In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service "Exploring the Real Jesus"
In Sunday's Gospel reading for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, 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?
Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online) as we explore who Jesus really was and what his message and ministry mean for our lives today. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin: 
Last Week's Service
In last Sunday's Gospel reading for the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, a Canaanite woman comes to Jesus asking for help in curing her child. Jesus, at first, is dismissive of her, telling his disciples to "Send her away!" Nevertheless, she persisted, until Jesus tells her, ""Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored what it means to be bold and persistent in speaking our truth and putting our faith into action. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Pete Wehle
Walkers on Deck! Fundraising for October 8 Crop Walk Starts Now!
CROP Hunger Walks raise funds to end hunger here in Southwest Michigan and around the world. Our local walk on October 8 is one of the thousands that take place around the country. If you would like to be a walker-fundraiser on the DUCC team, please contact Mike Mok by email and/or sign up online right here:
https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2023/team/douglas-ucc Hawai'i 2023 Wildfires Relief Fund
From our UCC Hawaii Conference: "We might be different congregations, but we are one ‘ohana: a unified, radiant, and transforming expression of the body of Christ. During this time of crisis in Maui, we want to be of help and assistance to our ‘ohana in distress. Offerings and collections taken through your local church can be sent to the UCC Hawaii Conference Office where we will work to distribute the funds to devastated areas and those in need. Individuals may also donate online directly through the Conference's Hawai‘i 2023 Wildfires Relief Fund, which is also accessible via our website at hcucc.org/donate. Thank you for your generous giving."
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.
Meet our New Retreat House and Spiritual Center!
The Retreat House is gaining an additional purpose! Starting in September, certified spiritual leaders within DUCC will offer 'tastes' of wide-ranging spiritual discussions to small groups of 4-6 people in the first week of each month. But first, we hope you'll have a chance to visit the space for yourself:
Retreat House Open House During Coffee Hour Sunday, September 3: Stop by to visit the new meditation chapel! Open Prayer Time with Rev. Rienstra in the meditation chapel! Tuesday, September 5 (10:30 - noon) For anyone who wishes to stop by. Each month, new 1-1/2- to 2-hour classes will allow our members and friends to ask questions, try new methods of prayer and meditation, and appreciate the depth of spiritual leadership within our church. These one-time classes begin the first week in September... Rev Marchiene Reinstra GOD IS TALKING. ARE YOU LISTENING? Ways you can experience God’s Presence and Guidance Wednesday, September 6, 10:30-noon There is a Loving Divine Presence that surrounds us and lives within us. We will explore how we can experience this Presence and receive much needed wisdom and guidance for our daily lives through prayer and meditation. Barb Flynn, Certified Spiritual Advisor WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION? IS IT RIGHT FOR ME? Thursday, September 7, 10:30-noon We will explore what spiritual direction is, a bit about its history, and why someone would choose a spiritual guide. A Spiritual guide helps another to recognize and freely name what God is doing in their lives. Rev. Ginny Mikita, Animal Chaplain DOG MEETS GOD Can our pets lead us to the Divine? Friday, September 8, 10:30-noon We will explore how other of God’s creatures intersect with our own spirituality, and we will engage in an experience which may be practiced at home with an animal companion or wild animal. Sign-up sheets will be in the Friendship Hall, or you can contact Julie to be put on a class list. All groups will be limited to six persons. If more are interested, there will be more opportunities to participate in these prayer and meditation experiences. Max Matteson Opening, September 1
Our church member Max Matteson has been back at his easel, making new paintings. Along with his friend Michael Rippey, and they will show their work at Button Gallery beginning September 1, with an opening reception that evening beginning at 5pm.
Red Dock Poetry Reading, August 31
In a sweet turn of events, our church member Jack Ridl has invited Tony Amato, founder and former owner of the Red Dock, to read (no surprise to say Tony has studied and written beautiful poetry all his life) with Jack in this annual end-of-summer event. Always a wondrous way to close the summer season. Come early for music, food and refreshments.
Save the Date: September 24 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, and all church 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.
Next SoulCollage Workshop with Rev. Ruth Zwald, September 9
Our friend and spiritual teacher Ruth Zwald will be leading a Soul Collage workshop in the Friendship Hall on Saturday, September 9, from 1 to 4pm. If you're interested, register with Ruth at her email address above.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
August 28- Ed Korson, Barbara & Dick Lucier, 30- Garnet Lewis,
31- Carol Rice, Karen Clark, September 1- Anita Giltner, Gloria Larrieu, 3- Dennis Konsarski 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
Mary Browning; Nancy Grib (Friend of Pamela Chappell); Stuart Family; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's Mother); Diane Carr; Myron (Wendy Hamlin's grandson, Fred Hamilin's great-grandson); Betsy York; Mary Westenbroek; Brian Aikens; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Joyce Potts (Ed Korson's Friend); 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 20: 120
Total Views for August 20 Online Videos: 537 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $865.00 Online Giving: $3,098.24 Total: $3,963.24 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. |
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56 Wall Street • Douglas, Michigan 49406
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