Video: Dennis Luker Gives Update on Trip to Caribbean
March 29, 2012
President Dennis Luker and his wife, LeeAnn, made a visit to see the United Church of God brethren in Trinidad and Tobago during the weekend of March 24 through 25.
View this five-minute video update by Mr. Luker about this very encouraging trip. See photos of some of the brethren and learn about an ordination that took place while there.
From time-to-time we plan to provide these short video updates about visits with our brethren in various areas.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services.
Kingdom of God Bible Seminars — Second Round Begins
January 18, 2012
The date for our second round of Kingdom of God Bible Seminars, January 21, is drawing very near. Most United Church of God congregations are holding their seminars on January 21 or very close to it.
As of this writing, there are just under 2,300 guests registered on our website at www.kogbibleseminars.org. Plus, a number of guests have contacted our pastors directly to sign up.
We have 198 congregations listed to give seminars, which is about 25 more than for the first round. Also, the registration numbers are higher than last time. You can view the full congregation listing at www.ucg.org/live-events/all. In addition to the United States, seminars are also being held in Australia (11 locations), Canada (14 locations), Hong Kong, Ireland, Isle of Man, Kenya (11 locations), New Zealand, Philippines (4 locations) and United Kingdom.
The cities currently with the highest registration numbers are:
- New York, NY (87)
- Charlotte, NC (57)
- London, England (51)
- Dallas, TX (48)
- Manila, Philippines (44)
- Chicago, IL (43)
- Columbia, SC (39)
- Jacksonville, FL (37)
- Cincinnati, OH (36)
- Winnipeg, Canada (36)
- Memphis, TN (36)
- Ft. Lauderdale, FL (32)
The San Antonio, Texas, congregation already had their seminar last Sabbath, with three dozen new people attending. This is very encouraging.
Here at the home office we are praying diligently for the successful second round of this important endeavor.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
“Speaking of 2012”: Member Letter from Dennis Luker
January 3, 2012
Dear Brethren,
Here at the home office we are still elated from the exciting experiences of the recent Winter Family Weekend and the fact that our Beyond Today television program just set a new record out of the 24 programs aired since July 10, 2011. It attracted 1,198 responses. It is interesting that during the time many of our brethren get together to fellowship and give their children and families a respite from the year-end holiday furor, our television program sets a record while profiling the pagan origins of the Christmas season. It is certainly encouraging to be a part of God’s Church and work!
The 15th consecutive Winter Family Weekend was held for the first time this year at the Great Wolf Lodge near Cincinnati. The four-day event represented a great success with 1,100 members in a standing-room-only Sabbath service and 712 attending the Friday night Bible study. To accommodate the large attendance, the staff at the Great Wolf Lodge pulled in every available seat they could find in the conference center.
The extensive Great Wolf Lodge water park and traditional church athletic activities were a major hit with families, and many people attended the Bible and Christian living seminars held each day for both teens and adults. These seminars, a number of which were also standing-room-only, ranged from an open question and answer session with four members of the Council of Elders, including Melvin Rhodes, chairman of the Council, to an in-depth look at the meaning of Galatians 2 and 3. Members also enjoyed taking part in the live production of three new Beyond Today television programs featuring each of our presenters, and a large group relished a formal tour of the church’s home office about 20 miles away. Needless to say, plans are already underway for a return to Great Wolf Lodge for our Winter Family Weekend in 2012.
Speaking of 2012 and the new secular year before us, light snow dusted the region around the home office as the Winter Family Weekend ended, reminding us that we must gird ourselves to persevere through the winter months (in the northern hemisphere) between the festival seasons, and even now begin to think about and prepare ourselves spiritually for the Passover. It is through this commitment to constant improvement that we progress forward in our spiritual lives.
Of course, 2012 has been tagged as the year when the now-extinct Mayan civilization supposedly “predicted” a global apocalypse, with a whole host of purported cataclysms to accompany it. We in the Church know that a specific sequence of events and prophetic fulfillments must occur before the final catastrophes engulf this planet, and even then we are warned that “false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible” (Matthew 24:24 New International Version).
