Third Sunday after the Epiphany

1/23/2026

Photo by Decio Berti Jr on Unsplash

This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...

This Week's Service: Third Sunday after the Epiphany - Is Discipleship an Archaic Word?
Last Week's Service: Second Sunday after the Epiphany - Martin & Billy
Jody''s and Dan's Office Hours This Week
Card Ministry, Bring a Smile to Someone's Day
Social Justice Team Update
Social Justice Team, Black History Month Book Read
Creation Justice Team, Books to Borrow from Native Plants to Dark Skies
Second Sunday Luncheon, Next Luncheon is February 8
Silent Retreats on February 18 in the Retreat House
Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
Taking Pictures at DUCC Event
Prayer Requests
Birthdays This Week
New "easy" Options to Change Your Contribution to DUCC
Financial Stewardship
Church Calendar

OPPORTUNITY FOR GIVING

Peanut Butter Drive, January 23 through February

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Grand West Association Councils Covenantal Prayer Circle for All Churches
UCC and DOC Leadership release Joint Statement on Venezuela Takeover

CLASSES

Financial Literacy Series, Next Session February 4
Qigong is Back! Tuesdays at 3pm, Friendship Hall

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Men's Coffee and Conversation

This Week's Service: Is Discipleship an Archaic Word?

Photo by Aminul hossin on Unsplash

I love to watch competitive ice skating, especially the national championships and the Olympics. All of it, short program and free skate singles and pairs, rhythm and free dance.
I am astounded by the skill and strength, by the beauty and creativity. Olympic skaters begin as young athletes training 20-40 hours, 6-7 days a week on ice and off, for a decade or more before competing at professional levels. It requires discipline to become an Olympic skater.
It requires discipline to achieve professional status at most things. When we want to achieve something, we are disciplined about doing what it takes. What kind of discipline does it take to follow the way of Jesus? Is discipleship old school? We'll talk about it this week. I promise it won't be boring, but it may require some discipline.

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, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson

DUCC Bulletin/Hymns January 25 2026
File Size:	1633 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Last Week's Service: Martin & Billy

Photo by Marco Chilese on Unsplash

Last Monday was 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.

WATCH FULL SERVICE

DAN'S MESSAGE

Jody's and Dan's Office Hours This Week

For The Week of January 25:
Monday: 4-7pm, Jody
Tuesday: 5-8pm, Jody
Thursday: 10-7pm, Jody
Friday: 10-3pm, Dan

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

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.

JODY'S EMAIL

DAN'S EMAIL

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.

ANNE'S EMAIL

Social Justice Teams
Black History Month Book Read

Photo by Alejandro Barba on Unsplash

“In churches, we have a tradition of remembering those who have gone before us
because it is in that remembering that we find sustenance for our own journey. In
Hebrews, it says it is because ‘we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,’ we
are able to ‘run with perseverance the race that is set before us.’ When a movement
does not know its own history, it is deprived of one of its greatest sources of wisdom
and inspiration.” From Brooks Berndt of the United Church of Christ website.

Black History Month is an opportunity to look back at the deplorable treatment of slaves
and to retrieve the wisdom and inspiration of those times - in this instance through
the eyes of Jim in the novel “James” by Percival Everett. “James” is a brilliant, action-
packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and funny, told
from the enslaved Jim's point of view.
While many of the events of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” remain in place
(floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure
in the myriad stopping points along the river's banks, encountering the scam artists
posing as the Duke and Dauphin…), Jim's agency, intelligence, and compassion are
shown in a radically new light.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH BOOK READ
DATE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2026
TIME: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
LOCATION: ISABEL GRAHAM CENTER
EMAIL BOB KENNY TO OBTAIN ZOOM LINK

FOR ZOOM LINK EMAIL

Creation Justice Team

Below the bulletin board in the Friendship Hall, are many books for borrowing. The topics range from native plants to dark skies and other good topics. Feel free to look them over
and borrow.
If you have Styrofoam and would like to recycle it, please just leave it on the top of the recycling containers. If there is a lot, please email Kathy Klage, and she can arrange to get the styrofoam. Laurie will collect the styrofoam and give it to Kathy. Easy for you.

EMAIL KATHY

Second Sunday Luncheon, February 8

Second Sunday Luncheons are a hit! Please join us, & 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 previous Second Sunday Monthly Luncheons. Our next luncheon will be February 8 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 with set up, clean up, & to provide food for the luncheons, please email Kelly Jacobsma.

EMAIL QUESTIONS

Silent Retreats on February 18, Retreat House

Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash

Silent Retreat
✨Ash Wednesday, February 18 ✨
Retreat House

Join Rev. Marty Rienstra and Rev. Doug Petersen for a guided silent retreat.
Shared silence is a powerful way of being in communion with God and each other.
Two sessions - Attend morning, afternoon, or both from 10:00 to 12:00 and/or 1:00 to 3:00
Combined lunchtime (12- 1pm) for sharing experiences and asking questions.
(Bring your own lunch)
Morning and afternoon sessions will begin with a short introduction, plus
simple prompts and suggestions on ways to experience the Blessed Silence.
Within each session we will practice a shorter silent period, followed by discussion, and
then practice a longer silent period.

EMAIL REV. RIENSTRA TO SIGN UP

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 davide ragusa 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); Mikey (friend of Ruth Fahlstrom)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 This Week
BIRTHDAYS
January 25: Patrice Greene
January 31: Kris Sherman

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.*

Financial Stewardship

Last Weeks In-Person Attendance : 57
Last Weeks Total Views for worship videos: 87

Weekly Offerings: $8,054.00
Weekly Budget: $4,615.00
Weekly to Budget: $3,439.00

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

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.

New "easy" Options to Change Your Contribution to DUCC

Photo by Micheile Hendersonon 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.

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.

We are thankful for your ongoing support of DUCC and the Mission and Outreach that are key to our Congregation. Please contact Bill Briggs if you need any further information.

BILL'S EMAIL

DUCC Contribution Change Form
File Size:	42 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Church Calendar

Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash

EXPLORE THE CALENDAR

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.

UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS

Prayer Circle for All Churches

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.

HOLLAND UCC

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.

EXPLORE THE STORIES

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.

Financial Literacy Series, Next Session Feb. 4

On Wednesday 1/7/2026, we shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he discussed estate planning for the first of six sessions in the Financial Series.

*It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
*January through June (not April). Next session is on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 6pm.
*Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.

Community Events

Men's Coffee and Conversation

Next Dates: February 4th & February 18th
No reservations
Blue Star Barns Coffee & Bikes
3483 Blue Star Hwy
Saugatuck, Mi 49453