Home Office Weekly Update
September 12, 2024
Anticipating the Fall Holy Days
Greetings brethren around the world,
In the Northern Hemisphere summer is nearly over, and we’re eagerly anticipating the fall Holy Days. In just three weeks from today we will be observing the Feast of Trumpets.
All of God’s festivals are rich with meaning. As we enter this season, we are mindful of the seven trumpets of God, with the final trumpet announcing the return of Jesus Christ to save the earth from utter destruction. These trumpets will symbolize a time of impending woe to come on the earth, as God pours out His wrath on those who have not only rejected Him but have also callously turned against Him and will actively wage war against Him.
Trumpets can also picture a time of hope. Leading up to the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets and those seven trumpet blasts, the world will have endured a terrible period of its history. Four horsemen that bring misery to mankind will finish their ride, resulting in the death of 25% of the earth (Revelation 6:8).
Jacob’s “trouble” and the Great Tribulation follow as man, under Satan’s sway, brings unspeakable misery and suffering to humankind. Christ says of that time, there has never before been, nor ever again will be a time like that (Daniel 12:1).
Then, looking at it from the perspective of the Bible, “hope” begins to shine for an unwitting world, with heavenly signs that cannot be explained by any astronomer. God, looking down from heaven, sees the terrible affliction of men killing each other. The world is full of wickedness, violence, and hate toward each other and toward God.
When the heavenly signs appear (the sixth seal of Revelation), men will know it is God, but they will not repent. Their hearts are too hardened. It’s a frightful time for humanity (Revelation 6:13–17) as it ushers in God’s judgment and the seven trumpets. It culminates with the return of Christ, who will be victorious over Satan and those influenced by him, who would otherwise destroy the earth.
As we find ourselves living in times that closely align with Christ’s description of the “beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:8) it is important for us, as His people, to take time now to prepare our hearts for Him. We should recognize the days in which we live, and with our hearts draw closer to God and ask Him to build in us trust, faith and a deep “love of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
It is only through God’s Holy Spirit and a close relationship with Him that we can spiritually survive the extreme times of deception and tribulation that will come upon the earth. Now is the time to prepare our hearts for the challenging times ahead and to spiritually prepare to observe the upcoming Holy Days and holy convocations God commands. The Feast of Trumpets is Thursday, Oct. 3; the Day of Atonement is Sabbath, Oct. 12; followed by the Feast of Tabernacles beginning the Wednesday evening of Oct. 16; and the Eighth Day (Last Great Day) is on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Reflect on your calling
There is much to contemplate regarding our calling, our attitudes toward our God, and our responsibilities to Him. We must recognize our reliance on Him for all things and refine our vision of the coming Kingdom of God as we come out of this world.
If you’re keeping up with the church-wide, world-wide reading program, you will have read in Deuteronomy this past week about these very concepts that are crucial for us to consider as we reflect upon ourselves.
We pray for all of God’s people around the world, that we take His calling seriously and eliminate the complacency that characterizes so much of the world. We must be vigilant to continually seek God’s guidance, develop His attitudes, and be driven by a deep awe and respect for Him.
Brethren, may be God with you as we prepare for and observe His upcoming Holy Days, always burning with zeal for His will to be done. May you have a profitable day of preparation for the Sabbath and an inspiring Sabbath day.
In Christ’s service,
Rick Shabi
Beta UCG.org For Review
We are pleased to release the beta version of our new website, with CiviCRM also incorporated, for your review at beta.ucg.org.
As you browse through the new site, please note there is a “Report Bug” tab at the right side of each page. Please let us know if you come across something that is not working properly or which you feel needs correcting or editing.
Also, at present the donation and literature request functions are not yet active, so please don’t attempt to submit a donation or request literature on the beta site.
Most of our newest content is now imported, but please note a final content migration is yet to be performed before this beta version actually goes live fairly soon after the Feast of Tabernacles.
—Peter Eddington, Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
Feast of Tabernacles
Feast Registration or Making Changes
The Feast of Tabernacles is fast approaching, and we hope your plans are coming together. If you have not yet registered, please do so now here: https://www.ucg.org/members/feast/sites/2024.
If you would like to change your Feast site, please check the capacity of the site you would like to attend (as several are at full capacity). If there is availability at the site you would like to attend, follow this link to cancel your current registration: https://www.ucg.org/members/feast/sites/cancel. You will then need to create a new registration for the new site at the above link.
If you have any problems/questions please send an email to: Festival@ucg.org or Feast_Support@ucg.org.
Daily Feast Webcasting Sites
Some members can’t attend the Feast and others like to listen to another service each day. The daily live webcasting sites will be Panama City Beach, Florida, and Klamath Falls, Oregon. To find the times for church services, go to their website found at https://www.ucg.org/members/feast. No password is required.
Phone Calls to Connect to Live Feast Services
Some members who can’t attend the Feast don’t have Internet access. Both Panama City Beach and Klamath Falls will have a phone number to call to listen to services. We won’t list those phone numbers publicly, but for information send an email to Festival@ucg.org.
—Charles Melear, Conference Planner
British Isles Family Camp Report
The 2024 British Isles family camp was held at Dalesdown, in West Sussex, Aug. 4–11. Attendees came from far and wide to join this year’s camp. Support from adults including parents, grandparents and nine young leaders all contributed to a thriving environment for the 49 campers, aged 3–18, to learn and grow. We were joined by attendees from England, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Australia and the U.S., which brought our grand total to 98. The Sabbath welcomed guests from congregations around the country to share in the service and special music brought to us by the children’s choir.
After breakfast each morning was a “thought of the day,” followed by breakout groups which encouraged the children to engage in discussion on the Scripture and topic raised. Onsite activities included a summer fayre—featuring a very popular bouncy castle obstacle course—a multitude of sports, games, arts and craft workshops, kite-making, music sessions, speed-puzzling, a karaoke evening, and a rather rousing quiz!
Offsite activities included high-ropes at the “Out of Bounds” adventure course, bowling, and part of the day at Littlehampton beach where group ball activities commenced, ice-creams were eaten, and the brave even had a dip in the sea! The second day out was spent paddle boarding and raft-building.
On two occasions we were blessed to share an evening by campfire where hymns were sung in exceedingly high spirits. What a privilege to share in such enthusiasm for praise, with children calling for “one more hymn!”
Something that became strikingly apparent this year was the resounding spirit of unity amongst all age groups. Support, advice and encouragement were central to discussions about God, His way and His calling. Many poignant talks were held for the older teens, which benefited the adults who attended just as deeply.
—Grace Langford