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This Week's E-Pistle: 13th Sunday after Pentecost

8/28/2020

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

  • "Spirit-Led Living" - This Sunday's Service Description
  • "Who Do You Say That I Am?"- Last Sunday's Service Video
  • Black Jesus? Quite probably! 
  • Three Great Loves: Do You have a Story to Tell? Do you need to see more love in the world?
  • Mask Up -- Michigan's new Mask Requirements
  • Sept 15 Interfaith Action Book Read Discussion: Tell Me How it Ends
  • Online Friendship Hall Roundup
  • Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship Report

This Week's Service: "Spirit-Led Living"

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In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus gives the disciples instructions for following his Way: "deny yourself," "take up your cross," and "lose your very life." In other words, it will require us giving our all. Join us online this Sunday at 10 AM for our 'Video Worship Service," as we explore what it means to truly live a "Spirit-Led" life. Watch and comment in real-time along with others, as we gather together virtually for an inspiring message by Pastor Sal and uplifting music by Peter Black and Pamela Chappell.

Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.

Last Week's Service

In last Sunday's Gospel lesson, Jesus asks, "Who do you say that I am?" Who is Jesus to you? Savior? Lord? Way Shower? Master Teacher? Friend? How has your understanding of Jesus changed throughout the years? Click the link above to watch last Sunday's "Video Worship Service," when we explored these questions together, dove deeper into the meaning of the Great I AM. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Mark Miller.

 Black Jesus? Quite Probably.

​In Last Week's service, Pastor Sal explored our concepts of Jesus, the man. What is your image of Jesus? Which is the Jesus you pray to? If he is a poor, dark-skinned immigrant, you're certainly a lot closer to the historic Jesus. We built this montage of Black Jesus art in support of our White Privilege class at Douglas UCC. Please enjoy these beautiful images of Jesus the Christ.

Three Great Loves - Do You Have a Story to Tell? Do you need to see more love in the world?

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​We all have a story. We are all a part of God’s story. What’s your story?

3 Great Loves is  the UCC's denomination-wide storytelling initiative. In the coming years, the United Church of Christ will collect and lift up the stories of our members, local churches, and affiliates. We want to hear stories about how we are living out God’s love and expressing love of neighbors, children, and creation, our 3 Great Loves. From knitting clubs making hats for newborns; collecting food for food pantries; standing together against a social injustice; no story is too insignificant to share. Show us your work that lives out the love of God and leads to creating a just world for all. While you think about sharing your stories, lift your heart by searching for #3greatloves on Facebook, Instagram, or through your search engine, and see God's love made real in the world!

There are 3 ways to share your stories:
  • Click the Tell Us Your Story tab at this web page: https://www.ucc.org/3greatloves
  • Share your story on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #3greatloves in your posts.
  • Send your story to us: 3 Great Loves, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115

Mask Up -- Michigan's New Mask Requirements

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Research shows that masks can greatly reduce the chance of spreading COVID-19, especially when approximately 40% of those who have COVID-19 may be asymptomatic. We can contain the virus and keep Michigan open if everyone stays careful and wears a mask when they leave home, whether they feel sick or not. By Executive Order, Michiganders are required to wear a face covering whenever they are in an indoor public space or in crowded outdoor spaces. Businesses open to the public will refuse entry or service to those who decline to wear a face covering. Here's more on masking, or download the helpful PDF, below.

face_coverings_guidance_for_non-healthcare_workers_final_685949_7.pdf
File Size: 310 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Tell Me How it Ends - Interfaith Action Book Discussion, September 15

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September 15th at 6 pm, Interfaith Action of SW Michigan (DUCC is a member) will host a community discussion Valeria Luiselli’s book Tell Me How It Ends.This discussion is part of the six-month series on migration. Winner of a 2018 American Book Award and finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism, Tell Me How it Ends is structured around the 40 questions Luiselli asks undocumented Latin American children facing deportation. Discussion leader Tatiana Reinoza is a resident of Stevensville and assistant professor of Latinx art in the Department of Art, Art History & Design at the University of Notre Dame. 
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To participate in the Zoom discussion, write to OnlineChurch@douglasucc.org for the link and passcode.


