Our Kingdom Ministry

March 2004                       For United States of America        km-E Us 3/04 Vol. 47, No. 3

“Love Jehovah, All You Loyal Ones” Jesus’ Death to Be Commemorated on April 4

• ¹ Years ago, when Ukraine was under Communist rule, the authorities watched the brothers closely—especially when the day of the Lord’s Evening Meal approached—because they hoped to discover their meeting place. This was always a problem, since the authorities knew the approximate date of the commemoration. What could the brothers do? One sister’s home had a flooded basement. Since the authorities would not expect people to gather there, the brothers built a platform above the knee-deep water. Although they had to sit crouched on the platform under a low ceiling, nobody disturbed them as the congregation joyfully observed the Memorial.

• ² The determination of our Ukrainian brothers to obey the command to commemorate Jesus’ death was a marvelous demonstration of their love for God. (Luke 22:19; 1 John 5:3) Whenever we are facing obstacles in our lives, may we draw encouragement from such examples and be determined to be present to observe the Lord’s Evening Meal on April 4. By so doing, we show that we share the sentiments of the psalmist who sang: “O love Jehovah, all you loyal ones of his.” —Ps. 31:23.

• ³ Help Others Grow in Love for God: Love for God also moves us to invite others to observe the commemoration with us. The February Our Kingdom Ministry insert encouraged each of us to make a list of those we plan to invite to the Memorial. Are you diligently following through in extending an invitation to each person on your list? Take time to explain the significance of the occasion to them. A kindly reminder of the day and time of the Memorial and, if appropriate, an offer to accompany them may encourage them to attend.

• ⁴ At the observance, make a special effort to greet those who have accepted our invitation, and make them feel welcome. How can you help them to grow in their love for Jehovah? Make yourself available to answer their questions. Be alert to offer a Bible study if appropriate. Invite them to attend our weekly congregation meetings. Especially will elders want to give attention to inactive Christians who are present. They can arrange to visit such ones and encourage them to resume their activity, perhaps building on the thoughts presented in the Memorial discourse.—Rom. 5:6-8.

• ⁵ Deepening Our Own Love for Jehovah: Reflecting on the gift of the ransom can deepen our love for Jehovah and his Son. (2 Cor. 5: 14,15) One long-time Memorial attender said: “We look forward to the Memorial. It becomes more special each year. I remember standing in the funeral home 20 years ago, looking at my dear dad and coming to a true heartfelt appreciation for the ransom. It had been an academic subject before that. Oh, I knew all the scriptures and how to explain them! But only when I felt the cold reality of death did my heart fairly leap with joy over what will be accomplished for us by means of that precious ransom.”—John 5:28, 29.

• ⁶ As the date of this year’s observance approaches, take time to prepare your heart for the occasion. (2 Chron. 19:3) Meditate on the special Memorial Bible reading, which is outlined in Examining the Scriptures Daily—2004 and on the 2004 Calendar. Some enjoy reviewing chapters 112-16 in the Greatest Man book during their family study. Others do additional research using other study aids provided through the faithful and discreet slave class. (Matt. 24:45-47) All of us can make the gift of the ransom a matter of heartfelt prayer. (Ps. 50:14, 23) Yes, during this Memorial season, may we continually reflect on Jehovah’s love for us and seek ways to demonstrate our love for him.—Mark 12:30; 1 John 4:10.

  Service Meeting Schedule

  
  

Week Starting March 8

Song 37

10 min: Local announcements. Selected Announcements from Our Kingdom Ministry. Remind all to bring the new brochure “See the Good Land” to next week’s Service Meeting. Using the suggestions on page 4, demonstrate how to present the March 15 Watchtower and the March 22 Awake!

15 min: Using Tracts to Start Conversations. Audience discussion. Often the most difficult part of giving a witness is getting the conversation started. Tracts can be used to break the ice in door-to-door witnessing, in business territory, and in public places. Briefly review two or three tracts that might appeal to people in the local territory. What introductory comments might be made when presenting these tracts? How may the illustrations be used? What questions might tactfully be raised? Highlight a paragraph in each tract that could be considered if the householder shows interest. Demonstrate how a conversation may be started using a tract. Have the publisher briefly consider one paragraph from the tract and then conclude by offering the Knowledge book.

20 min: “Love Jehovah, All You Loyal Ones.”* When discussing paragraph 3, entertain comments from audience on how they have invited people to the Memorial observance. Song 131 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 15

Song 121

10 min: Local announcements. Review main points of “Memorial Reminders.” Announce when the Watchtower Study will be held for the week of the Memorial.

15 min: Update on Special Activity During Memorial Season. Audience discussion to be handled by the service overseer. Mention special arrangements that have been made. Relate a few experiences that have been enjoyed. Encourage those who can do so to enroll as auxiliary pioneers for April and May. Briefly review a few points from the February Our Kingdom Ministry insert.

