Letter to the Brethren: March 26, 2026

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Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:

Greetings from Grover Beach, California.

The Spring Holy Day season is nearly upon us.

Passover is to be kept after sunset 31 March by baptized members in 2026.

The Night to be Observed is kept after sunset on 1 April 2026. The First Day of Unleavened Bread runs from sunset 1 April through sunset 2 April in 2026.

The Last Day of Unleavened Bread runs from sunset 7 April through sunset 8 April in 2026.

Passover

As many are aware, the children of Israel were specifically told to observe the Passover in the Book of Exodus. Families took a lamb, without blemish (Exodus 12:5), for the sacrifice (Exodus 12:3-4). The lamb was sacrificed on the fourteenth at twilight (Exodus 12:6) and some of its blood was placed upon the door of the family’s home (Exodus 12:7).

Those who took the steps God instructed were ‘passed over’ from death, whereas the Egyptians who did not do this were not (Exodus 12:28-30).

As many realize, Jesus kept the Passover annually (Exodus 13:10) from the time of His youth (Luke 2:41-42) and throughout His entire life (Luke 22:15).

Passover was observed on the fourteenth day of the month of the first month (Leviticus 23:5; called Abib in Deuteronomy 16:1 or Nisan in Esther 3:7). It occurs in the Spring season of the year.

Although Jesus changed several practices associated with it (Luke 22:19-22; John 13:1-17), our Savior also told His disciples to keep it (Luke 22:7-13). Also the New Testament is clear, that because of Jesus’ sacrifice, killing sheep and putting blood on doorposts (Exodus 12:6-7) is not needed anymore (cf. Hebrews 7:12-13,26-27; 9:11-28).

The Apostle Paul specifically taught that Christians were to keep Passover in accordance with Jesus’ instructions (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 11:23-26).

The Bible teaches that Jesus “was foreordained before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20) to be “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). Thus, God’s plan of salvation through His Holy Days and festivals, including Jesus being the “Passover lamb,” was known before humans were placed on the planet. That is why some of the celestial bodies were placed in the heavens to be able to calculate them!

Pretty much all churches recognize that the Bible teaches that Jesus fulfilled something associated with Passover when He was killed.

We find the operation of this great Sacrifice even discussed in the Garden of Eden. After Jesus was prophesied (Genesis 3:15), God killed an animal (probably a lamb or goat), in order to cover the nakedness (a representation of a type of sin in this incidence) of Adam and Eve with its skins (Genesis 3:21). We also see this principle of sacrifice operating when Abel sacrificed a lamb from his flock (Genesis 4:2-4).

The famous Passover in the days of Moses showed the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12:1-38). Moses recorded God’s instructions about this as well as the calendar (Genesis 1:14; 2:1; Exodus 12:1) and His feasts (Leviticus 23). The Passover basically became the first of these events annually picturing to God’s children His great plan of salvation.

In the Old Testament, the Passover pictured deliverance from the bondage of Egypt and God’s intervention. But, prophetically, it was also looking towards the time that Jesus would come and be our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; cf. 3:16-17).

On Jesus’ last Passover as a human being, He continued to keep it at the time of the late evening and told His disciples to keep it (Luke 22:14-19; cf. John 13:2,12-15) and on the 14th of Nisan/Abib (cf. Luke 22:14; 23:52-54).

Jesus, however, changed several of the practices associated with its observance.  Jesus made the unleavened bread and wine an integral part of Passover (Matthew 26:18, 26-30) and added the practice of footwashing (John 13:12-17).

Jesus in no way taught that it was not to be an annual Passover, nor did He change the time of day of its observation to a Sunday morning like those who follow Greco-Roman traditions do. Even Greek Orthodox scholars admit that 1st and 2nd century Christians kept Passover at night (Calivas, Alkiviadis C. The Origins of Pascha and Great Week – Part I. Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1992) like we in the Continuing Church of God do in the 21st century. Passover is only to be taken by properly baptized Christians (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29; Romans 6:3-10; Exodus 12:48; Numbers 9:14).

It probably should be added that the Church of Rome (as well as many of its Protestant descendants) officially teaches that it keeps Passover, though calling it something different in the English language and not keeping it as Jesus did (Catechism of the Catholic Church. Doubleday, NY 1995, p. 332).

