 Photo by Dan Plasman This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find..
This Week's Service: Second Sunday of Advent - What Time is it (Redux)? Photo by Laura España on Unsplash The Season of Advent is a time of waiting, waiting for a baby to be born, a baby of an unwed mother initially, during a time of upheaval and unease among her people. We too are a waiting people, waiting for justice and peace to come more fully, waiting with hope for a thriving world. the Season of Advent is also considered a time of preparation. What does one do when waiting for a baby? Or waiting for justice and peace to come? These are the questions the Luke text, often called the Annunciation when the angel comes to Mary to drop the bombshell, is addressing. What are we waiting for and what do we do about it? Join us on Sunday. Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel. Message: Rev. Jody Betten Music: Peter Black, Nancy Plantinga 
Last Week's Service: First Sunday of Advent |
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| Thanks To All! So many people made the Installation Service impactful and celebrative! For all the participants, planners, prayers, attendees, servers, well wishers, food preparers, cleaner uppers, flower arrangers, technicians (at the last minute), reader, emcee (you know who you are), last minute helpers, online friends, Association and Conference guests, we are incredibly grateful! Consider us plugged in, connected, fully functioning, perfectly fitting in our appropriate places (not sure what the warranty looks like;-); we're with you for the time we have in ministry together! We feel affirmed! |  |
Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
 | For The Week of December 7: Tuesday: 4-9pm, Dan & Jody Wednesday: 10-2pm, Dan & Jody Thursday: 3-5:30pm, Dan Friday: 10:30-3pm, Jody For evening visits on these days, please call for an appointment. * Reminder: if you need to see Dan or Jody, please make an appointment with them. Sometimes they are in Douglas but not at the office. * Please note, if you get an email from Jody asking for money or gift cards, please don't comply. This is a scam! Please call to schedule an appointment: Jody: 616-706-3549; Dan: 616-828-2293 |
Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
🎶 Join Our Christmas Choir! 🎶
There’s something truly special about voices joining together at Christmas.
Whether you’ve sung in choirs for years or are thinking about joining for the first time,
you are warmly invited to be part of this year’s
✨Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols celebration.✨
Each December, our choir helps the story of Christmas find its voice --
a long-standing tradition that fills our church with hope, harmony, and joy.
Singing together lets us reconnect with friends, welcome new faces,
and share in the quiet joy that music brings to this holy season.
✨Every voice matters; together, we create something truly beautiful.✨
🎵Rehearsals are at 11:30 a.m.
We’ll meet each Sunday after the morning service in the sanctuary,🎵
✨led by Stan Greene.✨
While it’s great to attend every rehearsal, please don’t let a busy schedule
keep you from joining—the more voices, the more joy! ✨
Come share in the music, the spirit, and the joy of the season.
✨Questions? Contact Peter Black, Music Director. ✨
There’s something truly special about voices joining together at Christmas.
Whether you’ve sung in choirs for years or are thinking about joining for the first time,
you are warmly invited to be part of this year’s
✨Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols celebration.✨
Each December, our choir helps the story of Christmas find its voice --
a long-standing tradition that fills our church with hope, harmony, and joy.
Singing together lets us reconnect with friends, welcome new faces,
and share in the quiet joy that music brings to this holy season.
✨Every voice matters; together, we create something truly beautiful.✨
🎵Rehearsals are at 11:30 a.m.
We’ll meet each Sunday after the morning service in the sanctuary,🎵
✨led by Stan Greene.✨
While it’s great to attend every rehearsal, please don’t let a busy schedule
keep you from joining—the more voices, the more joy! ✨
Come share in the music, the spirit, and the joy of the season.
✨Questions? Contact Peter Black, Music Director. ✨
Social Justice Team
Many thanks to those who could make it to the Dec 2 meeting. We reviewed insights from the speakers and are planning next steps. Watch for further details.
If you would like to be included in the regular email list, please email Jody with Social Justice in the subject line.
If you would like to be included in the regular email list, please email Jody with Social Justice in the subject line.
Creation Justice Team, Recycling Packing Materials and Other Holiday Item
Recycling Packing Material and Other Holiday Items
'Tis the season for packages! Cardboard boxes can be recycled, and many of their non-gift contents can be reused. You can take packaging materials, such as air pillows, "peanuts," bubble wrap, and insulated boxes, to "The Shipping Department" on 8th Street in Holland. For more information on this and other recycling venues, see the Creation Justice Team's website.
Other items:
'Tis the season for packages! Cardboard boxes can be recycled, and many of their non-gift contents can be reused. You can take packaging materials, such as air pillows, "peanuts," bubble wrap, and insulated boxes, to "The Shipping Department" on 8th Street in Holland. For more information on this and other recycling venues, see the Creation Justice Team's website.
Other items:
- WRAPPING PAPER - recyclable IF it has no metallic coating, sparkles, or plastic coating. If you scrunch up a clump of wrapping paper in your hand and it resists being scrunched, then it’s probably NOT recyclable.
- GREETING CARDS - recyclable IF they have no glitter, foil, ribbons, or buttons.
- RIBBONS and bows - NOT recyclable.
- TISSUE wrapping paper - NOT recyclable. However, it's biodegradable if it doesn't contain any shiny bits or plastic.
Second Sunday Luncheon, December 14th
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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 December 14 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 December 14 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.
Card Ministry
Photo by Immo Wegman on Unsplash
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!
Looking for a Volunteer Program Coordinator
Photo by Per Loov on Unsplash
Do you love to bringing people and ideas together? We are looking for a volunteer to share their talents in coordinating the programs at DUCC. This opportunity provides organizational support to ensure the effective coordination and scheduling of the church’s programs (Speakers, classes, etc.). Serving as an important link between the Church Council, pastoral staff, and various teams, this role facilitates collaboration and positive communication concerning education and programming to support the mission and growth of our church.
Please reach out to Barb Witt at 617-340-7970 or email below.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Please reach out to Barb Witt at 617-340-7970 or email below.
Thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Prayer Requests
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; John Kerr; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mary Westenbroek; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (Claire Blumer's nephew); En Vivo UCC.
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
BIRTHDAYS
December 7: Dan Sutherland
December 9: Carol Jaworowicz
December 10: Chris Clark & Linda Charvat
December 11: Stephen Townsend
December 13: Kelly Jacobsma
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.*
December 7: Dan Sutherland
December 9: Carol Jaworowicz
December 10: Chris Clark & Linda Charvat
December 11: Stephen Townsend
December 13: Kelly Jacobsma
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 Michelle 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.
| Douglas UCC 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
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 December is En Vivo UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
The "church of the month" for December is En Vivo UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
UCC Advent 2025 resources offer paths for 'awakening, preparing and dreaming'
This season’s Abolition Advent Calendar will center on “The New Old Story of Freedom: Practicing New Worlds into Life.” Coordinated by the UCC’s Racial Justice Ministries and Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice, this year’s Advent Calendar brings together quotes from Octavia Butler’s novel Parable of the Sower, Advent scripture readings, stories of past and present abolitionists, and visionary practices drawn from Andrea Ritchie’s book Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies.
CLASSES
UCC Advent Devotional, "Soon & Very Soon"
Reflections for the coming Year
 | Advent Devotional - The United Church of Christ Advent reflections for this year are around the theme, “Soon and Very Soon” inviting us to imagine a world where all is at peace, where all people thrive. Copies of the devotional are available for $5.00 in the Friendship Hall. As a community we will gather on Thursdays, December 4, 11, 18, from 3:30 - 5:00pm to reflect together on these writings and how we wait during Advent for the coming of the Prince of Peace in a manger as a baby. Please sign up in the Friendship Hall near the devotional if you plan to attend. |
Silent Retreats, In a frantic, noisy world...
"Be still, and know that I am God"
Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
Rev. Marty or Rev. Doug will hold space for solitude and silence
Wednesdays, December 10 and 17, 10am - Noon and 1pm - 3pm
The Retreat House will be open for sitting in silence, a practice of the ancients for grounding and listening and waiting, for nurturing faith and relationships.
Come and go as you please!
An RSVP to Jody with Silent in the subject line is helpful but not essential.
Join the Meditation Hour offered in the sanctuary every Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00.
Blessed Silence can help keep you centered, calm,
and at peace in the midst of life’s noise and turmoil.
✨Please sign up in the Friendship Hall✨
Wednesdays, December 10 and 17, 10am - Noon and 1pm - 3pm
The Retreat House will be open for sitting in silence, a practice of the ancients for grounding and listening and waiting, for nurturing faith and relationships.
Come and go as you please!
An RSVP to Jody with Silent in the subject line is helpful but not essential.
Join the Meditation Hour offered in the sanctuary every Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00.
Blessed Silence can help keep you centered, calm,
and at peace in the midst of life’s noise and turmoil.
✨Please sign up in the Friendship Hall✨
Advent Series for Families
Photo by Michał Robak on Unsplash
We Are Never Alone: A Watershed Discipleship Advent Workbook for Kids and Adults offers a daily coloring page and reflection for December 1st-25th.
We Are Never Alone engages the traditional nativity story in an expansive way and offers prompts for imagining the story of Jesus’s birth in your own places and watersheds. If Jesus was born in your place, which animals would surround him? Which laborers would be the first to hear the news?
Each day offers questions for you and your family to go deeper in imaginative reflections on place, justice, identity, and beliefs together.
This workbook might be for you if: you are of a progressive Christian lineage, a fan of Catholic Social Teaching, or on the fringes of Christianity searching for a spacious way to relate to the story.
We Are Never Alone engages the traditional nativity story in an expansive way and offers prompts for imagining the story of Jesus’s birth in your own places and watersheds. If Jesus was born in your place, which animals would surround him? Which laborers would be the first to hear the news?
Each day offers questions for you and your family to go deeper in imaginative reflections on place, justice, identity, and beliefs together.
This workbook might be for you if: you are of a progressive Christian lineage, a fan of Catholic Social Teaching, or on the fringes of Christianity searching for a spacious way to relate to the story.
Qigong Paused until 2026 as Kat Recovers
Photo by Leonie Clough on Unsplash
First of the Financial Literacy Series was Enlightening and Fun! Next One January 7!
On Thursday 11/5, eighteen people shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he laid out the next five subject-specific events to be held on the first Wednesdays -
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 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 January 7, 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.
Community Events
Celebrate The Winter Solstice, December 21
Men's Coffee and Conversation
Thank You for the Rice for Christian Neighbors!
Thank you for your generous donations of rice for Christian Neighbor's Thanksgiving Meal Kits. It is through the kindness and generosity from our community that Christian Neighbors is able to provide this special holiday meal to those in need. Thank you!
Cards for Prisoners
Cards for Prisoners - Join hundreds of pen pals and show love this holiday season with caring letters that give hope. Cards for Prisoners encourages incarcerated men and women while helping them feel connected to life outside the razor wire. The average prisoner stops receiving cards, letters, emails, visitors and phone calls three years into their sentence.
Cards for Prisoners' purpose is to connect a pen pal with a prisoner for connection, friendship, encouragement and spiritual wellbeing.
On Sunday Dec 14, Paula Cresswell, Executive Director of CFP will be with us to share the details about how this ministry works and to answer your questions.
Cards for Prisoners' purpose is to connect a pen pal with a prisoner for connection, friendship, encouragement and spiritual wellbeing.
On Sunday Dec 14, Paula Cresswell, Executive Director of CFP will be with us to share the details about how this ministry works and to answer your questions.
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