20 min: Benefit From “See the Good Land.” The new brochure can make our reading and study of God’s Word more meaningful. A key is using its index. Read Isaiah 63:1, which describes Jehovah as coming from Bozrah. Invite all to And the entry for Bozrah in the “Good Land” index. Explain what “Bozrah 11 Gil” means, using the box on page 34, and find Bozrah and Edom on the map indicated. Using the index, And Jesus’ route from Jerusalem to Sychar. (John 4:3-5) Do the same for the location of the pool of Bethzatha. (John 5: 1-3) Select one or two additional examples from the weekly Bible reading for the Theocratic Ministry School. Invite the audience to comment on where those locations can be found in the brochure and how we bene-At from consulting the maps. Briefly highlight some of the maps contained in the brochure, noting the periods covered. The map on pages 18-19 presents the greatest number of Bible sites. Urge all to make good use of “See the Good Land.” Song 63 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 22

Song 191

10 min: Local announcements. Accounts report. Remind all to follow the Memorial Bible reading scheduled for March 30-April 4, as outlined in Examining the Scriptures Daily —2004 and on the 2004 Calendar.

15 min: Local needs.

20 min: “A Cavalry Charge That Involves You.”* Read and discuss cited scriptures as time permits.

Song 181 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting March 29

Song 129

10 min: Local announcements. Remind publishers to turn in March held service reports. Mention literature offer for April. Using the suggestions on page 4, demonstrate how to present the April 1 Watchtower and the April 8 Awake!

15 min: Make Good Use of the 2004 Yearbook. Talk and audience discussion. Mention highlights of “A Letter From the Governing Body,” outstanding hgures from the worldwide report, and a few faith-strengthening experiences. Encourage aU to read the entire book during the year.

20 min: The Truth Unites Farmlies. Talk and audience discussion. Interested ones sometimes hold back from serving Jehovah because of opposition from family members. Have some of the following experiences related: January 1, 2002, Watchtower, pages 14-15; December 1, 2000, Watchtower, page 8; September 1, 1999, Watchtower, page 32; January 1, 1999, Watchtower, page 4; and February 22, 1998, Awake!, page 31. Highlight that family life often improves when even one member of the household applies Bible principles.

Song 130 and concluding prayer.

Week Starting April 5

Song 126

1O min: Local announcements.

20 min: Physical Cleanness Recommends Us. A talk based on the June 1, 2002, Watchtower, pages 19-21. Include a demonstration in which an elder shows a pioneer how tactfully to help a Bible student see the importance of keeping his home and yard clean, using lesson 9, paragraph 5, in the Require brochure.

15 min: Relate experiences enjoyed in connection with the Memorial observance and the increased service activity during March.

Song 25 and concluding prayer.

* Limit introductory comments to less than a minute, and follow with a question-and-answer discussion.

December Service report

Number of:               Hrs. Mags. R.V. Bi.S't.

Announcements

■ Literature offer for March: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. A special effort will be made to start home Bible studies. If people already have this publication, Pay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy! may be offered. April and May: Feature individual copies of both The Watchtower and Awake! When making return visits on interested people, which may include calling on those who attend the Memorial and/ or other theocratic events but who are not actively associated with the organization, concentrate on placing the Worship God book. Every effort should be made to start a home Bible study, especially if some individuals have already studied the Knowledge book and the Require brochure. June: Learn From the Great Teacher. If individuals say they have no children, offer the Require brochure. When using the brochure, concentrate on starting home Bible studies. ■ The branch office does not fill individual publishers’ requests for literature. The presiding overseer should arrange for an announcement to be made each month before the congregation monthly request for literature is sent to the branch so that all interested in obtaining personal literature items may advise the brother handling literature. Please keep in mind which publications are special-request items.

■ It is important that groups of 20 or more persons planning to visit the branch office facilities first correspond by mail with the Central Tour Desk at 100 Watchtower Drive, Patterson, NY 12563-9204. The Central Tour Desk will care for groups that will be visiting the branch office facilities at Brooklyn, Patterson, and Wallkill, New York, or the Assembly Hall at Jersey City, New Jersey. Please send information on the number coming and the dates and times for visiting each location. The branch office will provide a description of the tours that are available as well as a map giving directions to each location. Lodging information has been sent to the congregation elder bodies and may be obtained from the congregation secretary. Before your visit, please review the June 2002 Our Kingdom Ministry Question Box regarding proper dress and grooming when visiting Bethel homes.

■ A packet of legal material is available to assist publishers who are involved in lawsuits over child custody and visitation matters in which our religion is under attack. The packet should be requested by the body of elders only in a case in which it is evident that the publisher’s religious beliefs will be at issue. For those facing secular issues on child custody or visitation, helpful information can be found in Awake! of December 8, 1997, pages 3-12; in Awake! of October 22, 1988, pages 2-14; and on the chart found in Awake! of April 22,1991, page 9.

■ The secretary should see that the Regional Building Committee is kept up-to-date on the status of all baptized publishers who have submitted Kingdom Hall Volunteer Worker Questionnaire (S-82) forms. When there are adjustments in a volunteer’s status, such as when one moves or is appointed as a ministerial servant or an elder, new forms should be filled out promptly and submitted. If a volunteer’s mailing address or telephone number changes or if he is no longer in good standing in the congregation, the elders should immediately inform the Regional Building Committee by letter. The completed S-82 forms in the congregation file should be made available for the circuit overseer’s review when he visits the congregation.

