UNITED CHURCH OF GOD Jackson, Murfreesboro and Nashville From the desk of Gary Petty February 12, 2016 Arrangements for the Nashville PAC are in full swing. Plans are already being made to launch a second series of campaigns beginning in February 2017. Please pray that God will bless these efforts to reach people with the truth. The dates for the upcoming campaigns are: March 20 Indianapolis, IN April 10 Columbus, OH June 26 Chicago West, IL June 27 Chicago East, IL August 14 Cleveland, OH August 21 Dayton, OH September 20 Raleigh, NC September 22 Greensboro, NC September 25 Charlotte, NC Next week will be a good time for everyone to fellowship with Mr. Kubik, Mr. Myers and the Beyond Today crew so we are planning a potluck. I know this creates extra work for the women since it means we are having two potlucks in a row, but this is a unique opportunity for the brethren to spend time with Mr. Kubik. I ve included a study sheet for tomorrow s Bible study in Nashville. SOME REMINDERS Spokesman Club is tomorrow at 9 am at the Kellers home. Dickson Bible study has been moved to February 17. Nashville: What could be better than 1 potluck?! We will have the opportunity for 2 potlucks the next two Sabbaths!! FEBRUARY 13th We will have our monthly bible study this Sabbath, February 13th, followed by a potluck and a night of games. Please remember to bring food to share, desserts, and drinks (tea-unsweetened and sweet, lemonade and water). Bunco will be the main game (open to all ages). The side rooms we will be available for other games-feel free to bring a game that you would like to play. We have enough volunteers to bring Bunco games. We still need volunteers to provide ice. FEBRUARY 20th Then the following week, February 20th, we have the opportunity to host a potluck after services to welcome Mr. Myers, Mr. Kubik and the Beyond Today crew. This will give everyone a chance to meet and fellowship with them. Please remember to bring extra food, desserts and drinks (tea-unsweetened and sweet, lemonade, and water) to feed our guests. We need volunteers to provide ice. Reminder for both potlucks- We need volunteers for ice, teens to help serve and clean up, and remember we will start the food lines with our precious senior citizens. Please stay for Food, Fun and Fellowship!-Sherie Spalding Murfreesboro: remember the change in services on February 21: Sabbath services will be at 2:30 pm followed by the Bible study, potluck and social. 1
Life Lessons: Eleven Lessons in Leadership by Gary Petty When dealing with groups of people in business, churches, communities or families little positive action is accomplished without successful leadership. In his role as Israel s king, Solomon learned many important lessons concerning leadership. Points to build on 1. A good leader seeks God s purpose and direction. Proverbs 1:1-7: The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-- A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 3:5-7: Trust in the LORD with all of your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 2. A good leader listens to all opinions, but is careful to pick counselors who display the qualities of wisdom. Proverbs 11:14: Where there is no counsel, the people fail 2 Chronicles 10:1-17 records the story of Solomon s son king Rehoboam who rejected the wisdom of good counselors and listened to selfish men. His rash actions resulted in the splitting of his kingdom into two nations. 3. Success in any endeavor takes a commitment to hard work. Proverbs 12:24: The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slothful will be put to forced labor. 4. A key to success is to relay information truthfully and faithfully from those over you. Proverbs 13:17: A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health. 5. A leader must strive to be unbiased and fair. Proverbs 17:26 NIV: It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. 6. A wise leader listens to all sides of a matter before making a decision. Proverbs 18:13: He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. Proverbs 18:17: The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. 7. A good leader endures adversity. 2
Proverbs 24:10: If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small. 8. A good leader must always be on guard not to be tricked by lies and flattery. Proverbs 26:28: A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 27:21: NIV: The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. 9. A poor leader oppresses the weak and poor. Proverbs 28:15: Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people. 10. Covetousness is one of the dangerous pits all leaders must avoid. Proverbs 28:16: A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days. 11. A leader s effectiveness is reflected in the people he is leading. Proverbs 29:2: When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people rejoice.. Proverbs 29:12: If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked. Application Good leadership requires a dedication to learning how to lead; developing understanding of people; and the ability to motivate people to achieve a common goal. From the President... Dear fellow servants of God, Family Education Over the weekend of January 31 and February 1, we asked Phoenix, Arzona, pastor Randy Schreiber and his wife, Kay, to come to the home office to discuss the Deuteronomy 6 "Parents First" model for Family Education and monthly youth instruction, which they initiated two years ago. This model is based upon God's direction for teaching children God's way of life. While the church has a duty to support parents' efforts and to supplement 3
