The cost per meal is $22.00 for adults, children 5-10, $14.00, and children under 5 are free.

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1 UNITED CHURCH OF GOD Jackson, Murfreesboro and Nashville From the desk of Gary Petty September 15, 2017 Please notice that there have been some changes from the original announcements concerning the Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement. The Feast of Trumpets, on September 21, will be combined services at the Paterson Park Community Center in Murfreesboro. Doors to the theater open at 9:30 am. When you enter the building through the front doors the theater is straight back. Morning services will be at 10 am. Lunch potluck will be 12:00-2:00. Afternoon services will be at 2:00 pm. We will need to vacate the theater by 4:30 because another group is using it after us. No food or drinks are allowed in the theater area. Patterson Park Community Center, 521 Mercury Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN The Day of Atonement is on September 30 which is a regular Sabbath. Services will be at normal times: Jackson 10:30 am; Murfreesboro 10:30 am and 2:00 in Brentwood. Reminder: tomorrow in Murfreesboro is the monthly Sabbath Bible study and potluck. Need for Airport Pickup after Feast of Tabernacles Tom Nichol needs a ride home from the Nashville Airport when he returns from the Feast of Tabernacles on Friday, October 13th. My flight number on Southwest, is 1854, with a scheduled arrival time of 9:05 A.M. I would be more than happy to cover the fuel expense for anyone who might be able to help me out in this manner. Tom Nichol. Please see Tom if you can serve give him a lift. Cincinnati Feast Site Announcement An anonymous donor covered the entire cost of the senior citizen s luncheon so that you may eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, Deuteronomy 14: 26. We wish to thank all of our seniors have been so dedicated over the years, serving in so many ways and supporting God's Work for decades. For those of you who have already paid, see Debbie Kuhns at the Feast on Friday or Sunday for a full reimbursement. And for those who have not as yet signed up, please her at: debbiekuhns51@gmail.com or call her at We would like to have the final count turned into the caterer in one week. Holy Day Buffets If anyone is planning of eating at the first Buffet Dinner which will be served at 5:00 pm Thursday, Oct. 5, please send your checks to : Debbie Kuhns, Box 115, Paris, Ohio 44669, and make them payable to United Church of God. The cost per meal is $22.00 for adults, children 5-10, $14.00, and children under 5 are free. And, let Debbie Kuhns know if you wish to purchase tickets for the catered luncheon on the 8th day, the meal between services. The cost per meal is $22.00 for adults, children 5-10, $14.00, and children under 5 are free. -Vince Szymkowiak 1

2 Nashville Service Project from Tine Cason Last year I sent a message about my friend who travels with a medical team to Africa and they help give free medical and dental care to those in need. We collected receiving blankets to give out to mothers with babies so they could have a nice blanket instead of dirty rags. I am helping her collect blankets again for her next trip in November, and if you are able to give a blanket or two, I will be collecting them until after the Feast. We just need the small, receiving blanket type. Gently used is fine too. Below is a picture of one of the babies who just received a blanket from the ones you all donated last year. Thanks so much for your help! From Fred Kellers Mrs. Eleanor Allen, age 103, is not doing well. She is now basically bed-bound. She is taking strong, narcotic pain-killers but was still telling me that she had pain in her back and side. Her mind seems to be completely clear. She agreed for me to anoint her and pray that God relieve her or take her and let her sleep till the resurrection. Please join us in that prayer. Also, please pray for her daughter, Marzee, who is taking care of both her mother and Marzee s brother. Mrs. Allen is not up to having a lot of visitors. I called Marzee to get approval to visit. enews from Ministerial and Member Services Issue 294 September 14, 2017 Personal From the President... Dear fellow servants of God, This is the third week that we are preoccupied with and concerned about victims of the violent hurricanes in Texas and Florida and other natural disasters around the world. Our earth and its inhabitants are suffering and awaiting the relief that will come from an emancipated world. This year's Feast of Tabernacles will have special meaning, coming on the heels of the natural catastrophes that have just occurred. I am including the latest reports from our pastors living in the affected regions about conditions in their areas. Regional Pastor Conference The six U.S. regional pastors along with Chris Rowland and myself met in Omaha, Nebraska, for a conference this past Sunday and Monday, September We thank pastor Mitch Knapp and his wife Linda for hosting this event and thank several members of the Omaha congregation who helped with transportation and arrangements. Bev and I attended services with the Omaha congregation on the Sabbath and reconnected with several friends from our past. 2

