 Photo by Amanda Phung on Unsplash In This Week's E-pistle, You'll Find:
This Week's Service: A Stairway to Heaven Photo by Adas Dičiūnas on Unsplash Remember the song by Led Zepplin, Stairway to Heaven? In our story for this week, Jacob, the patriarch, is fleeing from his home. His brother has threatened to kill him. He rests for the night and has a dream of angels ascending and descending on a stairway from heaven. Too much wild boar for dinner? Or, a revelation from God? Have you experienced thin places? Places where you felt like heaven came close to earth? This week we'll explore this phenomenon. Join us at 8:15 or 10:15 onsite or online for this conversation. Please join us, Sunday at 8:15 or 10:15 am in our Sanctuary, or 10:15 am online, live on our Youtube Channel. Message: Rev. Jody Betten Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler 
Two Summer Services - 8:15 or 10:15am |
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 If you receive an email from Jody or Dan asking for money, this is a scam. | For The Week of July 12: Monday: 11-4pm, Dan & Jody Tuesday: 12-7pm, Jody & Dan Claire's Office Hours: Tuesday: 12-5:30pm Wednesday: 10-4:30pm Thursday: 10-4:30pm (work from home) Friday: 10-4pm Jody and Dan will respond to emails during office hours. If you need to see Dan or Jody, please make an appointment with them. Please call to schedule an appointment: Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293; Office location: 88 Spring St., Douglas, Mich. Office: 269-857-2085 |
Two Baroque Girls - All Are Welcome!
Douglas United Church of Christ Presents
Two Baroque Girls in Concert
Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the DUCC sanctuary.
Douglas United Church of Christ
located at 56 Wall Street, Douglas, Michigan.
Admission is pay according to your enjoyment level.
A light reception with refreshments will follow the concert.
Two Baroque Girls in Concert
Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the DUCC sanctuary.
Douglas United Church of Christ
located at 56 Wall Street, Douglas, Michigan.
Admission is pay according to your enjoyment level.
A light reception with refreshments will follow the concert.
Their program, We’re Not Completely Baroque!, brings together soprano Viviana Kloostra and mezzo-soprano Rebecca Russcher for an evening of music that is elegant, expressive, and anything but ordinary. Accompanied by collaborative pianist Todd Wilkie, the duo will sing their way through four centuries of exquisite music, including Baroque vocal masterpieces, German Lieder, and a few delightful surprises along the way.
Known for their warmth, humor, and generous stage presence, Two Baroque Girls make arias and art songs feel fresh, expressive, and deeply human. This is classical music without the powdered-wig attitude: beautiful singing, dramatic storytelling, and a relaxed evening of discovery in one of Douglas’ most welcoming spaces.The concert is open to the public.
Known for their warmth, humor, and generous stage presence, Two Baroque Girls make arias and art songs feel fresh, expressive, and deeply human. This is classical music without the powdered-wig attitude: beautiful singing, dramatic storytelling, and a relaxed evening of discovery in one of Douglas’ most welcoming spaces.The concert is open to the public.
Douglas Social Rescheduled
Watch for The New Date in August.
The Douglas Social that was scheduled on July 16 was canceled due to the hazardous air quality. Watch for a new date in August.
Social Justice - Summer Food Ministry
We continue to be amazed at the generosity of the DUCC congregation. We have been able to fill 20 bags of groceries for the past 5 weeks. We are hoping to sustain this generosity through the next 6-7 weeks. Each bag of groceries contains the following. This is approximately equivalent to $28/bag.
.
* 1 lb bag of dried pinto beans (40 bags)
* 1 lb bag of white rice (40 bags)
* 1 small btl vegetable oil. (40 btls)
* 1-2 cans of diced/sliced fruit (20)
* 1/2 dozen potatoes (3 or 5# bags)
* 1/2 dozen yellow onions. (3-5# bags)
* small tooth paste (20-40)
* a dozen or so corn tortillas.(5-8 30ct bags)
In addition to the Food, the St Felipe De Jesus volunteers appreciate the many T-Shirts that were donated by the DUCC congregation, close to 150. This past week they have requested sun block or lotion, 30SPF.
.
* 1 lb bag of dried pinto beans (40 bags)
* 1 lb bag of white rice (40 bags)
* 1 small btl vegetable oil. (40 btls)
* 1-2 cans of diced/sliced fruit (20)
* 1/2 dozen potatoes (3 or 5# bags)
* 1/2 dozen yellow onions. (3-5# bags)
* small tooth paste (20-40)
* a dozen or so corn tortillas.(5-8 30ct bags)
In addition to the Food, the St Felipe De Jesus volunteers appreciate the many T-Shirts that were donated by the DUCC congregation, close to 150. This past week they have requested sun block or lotion, 30SPF.
