Local Announcements:

Sabbath Services for November 23rd, 2024: This week's Sabbath will be held at the Freedom Hall (349 W Birchwood St, Morton, IL 61550) @ 1:30pm. The services will also be webcast on our local congregational website​ (link for local webcast) as well as offered via audio only for those who would like to call in (701.791.9819). These connections typically go live about 15-minutes prior to the start of services.
Song Leader: Mr. Dave Archer
Split-Sermon: Mr. Bill Conway
Split-Sermon: Mr. Nathan Ekama

Upcoming Events:
Nov 30th: NOT a Thanksgiving Potluck & Games @ Freedom Hall
Dec 14th: Congregational Meal & Game Night @ Freedom Hall
Dec 28th: State of the Congregation & Pizza Dinner @ Freedom Hall
Jan 11th: Potluck & Game Night @ Freedom Hall

Central Illinois Bible Study: Our next monthly Bible Study will be on the Sabbath of January 25th. We will start about 15-minutes after services. If you are not able to join us in person, here are a few ways that you can join our Bible Study:
- Here is the link to access our Bible Study via our local webcast.
- Here is the phone number to call for an audio-only connection: 701.791.9819

NOT a Thanksgiving Potluck: While we are all likely to have something for which to be thankful, perhaps a second Thanksgiving-themed meal isn't one of them. On November 30th, we'll have a congregational potluck and game night after services. If you are turkey-ed out, feel free to bring a dish that doesn't remind you of Thanksgiving to share with others along with any card or board games that you'd like to play after the meal.

Springfield Bible Study: The next monthly Bible Study in the Springfield area will be on the Sabbath of December 14th at the Curran Township building (6220 Moffet Street, Curran, IL 62670) at 10:00am. We will be discussing the 144,000.

Sabbath School: Our next Sabbath School is scheduled for this Sabbath, December 14th. It will take place about 10 minutes after services in the back room.

State of the Congregation Input: Our “State of the Congregation” meeting is coming up at the end of December. If you have any input on a topic you would like to hear a message on, an area of that Bible that you’d like us to do a study, or any other idea, please let me or one of the other elders know.

Congregational Directory: If you have not yet signed onto the online congregational directory, created your account, or would like some help with getting your contact information and/or picture uploaded, please feel free to reach out and ask Nathan Ekama or Dan Apartian for a hand.

Health & Safety Protocols: We ask that any who exhibit symptoms of illness practice the biblical principle of quarantine.

Regional Announcements:

REMINDER - Winter Family Weekend Registration: The Cincinnati, Ohio Winter Family Weekend is coming soon! Opening night is Tuesday, Dec. 24, with events running through Saturday evening, Dec. 28.
It’s IMPERATIVE to check wfw.ucg.org frequently for updates and important instructions. General registration is now, Nov. 14–29.
Please visit the website for specific registration details. You’ll also find information about the hotel and eligible booking dates there.

Home Office Announcements:

Articles and Writers Needed for Compass Check: Do you have an idea for an article for our teen magazine, Compass Check? Or, maybe you’re willing to write, but need an idea? Regardless of your age or writing experience, we would love to see what you have to offer.
The process of writing for Compass Check is easy and fun. Plus, if you’re a student, you might be able to use it to get some extra credit! If you have an idea or would like to learn more about writing for Compass Check, please contact us at compasscheck@ucg.org.

Teen Instagram Account: We are using the existing Compass Check account to share encouraging and fun spiritually uplifting content, including Q&A’s, updates on local events and special sneak peeks of ongoing projects. We would also encourage feedback of content you would like to see. This project is specifically for our youth, and we want to hear from you! Make sure to follow us at compasscheck on Instagram (instagram.com/compasscheck) and DM us for any more info, suggestions and questions.

Light of Hope Helpline: The United Church of God is providing a new service available to its ministry and members. Light of Hope is a helpline supported by Church members who are licensed social workers, counselors and other clinical professionals.
They will provide mental health and addiction resources to those in need including individual, couple, family and teen consultation. These specialists will also assist in connecting people in need with appropriate resources in their communities while keeping all information confidential.
The Light of Hope helpline is available at any time. When you call, it will initially record your message so that one of our professionals can respond within 24 hours. This service is also provided in several different languages including Spanish, French and German.
Light of Hope also plans to develop online materials on a variety of topics such as depression, anxiety, stress management, suicidal thoughts, communication skills, problem solving strategies, teen issues, parenting issues, etc.
The helpline number is (888) 241-6211.

Prayer Updates: The home office has created a web page where church members may access recent church-wide prayer requests at any time. The address is register.ucg.org/intranet/PrayerRequests and the password for the page may be obtained from your pastor.

Job Opportunities: Details about any of the current job postings for the Church may be reviewed at ucg.org/members/news/current-job-openings.

Beyond Today: Beyond Today airs locally in Illinois (Springfield/Decatur/Champaign) on WICD 15 ABC, Sundays at 10:00 a.m..
**BT content is also available via our YouTube channel and via Roku and other smart devices.**

Online UCG Radio from Australia for the whole world: The online radio station for United Church of God is now streaming 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. You can listen to booklet and magazine readings, Bible readings, Bible Q&As, sermons, Bible class lectures, podcasts, the BT Daily series, music and more! A radio schedule in PDF can be downloaded which will show you upcoming programs. You can reach it easily on your computer at https://www.ucg.org.au/radio or from the UCG Streaming Radio app that allows you to listen on your mobile device. Simply search your app store for "UCG Radio" to install the free app.