First Sunday of Christmas

Photo from the New York Public Library on Unsplash

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

• This Week's Service: First Sunday of Christmas: The Gifts of the Holy Family
• Last Week's Services: Fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
• Jody's Hours in Douglas​
• Christmas Cookie Overflow?
• ​“Business??!! Mankind was my business!!!"
• Please Consider: Christmas Fund Giving
• Calling All Harmony Enthusiasts  🎶
• SJT Presents: "How to End Christian Nationalism," begins Jan 9, 5:30pm
• SoulCollage, January 11
• King: A Life -- with author Jonathan Eig, Jan 20, Noon
• Restorative Circle Facilitator Training: January 23-24
• Minutes and Reports
• Prayer Requests
• Birthdays & Anniversaries
• Financial Stewardship

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First Sunday of Christmas:
​The Gifts of the Holy Family 

Photo by Patti Black on Unsplash

The story of Christmas is OUR story; a story of how love comes to us -- from the edges of society, an unwed mother. From the underbelly, the poorest of the poor, the shepherds. From the outsider, the foreigner, the Wise Ones, from the East. When have you received love or compassion or mercy or an unexpected gift from a surprising place?  Join us on Sunday as we imagine the Holy Family and the gifts they bring.  

Please join us on Sunday at 10am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our YouTube channel.
Message: Jody Betten
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson
You will always find our latest church bulletin and service music at Bit.ly/DUCCBulletin

ducc_online_program_december_29_2024.pdf
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Last Week's Services: Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas Eve Candlelight Service.

Last week we considered the role of Creation in the Christmas Story -- The donkey that surely supported Mary and Joseph as they traveled. The creatures in the stable that gave up their manger for the baby. The sheep in the care of the shepherds. The camels that presumably accompanied the Wise Ones as they followed the star. The star and the regular cycles of life and death that fill the whole universe, not just the human travails. What were these gifts that supported this new life in the world?
Message: Jody Betten
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler

Fourth Sunday of Advent on YouTube»»

Please enjoy our annual Christmas Eve service, when we say and sing the story of the holy family's journey and the birth of Jesus. With special thanks to our host, Rev. Jody Betten, our Christmas Choir and their director, Stan Greene, our Music Team, Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, and Lauri Donaldson, and our many readers.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service»»

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Pastors' Hours in Douglas​ 

photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash

From December 30 through January 13, Revs Jody and Dan will be on vacation. 
Please call the church office in case of emergency. 

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Christmas Treat Overflow? Here to Help!

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Are you awash in holiday treats? Our Coffee hour team is looking for treats for this Sunday -- so now is a great time to share your abundance of yummy things. Just bring them to the Isabel Graham Center for coffee hour on Sunday and share the deliciousness of the season! 

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“Business??!! Mankind was my business!!"

"...The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”            — Jacob Marley, A Christmas Carol

Dear Friends,
It fills me with immense joy to announce that this past season of A Christmas Carol has raised an extraordinary $24,000 for Christian Neighbors. This incredible gift will provide, as Dickens so beautifully put it, “food and drink and means of warmth” to those in need during this cold and often difficult time of year.

In my 21 years with this production, I am thrilled to share that this is the highest total we have ever raised. This remarkable milestone was only possible because of the generosity and spirit of our community—a community that not only treasures the arts but also exemplifies compassion and care for its neighbors.

Your support of local theater and Christian Neighbors is a testament to the power of kindness and the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause. To everyone who attended, contributed, or supported this endeavor in any way: thank you from the bottom of my heart! You have reminded us all of the true meaning of the season—sharing light, hope, and love with those around us. May this season of giving inspire us to continue spreading warmth and joy, now and throughout the year to come. With deepest gratitude,
Peter Black

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​Please Consider: Christmas Fund Giving 

Every year at this time we make a special offering for the United Church of Christ's annual Christmas Fund drive. We will be collecting for this offering through the end of December, and will match congregational giving before we send it along to the UCC.

This year we gave out the purple envelopes early in the month. You may use these envelopes or any envelope, or no envelope at all! Simply mark your gift for the "2024 Christmas Fund," and drop it in the collection plate, or at the office, or mail it to us. You may also make your gift online by hitting the button below and following the instructions. 

The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for more than 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees.

