Home Office Weekly Update
August 22, 2024
Preparing for the Feast Days
Greetings brethren around the world,
If you happened to look out your window during any of the last several nights, you might have noticed the moon seemed quite a bit brighter than normal. Indeed, there was a “Super Moon” this week, the first in a sequence of this year’s “Super Moons," including the full moon that begins the Feast of Tabernacles in October.
As the full moon caught my attention in the very early morning hours this past Tuesday, it reminded me that just two “full moons” from now, we will be gathered before God as His Feast of Tabernacles begins. Indeed, the Feast of Tabernacles begins at sunset on Wednesday evening, Oct. 16. By that time, all God’s people should be at the place they will be observing the Feast, settled into their temporary dwelling places.
In honor of God, and in worship and obedience to Him, everyone who is well and able (and where there is an opening night service scheduled) should be at the holy convocation that is scheduled for that evening, as well as the one held in the daylight portion of that first Holy Day. Keep this in mind as you make your travel plans for the Feast, as well as the fact that the Eighth Day is also a Holy Day that does not end until sunset on Oct. 24.
The Feast of Tabernacles is a joyous time, a time to rejoice as we picture the establishment of God’s Kingdom on earth under the rulership of Jesus Christ. If we learn, embrace and live the way of the Kingdom in this life, we will be there with Christ, working with and teaching others His way of life—the very way we are to be living today—the way of life that leads to peace, harmony, joy and blessings for all.
It’s a truly wonderful time to anticipate, especially as we look at the world around us today with its confusion, division, hate, violence, war and lies that dominate our news and world.
What lies immediately ahead in our world only God knows, but in this time of growing global uncertainty and change, we look to God. We draw closer to Him, and we draw inspiration, strength and comfort from His Spirit and His Word.
Join us for a daily Bible reading
As we approach the Feast of Tabernacles and Eighth Day and the return of Jesus Christ to this earth, I’m reminded of something God commanded His people to do every seven years. We find it in Deuteronomy 31:10-13:
“And Moses commanded them, saying: ‘At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.’”
Brethren, as God’s people united in His Spirit and truth and led by our Savior and soon coming King, Jesus Christ, let’s together, everyone around the world, join in reading the words of Deuteronomy this year as we look forward to the Feast.
There are 34 chapters in Deuteronomy, and beginning next Monday, August 26, we will post a link on the home page of UCG.org with the chapter to be read that day, along with the commentary from our own United Church of God Bible Commentary.
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 the words He left for His people who were about to enter into the Promised Land—just as we find ourselves entering times that signal the return of Christ.
Along with our reading and meditation, let us all pray for God’s will to be done. Ask Him to teach us His way, search our hearts, and lead us to the purity and unity He desires for us, both individually and collectively. We are His people. Pray for each other, and let us keep our eyes on God, building our faith and trust in Him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Have a wonderful rest of the week and upcoming Sabbath day.
In Christ’s service,
Rick Shabi
From Ministerial and Member Services
Death of Dan Taylor
Danny Craig Taylor, pastor of the Lubbock, Texas congregation died Aug. 13, 2024 at the age of 69 from complications of gallbladder surgery. Dan was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Danny was born in Odessa, Texas and he was the first in his family to graduate from college, attending Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, where he received his AA degree, and then later earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, Government and Business from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Being called into the Church as a young man, he also studied at Ambassador College in Pasadena prior to its closure in the late 1970s. He lived many years in California even though he was always a Texan at heart.
Dan worked as a staff writer and researcher for The Plain Truth magazine in the 1980s and 1990s. In the mid 1990s, he moved back to Texas to work for Dell Computer. He would later return to California to work for Intel Corporation and then Cisco Systems where he excelled as a marketing program manager. He won dozens of awards working in technology and was admired and respected by his colleagues and employees alike, many of whom described Dan as the “best boss I ever had.”
He served for many years in the San Jose, California congregation where he was ordained an elder in 2013. With a beautiful tenor voice, he sang in various high school choruses and in church chorales and ensembles. He was a voracious reader and student of history with a remarkable ability to recall details, a talent he would use in service to the Church both in writing and speaking. He loved to work on his home and was a skilled craftsman, restoring many properties including most recently his house in Odessa. However, he always prioritized taking his family on trips all over the world, exposing them to different cultures and languages.
For those who knew Dan, he was a shoulder to cry on, who celebrated everyone’s unique wins, and was a compassionate and kind man who was there for his family, the Church and his local community.
