Home Office Weekly Update: November 4, 2025

From the President...

The Sabbath and God's Holy Law

Every Friday, sunset is racing toward you at approximately 12 miles per minute. All along its rapidly advancing line, a miracle is taking place. God is creating holy time, just as He did during Creation week (Exodus 20:11).

As it begins circumnavigating the globe, the line of sunset speeds across the Pacific Ocean, first touching “Millennium Island,” so nicknamed for its earliest time zone. Interestingly, the Millennium represents the “rest” that Jesus is bringing to humanity during His 1,000-year reign with us (Revelation 20:4,6).

When those of you in New Zealand and East Asia receive the sunset of Sabbath’s beginning, those of us in the Americas will be asleep awaiting our Friday “Preparation Day.” A question to consider before it arrives is: “To what degree will I keep this Sabbath holy?”

The Sabbath command was magnified by the one who became Jesus the Christ.

When God gave the Ten Commandments, He stated: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). What does that statement mean? How are we to fulfill God’s command to “keep it holy?”

The Ten Commandments and all the Law remain in force today (Matthew 5:18). The Ten Commandments alone did not fully exemplify God’s mindset, nor did they completely codify God’s Law for the New Covenant saints. Consequently, Jesus came, in part, to “fill-full/magnify” them to their full spiritual intent (Matthew 5:17).

Jewish leaders of His day were considered examples of obedience to the letter of the Law within their culture. But Jesus said that unless our righteousness exceeds theirs, we will not even be in God’s Kingdom (Matthew 5:20).

Why? Eternal life in God’s Kingdom was not a part of the holy Covenant God made with physical Israel. Jesus magnified the codified Law and Commandments into a new Covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6). He took the Law to a new level, a spiritual level (Hebrews 8:10) for which obedience is possible only with the coming of the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Far from just being ten commands that on the surface are to prevent offense to God and neighbor, Jesus magnified and filled-full each of them. He explains that we are to keep His Law of love like He does (John 13:34). For us, the spiritual intent behind keeping the whole Law is to love God and neighbor fervently (Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Peter 1:22). Every aspect of God’s holy Law to Israel remains (Romans 7:12), along with a “righteous requirement” that God expects us to fulfill (Romans 8:4). It is through God’s magnified commands that we see and imitate His mindset (Philippians 2:3-7, Galatians 5:22-23).

“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words,then you shall delight yourself in the LORD” (Isaiah 58:13-14, emphasis added throughout).

Thus, the Lord delights in the one who keeps the Sabbath holy by pursuing the mindset of God through the help of the Holy Spirit. Rather than bicker about the need to keep the Sabbath holy, perhaps we should each be asking, “Did I keep last Sabbath holy ‘enough’ and a delight in God’s eyes” (Isaiah 58:14)?

All humans are imperfect and we need to “upgrade” our Sabbath observance to fully keep it holy in accordance with both God’s original and His magnified commands. When we observe the Sabbath properly, it is a two-way sign identifying the true God and identifying His true children (Exodus 31:13-17).

Let’s consider a few ways to do that. Scripture states that we are to:

• Keep it holy (Exodus 20:8).
• Call the Sabbath a delight (Isaiah 58:13).
• Honor God (Isaiah 58:13).
• Rest from all work (Exodus 31:15, Luke 23:56).
• Teach and learn from God’s word (Mark 6:2).
• Attend a holy assembly (Leviticus 23:3, Hebrews 10:25).
• Do good, save lives (Luke 6:9), etc.

It is a time to think and act like God, and to be with God and His begotten family.

God has sanctified you and made you holy (1 Peter 2:9). God has sanctified His Sabbath and made it holy (Genesis 2:3). Peter said, “As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct (1 Peter 1:15).

The Sabbath’s approaching edge of sunset is sweeping toward us. In advance of its arrival, you and I should take off our dirty “sandals” with which we tread the rest of the week and come to this holy time before God (Acts 7:33). The way that we observe the Sabbath should be in contrast to what we have done and thought during the first six days of the week.

