Friends,

It’s only been a few days since I shared the news regarding the death of Hynethia Jones, otherwise known as Granny. For those who were able to share a greeting or conversation with her each Sabbath, her lively spirit and passion for God’s way of life were clearly on display. As I was reminded of by Rita this week, Hynethia lived 2 Timothy 4:7-8. Granny had “fought the good fight.” She finished the race and kept the faith. Now she waits for a crown of righteousness, “which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award” her on that day—and not only to Hynethia, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. With over 60 years of keeping true to the promise she made at baptism, her next waking moment will be the return of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). How moving!

We are currently in the planning stages for a memorial for Granny. I will share details of this event once finalized. (Tentatively, we have a Save-the-Date memorial planned for July 12.) In the interim, please continue to pray for Rita and Carlyn and don’t hesitate to offer comfort and support for them in prayer as well as in person, by mail, or email

As a reminder, their address is:

 2420 River Run Dr.

Dacula, Georgia 30019-2665

As we look forward to coming together tomorrow for Sabbath services, here are this week’s announcements.

1. Sabbath Services in Buford and Atlanta on 6/14. Tomorrow, Buford will meet at the Holiday Inn Express, Bethlehem (Georgia) at 10:30 AM for services. In the afternoon, the Atlanta congregation meets at Unity Atlanta at 2:30 PM.

2. Under the weather this week? Tune into the Atlanta Webcast. If you are sick this Sabbath, plan to watch the Atlanta webcast online tomorrow. 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. Next Atlanta UCG Bible Study: 6/17 @ 7 PM. There will be an Atlanta online Bible Study on Tuesday evening (6/17). The study begins at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust will cover Esther 6. Below is the information to attend this study online.

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

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401
Passcode: 857315

We look forward to seeing you there.

4. 2025 Tubing Trip to Ellijay on 6/29. If you are interested in tubing in North Georgia later in the month of June, June 29, information to do so is below. To participate, we need you to sign up for the activity ASAP. You may do so here:

Tubing Sign-up Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12-hCOBnjW-JjGGNDJPm9AsbUL8MmJo7qkv8Qhv4ZPTc/edit

Payments will be made on location by cash or check to Cartecay River Experience. Here are the details of this event.

What: Tubing & Kayaking 
When: Sunday, June 29 at 11:00 am
Where: Cartecay River Experience in Ellijay, GA
            2400 HWY 52 East 
            Ellijay, GA
            706-531-4746
https://www.cartecayriverexperience.com/index.html

Price:* Lazy River Experience *
Tubing
$15 cash
$18 credit card

Kayaking
$30 cash
$34 credit card

(Save $2.00 per person on the weekends if you show up the first hour and a
half of opening.)

**Payments will be made on location by cash or check to Cartecay River
Experience.**

Length of Trip: Approximately 1 hr. to 1.5 hrs. depending on if you are in a
tube or kayaking. (Trip is about 1.5 miles long.)
Waiver: All participants must sign a waiver.

FAQ: For further information and frequently asked questions please see this
website link:  https://www.cartecayriverexperience.com/faq.html. Additional questions may be directed to Sarah Aust, this event’s coordinator.

5. Atlanta Braves Baseball: 8/10. Like summers past, we will enjoy an Atlanta Braves game this year. This year, we have Sunday, August 10^th as the date to do so. The Braves play the Miami Marlins that day. Like last year, we plan to be in the shaded section of the stadium. Specifically, we would sit in section 425. Tickets are $27 per seat. The game starts at 1:35 pm against the Marlins, and it is Family Day. This includes a Kids Run the Bases and free admission to the Sandlot activities. For those interested in attending this game, see Casey McShay or email here at caseymcshay@gmail.com. Be sure to include the number in your party.

6. Need help with Feast 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 Feast Assistance, contact them in person or by phone.

7. Wednesday Evening Bible Study, 6/18 - Romans 2. The next Bible Study by Mr. Rick Shabi takes place this next Wednesday evening, June 18th, at 7 PM. He will be going through the Book of Romans.

The link for the upcoming Bible Study is:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88334395358?pwd=VRgme0CjhLlxmUaR0cgxsO7ZYQbJPR.1

Meeting ID: 883 3439 5358
Passcode: 360497

8. Ambassador Bible College: Apply Now. Ambassador Bible College is currently accepting applications for the next school year, which begins in late August. There is still space in next year’s class, and we would be glad to hear from young adults (and/or older adults) who are interested in a fun, engaging and thorough study of God’s Word in one school year.

Enrollment is open to those who have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. We like to have applications by July 15, but will consider them as long as there is still space. Applying earlier makes it easier to arrange housing, but there is currently ample lodging available with Cincinnati church members. Please visit www.abc.ucg.org to learn about the program. If you have specific questions, email us at www.abc_admissions@ucg.org. We look forward to hearing from you.

Ambassador Bible College Class Recordings. A complete list of all Ambassador Bible College class recordings can be found by navigating to “Ambassador Bible College” on our website’s “Member” menu. Then, click on “ABC Courses.” On the Courses page you will find all our class recordings—mostly audio recordings from over the years. But those recorded on video are now tagged “Yes” in the right column of the class course recordings list.

That’s all I have this evening. Have a peaceful start to your Sabbath. Be sure to travel safely to services.

In love,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

Memory Verse

Deuteronomy 13:4-5 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. ⁵ But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has spoken in order to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of bondage, to entice you from the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall put away the evil from your midst.