SABBATH ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS 

United Church of God, an International Association

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

SABBATH, NOVEMBER 23, 2019

Youngstown – 11 a.m.              Wheeling – 11:00 a.m.

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

Greetings brethren, 

Thank our great God for pilgrims! Think of all they endured in coming to America with barely enough supplies, of the religious persecution that moved them out of England over to the Netherlands and then across the Atlantic to the west. As pilgrim migration added to migration to these shores, a nation gradually came into existence that enacted into law a principle of religious freedom.

Most of those early ones were not of the true faith of Jesus as we know it, but they enabled a culture which allowed God’s true Church to exist and at times to flourish. In the course of several hundred years a revival of the true Church of God began. In the early 20th century it ultimately became a powerful broadcaster and publisher of the true gospel of the Kingdom of God. 

Then reaching out in print and radio waves the World Tomorrow radio program technically blanketed the globe via the extensive North American radio coverage plus Radio Luxembourg and Radio Ceylon in 1953. The broadcasting and publishing of the truth continued to expand for several more decades. Most of us were a living, breathing part of that preaching of the true gospel. 

Then came the dark days of heresy and active assimilation of the traditional gospel of this world. That was a sad time, until Jesus Christ began to intervene.

Think back to how the United Church of God came to be formed by ministers and brethren who resisted the false gospel and false doctrines. But we weren’t alone. Several other organizations came into being, each trying to also keep the true faith bent on doing part of God’s work. 

Consider that heritage this Thanksgiving. Thank our Father in heaven for His blessings and for helping us keep His truth and spread it. And thank God for His soon-coming Kingdom!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Keep the true faith—and spread it,
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)

November 22	Bible Study Webcast	Webcast will begin at 7:30 p.m. at https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast.
November 23	Sabbath Services	Youngstown-11 AM; North Canton-2 PM (regular 4th Sabbath Potluck); Pittsburgh-2:30 PM; Wheeling-11 AM
November 30	Sabbath Services	Youngstown-1 PM; North Canton-2 PM; Pittsburgh-2:30 PM; Wheeling-11AM
December 7	Sabbath Services	Youngstown-1 PM; North Canton-2 PM; Pittsburgh-2:30 PM; Wheeling-10AM
December 14	Sabbath Services	Youngstown-11 AM; North Canton-2 PM; Pittsburgh-2:30 PM; Wheeling-11 AM

 

2. 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!)

• Ruth Wine (“Boots”) (North Canton) - From Ruth’s daughter April Turner, requesting prayers for peace and calming for her mom due to her recent illness. Please no calls at this time and limited visiting. Cards are very welcome as she would love receiving them from all her friends.
•  Ruth Wine, C/O Pinnacle Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 330 Southwest Ave, Tallmadge, Ohio 44278
• James Guy (Youngstown) – Following his severe E-coli infection James is now home, however he has contracted a Clostridium difficile infection (C. diff) which is caused by heavy antibiotic dosage and is very serious. James is also fighting a UTI, as well as the discouragement of this ongoing health trial. Your continued prayers for his healing and for stress relief for his family are appreciated.
• Marlene Ware (North Canton) – She would appreciate your continued prayers for healing of an infected sore on her leg.
• Marcia Wehman (Pittsburgh) – Recovering from a fractured eye socket, but was able to be at church services last Sabbath!
• Jenny Luchitz (North Canton) – Recuperating from a severe throat infection from earlier this Fall. 
• Steve Richmond (Cambridge) –Continuing to fight liver and colon cancer.
• Todd Bickel (North Canton) –Continued challenges with high blood pressure and pain from bursitis.

3.     VACATE HALL BY 5:00 PM EACH SABBATH

Please remember that we need to vacate the Global Gateway facility by 5 PM each Sabbath through the end of the year (unless otherwise announced). The facility staff are scheduled according to our contractual hours and wait for us to vacate to close and lock the building. This includes this Sabbath and the potluck following services. Thanks so much.

4.     POST-FEAST PHOTOS AND POTLUCK – this Sabbath, November 23, 2019

For this Sabbath’s Feast Photo display during the Thanksgiving themed potluck, please give your USB drive with photos to Estachia Rodgers.

5.     SABBATH DRESS REMINDER

Though we gather for spiritual meaning each Sabbath we also physically come before the presence of God, and the Holy Angels gathered at His throne, and in so doing please remember to assess your attire, bearing in mind the principle of the wedding garments from scripture.

Let’s step beyond casual and dress up in what we call “Sabbath-appropriate” or “dressy-business” attire. For ladies dresses are preferred, but nice dress pants are acceptable for those with restricted movement and in the cold winter months, but please no leggings or tightly fitted trousers. Gentlemen, as you are able, please wear suits or slacks and sport coats. Also remember to check for modesty from front and back views, tightness of garments, and sheerness. Thank you for your kind thoughtfulness toward your fellow brethren and, mostly especially, toward our Almighty, Eternal God.