​As always, your generosity this season is so appreciated! If you wish to give to this fund but can't make Sunday's service, you can make an offering online here:

Give to the Christmas Fund»»

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​Calling All Harmony Enthusiasts  🎶 

Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash

​Great news! You asked, and we listened! Some of you have been asking for harmony versions of the new songs we sing, and we’ve heard you loud and clear. While fitting all those beautiful harmonies onto a small handout has been a challenge (tiny notes, anyone?), we’ve found a solution! Starting this Sunday, large-print SATB versions (when offered) will be available
for you in the narthex (the church entry). Whether you’re a soprano, alto, tenor, or bass —or just want to sing along in style—these new arrangements are your ticket to elevating our congregational singing to new heights. So, come grab your copy, and let’s make a joyful (harmonious) noise together! 🎵

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SJT Presents: "How to End Christian Nationalism," begins Jan 9, 5:30pm 

​Our Social Justice Team invites everyone in the church, and anyone from the community to join an 8-week book read starting on Thursday, January 9 at 5:30pm. The book is titled, How to End Christian Nationalism, by Amanda Tyler, and is available at your favorite bookseller. As background for the discussion, the SJT team points to two documentaries available to stream on Netflix called "God and Country," and "The Family," with the same theme. We will share news of location soon. Sign up to join in, in the Isabel Graham Center, 5:30pm, eight consecutive Thursdays ,at the Isabel Graham Center, beginning January 9.
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NEW: If you would like to do more exploring of this topic, we are compiling a Resource Page with other books, articles, documentaries and podcasts. Here's a link to the live resource. If you can recommend other media to add, please let Julie in the office know.

resource_page.pdf
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SoulCollage, January 11

Ruth Zwald's SoulCollage® workshops for 2025 begin January 11, with the creative opportunity to use SoulCollage® to help set your intention for the new year.  Visualizing your goals and hopes for the year ahead will assist you in keeping that focus. There are two upcoming opportunities.  The first workshop is scheduled for Saturday, January 11, choosing either a morning workshop from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM or an afternoon workshop from 1 PM -4:00 PM, hosted in the Isabel Graham Center at 88 Spring Street.  All the details are in the poster above. The workshop is designed for those new to SoulCollage, as well as those with SoulCollage experience.  Just RSVP to Ruth for either the morning or afternoon event.

The second opportunity is at The Dominican Center in Grand Rapids on Saturday, February 8 from 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM.  Here is a link for that event:
https://www.grdominicans.org/program-retreat/soulcollage-winter-wonderings/

Space is limited at both events, so register soon! 

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​King: A Life -- with Author Jonathan Eig, Jan 20, Noon 

On ​Martin Luther King Day, January 20, Calvin University's January Series (free to attend and to watch online) kicks off with a talk from 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathon Eig, author of King: A Life. Church member Karen Clark is organizing a viewing of talk at the Isabel Graham Center, 88 Spring Street in Douglas. The program will be broadcast from 12:30 to 1:30pm. Doors will be open at noon. Bring a friend. Let's learn more about this remarkable man's life, together.

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​Restorative Circle Facilitator Training: January 23-24 

January 23-24 from 9am-4pm at Lavender House in Holland, MI. 

We are living in a fractured society where conflict and division is tearing at the social fabric. This two-day training is for anyone who is eager to actively build strong communities, families, work environments and faith communities. You will learn how to communicate and collaborate during times of conflict or even just around different points of view. You will develop skills that can be put to practice immediately in informal ways and will also learn how to facilitate a formal restorative circle as well. Registration is limited to 12 so be sure to register early. You can register with this 

​Registration Link: tinyurl.com/RCTrainingJan2025 or for more information about restorative circles go to HollandRestorativeCircles.org. ​

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​Prayer Requests 

Family of Nancy Grib; Paul and Carrie (Julie Ridl's brother-in-law and sister); Bev Hawkes; Dan McGavin and Family of Carol Brown; Barbara Lindsay (Lewis Corbin’s Bridge Partner); Rev. Marchiene 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); 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); Stuart Family; Mary Westenbroek; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy’s Mom);  Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother)

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​Birthdays & Anniversaries 

BIRTHDAYS
December 29: Todd L. Smith
December 30: Scott Bryers, Tom Fahlstrom
December 31: Jan DeVries
January 4; Greg Gerrans

ANNIVERSARIES 
December 29: Nicole & Doug LaCroix
January 2: Doreen & Tamara Ritt

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.​

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Stewardship Drive  

$236,559.32 in fulfilled pledges
$84,050.00 in outstanding pledges paying on installments
$320,180.00 Total toward our goal of $325,000

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  by giving online here:​

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​Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, December 22: 80
​Total Views for December 22 worship videos: 258

​Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $3,780.00
Online Giving: $1,741.47
Total, General Support: $5,521.47
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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.