Weekly E-Pistle: 10th Sunday after Pentecost

8/4/2023

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

This Sunday's Service — 10th Sunday after Pentecost: "The Spiritual Law of Abundance "
Last Sunday's Homily --9th Sunday after Pentecost: "The Kingdom of Heaven"
Welcome Rev. Ginny Mikita!
Save the Date: September 24 Campus Stewardship Meeting
Supporting Our Community: DUCC Grant for Christian Neighbors
Allegan Out Loud! August 4-5
August 24, Douglas Social, Booth Volunteers Needed
Call for Altar Flowers
Tickets are on Sale! West Shore Aware Gala, August 19
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "The Law of Abundance"

In Sunday's gospel reading, Jesus multiplies the loaves and the fish, symbolizing for us the "Spiritual Law of Abundance." Jesus said, "I have come so that you may have an abundant life." So, are you living an abundant life, or are you living in "Scare City" (scarcity)?

Join us for this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person orstreaming live online) as we explore the "Spiritual Law of Abundance" and how to put it to work in our lives. Message: Rev. Ginny Mikita. Music: Peter Black

Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin:

order_of_service_august_6_2023.pdf
File Size:	1399 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Last Week's Service:

In last Sunday's gospel message, Jesus gives four parables to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. He compares it to a mustard seed in the ground; a pearl inside a shell; yeast inside of bread; and a treasure hidden in a field. What does this all mean? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored these parables together and how they point to the location of the Kingdom of Heaven. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, and Lauri Donaldson

Here's the Homily!

It's Rev. Ginny Mikita's Inaugural Sunday at DUCC!

While Pastor Sal and Gregg take some time away to celebrate their anniversary and Gregg's birthday, we have the great honor of once again welcoming our dearly beloved church member REV. Ginny Mikita, fresh from her graduation from One Spirit Interfaith Seminary. Of course this isn't the first time she's stepped in for Pastor Sal, (at our pulpit, blessing our animals, blessing our marches, etc.), but it is a moment for celebrating a very special Sunday with Ginny!

Save the Date: September 24, 11:30am
Special Campus Stewardship Meeting

At last week's service, Jim Kern, DUCC's Financial Secretary, shared news of our Church Council's work to set campus stewardship goals -- a project list for strengthening, securing, and updating our campus buildings, along with a plan for funding these projects. After church and coffee, at 11:30 am on September 24, our Church Council will hold a special Campus Stewardship Meeting in the Friendship Hall. We will be voting on these efforts. So all members are encouraged to attend! We will provide Zoom access if we have members interested in participating in this way. Please let church admin Julie Ridl know as soon as possible.

Supporting Our Community:
DUCC Grant for Christian Neighbors

Last week, Pastor Sal joined Mike Mok and Tim Lemanski from our church's Grant Proposal Committee as they presented a $6,000 check on behalf of our church to Christian Neighbors' Executive Director, JoAnn DeJonge, to help with their upcoming "Back-to-School" drive, which provides backpacks, school supplies, and clothing to children in Allegan County. To learn more about Christian Neighbors, visit www.christianneighborsdouglas.org.

Of course, it's your generous giving that makes these gifts possible. And there are many more ways you can help:

If you have surplus produce this summer, drop it off at Christian Neighbors. Our clients would really benefit!
Our Clothing Store needs gently used men’s pants and shirts (particularly larger sizes), queen-size sheets and blankets, towels and children’s clothing (all sizes).
We need cat food and litter supplies for beloved pets.
Monetary donations give us the most bang for the buck because we have access to items and food at or below wholesale costs. Consider making a financial donation via our website,
Please help people you know who are on a limited fixed income, or neighbors experiencing financial difficulties, discover the local resources provided by Christian Neighbors and its compassionate volunteers. We are located at Community Church of Douglas, 6874 Wiley Rd. We are open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Please call 269-857-1050 should you have any questions.

Working together, we can alleviate many essential needs within our community. Thank you for
your ongoing support of Christian Neighbors!

Allegan Out Loud! August 4-5

Enjoy Allegan's beautiful riverfront for the second annual Pride celebration - Allegan Out Loud!
Beginning at 1pm, the Riverfront Plaza will be filled with vendors, food trucks, a live DJ, games, and much more! All will be here for the duration of the event.

August 24, Douglas Social,
Booth Volunteers Needed!

Summer time is Social Time! We are looking for a few volunteers to help in our Douglas Social Food Booth, Thursday, August 24, from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the Saugatuck/Douglas History Center. We will be co-hosting the event with our friends at Unity on the Lakeshore. If you can help, please use the sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall, oremail Julie Ridl to sign on.

Call for Altar Flowers

Photo by Luisa Brimble on Unsplash

If you would like to dress our altar with lovely blooms, see the Altar Flower sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall. Just write your name and a note next to the date, and tell us if you would like your flowers to hold the memory of a special event or a loved one. Or email Julie Ridl to help you.

Tickets are on Sale!
West Shore Aware Gala, August 19

The Summer Event is Coming! The White Party Rainbow Reunion is August 19, and tickets are on sale now. Follow the button below for tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and more details.

Tickets and Info Here

Birthdays & Anniversaries

August 6– Shane Anderson & Michael Tuleja, 7– Gregg Smith, Gregg Smith & Salvatore Sapienza, 9– Bob Kenny, 10– Brian Tubergen,
11– Shirley Lawson, Sue Scott, Larry Spencer, 12– Julie Ridl
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.

Prayer Requests

Linda Marth; Myron Bell; Betsy York; Tom Fahlstrom Sr. (Tom Fahlstrom's Dad); Mary Westenbroek; Brian Aikens; Family of Doug Smith; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Fritz Royce and his Family; Joyce Potts (Ed Korson's Friend); Peter Black and Family; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother)
Nicole and John (Wendy Hamlin's daughter-in-law and son)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance July 30: 100
Total Views for July 30 Online Videos: 783
Podcast Downloads in July: 2,263

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,750.00
Online Giving: $2,467.12
Total: $5,197.12

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.