Edwin Pope is scheduled to give the sermon on the first Sabbath of this new year, January 5th.  To listen to the NetServices Sermon, click on www.cognetservices.org, or go to www.eternalgod.org and click on NetServices and Connect to Live Stream.
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

EARTHQUAKE

Last night, Jan 1st, there was an earthquake (4.2 on the Richer Scale) north of San Diego (near Borrego Springs). No damages or injuries have been reported so far.

ARGENTINA

Argentina ended 2001 leaderless and penniless on Monday with its new interim president resigning a week into the job and the country fearing more bloodshed and the loss of savings frozen in the banks.

Plunged into chaos by looting and deadly riots that forced Fernando de la Rua to resign as president a week ago, Argentina fell deeper into anarchy when interim leader Adolfo Rodriguez Saa quit on Sunday after losing the support of his party.

INDIA/PAKISTAN

According to Focus Online, a serious battle was fought at the end of the year between India and Pakistan. Four soldiers were killed, and seven bunkers were destroyed. Tony Blair announced that he will try to intervene.

AFGHANISTAN

According to an Internet article of December 31, 2001, of Der Spiegel, an American attack killed more than 100 civilians in the eastern part of Afghanistan.  Although American news channels originally reported that the U.S. government denied this report, Der Spiegel states now that the U.S. government did NOT deny the attack and that they announced that there will be an investigation. The article continues that the U.S. government does presently not heed to demands to soon cease American bombardments of Afghanistan.

EURO

Europe made history on Tuesday with the midnight launch of euro single currency notes and coins for more than 300 million people, completing an unprecedented monetary union aimed at securing peace and greater prosperity.

The coinage of a millennium was wiped out as the currencies of the 12 euro zone countries began being swapped for what will be the most widely used common money since the Roman Empire.
 
The new euro notes in purple, yellow, green, blue, red and orange bear architectural designs of bridges and arches rather than national cultural symbols or figureheads. The coins bear national emblems on one side like Germany’s landmark Brandenburg Gate and Belgium’s King Albert, a map of Europe on the reverse.
 
According to Max Online, the euro started brilliantly, constituting the greatest currency exchange of all times. “Politicians from 12 EU states applauded the historical success towards a politically and economically united Europe,” the article said. It continued, “President Jacques Chirac of France stated that ‘the euro is a victory for Europe which will strengthen its [Europe’s] identity and power.’… Head of State Jose Maria Aznar of Spain stated, ‘The euro is the symbol of strength of our community.’ Minister President Kostas Simitis of Greece added, ‘The euro is one of the strongest currencies in the world.  We have now more chances and more hope.’… According to Tony Blair of Great Britain [Great Britain, Denmark and Sweden did not anticipate in the exchange], his country has a massive interest in the success of the euro…. Whether Great Britain itself will introduce the euro, the people of the nation will have to decide, Mr. Blair said.”

THE POPE

New Years Message of the Pope:  According to Der Spiegel, the Pope is upset about religious wars.  “‘Nobody is permitted to kill for whatever reason in the name of God,’ he said in his New Years Message. Violence in the name of God is always unjustified, and the Holy Land longs for peace, he continued, pointing out that all are brothers and the sons of the same ancestor, Abraham, and all men are sons of the same Holy Father. The Catholic Church begins on January 1 the world year of peace. The message is, according to the Pope, that there can be no peace without justice, and no justice without forgiveness. Both, he said, are indispensable for the promotion of peace.
 

BIBLE STUDY

There will be a Bible Study the evening of December 28th.  Norbert Link will be speaking on the Christian family, and the respective responsibilities and challenges of Parents and Children.  Starting time will be 7:30 PM in San Diego which is 9:30 PM CT.  To listen to the NetServices Bible Study, click on www.cognetservices.org.
 
SABBATH
Edwin Pope is scheduled to speak this Sabbath. Mr. Pope came down with the flu and requests your prayers for his speedy recovery, so that he can deliver the sermon.
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

According to Ulrich Delius, a German correspondent, the current India – Pakistan conflict is one of the most dangerous trouble spots in the world, with the potential of escalation into a nuclear World War. His interview, given on December 25, has been placed, in the German language, on the news station “Deutsche Welle,” at dw_world.de/dwelle

Beginning January 1, the Euro will replace the national currencies of the 12 European member nations. Great Britain, Sweden and Denmark decided against using the Euro as their currency.

According to a report on CNN, the European Union and the Palestinian Authority signed an agreement guaranteeing the PA/PLO 30 million euros a month, over the next three months, to help finance its operating costs. Israel charged that EU funds are being used to finance PLO attacks against the Jewish state.

Norbert Link will be speaking on the Christian marriage and the roles and responsibilities of husbands and wives.  Starting time will be 2:30 PM Central.  For NetServices, go to www.cognetservices.org. 
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

“The Argentine Government has declared a state of siege after violence erupted over the country’s worsening economic crisis… [and] the worst civil unrest since 1989.” [BBC News, December 18, 2001] and according to CNN, Government officials say Argentine President Fernando De la Rua has submitted his resignation.

“Iranian Cleric urges nuclear strike against Israel.” [World Tribune, Dec. 18, 2001]

“Europe and America in bitter row over peace force [in Afghanistan].” [Independent News, December 18, 2001] and “Massive [European] Resistance against expansion of anti-terror war against Iraq. [German Chancellor] Schroeder warns [President] Bush.” [California Staats-Zeitung, December 13, 2001]

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has told NATO allies to prepare themselves for the threat of devastating nuclear, chemical and biological attacks by terrorists on their biggest cities. According to CBS News, December 18, Mr. Rumsfeld warned Europe in Brussels on Tuesday that London, Paris, Berlin and other cities could become targets for terror strikes like those on America that killed more than 3,000 people.
 

Dave Harris will be giving the live Internet sermon.  The title of the sermon is, “Teach Us To Pray.”  Starting time will be 2:30 PM Central.  For NetServices, go to www.cognetservices.org.
 

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES

We received an article that appeared in the Jerusalem Post, showing the increasing influence of the European Union in the Middle East. The article pointed out that the “European Union told Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat [on December 10] to dismantle ‘the terrorist networks’ of Hamas and Islamic Jihad and declare an end to the violent uprising… The statement from the 15-member bloc was unprecedented, as the EU is frequently criticized… for taking a pro-Palestinian stance… Belgian Foreign Minister Louis Michel, who chaired the meeting, insisted that the EU is not siding with Israel and said the position ‘pointed to the sensitive issues of both sides.'”