■ U.S. Selective Service regulations require that all men register at the post office within 30 days after reaching 18 years of age. A male noncitizen under the age of 26 who takes up residency in the United States must also register with Selective Service within 30 days of becoming a resident. All of those required to do so should comply with this law, viewing it as a Christian’s obligation to the superior authorities. From the time he registers until the year he turns 26, a brother must notify Selective Service of any change of address within ten days of the change. Elders should be aware of young brothers nearing the age of 18 and new alien residents between the ages of 18 and 26 and remind them of their duty to register with the Selective Service System.

Memorial Reminders

The Memorial observance this year falls on Sunday, April 4. The elders should give attention to the following matters:

■ In setting the time for the meeting, make sure that the emblems will not be passed until after sundown.

■ Everyone, including the speaker, should be informed of the exact time and location of the observance.

■ The appropriate type of bread and wine should be obtained and made ready. —See the February 15, 2003, Watchtower, pages 14-15.

■ Plates, glasses, and a suitable table and tablecloth should be brought to the hall and put in place in advance.

■ The Kingdom Hall or other meeting place should be thoroughly cleaned ahead of time.

■ Attendants and servers should be selected and instructed in advance about their duties, the proper procedure to be followed, and the need for dignified dress and grooming.

■ Arrangements should be made to serve any of the anointed who are infirm and unable to be present.

■ When more than one congregation is scheduled to use the same Kingdom Hall, there should be good coordination among congregations so as to avoid unnecessary congestion in the lobby or entryway, on the public sidewalks, and in the parking lot.

A Cavalry Charge That Involves You

• ¹ “The sixth angel blew his trumpet.” Following that, “armies of cavalry” numbering “two myriads of myriads” thunder forth. This is no ordinary military force. “The heads of the horses [are] as heads of lions.” Fire, smoke, and sulfur spew forth from their mouths, and their “tails are like serpents.” This symbolic cavalry charge leaves devastation in its wake. (Rev. 9:13-19) Do you know how you are involved in the fulfillment of this striking prophetic vision?

• ² The anointed remnant and their companions, the other sheep, unitedly make known God’s judgments. This results in the complete exposure of Christendom’s spiritually dead condition. Let us examine two elements of the prophetic vision that highlight why the ministry of God’s servants is so effective.

• ³ Trained and Equipped to Deliver God’s Message: By means of the Theocratic Ministry School and other congregation meetings, God’s ministers have been trained to speak God’s message with authority. In imitation of Jesus and his disciples, they go forth to search out deserving ones, preaching wherever people can be found. (Matt. 10:11; Mark 1: 16; Luke 4:15; Acts 20:18

1, 2. How are God’s servants today involved in the fulfillment of the prophetic vision recorded at Revelation 9:13-19?

3. What training have you received to speak God’s message effectively?

20) How effective this Biblical method of preaching has proved to be!

⁴ Billions of Bibles, books, brochures, and magazines have been distributed by Christian ministers in carrying out the divine preaching commission. These publications have been provided in nearly 400 languages, covering a wide variety of subjects and using approaches that appeal to various kinds of people. Are you making effective use of these instruments?

• ⁵ Heavenly Direction and Support: The prophetic vision also makes clear that the activity represented by the symbolic cavalry charge has divine backing. (Rev. 9: 13-15) The global preaching work is accomplished, not through human wisdom or power, but by means of God’s spirit. (Zech. 4:6) Jehovah is using the angels to direct this work. (Rev. 14:6) Thus, along with the efforts of his human Witnesses, Jehovah provides heavenly support to draw meek ones to himself. —John 6:45, 65.

• ⁶ Trained, well equipped to deliver God’s message, and working under angelic direction, Jehovah’s people are an irresistible force. Let us continue to play our part in the fulfillment of this thrilling prophetic vision.

• 4. What equipment is available to many publishers to enable them to carry out their work?

• 5, 6. What indicates that Jehovah’s people have heavenly backing?

-Watchtower Mar. is

Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom

“We would like to invite you to the observance of the Lord’s Evening Meal on Sunday, April 4. [Explain using back cover of magazine or printed Memorial invitation. Then read Luke 22:19.] The lead articles in this issue of The Watchtower discuss the meaning of this event and how it is observed.”

Awake! Mar. 22

After mentioning a tragic event that is on people’s minds, ask: “Have you ever wondered why God allows such things to happen? [Allow for response. Then read James 1:13.] This article, which is written especially for young people, explains why our loving Creator has not yet stepped in to end human suffering.”

'Watchtower Apr. i

“Few passages have evoked as much speculation as the Bible’s cryptic description of the mark of the beast. Have you ever heard of it? [Allow for response. Then read Revelation 13:16-18.] The Bible itself provides the keys to unlocking the meaning of this mystery. This magazine explains what they are.”

Awake! Apr. 8

“Most people are familiar with the life story of Moses. But did you know that Moses said something that touches our lives today? [Allow for response. Then read Deuteronomy 18:15.] This issue of Awake! discusses who that foretold prophet is and what he is going to do for the benefit of mankind.”

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