Creation Justice - Recycling Textiles ... and More!
Photo by Luba Glazunova on Unsplash
Most clothing, towels, and bedding are NOT biodegradable. A 2025 report says polyester alone accounts for 59% of global fiber production.
If you want to clear out items that are not good enough to be reused, please take them to Goodwill. They bundle the material and sell it to after-market vendors who repurpose the textiles as rags, insulation, and other products.
The Creation Justice Team has a web page, that tells where to recycle batteries, tires, appliances, tech, paper, light bulbs, prescription drugs, plastic bags, packing materials, and more. Also, see Kathy Klage if you have large chunks of styrofoam.
If you want to clear out items that are not good enough to be reused, please take them to Goodwill. They bundle the material and sell it to after-market vendors who repurpose the textiles as rags, insulation, and other products.
The Creation Justice Team has a web page, that tells where to recycle batteries, tires, appliances, tech, paper, light bulbs, prescription drugs, plastic bags, packing materials, and more. Also, see Kathy Klage if you have large chunks of styrofoam.
Campus Steward: Door Code Updates
Photo by Austin Tate on Unsplash
The Campus Steward is resetting all door codes this coming week. If you believe that you need a code to do the work of the church, please contact Steve McFadden.
**UPDATE: The new door codes have not been completely reprogrammed but will be done by July 13. Once completed, everyone with a code will receive an email from Steve McFadden plus a general announcement will be made. Old codes will remain until August. If you have any comments or questions please contact Steve at 773 469 8736 or email. Thank You for your patience!
**UPDATE: The new door codes have not been completely reprogrammed but will be done by July 13. Once completed, everyone with a code will receive an email from Steve McFadden plus a general announcement will be made. Old codes will remain until August. If you have any comments or questions please contact Steve at 773 469 8736 or email. Thank You for your patience!
Interested in the Future of Our Campus?
Do you have interest in the future of our (three building campus)? We are gathering kindred souls to discern where our resources should be deployed, inside and outside. If you are interested, please contact Steve McFadden.
Memorial Garden Update on Find A Grave
The Douglas UCC Memorial Garden is now much better represented on the Find a Grave website. Thirty-two memorials were added, and they can be found by family historians and genealogists around the world.
Find a Grave is a free, volunteer-run resource with more than 265 million memorials. Now that the basic information is in place, anyone who wishes can add photographs, biographies, or other memories to a loved one’s memorial. If you’d like help doing that, Chris Clark can assist—or you can create a free Find a Grave account and make the additions yourself.
Find a Grave is a free, volunteer-run resource with more than 265 million memorials. Now that the basic information is in place, anyone who wishes can add photographs, biographies, or other memories to a loved one’s memorial. If you’d like help doing that, Chris Clark can assist—or you can create a free Find a Grave account and make the additions yourself.
Prayer Requests
July, 12 Service: For two friends who are entering rehab. For Matt who had an emergency appendectomy. For Rich's Mom moving into assisted living. For Tasha and children fleeing domestic violence. For Carol making a big life change. For Kate choosing to not undergo cancer treatment. For Hudsonville UCC for hosting the city's 2nd Annual Pride Festival. For delightful surprises.
Ongoing Prayers:
Anne Hopkins and the family of Jim Hopkins; Bev & Orie Hawkes; Jenny O'Neal (friend of Laurie VanDenBelt & Shirley Lawson); Family of Alan Gibson (Kirsten Stannis's Father); Adelle Van Daalen and the Family of Jay Van Daalen; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's mother); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mikey (friend of Ruth Fahlstrom); Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (C. Blumer's nephew); Muskegon First Congregational UCC
Ongoing Prayers:
Anne Hopkins and the family of Jim Hopkins; Bev & Orie Hawkes; Jenny O'Neal (friend of Laurie VanDenBelt & Shirley Lawson); Family of Alan Gibson (Kirsten Stannis's Father); Adelle Van Daalen and the Family of Jay Van Daalen; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's mother); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mikey (friend of Ruth Fahlstrom); Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (C. Blumer's nephew); Muskegon First Congregational UCC
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
BIRTHDAYS
July 20: Martha Cronin Bolin
July 21: Barbara Muller, Carol Cunningham, Lee Sorg
July 22: Larry Fuerst
July 24: Mike Mok, Scott DeWitt
July 25: Kelly Wright
ANNIVERSARIES
July 24: Elaine & Alton Sr. Overweg
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.
