United Church of God

Announcement Bulletin for January 4, 2020

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Announcement Bulletin for January 4, 2020

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Announcement Bulletin for January 4, 2020

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SABBATH ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS

United Church of God, an International Association

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

SABBATH, JANUARY 4, 2020

Youngstown – 1:00 p.m.                                   Wheeling – 10:00 a.m.

North Canton – 2:00 p.m.*                               Pittsburgh – 2:30 p.m.

*12 noon Bible Study in North Canton

Greetings brethren, 

DOCTRINAL SHOWDOWN IN THE VATICAN

Sometimes we worry that the pressure from the "doctrines" of society will weaken and engulf the true Church of God. And well we should be concerned. 

The God-resistant message of our liberal society champions every kind of sin. The energy against morality constantly increases. And we, like Daniel (Dan. 5:22-29) see the handwriting on the wall. Daniel saw it literally, but we see it figuratively in the sinful trends, words and attitudes in the anti-God movement.

Ironically, we aren't the only ones that see the moral slide toward modern paganism. 

The title of an article on conservative leaning Breitbart.com (January 2nd) states "Former Vatican Chief Slams Globalist Dreams of 'World Unity' Religion."

The current Pope has made a long series of talks and official statements that encourage embracing the secular paganism movement of a one world order. In other words, any religion that believes in the God of the Bible is essentially out of date, out of place and an enemy of the one-world state (which thankfully doesn't quite exist yet).

The Pope recently made the statement that the Roman Catholic Church is 200 years behind the times. 

Apparently, to those who think more conservatively among the Roman Church those were "fightin' words." Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller recently delivered a homily that counters much of what the Pope has been saying. As Breitbart quoted the Cardinal, "The crisis in the Church is man-made and has arisen because we have cozily adapted ourselves to the spirit of a life without God."

And there's more, "The poison paralyzing the Church is the opinion that we should adapt to the Zeitgeist, the spirit of the age, and not the spirit of God." The Cardinal continued, "that we should relativise God's commandants and reinterpret the doctrine of revealed faith."

You can see why the Pontiff's previous statements triggered this angry reaction! 

Ironically, Bible prophesy purports that very sort of dynamic. Societal sinfulness will grow worse and worse--in the spirit of 2 Timothy 3:13. However, even religions labeled Christian will also grow worse and worse. 

Thankfully, when both secular and religious powers get to the far end of worse, something good will happen. Jesus Christ will return to the earth as prophesied in many passages. He will set the "truth" record straight. The world's organized religions will be as shocked as the most secular secularists! God speed that day!

In Christ's service,
Randy Stiver, Pastor 

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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.

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  1. CHURCH CIRCUIT SCHEDULE (may be subject to change)

January 4

Sabbath Services

Youngstown-1 PM; North Canton-2 PM*; Pittsburgh-2:30 PM; Wheeling-10 AM         *12 Noon Sabbath Bible Study, North Canton

January 10

Bible Study Webcast

Will begin at 7:30 p.m. at https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast

January 11

Sabbath Services

Youngstown-11 AM; North Canton-2 PM; Pittsburgh-2:30 PM; Wheeling-11 AM       

January 18

Sabbath Services

Youngstown-1 PM; North Canton-2 PM; Pittsburgh-10 AM; Wheeling- 2:30 PM

January 24

Bible Study Webcast

Will begin at 7:30 p.m. at https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast

January 25

Sabbath Services

Youngstown-1 PM; North Canton-2 PM*; Pittsburgh-2:30 PM; Wheeling-11 AM           *Regular 4th Sabbath Potluck, North Canton       

 
  1. LOCAL PRAYER REQUESTS: 

(If you notice that your prayer request needs updating, please drop us an email or a call with an update. Thank you!)

  • Val Maurer (Pittsburgh) – Val is recovering from a recent hip replacement surgery and making good progress, but would appreciate your continued prayers for a rapid and thorough recovery. 
  • Ed Scarpari (Wheeling) – Ed Scarpari (son of Ed and Marlene Scarpari) lives in France and has been diagnosed with cancer in his lung that has metastasized to his bones, as well as circulation issues in his legs and blood clots in the other lung. He will undergo chemotherapy treatments, and his family ask for your prayers for God’s healing and intervention in this very serious health crisis.

3.     SABBATH BIBLE STUDY – this Sabbath, January 4, 

The Sabbath Bible Study will be on the first Sabbath this month, at 12 Noon. The beginning of a series focusing on the Spring Holy Days presented by John Miller. Please bring a pack lunch and enjoy the fellowship before services.

4.     FRIDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY – January 10 – 7:30 PM

The next webcast Bible Study will be on January 10th at the usual 7:30 PM time, at https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast.

5.     SPOKESMAN CLUB – next Sunday, January 12

Please join your brothers in the faith for an enlightening and encouraging session where iron sharpens iron, ideas are exchanged, and the vital skill of public speaking and proclamation is passed on from one generation to the next. Arrive at 9AM to be underway shortly thereafter. Club usually ends by 12 Noon.

6.     4th SABBATH POTLUCK and SOCIAL – January 25

In addition to our regular potluck on the 4th Sabbath of January, we will have a social while we enjoy our meal. Details to come.

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