SABBATH ANNOUNCEMENTS & REMINDERS

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

United Church of God, an International Association

September 5, 2020 

North Canton: 2:00 PM at Gateway Event Center

Youngstown: 2:00 PM at Holiday Inn

Pittsburgh: 2:00 PM at Deer Creek Church

Wheeling: 10:30 AM at Belmont Gymnasium

  [ 2:00 p.m. local webcast -> https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast ]

NEXT FEW WEEKS

(may be subject to change)

Friday, September 11	Friday night Bible study webcast – 7:30 PM (EDT) – Mr. Randy Stiver https://www.ucg.org/congregations/north-canton-oh/webcast
Sabbath, September 12	North Canton: 2:00 PM – Gateway Event Center Youngstown: 2:00 PM – Holiday Inn Express, Youngstown W. Pittsburgh: 2:00 PM – Deer Creek Church Wheeling: 10:30 AM – Country Day School Gymnasium
Feast of Trumpets, Sabbath, September 19	North Canton: 2:00 PM – Gateway Event Center Youngstown: TBA Pittsburgh: 2:00 PM – Deer Creek Church Wheeling: 10:30 AM – Country Day School Gymnasium
Sabbath, September 26	North Canton: 2:00 PM – Gateway Event Center Youngstown: 2:00 PM – Holiday Inn Express, Youngstown W. Pittsburgh: 2:00 PM – Deer Creek Church Wheeling: 10:30 AM – Country Day School Gymnasium

 

---------

Pastor’s contact information:  2206 Eastwood Ave. NE, Massillon, OH 44646. 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). 

Scheduling: To my email for church events, visits or counseling, and please copy my wife Linda ldstiver@gmail.com. 

Announcements: Please send to my email and copy to Amanda Stiver at anstiver@gmail.com as she helps process them each week.

---------

PASTOR’S NOTE:

Dear brethren,

I hope this finds you still well—or if ailing, that it finds you beginning to feel better. That may be a common greeting for some time to come until this Covid-19 epidemic is done and gone!

Note the prophecy… 

“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows…’ ” (Matthew 24:4-8).

We are living during that time Jesus Christ specifically said will be the lead-up to His second coming. Our current Covid-19 epidemic, though not yet as bad as the flu epidemic of 1918-1920, is still a very dangerous virus for many…including some of our brethren and family members!

Now is the time for us to wise up—lest we be deceived!

The cavalier attitude toward the current epidemic which threatens the lives of numbers of our brethren around the world needs—right now, today—to go away. It needs to be replaced with genuine, loving concern based on a humble, prayerful attitude!

We need to see things as God sees them!

The coming epidemics, angers, hatreds, terrorist attacks and wars should not only sober us up but humble us profoundly before our great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

The current epidemic could be a lot worse! Let us thank God that it is not!

Pray for God’s healing for all our ailing or suffering brethren, old and young, wherever they live. Make your prayer list a vital part of your personal worship before God.

Let’s apply the apostle Paul’s appeal… “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,” (Romans 15:30). But let’s expand it to include prayers for all our brethren, ministers and their families!

Your pastor,

Randy Stiver

---------

1.       LOCAL PRAYER REQUESTS and UPDATES

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

Update:

• Naomi Stiver (South Dakota) – Mr. Stiver’s mother was diagnosed with COVID-19 this past week. She is now showing symptoms of the virus, which is going through the whole elder care facility where she lives. Your prayers are greatly appreciated for her healing and protection.

On-going:

• Steve Richmond (Cambridge) – Ongoing cancer, upcoming treatments, and a longer range move to his daughter's home near Toledo. 
• Chuck Anderson (North Canton) – Recovering from a multiple bypass heart surgery. 
• COVID-19 – Please keep the health of God’s people in your prayers, especially those who have come down with COVID-19. Please also remember those whose livelihoods have been affected by the economic impact of the outbreak. 
• Feast Planning – Keep Feast of Tabernacles planning in UCG and the greater Church of God in your prayers. The complications of the coronavirus emergency make it challenging for Feast coordinators and others planning Feast details.
• Canceled Feast Plans – Remember our brethren in Europe, Asia, parts of Africa, Australia, Canada and other places where Feast gatherings are prohibited because of COVID-19 lockdowns and regulations. Please keep them in your prayers for encouragement and joy despite the challenges of distance.

