12th Sunday after Pentecost

8/9/2024

Photo by Park Troopers on Unsplash

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

This Week's Service: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Nourishing Community
Last Week's Service: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Allies, Advocates, and Agitators
Pastor Jody's Office Hours
Block Party KUDOS and Photo Album
KUDOS Church Sign Cleanup
Who Are We, Really? (It's The Identity Phase of Interim Time)
Prayers for Peace
Animal Companion Loss-Grief Support Group, August 13, 6:30PM, Grand Rapids
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

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: Nourishing Community

Photo by John Cameron on UnSplash

Teaser for this week Sunday, August 11: When do you find you are the happiest? What are the activities that bring you joy? Do you love baking bread for your family? Do you sing and dance freely in public? Do you find deep satisfaction in a good book or a long walk alone contemplating? When are you in the "zone" and time passes without your awareness? What gives you life? These are the questions we'll be considering this week as we look at Jesus' understanding of his way and Paul's writing to the early church in Ephesus.

Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Jeff Spangler, Ryan Blok
Join us in church at 10am Sunday morning, or live on our YouTube Channel

Follow along and sing with us by downloading this online version of this Sunday's bulletin:

order_of_service_august_11_2024.pdf
File Size:	861 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Last Week's Service: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: 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 5,000, it was the offer of a small boy with 5 loaves and 2 fishes who came to the rescue. We reflect on our gifts and the impact of what we can share with others. Please enjoy last Sunday's homily..
Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Jeff Spangler and Christopher Roe

Pastor Jody's Office Hours

Jody's hours for the week of August 12:
Tues, 12 - 6pm
Wed, 10am - 4pm

For the week of August 19:
Wed , 9am-3pm,
Fri 10am - 4pm

Block Party Photo Album

Oh we are so thankful! KUDOS the dozens of volunteers, the donors, the fun-makers who made our first ever Block Party an absolute blast. We had an astonishing turn-out of at least 350 neighbors and friends, including lots lof kids (toddlers through seniors) having lots of fun. Dexterity shown, bravery too, so much dunking, so many marshmallows. Stay tuned for news of our next gift to the community. Plans are churning!

KUDOS Church Sign Cleanup

Big love to Betsy York and Demetrhea Terrien for noticing that our way-finding sign on Main Street in Douglas needed some elbow grease. They made us ready for company!

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

Photo by Planet Volumes on UnSplash

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!!!

Prayers for Peace

Wars and conflicts continue to escalate around the world. Injustices and inequalities manifest as racism, discrimination, gender-based violence, economic disparities, and other issues. As a communal response to uplift these sorrows and support our neighbors near and far, UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson calls the church to a season of prayer.

This is an open invitation to anyone who feels called to offer a prayer to end violence in any manifestation, and to bring about peace. Share your prayers using the People’s Prayers for Peace form on this page. New prayers will be published on this page daily.

(Publishing is at the discretion of the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ and prayers may be edited for content and length.)

See the Prayers»»

Send a Prayer»»

Animal Companion Loss-Grief Support Group, August 13, 6:30PM, Grand Rapids

Are you or someone you know grieving the death of an animal companion? All are welcome to join on Tuesday, August 13 at 6:30pm at Heaven at Home, 1530 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids. The support group is free; however, donations are gratefully accepted. During our time together, we will gently explore all the feelings - grief, guilt, fond memories - with which we've been left and support one another by our presence and with words. Call or text Rev. Ginny Mikita at 616.460.0373 for more information or to RSVP by noon on the 13th. Please bring a photo or several to share. (If you'd like information about the on-line group Rev. Ginny facilitates, please call or text her at the number above.)

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 Isabel 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 11- Shirley Lawson, Suzanne Scott, Larry Spencer, 12- Julie Ridl, 13-Sheryll VanPortFleet, 14- David Geen, Michael Valdez, 16- Mary Fechtig

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.

6_2022_ducc_grant_application_form.docx
File Size:	23 kb
File Type:	docx

Download File

Stewardship Drive

Stewardship Drive Giving Week ending August 4:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $153,374.82
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:

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, August 4: 98
Total Views for August 4 worship videos: 202

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,232.00
Online Giving: $1,690.10
Total, General Support: $3,922.10

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.