Wine, Not Grape Juice for Passover

Despite the fact that Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:3-10) and the Greek term used in the New Testament (oinos) refers to wine (cf. 1 Timothy 3:8), various ones have claimed that it was grape juice, and not wine, that was used for Passover. The Jews, themselves though, use wine at Passover (Hisrch EG, Eisenstein JD. Wine. Jewish Encyclopedia. 1907, pp. 532-535).

How do we know that grape juice was not possibly used by Jesus?

Grapes are normally harvested around September and Passover is usually in the Roman calendar month called April. In Jesus’ day, they did not have modern sterilization or refrigeration. Hence in the climate there, grape juice would have spoiled between the time of harvest and Passover.

Others have also noted that it was IMPOSSIBLE for Jews to have stored grape juice that long (Cf. Kennedy ARS. Hastings Bible Dictionary. C. Scribner Son’s, 1909 p. 974). Therefore, only wine, which can remain unspoiled for even many years would have been used.  (The use of alcohol, like wine, is endorsed during the Feast of Tabernacles in Deuteronomy 26:14, but not required.) Watch also the video: Grape Juice or Wine for Passover?

Christians are not to be “drunk with wine, wherein is excess” as Paul wrote (Ephesians 5:18, KJV). Only a very small amount of wine is normally consumed at Passover (about a teaspoon full or less).

Footwashing

Footwashing helps show humility and that even the followers of Christ still tend to have areas that need to be cleansed (cf. John 13:10).

Jesus taught that His followers should do this:

13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.  14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.  17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:13-17)

Relatively few who profess Christianity wash feet like Jesus said to do.

But we baptized in the Continuing Church of God follow Jesus’ instructions on this annually as part of the Passover service.

Passover Service

How should Christians keep Passover, especially if they are by themselves. Why does the Church of God not require lambs for Passover? How does one keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? We have an article: Keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread

For a step-by-step video for those baptized people without a local minister, here is a link to a Continuing Church of God Passover Service;

42:02

Continuing Church of God Passover Service

This is a Passover service by the Continuing Church of God. This is intended to be used by scattered baptized Church of God members around the world after sunset on the 14th day of the first month of the biblical calendar, or for those who biblically legitimately missed it per Numbers , after sunset on the 14th day of the second month of the biblical calendar. This service covers footwashing, breaking and consuming unleavened bread, taking wine, and reading words of Jesus as well as additional scriptures. Leaders of the local Passover service (even if there is only one person) should have some unleavened bread, wine, a towel, and one or more water basins available.

Here is a link: Continuing Church of God Passover Service.

Here is a Spanish language related item for Passover:

English title:  Passover service
Spanish title:  Servicio de la Pascua
Spanish youtube link:  https://youtu.be/hG8mUH_UGNQ

Again, Passover is to be observed shortly after sunset on March 31st in 2026.

Passover and the Plan from the Beginning

Passover shows that God had a plan before the foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20) to send Jesus to die for our sins, that God loves us (John 3:16), that God can deliver us, and that His Son suffered and died for us. Passover shows that Christians are freed from sin by His death and not to remain in sin (Romans 6:1-5).

But simply accepting the sacrifice of Jesus is not all there is to God’s plan of salvation.

Various people keep the beginning of God’s feasts of salvation by somewhat recognizing Passover and/or Pentecost, but never go on to know the “depth of the riches” (cf. Romans 11:33) of God’s grace (2 Peter 3:18) pictured by the other biblical feasts.

Christ is not only the author/beginner of our salvation (Hebrews 5:9), but is also the finisher of our salvation (Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 1:1-9).  His true followers keep His Spring and Fall Holy Days.

Deleavening 

The Bible teaches:

19 For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, (Exodus 12:19)

As far as leaven goes, what are leavening agents?

Physically, leavening agents include yeast, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), and baking powder. Leavening agents puff foods like bread and cakes up.