2.      WINTER FAMILY WEEKEND 2020 - CANCELED

We're saddened to report that this year's Winter Family Weekend had to be canceled. Major factors leading to that decision include the difficult restrictions of the sports facilities, hotels and the State that would have made it almost impossible for us to assemble together. We are certainly disappointed but look forward to getting together next year for Winter Family Weekend.

3.      FALL HOLY DAY SCHEDULE

The Fall Holy Days are rapidly approaching. Below are the dates and times at present, they will be updated as we get closer and as details emerge.

Feast of Trumpets – Sabbath, Sept. 19, 2020:

o   North Canton – 2 PM, Gateway Event Center

o   Youngstown – TBA

o   Pittsburgh – 2 PM, Deer Creek Church

o   Wheeling – 10:30 AM, Country Day School Gymnasium

Day of Atonement – Monday, Sept. 28, 2020:

o   North Canton – 2 PM, Gateway Event Center

o   Youngstown – TBA

o   Pittsburgh – 1 PM*, Deer Creek Church       *Correction: 1 PM, not 2 PM.

o   Wheeling – 1 PM, Belmont Gymnasium

Feast of Tabernacles – Sabbath, Oct. 3 – Friday, Oct. 9; Last Great Day, Sabbath, Oct. 10:

o   Many will be traveling to specific Festival locations, some few will be staying home. Please pray for safe journeying and meeting for those traveling, and encouragement and joy for those staying at home.

Sabbath, October 17 – will be a webcast.

Sabbath, October 24 – will be in-person as usual at our regular locations.

4.      COMPASS CHECK MAGAZINE - Ideas Welcome!

The purpose of Compass Check magazine is to inspire Church youth, ages 12-18, to respond to the gospel message. Most have been taught the basic doctrines of the Bible since before they can remember. Our goal is to help them take this knowledge and see how it can apply in their daily lives as they grow to adulthood. While we strive to make Compass Check encouraging and uplifting to our readers, we recognize that--just as adults do--our teens face many challenges and pressures from the world we live in. We don't shy away from tackling difficult topics in our teens' world such as gender identity, social justice, dating and, of course, coping with the challenges of a pandemic.

Although the main focus of Compass Check is for teens, many adults and new attendees may find its articles helpful as well. Those new to the Church may find Compass Check's approach of taking big, sometimes difficult things to understand, such as end-time prophecy or the process of spiritual conversion, and breaking them down in small, easy-to-digest pieces. By doing so, our hope is to make the teachings of the Bible easier to understand, without losing their impact or meaning. You can read the current as well as previous editions of Compass Check at https://www.ucg.org/members/compass-check

---------

SPECIAL RESOURCES FOR DURING THE COVID-19 SITUATION

GUIDELINES FOR IN-PERSON SERVICES

·        Several hymns will be played, but no hymns will be sung - except in our hearts.

·        Plan to arrive about 15 minutes before service start time.

·        Masks are mandatory for age 10 and above for Ohio. They are mandatory in PA for age 2 and above. In West Virginia masks are required for age 9 and up.

·        We will take attendance as you enter with three basic questions about your exposure to Covid-19.

·        An infrared, touchless thermometer will be used to check for fever if needed.

·        Ushers will seat you, if needed, to provide for the necessary 6-foot, social-distancing.

·        Family groups will be seated together.

·        There will be no food or drinks (personal water bottles are excepted).

·        Please remember to wipe down all surfaces touched when using the restroom (wipes are provided).

·        After services we will vacate the hall within 15 or so minutes, but we can visit outside. 

COVID-19 Links and Resources:

Ohio COVID-19 Risk Level Guidelines for the Public: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/OPHASM/COVID-19-Risk-Level-Guidelines-GP.pdf

National: https://www.coronavirus.gov/

Ohio: https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/

Pennsylvania: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

West Virginia: https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx

UCG Updates and Hymn links:

UCG home office: https://www.ucg.org/members/news/united-church-of-god-coronavirus-updates

UCG Hymnal recordings and other links: https://www.ucg.org/members/hymnal

PHONE HOOK-UP to Home Office Webcasts

Phone hook-up to the webcast services from Cincinnati (2:30PM on Sabbaths) directions:

Please call no earlier than 5 minutes before services. If the Home Office has not activated the meeting, the caller will be put on hold, and then asked to call again later.

Calling Directions:

For those who can pay for long distance calls or have an unlimited phone calling plan:

Call: 1-508-924-1634

No access code needed.

-END-