Happy Sabbath friends,

Maybe it’s me, but February has gone quickly. We are now just over a month from the Passover. It takes place after sunset on March 31. Before you know it, we will be observing the Passover (Leviticus 23:5), gathering for the Night to Be Much Remembered (Exodus 12:42), and keeping the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6, Exodus 12:18). Even as spring brings new life, God’s new year reminds us of His wonderful plan: To bring many sons to glory! This is only possible through the suffering of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:10; 2 Peter 3:18). Let’s keep these truths in mind as we look forward to observing these very meaningful events in God’s calendar year.

Here are this week’s announcements. 

1. Sabbath Services in Buford and Atlanta: 2/28. Tomorrow morning, the Buford congregation will meet at the Holiday Inn Express, Bethlehem (Georgia) at 10:30 AM for services. In the afternoon, the Atlanta congregation will meet at Unity Atlanta at 2:30 PM for services.

2. Under the weather this Sabbath?Tune into our UCG Atlanta Webcast. If you are sick this week, plan to watch the Atlanta webcast 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

3. 2026 Southeast Regional Formal Weekend: 2/28-3/1. The 2026 Southeast Regional Formal Weekend takes place this weekend in LaGrange. See below for details regarding this event.

Event Date: Saturday evening, Feb. 28, 2026
Location: Del’avant Event Center, LaGrange, Georgia
Cost for the Prom: $30 per person (ages 12-19)
Cost for the Family Activity: $25 per person

If you have any questions, contact Matthew Blackwood at (706) 668-0714 or matthew@unlockmath.com. 

4. Next UCG Atlanta Bible Study: 3/3. Our next UCG Atlanta Bible Study takes place on Tuesday evening, March 3 at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust will cover the second half of Hebrews 11. Below is information to attend the study online:

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

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401
Passcode: 857315

See you there.

5. Feast Planning Brochure. Annually, the “Festival Planning Brochure” has been produced to identify the locations for the Feast of Tabernacles and also share helpful articles, hotel recommendations, and instructions for registering. This publication was mailed to all member households arriving in early April. While it has served as a convenient and useful tool for planning, updates and corrections have often become available after it was printed. In addition, most members now have internet access and rely primarily on the Feast of Tabernacles webpage for information. Therefore, a decision has been made to print a summary of Feast details in a special section of United News and post the rest online. 

To see this year’s Feast of Tabernacles sites and determine the deadline for registering for the site you want to attend, click here: http://Feast.UCG.org

6. Need help with Feast of Tabernacles Registration? Our local Feast Advisors are here to help with questions and registration. Contact Steve Holladay in Buford and Bob McCurdy in Atlanta for this help. If you need Festival Assistance, you may contact them in person or by phone.

7. Upcoming Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study Classes. Our next Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study classes are scheduled for March 14. Additional classes this academic year will be held on 4/11 and 5/9.

8. Next Young Men's Christian Club of Atlanta: 3/21. The next Young Men’s Christian Club is scheduled for March 21 after services in the chapel. Questions regarding this club may be directed to Ryan Shallenberger.

9. The United Youth Camps Website is Now Updated. The United Youth Camps website has now been updated, and this year’s camp magazine is posted. To see the latest information regarding this year’s United camps, go to United Youth Camps | United Church of God

As I close, I shared a prayer request with you last Sabbath from Chris and Maria (Moreno) Colman concerning Maria’s grandson, Maximilano Rey, and his Leukemia diagnosis. I was able to anoint Maxi in the hospital this past Monday evening and pray and spend time with his parents, Miguel and Marena Rey. Chris offered this update yesterday concerning Max.

Max’s surgery included a catheter inserted to administer medication. A spinal tap, bone marrow samples, and transfusion were completed. Max is recovering and doing well. He is experiencing some discomfort but is resting.

Maria offers this: “To the glory and honor of God, he’s improving.” The leukemia has decreased significantly; the cerebrospinal fluid is clear and uncontaminated. Thank you for your prayers and support. Chris noted this at the end of his update. 

“We have no doubt God is hearing the hundreds of prayers going up for Max from the brethren and family. We ask for your continued prayers of mercy for Maxi, his parents, Miguel and Marena, and Maria. Thank you. Love, Chis and Maria Colman.

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers. 

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow at services in Buford and Atlanta.

In love,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

  Memory Verse 

Jeremiah 17:21-22 Thus says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; ²² nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers."