Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Sticks and Stones

9/9/2024

Photo by Rachel Powell on Unsplash

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

This Week's Service: Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost: Sticks and Stones
Last Week's Service: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Who's Your Favorite?
Pastor Jody's Office Hours
Coffee Hour Treats! New Sign-up Sheets in the Friendship Hall!
Christian Neighbors: Accepting Board Member Nominations
Want to Do Something to Promote the Vote? Here's A Chance...
Show Us Your Stuff! Ministry Fair, September 22
Congregational Care Team Meeting, September 20, 9am
SoulCollage with Ruth Zwald, September 28
It's Membership Directory Update Season!
Beach Cleanup, October 5!
Your Family's bread? Worldwide Communion Sunday, October 6
Relativity! A Play and Fundraiser: October 17 through 20
Prayer Requests
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Grant Proposals, Stewardship Drive & Financial Stewardship

This Week's Service: Sticks and Stones

Getty Images on Unsplash

You've heard the childhood saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." and you know it isn't true; because you have had someone speak unkind words to you or about you, and they hurt like hell! For many of us the power of the tongue can cut like a knife and we know exactly how to use it to hurt those who hurt us. It takes discipline to control our tongues and it's necessary according to James 3, our text for this week. But there's more to the discipline of using our tongues. Our ancient creation story suggests that God created with a word. We create reality with our words. We have creative power and we have to be careful about the reality we create when we speak. Join us to find out more.

Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson
Join us in church at 10am, or streaming live on our YouTube channel here.
Download our bulletin and service music here:

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Last Week's Service: Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Who's Your Favorite?

You've probably heard of transactional relationships; give-and-take relationships in which each person acts, expecting something in return? Quid pro quo? You maybe have heard of it in the church as well -- "We need more members because we're not meeting budget." James mentions this problem when he points out that the gathering of Jesus-followers of his day are paying attention to the rich in the community -- because their membership can benefit the church -- at the expense of the poor who need their help. What's the antidote? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored these ideas.
Message: Rev. Jody Betten, Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson

Here's the Homily!

Pastor Jody's Office Hours

Here are Pastor Jody's office hours for this week and next. Call, text, or email her to request a specific meeting time!

Week of September 16
Tuesday: 10am - 3pm
Wednesday:10am - 3pm
Friday: 9am-3pm

Week of September 23
Mon 3pm - 8pm
Tuesday 2p - 8:30pm
Wednesday 10am to 3pm

Photo by Annie Le on Unsplash

Coffee Hour Treats!
New Sign-up Sheets in the Friendship Hall!

Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash

Do you enjoy a conversation, a sweet treat, and coffee with your friends after church on Sunday mornings? If so, please help everyone by signing up for either making coffee or bringing in a treat on a Sunday morning next quarter. Everyone will appreciate your effort & enjoy your treat! The more folks who volunteer just one Sunday, the more chances we ail have for continued fun at coffee hour. Thank you for helping! New signup sheets for coming Sundays are in the Friendship Hall!

Christian Neighbors:
Accepting Board Member Nominations

Christian Neighbors is preparing for its October 17 annual meeting, when they elect new board members who serve 3-year terms. This year they will vote in three new board members. Could one of these members be you? Rev. Jody has been invited to submit candidate names by THURSDAY, SEPT 19. If you are interested in serving the community by serving on the board, please let Pastor Jody know by Wednesday of this week.

Want to Do Something to Promote the Vote? Here's A Chance...

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

If you would like to write postcards to voters encouraging them to vote, please talk to Robert Trenary or email him at [email protected].

Show Us Your Stuff!
Ministry Fair, September 22!!

So many of you are doing beautiful, creative ministry on behalf of DUCC! It's delightful to see your passion and giftedness for whatever is your focus! And as we know, periodically we need to regroup and revive. Covid may have taken a toll on the members of our groups. It can be difficult to get things going again. New folks with fresh ideas are encouraging. We see new guests and want them to know what we're doing. So many reasons to reach out!

Many of you have asked about an opportunity to share the good ministry you are doing so that others may know and join in! Here's your opportunity! On Sunday, September 22 after the worship service, you are invited to set up a table, complete with information about your group, what kind of volunteers you are looking for, and any treats (or balloons?) that you think will entice folks to want to know what you're up to!

Please let Pastor Jody know of your interest. We'll make sure you have a table and a name card indicating who you are. Jody sent an email to the chairs of the various groups as listed in the Church Directory app. If you are one of those people and didn't get an email, let us know!!

Be sure to let Jody know what group you are with and we'll follow through with correcting your info and making sure you get your invite!

Happy showing off your team! Meeting up! Making new friends! Becoming aware!

