For the Youth - Bible Trivia:

1. Who shot three arrows as a sign so that David would know if it was safe to return or if he needed to flee?
*Hint: 1 Samuel 20:18-42

2. What women served as a Judge over Israel?
*Hint: Judges 4:1-5

3. What was small and round and tasted like wafers made with honey?
*Hint: Exodus 16:4, 14-15, 31

Announcements:

1. North Canton Service Times:

• March 9th - 11:00 AM – Morning Service
• March 16th - 2:00 PM

2. Youngstown Service Times:

• March 9th - 2:00 PM – (Potluck to follow services – Tex-Mex Themed)
• March 16th - 2:00 PM

3. Women's Lunch & Bible Study: In order to give deference to the visitation and funeral taking place the same day, we have decided to reschedule our lunch and Bible study to May 19th. The time, location, and agenda remain the same. 
4. Sabbath School: The next Sabbath School will take place on March 23rd.
5. Spring Holy Days: Passover (service): Sunday evening April 21st – (For baptized members only) Location: North Canton @ Gateway Conference Center & Youngstown @ Holiday Inn Express (Austintown) Service time: 8:15pm

Night To be Much Observed: Monday evening, April 22nd (Please make sure you have plans and if you need help, let us know asap) – For those who are interested - We’re planning a splendid evening here at the Gateway in North Canton for the Night to Be Observed for the whole congregation. The main meal will be catered by a nice, local restaurant. There’ll be no charge for the meal. More details will be coming later. There is a signup sheet on the table. We invite you to sign up at your earliest convenience. Please see Louis Petit or Susan Miller for more information or if you have any ideas on how to make the evening special.

As far as Youngstown, we are still in the planning phase. Please plan to discuss this tomorrow after services.

First Day of Unleavened Bread: Tuesday, April 23rd, (North Canton/Youngstown combined-TBD) (Offering will be collected) - Location: Gateway Conference Center - 5441 Global Gateway North Canton, OH 44320. Service Time: 2:00pm

Last Day of Unleavened Bread: Monday, April 29th Combined with North Canton/Youngstown, Cleveland. (Offering will be collected) Location: Shay Hollow Country Club – 4865 Wales Ave NW Massillon, OH 44646. Service Times: 10:30am & 2:00pm. Catered Meal between services (More information coming)

6. Sight & Sound Production of "The Story of Ruth": For those who are interested, the Sight and Sound Productions Theater is bringing the “Story of Ruth” to the Ohio Star Theatre in Sugarcreek, Ohio. We are making arrangements for a United Church of God outing on Wednesday evening, June 12th at 7:00PM for a viewing of their unique live action play. In order to reduce the cost per person, we have reserved a number of seats and need to get a count as soon as possible for those who are interested in attending. This is a family friendly production. The cost will be $46.00 per person (including children). This price is for the production only, no meal is included. If you would like to eat dinner before there are a few options on the premise, Dutch Valley Restaurant, Dutch Valley Market), and the Carlisle Inn. If you are interested, please sign the list that will be placed at the information table. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Kuhns.
7. Garage Sale / Fundraiser: We need your extras!  Susan Miller is planning a garage sale at their house during the Sugarcreek Garage Sales, May 9 & 10th. The idea is to sell our stuff as a fundraiser for our N. Canton Building Fund. We need your donations! We also need help on the sale days.  Please see Susan about contributions and drop off times.
8. Food Assistance for Nigeria: From the Senior Pastor for English-speaking West Africa, Paul Moody: In the face of an ongoing economic crisis, Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table for their families. The Nigerian currency, the Naira, recently hit an all-time record low against the U.S. Dollar, losing nearly seventy percent (70%) of its value since June 2023. Fuel prices have tripled over the last year, adding to the increased cost of goods across the board. Overall annual inflation is up close to 30%, the highest figure in almost 30 years. Food costs have risen well above that percentage, with the cost for certain basic household staples, such as rice, more than doubling from this time a year ago. Milk, eggs and beef are now considered a luxury as many families forgo such extras or cut out meal portions all together to get by.

     In response to this economic hardship, the Good Works program has stepped in to help provide food assistance to our brethren in Nigeria. Funds have been sent over to purchase food staples which will be distributed to approximately 157 members of the United Church of God in that region. Rice, beans, semo and vegetable oil are being purchased in bulk for equitable distribution to the brethren. While this assistance doesn’t solve the economic crisis these individuals and families are facing, it is intended to help ease some of the strain in the short-term by providing basic meal related commodities for consumption. Your generous contributions to this and other Good Works projects around the world are greatly appreciated! Donations can be made to this project at: ucg.org/members/service-projects/relief-funds-for-nigeria.

9. Midwest Teen Prom 2024: We are very excited to announce that we have booked a second year at the Encore Hotel in Berlin, Ohio, for the annual UCG Midwest Teen Prom! It will be on Saturday, March 16, 2024. The Encore Hotel provided a gorgeous setting for the prom and spacious venue for the church service last year, so we are very excited to be able to return. At this time, we have reserved the entire hotel for our prom weekend so we should have a very special experience for all of the teens and their families again this year.

