Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

9/16/2024

Photo by Larm Rmah on Unsplash

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

This Week's Service: Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: First or Last -- What Will it Be?
Last Week's Service: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Sticks and Stones
Pastor Jody's Office Hours
THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH -- Learn All About Our Church Groups!
Christian Neighbors looking for a Driver
Coffee Hour Treats! New Sign-up Sheets in the Friendship Hall!
SoulCollage with Ruth Zwald, September 28
It's Membership Directory Update Season!
Beach Cleanup, October 5!
Your Family's Bread? Worldwide Communion Sunday, October 6
Neighbors in Need Collection, October 6
Relativity! A Play and Fundraiser: October 17 through 20
Prayer Requests
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Grant Proposals, Stewardship Drive & Financial Stewardship

This Week's Service: Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost: First or Last -- What Will it Be?

Photo by Dan Plasman

In December 1859, President Lincoln responded to a request for a short sketch of his life by writing: “There is not much of it, for the reason, I suppose, that there is not much of me. If anything be made out of it, I wish to be modest, and not go beyond the material.” This humble statement from a great President! According to the Oxford Dictionary humility is a modest or low view of one's own importance, humbleness." How does one remain humble and yet not diminish one's self? How do we live and "not go beyond the material" as Lincoln wrote? Join us on Sunday a conversation on humility considering James 4 and Mark 9.

Please join us on Sunday at 10am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our YouTube channel
Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, and Max Brown.
Download our Online Bulletin to follow along with our YouTube Service:

online_bulletin_september_22_2024.pdf
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Last Week's Service: Sticks and Stones

You know this one: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." and you know it isn't true. For many of us the power of the tongue can cut like a knife and we know exactly how to use it to hurt those who hurt us. It takes discipline to control our tongues and it's necessary according to James 3, our text for this week. But there's more to the discipline of using our tongues. Our ancient creation story suggests that God created with a word. We create reality with our words. We have creative power and we have to be careful about the reality we create when we speak. Here is last week's service, when we explore these ideas.

Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson

Pastor Jody's Office Hours

Week of Sept 23
Monday: 3 - 8pm
Wednesday: 10am - 5pm (Council Meeting)
Fri day:10am - 3pm

Week of Sept 30
Monday :10am - 3pm
Wednesday: 10am - 3pm
Saturday: 9am - Noon

THIS SUNDAY AFTER CHURCH
Learn All About Our Church Groups!

So many of you are doing beautiful, creative ministry on behalf of DUCC! It's delightful to see your passion and giftedness for whatever is your focus! And as we know, periodically we need to regroup and revive. Covid may have taken a toll on the members of our groups. It can be difficult to get things going again. New folks with fresh ideas are encouraging. We see new guests and want them to know what we're doing. So many reasons to reach out!

Many of you have asked about an opportunity to share the good ministry you are doing so that others may know and join in! Here's your opportunity! On Sunday, September 22 after the worship service, you are invited to set up a table, complete with information about your group, what kind of volunteers you are looking for, and any treats (or balloons?) that you think will entice folks to want to know what you're up to!

Please let Pastor Jody know of your interest. We'll make sure you have a table and a name card indicating who you are. Jody sent an email to the chairs of the various groups as listed in the Church Directory app. If you are one of those people and didn't get an email, let us know!!

Be sure to let Jody know what group you are with and we'll follow through with correcting your info and making sure you get your invite!

Happy showing off your team! Meeting up! Making new friends! Becoming aware!

Christian Neighbors looking for a Driver

Photo by Getty Images via UnSplash

Dick Conrad, the Christian Neighbors' Pantry Administrator, is looking for more drivers to help pick up food in bulk. He needs a driver on Mondays from 9:15-11:30. This driver will need to do some light lifting. A second driver is needed for pick-ups 1-2 times per month on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The monthly driver will load/unload 2,000 pounds in 40-pound increments with the assistance of a lift (training provided). A vehicle for both drivers will be provided. Does this Sound like you? If so, please contact Christian Neighbors, 269-857-1050 or send an email to [email protected].

Coffee Hour Treats! Sign Up if You Can?

Photo by Timothy Wolff on Unsplash

Do you enjoy a conversation, a sweet treat, and coffee with your friends after church on Sunday mornings? If so, please help everyone by signing up for either making coffee or bringing in a treat on a Sunday morning next quarter. Everyone will appreciate your effort & enjoy your treat! The more folks who volunteer just one Sunday, the more chances we ail have for continued fun at coffee hour. Thank you for helping! New signup sheets for coming Sundays are in the Friendship Hall!

SoulCollage with Ruth Zwald, September 28

Our friend Rev. Ruth Zwald will offer her next sessions with SoulCollage. With the excellent response she has been receiving, she now offers two sessions for each theme -- one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. You can choose to attend either the morning workshop or the afternoon workshop - whichever time frame works best for you.

