11th Sunday after Pentecost

8/11/2023

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

This Sunday's Service — 11th Sunday after Pentecost: "Walking on Water"
Last Sunday's Homily --10th Sunday after Pentecost: "The Spiritual Law of Abundance "
Fred Hamlin's Celebration of Ginny and Joan
Kudos to Our Busy Trustee: Recent Campus Work Completed
Save the Date: September 24 Campus Stewardship Meeting
Catching up with the Afghan Family, August 27, 11:30 am
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Walking on Water"

In Sunday's Gospel reading, the apostles are in a boat during a storm, and they are gripped with fear. Jesus calms the storm with the words, "Peace, be still." Often, when we are in the storms of life and our world is being rocked, we, too, are overcome with fear. The Good News is that Jesus gives us the tools to transform our fear into faith.

Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online), as we learn the tools to "walk on water" and explore the path of "Fear-Less Living." Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler

Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin:

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Last Week's Service

In last 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)? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the "Spiritual Law of Abundance" and how to put it to work in our lives. Message: Rev. Ginny Mikita. Music: Peter Black

Fred Hamlin's Celebration of Ginny and Joan

Last Sunday, Rev. Ginny Mikita wore a robe that once belonged to the late Rev. Joan Hamlin. She is pictured here with Joan’s husband, Rev. Fred Hamlin. Rev. Joan also embroidered the lovely stole that graced our communion service last Sunday. A lovely way to celebrate Rev. Ginny's ordination and Rev. Joan's precious memory.

Kudos to our Busy Trustee -- Recent Campus Work Completed

Douglas UCC's busy Trustee, Kelly Wright, has completed two more projects on campus: The grade reduction behind Spring Street, home to our new offices, and renovation of the Friendship Hall entry door.

The grade reduction removed soil that had built up against the house's foundation and siding, adding a small retaining wall and a new rain gutter, to move rain to the drain at Chestnut Street. Grass has been reseeded behind the house to retain the soil at its new level.

And that bouncy entryway to the Friendship hall received extensive work where the joists had rotted completely away. New joists went in, along with a new weather-worthy door (the source of the problem). New vinyl and trim. The entryway will be repainted when a good time presents itself.

Thanks to all who support the care and upkeep of this little church!

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

Our Church Council is busy setting 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 reviewing and voting on this plan. 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 if you require Zoom to participate.

Catching up with the Afghan Family, August 27, 11:30 am

Twenty months ago, this young refugee family arrived at our campus, taking up residence in Spring Street House. Your generous welcome and the hard work of the Social Justice Team made it possible for this young family to restart their lives in the United States. Join us on August 27, after church in the Friendship Hall, to hear from the family about how they are doing, and what their entry has been like for them.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

August 13– Sheryll VanPortfleet, 14– David Geen, Michael Valdez,
16– Mary Fechtig, 18– Kathleen Mueller,
19– Sheryll & Greg VanPortfleet, Kenneth Whitcomb

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

Dianne Carr; Lisa Reiman; 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 August 6: 78
Total Views for August 6 Online Videos: 215

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,830.00
Online Giving: $2,610.09
Total: $5,440.09

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.