This annual event welcomes over 100 teens from states all around the country. The weekend includes a Friday evening pizza social for families arriving from out of town. The next day a special Sabbath service will be geared towards teens. The evening will include a formal dinner and dance for teens aged 12–19. We are hoping parents and family members will be able to attend the senior recognition just before the dinner. Sunday includes a sports event with volleyball, basketball and more social time. We hope that you’ll join us!

The cost for the prom and dinner is $50 per person. Registration is open until Feb. 18. We had a gorgeous and special prom last year. We are looking forward to another amazing year! Registration forms, schedule, and hotel information can be found at midwestteenprom.com.

If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina Massie by email: sabrinamassie13@gmail.com or phone/text: (919) 943-9966. We look forward to seeing everyone at the prom next year!

10. Lehigh Valley Sabbath, Dinner/Dance: The UCG, Lehigh Valley, PA congregation is planning a special Sabbath, Dinner/Dance and we'd love to have you join us, the details are below. In addition to the dinner/dance, we are working to provide a day of various sports activities on Sunday March 31st, but as of right now that is not confirmed. If we can make this happen, we will forward that information along to you.

Sabbath Services and Dinner Dance

Date: March 30, 2024

Location: Northampton Banquet & Event Center - 1601 Laubach Ave Northampton, PA 18067

Time:  The doors will open at 3:00 PM and Sabbath services will begin at 4:00 PM. Dinner will be served around 6:15 PM and the dance will begin around 7:30 PM (sunset), the dance will conclude around 10:15 PM.

Meal: The meal will include the following:  Salad, Dinner Rolls, Baked Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Buttered Noodles, Yellow and Green Beans, Carrot Medley and Ziti with Red Sauce.

We will have an open bar featuring soda, juice, beer, wine and a Shirley Temple fountain.

Cost: (A = $30- 21 & Older), (B = $25- 13-20), (C= $20- Ages 5-12), (D= Free- Ages 4 & Under)

When paying, please indicate which age bracket and how many in that age bracket you are paying for. We need to give this count to the venue. You can use the letters or the prices as shown in the example - (Example: A-2, B-1, C-1, D-2) or (Ex: $30-2, $25-1, $20-1, Free-2)

Payment: Payment must be received by March 15th There are 2 payment options:

(1.) Make a check out to “UCG Bethlehem” Mail to: Rachel Massie 528 N. Kemp St Kutztown, PA 19530 (2.)Venmo your payment to: @Rachel-Massie-10

Accommodations: We've reserved a block of rooms at the nearby Holiday Inn Express for Friday night and Saturday night. You don’t need to stay both nights to get the reduced rate. When making your reservations, just tell them you are with “United Church of God”, and they will give you the special rate of $129 (not including tax) for 2 Queen beds.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites - 3375 High Point Boulevard Bethlehem, PA 18017

610-882-2255

Hotel Link:  https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/bethlehem/blmrt/hoteldetail

            There are other hotels in the area if you would prefer to stay somewhere other than the HIE.

SUNDAY ACTVITY: We have been able to reserve a gym for our sporting activities on Sunday March 31st. The facility is a local YMCA, and it is located at 430 E. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. The YMCA is approximately 11 minutes from the Holiday Inn Express that was referenced in our first announcement. We will have use of the gyms from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The facility has a basketball gym and a gym for volleyball. Unfortunately, the gyms are small and they have very little, if any, seating in the gyms, to watch the games. There is a common area where we will be able to sit and fellowship, and we will offer some activities for our younger children, during the day as well. Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day, and we are also planning to offer pizza from Domino's around lunch time.

All are welcome to join us and we hope you will. Please keep the deadline in mind for registration and payment, which is March 15th. The weekend is sure to be filled with fun and fellowship!

If you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email or call:

rachlmassie@gmail.com / Call or Text:  484-350-4501

11. Virtual Pinewood Derby 2024: Are you looking to add some fun and excitement to those short winter days? The UCG New England Pinewood Derby is back. Get in on the action! Sunday, March 10, will be another race to remember. This family-oriented frenzy will be jam-packed with dazzling colors, mind-blowing creativity and blinding speed. Whether you are an experienced pro or a first-time racer, you are going to love the thrills and spills on the track. Dance to the music, be entertained by expert commentary and see who will go home with a trophy. You’ll get to vote for your favorite car and witness first hand who has the fastest derby car. Join us in person or enjoy the festivities live on the webcast. See registration details here. Registration ends Feb. 26. We’ll see you on the track.
12. ABC Sampler: Mark your calendars, on the Sabbath of July 27th, we will be hosting an ABC Sampler in North Canton. For all those who would like to attend, there will be sessions presented by ABC instructors before and after services. We are still in the planning stage at this time and more information will be coming.

If I’ve overlooked anything, Please let me know ASAP.