Camp Hye Sierra - June 29 - July 6

The Southwest region will hold its United Youth Camp at Hye Sierra in the foothills of the Sequoia National Forest. Over 100 teens from all over will attend Camp this year in an inspiring setting where living God’s way will be the focus. Activities will include rock climbing, fishing, hiking, basketball, volleyball, soccer, archery, swimming, kayaking, crafts, and wilderness skills. Bible classes will be conducted twice daily and their themes reinforced during the various activities. Thanks to all who are helping make this year's Camp program a success.

Midweek Bible Study - July 14

The next monthly Midweek Bible Study is scheduled for Wednesday, June 14 at 11 a.m.. We will meet at the home of Virgil and Kathy Priebe. A potluck lunch will be served afterwards. For more information contact Virgil Priebe. (The following month's Midweek Bible study is scheduled for August 13.)

Young Adult Campout - August 1-3

The Phoenix East young adults invite you and your family to join them for a weekend campout in the cool air of the White Mountains. Save the weekend of August 1st and start planning for a great campout, Bible study and Sabbath service. For more details, contact Ed Dowd.

Nathan Ekama and Jacqueline Capo Reception - August 9

"Together with our parents we invite you to share our joy and support our love as we exchange vows and are united in the commitment of marriage."

Wedding Date: Sunday, July 20, 2008, 1pm

Wedding Location: Ekama Family Home in Ohio

We know that not everyone will be able to trek all the way to Ohio for the Big Day...SO in order to share our pictures and memories with friends and family in the West, we will be having a reception after services on August 9th at 5pm at Temple Emanuel. We would greatly appreciate it if you would RSVP to let us know if you will be attending the reception. -Nathan and Jacqueline

Talent Showcase & Silent Auction - August 24

The N.W. Phoenix congregation is planning on repeating the Talent Showcase and Silent Auction again this year.  It will be held on the last weekend in August, that is Sun. Aug. 24th. from  2:30 until 5:00 in the afternoon, at the Deer Valley Center for the Performing Arts , Glendale Az. This will be a FUNDRAISING EVENT and the day's proceeds from the silent auction and any additional cash donations will be sent to LifeNets. Anyone who acts, dances, plays an instrument, recites, sing's, even small group skits ... or anyone who can carve, draw, paint, quilt, sculpt, sew, shoot ( that would be photography ) even writing ... whatever !!  We can display most anything for the Silent Auction. Note, any art & craft type item offered as a donation will have first priority on the available space, which is somewhat limited. For more information send an e-mail to Marlyn Reamy.

FOT Children Education - Escondido

We are planning to run a festival education program at the Escondido Feast Site for this coming year—2008.  This will entail two special class times on two separate days during the festival week. Class times will be one half hour before services until shortly before the sermon time. We are asking for volunteers of all ages, but would like to strongly encourage the involvement of young adults and parents that have children in grades Kindergarten through Grade Six. If you are already participating in your local Sabbath School Program or have a background in education that would be most beneficial. We are calling upon volunteers early this year as last year we simply did not have enough volunteers to develop an effective program for our regional feast site. Thus for the first time since 1997 we were unable to have this program.  If we are to make the festival experience a little more real and practical for  our young people, we are asking that you consider stepping forward and “touching the future” by your involvement in this year’s program. If you are interested, please fill out the sign up sheet on the Information desk by the Sabbath of July 19th. - Robin Webber

East Africa Famine Relief

Due to an extensive drought in Kenya and Tanzania during the growing season, our brethren have an urgent need for emergency food assistance. Maize/corn meal is being distributed to our members and their children to get them through this crisis. The food is greatly appreciated and we will insure that faithful members do not go without. Since no government or aid agencies are providing food to our members in the region, Good Works funds are the sole supplier of this crucial emergency assistance. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to this need, please visit the Good Works Website.

