Happy Sabbath,

By numerous accounts, the Graby marriage was a huge success last Sunday. Despite all the rain leading up to last weekend’s wedding, the weather conditions in Atlanta were ideal for their special day. On behalf of the Atlanta and Buford congregations, we extend a big congratulations to the newly married couple: Brandon and Caroline! 

With one marriage complete, we are slated for a second wedding this weekend in our area, this time involving Steve Burgett and Madeline Garrett. Sunday is their special day. As the elder who counseled them for marriage, I know Steve and Madeline are really looking forward to their wedding day and settling in the area. In anticipation of their ceremony on Sunday, please pray they have good weather as well, and the entire ceremony goes as planned. Thank you.

Prior to Sunday’s ceremony, we have the blessing of God’s weekly Sabbath. Here are this week’s announcements for our two congregations.

1. Local Sabbath Services in Buford and Atlanta: 6/6. Tomorrow, we are in our two congregations. The Buford congregation will meet at the Holiday Inn Express, Bethlehem at 10:30 AM for services. In the afternoon, the Atlanta congregation will meet at Unity Atlanta at 2:30 PM for services.

We will have services separately in Buford and Atlanta on 6/13 and 6/20. We will combine for services on 6/27. Because we are already scheduled for a covered dish-meal on 6/27 and some are traveling on July 4^th—this nation’s 250^th anniversary—let’s make our meal on 6/27, “4^th of July Fixin’s.” Think summer picnic foods and desserts that fit our nation’s important milestone. I ask that each family plan for enough food and drink for your family, plus one additional guest.

2. Under the weather this Sabbath? Tune in to our 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. UCG Atlanta Bible Study: 6/9. Our next UCG Atlanta Bible Study takes place this Tuesday evening, June 9 at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust will give the Bible Study. The next chapter we cover is 2 Peter 3. Below is information to attend online:

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

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401
Passcode: 857315

See you there.

4. Final Call: United Youth Camp! We are less than a month away from the start of our first teen camp of the summer. Camp Cotubic begins June 21! We also want you to be aware that there is still room available at Southwest Camp, which begins July 5, and Camp Woodland, which begins July 19. Please be aware that camp scholarships are available. These scholarships are not only for those with financial hardship, but also for families who genuinely want their teens to attend and may simply need a little extra help with tuition or travel expenses.

Parents, if your teen has not yet registered, we encourage you to enroll your child. UYC is a tremendous opportunity for our young people to build godly friendships, grow spiritually and enjoy a positive environment centered on God’s way of life. If cost is a concern, please speak with your pastor. He can help initiate the scholarship process or contact Ministerial and Member Services for assistance.

Camp has had a tremendous positive effect on so many teens in the Church, and we hope your teen will be able to be part of it this summer.

https://www.ucg.org/members/uyc

5. 2026 Feast of Tabernacles Assistance. Each year, many faithful brethren generously contribute additional funds to help others attend the Feast of Tabernacles. Every household that is able is encouraged to voluntarily assist with these costs, in the spirit of Deuteronomy 16:14: “You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow.”

Your kindness and generous support ensure that our Church Assistance Fund can meet current needs, making it possible for hundreds of your brethren—who might not otherwise be able to attend—to joyfully celebrate the Feast.

If you believe you may not have sufficient funds to attend the Feast this year – and have been faithful in saving your Festival Tithe – assistance may be available. Please contact your Festival Advisor, Steve Holladay in Buford or Bob McCurdy in Atlanta, or your pastor to request a Festival Assistance Member Information Form. Complete and return the form as soon as possible. All information provided will be kept confidential.

All applications should be submitted by June 30th, so please don’t delay.

Festival assistance is available for those who have been saving but still lack adequate funds to attend, as well as for those whose income makes it difficult to save enough. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help!

6. North Georgia Tubing Trip: 6/28. If you are interested in tubing in North Georgia on June 28, here is what you need to know. 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 28 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 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.

7. Sabbath Service on July 4^th. We will have a combined service on the Sabbath of July 4^th. (This is the United States of America’s 250^th Anniversary.) After services, let’s plan for a special, yet smaller version of Coffee and Fellowship (i.e., in the lobby of Unity Atlanta; not in the Fellowship Hall). And yes, snacks that reflect this nation’s anniversary are encouraged. 

8. 2026 United Youth Camps. For details regarding United’s summer camps this year, go to: https://uyc.ucg.org/ Upcoming camps include:

• Teen Camp Southwest: July 5 – July 12
• Teen Camp Woodland: July 19 – July 26
• Young Adult Camp: Challenger Sierra - July 29 - Aug. 4

Thank you for praying for the success of all our camps.

9. Michael C. Carlos Museum Visit: 8/2. We will visit the Michael C. Carlos Museum on August 2. Located on Emory University’s Atlanta campus, the museum houses the largest collection of ancient art in the southeast. The museum offers an engaging educational and cultural experience for all ages.

Cost for a museum visit is $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors and children ages 6-17. Children 5 and under are free. Since the museum opens at 12 PM on Sundays, let’s meet in front of the museum at 11:45 AM. 

Every Sunday at 2 p.m., museum docents lead drop-in tours, which are open to the public. These tours are free with museum admission. No prior registration is required.

Parking (by car or van). If coming in cars, please park at either the Fishburne Deck or Oxford Road Visitor Decks. 

The address to the museum is:

571 South Kilgo Circle
Atlanta, GA 30322

You can find information about the museum here https://carlos.emory.edu/visit

10. Summary of Events

Tues. @ 7   UCG Atlanta Bible Study – see atlanta.ucg.org calendar

6/28           North Georgia Tubing Trip

7/4             Combined Sabbath Service (also U.S.A’s 250^th Anniversary)

7/19–7/26   UYC Camp Woodland

8/2             Visit to the Michael C. Carlos Museum (https://carlos.emory.edu/visit)

9/12           Feast of Trumpets

9/13           Atlanta and Buford Picnic: Riverside Day Area on the Etowah River

                  https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251867

9/21           Day of Atonement

Brent Reynolds will be back at Atlanta services tomorrow. Be sure to spend a few minutes catching up with him. Brent, it’s good to have you back!

In love,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

Memory Verse

Isaiah 58:3-4 ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’ “In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. ⁴ Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness. You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. (The proper attitude for fasting.)