Dan is survived by his wife, Corinne; his son, Cameron; his daughter and son-in-law, Christiane and Marco Lancieri, and his grandson Malcolm Lancieri; as well as brothers and sisters.
A memorial service will be held on Sept. 15, 2024 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Odessa, Texas. Friends and loved ones are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, marked “donations in memory of Danny C. Taylor” and sent to 4901 E University Blvd, Mesa Building Room #4230, Odessa, TX 79762.
Festival Children’s Choir Music 2024 is Now Available!
The children’s choir selections for the Feast of Tabernacles are now available for download on the Feast website at: ucg.org/members/feast/childrens-choir-music
Guidelines for the children’s choir are posted there, as well as vocal and instrumental versions of the two songs and lyric sheets. Parents, please follow the posted guidelines and be sure your children know the songs before arriving at the Feast. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Scott Delamater, National Music Coordinator at Scott_Delamater@ucg.org
—Steve Myers, Ministerial and Member Services
Challenger Sierra 2024
God calls us to do hard things! Challenger 2024 brought 14 hikers to the Emigrant Wilderness of California. We were all “off the grid” with no cellular or Internet service, so we packed everything we needed for the wilderness. This gave all the opportunity to consider the invitation that God has given us to become members of His family and to recognize that a life of faith is not designed to be a life of comfort and ease.
We were able to engage in meaningful conversations about how to live God’s way as we walked by the way, lay down and rose up (Deuteronomy 6:7-8). The time hiking and sitting around the campfire provided many opportunities to discuss what it means to “Follow Me” and how to put God first in our lives.
God blessed every aspect of the trip including beautiful campsites and some refreshing rain on the Sabbath. The nighttime sky was breathtaking as we could see countless stars and the Milky Way on full display. We had a granite amphitheater overlooking Lower Buck Lake for Sabbath services where we considered the challenges that those who have come before us have faced in Hebrews 11 and how we also face challenges in our life as we write our own life stories of faith. The second message was about making the most of the talents and gifts God has given us and using them to serve the Body of Christ.
The participants were all able to build meaningful relationships with each other and God’s Word, while considering how to grow spiritually and face the challenges that life presents with courage and conviction. Every individual moderated a discussion regarding a biblical character that inspired them, where we learned more about the biblical character and the individual that presented by learning what they value and appreciate in others.
The hike was capped off with a “finishers banquet” at Mike’s Pizza. It gave everyone time to consider their accomplishment and look forward to the ultimate “Finishers Banquet” as described in Revelation 19:9.
Until then, let’s all face the challenges in this life and “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run [hike] with endurance the course that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
—Scott McKeon, director, Challenger West
Northwest Young Adult Weekend
The annual UCG Northwest Young Adult Weekend took place Aug. 9–11 in beautiful Cle Elum, Washington. Nearly 50 young adults gathered to enjoy fellowship and to discuss the theme of “Reconciliation.” Ben and Shannon Light, and Troy and Cindy Phelps joined Rob and Tina Slocum (pastor of the Seattle congregation that sponsors the weekend each year) to present aspects of reconciliation. This is such a vital topic for the Church going forward, and there was much discussion throughout the weekend concerning the importance and practice of reconciliation in our relationship with God, family, Church and all humanity.
Plenty of time was spent building new friendships, eating good food, playing games, singing and lots of laughter. These weekends serve our younger membership by focusing on spiritual subjects that they identify as important to their spiritual success, and also provide a spiritually safe social environment in which to share the struggles of their generation. We wish to thank everyone for coming and participating in a very meaningful and enjoyable weekend. It’s clear the Church of God is blessed with many loving and dedicated next generation leaders.
—Rob Slocum
Nigeria Youth Camp Report
The United Youth Camp in Nigeria has started off wonderfully! Located on the scenic Agaja Beach at the edge of Lagos, Nigeria, 32 campers and 35 staff boated out on Sunday to set up camp and begin a week of exciting activities and fellowship, bonding us together in Christian love.
Temperatures in the mid-80s with cloud cover has made the outdoor activities quite pleasant. Archery, swimming, volleyball, kickball, kite making, team challenge, dance class, etiquette and other activities have been enjoyed by all. This year’s Christian living theme, encouraging us to stand strong, has given us much to reflect upon as the campers are instructed in how to lean upon God for the strength which only He provides.
We’re looking forward to a few more days together in this beautiful camp environment, with the Lagos congregation boating out to join us on the Sabbath day.
Thank you for your prayers for the success of the United Youth Camps around the world! God’s blessing is truly here!
—Paul Moody