Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

10/2/2026

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

This Week's Service: The Big Ten
Jody, Dan's Office Hours This Week: Jody & Dan on vacation, for emergencies contact Linda Knieriemen or Jim DeVries
Neighbors in Need UCC - Advocacy & Justice Ministries October 4 Offering
Your Family's Bread? World Communion Sunday, October 4
Blessing of Pets at Beery Field, This Sunday October 4
Let's Celebrate Laurie VanDen Beldt, October 18
Social Justice - DUCC Welcomes League of Women Voter, October 22
Prayer Requests
Birthdays & Anniversaries This Week
Financial Stewardship
Want to Add Flowers to Our Chancel?
Last Week's Service: Becoming Refugia
Church Calendar

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Michigan Conference Annual Meeting in Grand Blanc UCC, October 2 & 3
Grand West Association Prayer Circle, Plymouth UCC

CLASSES

Qigong & Tea! Tuesdays at 3pm, Friendship Hall

COMMUNITY EVENTS

October is "SOUP-TOBER", Food Pantry Getting Ready for Winter
Art Coast Performers Presents: Talking Heads! October 16, 17 & 18
Out on the Lakeshore, Building Belonging All Year Long
Stand in Protest - Holland, Fridays from 12-1pm
Men's Coffee and Conversation

This Week's Service: The Big Ten

Photo by Dan Plasman

Two themes come together this Sunday. World Wide Communion, first observed in 1933, is
celebrated on the first Sunday in October. With Protestant churches near and far, we
acknowledge our similarities more than our differences, that which unites us rather than those
things that divide us. The reading from the Hebrew scriptures comprise the Ten
Commandments, or as some would like to think: The Ten Suggestions. Do those ancient laws
still have the capacity to shape our lives for today? Or is it time to revise them?

Please join us, Sunday at 10:00 am in our Sanctuary, online, live on our Youtube Channel.
Message: Rev. Jody Betten
Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler

DUCC Bulletin/Hymns October 2026
File Size:	977 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Jody, Dan & Claire's Office Hours This Week

Photo by Dan Plasman

JIM'S EMAIL

LINDA'S EMAIL

For The Week of October 4:
*Jody & Dan on vacation, for emergencies contact Linda Knieriemen or Jim DeVries.

Claire's Office Hours:
Monday: 12-4pm
Tuesday: 9-4pm
Wednesday: 10-5pm (work from home)
Thursday: 9-4pm

Dan and Jody each work half time. Some of their hours each week are worked in their home office. Some of their hours are spent in Douglas. Some of their hours in Douglas are in the office and some are in the community. If you would like to meet with one of them, please contact them directly by text or email to set up a time.
Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293;

If you receive an email from Jody or Dan asking for money, this is a scam.

Neighbors in Need UCC Offering
Advocacy & Justice Ministries

Envelopes are in the Sanctuary for Neighbors in Need offering.
Place donations in the offering plate during Sunday service.
You can also mail or drop off donations at DUCC office.

World Communion Sunday
This Sunday October 4, Join Us!

Photo by Caglar Oskay on Unsplash

Sunday, when we celebrate our connection to the world-wide community of faith.

In a show of our various traditions, we invite you to contribute a loaf of bread which represents your family or heritage in some way, for our Communion Celebration and Coffee Hour.
Please let us know if you are available to contribute a bread for communion/coffee hour or a spread for coffee hour. Thanks! Jody, or Mike VerMerris

JODY'S EMAIL

MIKE'S EMAIL

7th Annual Blessing of the Pets, October 4

Blessing of the Pets
October 4, 2026 at 2pm
Located at Beery Field
8 E. Center, Douglas, Michigan

Please join us.
If you are unable to bring your pet, you can bring a photo. Please make sure pets are leashed, or in a carrier for everyone's safety.

Photo by Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash

Let's Celebrate Laurie VanDen Beldt!
Sunday, October 18!

On Sunday, October 18 during the coffee hour,
we will honor Laurie Vanden Beldt
for her contribution to the ministry of DUCC as custodian.

There will be a time for sharing memories and appreciation.
There will also be a box for cards and monetary gifts if you are so inclined.
Please plan to attend!

