WORD TV Network Expansion

March 27, 2013

WORD Network Expansion to Increase Global Reach of Beyond Today

The United Church of God has aired the Beyond Today television program on the Word Network since December 2011. This network reaches millions of households in the United States on cable and satellite (please check local listings for channels in your area). The Word Network has also been accessible via satellite to viewers in 200 countries throughout the world on DirecTV, channel 373.

We are pleased to announce that the Word Network is now available on two additional satellites which will help increase the global reach of Beyond Today. These include EB2 (Arabsat) which reaches over 50 million viewers in the Middle East and North Africa and the Optus D2 satellite which can be accessed by over 4 million viewers in Australia and New Zealand.

Channel and transponder information for these satellites will be available in the near future. However, if you are technically inclined and would like data to manually tune your satellite dish to receive the new feeds, please contact Peter Eddington at the United Church of God home office.

Between the Word Network and WGN America, Internet response to Beyond Today has reached 10,415 from 84 countries and territories so far this fiscal year. Additionally, overall response (telephone and Internet) continues on a positive trend. For example, Beyond Today program “How Christian is Easter?” which aired March 17-23, 2013, generated 1,087 responses. This episode placed 9th in overall response out of 37 programs aired this fiscal year. On the Word Network alone this episode placed 4th in terms of response.

We wish to thank you for your unceasing support and prayers for the Church and its vital work around the globe to preach the Gospel of God’s Kingdom. We will certainly keep you updated on further media developments.

Peter Eddington—Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services

Focus on God’s Work: Media

March 21, 2013

Tour the Media Department

The home office has released a third monthly Focus on God’s Work video—this one by Peter Eddington—about our media department employees who each do their very best in service to God in preaching the gospel of the Kingdom.

Mr. Eddington, operation manager for Media and Communications Services, gives a tour of the department—introducing each employee to our viewers. Putting a “face to the name” of many people you may have heard or read about, but wondered exactly what they do, will help personalize the work being done to preach the gospel of God’s Kingdom.

As earlier announced, the plan is for various managers and employees of the United Church of God to give a report about their area of responsibility that may be of particular interest to our congregations. Pastors are asked to make the video links available to our membership, and most videos will be suitable to play in the sermonette timeslot at Sabbath services.

Focus on God’s Work has it’s own menu selection on the member’s website under the “resources” tab at members.ucg.org/content/focus-gods-work. This is where a new video will be posted each month.

Please feel free to download this and future presentations to get a monthly update on the work being done by various departments in the Church to preach the gospel and prepare a people.

Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services

Helping Young People Around the World

March 20, 2013

Dennis Luker Memorial Foundation

Upon the death of our dear friend, Dennis Luker, on March 14, 2013, and with the support of his wife, LeeAnn, LifeNets is establishing the Dennis Luker Memorial Foundation to continue a legacy to support education for students in developing countries.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Luker is asking that donations be made to the new Dennis Luker Foundation to help these students gain an education.

Denny and LeeAnn Luker have actively and financially supported LifeNets efforts with the Developing Nations Scholarship Fund for years. We would like to keep that legacy alive through this foundation that will help in the following ways:

• LifeNets Developing Nations Scholarship Fund.
• Helping Ambassador Bible Center students from overseas with support while in the United States.
• Helping deserving international students in consultation with the Luker family.

If you wish to make a gift to the Dennis Luker Memorial Foundation, please donate to:

LifeNets Dennis Luker Foundation
1227 Woodchase Trail
Batavia, OH 45103

You can also make a donation via credit card.

Thank you,

Victor Kubik—President, LifeNets and Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services, United Church of God

Bible Study Webcast: “Why Bother With Bread?”

March 18, 2013

The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God is continuing its bi-weekly Bible study Wednesday night, March 20. The study begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and is available live via webcast.

Why Bother With Bread?

Why all the fuss about bread at this time of the year?  In Wednesday’s study Steve Myers will examine the significance of bread in biblical times whether it should matter to us today. This study will be about one hour in length and will be presented in a class room style.

Plan to attend in person, or you can listen online. Also, please note that we have a mobile option. You can view the Bible study using your smartphone.

Steve Myers—Pastor, United Church of God Cincinnati East

BT Daily: Dennis Luker 1937-2013

March 14, 2013

We were greatly saddened here today at the United Church of God home office. Our president, Dennis Luker, died this morning—after a very short battle with cancer.

Please watch today’s BT Daily presented by Darris McNeely. It includes archival footage of some of Mr. Lukers inspired words.

Peter Eddington—Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services

Announcement from Chairman Webber

March 14, 2013

Dear Members of the United Church of God,

This letter is to inform you that United Church of God president, Dennis Luker, died today, March 14. He spent his last physical days residing in his hometown of Seattle, Washington, surrounded by his loving wife, LeeAnn, and their immediate family.

