United News March - April 2020 Cover Page

United News: March - April 2020

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This 16-page issue of United News features information about the new Feast site near Rio de Janeiro, the recent Feast of Tabernacles planning meetings and a new episode of Beyond Today Interviews with filmmaker Timothy Mahoney. Included in this issue are many upcoming events on pages 4-5, including a special Pentecost weekend in Indiana, family and young adult activities in the UK and Europe and more. 

The Good News section of United News features three articles, "Our Hearts Burned Within Us" by John LaBissoniere, "The Ninth Commandment" by Don Hooser and "The Last Words of Christ" by Dan Dowd. Four pages of news from local church areas follows the announcements. On page 14 a job opening for a Web Developer is featured.

As always, you can find the Beyond Today airing schedule for the next two months on the last page of United News.

Thank you for your continued support of this publication. Please email un@ucg.org to submit articles, questions or feedback. 

Table of Contents

Media and Communications Services Update

Two main updates from MCS Operation Manager Peter Eddington: an interview with filmmaker Timothy Mahoney and Beyond Today begins airing on NewsMax TV.
Psalm 22:14 gives us insight as to what Christ was thinking at that time—"I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint, my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.”

The Last Words of Christ

8 minutes
Have you ever thought about what your last words would be before you die? Most people don’t. One’s last words can have meaning. The most profound...
We have to individually prove the truths of the Bible and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. This does not mean deciding for ourselves what is true, but studying to know we are in "the Way" that the New Testament speaks of.

The Living Word

7 minutes
My journey back to God after losing connection with Him and His Living Word.
Does God’s Word increase our anticipation about the breathtaking future that lies ahead in God’s coming Kingdom? Does your heart burn within you?

Our Hearts Burned Within Us

6 minutes
Discover how two disheartened disciples had their attitudes completely transformed into overwhelming joy and reassurance. What can their amazing...

Fundamentals of an Estate Plan

3 minutes
Mark Twain had a silly saying, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.” The author was observing how people...

54th Northwest Family Weekend Held in Portland, Oregon

After the Feast of Tabernacles, the Portland Family Weekend is the longest continually held event in the modern era of the Church of God.

Annual ABC Service Sabbath Held

On the Sabbath of Feb. 22 at the home office in Cincinnati, ABC students held their annual “ABC Sabbath” during both the a.m. and p.m. services.

Chicago Young Adults Weekend

During Presidents Day Weekend this year, 41 young adults from all over the country met for the 4th annual Chicago Young Adults weekend.

DFW Prom and Young Adults Weekend

Join the Dallas and Fort Worth congregations April 24-26 for our teen and young adult weekend! From the coffee and dessert social on Friday night to the court games and pizza lunch on Sunday, there will be something for everyone...

European Young Adult Spring Activity

The German young adults are hosting the fourth European Young Adult Spring Activity from April 8 until the morning of April 14 in Oberstaufen, Germany.

Growing in the Faith Weekend Held in Minnesota

The fifth annual Growing in the Faith Weekend took place Jan. 17-20 at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch near Stewartville, Minnesota.

Mammoth Cave Camping Weekend

The Bowling Green, Kentucky, congregation is excited to announce the fourth annual camping weekend at Mammoth Cave on April 24-26, 2020.

New England Congregations Organize 50's Dance

On Feb. 1, the Southern New Hampshire and Worcester, Massachusetts congregations combined for services followed by a potluck and 50’s dance social.

Pastoral Responsibilities Change in Arizona

Members from the Phoenix East, Northwest Phoenix, Northern Arizona and Show Low congregations and guests met for combined services on Jan. 4, 2020.

Pastoral Trip to Brazil and New Feast Site Near Rio de Janeiro

The purpose of this trip was twofold—to find out where God has placed His name for a second Feast site in Brazil and to visit prospective members.
Picture of a person with finger over their lips.

The Ten Commandments Series: The Ninth Commandment

6 minutes
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 5:20).
Photo of glasses sitting atop an open Bible.

Council Letter: Loving the Truth

3 minutes
Many years ago, when I was starting a career in journalism and publishing, I received some advice that has stuck with me for decades.
Photo of two women comforting another woman.

Setting an Example

3 minutes
Do we treat all equally and with respect as family, because we are now the children of the Almighty God?

Updates from Ministerial and Member Services

As these men and their wives transition to their new assignments, your continued prayers and support are appreciated as they strive to serve God and His people.
Map showing the spread of coronavirus across the U.S.

COVID-19 and the Nature of Sin

6 minutes
What can a global pandemic teach us about the pervasive nature of sin as we keep the Days of Unleavened Bread this year?
Photo of girl in field sitting quietly.

Who Do We Rely On For Our Needs?

4 minutes
How should Christians react to fear and self-concern? We are called to be those who scatter, not those who withhold. How can we do this?

Planning Meetings Held for 2020 Festival Season

Around 40 people participated remotely in the annual Feast Coordinator’s Conference Feb. 11-12. Participants included Feast coordinators and their assistants from the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean, home office staff and volunteer support.
Photo of valley surrounded by mountains.

God of the Hills and God of the Valleys

5 minutes
We can cope with anxiety and find peace in the knowledge that the God we serve reigns over our highs and our lows.

Resource Spotlight

UCG's Bible Commentary (formerly called the Bible Reading Program) now has a new interface and graphic layout—making it much easier to search and read.

Southern California's Women's Enrichment Weekend Attracts 126

“Facing Life with Strength and Laughter” was the theme for the 19th annual Women’s Enrichment Weekend sponsored by the Garden Grove, California congregation.

Spiral-Bound Hymnals Available for Pre-order till April 6

Would you like to have your own personal spiral-bound copy of the UCG Hymnal (song leader/pianist version)? We are planning a reprint of these and want to provide the opportunity for anyone to purchase one or more.

Spreading the Good News About the Kingdom of God in California Retail Malls

Jennifer Heesch, Mario Seiglie and Bill Carter at the newsstand at Irvine Spectrum Mall.

Summer Family Activity in the UK

Join us in England this summer! We have booked exclusive use of a newly redeveloped country lodge with 15 en-suite bunkrooms located in ancient woodlands on a 250-acre outdoor adventure site in the Mendips, 30 minutes south of Bristol.

Tennessee Congregations Bid Fond Farewell to Creech Family

With parties presenting oversized gifts and heartfelt farewells, brethren in the Nashville congregation and later Murfreesboro bid farewell to the family of Joshua Creech, who served as associate pastor in the area for 18 months.

Winter Camp 2019 Report

This year, we had another great Winter Camp located in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Seventy-nine campers and 51 staff members gathered for six days to learn more about “Living God’s Way Today” while building friendships that will last a lifetime.