3 Regional Pastors. Back: Steve Nutzman (Northwest), Mitch Knapp (North Central), Steve Myers (Northeast); Front: Jim Tuck (Southwest) Mark Welch (South Central), Ken Martin (Southeast). A number of significant changes have recently been made to the role of regional pastor. Most noteworthy is that the position of regional pastor is now a line function between Ministerial and Member Services and the field ministry. Pastors will now report to the regional pastors instead of directly to the Operation Manager for MMS. We feel this change will be healthy and improve communication and advocacy for our ministers' needs. Some of our pastors have wished they could have more communication and someone to talk to more directly and frequently. In our conference we emphasized that the regional pastor is first a servant to the men in his region and is responsible to get to know the ministers and their wives. As representatives of the field ministry, regional pastors advise the home office on needs and urgent priorities. The essential responsibilities are to develop a team concept with the region as well as to be a consultant. He will mediate in areas of conflict. Also, he is an advisor to MMS through regular conferences and will assist with the men in his region so they can better do their jobs. Chris Rowland facilitates a discussion with the regional pastors. 3

4 In our meetings we discussed each region and the manpower needs. Also we talked about the new ordination approval process which was discussed at our last Council of Elders meeting, which will involve more vetting and education of ministerial candidates before ordination. We all agreed that the meetings were instructive, cordial and most helpful. We plan to meet via web conference and further face-to-face conferences. Reports from Our Pastors From Mario Seiglie - Mexico Earthquake, September 8: I thought I would let you know that, thankfully, the earthquake that hit the southern Pacific side of Mexico did not harm the brethren who live in the area, notably in Chiapas. We don't have members in Oaxaca, the closest land to the epicenter. Those in Mexico City felt the quake but it was more of a horizontal and not a vertical movement, so it was softer. From Stan Martin - Irma, September 13: The members in St. Petersburg, Tampa, Vero Beach and Ocala, Florida, were very blessed that Hurricane Irma did minimal damage to the area. There were a number who lost power (some of which still do not have electricity) and many fallen trees and tree limbs, but no one was injured and to my knowledge no homes were significantly damaged. The forecast early in the week predicted major damage toward Vero Beach, but then the hurricane changed course toward a direct hit of the St. Petersburg/Tampa area. Devastating destruction was predicted up until late Sunday afternoon, when the path changed course again and went further inland. The members were able to see the power of God and answered prayer despite the issues that Hurricane Irma caused in the area. There does not appear to be any major damage to Jekyll Island that would impact our ability to enjoy the Feast of Tabernacles there in a few weeks. Power should be restored to the island in the next few days, and clean-up efforts are progressing well. From Rick Shabi - Irma, September 14: Along with the rest of the state of Florida, Hurricane Irma battered the Orlando and Jacksonville areas with high winds and heavy rainfall this past Sunday and Monday. I am happy to report that all church members in the area that I've been able to contact are safe and well, with no reported injuries as a result of the storm. In the Orlando area, wind gusts of up to 80 mph and rain totals of 6-12 inches caused minor damage to some member homes, but has not left any home uninhabitable. Mobile homes are always vulnerable in these storms, but in this area we have seen God's protection as no member mobile homes suffered significant damage. The biggest impact of the storm was widespread power outages. Just about all members were without power for some period of time. Today, there are several who are being advised that power will likely not be restored to their homes until Sunday or later. Jacksonville had high wind gusts of 85 mph and rainfall totals of 15 inches or more around the area, including into southern Georgia, where several members live. One member had a tree fall onto their kitchen area, but no one was hurt. Others had only minor damage, if any. Power outages are widespread but most seem to have had 4

5 power restored by today. When it seemed the worst was over, historical flooding developed quickly downtown and all along the St. John River. One member commented that floodwater came within a half block of her home and then receded. Just a few blocks from my own home, it was quite a sight to see the river rushing over its banks like ocean waves and a rescue boat traveling the streets we often drive. I am happy to report, though, that to my knowledge no member in the Jacksonville (or Orlando) church areas suffered any water intrusion in their homes. The magnitude of this storm was enormous and reminded us of the power that God has built into the universe and the power and commitment He has to protect His people. We all learned lessons of faith and reliance on God from this experience, and we all have much to be thankful for as He has watched over all of us and truly seen us through this storm. From Chuck Smith - Irma, September 11: The winds finally began to calm here in the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area late Sunday evening. I have contacted most of our brethren in this area. All are safe and have minimal damage. A couple are still without power. In the Caribbean, our brethren were spared, as well. However, some islands were practically demolished, including St. Maarten, Barbuda and St. John. We don't have members there, but those people need our prayers. It will take them years to fully recover. From Braden Veller - Irma, September 13: Greetings from the Tallahassee and Ft. Myers congregations. God was extremely merciful to the western side of Florida with the arrival of Hurricane Irma. Before coming here, Irma was heralded by the experts in the highest superlative language possible: "Worst hurricane in a century", "More Powerful than Katrina" (New Orleans), "Worse than Hurricane Andrew" (Miami), "Equal to or Greater than any other Category 5 Hurricane on Record" and "Devastating Storm Surge Projected on Sea Coast." As Irma hit Cuba, just south of south Florida, its greatest inner winds around its center swirled around the tight eye of the storm at a sustained speed of an unprecedented 225 m.p.h. Most other Category 5 storms never reach such high wind speed. This implied that the outer bands of the storm would smother all of Florida at minimum wind gusts of mph, hundreds of miles away from its center. Hours later it crossed the Florida keys and rammed into the towns of Key West, Naples and Fort Myers--but as a Category 4 with a projected bee line over the Fort Myers, Tampa-St. Pete, and Tallahassee church areas. One fourth of the state of Florida evacuated. A number of our brethren in the direct line of fire in south Florida drove miles to escape far enough to secure safety and available lodging. No doubt, with the supportive prayers of many people during this trial, the key component of the hurricane, the eye of it, began to wobble and become loosely oval shaped instead of a very tight, compact circle. This oblong oval shape managed to create increasing wind shear and pulled Irma's winds down to a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds at its center. Here it slammed in Naples and Fort Myers, doing its worst damage. Five hours later it drifted north near Sarasota as a Category 2 storm, and 5 hours after that it dropped to Category 1 with occasional 70 mph winds when it hit Tampa Bay. Just past Tampa, what was left of the eye of Irma had disintegrated. Also at this point the storm turned enough east to further alleviate the populated regions on our west coast since the worst hurricane damage always occurs on the north and east sides of the storm. 5

