Letters

Correction

In the article "Pittsburgh Prepares for 50th" in the December 2007 issue, we said Pittsburgh was the first Church of God congregation east of the Mississippi River. It was actually the first congregation east of Chicago. We regret the error.

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Financial Statements

I appreciate having copies of the financial statements published in United News [November 2007, pages 6-7]. That shows openness about the financial affairs of the Church to the members. However, it would be helpful if the statements were printed larger. We have to use a magnifying glass because the print is so small.

—Illinois

Thanks for the suggestion. The statements are also posted in the United News PDF file on the Web site at www.ucg.org/un/un0711/un0711.pdf, and you can use Acrobat Reader to display the statements at a larger size.

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New Hymnal

I don't normally write the home office, however, I felt bound to write to let know that last week I received the most priceless gift from the United Church of God, a copy of the new hymnal. What a splendid joy it is! My thanks go to those who worked so hard to put this wonderful piece of work together. What makes this piece of work so wonderful? We went back to the Psalms, as we did many years ago in our worship to praise our heavenly Father when we gather in His house of prayer.

Not that other parts of the Scriptures should not be used to compose songs of praise to God, [but] to me the Psalms are my favorite… I use the Psalms daily in my prayers, that's how I love the Psalms.

Please pass on my warmest thanks to those who worked so hard to put this priceless piece of work together.

—Internet

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Associated Press Article

Just a quick note to let you know that I discovered your Web site through an article in a local newspaper here in Pennsylvania. It was an Associated Press article by Tom Breen quoting Pastor John Foster of Princeton, West Virginia entitled "Protestants Didn't Always Embrace Christmas Holiday."

I find your Web site an excellent source of information on true Christianity. I intend to read on.

—Pennsylvania

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"Church Near Me?"

I am writing to ask if there is a local church near me. My family and I have been in the wilderness for two years now. God has revealed so much to us in this time on paganism and the churches of today. We yearn to be with fellow believers who want to live as close as possible to God's instructions on His Holy Days. Is there anyplace near us? We live in a small town.

We get The Good News magazines and enjoy them very much. Thank you for being bold and telling it like it should be!

—Missouri

Contact information was sent.

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"Life That Was Changed"

The pastor from Columbia and Augusta e-mailed me a while back, but I lost his name and e-mail address! My family and I (my mother, aunt, etc., want to start to attend church on Saturday! God's Sabbath! In the United Church of God! God is really working on all of us!

Would you please have the pastor for South Carolina e-mail me?

I love your site and Beyond Today! And the free booklets you send have helped me so much! I wanted to say thank you so very much! I am a life that was changed !

—South Carolina

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Stopped Celebrating Christmas

Just wanted to say that since I stopped practicing celebrating Christmas, my eyes have been opened to how "shallow" the whole ordeal of Christmas is. As with any pagan holiday, it is falling apart at the seams, much like a lot of these false churches are beginning to do as well. I wonder if Jesus would be pleased to see people beat each other up, some even get killed for an X-Box or any number of materialistic items. I wonder if it pleases Him to see His children get drunk, practice gluttony and coveting, on His so-called birthday, and I wonder how He feels at not even being invited to His own so-called birthday party?

As soon as I had figured out that this Church (U.C.G.) was telling the absolute truth about everything, not just Christmas, I completely and gladly gave up Christmas when I realized it did not and does not please God to celebrate pagan holidays and in fact we are commanded to stay away from them.

Sometimes what God has to say "inconveniences" some people. As for me, I enjoy finding ways to please God, because I know there is never any way I will be able to repay Him for saving my life by giving His. So, if He asks me to do simple things like rest on a Saturday or stay away from all forms of pagan practice, then I feel that is the least I can do for Him. I feel blessed and privileged that I have been called and heard. I also feel blessed and privileged that God has invited me to His parties and feasts.

I cannot believe how differently I view Christmas today. I also cannot believe how much better I feel inside since I have distanced myself from all the man-made holidays. We now keep all the feasts that God commanded all of us to keep, and we always finish the feasts with a renewed, profound sense around us. We now know why God wanted us to stay away from pagan worship and practice.

—Internet

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Letters to the Editor: Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Comments and suggestions to improve United News are welcome. Please let us know if you would like your name printed. Mail to: United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or e-mail mike_bennett@ucg.org.