Laurie Vanden Beldt has ably served Douglas UCC as Custodian for 14 years. Since 2012, Laurie has kept all the buildings of our campus - the Sanctuary, Friendship Hall, Isabel Graham Center and Retreat House - clean and safe. She has an attention to detail that means she goes above and beyond, doing things that aren't necessarily in the job, like placing the offering plates back where ushers can find them each week. She is concerned with creation care and so takes great pride in managing the recycling even if it means cleaning items of food scraps when people misplace their waste. There are many ways that the things Laurie has done go unseen. The fact that you don't notice them is a testimony to her care for our beloved church. You probably know of ways that Laurie has been instrumental in facilitating the cleanliness of this place or memories of interactions with Laurie.

Social Justice - DUCC Welcomes
League of Women Voters, October 22

Social Justice Team of Douglas UCC Welcomes the League of Women
Voters of Holland
October 22 at 6:30 pm
in our Friendship Hall

We will discuss the propositions on our November ballots, talk about the implications for using the popular vote in future elections, and answer questions on recent court rulings and implications for voting in November.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organizations that works to empower voters and defend democracy. They study issues, but do not support any political candidates.

This is a good time to ask questions about any voting procedures that are confusing and ensure that your vote counts!
Please plan to join us for an informative presentation. Your vote matters!

Prayer Requests

September 27 Service: For the family of Bill Klatt who passed away, for Bill Klatt’s husband Jim McHugh, both long time members of DUCC, for the family of Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister) who passed away Saturday, for Elinor’s partner Craig & son Judd, for Pam C. that the house in Manton sells.

Ongoing Prayers: Bill Klatt (Jim McHugh's husband); Hugo, Carmen & Hannah (Greg & Kris Sherman's family); Anne Hopkins and the family of Jim Hopkins; Bev & Orie Hawkes; Jenny O'Neal (friend of Laurie VanDenBelt & Shirley Lawson); Adelle Van Daalen and the Family of Jay Van Daalen; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's mother); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mikey (friend of Ruth Fahlstrom); Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (C. Blumer's nephew); Plymouth Congregational UCC

Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week

BIRTHDAYS
October 5: Stanlee III (Duke) Greene

ANNIVERSARIES
October 4: Marjorie & Mark Reiman
October 6: Bernie Lopata & Carol Rice
October 7: Linda & Rich Marth

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.

Financial Stewardship

September 20 Onsite Attendance : 66
September 20 Total Online Views: 97

Total Offerings: $1,357
SPS Family Support Drive: $250
Retreat House: $75
Soul Collage: $200

Thank you!!
Your generous giving allows us to sustain our church community
and our mission of service in the world.

Want to Add Flowers to Our Chancel?

Flowers bring
life and beauty to our sanctuary!

If you would like to bring flowers for the sanctuary, there is a sign up sheet in the Friendship Hall.
Sign up for a Sunday to honor a loved one or celebrate a special milestone.

Photo by Ginger Jordan on Unsplash

Last Weeks Service: Becoming Refugia

Photo by Sandie Clarke on Unsplash

Last Sunday Pastor Jody guided us in exploring how we can nurture spaces of healing, belonging, an joy - together. Watch the replay and reflect with us.

FULL SERVICE

JODY'S MESSAGE

Church Calendar

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

EXPLORE THE CALENDAR

UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Michigan Conference Annual Meeting
Grand Blanc UCC, October 2 & 3

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Grand West Association Prayer Circle

Photo by Dan Freeman on Unsplash

October
Plymouth UCC Church

The Grand West Association Council of the Michigan Conference UCC
facilitates a prayer circle for all our churches.
For the month of October please keep Plymouth UCC in your prayers.
Thank you.

Plymouth UCC

CLASSES

Qigong & Tea, Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 3-6pm

Photo by Brad Switzer on Unsplash

Qigong October 6 Class
Tuesday, 3-6pm
Friendship Hall
Led by Kat VanHammen

Qigong is a wonderful, 5,000 year-old practice from China, very much like Tai Chi.
It involves simple movements that build strength, flexibility, balance and well being.
It also employs visualization, breath, and mindfulness to integrate the body, mind,
and spirit and develop our felt sense of Interbeing.

