness, based upon God's law of love, will prevail. That is
the attitude we must carry to the Feast if we hope to fully observe it.
A serrnonette on ways to serve at the Feast would be of value. This would be
especially qood for singles and teen-agers. By involving themselves in
Church a�tivities and seeking ways to serve others, their Feast can be much
more meaningful than it would be if their minds are focused only on "singles
activities" or "youth activities."
Being a part of the whole Church
through service and active participation instead of becoming part of sepa
rate special interest groups should be of paramount importance to our sin
gles and older teen-agers.
(4) Plan to Have a Healthy Feast There is a cause for every effect. Colds
and flus can dampen the Feast for yourself and others. Avoid illness by
getting enough exercise and sleep both before and during the Feast. Avoid
overeating, as well as too many rich or sugary foods. The better we feel,
the better Feast we'll have.
( 5) Plan to Have a Spiritual Feast The Feast of Tabernacles is no time to
let down in prayer and Bible study. How can we expect God to be with us and
bless us during the Feast if we shut off communication with Hirn? How can we
expect to fully understand the spiritual meat given to us at the Feast if we
are not spiritually renewing ourselves daily, as God tells us to do through
Paul? (II Cor. 4:16.)
Spending time with God's people in wholesome fellowship and activities is
another important facet that will contribute to having a spiritual Feast,
and something that should not be neglected.
Proper emphasis should be placed on attending services.
Attendance at
every service ought to be a priority. THIS INCLUDES THE OPENING NIGHT MES
SAGE! We should not miss any service for some activity, trip or any other
reason except illness or emergency. We must not let the pur B ose of the
Feast escape us by putting too much emphasis on fun and activities.
Another area to be mindful of is excessive talking and walking around dur
ing services. Sometimes it seems that the biggest offenders in this are
ushers, deacons, and ministers. These are the people who ought to be set
ting a right example. Only such talking as is absolutely necessary should
take place during services. Storytelling and laughing, general discussion,
and all other unnecessary conversation simply displays a lack of respect
for services, the speaker, and for God.