 Photo by James Kovin on Unsplash In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Week's Service: Who's Lost? Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash When have you felt lost? Lost emotionally when a significant relationship falls apart, or lost spiritually when the church of your upbringing denies your presence within it, or lost figuratively when your path in life doesn't seem clear for whatever reason? What if a way that is life giving is only available if we give up knowing the "right" way? The GIFT of being lost is the topic for this week, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Hint: The son may not be the only one who's lost in the story.) Join us in person or online for tips to find the guides you need when you feel lost. 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 You will always find our latest church bulletin and service music at Bit.ly/DUCCBulletin 
Last Week's Service: Be the Miracle! So... what is a miracle? Who gets to experience them? Where do they come from, who deserves them, and who can make them happen? Last Sunday Dan helped us become better miracle spotters and perhaps even miracle makers. Enjoy the complete service online here. Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
Hands Off! Holland Fights Back, Saturday, April 5, 1-2pm On Saturday, April 5th, concerned citizens all over the country are planning a nationwide protest: Hands off! our country. This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, people are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country. A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. Sign on for more details by clicking the button below. Saugatuck Indivisible Meetup, April 7
Regulating Nervous Systems with Kat Van Hammen, April 9, 7pm In these stress filled times it is very important to be able to regulate both our personal and collective nervous systems. Join Kat VanHammen for an informative talk and direct experience of some tools and practices that we can use to help us to maintain our steadiness and peace during times of chaos and upheaval. We will see how cultivating and strengthening our capacities to regulate and co-regulate are truly a deep service to ourselves and our communities and come away with some practical and doable practices that can be applied in everyday life. Kat VanHammen has an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy and is a Yoga and Qigong instructor. This class will be offered on a donation basis. A love offering will be taken to support Kat's work. Lenten Soup Suppers, Thursday Nights Lent is traditionally a time of introspection and reflection. Sometimes that work is done well with others with whom to share the journey and insights. This year, beginning March 6, we are offering a Soup Supper on Thursday nights after the Contemplative Service (which occurs from 5:00-6:00pm in the Sanctuary). Depending on the number of people who sign up, we will gather in the Retreat House (or the Isabel Graham Center) for a cup of soup and a quiet conversation. We will use the UCC Devotional, Into the Deep (available in the Isabel Graham Center for $5 or at this link for possible topics. Please let us know that you are available by signing up in the IGC or emailing Louise Kenny ([email protected]). If you would like to donate soup, you can contact Louise, as well. Please join us for one week or all of them through Maundy Thursday, April 17. A Listening Ear: Empathy, Confidentiality -- If You Need to Talk Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash Everyone goes through rough patches in life. Sometimes stress can feel overwhelming. Thinking that may hold true for members of our congregation, an idea has come out of the DUCC Carers Group to offer the services of church members who have been trained in listening, empathy and confidentiality. Starting in March, Doug Sipsma and Pat Denner have volunteered to be available at the Retreat House on Thursday afternoons from 1:00-3:00. We're calling this service "Listening Ear", but all are welcome whether that is your need, or you want to check out some of the resources in the Library, or you'd just like to share a cup of tea. We're initiating this program on a drop-in basis to start and will evaluate the program after 3 months to see if our church family finds this useful. Remembering Carol Brown, April 26 On November 3 we lost our dear friend and church member Carol Brown, partner of Dan McGavin. Memorial Service for Carol Brown will be held here at 1pm on Saturday, April 26. Interment of ashes and gathering for refreshments and remembrances to follow to celebrate a life well lived. Learn more about Carol's life and loves in this lovely tribute here. Global Spirituality Book Series with Rev. Marty Our increasingly connected world is moving from being separated by various religious traditions into an interwoven global spirituality which connects us. At Mother's Trust on the first Friday of each month from May to November, 4:00-5:30pm join us for a book series led by our own Rev. Marty Reinstra. Details in the document you can download, below.
Save the Date Christian Neighbors Fundraiser, May 4 The annual spring fundraiser held by our friend and neighbor Arthur Frederick will now be held in his honor. Save the date and watch for more information here. This year's funder will be held on May 4. Questions Check with our church members Bert Hallewas and Kirsten Stannis. Prayer Requests Chris Warner (Friend of Pete Wehle); Ken Rans (friend of Pete Wehle); Rich Marth; Christine Kerney; Nancy Plantinga and her family; Family of Jim Solazzo (Anne Hotwagner's uncle); Virginia Stuart; Carrie Andrews, Julie and Jack Ridl and the family of Paul Frederickson; Dan McGavin and Family of Carol Brown; Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Family; Ann and Jim Hopkins; James Higgins (Friend of Shane Anderson and Michael Tuleja), Joe Scarpone (Friend of Tom Fahlstrom); Fred Hamlin; John Kerr; Ruth Fahlstrom (daughter of Tom Fahlstrom); Mary Westenbroek; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother) Birthdays & Anniversaries This WeekBirthdays: April 8- Daniel Dow, Jim McHugh, 10- Jack Ridl, 12- Stan Greene, Ben Greene 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. Battling Power outage! Stay tuned! Financial StewardshipIn-Person Attendance, March 30: 91 Total Views for March 30 worship videos: 112 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $15,745.00 Online Giving: $852.96 Total, General Support: $16,597.96 One Great Hour of Sharing: $567.55 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. Church CalendarDid you know the Church Calendar is published to our Website? Why, yes! Use it to look for space for your event, click on an event to get all the details, or copy an event to your own Calendar. So convenient! When you have events to schedule anywhere on campus, contact [email protected] to make your reservation. Email is best so she can keep track.
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