Thank you for your prayers and fasting during this challenging time for them, and for God’s blessings on this transitional period for the United Church of God. Our Heavenly Father’s will for Denny has been made known at this time—even though it is not news that we humanly desire. At the same time, I am reminded of his constant encouragement to reflect on the promising words of Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Mr. Luker knew “that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25) and now awaits the trumpet call with so many other faithful saints down through the ages (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). I know that LeeAnn would ask us all to continue to pray for others who are challenged with spiritual, emotional and health issues—and that God will grant His peace to them (Philippians 4:6-7).

Dennis and LeeAnn, as a pastoral couple, have given 50 years of their lives in service to others. And yes, they truly came as a “couple.” They are loved far and wide beyond our own Church sphere, throughout the entire Church of God community. He brought an enthusiasm for speaking of the always-present love of God and the necessity of having Jesus Christ as the center of our lives.

Denny’s service to the United Church of God had a dynamic impact not just recently, but also in our formative years. He served on the original Advisory Council of Elders in 1995. Since then he has served as a member of the Council of Elders, as a church pastor, as a regional pastor, been part of the Ministerial Services team and of recent years, our Church president.

Please remember LeeAnn, the children, the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren and all their family members—in our prayers that God will grant them comfort in this most challenging of life’s chapters. More details will be forthcoming regarding pending memorial services.

In my role as chairman during this transitional time, I have maintained frequent contact with the Council and the home office operation managers to ensure stability. Now, in accordance with our governing documents (Bylaw 9.5, Vacancies in Offices), the chairman of the Council of Elders becomes the acting president of the United Church of God, an International Association, until a new president is selected by the Council and assumes office.

I look forward to working with the Council of Elders in the presidential nomination process currently underway. As Council members, we appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance for all in the weeks to come.

May the God of peace and comfort be with all of you at this time,

Robin Webber—Chairman and Acting President

Tonight: Live Bible Study Webcast

March 6, 2013

The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God is continuing its bi-weekly Bible study tonight, March 6. The study begins at 7:30 p.m. ET and is available live via webcast.

Gary Antion and Randy Stiver will present a pre-Passover study focusing on being a servant, and the meaning of the bread and wine Passover symbols.

Plan to attend in person, or you can listen online. Also, please note that we have a mobile option. You can view the Bible study using your smartphone.

Steve Myers—Pastor, United Church of God Cincinnati East

 

The Arab Spring That Wasn’t

March 5, 2013

Setting the Stage for Bible Prophecy

It’s not often that we can witness the world changing before our eyes—and even less so when it changes in a way that may be setting the stage for Bible prophecy to be fulfilled.

For more than a year our news headlines have been chronicling the so-called “Arab Spring”—a supposed flowering of democracy in Mideast nations long ruled by dictators. Western journalists, commentators and politicians hailed the popular uprisings that ousted such leaders in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen.

But the Western media have overwhelmingly overlooked the two most important factors in this movement that’s transforming the region before our eyes.

The first key factor they’ve overlooked is what’s filling the vacuum left by the ouster of these strongmen. Most of those driven from power—or struggling to hold on—are secular nationalists motivated by personal and national interests. But it’s increasingly evident that they are being replaced primarily by religious fanatics determined to set up Islamic theocracies.

They’re essentially following in the footsteps of Osama bin Laden, whose ultimate goal was to see the establishment of a worldwide Islamic superpower, transcending national borders, comprised of all Muslim believers. But because so many of our Western media and political leaders don’t understand the teachings of Islam, they are blind to the significance of these world-transforming developments.

The second key factor they’ve overlooked is how these developments relate to Bible prophecy. Scripture reveals that at the time of the end, a new leader from the Arab world will light the match that ignites a new world war, setting in motion a devastating chain of events that will lead directly to Armageddon and the second coming of Jesus Christ.

This is why the subtitle of The Good News is “a Magazine of Understanding.” We at the United Church of God analyze the world from the perspective of the Bible and Bible prophecy, helping you understand where major world events and trends are ultimately heading. And no region is more important to understand than the Middle East, where so much is foretold to happen in the coming years.

You need to understand what’s going on as revealed in the articles “Winter Advisory: The Arab Spring That Wasn’t,” “Will the World See a New Caliphate?” and “Israel: A Nation in Constant Peril,” all in the latest issue of The Good News, arriving in your mailbox soon.

Scott Ashley
Managing editor, The Good News

PS—The world is being reshaped before our eyes. You need to understand the real story that you won’t read anywhere else. Download or read the March-April issue today!