Home Office Weekly Update
October 10, 2024
Greetings brethren around the world,
As we find ourselves in the midst of the autumn Holy Days, we look forward to the upcoming Sabbath, where we will observe the solemn Day of Atonement. Following that, the Feast of Tabernacles will begin at sunset next Wednesday evening, Oct. 16.
As we observe God’s Holy Days, we’re reminded of His great love and constant presence in our lives—guiding, protecting and promising to see us through any challenges we face. As Hurricane Milton approached Florida yesterday, we all offered prayers for God’s protection for those in its path. Thankfully, early reports indicate that our brethren and their homes have weathered the storm well.
We’ll keep you updated as more reports from Florida come in. Thank you, brethren, for your prayers for one another. Please continue to pray, as high winds and significant rainfall are predicted for the east coast of Florida through today.
Serve God first
In the last update letter, I emphasized the importance of remembering God and putting Him first in all we do, especially during these Holy Days. As Proverbs 3:6 reminds us, we should acknowledge Him in everything we do and remember His mercy, patience and love for us, as well as His wonderful plan for all mankind.
As we head to the Feast, let’s determine in our hearts to serve Him first and observe the Feast as He commands. Make it a priority to be there at the opening night service (or the first scheduled service) at your Feast site. This is God’s time—be where and when He wants you to be. When faced with the choice between attending services or Bible study and what “we want to do,” choose God first. There is plenty of time for the other activities we can enjoy at the Feast.
And remember to pray and make extra time for prayer. We gather where He placed His name for the Feast—to His house, the temple He is building in us. His house is meant to be a “house of prayer.” During this time, draw close to God. Use this time to commit to growing closer to Him. Dedicate yourself to keep His ways, truly “coming out of this world.” Grow daily in faith and trust in Him.
Humility and the Day of Atonement
Before the Feast of Tabernacles and Eighth Day (aka Last Great Day) we will observe the Day of Atonement. This Day symbolizes significant events that must occur before the teaching that will come during the Millennial reign of Christ.
Upon Christ’s triumphant return to earth, He will instantly destroy the multi-million-man army and all its weaponry assembled to fight Him. Those who survive will be shocked, confused and humbled. Everything they trusted in will be gone, and they will stand before Christ “naked, wretched, poor and miserable.”
Satan will be exposed as the great deceiver and enemy of both man and God. He will be bound for the duration of the Millennium and cast into the bottomless pit.
Christ will establish His supremacy and “all will know He is God.” This is an important and necessary part of God’s plan. Also vital is the tremendous humility of the people who are left alive. They will have been afflicted through all they’ve endured, humbled and defeated, with nowhere to turn but to God.
Atonement represents that necessary time for mankind. Before we can serve God and accept Him as Savior, we must be humble and continually seek the humility that Jesus Christ, the first of the firstfruits, perfectly exhibited while He was on earth. We must come to realize that He is our only hope and yield ourselves—surrendering to Him and His will. It is the only way to salvation.
So, as we fast this Atonement, let’s keep our need for humility in mind. Don’t fast (“afflict yourself”) just to “check a box.” Instead, let’s fast and pray, asking God to deepen our commitment to Him and our understanding of what He has called us to be.
One of those things our Savior has called us to become is united—“at one”—in perfect unity with each other. The first step toward that unity among us is to be in unity with God, His truth and His purpose. His will is to be sought and done, for He is the way, the truth and the life. Our true hope is in Him.
Let’s make sure God is first in everything we do this Feast, and always. May God grant you a joyous, spiritually uplifting and zeal-renewing Feast as we honor Him in all we do and in the way we observe His holy times.
Brethren, take care. You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
In Christ’s service,
Rick Shabi
International Feast Updates
This year, brethren will celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles in several “far away” places not typically associated as places where God has placed His name including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar. There will also be several groups keeping the Feast in Thailand. Here are some reports.
Pakistan
A group of about 26 persons—15 adults and nine children—will observe God’s Feast in Lahore, Pakistan marking the first time believers have gathered to observe God’s Feast of Tabernacles in the country. Our brethren will stay eight nights in the same hotel, hold daily meetings in the conference room, and enjoy discussions, fellowship, and all meals served in the hotel restaurant.
Feast sermons from our UCG website and by David Schreiber will be provided. All sermons will have transcripts so that our UCG member Kashif Mushtaq can present the messages in Urdu, the local language. Kashif’s wife, Mariam, is also learning English and will use UCG Feast booklets and other Sabbath School materials to teach the children. There will be much rejoicing, as the brethren are extremely grateful to UCG brethren for their donations that made all the financial arrangements possible.
Other Pakistan brethren who meet weekly with this group were not prepared or able to attend the Feast in Lahore. They will gather on the Sabbath to learn more about God’s Feast. On that Sabbath, they will also rejoice with a special lunch featuring a feast of Pakistani foods.
Bangladesh
Our UCG members in Bangladesh, Manik and Rita, are prayerfully awaiting visa approval to join the Feast in Agra, India. Due to persecution, Manik was banned from his village, and we have been praying for the approval of his and his family’s visa to travel to Agra.
The Hindi religious leaders forced Manik and his family out of the village, labeling them as troublemakers. This has prevented them from staying and meeting daily with other brethren in the village. However, turmoil and violence has broken out in Bangladesh as a group of radical Muslims ousted the prime minister whom they deemed corrupt and uncaring. This chaos has spread to larger cities across Bangladesh, making the villages somewhat safer to live in at this time.
