(Streaming and phone connections typically go live about 15-minutes prior to the start of services.)

Upcoming Events: 
     Mar 8th: 10:00am Bible Study @ Curran Township Hall
     Mar 8th: Potluck & Game Night @ Freedom Hall
     Mar 19th: Volunteering @ Midwest Food Bank
     Mar 22nd: Bible Study @ Freedom Hall
     Mar 22nd: Passover Prep Meeting @ Freedom Hall 
     Apr 5th: Youth Speech Club @ Terre Haute
     Apr 5th: Central IL Services @ Freedom Hall
     Apr 11th: Passover Service @ Terre Haute & Freedom Hall

Springfield Bible Study: The next monthly Bible Study in the Springfield area will be this Sabbath, March 8th at the Curran Township building (6220 Moffet Street, Curran, IL 62670) at 10:00am.

Night to be Much Observed Dinner: It is time to start thinking about the NTBMO meal at the Morton hall. If you are planning to keep the Night to be Much Observed at the Freedom Hall, please participate in the short meeting after services tomorrow (March 8th) to start the meal planning for that evening.

Sabbath School: Our next Sabbath School is scheduled for the Sabbath of March 8th. It will take place about 10 minutes after services in the back room.

Potluck & Game Night: Our next potluck and game night is scheduled for the Sabbath of March 8th. Please bring a dish to share, along with your favorite games for the evening.

Community Outreach: We have an opportunity to assist at the Midwest Food Bank on the evening of March 19th (2031 Warehouse Road, Normal, IL 61761). We need 15 volunteers and currently have 7 people signed up and registered. We need 8 more people to help out. If you are willing and able to help, but haven’t yet registered, please go to this link: https://x.gldn.io/e/Z5umBXX0iPb and fill out the necessary forms by March 12th.

Central Illinois Bible Study: Our next monthly Bible Study will be on the Sabbath of March 22nd. 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 

Pentecost Weekend: The UCG Pentecost Weekend is a tradition like no other—a cherished time for spiritual growth, fellowship, and celebrating God's Holy Day. The weekend includes something for everyone, blending moments of fun with opportunities to connect and share. Gather with friends and family at our various activities, like the potluck in the Park. On Sabbath evening, experience the highlight of the weekend at the inspiring "Concert for God," a powerful event where music and praise for God unite us in reverence and joy. This unforgettable weekend is designed to uplift and deepen your faith as we grow together.
If you are interested in attending, follow this link to register: https://pentecostbrowncounty.ucgevents.org/register for the weekend.
To reserve a room or cabin for the weekend, follow this link: https://pentecostbrowncounty.ucgevents.org/accommodations

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.

Home Office Announcements: 
2025 Italy Feast of Tabernacles Announcement and Registration: Join us for the Feast of Tabernacles at the Hotel Oasi di Kufra along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Sabaudia, 100 kilometers from Rome. 
Your Italian brothers and sisters in Christ are pleased to welcome you back to our historical site. We have enjoyed the Feast in this region for decades and the staff will welcome us as family. 
The hotel is divided in two parts by the road. One part, Kufra Sea, is facing the sea while the other one, Kufra Lake, is facing the lake of Paola, which divides the shore from town. They are basically one big venue that all share the same services and access to the beach. Everyone will eat meals together in the mail dining hall. 
Registration begins on Wednesday, March 12, at 12 p.m. EDT.  There are about 300 available spots for oversea brethren. However for those who applied in 2024 and couldn’t get in, they will have first priority and should have already received an email with instructions on how to proceed. If you were turned down in 2024 and did not already receive an email, please immediately send an email to feast@ucgitaly.org and let us know what your plans are so you will be reserved a spot. 
To register on Wednesday, March 12, at 12 p.m. EDT, go to: https://www.ucg.org/members/feast/sites/sabaudia-italy

2025 French Feast Site Announcement: Your French brothers and sisters in Christ are pleased to welcome you back to Roquebrune-sur-Argens, France, for the Feast of Tabernacles in 2025! The Feast will be held on the beautiful French Riviera at Club Miléade La Gaillarde, near the well-known tourist destinations of Saint-Tropez and Saint-Raphaël. We have enjoyed the Feast in this region of France for many years, and this will be our fourth time celebrating the Feast at this seaside location. 
Located an hour south of the Nice airport, Club Miléade La Gaillarde is situated just across the street from the beautiful Mediterranean Sea with 180-degree ocean views and an underpass walkway to the well-known beach of La Gaillarde. The outdoor heated pool and children’s play area overlook the water and the hotel’s main building has a restaurant and bar, playroom for children and a spa where visitors can schedule a massage, enjoy a sauna or relax in the indoor jacuzzi overlooking the sea. 
The auditorium for church services is located next to the main building and the hotel accommodations—many with ocean views—are a short walk from the main complex. This site’s room-and-board package provides the opportunity to experience full-course buffet-style French meals while enjoying fellowship with other brethren from around the world. 
We plan to offer three afternoon excursions to nearby points of interest. 
Registration will open at 12 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 17, 2025. For further details, visit www.ucg.org/members/feast-of-tabernacles and the 2025 UCG Feast of Tabernacles Locations Facebook page.

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.