In modern times, there are many substances used as leavening agents, so you may need to read labels on packaged products you may have. Here is a list some may find to be helpful:

Leavening Agents

Active Dried Yeast
Ammonium Carbonate – also known as “Hartshorn”
Ammonium Bicarbonate
Baker’s Ammonia
Baker’s Yeast
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Bicarbonate of Soda
Dipotassium Carbonate
Disodium Phosphate
Monocalcium Phosphates (Ca(H2PO4)2)
Potassium Bicarbonate – also known as “Potash” or “Pearlash”)
Potassium Carbonate
Sodium Aluminum Phosphate
Sodium Bicarbonate – also known as “Saleratus”
Sourdough Starter Yeast
* Calcium Carbonate

* While Calcium Carbonate is normally not a leavening agent, it is considered to be one when it is in baked goods. Thus, while you can keep any calcium carbonate you have, any baked goods with it listed should be consumed or tossed out prior to the first day of unleavened bread.

All leavened items should be consumed or disposed of prior to the start of the First Day of Unleavened Bread each year and not be back in our homes until after the end of the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread each year.

What are not leavening agents?

“Not” Leavening Agents

Autolyzed Yeast
Brewer’s Yeast
Corn Starch
Egg Whites
Polysorbate 60
Potassium Bitartrate (Cream of Tartar)
Sorbitan Monosterate
Tartrate powder
Torula Yeast
Yeast Extract

Hopefully, this will help those who have questions about which items should be gone prior to the first Day of Unleavened Bread each year.

Physically, leavening agents “puff up” grain containing products and make them look larger than they would be otherwise.

A spiritual analogy is that people often want to look more influential, better, etc. than they really are (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:2).

To assist you with keeping Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread, we put out the following sermon:

The Old and New Testament discuss Passover and the Days of Unleave3ned Bread. Did early Christians keep them? When are they do be kept? How often should Passover be taken? What happens if you are too ill–is there a second Passover? What should be done before? Is it necessary to examine oneself prior to Passover? Who can partake of the bread and wine of the Christian Passover? Is footwashing part of the service? What kind of bread? Can you use gluten-free bread? Must the unleavened bread be blessed by a Jewish rabbi? Can you use wine or grape juice? Did Jesus’ sacrifice and shedding of blood provide for the remission of sin? Are Christians to recognize, resist, and repent of sin? What is sin anyway? What is leaven? What does it symbolize? Should you read food labels? What is deleavening? How is leaven like sin? Should all leaven that can be seen be removed? Do you have to avoid beverages with leaven? What is the ‘Night to be Much Observed’? How should the it be kept? Do the Jews have confusion between the Passover on the 14th and the ‘Night to be Observed’–according to the Bible and the ‘Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906? Should you eat unleavened bread on each of the seven Days of Unleavened Bread? Are offerings taken up on the first ans seventh Day of Unleavened Bread? Are they also a holy convocation where normal carnal work (including school work) is not to be done? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this sermon.

Here is a link to the sermon: How to Keep Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Night to Be Much Observed

After sunset on the 1st of April 2026 begins the Days of Unleavened Bread, which starts off with what is commonly called ‘the night to be much observed.’

The Bible records the following:

42 It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. (Exodus 12:42, KJV)

42 This is the observable night of our Lord, when he brought them forth out of the Land of Ægypt: this night all the children of Israel must observe in their generations. (Exodus 12:42, Original Douay Rheims)

For Christians, the Night to Be Observed pictures our taking action to leave spiritual Egypt (cf. Revelation 11:8)–this is something that should cause Christians to rejoice.

Furthermore, notice the following scriptures:

3 And Moses said to the people: “Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. (Exodus 13:3-4 NKJV)

3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, that is, the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste), that you may remember the day in which you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. (Deuteronomy 16:3 NKJV)

Yet despite what the Bible teaches, the night after the biblical Passover is observed by many Jews as Passover as they seem to have forgotten there were were two different events.

But even the Jewish Encyclopedia admits that the Bible shows that Passover is on the 14th:

Lev. xxiii., however, seems to distinguish between Passover, which is set for the fourteenth day of the month, and  (the Festival of Unleavened Bread; ἑορτή τῶν ἀζύμων, Luke xxii. 1; Josephus, “B. J.” ii. 1, § 3), appointed for the fifteenth day. (Passover. Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906)

Yet, most ‘observant Jews’ keep the 15th as Passover, however it is the first Day of Unleavened Bread as the Hebrew scriptures show.

Historically, the Night to Be Observed normally involved a festive dinner. The dinner normally included, but was not limited to, unleavened bread. Normally, someone hosts it and invites other families to join. The other families usually bring with them some portion of the dinner for everyone in attendance.

