Hi friends,

Here’s trusting this update finds you well. With all the craziness of our world (e.g., horrible random violence, unbelievable weather patterns, threats of war, etc. [Matthew 24:6-8]), my prayer this week has been that God has protected you throughout the week, He’s provided you Spiritual encouragement through His Word, and this Sabbath offers a safe harbor to shelter from the “insanity” of this age.

We are in our two congregations this Sabbath: Buford and Atlanta. We also have Coffee and Fellowship scheduled for after services in each location. Prior to services in each area, here is a rundown of this week’s local announcements. Please take a few minutes and review the following items.

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 UCG Atlanta Bible Study: 8/5 @ 7 PM. Our next Atlanta Bible Study takes place this evening, August 5, at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust will next take us through 2 and 3 John. 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

4. Service locations in Buford and Atlanta from August to September. We will have Sabbath Services in Buford and Atlanta on the following dates: 8/2, 8/9, 8/23, 8/30, 9/6 and 9/20. 

5. 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

That is all I have this evening. Have a peaceful start to your Sabbath.

Happy Sabbath,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

2 Samuel 12:16-17 David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. ¹⁷ So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would not, nor did he eat food with them. (Fasting because of Sin)