Home Office Weekly Update
All the Holy, appointed times of God are important, treasured times that remind us of His great plan for all of mankind.
From the President...
Greetings brethren around the world,
As every day passes, we draw closer to what many may consider the most meaningful observance of the year—the Passover.
All the Holy, appointed times of God are important, treasured times that remind us of His great plan for all of mankind. Implicit in His plan is the love He and Christ have for all of humanity. Scripture tells us plainly it is not God’s will that any should perish.
It’s such an important concept, but the remainder of that verse in 2 Peter 3:9 is just as important in understanding God and His plan: He is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (emphasis added throughout).
Repentance. Without the acknowledgment of what we have done wrong, even after being baptized and symbolically “putting to death” the old man, repentance must be an ongoing part of our lives, as long as we live.
The Passover service reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice for us. He was willing to literally “give it all up” for each of us because He loves (agape) mankind—all who have ever lived. We can claim His sacrifice for our sin, and we claim that sacrifice through our true, sincere, heartfelt “deep-down-into-the-soul” repentance, coupled with that requisite element of determination to turn from our natural way to His. As He accepts that repentance, we are forgiven.
Passover and the time leading to it is a time for great introspection. Don’t be deceived by others whose words may sound “smooth and soft,” who tell you that God accepts you “just the way you are,” or that once we have been baptized we are “good” as long as we keep the Sabbath day, Holy Days, and just try to be “good” people.
1 John 1:8 is a notable scripture to keep in mind as we examine ourselves: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
David, a man after God’s own heart, recognized that. He desired purity that reached to his inward parts. He wanted to know and asked God, “Is there anything in me that is apart from you and your way of life?”
Psalm 139:23-24 recites for us: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (King James Version).
We must be honest with ourselves, as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:27-31. We all should remember we do sin along the way. We can deceive ourselves, or have others tell us that we are doing “okay,” and we want to believe it. But remember what Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
God knows the human heart, and King David asked God to search his heart to let him know if there were wicked ways he had become “comfortable” with and which he was allowing.
Can we all do that this year? Can we really look into ourselves, and our purpose before God? Let our examination be led by His Spirit (because true self-examination cannot occur without acknowledging and allowing God’s Spirit to lead us), and make the determination to repent and to turn to Him with all our hearts.
This coming Sunday is the first day of Abib, the beginning of the yearly cycle that God established (Exodus 12:2). On the 14th of Abib, baptized members will gather together for the Passover. May we all examine ourselves, and as God leads us all, individually and collectively, may we take it in that worthy manner that Paul spoke of.
Daily Bible Reading
Let me remind all of us the daily Bible reading program—leading us through scriptures pertinent to the time of the year we are in—continues this week and next. Remember to go to UCG.org. On the home page you will find a link to the outline of scriptures I hope we are all reading and contemplating as we approach these Holy Days.
God will be very pleased, as the members of His body all over the world (we are all one body), read, contemplate and meditate on the same things.
Member Survey
Also, please remember the Member Survey—open to all ages who attend or are affiliated with the United Church of God—is available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2PWTHNH.
Go to that link today and make your voice heard. This survey was developed so we can hear what you think. You can answer the standard questions that are there, but also note there is space provided for you to record any thoughts, concerns or questions you have about every aspect of the work of the Church—from the Council of Elders, to your local congregation, to the message the Church proclaims, to the opportunities you have to serve in God’s work and use the talents God has given you.
The survey is your opportunity to talk to us. Use it. Go there and take that survey, everyone around the world, before April 10 when the survey closes.
Brethren, take care. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We treasure the opportunity to serve you, and we will continue to do so as long as my wife and I draw breath.
Have a good rest of the week and Sabbath day.
Continuing in God’s service,
Rick Shabi
From Ministerial and Member Services…
2025 Camp Video Announcement and Important Update for 2026
The 2025 United Youth Camps season will be here soon and we are looking forward to another exciting and uplifting camp season. Registration is now open for campers and staff at uyc.ucg.org.
Please take note of an important change taking place next year. Starting in 2026 the youngest age for teen camp will move to 13 instead of 12. Our 12-year-old campers will continue to be accepted as campers at pre-teen camp.
This change, which is a return to our prior practices, will better align the programs with their respective age groups. It will also help in reducing overcrowding at some camps, which have become quite full in recent years.
To clarify, for next year’s 2026 camp season, campers must be 13 years old by Aug. 1, 2026 (meaning they must be born before Aug. 1, 2013) to attend a teen camp that summer.
We wanted to let you know about this change now for the 2026 camp season, so everyone can plan accordingly.
REMINDER: Member Survey Available Through April 10
As members of God’s household of faith, it is important we assess the state of our flock and God’s Church. In recent years, the United Church of God has used a survey of its members and attendees to measure progress toward the goals and objectives stated in our Strategic and Operation Plans. Once again, we would appreciate your help and feedback on how we are doing.
The online survey (intended for people of all ages who are associated with the United Church of God) will be available through April 10, 2025 at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2PWTHNH. We welcome your honest, anonymous input as fellow workers in this building of God’s spiritual temple.
Please note, this survey is open to everyone (not just one per household) and we are looking for participation from all ages. As in prior years, the Council of Elders and home office administration will take the statistics and suggestions from the results to help develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan. We will also share the results through United News and a members website video presentation later this year.
The survey should only take 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Thank you so much for sharing your input and help.
—Council of Elders and Home Office Administration
REMINDER: Join Us for Daily Bible Reading
Please remember to join us in reading Scriptures together as we prepare for the Passover this year.
Continuing through April 10, we have created a website landing page showing scriptures to read each day—along with passages from our own United Church of God Bible Commentary and other resources where available.
Be sure you read the words from your Bible as well as from our commentary, and include your children in this, as we all read and meditate together on God’s Word. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity for daily Bible reading and study. The reading schedule is available by going to https://www.ucg.org/news/daily-bible-reading-pre-passover-scripture-readings.
Let’s take advantage of this special activity as the entire Church throughout the world reads and meditates on the same passages each day.
