United Church of God Set to Open Annual Festival, 20,000 Expected to Attend Eight-Day Gathering

Cincinnati, OH, September 17, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Following the example set in the first century by the early apostles, the United Church of God, an International Association, will observe its annual biblical assembly around the world—called the Feast of Tabernacles in the Bible—Sept. 23 through 30. More than 55 locations around the world will host an expected 20,000 attendees.

In accordance with the example of Jesus Christ, thousands of families within the United States and across the world observe the biblical festivals each year, which include the Feast of Tabernacles. "As recorded in the book of John in the New Testament, Jesus Himself kept the Feast of Tabernacles and other Holy Days as they are taught from the Old Testament book of Leviticus," explained Dennis Luker, president of the United Church of God.

The attendees are part of a group meeting simultaneously in locations around the world, including Australia, Barbados, Canada, Cameroon, Chile, France, Germany, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, Togo, the United States, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

The Feast of Tabernacles represents an important annual reminder to church members of the promise of Jesus Christ’s prophesied return to earth, when Jesus will formally establish the Kingdom of God. The United Church of God celebrates the biblical annual Holy Days, including the Passover, Days of Unleavened Bread, Pentecost and the fall festival season that culminates in the Feast of Tabernacles. As recorded in the Bible, these days and festivals were observed both in Old Testament times and by Jesus, the apostles and the early New Testament Church.

United Church of God members will be gathering for eight days, participating in services and seminars and family activities, and enjoying the many recreational opportunities each festival location provides. Church members make a positive financial impact on the local economies during this annual event, according to tourism and economic development officials.

Additional information about the United Church of God and the Holy Days that the Church observes can be found at the Church’s Web site: www.ucg.org.

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