United Youth Corps - Camp Kenya

The United Youth Corps has had another fruitful year in staffing service projects around the world. During this year so far, we have accepted 24 young adults to serve in five United Youth Corps projects in the Philippines, Ghana, Nigeria and Jordan/Israel.  Our final project of 2008 will be assisting with the United Youth Camp in Kenya in December. The deadline for application for this project (July 1) is fast approaching.  Any qualified young adults who would like to apply to serve on the staff of the youth camp in Kenya, East Africa, in December should submit their application before July 1! Applications and facts sheets are available after services at the Information Table.

- Doug Horchak/Dave Baker—United Youth Corps

Update Your Address/Phone

Have you moved recently? Are you planning a move? Change your phone number? Know of a new member in our congregation? Is so, please contact Roy Jackson with you address and phone number updates. These updates are important for the local ministry and so your subscriptions and other mailings from the Home Office are uninterrupted.  Thanks for your help in ensuring our member files stay updated!

After Services Snacks - Everyone

The congregation is invited to bring finger-food to set out for after-services snacks on the 2nd and 4th Sabbaths of each month (unless otherwise noted in the monthly bulletin.) Please remember to make your snacks "finger-food" as no forks, etc. will be provided. If you have any questions or suggestion, contact Kathy Earls.

Members' Web Site - UCG has a Website specifically for members of the United Church of God – members.ucg.org. You will want to visit it often in order to stay connected with what is happening in the Church.

Webcast and Phone Hookup of Phoenix East Services

Members of our congregation who are unable to attend are normally able to view or listen to the ABC lecture, Bible Study and Church Service via Webcast or telephone hookup. Requirements for receiving the Webcast include a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. Telephone hookups are best received using a speakerphone, if available. NOTE: Webcasting of our Sabbath services facilitates links with our sister congregations Show Low and Yuma. Additional connections are available when someone's health does not permit them to attend. For information about how to be connected to church services, visit our Webcast page, or contact Ed Dowd.

Phoenix East - Weekly Sabbath Schedule

Here is the Phoenix East congregation's complete weekly Sabbath schedule:

1:00 – 1:40 Bible study. Current topic: "Book of Acts " This series is based on the Ambassador Bible Center series and re-presented by local speakers. It was formerly Ambassador College's "Freshman Bible Class."

1:45 – 2:25 Various Programs including Sabbath School (weekly), Bible study (monthly), Choir Practice (seasonally-weekly), Advisory Council (quarterly), Seminars (occasionally), Sermonette class (occasionally), Leadership training (occasionally)

2:30 – 4:15 Weekly Church Service

We hope you enjoy the benefits of having additional Sabbath-related activities.

East Africa Web

The Web site for UCG East Africa awaits you at www.ucgeastafrica.org

East Africa Assistance

Donations to assist needy members in East Africa and other disadvantaged regions are much appreciated. The home office's "Good Works Program" lists the current projects. You can monitor these projects and contribute to them at www.ucg.org/goodworks

Excused Absence Forms

If your employer or school needs an excused absence form when you take time off to attend the Holy Days, or for the weekly Sabbath, you may request one at any time from the pastor.

Duty Roster Leaders' Meeting - January 17, 2009

Those listed on the Phoenix East Duty Roster are invited to a semi-annual Leaders' meeting and potluck dinner at 6PM on January 17 at the Elliotts' home. Please prepare a brief update on your areas of responsibility along with suggestions for improved service. For more information contact pastor John Elliott.

False E-mails / Viruses

Please be advised that many emails from false addresses are circulating, some with viruses attached to them. Some e-mails masquerade as if from people you know, even our pastor. However, the source is able to fake the use of others’ e-mail addresses in the hopes that you will open the attachment. NOTE: The the person whose address appears in the fake message usually does NOT have a computer virus, nor is he/she sending you one. Rather their e-mail address has been collected elsewhere and is merely being misused by this virus, worm or Trojan. The best rule to follow is: if you are not expecting an attachment from somebody, delete the message!

Free Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware Programs

An excellent Anti-virus program is very important for computer these days! Some of the most reliable commercial programs are Grisoft's "AVG Free" and AVG Anti-Spyware that the company still provides free of charge by clicking on this link: http://www.grisoft.com/ww.93967.tpl-mcr1