Hi friends,

Happy Sabbath! With God’s weekly Sabbath taking place this week on the 250^th anniversary of this nation, we have a unique opportunity this Sabbath to rest from our work, even as God did at Creation (Genesis 2:2-3; Deuteronomy 31:17)—and give Him special thanks for the many ways He blesses us as His people (James 1:17). Physically, His blessings include the opportunity to live in a land of abundance and opportunity unrivaled by other nations on this planet. Spiritually, God’s blessings include living in a nation where we are free to worship Him in the way that pleases Him. In both cases, these blessings should never produce pride, but rather gratitude, humility, and a renewed commitment to seek first His Kingdom (John 6:33) and faithfully reflect Him as His people (Isaiah 66:2; Matthew 5:14). Let us be appreciative of these many blessings as we keep this Sabbath holy.

Here are this week’s announcements.

1. Combined Services in Atlanta: 7/4. We will combine for an Atlanta/Buford service on July 4 at Unity Atlanta. The Sabbath service will begin at 2:30 PM.

Coffee and Fellowship. Because it’s the first Sabbath of July and we just had a covered-dish meal last week (and a great one, at that!), 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). Snacks that reflect this nation’s anniversary are encouraged. 

2. Feeling ill this week? Tune into 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: 7/7. Our next Atlanta Bible Study takes place this Tuesday evening, July 7 at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust will deliver the Bible Study. We are in the book of John. John 3 is next. Below is information to attend online:

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

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401
Passcode: 857315

See you there.

4. Teen/Young Adult Regional Weekend: 10/30 – 11/1 Survey. The Charlotte, NC congregation is excited to host a Teen/Young Adult regional weekend from Oct 30^th to Nov 1^st. The weekend will include workshops focusing on how to use your unique spiritual gifts, dealing with stress and how to strengthen your faith in a world full of doubt. Following Sabbath services, there will be a dance on Saturday night. Sunday there will be an opportunity to enjoy the day at the Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark.

In order to better plan, we are asking that you take a brief survey at the link below. More details on activities, cost and location are provided in the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwBtwS1Qk2UrEvAIUnttNegycon_8plYmQRqNVkl9fL-pWSw/viewform

Dan Preston, Pastor – Charlotte and Hickory, NC and Columbia, SC

Those are our announcements this week. Rest peacefully this evening. See you tomorrow at services in Atlanta.

In love,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

Memory Verse

Isaiah 66:22-23 “For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain. ²³ And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the Lord.