Some may wish to watch the following animation on that night:

What is it? When is it? The KJV refers to it as “THE NIGHT TO BE MUCH OBSERVED.” This scripture-packed animation includes background and specific information related to the children of Israel. It also gives some of the Old and New Testament prophetic ramifications of this event. How the NTBO is typically observed is also covered. The animation also includes a chart of scriptures and biblical dates to determine when that NTBO actually is. Furthermore, the animation provides information from the “Jewish Encyclopedia” which, through scripture, shows that many Jews have confused Passover with the “night to be observed.” This is a great animation to give background on the NTBO and is also appropriate to be watched on the NTBO.

Here is a link to the animation: Night to Be Observed.

The Night to Be Observed reminded the Jews that they should be thankful for God’s deliverance from the bondage of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:42). For Christians, the Night to Be Observed teaches we are to rejoice and be thankful for the release Jesus provides from the bondage of sin (John 8:34-36).

Days of Unleavened Bread

From sunset April 1st through sunset April 2nd is the first Day of Unleavened Bread. That time should be kept like a Sabbath, but also involves eating at least a very small amount of unleavened bread (which does NOT have to contain wheat–it could be made of other grains, like corn, for example).

Unleavened Bread (Public Domain Pictures)

We Christians recognize that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on Passover and that we are to try to live, as He did, without sin and hypocrisy, of which leaven symbolically can represent (Luke 12:1).

The late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about this:

And, as the Israelites went out with a high hand (Numbers 33:3), in great exultation and elation over their deliverance from bondage, so does the newly begotten Christian start out his Christian life — up in the clouds of happiness and joy. But what happens?

The devil and sin immediately pursue after the newly begotten son of God — and soon the new and inexperienced Christian finds he is down in the depths of discouragement, and tempted to give up and quit.

Notice Exodus 14, beginning verse 10 — as soon as the Israelites saw this great army pursuing them, they lost their courage. Fear came over them. They began to grumble and complain. They saw it was impossible for them to get away from Pharaoh and his army, because he was too powerful for them. And they were helpless. So it is with us.

Our Strength Not Sufficient!

But notice the message of God to them through Moses: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord … for the Egyptians … ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you”! How wonderful!

Helpless, we are told to stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. He shall fight for us. We cannot conquer Satan and sin, but He can. It is the risen Christ — our High Priest — who will cleanse us — sanctify us — deliver us — who said He would never leave us nor forsake us!

We cannot keep the Commandments in our own power and strength. But Christ IN US can keep them! We must rely on Him in faith. (Armstrong HW.  God’s Holy Days-or Pagan Holidays-Which? Worldwide Church of God, 1976)

Purpose of Festival

But let us learn the full significance of this. WHY did God ordain these feast days? What was His great PURPOSE? Turn now to Exodus 13, verse 3: “…Moses said unto the people, Remember THIS DAY, in which ye CAME OUT from Egypt…” This was the 15th of Abib. Verse 6: “Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and the seventh day shall be a FEAST unto the Eternal… This is done BECAUSE of that which the Eternal did [a MEMORIAL]… and it shall be for a SIGN” — (miraculous PROOF of identity) — “unto thee upon thine hand, and for a MEMORIAL between thine eyes” — WHY? –”that the LORD’S LAW MAY BE IN THY MOUTH… Thou shalt therefore KEEP this ordinance…”

Oh, beloved brethren, do you see the wonderful meaning? Do you grasp the true significance of it all? Do you see God’s PURPOSE? The PASSOVER pictures the DEATH OF CHRIST for the remission of sins that are past. The accepting of His BLOOD does not forgive sins we SHALL commit — it does not give LICENSE to continue in sin — therefore WHEN we accept it, our sins are forgiven only up to that time — PAST SINS.

But shall we stop there? Past sins forgiven. But we are still flesh beings. We still shall suffer temptations. Sin has held us in its clutch — we have been SLAVES to sin, in its power. And we are powerless to deliver ourselves from it! We have been in BONDAGE to sin. Let us understand the picture — the meaning. (Armstrong HW. What You Should Know About the Passover and Festival of Unleavened Bread. Good News, March 1979)

To what degree should Christians put away sin? Completely, as Jesus taught, “you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Leaven symbolically can be a type of sin (cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8).  Like sin, leaven puffs up.

