Hi everyone,

Happy Sabbath from Camp Woodland! Last evening, this year’s camp started well with staff members arriving early, getting acquainted over dinner, and beginning staff training. This morning, the staff training concluded, and we then transitioned into activity readiness in anticipation of the campers' arrival.

At the current time, the camp is buzzing with excitement as parents drop off their sons and daughters for a jam-packed week of activities that highlight the importance of (1) God and His Truth, and (2) the building of friendships with those of like mind. As the camp grows to a population of around 110–120 attendees, we look forward to an enjoyable week when we learn more about God’s way firsthand. To be blunt, there is no other experience like God’s camps in the United Church of God! They are first-rate in imprinting on our young people the value of what God offers all of us. They offer tremendous support to parents in the Church who God views as the first line of education in drawing our young people to Him. As we head forward this week, I ask you to please pray with us that this year’s camp is beneficial and safe for all participants. Thank you in advance for keeping us in your prayers.

Here are this week’s local announcements for Buford and Atlanta congregations.

1. Sabbath Services in Buford and Atlanta. Tomorrow, the Buford congregation 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? 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 Tuesday Night UCG Atlanta Bible Study: 7/22 @ 7 PM. Our next Atlanta Bible Study takes place this next Tuesday evening, July 22, at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust will go through 2 and 3 John. Below is the information to attend the July 22 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 then.

4. Next Wednesday Night UCG Bible Study: 7/23 @ 7 PM. The next Bible Study by Mr. Rick Shabi takes place this next Wednesday evening, July 23rd 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

5. Service locations in Buford and Atlanta from July to mid-August. We will have Sabbath Services in both Buford and Atlanta on the following dates this summer: 7/26, 8/2, and 8/9. Our next combined service takes place on 8/16. We will have a cover-dish meal that day. The theme for the meal will be a Taco Bar. Olé

6. First Sabbath Coffee and Fellowship on 8/2. For a variety of reasons (the summer schedule, covered-dish meals, etc.), we’ve not had a Coffee and Fellowship Social in Buford and Atlanta of late. August 2, though, gives us the opportunity to enjoy one. Please plan to bring light snacks and drinks for this event, which will take place after services in Buford at the back of the hall at the Holiday Inn Express, Bethlehem, and in the lobby of Unity Atlanta. Plan to attend and share snacks, a beverage, and most importantly fellowship with your Spiritual family members that Sabbath.

7. Combined Service: Atlanta Hymn Sing on 9/13. It’s been a little while since we last did an Atlanta Hymn Sing. (The Pandemic short-circuited our hymn-sing routine.) This is all the more reason to give our Atlanta Hymn Sing another go. We are scheduled for a combined service on September 13. On that day, we will try our Atlanta Hymn Sing once more. The hymn sing will take place on 9/13 from 1:30 – 2 PM.

8. 2025 Winter Camp: Registration is Open. Winter Camp is returning to the beautiful Lake Geneva area, offering a fantastic setting for a fun and active winter experience! The camp facility features exciting new activities each year, making it a great place to explore the Zone. This year’s activities include two indoor climbing walls, a full-size gym for volleyball and basketball, and, if snow conditions allow, snowboarding, skiing and tubing. In addition, there will be broomball, field sports, dance classes, Bible classes, two dances, an escape room, an amazing race, arts and crafts, and team-building activities. The schedule will include plenty of time for socializing.

The core of Winter Camp is built on fellowship, fun and friends, with a foundation of Bible classes and Christian living instruction tailored for our teens. Campers will enjoy building friendships with one another while having a great time at Winter Camp. We’ll also take our oldest campers off-site for an exciting snowboarding adventure, and there will be live performances from campers during the final dance. There is no better way to spend your winter break than at camp with us!

The dates for Winter Camp are Dec. 29, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026
The Application Deadline is Nov 15, 2025

Click here for further information: https://www.ucg.org/members/uyc/teen/WinterCamp

That’s it this week in terms of announcements. Have a wonderful Sabbath evening. See you tomorrow in Buford and Atlanta.

9. Upcoming Events for your Calendar

9/23 – Feast of Trumpets at Unity Atlanta: Tuesday at 2:30 PM

10/2 – Day of Atonement at Unity Atlanta: Thursday at 2:30 PM

10/7-10/13 – Feast of Tabernacles at various sites: No local services

10/14 – Eighth Day at various sites: No local services

As I close, I offer a thank you to those who helped out with Hynethia Jones’ Memorial Service last Saturday. Rita and Carlyn expressed sincere appreciation for the ceremony and the support they received. Thank you for your continued prayers for them.

With that, have a great Sabbath!

In love,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

Joshua 5:10-12 Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. ¹¹ And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. ¹² Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year. (Israel's first Passover after coming out of Egypt.)