UCG Announcements (12/7/24)

Friends,

Here’s trusting this week’s announcements find you well and warm this Sabbath evening. Hopefully, you‘ve been able to visit our new local UCG websites this week and get more familiar with what each site offers. Mr. Shabi offers these details regarding the new website(s) in this past Thursday’s Home Office Weekly Update. 

As His Church continues its God-given commission to preach the gospel in all nations, send a warning message to the House of Israel, and care and nurture the disciples God calls, a major step was recently taken in advancing these efforts.

The revised and updated UCG.org website made its debut a little over a week ago. As with any website revision and introduction, it has faced some challenges. There are some new ways for members to access the features they used before, and some new ones that they’ll come to appreciate.

The I.T. and website staff here at the home office, along with all of us, understand the frustration some of you have experienced during your first visit to the new site. Some of us have encountered the same issues and share the same questions. Let me assure you that our staff is hard at work to adjust the system to address everyone’s concerns.

Just a quick note on how you can make the most of your experience on the website. Many have wondered why they need to “sign in.” Logging into the system offers several benefits. First, you’ll have access to your own personal “dashboard,” where you can store information you’ve seen for easy reference and continued study. You’ll also be able to donate online and track your donations at any time. Additionally, signing in gives you access to all sermons that are available in the members’ sermon portal, along with many other features.

If you need help signing into the new website, see Mr. Bob McCurdy for assistance on how to do this. 

You should have already received this week’s updates from Home Office. Here are our local announcements for this Sabbath.

1. We have Sabbath services tomorrow in Buford and Atlanta. The Buford congregation is set to meet at the Fairfield Inn, Mall of Georgia at 10:30 AM. The Atlanta congregation will meet at Unity Atlanta in the afternoon at 2:30 PM. 

2. After services in Atlanta, I ask that the social planning committee meet so we can begin to work through the next calendar year events. Let’s meet to the right of the stage (opposite the piano) immediately after services.

3. If you are sick this Sabbath, plan to watch the Atlanta webcast tomorrow online. To view the service, enter the password tree of life (with no spaces) in the channel password box. The URL location is: https://www.ucg.org/congregations/atlanta-ga/webcast

4. We restarted our UCG Atlanta Bible Studies last Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Going forward, Tuesdays will be our new meeting time. Plan to join us next Tuesday, 12/10, as we cover Revelation 11. The Bible Study lasts for one hour, followed by 15 minutes for questions and answers. Below is the information to connect with next Tuesday’s study:

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

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401
Passcode: 857315

5. Hear ye, hear ye! We need your 2024 Feast pictures for this year’s post-Feast slide show. To share them, go to the Google drive link below and upload your Feast photos. This year, we ask that you submit 4-5 Feast photos per person, with a 10 photo max per family. Saturday, Dec. 7, is our official deadline for uploading Feast photos. Here is the Google drive location for uploading photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OB98vye9qhBH0Br2wJfzUMBGxAp87bUk?usp=sharing

6. We have our next combined Atlanta/Buford Sabbath Service on Dec. 14. Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study classes resume that day. Additionally, we will have a covered dish meal scheduled after services. Our theme for the meal? Chili, soup, and bread (e.g., fresh bread or corn bread). Please bring enough food and drink for your family, plus one person.

And afterward, we have a new event for you to join. Get Ready for the Great Cookie Bake-Off! Do you have a winning cookie recipe? Think your chocolate chip cookies could take the crown? Join us for our Cookie Bake-Off, where your best homemade cookies will win you a prize!

Here’s how it works:

• Bring a batch of your best homemade cookies to the event.

• Our panel of judges will sample and score each cookie based on taste, creativity, and presentation.

• Prizes will be awarded to the top bakers!

   

Whether you’re a baker, a taste-tester, or just here for the fun, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Let’s enjoy some sweet fellowship together and bakers, don’t forget the milk!

7. After services next Sabbath, we need to have a meeting for those who want to sing in a combined Atlanta and Buford Choir. Next Sabbath, plan to meet at the left of the stage after services, by the piano, if you are interested in being a part of this service opportunity.

As I close, let me share Sandy Usry’s update from yesterday regarding her recent prayer request for a broken foot and ankle.

Thank you for the prayers. The block they gave me has not worn off yet, so I am currently in no pain. I have plenty of pins and plate in my foot to set off security at the airport. For two weeks, I will need to have my foot elevated most of the time. I will be absolutely non weight bearing for six weeks, then maybe a walking boot at that point, God willing. I pray after the initial two weeks they can put a cast on so I can come back to church. I miss my family. I will say the knee scooter is a life saver allowing me to get around so Earl is not having to carry me.

Please continue praying for Sandy’s healing. Thank you very much. 

That’s it for tonight. Happy Sabbath everyone!

See you at services soon,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia