“Beyond Today” to Air in New Zealand
February 28, 2014
The United Church of God in New Zealand is excited to announce that a one year contract has now been signed to air Beyond Today on national television throughout the country.
Our programming will start on Sunday, March 9, 2014, at 7 a.m. Coverage will be on Prime Television. The Prime channel is broadcast via free-to-air in New Zealand and simulcast on Sky’s satellite platform.
I believe God has blessed us with a very good time slot on this national station. We would all appreciate your continued prayers for the complete success of this initiative.
Daniel Porteous—UCG New Zealand
Daniel and Linda Porteous
Podcast: Kubik and Webber Discuss Council Meetings
February 27, 2014
Since our last blog post about the Inside United Podcast by the United Church of God, five new podcasts have been posted by Victor Kubik. Please see the listing below with links to each:
- 026—Council of Elders chairman, Robin Webber, is in from Southern California for the February round of Council meetings. He and Victor Kubik discuss the meetings, working with one another and other Council members, and preparation for the upcoming meeting of the General Conference of Elders in May.
- 022—Earl Roemer is the senior pastor for the Philippines. His update on the Philippine work includes the gospel proclamation effort and the unique advantages and challenges of doing God’s work in the Philippines.
- 023—Earl Roemer returns to talk about the process of rebuilding Church members’ homes after the devastating typhoon Haiyan.
- 024—Lena VanAusdle coordinates the Good Works and Youth Corps projects for UCG. She talks about the real purpose for the Church’s charity work, some recent projects, and how you can get involved.
- 025—Jorge de Campos is the senior pastor for the Portuguese-speaking areas of the world, the largest of which is Brazil. Jorge’s update includes a Good Works agricultural project that will help church members and the community located in northern Brazil.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
Fun & Fellowship in the Twin Cities during Days of Unleavened Bread!
February 23, 2014
Please make plans now to join United Church of God families from all over the U.S. at our 17th annual Families for God weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which will be held on the weekend between the Spring Holy Days, April 18 through 21.
Our theme this year is “The Hearts of the Fathers” from Malachi 4:6, and will feature exciting sermons, Bible studies and interactive workshops, with our special guest, Beyond Today presenter Steve Myers.
In addition to our signature teen prom, “Masquerade Ball,” we will also host a fun game show for the young and young-at-heart, a delectable festive dinner, a refreshing ice cream social, an open mic jam session, a young adult activity, and an optional family outing at the ever-popular Nickelodeon Universe Park at the Mall of America.
The weekend will be capped off with two services on the Last Day of Unleavened Bread.
The beautiful Minneapolis Marriott Northwest will again provide an upscale setting for hundreds of brethren who will enjoy specials and discounts in an all-suite environment with a complementary hot unleavened breakfast every morning for those who book rooms.
- Saturday Festive Dinner, Fun Game Show & Open Mic Jam Session: After sunset, we will host a fun game show for the young and young-at-heart, followed by an open mic jam session. So, bring your instruments!
- Saturday Teen Dinner & Prom: Calling all teens ages 13 – 19 (plus 12-year-olds who will turn 13 in 2014) to this year’s prom themed: “Masquerade Ball.” We expect over 50 teens to join in this memorable event, which includes honoring our graduating seniors. Each participant will receive a decorative mask upon arrival!
- Saturday Late Night Young Adult Activity: A late evening of fun at Grand Slam in Coon Rapids: After the ice cream social, we will head to Coon Rapids until midnight and enjoy unlimited multi-level laser tag, unlimited mini-golf, unlimited crazy cars, four arcade tokens and one batting cage token. This active late evening is all the more fun with friends to enjoy it with! Since this activity is not at the hotel, every attempt to coordinate rides will be made.
- Sunday Activity: Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Amusement Park (Mall of America). Fun for the entire family! Wristbands are good for 5 hours from first scan
For any inquiries, please contact:
- Brian & ReNae Shaw: bpshaw1@gmail.com or (763) 689-2892
- David & Stephanie Mörker: dsmorker@yahoo.com or (952) 237-9816
Families from all over the U.S. will venture to the Twin Cities for a most memorable weekend! Will you be one of them?
Up-to-date information at twin-cities.ucg.org or familiesforgod.org!
Postmark your registration including payment by March 21 to save $5 per household!
Reserve your Marriott suite by March 21 to ensure availability at the preferred rate!
Please send in your registration forms at once! So, do not delay!
—David and Stephanie Morker
Jesus and Reconciliation: Live Webcast
February 18, 2014
The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God is continuing its bi-weekly Bible study Wednesday night, February 19. The study continues at the time of 7 p.m. ET and is available live via webcast.
Darris McNeely, a presenter on Beyond Today television, will be continuing this six-part series in preparation for the Passover with the topic, “Jesus and Reconciliation.”