As seven is God’s number symbolizing completeness, Christians are to follow the Passover with seven days of unleavened bread.  The meaning and the symbolism is not complete with just Passover. Passover pictures the acceptance of Christ’s blood for the remission of past sins and the death of Jesus.

Should we leave Christ symbolically hanging on the tree of His death (cf. Galatians 3:13)? No. The seven days of unleavened bread following Passover help picture to us the complete putting away of sin, the keeping of the Commandments — after past sins are forgiven as the result of Jesus’ sacrifice.

The Days of Unleavened bread picture the life and work of the risen Jesus. Jesus ascended to the throne of God where He is now actively at work in our behalf as our High Priest, cleansing us of sin (Hebrews 2:17-18) delivering us completely from its power!

Here is some of what the Hebrew scriptures say about the Days of Unleavened Bread:

15 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16 On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat — that only may be prepared by you. 17 So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19 For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.’” (Exodus 12:15-20)

Leviticus 23:6-8 teaches about it as well. And Deuteronomy 16:16 shows that offerings were expected to be given on the Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and the Fall Holy Days.

Originally, there were no “burnt offerings or sacrifices” when God “brought them out of the land of Egypt” (Jeremiah 7:22).  They were added because of disobedience (Jeremiah 7:21-27) and the New Testament is clear that we do not need to have burnt offerings or animal sacrifices now (Hebrews 9:11-15).

As we eat unleavened bread each of the days, we realize that we have to avoid sin that is so prevalent in the world around us.

As far as the sequence of events, Passover was after sunset on the 14th of Nisan/Abib (Exodus 12:6) and the death angel passed-over at midnight (Exodus 12:23-29). During the early daylight hours on the 14th of Nisan/Abib, the children of Israel received gold and precious things from the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35-36). They left Egypt at night of the 15th of Nisan/Abib (Exodus 12:42; Deuteronomy 16:1).

Later, apparently on the 18th of Nisan/Abib, Pharaoh decided to pursue them (Exodus 14:5). On the 20th of Nisan/Abib, Pharaoh’s armies get near the children of Israel (Exodus 14:9).

Podcast Media

I was able to be a guest on a 1.5 hour podcast since the last Letter to the Brethren. It mainly covered prophetic matters as the host was intrigued by predictions I have made that came to pass. We also discussed prophecies related to the tribes of Israel.

My thanks to the podcast volunteer crew for setting these opportunities to reach others up, consistent with the mandates from Jesus (cf. Matthew 24:14, 28:19-20).

Malawi

Evangelist Evans Ochieng went to Malawi last week.

Here is a report from him along with three photos he sent:

Pastor Dr Bob,

Greetings from Malawi.
My trip in Malawi is very very successful.  I met the family of Mulozowa,  Priscilla and the children.  The discussion was too long because it forced me to talk with Priscilla first for a long discussing matters which affected the marriage and how to reconcile.  After that we had a lengthy discussion with Mulozowa and Priscilla.  After the agreement is when I called all the children to discuss together.  The discussion was very fine and the reconciliation was perfect.
We took drinks together and took photos.
After that I again had a meeting with wahela and machemba which also took a lot of time.  Wahela and machemba told me so many things about TN which I don’t want to mention.  But they beg their coming back to CCOG and after a long discussion, I accept them back in the church.  But I told all of them to write a letter to the church to clarify themselves.  …
Everything is OK in Malawi and Mozambique.
I also met our deacons from Mozambique,  both masenga and Jackson. We discussed a lot concerning the church program in Mozambique. The meeting Was very good and I really appreciate the kind of work in Mozambique.
The problem that is facing both Malawi and Mozambique is just rainfall destruction.  The rain made many houses of the brethren to fall.  …
Machemba and wahela  are also lacking good phones which can help them to get weekly updates.  Even Priscilla was not having a good phone to support her.
Otherwise everything was well conducted.
Evans.
Here are some of pictures.
The first photo :- Evans,  machemba,  mulozowa,  wahela and Priscilla.
2nd is I and mulozwa’s family.

Evangelist Evans Ochieng, deacon John Machemba,  pastor Radson Mulozwa,  deacon Louis Wahela and Priscilla Mulozowa.

