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/PASTOR GENERAL'S
RE.
PORT
TO THE MINISTRY OF THE
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
VOL.7, NO.l
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES
JANUARY 4, 1985
Some 900 brethren from the local area and 400 Ambassador College students
volunteered their fundraising services for the 96th Annual Tournament of
Roses Parade on January 1st here in Pasadena. The volunteers parked cars,
provided security, ushered parade stands and manned concessions, raising
funds for student body and local church activities for the new year.
Once again, our brethren and students set an outstanding example of depend
ability, honesty, integrity, and hard work for the local Pasadena business
community, the Tournament Association, the Pasadena Police Department, the
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and for the many out-of-town visi
tors. The smiles, the friendly, courteous help, the diligent work, and the
attitude of service that God's people reflect are a sharp contrast to what
most people expect today.
Mr. Armstrong again mentioned this year to Mr. La Ravia, Mr. Aaron Dean and
me that the Tournament of Roses provides a fine opportunity for all of our
major fundraising needs to be met by one activity. He further explained
that "we are not celebrating New Year's Day," as some have apparently
thought.
Far from being a celebration, serving for the Rose Parade is hard work for
those brethren involved. The Tournament of Roses itself is not a New Year's
Day celebration per se, nor does it revolve around any New Year's Day theme.
The Rose Parade was begun 95 years ago by the Valley Hunt Club, a local
sporting organization, to advertise the warm winter "paradise" in Pasadena.
Each year, the emphasis or theme of the parade is on some ideal of human en
deavor. This year it was: "The Spirit of America." The overwhelming ma
jority of floats must depict this theme in one way or another--not some form
of pagan celebration of the New Year, the winter solstice, or sun worship.
Of course, most things done by the world will contain something objection
able. But the contrast of the Mardi Gras or Christmas parades, for example,
with the Rose Parade should be clear.
I might add here that the fundraising proceeds will be tithed {first tithe
only, as second is not applicable to fundraising) as should all local
church fundraising income.
This week we are including monthly comments from pastors in several inter
national areas. Please notice Mr. Bill Sidney's comments regarding God's
protection for His people in India during the recent riots and cyclone. We
should be very thankful for the great mercy God continually shows His peo
ple. Remind the brethren to be "praying always with all prayer and suppli
cation in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints" (Eph. 6:18--RAV). Thanks for your contin
ued prayers for Mr. Armstrong and all of us here in Pasadena, as well as for
one another.
e 1986
Worldwide
Church of God