In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "World Communion Sunday"
On the first Sunday in October, Christian churches of different denominations all around the world celebrate "World Communion Sunday." This tradition began all the way back in 1933. Since then, the celebration has grown into an international day of unity. It is a day when we break bread together and remember Jesus's words: "That they may all be one."
Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) as we celebrate this day of unity together. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Jeff Spangler and Robert Edwards Download Online Service Bulletin Here: 
Last Week's Service
We concluded September's "Season of Creation" series last Sunday by putting our focus on the Cosmos or Universe. Christian theologian, Thomas Berry, wrote, "We will recover our sense of the Sacred only if we appreciate the Universe." Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the "Spirit of the Cosmos" together. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Nancy Plantinga
Click here to read, watch, listen to, and share Pastor Sal's Homily. Welcome, Robert Edwards
This Sunday, we are pleased to welcome special guest pianist, Robert Edwards, as Peter Black takes a well-deserved vacation. Robert has a Master's Degree in Classical Piano Performance from University of North Texas. He served for 15 years as pianist at Greenland Hills United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, before moving to Michigan last year. He currently serves on the music team at Park Congregational UCC in Downtown Grand Rapids. The Coffee Hour Comeback!
Photo by Jo Sonn on Unsplash
With our Covid numbers dropping and vaccines rising, we will soon restart after-church Coffee Hour! KUDOS to our church member Joyce Wright, who has taken on the role of Coffee Hour Coordinator. If you'd like to offer coffee hour treats or assistance, please contact Joyce by email.
October is Soup-Tober!
Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
Christian Neighbors Food Pantry is getting ready for winter and would like to stock its shelves with canned soup for their clients. For the month of SOUP-TOBER (Oct 1-31), Christian Neighbors is requesting donated cans of soup. Soup can be dropped off at Douglas Christian Neighbors Food Pantry, located in the rear of Douglas Community Church, 6874 Wiley Road during normal hours of operation, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:30 AM - Noon. OR you can drop soup off in the designated box at the entryway of the Friendship Hall.
We Need You: Highway Cleanup, October 1
The Douglas UCC Creation Justice Team has scheduled our highway cleanup for 9 AM on October 1. We are looking for many hands to work together to make light work of cleaning up our three miles of highway. Sign up on the sheet in the Friendship Hall or by writing to julie@douglasucc.org. Thank you for helping us keep our corner of the world clean!
Blessing of the Animals, Beery Field, October 2
Please join us on Sunday, October 2, at 2 PM for our 3rd Annual "Blessing of the Animals" officiated by Pastor Sal and Animal Chaplain, Ginny Mikita, from our church. We will meet at Beery Field in Downtown Douglas. This event is sponsored by Lakeshore Pet Boutique in Douglas. Coffee will be provided by Uncommon Coffee Roasters.
On the Brink of Everything: Stephen Ministry Book Read, Thursdays in October
"Every day, I get closer to the brink of everything... When a serious illness or accident strikes, or someone dear to us dies — or we go to a class reunion and wonder who all those old people are — it becomes harder to ignore the drop-off that lies just over the edge of our lives."
-- Parker Palmer The Stephen Ministry team is hosting a book discussion of Parker Palmer's On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old. Discussions will take place on Thursdays in October, beginning October 6 at 3pm in the Friendship Hall. If you'd like to join in, sign up via the church sign-up sheet, or drop a note to julie@douglasucc.org. The book is available in e-book, audio book and hard cover formats through your favorite booksellers, including Amazon, right here. Soul Collage Session, October 8
Cultivating a Spiritual Path, October 12
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
Cultivating a Spiritual Path - On Wednesday October 12 from 6 to 7:30 PM in the Friendship
Hall, Dr. Shannon Connell will provide an interactive presentation aligning with the contemplative direction Pastor Sal encourages in the invitation to “Be Still and Know”. Golden tools will be explored to enhance a contemplative spiritual practice. Guidance will be provided with time for practice, questions, and contemplation. Sign-up sheet is in the Friendship Hall. Download Dr. Connell's flier below.
Honoring the Ancestors with Rev. Ruth Zwald, Nov 1 
Connecting to our ancestors is a vital part of spiritual work. Drawing on the Mexican traditions of Dia De Los Muertos involves us in an evening of sharing stories and food, creating an altar, as well as a chance to connect to our ancestors in a guided meditation.
Please consider joining this special event for The Day Of The Dead. All the details and what to bring are in the poster, above. If you are interested, please RSVP to reserve your spot. It will be an amazing evening to connect and celebrate our stories. Birthdays & Anniversaries
October 2- Nan Belschner, Gary Nicodemus, 3– Mark Johnston,
4– Marjorie & Mark Reiman, 5– Stanlee III (Duke) Greene, 6– Bernie Lopata & Carol Rice, 7 – Linda & Rich Marth 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
Debra Carr; Kenley Hoove (Stephen Lewis' friend); Dr. Paul Lewis (Stephen Lewis's brother); Michael Lynch; Jennifer Roe-Lazzaro; Mary Baxter (Marjorie Reiman's friend); Dianne Soper (Beverly Hawkes' sister); Elwood Cephus Stith (Mark Reiman's friend); Pete Wehle; Rev. Lou Grettenberger (friend of Ginny Mikita); Rachael Rienstra; Phil Sturdevant (Pete Wehle's friend); Darren Dixon (Beverly and Orie Hawkes' nephew); The Hotwagner Family; David Zylstra (Laurie VandenBeldt's friend); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart's sister); Judy Baxter (Kristine Sherman's Mother); Joann DeJonge; Richard and Joanna Weber's great-grandson Mattox (friends of the Ridls); Al Overweg; Beverly Willming (John Willming's mother); Jay North (friend of Dan Pierce); Hannah Sherman; Maureen Pierce; David Abbot; Sarah Johnson Lock; Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Cole Hartman; Mike Sneedon (Peg and Jack Donohue's friend); Tim Reineck, Matt Brazys, Suzanne Cook, and Ken Cassbon (friends of Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell); Richie Czarnowski (Mark Reiman's friend); Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt)
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, September 25 : 87
Total Views for September 25 Online Videos: 521 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $5,588.00 Online Giving: $2,985.96 Total: $8,573.96 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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