Evangelist Evans Ochieng, with pastor Radson Mulozwa and his family

It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words. So, there are three photos above with Radson Mulozowa and his wife Priscilla.

Let me add that I spoke with Evans Ochieng, Radson Mulozowa, and Radson’s wife Priscilla myself within the past several days. Radson and Priscilla said that they are getting back together and their children said that there were happy about that.

Please do not believe talebearers who have asserted that Radson had one, two, or even three other wives in the past few years.

Before I spoke with him, Radson send the following email:

Greetings from Malawi and Mozambique.We are all doing well by the grace of God

The coming of Evans wa very fruitful in the way that we talked at large with Priscilla about our relationship.And after the meeting with Priscilla all my come to meet pastor Evans and they said many things that the divorce which Priscilla did disturb there progress and education
He also met Wahela, Machemba and Priscilla to hear about their need to come back to ccog
Pastor Evans accepted them to come back to the work after total discussion
Dr Bob after the meeting I further told them that I will organize the meeting for both leaders of all side so that we can plan way forward. They said many things about XXX and XXXX but they are not greatful
Dr Bob these brethren said that they failed to speak against what XXX and XXXX on what they were doing because of they don’t have smart phones to use
They requested pastor Evans that they failing to to get weekly updates because of phones and they need our prayers so that they can be getting updates from church
As I told you about heavy rainfall affecting Malawi. Let me report that many houses of brethrens have fallen down and many are failing to get place to sleep, so I beg your prayers for them
Best regards
Radson

We are providing some assistance for the brethren whose houses have collapsed with the recent rains there.

Louis Wahela, who had left the CCOG to be part of Hope of Israel, some time ago, sent the following email a few days ago:

Pastor Dr Bob

How are you doing in America
I would like to report that we met with pastor Evans in Migowi to tell him our great desire to come back to our mother ccog who made us to know the truth. The meeting was very successful in the way that pastor Evans has welcome me back together with Machemba and Priscilla . We met at Rufaro hotel
I have suggested to come back to my former because of the behavior of the leadership as I told you later.
 And the decision has been made by myself not Evans has told me to do so. Am writing this letter for you to know what is on the ground . Pastor take us as prodigal son to have realized his mistake
We discussed much and all is fine we greatly need your prayers and support
We are thankful for accepting us to be in church evo
May God reachly bless you
Louis Wahela
After the meeting we prayed together

As far as Louis Wahela goes, I posted some of his statements as well as those from former UCG minister John Owak last month where they denounced a lot of false reports about the CCOG in Africa (see Banned commentators posting falsehoods about Evans Ochieng, Radson Mulozowa, Bob Thiel, and the Continuing Church of God: Do not love lies!).

John Machemba who had left the CCOG to be part of Hope of Israel, some time ago, sent the following email:

Dr Bob

How is the family together with all the brethren. Yesterday we had discussion with pastor Evans in the that we beg his forgiveness so that we can come back to ccog as we have seen that we have been mislead by XXX and XXXX so am back to ccog. Please pray for us so that we can continue preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God
I , Wahela and Priscilla we met pastor Evans and everything has gone well though we know that after hearing that we met Evans many things will happen inorder to to disappoint us but let us look to God our answer
Pastor to say a little hope of Israel has no leadership and vision to lead God
Pastor let me also thanks you for supporting us in all terrible life we face always
Thanks pastor
Your faithfully
John Machemba

So, these emails hopefully help those who have doubted the CCOG in that part of Africa, as well as encouraged our members and supporters.

We are striving to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to all the world as a witness, as Jesus instructed in Matthew 24:14.

Suggested Sabbath Day Services

Here is a suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and other interested people:

Here is a suggested holy day service for the First Day of Unleavened Bread for our scattered brethren and other interested people:

For those interested in two services, here is a suggestion for the second service:

Note: If you have a slow internet connection, you can watch these by starting the video, then below it (and towards the right) look for an outline of a gear–if you click on that, it will allow the YouTube video to be played with lower video quality, but at least it will not stop often–you can select a quality as low as 144p. If your internet connection is still too slow (as my home one is) and/or you prefer audio messages to audio-visuals ones, go to the YouTube link for the message, click on SHOW MORE related to the description. You will then see something that says, “Download MP3.” Below that is a link to an MP3 file. Most computers (and even some mobile telephones) will allow MP3 files to be downloaded and played. This is an option we have made available (but we are also looking into ways to improve that as well)–and, of course, we have written article options. Some people have found that if their internet connections are not fast enough, that they can simply listen to the messages that are found at the Bible News Prophecy online radio channel.

