Announcements

◼ Literature offer for May: Feature individual copies of both The Watchtower and Awake! When making return visits on interested people, which may include visiting those who attend the Memorial 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 that they have no children, offer the Require brochure. When using the brochure, concentrate on starting home Bible studies. July and August: Offer the Knowledge book or the Require brochure. When householders already have these publications, use another appropriate brochure that the congregation has in stock.

◼ The presiding overseer or someone designated by him should audit the congregation’s accounts on June 1 or as soon as possible thereafter. When this has been done, make an announcement to the congregation after the next accounts report is read.

◼ Donations made by check and put in the local Kingdom Hall contribution boxes for the worldwide work and the Kingdom Hall Fund should be made payable to “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Donations made by check at district conventions and those sent to the branch office should be made payable to “Watch Tower.” The branch office financial address is Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, c/o Office of the Secretary and Treasurer, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, NY 11201-2483.

◼ While attending the “Walk With God” District Convention, keep in mind the importance of taking brief notes, which will help you to participate in the oral review to be scheduled on the Service Meeting later in the year.

◼ DISTRICT CONVENTION CHANGE: The dates and location for the Armenian-language district convention have been changed to August 27-29, 2004, at the Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1001 Parkridge Ave., Norco, California.

◼ Beginning with the May literature shipment, the annual supply of congregation forms is being shipped to congregations as forms become available. Instructions regarding forms distribution will appear on the shipment packing list. When there is more than one congregation in a Kingdom Hall auditorium, the literature coordinator should make sure that each congregation receives its supply of forms as soon as they arrive.

Offering Learn From the Great Teacher

◼ “Do you think that the world would be a better place if people lived by this saying? [Read Matthew 7:12a. Then allow for response.] This book contains many lessons from the greatest teacher who ever lived.” Highlight the pictures and captions in chapter 17.

◼ “Most parents today try to instill wholesome values in their children. Do you feel that this is important? [Allow for response. Then read Proverbs 22:6.] Notice that parents are encouraged to start training their children from an early age. This book is designed to help them to do that.” Highlight the pictures and captions in chapter 15, 18, or 32.

◼ “Often parents are amazed at the questions their children ask. Some of those questions can be hard to answer, isn’t that so? [Allow for response. Then read 2 Timothy 3:14, 15.] Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him from infancy what the Scriptures say. This book can help parents do the same for their children today.” Highlight a few of the pictures and captions in chapters 11 and 12 or 34 to 36.

A Means to Help Them

True Christians share in the public ministry of spreading the good news. (Phil. 2:17) As a means to that end, some basic brochures, tracts, and articles in 20 languages have been on the Internet at www.watchtower.org. This Web site is not designed to distribute current publications to Jehovah’s Witnesses. Its objective is to make available to the public accurate information about what Jehovah’s Witnesses teach from the Bible.

Recently, there has been a significant addition to our official Web site. This is the brochure What Does God Require of Us? in over 220 languages. Also, with the issues of January 1 and January 8, 2004, The Watchtower and Awake! in all languages began showing our Web address on the back page.

How can you use this tool? Well, you may meet a person who seems interested but understands only another language. If he has access to the Internet, you can point out the Web address on the back page of The Watchtower or Awake! That way he may be able to examine the Require brochure in his native tongue until you can return with literature in his language. Or you may be able to refer the call to the congregation or group that cares for his language.