Manik and Rita are temporarily back in the village, encouraging the brethren and helping them prepare for the Feast. A small group of about 20 adults and 10 children and teens are looking forward to keeping the Feast together in the home of Manik’s in-laws. Each evening, if there is no violence in the village, they will meet 7–9 p.m. and study the Word of God followed by an evening meal together. Funding for the meals is a gift provided by generous donations from UCG members.
On the two Holy Days and the Sabbath, the group will rejoice in worship and study UCG literature translated by Manik. They will go through the Ten Commandments booklet and will meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for worship, Bible study and lunch. They are aware that their Hindu neighbors will be watching and curious about their evening meetings. Please pray for God’s blessing, protection, and for His angels to watch over them during this challenging time.
Myanmar (from Davidson Lay Beh)
As in past years, we have prepared to celebrate the Feast in Sakhangyi this year. Due to the unrest of the country, members cannot travel safely, even inside Burma. Nevertheless, around 20–25 members and their children will gather in Sakhangyi for the Feast of Tabernacles, while at least 15 people will join the service via Zoom.
People must always remain alert, including our members and young children. Some of our young adults even fled the country, migrating to Thailand to the Karen refugee camp due to the military government’s decree of conscription.
However, we have never given up. Members remain strong both physically and spiritually, having inherited the truth from their parents and grandparents long ago. We have been assembling weekly for the Sabbath services, listening to sermons from God’s servants in our Church. I am trying to translate the sermons in time to be ready for each Sabbath.
In addition, several dozen affiliated members of the United Church of God will be observing the Feast in other parts of Myanmar and Thailand.
Please remember to pray for God’s blessing and protection in these areas that have experienced political strife in recent times. Religious differences and war make it difficult, but God is at work among these disciples.
International Children’s Choir
One touching addition this year is an international children’s choir arranged by Corbin Rose. Here is his update:
This year, the Feast opening night sermon video includes an international virtual children’s choir singing the hymn “It Won’t Be Long Now.” Over 90 children from 14 countries participated, representing five different languages. The children listened to a demonstration track in their language using headphones while recording their voices on camera. The final result is a wonderful collage of children from around the globe, united in one voice, making a joyful noise!
Countries represented include Angola, Brazil, Canada, Chile, El Salvador, England, Germany, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, South Africa and the United States.
—Darris McNeely, International Education and Services Coordinator
Atonement and the Tomato Frog
The Day of Atonement is upon us, reminding me of a curious creature I learned about while watching a nature documentary: the tomato frog. Found deep in the jungles of Costa Rica, this unusual frog gets its name from its striking red color. What’s unique about the tomato frog is its defense mechanism—when threatened, it secretes a thick, milky toxin that numbs the mouth and eyes of its predators, causing them to spit it out. Unfortunately, this often leads to its demise, as the poor tomato frog usually dies anyway. The frog’s struggle raises intriguing parallels about survival as we reflect on the significance of the Day of Atonement.
While the tomato frog’s poison is undeniably effective, the problem is that it comes too late. In reality, it’s almost useless for keeping the frog safe since it activates after an attack. By then, the damage is already done.
Atonement serves as a reminder that we must not be like the tomato frog. When do we raise our defenses? Is it only after making a bad decision, committing a sin, or facing a serious trial that we call on God for help?
We must not wait to rely on spiritual defenses after Satan has already attacked and caused damage in our lives. Certainly, God can and will help us in times of trouble; however, how much more beneficial it is to be “at-one” with God constantly and consistently, repelling the evil Destroyer before spiritual harm is done?
Let’s have unwavering confidence in the incredible truth that we possess something far more powerful than a mere milky toxin: the awesome power of the God of this universe as our ultimate defense. We must not hesitate to rely on His power—let us call on it boldly and without delay!
“Live under the protection of God Most High and stay in the shadow of God All-Powerful. Then you will say to the LORD, ‘You are my fortress, my place of safety; you are my God, and I trust you.’ The Lord will keep you safe from secret traps and deadly diseases. He will spread his wings over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like a shield or a city wall” (Psalm 91:1-4, Contemporary English Version).
May your Day of Atonement and the upcoming Feast days be filled with profound meaning and joy.
—Steve Myers, Ministerial and Member Services
From Ministerial and Member Services...
Recent Ordinations
On Sept. 28, 2024, Jon Atkinson was ordained into the ministry. He and his wife, Cynthia, serve the congregation in Burlington, Washington.
On the same Sabbath, Darren Henke was also ordained into the ministry. He and his wife, Amber, serve the congregation in Burlington, Washington.
United Youth Camp in South Africa!
Anyone interested in attending a United Youth Camp in South Africa (Dec. 22–Jan. 1), contact SA UYC Coordinators Nigel and Charlene Schuller for application forms at schullerhome@gmail.com.
For those in the U.S., Mr. Ben Light is happy to field any questions about traveling to South Africa.
Mr. Light, an elder serving as pastor for the Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, Oregon congregations, and camp director for Northwest Camp, served for two years at the South African camp in a training and advisory capacity, last year together with his family.
This adventure would be at individuals’ own cost.
—Vivien Botha, elder and South Africa UYC Director
No Weekly Update Next Two Weeks
There will be no Home Office Weekly Update the next two weeks during the Feast of Tabernacles and Eighth Day. The next edition will be published on Thursday, Oct. 31.