Congregational Care Team Meeting
September 20, 9am

The Congregational Care team invites you to gather, brainstorm, share best practices, develop planning and staffing to provide care for our congregational members. Please let Jody know of your interest and they will include you on the email for notes and agenda. Bring your heart and your thoughts to the Friendship Hall, September 20, 9am.

SoulCollage with Ruth Zwald, September 28

Our friend Rev. Ruth Zwald will offer her next sessions with SoulCollage. With the excellent response she has been receiving, she now offers two sessions for each theme -- one in the morning, and the other in the afternoon. You can choose to attend either the morning workshop or the afternoon workshop - whichever time frame works best for you.

The theme for this month is: The Fields of Autumn: Exploring the Landscapes of Change Through SoulCollage®. Through a gentle guided meditation, we learn and listen to what is changing in our lives, and create a card or two that expresses those parts of ourselves. We will explore themes of gratitude, of harvest, and of things that may be challenging us. Instructions will be provided. It can be a surprising and insightful journey.

All the details are in the poster above. Please note the time options: either 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM or from 1-4 PM.

Please respond to Rev. Ruth through the email above to claim your spot. Be sure to specify if you would like to join the morning or the afternoon session. It is the perfect workshop to invite a friend. Space is limited to 16 participants at each session.

It's Membership Directory Update Season!

It's time to add or update your information in our Instant Church Directory!

Remember, you don't have to be a church member to be included, but you do have to be in the directory to use the directory.

Julie Ridl will be happy to help you update your entries, by appointment at the church office or by email -- just send her your new information.

Of course, if you are using the phone app or the desktop app, you can make changes yourself any time you like! We hope you will make those changes by September 30!

We strongly encourage using the phone app and desktop app, which is always the most accurate and up-to-date, and because it keeps paper and ink and waste out of landfills. If you need help figuring out how to add it to your smartphone, check in with Julie Ridl, Chris Clark, or Mike VerMerris. Or simply ask a friend who's already using it!

We nudge for updates to be made by SEPTEMBER 30 because a few of us really are not comfortable with technology and need print copies. With fresh updates, we will take orders for print versions in October.

The directory is the easiest way to find and connect with your church pals, figure out who's on which committee, manage your committee lists, and find your helpful church council members.

Beach Cleanup, October 5!

Your 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 and watch the Friendship Hall for the sign-up sheet!

Your Family's Bread?
Worldwide Communion Sunday, October 6

Photo by Slashio Photography on Unsplash

On October 6 churches around the globe will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion, The Lord's Supper or the Eucharist on World Wide Communion Sunday. In solidarity with our siblings around the world we would like to use various breads from our ethnic traditions in this service. If you have a special loaf of bread from your heritage that you would like to contribute, please let Pastor Jody ([email protected]) or Mike VerMerris ([email protected]) know. Thanks!

Relativity! A Play and Fundraiser: October 17 through 20

A wonderful cast of characters, (church members Jim Kern, Shannon Connell, Virginia Stuart) will be staging a performance of Relativity, a remarkable play about the remarkable (shocking?) life of Albert Einstein. Ticket Sales will help fund our Stewardship Drive.

Relativity is set in 1948, in Princeton, NJ, where Albert Einstein continues to research, advise, and teach. He is 69 years old and well beyond his crowning revelation of E=MC(2). Other characters are Miss Dukas, his live-in housekeeper, and Margaret Harding, a journalist who approaches him about conducting an interview with him. As the play evolves, the mysterious circumstances of Einstein’s first child’s death reveal a dark secret from his past, and Einstein and Margaret must come to terms with the secret and the consequences of his past decisions. Ultimately, Relativity asks “what if?” and provides a probative glimpse into the great man who may not have been a good man.

Relativity is for mature audiences, not because of language, sexual content, or any other traditionally sanctioned element. Teens and college students would benefit from seeing this show. It is a thoughtful, compelling story about adult decisions and filled with intellectually challenging arguments and questions. But, it is a very easy play to follow. It runs about 75 minutes without intermission.

Purchase Your Tickets Here»»

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 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: September 19- Matthew Blasco; 21-Barbara Lucier
Anniversaries: 19- Mark Johnston & Jeremy Lund

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

Photo by Michele Henderson on UnSplash.

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_ducc_grant_application_form.docx
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Stewardship Drive

Stewardship Drive Giving Week ending September 8:
Pledges to Date = $228,800.00
Pledge Fulfillment to date = $159,529.70
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:

Pledge or Pay Into Stewardship Fund Here»»

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, September: 77
Total Views for September 8 worship videos: 206

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $960.00
Online Giving: $3,104.66
Total, General Support: $4,064.66

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.