Hi friends,

Happy Sabbath! My prayers have been that your week has gone well and that you have enjoyed the arrival of fall. With last week’s severe-weather concerns behind us, tomorrow will be our first opportunity to gather as a Spiritual family following the Fall Holy Days. It will be wonderful to be together again.

With the Blessing of Little Children taking place, Atlanta and Buford will combine for services tomorrow. Here are this week’s announcements as we look forward to seeing one another again at services.

1. Combined Sabbath Service and Blessing of Little Children — October 17

Tomorrow, October 17, we will hold combined Atlanta/Buford Sabbath services at Unity Atlanta, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

As part of our service, we will have the Blessing of Little Children. 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. This blessing is intended for young children whose parents or grandparents attend our congregations.

2. Young Men’s Christian Club — October 17

Our next Young Men’s Christian Club meeting will begin 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.

3. Unable to Attend? Watch the Atlanta Webcast

If you are not feeling well, please plan to watch the Atlanta webcast online. Enter the channel password “treeoflife” (without spaces).

https://www.ucg.org/congregations/atlanta-ga

4. UCG Atlanta Bible Study — October 20

Our next Atlanta Bible Study will be held Tuesday evening, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Jerold Aust will lead the study as we continue our examination of the Gospel of John, focusing this week on John 10.

For those joining online, the Zoom information is below:

Zoom meeting link (as provided; please confirm the full link before distribution):

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

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401   |    Passcode: 857315

5. Important: Additional Combined Service in Atlanta — October 24

Next Sabbath, October 24, UCG President Mr. John Elliott is scheduled to be in Atlanta for the Southeast Regional Ministerial Conference, October 24–27. I have asked him to deliver the sermon that Sabbath. Accordingly, Atlanta and Buford will again combine for services at Unity Atlanta at 2:30 p.m.

We plan to return to our respective congregations for services on October 31 and November 7.

6. Jeopardy After Dark — October 31

Because October 31 falls on the Sabbath and many of us will be dealing with trick-or-treaters in our neighborhoods after sunset, the Atlanta congregation will host an evening of Jeopardy at Unity Atlanta. Please plan to join us for a fun time of fellowship. Our October 31 schedule in Atlanta includes:

• Sabbath services
• Dinner on your own after services
• Jeopardy at Unity Atlanta after sunset

7. Feast Slideshow Photos — Deadline November 7

We’d love to include your Feast photos in our post-Feast slideshow! Please use the Google Drive link below to upload 4–5 photos per person, with a maximum of 10 photos per family. Thank you for sharing your Feast memories with everyone!

Upload your photos here: https://tinyurl.com/2026fotpics or email your contributions to ucg.atlantabuford@gmail.com or text them to (251) 342-4329.

If you have questions or difficulty uploading photos, please contact Dr. Crystal Thomas, who is preparing our slideshow for November 14. The submission deadline is November 7.

8. Fellowship Outing: Savoy Automobile Museum — November 8

Interested in a day of fun and fellowship? We are organizing a visit to the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, on Sunday, November 8. Come explore the galleries and enjoy the history and design of classic automobiles.

Admission (as provided):

• General admission: $17 at the gate, or $15 when purchased online in advance
• Youth ages 3–12: $7
• Children ages 2 and under and active military: Free

Special promotion: Because the visit falls on the first full weekend of the month, eligible Bank of America or Merrill cardholders may qualify for free general admission through the Museums on Us program. Bring an eligible card and valid photo ID; please verify the museum’s participation and promotion terms before your visit.

If you would like to join us, please raise a hand tomorrow for this activity, when asked.

9. Men’s Song Leader Workshop — November 14

Men who currently lead songs, as well as those interested in learning, are invited to a Song Leader Workshop on Saturday, November 14, at Unity Atlanta, beginning at 12:15 p.m.

The song service is an important part of our worship. During the workshop, we will discuss its purpose, the responsibilities of a song leader, and basic techniques for leading congregational hymns. A musical background is not required; a sense of rhythm, familiarity with the hymns, and a desire to serve are a good starting point.

If you currently lead songs or are a young man in your late teens or older interested in serving in this way, please join us. For questions, contact Charlie Graby, workshop facilitator.

10. Atlanta/Buford Thanksgiving Covered-Dish Meal — November 14

Our annual Thanksgiving covered-dish meal will take place after Sabbath services on November 14. We hope you can join us for food and fellowship. Please help us prepare by noting the following:

• Volunteer for setup or cleanup. Men and women are welcome to help; use the signup link below and indicate your availability.
• Let us know what you are bringing. Listing your dish or dishes will help us provide variety and avoid duplicates.
• Label all serving dishes and utensils with your name. If you purchase prepared food, please place it in your own labeled serving dish and bring a labeled serving utensil.
• Take your dishes, utensils, containers, and leftovers home afterward. Please do not leave disposable or reusable items behind for the cleanup crew.

https://tinyurl.com/3zndduuz

Thank you for helping make this meal enjoyable for everyone! — Scott and Crystal Thomas

11. Summary of Upcoming Events

• October 17 — Combined Sabbath services, Blessing of Little Children, and Young Men’s Christian Club
• October 20, 7:00 p.m. — UCG Atlanta Bible Study (John 10)
• October 24 — Combined Sabbath services at Unity Atlanta, 2:30 p.m.
• October 24–27 — Southeast Regional Ministerial Conference
• October 31 — Local congregational services; Jeopardy After Dark at Unity Atlanta
• November 7 — Feast slideshow photo deadline
• November 8 — Savoy Automobile Museum outing
• November 14 — Combined Sabbath services, Sabbath School, Teen Bible Study, Song Leader Workshop, Feast slideshow, and Thanksgiving covered-dish meal
• December 22–27 — Winter Family Weekend, Hamilton, Ohio
• December 28 — UYC Winter Camp begins (apply now!)

That gives us plenty to look forward to! Have a peaceful beginning to your Sabbath. Our family looks forward to seeing you tomorrow afternoon in Atlanta.

In love,

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

Memory Verse — Ezekiel 37:1–3

“The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord God, You know.’”