Sorry about the double post, I had problems with the computer....
Before I go into some parts of the program, here is the program for the following weekend.
Circuit Assembly Program 2004-2005
Theme: Be Guided by ?the Wisdom From Above? ? James
SATURDAY
Morning
Music
Song No. 41 and Prayer
?The Fear of Jehovah Is the Beginning of Wisdom?
Theocratic
Song No. 42 and Announcements
True Wisdom Gives Forth Its Voice
Dedication and Baptism
Song No. 202
Afternoon
Music
Song No.88
Experiences
Manifesting ?the Wisdom From Above? in Our Life
· Wisdom From Above Is First Of All Chaste
· Doing Our Part In Being Peaceable
· Being Reasonable in Our Decision Making
· Be ?Ready to Obey? Organizational Direction
Song No.73 and Announcements
Additional Aspects of the Wisdom From Above
Speak God?s Wisdom as Paul Did
Song No.34 and Prayer
SUNDAY
Morning
Music
Song No.158 and Prayer
Acquiring True Wisdom by Examining the Scriptures Daily
Pursue the Things That Are Upbuilding
· Not All Things Build Up
· At Congregation Meetings
· In Our Ministry
· Within The Family Circle
Song No.65 and Announcements
Watchtower Summary
Giving Attention to the Needs of the Circuit
Song No.25
Afternoon
Music
Song No.10 and Prayer
Public Address:
?How Godly Wisdom Benefits Us?
Song No.97 and Announcements
?Do Not Become Wise in Your Own Eyes?
Acting Upon Divine Wisdom Safeguards Us
Song No.45 and Prayer
There are some disturbing elements of this program, and some unusual ones.
First of all, each time the program was to begin with music, the brother announced that ?special music was going to be played directly from the Branch.?
The talk on Saturday Morning at ?The Fear of Jehovah Is the Beginning of Wisdom? was pointedly telling us, ?Are you regressing in Jehovah?s service? Are we allowing materialism and Satan?s attractions of this world to slow us down?? If we are an elder or a ministerial servant, are we ignoring our responsibilities and assignments?
Are we accurate in what we say to people at the doors?
The illustration was given that a brother could mistakenly say to a householder that 100 million people have died of Aids, when in reality it is about 35 million. If the householder is knowledgeable about the subject, or indeed, any subject the publishers brings up where he gets his information wrong, the householder will call into account other things publisher may have said.
The Dedication and Baptism talk at began with a most unusual comment. The speaker said to all those getting baptized, that over the years, persons who have sat in your seats who were getting baptized have now left the truth and are a dim memory in the minds of those who know them.
Perhaps the most disturbing talk of all was the symposium, ?Manifesting the Wisdom From Above? In our Life.
The feature, ?Be Ready to Obey Divine Instruction? was eerie.
The speaker actually said, and I quote, ?we should obey every direction that the faithful slave gives us, because Jehovah is using them.?
Individuals appeared on the stage and told the audience how they ?obeyed the direction of the faithful slave? when they responded to the call to pioneer or reach out to become a ministerial servant.
In other words, being ?ready to obey divine instruction? means responding to their call for full time workers in whatever capacity the Society needs them.
This highly manipulative approach will strengthen the hold the Society has on those who are unable to head straight for the door marked, ?Exit?.