 Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love We so often forget, in our consideration of these Bible stories, the role of Creation: 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 creatures support life in all its forms in our ancient stories? Who else was there? Watching? Waiting? Anticipating a new reality? Let's consider the gift of the life of our planet this Sunday as we gather. 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 You will always find our latest church bulletin and service music at Bit.ly/DUCCBulletin 
Last Week's Service: Joy The pregnant Mary visits her pregnant cousin Elizabeth. If you've been on a difficult journey, you know the value of others -- to be able to commiserate with those who know your feelings. This week: the value of friends on the journey; and Joy as Resistance. Enjoy! Jody's Hours in Douglas
Christmas Eve Service, December 24, 6pm Please join us on Tuesday, December 24, at 6 PM (either in-person or streaming live online) for our annual Christmas Eve service, when we celebrate the story of the birth of Jesus and sing beloved Christmas Carols. Everyone is welcome! Christmas Cookie Overflow? Are you overflowing with holiday treats? Our Coffee hour team is looking for treats for our two upcoming Sundays -- so now is a great time to share the abundance of yummy things. Just bring them to the Isabel Graham Center for coffee hour, and share the deliciousness of the season! Please Consider: Christmas Fund Giving Every year at this time we make a special offering for the annual Christmas Fund drive. We will be collecting for this offering through December, and will match congregational giving before we send it along to the UCC. 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: 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! 🎵 A Christmas Carol -- Friday through Sunday Performances The all-volunteer cast and crew are working hard to create a memorable show, with all proceeds going to fund Christian Neighbors. Don't miss being part of this tradition! Tickets available at SaugatuckChristmasCarol.LUDUS.com. Remaining Showtimes: Friday, December 20, 2024 8:00 PM Saturday, December 21, 2024 2:00 PM (matinee) Saturday, December 21, 2024 8:00 PM Sunday, December 22, 2024 7:00 PM The Venue: Saugatuck Woman's Club, 303 Butler St, Saugatuck, MI 49453 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. 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. Christian Nationalism Resource Page»» King: A Life -- 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. Here's more on Calvin's 2024 January Series. 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. Reports and Minutes
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; Dave and Shirley Lawson; 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) Birthdays & AnniversariesBIRTHDAYS December 22: Mary Harris December 24: Christine Kerney, Kelsey Whitcomb, Cambria Whitcom December 27: Bert Hallewas ANNIVERSARIES December 27: Anne & Doug Petersen December 28: Sarah Donovan 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. 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: Financial StewardshipIn-Person Attendance, December 15: 101
Total Views for December 15 worship videos: 189 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,095.00 Online Giving: $2,474.08 Total, General Support: $4,569.08 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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