6.     HANDEL’S “MESSIAH” – PERFORMANCE IN CANTON – December 1, 2019

One of the local churches in Canton is hosting a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” during which the audience is welcome to join in. The “Messiah” is a beautiful English language oratorio that highlights passages from Isaiah, various others of the prophets, the Psalms, the gospels, and Revelation. If you are interested, this is a free public event and will begin at 6:30 PM on Sunday December 1, 2019. The location is 627 McKinley Ave., NW Canton, Ohio 44702. 

For more details please see Amanda Miller or visit this link: https://tinyurl.com/y5m8r788 

7.     KITCHEN SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

If anyone who has not had a chance to serve on the rotating kitchen schedule, and would like to, we are updating the listing for the coming months and would be happy to have additional volunteers. Working together on a rotating basis keeps the work light on the Sabbath and from overwhelming any one individual. It is a service that is greatly appreciated. Please check with Debbie Kuhns if you would like to volunteer.

8.     WOMEN’S ENRICHMENT WEEKEND – CLEVELAND – April 24-26, 2020

The ladies of the Cleveland UCG congregation will be hosting a women’s enrichment weekend this coming spring, April 24-26, 2020. 

The theme for the weekend is “The Secret Garden, Stepping Stones to Spiritual Growth”.

“Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior, Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 3:18.

The growth of God’s family began in the garden and it will come to full fruition in a garden. Let’s explore how we can best play our part in this garden to garden work.

To register (deadline is March 7th), and for additional information, please visit: http://women.ucg.org/enrichment-weekends/cleveland-ohio-2020

9.     UNITED YOUTH CAMP (UYC) DATES FOR 2020

For those planning in advance, below are the complete UYC dates for 2020:

Camp Cotubic—June 21-June 28 (staff June 20)

Camp Pinecrest—June 28-July 5 (staff June 28)

Camp Hye Sierra—June 28-July 5 (staff June 26)

Northwest Camp—July 19-July 26 (staff July 18)

Camp Woodland—July 24-July 31 (staff July 23)

Winter Camp—late December

10.  WINTER CAMP APPLICATIONS– December 26th to January 21st

Winter Camp is coming up fast! We still have space for some campers, so if you are interested please get your application in soon. Camp runs from December 26 to January 1st. You can find all the information at http://uyc.ucg.org/camp/winter-camp. You can call or e-mail Aaron Creech if you have any questions: Aaron_Creech@ucg.org or 513-374-9392.

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Sabbath Focus:                            CREATIVE THANKSGIVING

Thank you, Lord for your blessings that we receive every day…

Has thanking God for what He gives you become a little monotonous because you routinely recite the same things in your prayers every morning and every evening?  

Do those sessions on your knees in your room or even around the table at mealtimes sound like “yada, yada, yada” prayers? How and when did the heartfelt passion of appreciation slip past your nimble grasp?

Lesson one: We’re not so nimble as we think. 

The human mind works almost like a music record where the needle sticks in a single groove and repeats over and over again. If you don’t pay attention and gently bump the needle, it will ruin the vinyl record.

When our thinking about life and God’s way becomes stultified, then we tend to get vainly repetitious. Jesus Christ specifically warned us away from vain repetitions of prayer (Matt. 6:7). God hears us the first time—He has a perfect memory and never forgets. 

However, He does want us to positively and creatively express our heartfelt prayers.

Lesson two: We tend to dodge the real issues.

“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). Remember, the real issue is our relationship with and thankfulness toward our Creator. A physically focused, selfish attitude strives to avoid dealing with our selfish problems, desires and such. Not praying for more of God’s Holy Spirit to squarely deal with whatever we need to overcome causes us to repeat ourselves before God.

Lesson three: learn to think creatively and outwardly in prayer.

A well-known minister in God’s Church dynamically made that point years ago at a Bible study in southern Wisconsin. Gerald Waterhouse served as a travelling evangelist visiting one congregation after another around the world. He spoke for well over two hours most times.

That eventful night our two combined congregations must have seemed a little unfocused and alert. Mr. Waterhouse’s dynamic outlook woke us up!

There was no “yada, yada” in his approach to the subject. He all but shouted, “You all look sleepy. You need to be thankful for everything God gives you! Ask him for His powerful blessing. Use your imagination! Thank God for His protection—an 18-wheeler could be speeding down the street and come crashing though that wall right there! Be thankful that it is not!”

Call and response

Guess what happened… We woke up! We got motivated to hear and heed the Scriptures covered in the Bible Study. Mr. Waterhouse’s vivid description of a huge truck crashing through the wall energized our thankfulness for God’s constant blessings. And that divine protection was especially appreciated by two men in the congregation who served as emergency responders!

Let us all be more diligently creative in our thanksgiving before God!                                         - End -