July 20: Martha Cronin Bolin
July 21: Barbara Muller, Carol Cunningham, Lee Sorg
July 22: Larry Fuerst
July 24: Mike Mok, Scott DeWitt
July 25: Kelly Wright
ANNIVERSARIES
July 24: Elaine & Alton Sr. Overweg
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.
Financial Stewardship
July 5 In-Person Attendance : 8:15 = 16, 10:15 = 71
July 5 Total Views for worship videos: 51
Weekly Offerings: $7,795
Weekly Budget: $4,615
Weekly to Budget: +$3,630
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community
and our mission of service in the world.
July 5 Total Views for worship videos: 51
Weekly Offerings: $7,795
Weekly Budget: $4,615
Weekly to Budget: +$3,630
Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community
and our mission of service in the world.
Reports & Minutes
Photo by Justin Morgan on Unsplash
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Want to Add Flowers to Our Chancel?
Photo by Carrie Cronan on Unsplash
Flowers bring life and beauty to our sanctuary! If you would like to bring flowers for the sanctuary, there is a sign up sheet in the Friendship Hall. Sign up for a Sunday to honor a loved one or celebrate a special milestone.
Last Weeks Service: Womb Wrestling
Photo by Luis Arias on Unsplash
During the Sundays of July and August, we will hear stories of lying, betrayal, jealousy, coverups, treachery, kidnapping and much more. We’re not talking about modern day soap operas or the salacious details that regularly stream from our nation’s capital. These are ancient stories found in the book of Genesis, particularly in the 25th- 45th chapters. Last Sunday’s entry was about the birth of twins: Esau and Jacob. How lovely! Well, not exactly. You’d be amazed how far deceit and deception can take a person in life. Then again, maybe we all know that. View Pastor Dan's message or full Service below.
Church Calendar
Photo by Warren Umoh on Unsplash
UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS
Grand West Association Prayer Circle
Photo by Alli Remler on Unsplash
July - Muskegon First Congregational UCC Church
The Grand West Association Council of the Michigan Conference UCC
facilitates a prayer circle for all our churches.
Thank you for keeping Muskegon First Congregational UCC Church in your prayers.
The Grand West Association Council of the Michigan Conference UCC
facilitates a prayer circle for all our churches.
Thank you for keeping Muskegon First Congregational UCC Church in your prayers.
Support for Venezuela after Earthquakes
CLASSES
Qigong & Tea, Tuesdays from 3-5pm
Photo by Jay Castor on Unsplash
Qigong Winter Class
Tuesdays, 3pm - 4 pm
Followed by Tea/Chat 4 - 5pm
Friendship Hall
Led by Kat VanHammen
Tuesdays, 3pm - 4 pm
Followed by Tea/Chat 4 - 5pm
Friendship Hall
Led by Kat VanHammen
Qigong is a wonderful, 5,000 year-old practice from China, very much like Tai Chi. It involves simple movements that build strength, flexibility, balance and well being. It also employs visualization, breath, and mindfulness to integrate the body, mind, and spirit and develop our felt sense of Interbeing. Class is one hour long and involves both sitting and standing practice although it can be done sitting if needed. There is a requested donation of $10 per class but for those of you on limited incomes, any amount will be gratefully received.
DUCC's Afghan Family is Growing
A Used SUV/Minivan is Needed
Photo by Pranav on Unsplash
A Used SUV is Needed. DUCC’s Afghan Family is a growing family of 6 and they have an immediate need for a larger vehicle than their Prius. If you are considering selling a used SUV at a reasonable price, they would be grateful to be considered. If you can assist, please contact Bob (312-636-7657) or Louise (847-800-4236) Kenny. Thank you.
Stand in Protest
Photo by DJ Paine on Unsplash
The protests against Huizenga and the Trump administration continue each Friday from 12-1 pm at 170 College Ave., the corner of College and 7th in Holland. We need more to demonstrate, so please come join us as we continue to bring attention to the wrong doing going on in our country. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Men's Coffee and Conversation
DUCC MEN, JOIN US!
Men's Coffee & Conversation
1st and 3rd Wednesday @ 10am
New Dates: August 5th and 12th
No Reservations
Blue Star Barns Coffee and Bikes
3483 Blue Star Hwy
Saugatuck, Michigan 49453
Men's Coffee & Conversation
1st and 3rd Wednesday @ 10am
New Dates: August 5th and 12th
No Reservations
Blue Star Barns Coffee and Bikes
3483 Blue Star Hwy
Saugatuck, Michigan 49453
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