The theme for this month is: The Fields of Autumn: Exploring the Landscapes of Change Through SoulCollage®. Through a gentle guided meditation, we learn and listen to what is changing in our lives, and create a card or two that expresses those parts of ourselves. We will explore themes of gratitude, of harvest, and of things that may be challenging us. Instructions will be provided. It can be a surprising and insightful journey.

All the details are in the poster above. Please note the time options: either 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM or from 1-4 PM.

Please respond to Rev. Ruth through the email above to claim your spot. Be sure to specify if you would like to join the morning or the afternoon session. It is the perfect workshop to invite a friend. Space is limited to 16 participants at each session.

It's Membership Directory Update Season!

It's time to add or update your information in our Instant Church Directory!

Remember, you don't have to be a church member to be included, but you do have to be in the directory to use the directory.

Julie Ridl will be happy to help you update your entries, by appointment at the church office or by email -- just send her your new information.

Of course, if you are using the phone app or the desktop app, you can make changes yourself any time you like! We hope you will make those changes by September 30!

We strongly encourage using the phone app and desktop app, which is always the most accurate and up-to-date, and because it keeps paper and ink and waste out of landfills. If you need help figuring out how to add it to your smartphone, check in with Julie Ridl, Chris Clark, or Mike VerMerris. Or simply ask a friend who's already using it!

We nudge for updates to be made by SEPTEMBER 30 because a few of us really are not comfortable with technology and need print copies. With fresh updates, we will take orders for print versions in October.

The directory is the easiest way to find and connect with your church pals, figure out who's on which committee, manage your committee lists, and find your helpful church council members.

Beach Cleanup, October 5!

Your Creation Justice Team is planning our annual community beach cleanup for Saturday, October 5. Save the morning, and watch for details. If you can help organize the event, reach out to Kathy Klage or Brad Hopkins and watch the Friendship Hall for the sign-up sheet!

Your Family's Bread? Worldwide Communion Sunday, October 6

On October 6 churches around the globe will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion, The Lord's Supper or the Eucharist on World Wide Communion Sunday. In solidarity with our siblings around the world we would like to use various breads from our ethnic traditions in this service. If you have a special loaf of bread from your heritage that you would like to contribute, please let Pastor Jody ([email protected]) or Mike VerMerris ([email protected]) know. Thanks!

Neighbors in Need Collection, October 6

For 2024, the UCC's Neighbors in Need Special Collection theme is “Mental Health Justice For All!” In 2015, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ passed a resolution to become WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) for mental health.
A just world for all is a world where the human rights and well-being of people with mental health challenges are respected, no matter who you are or where you are in life’s mental health journey.

We will be taking this special collection for the broader UCC ministry on Sunday, October 6. You'll see envelopes in the Pews soon! All church donors gifts are matched by our Church Council before traveling on to the UCC.

One-third of the offering supports Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds are used by Justice and Witness Ministries to provide grants to UCC churches and organizations, as well as supporting a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.

Relativity! A Play and Fundraiser: October 17 through 20

A wonderful cast of characters, (church members Jim Kern, Shannon Connell, Virginia Stuart) will be staging a performance of Relativity, a remarkable play about the remarkable (shocking?) life of Albert Einstein. Ticket Sales will help fund our Stewardship Drive.

Relativity is set in 1948, in Princeton, NJ, where Albert Einstein continues to research, advise, and teach. He is 69 years old and well beyond his crowning revelation of E=MC(2). Other characters are Miss Dukas, his live-in housekeeper, and Margaret Harding, a journalist who approaches him about conducting an interview with him. As the play evolves, the mysterious circumstances of Einstein’s first child’s death reveal a dark secret from his past, and Einstein and Margaret must come to terms with the secret and the consequences of his past decisions. Ultimately, Relativity asks “what if?” and provides a probative glimpse into the great man who may not have been a good man.

Relativity is for mature audiences, not because of language, sexual content, or any other traditionally sanctioned element. Teens and college students would benefit from seeing this show. It is a thoughtful, compelling story about adult decisions and filled with intellectually challenging arguments and questions. But, it is a very easy play to follow. It runs about 75 minutes without intermission.

Purchase Your Tickets Online Here»»

Prayer Requests

The Rienstra Family; 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 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 victims of sexual assault, that they may find justice and healing, 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. And for all the people no one ever thinks to pray for.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Birthdays: 22- Laurie VanDenBeldt, 24- Laurie Donaldson, Elaine Troehler,
26-Emily Tieman, 28- Fred Hamlin, Wayne Titus
Anniversaries: 25- Peter Black & Robert Trenary, 28- Bill Briggs & Jeff Chinski

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

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
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Stewardship Drive

Stewardship Drive Giving Week ending September 15:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $159,876.12
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 Pay Into Stewardship Fund Here»»

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, September 15: 90
Total Views for September 15 worship videos: 250

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,929.00
Online Giving: $1,709.91
Total, General Support: $3,638.91

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.