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In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
What Does Armor Look Like for People of Love?
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Some of the imagery of the Bible can seem archaic, after all, it was written during a different time and in a different culture. Yet, the issues that humans face seem to resonate over history. What are the practices that keep you focused? What is the relationship to the current times of those practices? This week we'll explore some practical, creative ways to keep on keeping on. Please join us on Sunday!
Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler Join us in church at 10am, or streaming live on our YouTube channel here. Download this E-Bulletin to follow along with the streaming service: 
Last Week's Service: The No Matter What-ness of God's Welcome
Pastor, Dan Plasman joined us once again this past Sunday, sharing his thoughts on the prayer of Solomon. Just three verses — a remarkable prayer for foreigners and outsiders, people Solomon’s never met, who live beyond the borders of Israel. This briefest of ancient prayers jarred loose the memory of people who remind him of “The No-Matter-Whatness of God’s Welcome.”
Pastor Jody's Office Hours
Who Are We, Really? (It's The Identity Phase of Interim Time)
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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!!! A Note from Rev. Marty: Gratitude and Dishes!
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Rev Marty writes, "On behalf of my whole family, I want to express our gratitude and appreciation for the prayers and loving care members of the congregation have been sharing with us through cards, emails, texts, phone calls, and wonderful, abundant, delicious food! This warm blanket of love eased the burden of our grief and all that we needed to take care of before, during, and after John’s passing. Please take our heartfelt thank-you into your hearts and know that we will never forget how you were there for us in our need and grief. You do indeed “walk the talk” and are a great blessing not only for us but in the community and beyond."
If you made a food offering, Rev. Marty has returned your dishes to the Friendship Hall. Please pick them up there when next you come to campus! Our Last Feast for the Soul, September 4, 6pm
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Our last Feast for the Soul event is scheduled for Wednesday evening, September 4. Please sign up in the Friendship Hall if you wish to join us! We will consider...
What is your true north? How do you stay focused, on task, moving toward your life's goals? How do you decide what goals to set? What to reach for? What is your why? Just as the answers to these questions may change for you over the years and with different stages of life, so with the life of a church, the answers to the question, "What is your why?" may change, as well. Join us for a conversation about the "why," the purpose and vision, our goals for our life together as a faith community. True North Invites You: The Spirituality of the Drum, September 4, 11am
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Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning. -Diane Ackerman, poet
The spirituality of the drum is about love, about healing and about helping all races come together.- Terry Temper, White Earth Reservation True North warmly invites you to experience a drumming circle/experience led by West Michigan’s Josh Dunigan. Learn about Josh here. Josh has performed and led groups in schools, in libraries, at festivals (Including Art Prize) and at Laugh Fest. His hour-long event will be held on Wednesday, September 4 at 11am, at the Friendship Hall, or if weather permits, perhaps outside. If you have your own drum, please bring it. Otherwise, Josh has drums for up to 25 people. There is a sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall. Be sure to specify on the sheet if you need a drum or not. Or you can sign up by e-mailing Barb Witt at: [email protected]. We ask that you please consider a donation of $10 - $20 for Josh, but it is not required. In Josh’s words, “It’s more important that everyone feel welcome than whatever amount I leave with.” Meal Providers! Let's Brainstorm!
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If you have ever thought of providing a meal for someone who has a need, this is the time to make it known that you would like to share your gift! Once we have the list of those who are interested in serving our neighbors in this way, we will gather for a brainstorming session to share best practices, recipes, etc. Please email Julie of your interest. Even if you think you're on the list, please share!
Beach Cleanup! Save the Date!
Our 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.
MiniGolf Funder for Area Scholarships
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The Saugatuck Woman’s Club is raising funds for scholarships for area students through their Mini Golf Fundraiser! The owners of Saugatuck Mini Golf offer special tickets for $20 each, usable all summer long. These tickets help the Woman's Club earn $15 for each ticket sold. Connect with Lynne Snyder to support local students through their purchase. She will have the special tickets with her every Sunday at church, or give her a call to arrange a pick-up. A great gift for visiting friends and family members over the summer!
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 "Fritz" Royce and Sara Hurley; 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: August 25- Larry Freeland, 28- Ed Korson,
30- Garnet Lewis, 31- Carol Rice, Karen Clark Anniversaries: August 28- Barbara & Dick Lucier 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
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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_grant_application.docx Download File Stewardship Drive
Stewardship Drive Giving Week ending August 18:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00 Pledge Fulfillment to date = $155,274.02 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 18: 96
Total Views for August 18 worship videos: 110 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,217.00 Online Giving: $1,929.38 Total, General Support: $3,146.38 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. |
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