Friends,

It’s been a difficult week with the news of Rick Shabi’s death. At his request, Mr. Shabi chose to let things concerning his body run their course. Given his contributions to the United Church of God the past three years—as many of you have shared—he will be greatly missed. While he is now resting and awaiting the return of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15), his family will mourn his loss. Please keep them in your prayers as they move forward. Cards may be sent to Deborah, his wife, at this address:

Deborah Shabi
1422 Pelican Bay Trail
Winter Park, FL 32792

Here are this week’s additional announcements.

1.  Combined Sabbath Service: 8/16 @ 2:30 PM. We are set for combined local Sabbath Services tomorrow at Unity Atlanta in Peachtree Corners. The address is 3597 Parkway Ln, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092. The service begins at 2:30 PM.

2. Taco Bar Meal after Services. After services, we will have a cover-dish meal. The theme for the meal will be a Taco Bar. Just a reminder to please sign up today with your contributions for the themed meal. Click on this link to let us know what you will bring:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10rYZjkb1Xs-7ptlCCX2POxLpn3HNvkV5VoWkJ7bot9g/edit?usp=sharing

3. We need help with Setup & Take down for Covered-Dish Meal. We need several individuals to help with setup and/or take down. Please text Scott Thomas at (251) 533-5067 to confirm that you can help with this. Thank you in advance for your service.

4. 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

5. Next Tuesday Night UCG Atlanta Bible Study: 8/19 @ 7 PM. Our next Atlanta Bible Study takes place this evening, August 19, at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust next will take us through Philemon. Below is the 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

6. Service locations in Buford and Atlanta from August to September. We will have Sabbath Services in Buford and Atlanta on the following dates: 8/23, 8/30, 9/6 and 9/20. 

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

Those are our announcements for this Sabbath evening. If anything else comes tonight, I will share that item with you tomorrow. Until then, have a pleasant start to your Sabbath. 

With love,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

1 Kings 12:20-21 When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David. ²¹ When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mustered all Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—a hundred and eighty thousand able young men—to go to war against Israel and to regain the kingdom for Rehoboam son of Solomon. (10 Tribes Rebel against God)