IN CASE YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A ‘LETTER TO THE BRETHREN’ FOR ANY WEEK, REMEMBER THAT THERE ARE MANY SERMON MESSAGES ON THE ContinuingCOG channel AND MANY SERMONETTE MESSAGES ON THE Bible News Prophecy channel. There are also some messages at the CCOGAfrica channel. There are also messages in the Spanish language at the CDLIDDSermones  channel.

In case one or more of our video channels are unavailable, down, restricted, or ?, understand that we are on multiple platforms.

For sermons in English:

ContinuingCOG YouTube channel. Dr. Thiel has produced video sermons for this channel.

Also available at BitChute COGTube https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogtube/

For sermonettes in English:

Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel BibleNewsProphecy https://www.youtube.com/user/BibleNewsProphecy.

Bitchute Prophecy https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/,

Vimeo at Bible News Prophecy https://vimeo.com/channels/biblenewsprophecy

Brighteon Bible News Prophecy https://www.brighteon.com/channel/ccogbnp.

Rumble https://rumble.com/c/biblenewsprophecy.

DailyMotion https://www.dailymotion.com/dm_e24c8ac0050c5e7445cd5573711869c6/videos

For animations in English:

CCOG Animations YouTube channel.

Also available at BitChute COGAnimations https://www.bitchute.com/channel/coganimations/

Sermons and sermonettes in Spanish:

CDLIDDSermones channel.

African videos:

CCOGAfricaYouTube channel.

Also available at BitChute COGAfrica https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogafrica/

Audio messages:

Bible News Prophecy radio. This is an audio version of the Bible News Prophecy videos on one of our internet stations as well as our radio broadcasts in English. The BibleNewsProphecy.net website also has information about our international radio presence for Europe, Asia, and North America. That page is also available as a mobile app.

Bible News Prophecy International radio. This has links to our non-English language online radio station as well as materials in multiple languages.

There is also additional information at the Continuing Church of God Multimedia page.

World News Items

The Iran war continues to dominate much of the news. Despite being somewhat neutralized, Iran has been bombing (see Iran bombs and warns of ‘irreversible damage’ (including to desalination plants) after Donald Trump’s obliteration threat) and even says it has a “secret weapon” to defeat its enemies (see Iranian General says ‘secret weapon’ ‘will bring an end to the enemy’s operations’). One of the many unintended consequences of this war is that more in the Middle East are looking to sell oil in currencies other than the USA dollar–the more that happens, the more this will hurt the USA economically (see Iran war is pushing many away from the ‘petrodollar’). The war also looks to be a driver of food price inflation (see Food inflation concerns related to the Iran war).

The Iran war has helped the idea of an ‘Arab NATO’ arise again (see Arab NATO talk emerges again as Iran sends drones and missiles against its neighbors). Essentially an Arab NATO, while it would not be an actual North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is proposed as a confederation of Arab-Islamic nations who jointly cooperate on military matters. The Bible foretells the rise of a military confederation in the Middle East and North Africa, with a leader called the ‘King of the South’ in Daniel 11:40-43. While such a leader has not yet risen up to lead, the idea of such a confederation has long been the goal of the Muslim Brotherhood and is getting more interest from leaders in Egypt and other Arab lands.

A reader in Italy sent me a link to an article in Italian whose author asserts that many things that the USA has done which appear to be chaotic are really intended to push down and basically subjugate Europe (see NATO: In crisis or cracking? The USA is an enemy whose actions are intentional against Europe?).  The Bible tells of a power that was great whose friends become its enemies in Lamentations 1:1-2, and movement in that direction keeps happening as one of the many unintended consequences of the Trump Administration.

Concluding Comments

The Apostle Paul wrote:

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:23-32)

6 … Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:6-8)

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)

Remember brethren, if you are baptized, you are to examine yourself and keep Passover.

Remember also that when it comes to spiritual matters, your ethnic background does not matter.

All Christians, whether or not of Israelitish heritage, are all “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Sincerely,

Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer