 Photo by Suzy Brooks on Unsplash This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
This Week's Service: Martin & Billy Photo by Marco Chilese on Unsplash Next Monday is designated as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Official observance of this day was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983. Over the years, I’ve read biographies of King, read books authored by King, and listened to audio sermons preached by King. But it wasn’t until about a month ago, that I stumbled on the fact that Martin Luther King and evangelist Billy Graham were not only contemporaries but also “friends” – and there’s a reason for those quotation marks. Though both were ministers and very much in the public eye, their focus could not have been more different. Crudely and most simply: Martin preached social justice on earth; Billy preached how to get to heaven. I’m going to say more about this on Sunday. Hope you can join us either in person or online. Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel. Message: Rev. Dan Plasman Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler 
Last Week's Service: Baptism, The Forgotten Sacrament Photos by Dan Plasman Last Sunday Pastor Dan discussed Baptism. The rite goes by many names. Depending on the church and the denomination, and whether it is observed in a Protestant or a Roman Catholic church, the ritual can be called a sacrament, a christening, a naming, an immersion, a sprinkling. Some might refer to it simply as a dunking. Depending on their understanding of this sacrament, some churches baptize infants, as is our practice in the United Church of Christ. Other churches wait until children are old enough to “accept Jesus into their lives,” confirmation of this acceptance occurs in baptism. During the last Presidential election campaign, I am aware that some churches organized outdoor baptism and re-baptism events in order to ensure that God blessed the right candidate. (Yup, it’s true!!) In the mainline Protestant tradition, Baptism and Communion make up the two sacraments. Launching his public ministry, Jesus was baptized by John (the Baptist!). Interesting note: in the four Gospels, Jesus’ birth is recorded twice. His baptism is recorded four times! Dan's Office Hours This Week, Jody on Vacation
Thank You to All Who Made the Congregational Meeting a Success!  Card Ministry - Are You Available March, April or May to Bring a Smile to Someone's Day? Do you love receiving cards in the mail when you're sick, recovering from surgery, have a birthday or anniversary, or need a reminder that you're being prayed for? Maybe sending cards to folks in those situations is a way you could bring a smile to someone's day! If you are willing to send a card on behalf of DUCC for members' birthdays or anniversaries, for healing or prayers, for one month, please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Jody. If you have cards that you aren't using that would be appropriate for such occasions, please drop them off at the office for our use. A couple minutes to let someone know they are thought of, a quick trip to the post office, that's all it takes to bring a smile! Are you available for One month of card ministry? We are needing someone for March, April, and May. Social Justice Team The DUCC Social Justice Team would like to invite any interested parishioners to join us at an upcoming meeting to learn more about the group's mission and 2026 plans and priorities. Contact the team facilitator Anne Dooley with questions or to be added to our mailing list. At our upcoming meetings on January 29th and in early March we will be doing some planning to get to a strategy that is inspiring and actionable and will help us have a positive impact on the people we serve and the issues we tackle. Social Justice Teams |
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Church potlucks, now called Second Sunday Luncheons, will help us continue to create community while sharing a meal together.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up, clean up and provide food for our first Second Sunday Monthly Luncheon. Forty-five people attended. Our next lunch will be November 9 following the service. Bring what you are able (entrees, salads, desserts, bread etc) and if you can't bring anything, please bring yourself. All are welcome!
If you are interested in helping to set up or clean up, there will be a new Event Committee signup sheet in the Friendship Hall so that we can establish email communications when asking for help with set up or take down going forward.
Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Our Listening Ear service has been a great help to our congregation during a tumultuous time, and so, after a successful trial period, this highly trained team of empathic folks -- Paul Burdick, Mike Valdez, Pat Denner, and Doug Sipsma -- will be continuing the service. Their premise is, everyone goes through rough patches in life. Sometimes stress can feel overwhelming. Talking to a caring human helps in so many, sometimes immeasurable, sometimes mystical ways. Our listeners are available at the Retreat House on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm.
Taking Pictures at DUCC Event?
Photo by Alexey Demidov on Unsplash
Want people to know about the fun we have, the meaningful events we provide, the community you love? Share your photos! After a DUCC event, text appropriate photos to Greggie Gerrans @ 616-218-9679
Prayer Requests
Family of Alan Gibson (Kirsten Stannis's Father); Adelle Van Daalen and the Family of Jay Van Daalen; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's mother); Orie Hawkes; Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Dan McGavin and Family of Carol Brown; Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Family; Ann and Jim Hopkins; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter);
Mary Westenbroek; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (C. Blumer's nephew); Jennifer Blumer (C. Blumer's sister-in-law); Holland UCC
Mary Westenbroek; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (C. Blumer's nephew); Jennifer Blumer (C. Blumer's sister-in-law); Holland UCC
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
BIRTHDAYS
January 18: Michael Blasco
January 23: Greg Sherman, Rose Marie Stevenson
ANNIVERSARIES
January 21: Bob & Louise Kenny
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.
* If you have had any changes in your information, please know you can go to the Directory and update yourself, or contact Claire to change/update.*
BIRTHDAYS
January 18: Michael Blasco
January 23: Greg Sherman, Rose Marie Stevenson
ANNIVERSARIES
January 21: Bob & Louise Kenny
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.
* If you have had any changes in your information, please know you can go to the Directory and update yourself, or contact Claire to change/update.*
New "easy" Options to Change Your Contribution to DUCC
Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash
New (Easy) options to change your current contribution to DUCC
In response to input we have received from members and friends, we are offering new ways to change your contributions.
In response to input we have received from members and friends, we are offering new ways to change your contributions.
- You can e-mail Bill Briggs for information regarding your current contribution amount and/or request that your current contribution be changed.
- There are now forms and envelopes on the table just inside the door of the Friendship Hall that can be completed and placed in the collection plate to request changes. We will be happy to take care of it for you!
- You can use the simple fillable form below and forward to Bill Briggs.
| DUCC Contribution Change Form |
Give by Text Message
Please, consider giving online. To donate by text, open a new text message on your mobile phone, type 844-931-2849 in the “To” field, and in the message body, type only the dollar amount of your gift (for example, 50 for a $50 donation). Then press Send. You’ll receive a message confirming your donation.
Church Calendar
Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash
OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVING
Peanut Butter Drive, January 23 through February
Photo by Maryam Sicard on Unsplash
Our annual peanut butter drive Christian Neighbors begins Friday, Jan 23rd and will run through to the end of February 2026. Please drop jars of peanut butter off in the foyer of the Friendship Hall. If you don't have time to shop and drop, & would like to donate by personal check, please address check to Christian Neighbors of Douglas and note "Peanut Butter drive" in the memo section.
The DUCC's on-going support of Christian Neighbors is greatly appreciated.
The DUCC's on-going support of Christian Neighbors is greatly appreciated.
UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS
Prayer Circle for All Churches
Photo by Martin Bennie on Unsplash
The Grand West Association Council is continuing their covenantal prayer circle for all our churches. This is one of the Councils attempts to better connect in our region as a faithful community. The two year prayer circle includes our 22 UCC churches, and also UCOM and the Michigan conference staff.
The "church of the month" for January is Holland UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
The "church of the month" for January is Holland UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
Ten Hope-filled Stories UCC News 2025 Review
Photo by Sorasak on Unsplash
While 2025 was a year with many challenges and set-backs, there was also great hope to be found in the way that communities and individuals showed up to center some of the values so central to the United Church of Christ – extravagant welcome, justice, and love.
UCC and DOC Release Statement on Venezula Takeover
United Church of Christ General Minister and President/CEO, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, Disciples of Christ (Christian Church) General Minister and President the Rev. Terri Hord Owens and Global Ministries leadership condemned what they call ‘all forms of government aggression in a joint statement
CLASSES
Qigong is Back! Tuesdays at 3pm,
In the Friendship Hall
Photo by Sajad Nori on Unsplash
Kat VanHammen's Qigong Winter classes are back! Tuesdays at 3pm in the Friendship Hall.
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 one hour long and involves both sitting and standing practice although it can be done sitting if needed. There is a requested donation of $10 per class but for those of you on limited incomes, any amount will be gratefully received
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 one hour long and involves both sitting and standing practice although it can be done sitting if needed. There is a requested donation of $10 per class but for those of you on limited incomes, any amount will be gratefully received
Financial Literacy Series, Next Session Feb. 4
On Wednesday 1/7/2026, eighteen people shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he discussed estate planning on the first Wednesdays -
January through June (not April). Next session is on February 4, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
January through June (not April). Next session is on February 4, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
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