Hi everyone,

Hopefully, your week has been positive and productive and you are staying warm this Sabbath evening. Thankfully, the weather looks to be pleasant and warmer tomorrow (and next week). This should make travel to services tomorrow easier for everyone. We have numerous announcements to get to this evening. Here they are.

1. Tomorrow, we are set for a combined Atlanta and Buford Sabbath Service at Unity Atlanta at 2:30 PM. Sabbath School and Teen Bible Study classes resume too.

Once Sabbath services ends, we are going to take a short break of 5-10 minutes and then be seated again for this year’s Feast Slides Show. Please listen for the announcement to be seated to view this year’s Feast photos.

2. After-service Meetings. We need to have two meeting tomorrow after the Feast Slide Show. Please see the focus of these meetings below.

Meeting 1. I ask that the social planning committee meet tomorrow so we can begin to work through the next calendar year events. Let’s meet briefly to the right of the stage (opposite the piano) immediately after services.

Meeting 2. I also ask that those who signed up to sing in a combined Atlanta and Buford Choir meet after services besides the piano. We are going to work through the group’s expectations for this new signing service opportunity. 

3. Cover-dish meal. As a reminder, we will have our Chili, Soup, and Cornbread Covered-Dish Meal. Please bring enough food and drink for your family, plus one person.

4. Following the covered-dish meal, we will enjoy a new event for you to join. Get Ready for the Great Cookie Bake-Off! Do you have a winning cookie recipe? Think your chocolate chip cookies could take the crown? Join us for our Cookie Bake-Off, where your best homemade cookies will win you a prize!

Here’s how it works:

• Bring a batch of your best homemade cookies to the event.

• Our panel of judges will sample and score each cookie based on taste, creativity, and presentation.

• Prizes will be awarded to the top bakers!

   

Whether you’re a baker, a taste-tester, or just here for the fun, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Let’s enjoy some sweet fellowship together and bakers, don’t forget the milk!

5. If you are sick this Sabbath, plan to watch the Atlanta webcast tomorrow 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/webcast

6. We restarted our UCG Atlanta Bible Studies last Tuesday evening at 7 PM. Going forward, Tuesdays will be our new meeting time. Plan to join us next Tuesday, 12/17, as we cover Revelation 12. The Bible Study lasts for one hour, followed by 15 minutes for questions and answers. Below is the information to connect with next Tuesday’s study:

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

Meeting ID: 838 7167 7401
Passcode: 857315

7. Due to Council meetings the week of December 9, there will be no Wednesday evening Bible Study on December 11. The next scheduled Zoom Bible Study is Wednesday, December 18 at 7 PM ET. We will be continuing in the book of Ezekiel, covering chapter 25. Here is the link for the Bible Study:

Topic: Wednesday Evening Bible Study
Time: Dec 18, 2024, 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88334395358?pwd=VRgme0CjhLlxmUaR0cgxsO7ZYQbJP…

Meeting ID: 883 3439 5358
Passcode: 360497

8. We are scheduled for Sabbath services in Buford and Atlanta on 12/21. Buford will meet at the Fairfield Inn, Mall of Georgia in the morning. Atlanta will meet at Unity Atlanta in the afternoon.

9. Winter Family Weekend takes place this year from Dec. 24-28. Locally, on the Sabbath of December 28, 2024, the Atlanta and Buford congregations will meet at the Unity building in Peachtree Corners.  The service will begin at 2:30 pm in the Sanctuary.  

We're anticipated to have a webcast from Cincinnati originating from the Winter Family Weekend.  Note - If you're unable to attend local services, the webcast can be accessed at - Webcast | United Church of God

The hall will be open from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm, so please arrive early and stay late for warm fellowshipping with the brethren.  We generally have coffee and light snacks in the lobby. As information, if you’re a visitor to Atlanta, please note that food and drinks (other than water) are not allowed to be brought into the Sanctuary area.

10. Finally, the most recent Atlanta/Buford DEL’s Meeting Minutes are now posted on our local websites. 

That’s it for tonight. Happy Sabbath everyone!

See you at services,

Philip Aust

United Church of God, Pastor

Atlanta & Buford, Georgia

PS – In the coming weeks, look for posts and information regarding the 2025 Atlanta Ski Trip, information regarding Local Church needs (e.g., a webcast equipment fund), and preparations for the 2025 Southwest Formal in Atlanta on Feb. 28 – March 2. More to come soon.