11th Sunday after Pentecost

8/2/2024

In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:

This Week's Service: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Allies, Advocates, and Agitators
Last Week's Service: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Extravagant Love
Pastor Jody's Office Hours
UCC "Block" Party, After Church August 4, Beery Field
Who Are We, Really? (It's The Identity Phase of Interim Time)
Caregivers' Support, August 6, 11am
Next Feast for the Soul, August 7, 6pm
Tickets are On Sale: West Shore Aware Funder Derby Downs, August 17
Membership Curious? Come to the New Members Class, August 18
Prayer Requests
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Grant Proposals, Stewardship Drive & Financial Stewardship

Allies, Advocates, and Agitators

Have you ever wondered if you have anything to offer? To the church? In your community? For your family? In the story of Jesus feeding a crowd of 5000, it was the offer of a small boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes who came to the rescue. He had exactly what was needed. Maybe it's simply what we have - a smile, a kind word, a car, the ability to prepare a meal, the time to reflect and pray, a helping hand, time to listen - that is needed in any particular situation. If we consider the context of the story, and the interesting ending, there is much in it to stimulate reflection on our gifts and the impact of what we can share with others. Join us to find out more.
Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Jeff Spangler, Christopher Roe
Join us in church at 10am Sunday morning, or live on our YouTube Channel right here.

Download this week's Online Bulletin to follow along on our YouTube stream here:

order_of_service_august_4_2024.pdf
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Last Week's Service: Tenth Sunday after Pentecost: Extravagant Love

Last Sunday our church member and Council Moderator Mark Johnston shared an inspirational message from 1 Corinthians 13 (aka "the love chapter"). Mark shared his thoughts on being people who show and share "extravagant love" to our family, friends, and community. Mark uses a mix of humor, personal stories, examples from our congregation, and some life lessons to help us all grow in our faith and spiritual journey.

Message: Mark Johnston, Music: Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson, Nancy Plantinga

Listen to the Podcast Here»»

Pastor Jody's Office Hours

For the week of August 5:
Wednesday, the 7th: Noon - 8pm
Thursday, the 8th:10am- 2pm
Friday, the 9th: 10am-3pm

UCC "Block" Party, Right After Church
August 4, Beery Field

THIS SUNDAY!!! Aug 4th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. we will be hosting our first Community Block Party. This party has moved to Beery Field!

OUR MISSION We want to let our entire community know just how thankful we are for them!

HOW WILL WE DO IT? We will have free food (burgers, hot dogs, and other goodies), together with a Bouncy House, 18 Foot Slide, Dunk Tank, Games, Competitions, Face Painting, and much more.

ENJOY THE LIVE BAND "Random Play" featuring our own Lauri Donaldson.

Encourage your friends and neighbors to come along, feel thankful and silly, enjoy the best of Summer in our Villages!

Who Are We, Really?
(It's The Identity Phase of Interim Work)

,Have you wondered where the members of Douglas UCC come from? How far is the reach of our beautiful faith community?

In the Friendship Hall, there are two maps of the area on bulletin boards. On the map of Southwest Michigan we intend to capture the residences of those who live beyond the Saugatuck Douglas area. Please use a push pin of any color to locate your home (one pin per household, please). On the map of Saugatuck Douglas we intend to capture those of you who live within the village's boundaries (also one pin per household please).

Also, please count the number of churches you can see that you pass by on your way to service on Sunday morning and record that number with your name on the clipboard by the maps. There may be a prize for the person(s) who pass the most!

What about our religious traditions? Are you curious where people come from on their faith journey? On the third bulletin board is a tree of historical faith traditions. Place a push pin (any color) on the original faith tradition of your spiritual journey. Each person please share.

We also will be capturing info regarding the churches in our neighborhood. Typically churches feel as though they are competing for members, but maybe we could imagine which of them might be a partner in ministry.

Watch for the results of our polls!!!

Caregivers' Support, August 6, 11am

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash

Caregiving for a loved one is challenging work - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Often, the only person who can offer understanding and support is another caregiver. Someone who can share experience and learning, and give us strength to continue our journey.

If you are a caregiver, join us at the Retreat House, August 6, at 11am. Come as you are (bring a sweet treat if you wish) and you will be welcomed with a hot cup of coffee or tea and an opportunity for caring and sharing.

No sign up needed. Our schedule as caregivers needs to be really flexible. Just show up when you can. Rev. Marty and other caregivers will be waiting to embrace and support you.

Next Feast for the Soul, August 7, 6pm

Photo by @felipepelaquim on Unsplash

Feast for the Soul - August 7, 6pm - Connections - Part of our Interim work is to be reminded of the connections that nurture our ministry as a church. What do we know about the United Church of Christ? The Michigan Conference? The Grand West Association? How about the various other nonprofits in our community? Who have we given grants to from the Isabel Graham Grant Fund? Who else is giving money away? Which organizations might we partner in more comprehensive ways? What other connections might we think about that could bring benefits to both parties? Please join us for this fun and enlightening conversation, not to mention delicious food and nurturing company!

Tickets are On Sale: West Shore Aware Funder Derby Downs, August 17

Get Your Tickets Here»»

Membership Curious? Come to the New Members Class, August 18

Photo by Belinda Fewings on UnSplash

We'll be holding a New Members class on August 18, after church at the Isablel Graham Center. If you're membership-curious, or have been a member, but want a refresher, or not at all sure if you'd like to be a member, but want more information before you decide -- all are welcome. Come learn about the church, its history, its approach. And lunch will be served! Register by signing up in the Friendship Hall, or drop Julie Ridl a note

Prayer Requests

Karen Clement (Friend of Debra Carr's); Ann and Jim Hopkins; Sally LaRowe (Linda Charvat's friend); Janice Campbell children & grandchildren (Pete Wehle's friends); Tim Mikita (Ginny Mikita's Father); James Higgins (Friend of Shane Anderson and Michael Tuleja), Joe Scarpone (Friend of Tom Fahlstrom); Fred "Fritz" Royce and Sara Hurley; Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Family; Fred Hamlin; Carol Brown and Dan McGavin; John Kerr; Dave and Shirley Lawson; Ruth Fahlstrom (daughter of Tom Fahlstrom); Nancy Grib (Friend of Pamela Chappell); Stuart Family; Mary Westenbroek; Brian Aikens; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother)

Prayers for all in the military and their families; all who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; for our Pastoral Search Team, our Church Transition Team, our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays: August 5- Paul Kerney, 9-Bob Kenny, 10-Brian Tubergen
Anniversaries: August 6- Shane Anderson & Michael Tuleja

Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can reach out to one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory.

Grant Proposals

Photo by Michele Henderson on UnSplash.

Know a worthy non-profit in need of some financial support? Download and send them the application below, or connect with any member of our Grant Proposal Team. You'll find them here.

ducc_6_2022_grant_application.pdf
File Size:	79 kb
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Stewardship Drive

Stewardship Drive Giving Week ending July 28:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $152,680.55
Thank you to all who pledged toward our Campus Stewardship Drive. Weekly Stewardship Drive totals are posted here and on the giant ‘thermometer’ poster in the Friendship Hall. If you have not received a pledge card, you can pick one up in the Friendship Hall. Or you can help us reach our goal of $275,000 by giving online here:

Pledge or Give Online Now»»

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, July 28: 96
Total Views for July 28 worship videos: 140

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $6,874.00
Online Giving: $952.80
Total, General Support: $7,826.80

Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service in the world. Please consider giving online, which is easily done by
texting your donation amount to 844-931-2849.