Hello friends,

I hope this update finds you well as the Sabbath Day—God’s sign between Him and His people (Exodus 20:8-11, Isaiah 56:2, Ezekiel 20:12, )—arrives. Whatever you’ve gone through this week, welcome to this truly special day! The Sabbath is without equal: a day of physical renewal and, most importantly, spiritual enrichment. It’s a day that, when properly kept, carries with it a blessing (Isaiah 58:13-14). Even as we look forward to coming together for services tomorrow (Hebrews 10:24-25), let us thank God for this magnificent gift. There’s nothing like it (Mark 2:27)!

Here are this week’s announcements. 

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. Sabbath School & Teen Bible Study: Signup after Services. We are officially planning for the start of our 2025-26 Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study Academic Year. In preparation for the year, parents (for our Sabbath School Program students) and teens, be sure to let our Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study coordinators tomorrow (8/23) know if your child or you—teens--will participate. Our coordinators this year include Sarah Aust and Robby Briggs, respectively. We will have a short sign up meeting immediately after services tomorrow in front of the stage. See you there.

First Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study Classes. The first Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study classes take place on 9/13. Parents and young people, thank you for noting this on your calendar.

4. Next Tuesday Night UCG Atlanta Bible Study: 8/26 @ 7 PM. Our next Atlanta Bible Study takes on Tuesday evening, August 26, at 7 PM. Mr. Jerold Aust next will take us through the Book of James. 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

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

6. Atlanta Hymn Sing on 9/13. On September 13, we will have an Atlanta Hymn Sing prior to our combined Atlanta and Buford Sabbath Service. The hymn sing will begin at 1:15 PM. It will run 30-35 minutes. Mr. Charlie Graby is coordinating the event. Plan to come and praise God in song prior to services that day.

7. Upcoming Events for your Calendar

9/13 – Atlanta Hymn Sing prior to services @ 1:15 PM

9/13 – Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study Academic Year Begins

9/21 – Atlanta and Buford Picnic at Lake Acworth @ 11:30 AM

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

10/4 – No local service on 10/4 before the Feast of Tabernacles: UYC services online

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

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

That’s it for this update. Until services tomorrow, have a peaceful Sabbath evening. 

In love,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

2 Kings 2:1-2 And it came to pass, when the Lord was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. ² Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the Lord has sent me on to Bethel.”