Happy Sabbath,

I trust that you had a wonderful Feast of Tabernacles and Last Great Day this year, wherever you observed the Feast. Our family enjoyed an outstanding Feast in Hungary with approximately 100 of God's people. I look forward to sharing some of the memorable messages we heard and experiences we enjoyed when we come together again for services. However, due to the approaching severe weather, those conversations will need to wait another week.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: SABBATH SERVICES CANCELED for 10/10

Due to the severe weather anticipated from Hurricane Isaias, and out of an abundance of caution, I have decided, in consultation with our elders, to cancel local Sabbath services tomorrow (October 10) for both the Atlanta and Buford congregations.

The National Weather Service is forecasting high winds, heavy rainfall, possible flooding, and the potential for tornadoes across the Atlanta area. Given these conditions, we believe it is wise to prioritize everyone's safety rather than ask members to travel under potentially dangerous circumstances.

In place of our local services, please plan to watch the Cincinnati East PM Sabbath webcast tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time or one of the other UCG congregation webcasts.

You may access the Cincinnati East webcast here:

https://www.ucg.org/webcast/sabbath-webcast-cincinnati-east-pm-october-10-2026

A complete list of UCG congregation webcasts is available here:

https://www.ucg.org/webcast/all (In most cases, the password for these services is the same as the one used for our webcast.)

Although we will not be meeting locally tomorrow, I want to share this week's announcements and upcoming activities for our area.

1. UCG Atlanta Bible Study: 10/13. Following our Fall Feast recess, we will resume our Atlanta Bible Studies this Tuesday evening, October 13, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Jerold Aust will lead the study, continuing our examination of the Gospel of John. This week's study will focus on John 9.

For those joining online, the Zoom information is provided below:

Zoom Meeting Link:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/83871677401?pwd=CSoupVrJ3qHxQQaq94jgeBnQZOajZ…

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401
Passcode: 857315

2. Combined Sabbath Service in Atlanta: 10/17.  Next Sabbath, October 17, we will have a combined Atlanta/Buford Sabbath service at Unity Atlanta, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

We will return to our respective congregations for services on October 24, October 31, and November 7.

3. Blessing of Little Children: 10/ 17. Our annual Blessing of Little Children will take place next Sabbath, October 17, during our combined service in Atlanta. As is our tradition, this special blessing is held on the second Sabbath following the Feast of Tabernacles.

If you have a young child you would like to have blessed, please contact one of our elders so we can make the necessary arrangements. As a reminder, this blessing is intended for young children whose parents or grandparents attend our congregations.

4. Young Men's Christian Club: 10/17. Our next Young Men's Christian Club meeting is scheduled for October 17, beginning approximately 20 minutes after Sabbath services in the Chapel. We will continue our study of the Book of John. If you have questions about the club, please contact Brian Scott.

5. Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study: 11/14. Because many Feast of Tabernacles sites offered Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study classes during the Feast, our next local classes will take place on November 14. We will have a combined Atlanta/Buford Sabbath service that day at Unity Atlanta.

6. Combined Sabbath Service and Thanksgiving Covered-Dish Meal: 11/14. On November 14, we will gather for a combined Sabbath service, followed by our annual Thanksgiving covered-dish meal. Please plan to bring turkey and the traditional trimmings as we enjoy an afternoon of warm fellowship and thanksgiving together. As is our tradition, we ask each family to bring enough food and beverages for their household, plus one additional person. We look forward to this special opportunity to enjoy fellowship with one another.

7. Winter Family Weekend Registration: 12/22–27. Registration is now open for the 2026 Winter Family Weekend (WFW), scheduled for December 22–27 in Hamilton, Ohio. This year's theme is "Household of Faith." For those interested in attending, information about activities, registration, and hotel reservations is available at the following link:

https://ucg.redpodium.com/2026-winter-family-weekend

8. Summary of Upcoming Events

• 10/13, 7:00 p.m. — UCG Atlanta Bible Study (John 9)
• 10/17 — Combined Sabbath Service, Blessing of Little Children, and Young Men's Christian Club
• 10/24–27 — UCG Regional Ministerial Conference
• 11/14 — Combined Sabbath Service, Sabbath School, Teen Bible Study, and Thanksgiving Covered-Dish Meal
• 12/22–27 — Winter Family Weekend, Hamilton, Ohio
• 12/28 — UYC Winter Camp begins (Apply now!)

Prayer Request: Tim Drake. As I close this week's announcements, I want to share an important prayer request from Tim and Tammy Drake. Tim underwent procedures on three consecutive days this week to remove melanoma from his forehead. Unfortunately, the doctors had to remove more tissue than originally anticipated. As part of the procedure, they took skin from near his collarbone and grafted it onto his forehead. Tim is currently experiencing considerable pain as he recovers. He is scheduled to return to the doctor in two weeks to have his sutures removed.

Please keep Tim in your prayers, so God heals him completely, and He minimizes the pain Tim is experiencing. Please also remember Tammy as she supports him as he heals. Thank you.

With that, please take the necessary precautions as the approaching storm moves into our area. While we will miss being together for Sabbath services tomorrow, our family's prayers will be with each of you.

In love,

Philip Aust
United Church of God, Pastor
Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

Memory Verse

Ezekiel 34:1–2 "And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 'Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?"' (Beware of False Shepherds)