United News: May - June 2018

United News: May - June 2018

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In this issue of the United News there are several international updates. Many traveled to be with God's people during Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread. An article titled "Pentecost—a Spiritual Game-Changer" is great to read in preparation for Pentecost. "Learn, Love and Live by the Ten Commandments" is an introduction to a family-based series of articles covering the Ten Commandments. Read these articles with your family for an added lesson to the most recent Family Study Guides that covered the Ten Commandments. Coverage of various Women's Enrichment Weekends and Young Adult Weekends make an appearance, as well as, an article covering the end of the Beyond Today, America: The Time is Now! personal appearance campaigns in California. Honoring Retiring Ministry section honors Leroy and Laura Cole. "Peace Be With You" covers how me have peace in our lives and "What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?" covers how we might follow Jesus Christ our master. There are also several other Good News articles, Local Church Updates and Announcements. 

Table of Contents

Updates from Ministerial and Member Services

There have been several changes to the oversight of international areas over the past year.

Honoring Retiring Ministry

Leroy and Laura Cole retired from the full time ministry on Dec. 30, 2017.

Trip to France and Benin Highlights Work in French-speaking Areas

Warm greetings from Benin and snowy greetings from the French Alps!

Four Church Buildings Dedicated in Malawi and Zambia

My recent (March 19-April 17) journey to south-central Africa was highlighted by ribbon cutting and the dedication of four church buildings. Two were in Malawi (Blantyre and Lilongwe) and two in Zambia (Mufulira and Mufumbwe).

Visit to Myanmar

What an awesome experience it was serving at the Legacy Institute Youth Program in Myanmar!
How do we find the peace Christ promised—the peace that overcomes our natural frustrations and troubling anxieties?

Peace Be With You

6 minutes
As we have Jesus Christ living in us through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are being filled with the peace of God—a fruit of the Holy Spirit. The...
A person playing a guitar.

Make Time for a Song

4 minutes
…but just when I feel like I can’t breathe, I take time to sing!

2018 Seniors

Are you a graduating senior? Do you know someone who is? Send in a bio and photograph to be featured in United News

Visit to Nigeria and Ghana

On Monday, March 26, I embarked on a two-week trip to the West African countries of Nigeria and Ghana.

Northern Arizona Winter Social

On March 10, 2018, the Northern Arizona congregation hosted a winter social in Cottonwood, Arizona.
A young woman reading a Bible.

Examine Yourself

5 minutes
Start preparing now for next year’s self-examination and ask God daily for help.
Watershed moments are moments in time from which the history of humankind changed course and would never be the same again. One of the most notable events in human history is the giving of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost—a Spiritual Game-Changer: The Greatest Watershed Moment in Human History

5 minutes
As the Day of Pentecost approaches, let us consider the importance of this aspect of God’s plan and reflect on the work of His Spirit in our lives.
The Ten Commandments are God’s royal rules for relationships and lasting success and happiness. God wants everyone to learn, love, and live by them.

Learn, Love and Live by the Ten Commandments

10 minutes
This is an introduction to a series of articles focused on the Ten Commandments.

Portuguese Tour to Brazil and Angola

From mid-March and through the Days of Unleavened Bread I conducted a very successful doctrinal tour through Brazil and Angola.

Blankets for Love

United Church of God in Flint, Michigan, partnered with Children’s Miracle Network at Hurley Medical Center with a service project called Blankets for Love.

Nashville Fundraiser for Camp Nacome

Variety and carnival fun characterized two evenings in the Nashville, Tennessee, congregation recently, where the brethren came together for entertainment to raise funds to support Camp Nacome.

Update from the President

In this update from the president, Victor Kubik mentions the upcoming General Conference of Elders. He also focuses in on the topic of the GCE theme "Iron Sharpens Iron."
A disciple wants to become just like his master. Are you striving to be like your Master, Jesus Christ?

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

6 minutes
We are to transform our lives so that we become like our Master and Rabbi, Jesus Christ. We are not just to learn from Him; we are to become like Him...

Troyer’s Hollow Campout Weekend

Mark your calendars for the Troyer’s Hollow campout and young adult weekend for June 22-24!

Treat Baskets for Houston, Texas, Seniors

The Houston, Texas, congregation completed one of our most beloved traditions—unleavened treat baskets for our seniors!

Orlando Church Has “Evening at the Fair” Social

Bible heroes and superheroes! Kids of all ages enjoyed an “Evening at the Fair” social after services on March 3.

America: The Time Is Now!

During the first week of March the United Church of God held four more Beyond Today Live events in Southern California.

Chicago Young Adult Weekend

The Chicago congregation hosted a young adult weekend in February where 45 joined together and deepened their bonds as Christian brothers and sisters.

Women’s Enrichment Weekend in Canby, Oregon

Approximately 98 women from Oregon, Washington, California, Ohio, Kentucky and Texas attended the Women’s Enrichment Weekend in Canby, Oregon, on Feb. 23-25.

Visits to Congregations of Cúcuta and Montería

The Colombian cities of Cúcuta and Montería share several similarities despite their opposite geographical locations.

Women’s Enrichment Weekend in Southwest Missouri

At the seventh annual Southwest Missouri Women’s Enrichment Weekend, 45 women explored what it means to be a Proverbs 31 Woman (theme of the weekend) on Feb. 16-18.

Cincinnati Young Adult Weekend

The theme for the this year’s Living 1835 Young Adult weekend in Cincinnati was “Desire What the Lord Requires,” taken from Micah 6:8.