their teachings with instructional materials and programs, God places the primary responsibility of godly instruction upon the parents. The D-6 model is not a program, but rather a way of life--24 hours a day, 7 days a week--when you rise up, lie down, and walk by the way. It is the method of "how" to teach God's ways. From left: Frank and Sue Dunkle, Beverly Kubik, Kay and Randy Schreiber 4 We included Frank and Sue Dunkle along with Bev and myself for valuable face-to-face time to review and assess the Deuteronomy 6 Program for UCG Family Education and Youth Instruction. Dr. Frank Dunkle is Coordinator of Ambassador Bible College and his wife, Sue, has been a school teacher for about 20 years. Our desired outcome is to support parents and their efforts in teaching their children about God and developing a strong relationship with Him, leading to conversion. During our conversations, we were able to identify some key areas where we can align our Family Education programs to better tie their themes together. We will use the 2016 Teen Camp theme "Guided by God's Word" as the cohesive connector this year for the 2016 Festival Family and Youth materials and the upcoming 2016-17 Family Study Guides for Youth Instruction. Our monthly Family Study Guides topic will be "Guided by God's Commandments," which will take an in-depth study into the Ten Commandments and how they are the guide to living God's way. Sue Dunkle has volunteered to help design the needed segments of the 2016 Festival materials. This will involve the grades K-8, teen and family festival booklets, class lessons while at the Feast, and additional activities for the younger children. The theme for these will be "The Kingdom of God: Guided by God's Word." On Monday morning the Schreibers gave the weekly focus presentation to the home office staff. They covered the Deuteronomy 6 Model for Family Education and discussed how an awareness and personal involvement by the congregation and home office is important in supporting families. There was discussion and time for questions and answers. After the meeting, the Schreibers met with our IT and Web design team members. They identified the various activities that directly relate to our families (teen & pre-teen camps, monthly family studies for youth instruction, Compass Check magazine, Jelly videos, family weekends, teen study materials, etc.). Our goal is to have a UCG Family Education webpage where all programs, materials and resources are linked or accessed. While some congregations may choose to continue using the older lesson plans which will continue to be available on our website, we want to encourage pastors and parents to give attention to and to consider using the newer Family Study Guides for Youth Instruction. Feast of Tabernacles Coordinators Conference held this past week Finally, from Charles Melear, our Conference Planner, here's a brief recap of the Feast conference held this past week: The annual Feast Coordinators Conference convened on February 8 and 9 via Web conference, and we had 25 connections involved. Participating in the meeting were President Vic Kubik and conference planner Charles Melear, all the coordinators of the U.S., Canada, Caribbean and staff at the home office whose duties interact with the Feast of Tabernacles. This is the second year in a row to meet like this with the intent to save money
rather than travel to the home office. This productive and beneficial meeting was opened with Mr. Kubik setting the tone by emphasizing that the Feast should not bring a vacation mindset, but rather that we are there to teach and learn about the meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles. We should pursue keeping it fresh and exciting and to reach all levels of a family. The Feast leaves a lifelong effect on our children. Other topics discussed were scheduling articles for the Festival Planning Brochure, youth education lessons, site budgets, special music, and suggestions for improvement. One change that will take place is that the Festival Planning Brochure, registration and the beginning of housing reservations will coincide about the same time rather than some years where housing reservations begin a couple of months after registration. There will be a new program whereby members can book airfare, car rentals or hotels traveling to and from the Feast which will also generate a donation back to the Church. It is similar to using Expedia or Travelocity except that any profit is split with the Church. For every $10 of profit generated, $5 will be donated to the United Church of God. Another small change will be the national webcast by Mr. Kubik. The church service on the Saturday Sabbath will originate from Panama City Beach, but when it is time for the sermon, the feed will come from another Feast site where Mr. Kubik will be keeping the Feast. The Feast meetings ended early on both days, which indicates harmony and few problems to resolve. -- Charles Melear, Conference Planner We wish you all a profitable Sabbath and coming week! May God's blessings be upon you. In Christ's service, Victor Kubik Atlanta Family Dance and Singles Weekend: March 4-6 The Atlanta and Buford UCG Congregations are hosting a Family Dance andsingles Weekend the weekend of March 4-6, 2016, and you are invited! The Family Dance is entitled The Atlanta Spring Family Dance, and the Singles Weekend theme is Building Relationships that Last: God, Friends, and More. The singles activities include a Friday night gettogether, three interactive seminars, and a Sunday visit to the world famous Georgia Aquarium. The family dance--set for Saturday evening--is open to all ages in addition to the singles visiting our area. Details for both activities are available at: http://atlanta.ucg.org/announcement/singles-weekend-family-dance-march-5-2016 Please register as soon as possible to help with planning. We look forward to seeingyou in Atlanta in March. -- Philip Aust, pastor, Atlanta and Buford, Georgia 5
Volunteers Needed for UYC Project in Nigeria Good Works and United Youth Corps are co-sponsoring a project in Nigeria! The project will provide staff members for a United Youth Camp taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, from August 21-27, 2016. Travel buffers and minor sightseeing, before and after camp, will add approximately five days to the visit. We are seeking four volunteers (two men and two women) to serve as staff members. These must be spiritually focused individuals who display Christian living and leadership principles, both by word and example. These participants must have a good grasp of what creating "The Zone" for godly growth is all about. Please see the fact sheet and application athttp://www.ucgyouthcorps.org/projects/application.php The deadline to apply is April 15, 2016. For further information please contact Lena VanAusdle at Lena_VanAusdle@ucg.org 6
WHAT THE NT REVEALS ABOUT THE NATURE OF JESUS CHRIST 1. 1 Corinthians 10:1-10: 2. 2 Corinthians 8:9: 3. Philippians 2:5-11: 4. Colossians 1:13-20: 5. Colossians 2:1-10: 6. 1 Timothy 3:16: 7. Titus 2:11-14: 8. Hebrews 1:1-14: 9. Hebrews 2:1-18: 10. Hebrews 3:1-6: 11. 2 Peter 1:1-4; 2:20; 3:18: 12. 1 John 4:12-16: 13. 1 John 5:10-13: 14. Revelation 1:4-18: 15. Revelation 22:12-16: 7