UCG Confesses Income Is Down

Rick Shabi, UCG Treasurer confesses to a 5% overall drop in UCG income so far this fiscal year. 

He discusses this at the UCG Council meeting last week on this video.  However, in the summary report (which is what most members will see) it only admits to "Mr. Shabi then turned the Council’s attention to financial results for the first five months of our current fiscal year (which began July 1), pointing out income and expense “trends” of which the Council and administration should be aware of as the budgeting process for next fiscal year begins. Some discussion ensued in regard to a few unfavorable trends." 

Without them posting the actual negative numbers.  Amazingly, this downturn has occurred during a period of full employment and economic expansion as well. 

From Anonymous source

Living Church of God: If The Sabbath Is So Important Why Are They Holding Rehearsals On Friday Night?

For a church that expects it members to keep Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday night and prohibits children from doing school activities on Friday night, I find it surprising that they are holding choir and orchestra rehearsals on the Friday night before their annual Christmas Winter Family Weekend.  I guess because it is a directive from the boys in Charlotte it is ok. Seems pretty hypocritical to me, but then I'm just a lost back-sliding Laoedician.

Charlotte Family Weekend Update

We again welcome out-of-town guests to participate in the choir. There will be a rehearsal from 5:30 to 6:15 on Friday afternoon, December 21, for those who would like to be part of the choir. For music and more information, just contact Mr. Jonathan McNair at jmcnair@lcg.org. 

If you play a musical instrument and would like to participate, that would be great also. We’ll have a rehearsal for musicians after the Bible Study on December 21. Contact Mr. Marcus McCullough at mmccullough@lcg.org for more information.

Schedule: Some of the events for the weekend include:

• Bible Study (Friday evening)
• Sabbath Service
• Elegant Dinner Dance
• Family Games and Sports Day (Sunday)
• Educational Seminars: Parenting, Teens, Singles, Mature Singles (Monday)
• Bowling (Monday afternoon)
• Dressy Casual Dance, Themed: “Our International Family” (Monday evening)
• Departure (Tuesday)

Living Church of God: Our Truths Are A Mystery To The World

It is still amazing to how the church thinks Jesus and what he said and accomplished is a mystery to people.  Millions of Christians through the ages have totally gotten it, but Living Church of God still searches for the dude.  It is all a mystery to them as they deem the law to be more important and essential that the New Covenant.  Even worse is that they know LCG members are bored by the same tired and worn out message that they have been preaching for decades.  Is it any wonder why so many take things for granted!

Be Thankful for the Truth: The Sabbath is a good time to reflect on an important question, Are you thankful for the Truth? It is easy to take the Truth for granted if you are a long-time member or if you have grown up in the Church. Yet, Jesus said that no one can come to a real understanding of the Truth unless they are called and their minds have been opened to see the big picture (John 6:44, 65). The capacity to understand the plan of God, the purpose of life, Bible prophecy and the true way of life is a gift that God is making available to only a few people at this time (1 Corinthians 1:26–27). The Scriptures state these precious truths are a mystery to most people in the world (1 Corinthians 2:7–8) because Satan—the god of this age—has blinded their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:3–4). Jesus said it is an incredible privilege to be given an understanding of the Truth (Matthew 13:10–17). Paul said that to be called out of darkness into the light of the Truth is something to be extremely thankfulfor. Before you are tempted to be drawn away by some “new” teaching, take time to reflect on and thank God for the Truth that He has allowed you to understand.

Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail