SABBATH ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 

United Church of God, an International Association

North Canton & Youngstown, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Wheeling, WV Congregations

SABBATH, AUGUST 17, 2019

Youngstown –1 p.m.                Wheeling – 2:30 p.m.

North Canton – 2 p.m.                        Pittsburgh – 10:00 p.m. 

Greetings brethren,

This has been a busy week reviewing documents, and having phone discussions that are all part of the preparations for next week’s Council of Elder meetings. The main meetings will take place from Monday to midday Thursday in Cincinnati. If you need to be anointed or ministerial counsel, please call one of our elders while I’m in Cincinnati.

May God bless you all with an inspiring, motivating and spiritually peaceful Sabbath!

Keep the true faith—and spread it,

Randy Stiver, Pastor 

Pastor’s contact information:  PO Box 1474, Massillon, OH  44648.  Home phone: 330-809-0566, cell phone: 740-739-7248. Email addresses: randy_stiver@ucg.org  or rpstiver@gmail.com (both come to the same location). For emails regarding scheduling (church events, visits or counseling), please copy my wife Linda ldstiver@gmail.com. Announcements should be sent to my email and copied to our daughter Amanda at anstiver@gmail.com as she helps process them each week.

1.    Church Circuit Schedule 

August 17	Sabbath services	Youngstown – 1 p.m.; North Canton – 2 p.m.; Wheeling – 2:30 p.m.; Pittsburgh – 10:00 a.m. North Canton Sabbath Bible Study – 12 noon.
August 23	Bible Study webcast	7:30 p.m. EDT  –  Title to be announced  https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast
August 24	Sabbath services	Youngstown – 11 a.m.; North Canton – 2 p.m.; Pittsburgh – 10 a.m.; Wheeling – 2:30 p.m.
August 31	Sabbath services	Youngstown – 1 p.m.; North Canton – 2 p.m.; Pittsburgh – 2:30 p.m.; Wheeling – 10 a.m.
Sept. 7	Sabbath services	Youngstown – 11 a.m.; North Canton – 2 p.m.; Pittsburgh - 2:30 p.m.; Wheeling - 10 a.m.
Sept. 13	Bible Study webcast	7:30 p.m. EDT  –  Title to be announced  https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast
Sept. 14	Sabbath services	Youngstown – 1 p.m.; North Canton – 2 p.m.; Pittsburgh 2:30 p.m.; Wheeling - 10 a.m.

 

LOCAL PRAYER REQUESTS: 

·        Ian Healey (grandson of Louis & Carol Petit in NC) – awaiting a kidney donor.

·        Steve Richmond (Cambridge) – Fighting liver and colon cancer. 

·        Todd Bickel (North Canton) – Bursitis and high blood pressure.

·        Dave Ritter (North Canton) – Upcoming prostate surgery.

·        Kathy Kinsella (Salem, Oregon) – Making good progress with the hip replacement and lessening symptoms of Lupus. She and her family thank you all for your prayers.

2.    FRIDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY – SUMMER CHANGE (reminder)

We will have only one Bible Study webcast in August. It is next Friday evening, August 23 at 7:30 p.m.

3.    SPOKESMAN CLUB  - September 8 

The next meeting of our local, four-church Spokesman Club will be Sunday morning, September 8 at the YWCA in Steubenville, OH. For those of you men who haven’t yet gotten involved for Spokesman Club, this could be your first meeting!  Please talk to Mr. Stiver, Freeman Kuhns, Keith Wilson or Jim Kocher to get involved in the premiere personal growth and leadership training program in God’s true Church from 1960 to 2019!

4.    DEATH OF DALE HARMAN – long time North Canton member

We have received word via some brethren in COGWA that Dale Harman died early this month. He was 93. 

We are planning a memorial service for him after Sabbath services on September 14 so Dale’s friends and ours in COGWA can join us to remember our dear friend, one of Christ’s true brethren.

5.    COUNCIL OF ELDERS MEETING – this week

Starting Monday morning the Council of Elders will conduct its regular quarterly meeting, ending late Thursday afternoon. A number of very important discussions are on the meeting agenda. The Council must make several quite important decisions on various matters. Your prayers are needed for the Council members’ safe travel, for true wisdom in making decisions, and that God’s will may be done.

6.    NORTH CANTON CHURCH OUTING:  CANAL BOAT TOUR – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Come join us on Sunday, September 15 at Canal Fulton to take the Canal Boat Tour! The tour includes: a short film on the history and the boat ride (pulled by horses) with a tour guide. The boat has a roof and is shaded and cool on the water. It goes 3 miles per hour and is an activity young and old can enjoy, with plenty of assistance getting on this very stable boat! The tour begins at 2:00 PM and lasts about an hour. 

Prices are $8 for Seniors (60+), $9 for Adults, $5 for kids and, Free for kids under 5 years old. Afterwards, for those interested, we can stop at the Cherry Street Creamery across the street for some ice cream. 

In addition, about 8 minutes away at Clay’s Park Resort is the Yankee Peddler Festival (historical reenactments, entertainment, food and artisans), open that Sunday from 10:30 AM to 6 PM. If you want to extend your day, arrive early and see the festival, then join everyone for the Canal Boat Tour. Prices for the festival are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $3 for kids, and Free for kids under 5. Website for more information: https://www.yankeepeddlerfestival.com/tickets

The address for the Canal Boat: 125 Tuscarawas St NW, Canal Fulton, OH 44614

Address for the Yankee Peddler Festival: 13190 Patterson Street NW, North Lawrence, Ohio 44666

If you are interested please contact Mark or Amanda Miller (amandamiller52216@gmail.com).

