Dear Brethren and Co-Workers in Christ:
Greetings from Grover Beach, California.
A supporter told us that there were technical problems with our recommended sermonette video, as it stopped in the middle. So the original upload was removed and replaced with a new one (Prophetic Scoffers and Earthquakes). The content is the same, but if you have a link to the originally loaded version that one (and the related viewership count) is no longer available. The sermonette came about because an apostate scoffer mocked a post I did related to the deadly earthquakes in Venezuela and the record heat in Europe. As far as the heat in Europe goes, let me add that after we made the video, it was reported that at least 1000 people died from the heat in France and another 1000 people died from the heat in Spain. But scoffers still scoff.
Travels
Evangelist Evans Ochieng has been traveling. On this trip, he first visited brethren in Tanzania and is now in Rwanda. He would appreciate your prayers.
Here is a photo from Rwanda:
Moise Nshimiyimana, Asifiwe Nshimiyimana, Evans Ochieng
Asifiwe Nshimiyimana is the daughter of Moise Nshimiyimana who is our leader in Rwanda.
Bible News Prophecy Magazine
The latest magazine from the Continuing Church of God was sent out last week. Here is a link: Bible News Prophecy magazine: July – September 2026.
In this issue:
From the Editor: The Fall Holy Days are near.
What Happens to Babies Who Die? This is an illustrated answer.
Is the Feast of Tabernacles Commanded in the New Testament? The late Dr. Herman Hoeh gives his answers.
Study the Bible Course, Lesson 27: God’s Sabbath Part 1. Which day is the true Sabbath of God?
WHY does God command man to rest on His holy Sabbath today?
Continuing Church of God Radio Log Listen to the Bible News Prophecy radio broadcast around
the world.
Questions and Answers: Why shouldn’t I marry someone who is not a true Christian?
It has a new feature. We now have an illustrated section, somewhat like a comic. I have long wanted this type of thing in order to reach children as well as others.
I am very glad that we now that that.
Here is a link to the Bible News Prophecy magazine: July – September 2026.
Feast of Tabernacles’ Update
Church services for the Feast in 2026 are to begin the evening of September 25th and run (including the Last Great Day) until sunset October 3rd.
We do plan to have a site in Brisbane, Australia–we are hoping to sign an agreement on Friday. If so, we plan to announce that next week.
We also expect that the Canadian site will be finalized soon.
Here is a link to the expected location of our sites around the world, which we do update once we have new information: Feast of Tabernacles’ Sites for 2026.
Suggested Sabbath Services
Here is a suggested Sabbath day service for our scattered brethren and other interested people for this Sabbath service:
- 2-3 hymns (our songbook, The Bible Hymnal, contains the materials from the 1974 Bible Hymnal from the old WCG with new covers, plus ten additional hymns; there is also some Choral Accompaniment online).
- Opening prayer.
- Sermonette: Prophetic Scoffers and Earthquakes. Other sermonettes are available at our Prophecy channel on BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/prophecy/
- Announcements (if any; though for many it will be this letter) and one hymn.
- The suggested sermon is: Gideon’s Army: Lessons for Philadelphian Believers. Other sermons are also available at the COGTube channel on BitChute https://www.bitchute.com/channel/cogtube/
- Final hymn.
- Closing prayer.
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 cellular 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.
World News Items
The peace deal between the USA and Iran has not brought peace as both sides launched attacks against each other since they agreed to it (see As warned, the ‘peace deal’ with Iran has not brought peace as Iran and USA launch strikes). Furthermore, Israel and Hezbollah have also been attacking each other (see Great peace deal? Israel and Hezbollah continue to attack each other). While we know that a temporary ‘peace’ deal will occur in the Middle East, per Daniel 9:27, what we have seen is not it. It is expected that there will be a lot more destruction before the biblically-prophesied deal will be in place.
The Europeans continue to take steps that are leading to ‘666’ controls on buying and selling. It was announced that the European Banking Authority is planning on significant fines related to crypto-currencies that will not adhere to various EU regulations (see European Banking Authority planning on fining cryptocurrencies that do not comply with EU’s digital asset laws). Those who though Bitcoin and similar items would be private and secure will find more and more that Europe will not tolerate such.
There was recently some excitement about another ‘red heifer,’ but according to a report, a leading rabbi has disqualified it (see Another ‘red heifer’ seemingly disqualified, a temple push, and a tent). While Christians do NOT need a red heifer (cf. Hebrews 9:13-15), most Jews who wish to resume animal sacrifices believe they need one. So, this red heifer matter remains one to watch (cf. Mark 13:37).
Concluding Comments
The Apostle Paul wrote:
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
Brethren, love is what it is all about.
God is love (1 John 4:8) and when we are deified, we will also be love.
Therefore, practice love now.
Sincerely,
Bob Thiel
Pastor and Overseer