6 During the projected "zero hour" when the storm passed east of our home, I marveled that the winds had died down to an eerie silence only to be interrupted by an occasional patter of light rain. Later, the winds north of us were no higher than gale force of under 70 mph. By the time Irma reached between Tallahassee and Jacksonville the storm carried substantial rain in places that caused flooding but wind became a non-factor. The brethren in the state give a collective cry of thanks to the Great God who spared so many from devastating destruction. In summary, 60% of Floridians temporarily lost their electricity. Ft. Myers and Naples may not have electricity for another 10 days. There are still flooding issues there and considerable tree damage plus beach erosion in certain places. Our members seem to be okay but enough inconveniences including safe highway travel may force us to cancel church services in Ft. Myers this coming Sabbath. From Gary Smith - Harvey, September 12: Houston as a whole is in many ways up and running, but various areas are still dealing with the after effects of the storm. For example, my son's home was spared but the office where he works is inaccessible because of the flooding. He doesn't expect to be able to get back in until after the first of the year. Fortunately, he can work from home. A number of large employers and businesses have been impacted in this way. Most of the roadways are open again or will be soon. In regard to local members, here is an update: A woman living along the Brazos River is back in her home and 13 of her cattle survived, including their $10,000 bull. Some chickens and all of her ducks survived. Two rescue donkeys haven't been found. That doesn't mean they are gone for good. They just haven't been found to this point. Her home was not flooded, so she and her family are getting things back in order. A man in Clear Lake was flooded. He thought that the water just got his carpet. Unfortunately, when they began to remove the baseboard and the drywall, mold was found in a large portion of the home. Was it from this flood or from previous flooding? We don't know, and he doesn't either. He has flood insurance and is using that resource to get things back in order. He has moved out of his home because of the mold and will be out of his home until after the Feast. Work on the house should be done by the end of the Feast. Part of the time away from his home will be spent in a hotel. Insurance will pay for part of this. A man living near the church building was flooded. He was out of work for a time because of the flooding. He is getting things back in order. We gave him $1000 to help him in the process. A lady living in Alvin was flooded. She just recently bought her home. The bank said she didn't need flood insurance since she didn't live in the flood plain. Needless to say, she was flooded. In any case, she, her family and neighbors got the carpet out. A day or two later her drywall was removed. Drywall was donated from a member in East Texas and the work to install is planned for the near future. All of the expenses are coming out of her pocket. Finally, a lady living in Humble was flooded out. She had to be rescued. The flooding got her car and her trailer. When we talked to her about the situation she had $42 in the bank and had lost her license. So we gave her $500 to pay off her car note and included money to get a new license. She is working with FEMA to see what can be done. At present she is living with her daughter and has transportation to her job. We are working to get her a car at no cost although it may need a few repairs. 6

7 In any case, the donation from the Disaster Fund has come in handy for those in need. In Christ's service, Victor Kubik Updated UCG Roku Channel is Now Live We are very pleased to announce that as of today, the highly anticipated, premium version of the United Church of God channel on Roku is now operational. Watch live and archived Sabbath services from your Roku streaming device. This new version of the Church's sermon and live webcast channel has several features that the original version did not include. Here is what you will now be able to access: Live Webcasts from the home office. Featured Sermon Videos. Video Sermons. Audio Sermons. UCG Short Films. Jelly videos. If you have a Roku streaming video device please install your UCG channel now. You can find it on Roku ( with a search for "United Church of God." ( As you have opportunity, please rate the channel. The higher the rating the more visible the channel becomes in the Roku channel store. And, plans are underway to have the UCG streaming channel available on Amazon Fire TV in the coming months as well. Thank you for your ongoing prayers to our Father in heaven for his blessings upon the work of the Church. May we use the resources at our disposal to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God with power and effectiveness. 7