7.    LOCAL BIBLE READING PROGRAM – Read Isaiah by the Feast

Starting with our recent Bible Study webcast entitled, “Bible Biography – Isaiah the Prophet” (still available to view on the North Canton website), here is our latest set of chapter summaries to go along with your Bible reading leading up to the Feast of Tabernacles. Each week we’ll post the chapter summaries for the upcoming week’s reading assignments. If you have Bible Study questions, please send them to Mr. Stiver.

ISAIAH Bible Reading Project leading up to the Feast of Tabernacles            

Human author: Isaiah, the son of Amoz.  Written: approx. 740-698 B.C.           

DATES                                  WEEK               CHAPTERS

July 28-Aug. 3            --Week 1            --1-6

August 4-10               --Week 2            --7-13

August 11-17             --Week 3             --14-20

August 18-24             --Week 4            --21-27

August 25-31             --Week 5            --28-34

September 1-7          --Week 6            --35-41

September 8-14        --Week 7            --42-48

September 15-21      --Week 8            --49-55

September 22-28      --Week 9            --56-59

Sept. 29-Oct. 5          --Week 10          --60-63

October 6-12             --Week 11          --64-66

ISAIAH CHAPTER SUMMARIES  

(Each week we’ll publish a brief summary of the chapters to be read.)

ISAIAH 21 – This prophecy is addressed to the “Wilderness of the Sea” – wilderness means desert, thus a sarcastic reference to Babylon which ruled the Land of the Sea (the Persian Gulf region) to its south. Isaiah’s reaction of distress (v. 3-4) may apply to the downfall Babylon brought upon itself. Elam and Media were allied with the armies that would eventually destroy Babylon much later in Daniel’s day. Also, in the general sense ‘Babylon’ applies to this present, evil world’s culture. Isaiah’s role as a watchman (v. 6-10) and a trainer of watchmen is clear. Dedan was a city on a key trade route in the northern region of Arabia. Sier is Edom (descendants of Esau).

ISAIAH 22 – “Burden” (prophecy) against Jerusalem. “Valley of vision” is a chiding reference to Jerusalem. God removed his protection from Judah when Assyria invaded in 700 B.C. during the middle of Isaiah’s term of service. The Assyrians conquered many fortified cities, but God destroyed their army in the battle for Jerusalem (2 Chron. 32). The loss of some of its cities was Judah’s “day of trouble” (v. 5) that also applies to the Great Tribulation, “a day of trouble” to come—and likewise in v. 12-13 “in that day” the same endtime prophecy. Verses 15-19 speak of Shebna a steward in the king’s house who arrogantly uses his position to build his own ego and fortune. Verses 20-25 tell of Eliakim who was a faithful steward in the king’s house who is used as a type of the faithful Philadelphia church—compare to Rev. 3:8-10—which strives to faithfully serve God. In v. 25 “In that day…” speaks of when Christ returns.

ISAIAH 23 – “The burden against Tyre” means “the prophecy against Tyre” which was the leading and highly defendable Phoenician port of Tyre on the Mediterranean coast immediately north of Israel. Tyre was besieged but unconquered  many times over the centuries until Alexander the Great defeated and destroyed it in 332 B.C. Tyre produced the “ships of Tarshish” which had been the great ships of David’s & Solomon’s world-exploring fleet. The city of Tarshish in what became modern Spain is now the modern city of Tartessus. The Phoenicians (people of Tyre and Sidon) had a sea-going empire that rivaled Rome up to the end of the Punic (Latin for Phoenician) Wars (220’s to 160’s B.C.) during which time they were centered in Carthage on the western Mediterranean coast of Africa. To “commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world” (v. 17) means to make alliances with whatever nation would enrich Tyre.

ISAIAH 24 – God’s impending judgment on the earth followed by prophesies of the wonderful world tomorrow. All humanity will corrupt itself (v.1-3) in the end time by constantly and deliberately rejecting God’s laws and way of life (v. 4-5). Endtime wars and desolation will greatly reduce the population (v. 6). “All joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone” (v. 7-11-13). Contrast that to the “world tomorrow” (millennial) prophecy singing of the majesty of God (v. 14-16a). From v. 16b to 20 is a lament of how the earth is shaken–literally. God will bring justice, especially including on the “…the host of exalted ones…” meaning the fallen angels, that is, Satan and the demons (see Rev. 19:1-3, 10). The LORD of hosts will then reign forever (v.23) from the Millennium forward.

ISAIAH 25 – A song praising God’s glory and judgment on the earth. “Strong people will glorify you” in repentance and praise (v.1-5). A beautiful prophecy of keeping God’s Feast of Tabernacles (v. 6-9). God (that is, Jesus Christ) will rule and “all evil shall be bound” (as summarized lyrically by Mark Graham in When Christ Shall Come, 3rd stanza, hymn 191).

ISAIAH 26 – Similar to chapter  25, this is song of salvation to be sung in the land of Judah (v.1). The lofty arrogance of mankind will be profoundly humbled. From God’s judgments all people will learn righteousness (v. 9). God—not people—will establish worldwide peace (v. 12). Humanity by its own power has not delivered the earth (v. 18). Only God can bring the dead back to life (v. 19). Reference to the Great Tribulation (v. 20-21).

ISAIAH 27 – In spite of all their problems, God will restore the nations of Israel (v. 2-5). In the process of the 2nd Exodus, God will bring the remnant of Israelite peoples back from where they were held in modern captivity to the original Promised Land to be taught the truth at what is the beginning of the Millennium. This process commences at the sound of a great (and last) trumpet which heralds the second coming of Jesus Christ (v. 12-13). 

- end-