In preparation for its arrival, wrap-up those physical and mental weekday matters and make plans to observe the holy Sabbath in the manner God wants His holy children to do (Deuteronomy 5:12).

A good review of this weekly Holy Day is in our booklet, Sunset to Sunset: God’s Sabbath Rest.

Praying for you and for God’s blessings as we keep His Sabbath day holy together,

John Elliott, President

From Ministerial and Member Services…

We’re happy to announce that on Nov. 29, 2025 David Riddell was ordained into the ministry. David serves the Ballymena congregation in Northern Ireland.

—Steve Myers, Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services

Upcoming: Beyond Today TV Project in Israel

We are excited to share a remarkable opportunity that God seems to be opening before us—one that will mark a historic moment for Beyond Today (BT) and for the work as a whole.

For nearly 20 years, Darris McNeely, Gary Petty and Steve Myers have faithfully served as the familiar faces of BT TV. As their roles and responsibilities in the Church have grown and changed, each has expressed a desire to pass the torch and focus more fully on other areas. After much discussion and planning, we believe God has provided a way for them to offer a meaningful, high-impact final contribution.

God willing, in March 2026, we will film a special series of Beyond Today programs on location in Israel. Filming where the stories of Scripture actually unfolded will allow these final messages to be presented with depth, power and authenticity that cannot be achieved in a studio. This will be an opportunity for these longtime presenters to share timeless teaching in a setting that brings the Bible to life.

We see God’s hand in the timing, the opportunity and the resources to make this possible. Please pray for wisdom in our preparations, for safety in travel, and for us to be effective tools in God’s hands.

—Scott Delamater, Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services

Job Opening: Staff Writer

Media and Communications Services is seeking a Staff Writer to support the Church’s growing writing needs. This role produces and refines content for Beyond Today, Compass Check, United News, United Young Adults (UYA) and other media efforts. Work includes writing, editing, proofreading, fact-checking and preparing material for print, web and email.

The position also assists with recurring email communications, helps post written content to ucg.org, and contributes to writer development through workshops and training (non-supervisory).

The individual must be a baptized member (in good standing) of the United Church of God, an International Association. The incumbent must be highly biblically literate, possess a thorough working knowledge of the doctrines, beliefs and practices of the United Church of God, and be able to bring this knowledge to bear on his/her duties.

Education and/or Experience: Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications or a related field; and two to four years of experience in writing, editing or communications; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in magazine writing, digital publishing, scriptwriting or nonprofit media is highly desirable.

To apply and to upload your resume for this position, please visit this Web page: ucg.org/news/current-job-openings. Any specific questions about the position may be directed to human_resources@ucg.org.

REMINDER to REGISTER for Houston Regional Family Weekend

Date: December 13-14, 2025

Location: Camp Lonestar, 2610 Tuwa Rd., Tomball, TX 77375

There is no cost for the weekend, but please RSVP by Dec. 9. and fill out the registration form at https://forms.gle/TJ5SSzRF8AovnuqV9.

The Houston brethren are excited to host a joyful weekend of worship and fellowship together in a beautiful nature setting. Special guests Peter and Terri Eddington will be joining us for the weekend.

Sabbath Events 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• Group meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Nature walk
• Bible studies for all ages with kids Sabbath activity
• Sabbath church service
• Campfire fellowship and inspirational stories
• Relaxing canoeing on the lake
• Evening music, games, s’mores and more!

Sunday Events 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Annual cornhole tournament
• Kids inflatables
• Gaga ball, basketball, volleyball, frisbee golf, hiking, canoeing and more
• Group breakfast and lunch

Questions? Please contact Jay_Ledbetter@ucg.org or call (469) 452-9501.

We hope you can join us for spiritual renewal, encouragement, family bonding and fun. This will be a weekend to remember!

—Jay and Jennifer Ledbetter