Brethren, we are God’s “elect” as we are grounded in the faith, and Jesus Himself tells us that as we collectively hear the rumblings of prophecy fulfilled drawing closer, we are to “see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6 NIV).
Rather than become fearful and anxious about whether we shall escape some future cataclysm, we are to direct our energies into overcoming—seeking to be transformed by God’s Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1-2). We are told by Jesus, the living Head of the Church, that we are to be “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). This light must “so shine”—it must be seen—“before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (verse 16). That applies to every one of us.
As we think about this and about beginning to prepare for the Passover, I would like to remind you of what Jesus said later in His famous Olivet Prophecy. Continuing what He began in the 24th chapter of Matthew, Jesus used a parable as a teaching tool in the 25th chapter regarding 10 virgins. Christ noted that “while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept” (Matthew 25:5, emphasis added). Half of the 10 virgins had been wise in securing oil—a spiritual metaphor for God’s Holy Spirit—while the others were not. Half were prepared, even when the others neglected to do what was right and necessary. Christ’s point? Emphasizing what He had said earlier in Matthew 24:44, He declared, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matthew 25:13).
Jesus used the action verb “watch” to underscore our need to be alert and fully engaged in God’s plan. It includes the need to discern the times we live in, but it also encourages us to take a look at our own spiritual condition. This word watch echoes the command given to us by Paul in preparing ourselves spiritually before the Passover, where we are to examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:28). The parable of the 10 virgins reveals how easy it is for us to know the right thing, but then to fall short and not do it. We are instructed by James, the human brother of Christ: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22, NIV, emphasis added).
While we have the encouraging knowledge that the world will not end in 2012, we also have this sobering message: “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). This is worth giving some thought to as Christ proclaimed that a major identifying mark of a Christian would be the fact that others could openly see the godly love that Christians have for one another (John 13:35). Is this spiritual love apparent in the observable light that is supposed to shine forth from us? In addition to those in the Church, Jesus told us that we are to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).
These are not easy things to do, but they give us a framework to begin preparing for the upcoming Passover in about three months. Let us renew our commitment to seek God with fresh intensity, understanding that it is not by our human power that we overcome, but literally it is “God who works in you” (Philippians 2:13). Through the mighty power of God we can overcome our human nature and be changed day by day in our hearts and minds, filled eventually to the full with God’s transforming Holy Spirit!
Thank you for remaining faithful to God and for helping in the work of His Church. Your love, prayers, service and financial support are sincerely and deeply appreciated!
In Christ’s service,
Dennis Luker
PS—As the second round of the Kingdom of God Bible Seminars will be coming up shortly, please remember to pray for their continued success in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Live Webcasts: Cincinnati Winter Family Weekend
December 23, 2011
Two live webcasts will be broadcast from the United Church of God’s Winter Family Weekend being held December 23 through 27 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The two webcasts are at the following times:
- Friday night Bible study, December 23 — 7:30 p.m. EST — presented by Matthew Fenchel.
- Sabbath service, December 24 — 2:30 p.m. EST — presented by Greg Thomas.
You may join this live, free webcast at members.ucg.org/content/sabbath-webcast.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
2 Timothy 2 & 3 — Wed. Night Bible Study
December 20, 2011
The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God is continuing it’s bi-weekly Bible study this Wednesday evening, December 21. The study begins at 7:30 p.m. EST and is available live via webcast.
The series on the Pastoral Epistles continues with 2 Timothy chapters 2 and 3. Hear what it means to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and understand more about the perilous times that will come in the “last days.”
Presenters will be Gary Antion and Peter Eddington. Plan to attend in person, or you can listen online with hundreds of brethren from around the world. 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
Cincinnati Winter Family Weekend Event Brochure
December 16, 2011
Those attending the United Church of God’s Winter Family Weekend in Cincinnati, Ohio, can view the information brochure online now.