Friendship Hall News

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  • Freddy Bell, Wendy Hamilin's grandson, Fred Hamlin's great-grandson, shared his story with us and his work in helping future and current families understand FASD. He and Wendy have been working on placing lovely Red Shoe Rocks around campus and around town. Learn more at Redshoesrock.com
  • Richard Graham so appreciated the outpouring of love for his 85th birthday. He sends his love and thanks and says it was his best birthday EVER.
  • Sheryll and Greg VanPortfleet reported Sheryll's mom, Vivian Libby, is doing better after her stroke, but they have a way to go to, and appreciate your continued prayers for Vivian and the whole family.
  • We celebrated Dale Lower for standing and speaking and Dan Mack and all the people who worked on Holland's non-discrimination ordinance over the past decade, which passed in a very, very long city council meeting last week. And Craig Drager shared news of South Haven's efforts toward passing a similar ordinance of their own.
  • Jim Hopkins is looking forward to eyelid surgery at the end of the week. He is doing better with his back after a rough fall a couple of weeks ago.
  • Ann Hopkins is thankful for the turnout in support of their local Post Office in South Haven last week.
  • Pastor Sal enjoyed meeting up with new All Saints Episcopal Church priest, Father Jay. Stay tuned for Father Jay and Pastor Sal to share the mic on the Morning Grind radio show!
  • Jeff Spangler and Pastor Sal have both discovered UCC member Mark Miller, whose music featured in this past Sunday's service. Jeff is working on preparing one of Mark's compositions. Find Mark's music here: http://www.markamillermusic.com
  • Barb Lucier happily reported that the world's arc does seem to bend toward justice, noting the unanimous vote to change the SHS mascot. She also noted that on Friday she and Dick will be celebrating 55 years of marriage!
  • Dan Mack shared last words from John Pavlovitz, above.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

August: 30- Vivian Love Kyle, 31- Karen Clark, September: 1- Anita Giltner, Gloria Larrieu, Peter Gower, 3- Dennis Konarski

Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory. If you don't have a directory, please let us know, and we will email one to you.

Prayer Requests

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Vivian Libby (Sheryll Van Portfleet's Mom); Rachael Overweg; Patricia Rempel (Ed Korson's sister-in-law); Anna Lisa Cox (Friend of Jack and Julie Ridl and Social Justice Team); Grant Oliver (Kirt Oliver's son); Jim Hopkins; Alan Weathers; Hannah Sherman; Gary Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's brother); Roye McDonald; Jodi Berault; Sarah Hurley and Fred Eagle Royce; Mary Harris; Patricia Carr and her husband Riley (Debra Carr's family); Barbara Klatt (Barb Lucier's friend); Myron Freund; Terry Stough (Catz Dienes' son); Ted Sommer; Phyllis Wallis (Kathy Austin's mother); Drew Carter; Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend); Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother). 

Midwest residents and farmers who have suffered widespread destruction of crops and homes from the August 10 derecho storm. All of our Covid-19 pandemic first responders, and for the researchers and scientists working on effective tests and treatments for Covid-19. Prayers 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; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.

To add or remove a name from the Prayer List, please email us.

Financial Stewardship

August 23
Attendance for Online Services: 1,146
Weekly Online Giving: $4,696.89
Total: $4,696.89

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, or sharing through the donate buttons on Facebook or Instagram, or at our website.

​
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406

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  • About Us ▾
    • Meditation Garden
    • Retreat House
    • Our Staff
    • Our Stories
    • About Douglas UCC
  • Connect & Serve
  • Worship & Music Videos ▾
    • Podcast Library 🔊
    • Homily Library 📖
  • Calendar & E-pistle ▾
    • E-pistle
  • Contact
  • Giving