In Part 3 of Six Steps to Passover Mr. McNeely will show how grace and peace begin with being reconciled with God. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice is the key to reconciliation. The apostle Paul spoke of a ministry of reconciliation when he wrote to his congregations. This study explores what reconciliation means in our relationship to God and our friends. It is an important subject to understand.
Plan to attend in person, or you can listen online. You can also view the Bible study using your smartphone Internet browser.
Steve Myers—Pastor, United Church of God-Cincinnati East
New “Beyond Today” TV Ad for ION
February 12, 2014
Take a quick look at the new Beyond Today commercial produced by our United Church of God video editors for airing on the ION television network. It’s to promote our new Sunday morning airtime!
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
Online: More “Inside United” Podcasts
February 11, 2014
Since our last blog post about the Inside United Podcast by the United Church of God, a number of new podcasts have been posted by Victor Kubik. Please see the listing below with links to each:
- 014—Ambassador Bible Center dean of students, Randy Stiver, explains the topic of the Vertical Thought Bible Class: “Dating True Love.”
- 015—Amanda Stiver, Web content editor for vertical thought.org, explains the purpose of Vertical Thought and you you can get involved.
- 016—Steve Myers, Beyond Today presenter and pastor of the Cincinnati East UCG congregation, discusses the new six-part Bible study series on preparing for the Passover.
- 017—Jonathan Magee tells the story of a recent Good Works project to a Guatemalan orphanage.
- 018—Charles Melear, conference planner for the United Church of God, talks about the annual Feast of Tabernacles observance and the Church’s Feast plans for 2014.
- 019—United Church of God-Canada administrator, Anthony Wasikoff, gives an update on the Church’s work in Canada.
- 020—Roy Holladay stops by to talk about his job as operation manager of Ministerial and Member Services, as will as future plans for pastoral training.
- 021—Connie Seelig, manager of the Church’s mail processing department, talks about work load, volume and the job of physically sending the gospel message to the world.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
“Beyond Today” Prophecy Program Generates Highest-Ever Response
February 10, 2014
“Seven Prophetic Signs Before Jesus Returns” Obtains 3,306 Responses
The highest-ever response to a Beyond Today program, produced by the United Church of God, was recorded last week. Hosted by Darris McNeely, “Seven Prophetic Signs Before Jesus Returns” aired on February 2, 2014. Telephone and Internet response from the WGN America and ION television networks totaled an amazing 3,306. Additionally this episode about prophecy generated our second lowest cost per response.
Furthermore, the program encouraged Internet responses from viewers in thirteen countries and territories including Australia, Canada, England, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines, Romania, South Africa, St. Maarten and the United States.
Finally, we are now in the fourth of our ten week airing test on the ION television network. Viewer’s response metrics are being registered and analyzed after each airing. We anticipate providing you with an update as we near the end of our testing and research.
Beyond Today presenters, Gary Petty, Darris McNeely, Steve Myers and all our media staff are immensely grateful for your continuing prayers. Please keep them coming as we all work together in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God through the powerful guidance and direction of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.
Peter Eddington—Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
Live Webcast: All Things to All People
February 6, 2014
How to Be All Things to All People
Vertical Thought Bible Study
Paul wrote that he had become all things to all people, so that he might win some (1 Corinthians 9:19-22, paraphrased). What does it mean to be “all things to all people?” While Paul had a specific purpose in this verse—preaching the gospel for salvation—this concept is vital in all interactions with others. The Bible discusses various scenarios about “winning” (making progress) in different relationships and provides instruction on the importance of becoming “all things to all people.”
Join us on Friday night, February 7, at 8 p.m. EST for the next Vertical Thought Bible Class (VTBC) where instructor Matthew Fenchel will discuss how becoming “all things to all people” is an important component in all of our human relationships. This live webcast will originate from the Ambassador Bible Center lecture hall in the home office of the United Church of God in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Vertical Thought Bible Class is produced especially for teens, young adults and “young” adults of all ages. Just go to verticalthought.org and click on “Live Bible Class.” Note: please share this announcement with others who might be interested and download the handout that will be posted by start time on the website.
Randy Stiver—Managing Editor, Vertical Thought
Jesus the Second Adam: Live Webcast
February 4, 2014
The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God is continuing its bi-weekly Bible study Wednesday night, February 5. The study continues at the time of 7 p.m. ET and is available live via webcast.
Gary Petty, a presenter on Beyond Today television and pastor from San Antionio, Texas, will be continuing this six-part series in preparation for the Passover.
Mr. Petty will explain why Paul called Jesus the “Second Adam” (1 Corinthians 15). In Part 2 of Six Steps to Passover we’ll look at how Jesus came as the Second Adam to defeat Satan, sin and death. He is Jesus, the Second Adam.
Plan to attend in person, or you can listen online. You can also view the Bible study using your smartphone Internet browser.
Steve Myers—Pastor, United Church of God-Cincinnati East
Inside United: Realtime 