Class is about one hour long involves both sitting and standing practice although it can be done sitting if needed. Requested donation of $10 per class but for those of you on limited incomes, any amount will be gratefully received.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Art Coast Performers Presents - Talking Heads!

Tickets will also be available for purchase at each performance at the venue.

Talking Heads first performed in 1982 on the BBC with a total of 14 installments. Among the luminaries performing for the series were Maggie Smith and Patricia Routledge. Each installment featured one actor performing a monologue about a character with a challenging problem or dilemma to overcome. The narratives are instantly compelling, sad, and humorous, and they have found a life on the stage since their television debut.

The Art Coast Performers will feature three of the monologues:
A Cream Cracker Under the Settee, performed by Virginia Stuart of Saugatuck, involves Doris, an elderly woman living alone with some supervision. Doris is one fall away from placement in a nursing facility, and, unfortunately, that fall just occurred forcing Doris to face the consequences of taking a risk.

A Bed among the Lentils, performed by Shannon Connell of Fennville, is the story of Susan, a vicar’s wife whose drinking problem creates funny situations and inappropriate decisions. As she spirals downward, she encounters an unlikely savior whose quiet influence forces her to confront her demon.

A Chip in the Sugar, performed by Jim Kern of Fennville, is about an older man, Graham, who lives with and dotes on his mother. A paranoid schizophrenic, Graham comes apart when Mother meets an old flame from her past, ultimately threatening the relationship she has with Graham.

Dedicated to presenting small cast, one set plays with compelling characters and themes,
Art Coast Performers intends to expand on experiences available in the Art Coast. In 2025, the group presented Relativity by Mark St. Germain to critical acclaim. In addition to plays, Art Coast Performers hosted Tango 21 Dance Theater of Chicago at Saugatuck Women’s Club
and at the Holland Area Arts Council.

October is "SOUP-TOBER"!

Christian Neighbors Food Pantry is getting ready for winter
and would like to stock its shelves with canned soup for its clients.

For the month of SOUPTOBER (Oct 1-31)
Christian Neighbors is requesting donated cans of soup.
Soup can be dropped off at Christian Neighbors (6874 Wiley Road)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday form 9:30 am-12:00 pm.

You can drop off soup in the foyer of the DUCC Friendship Hall.
Many other drop sites are available in the community.

TO DONATE

Out On The Lakeshore
Building Belonging All Year Long

Out On The Lakeshore is a Holland-based LGBTQ+ nonprofit working to create a more inclusive, connected, and welcoming Lakeshore. While many people know us through Pride, our work happens all year through community programs, support groups, youth resources, education, advocacy, partnerships, wellness initiatives, and our Community Center.

A big part of our focus right now is building more sustainable community support through our League of Allies. League of Allies members are individuals (and businesses sponsor levels) who choose to support our work monthly at whatever level feels right for them. Even $5, $10, or $25 a month becomes incredibly meaningful when a whole community chooses to show up together.
If you believe in the work we are doing and want to help us keep showing up all year long, we would love for you to consider joining the League of Allies as a monthly supporter.

COMING SOON: We are also excited to be growing Neighbor to Neighbor, a grassroots initiative centered around a simple idea: neighbors have knowledge, skills, and resources that other neighbors need. Through upcoming Neighbor to Neighbor events, local businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and community members will come together to share practical skills, make connections, and help people more easily find trusted resources.
If you would like to stay connected to what is happening at Out On The Lakeshore, we would also love to have you join our newsletter for updates on programs, events, resources, volunteer opportunities, and ways to get involved.

Thank you for being part of a community that continues to make room for everyone.

JOIN LEAGUE OF ALLIES

Stand in Protest

The protests against Huizenga and the Trump administration continue each
Friday from 12-1 pm at 170 College Ave.,
the corner of College and 7th in Holland.
We need more to demonstrate, so please come join us as we continue to bring attention to the wrong doing going on
in our country.
Looking forward to seeing you there.

Photo by Sandra Sietamaa on Unsplash

Men's Coffee and Conversation

DUCC MEN, JOIN US!
Men's Coffee & Conversation
1st and 3rd Wednesday @ 10am

New Dates: October 7 and 21
No Reservations
Blue Star Barns Coffee and Bikes
3483 Blue Star Hwy
Saugatuck, Michigan 49453