Start planning which seminars you’d like to attend, your Sabbath day schedule, the sporting events you’ll support, and even attend a live taping of Beyond Today!
Gary Antion—Event Coordinator
Registration Deadline: Cincinnati “Winter Family Weekend”
December 5, 2011
Online registration and payment for the Winter Family Weekend in Cincinnati must be completed by 11:59 p.m. the night of December 17. This helps us all in two ways: attendees can take advantage of lower costs, and our volunteer-staff are able to more effectively plan the activities by having a better idea of how many attendees to anticipate.
Registrations with incomplete payment will be subject to at-the-door pricing at the weekend event. Registrations can be made online at register.ucg.org/wfw.
Gary Antion—Event Coordinator
1 Timothy: Bible Study Webcast
November 16, 2011
The Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation of the United Church of God is continuing it’s bi-weekly Bible study this Wednesday evening, November 16. The study begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT and is available live via webcast.
The series on the Pastoral Epistles continues tonight. We will study 1 Timothy chapters 4 and 5.
Presenters will be Steve Myers and Peter Eddington. Please plan to learn from the Scriptures with us. You can listen online with hundreds of brethren from around the world or join our live, local audience. 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
Update: Winter Family Weekend
November 10, 2011
A very lively organizational meeting was held last Sunday in preparation for the United Church of God Winter Family Weekend. We began with discussing the purpose of the WFW and took suggestions on solidifying our mission statement for it. We had many valuable contributions. You’ll see the finished mission statement shortly.
We are excited to host this event in the Cincinnati area at the Great Wolf Lodge. Reservations are coming along nicely. Please be sure to register at wfw.ucg.org to ensure you have a room at the Great Wolf Lodge. If you are interested, an additional housing location that we are using is the King’s Island Resort, which is across the street.
We are thrilled to know that all is coming together nicely. We will soon be announcing the seminar titles and presenters, as well as the times and locations of all events. Recently, we were able to secure for Monday and Tuesday an additional sporting facility for flag football, speedaway and soccer. It will be just across the parking lot from our main sports facility being used for basketball and volleyball. These sporting facilities are a mere 5 miles from Great Wolf Lodge, so travel will not be time-consuming to and from the sport facilities and the Lodge.
Three dances are being planned and we will announce their themes shortly. Two will take place on Saturday evening. Sunday evening is the free pizza and drinks at the Family Fun Night with the Waterpark. Games for all ages will be organized for those who do not go to the Waterpark.
To assist in our planning, please go online and register for the events as well as for your lodging so we may have an accurate count of who is attending each activity. Please note, you can also volunteer to help with a number of activities, so please login and check the boxes for any areas where you can serve. This will be very helpful.
We have over 30 staff and their assistants eager to help you have a great experience and build strong relationships in a godly and positive atmosphere.
We look forward to seeing you on December 23-27!
Gary Antion/Roy Holladay – Event Coordinators
Announcement: Winter Family Weekend
October 28, 2011
Now that the fall Feasts are concluded, we are turning our attention to preparing for the United Church of God’s Winter Family Weekend (WFW) scheduled for December 23-27, 2011.
We have arranged for the Great Wolf Lodge to hold 200 rooms for us for the nights of December 23 through the 26th—at a great rate far below the retail cost of the room. Initially we opened reservations only for those choosing to stay all four nights. Those who wish to stay all four nights have to make their reservations by October 30 before we open the reservations for individual nights on November 1.
So, if you wish to stay all four nights, please make your reservations right away to avoid not having all four nights available to you. Go on line to wfw.ucg.org to make your reservation.
The waterpark is included in the price and is available on the check-in and departure days in addition to the days you are at the Lodge.
You need to make your reservations soon to ensure having a room at the Lodge. You will also note at our website that King’s Island Resort is also available for you to contact directly and reserve your rooms there as well.
We look forward to sharing this special WFW with you in Cincinnati area.
See you in December!
Gary Antion/Roy Holladay – Event Coordinators
Inside United: Realtime 