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Weekly E-Pistle: 18th Sunday after Pentecost

10/7/2022

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

  • This Sunday's Service — 18th Sunday after Pentecost: "Attitude of Gratitude"
  • Welcome, Bob Ruddy
  • Last Week's Service Video — 17th Sunday after Pentecost: "World Communion Sunday"
  • Thank you for Cleaning our Highway!
  • Pet Blessing Photo Album!
  • UCC's "Hurricanes 2022 Appeal"
  • October is Soup-Tober!
  • A Message from the CJT: World Farm Animals Day
  • ​Cultivating a Spiritual Path, October 12
  • SCA Looking for Volunteers
  • Trunk or Treat at Douglas Cove: Candy Donations Needed by October 24
  • Honoring the Ancestors with Rev. Ruth Zwald, Nov 1
  • ​​Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Attitude of Gratitude"

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In this Sunday's gospel reading, Jesus ministers to 10 people, but only one of them comes back to say, "Thank You."  This man receives a great blessing. Jesus is letting us know that gratitude is such a powerful spiritual tool with life-changing effects.

Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we learn how to cultivate an "attitude of gratitude." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Jeff Spangler and Bob Ruddy

Download Online Service Bulletin Here:
order_of_service_october_9_2022.pdf
File Size: 972 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Welcome Bob Ruddy!

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​​Our Director of Music, Peter Black, is taking a well-deserved vacation, and we’re happy to welcome back our friend, Bob Ruddy (left), who will be serving as our pianist this Sunday.


Last Week's Service

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."  Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we celebrated this day of unity together. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Jeff Spangler and Robert Edwards
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​Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily.

"Adopt-A- Highway" Cleanup - Thank You!

Many thanks to all who helped with last weekend's "Adopt-a-Highway" Cleanup. We are grateful to: Rich & Linda Marth; Laurie VandenBeldt; Sarah Donovan; Virginia Stuart; Linda Charvat; Fritz Royce; Mike VerMerris; Joyce Wright; Terry & Steve (visitors from our UCC church in Lake Worth, Florida) and Eric Lejeune from our Creation Justice Team for facilitating.

"Blessing of the Animals" - Photo Slideshow

Last Sunday's 3rd annual "Blessing of the Animals" in Douglas was a huge success with a record turnout crowd of church members, neighbors, and their animals. The event took place at Beery Field in Downtown Douglas and was sponsored by Lakeshore Pet Boutique. Our very own Pastor Sal and Douglas UCC church member, Ginny Mikita, officiated the service. 

UCC's "Hurricanes 2022 Emergency Appeal" 

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The United Church of Christ has issued an appeal to support immediate needs for families and communities affected by Hurricanes Fiona and Ian. 

The last three weeks have made it clear just how dangerous and destructive these storms can be. With wind speeds topping out at 130 miles per hour and 155 miles per hour, respectively, Hurricanes Fiona and Ian have left devastation in their wake. Millions have lost power and access to clean drinking water. The need for emergency food support, medical care, and temporary shelter is high. Emergency response personnel are active. Relief agencies are meeting immediate needs where they can gain access to communities hard hit by the storm. United Church of Christ partners through National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster who focus on relief are implementing their plans. 

Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery. If you can, click the red button below to donate online, or if you prefer, you may mail a check payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Hurricanes 2022 Fund” in the memo section. As always, thank you for your support!
Donate Now

October is Soup-Tober! ​​

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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. 

A Message from the CJT: World Farm Animals Day

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Photo by Phoenix Han on Unsplash
This past Sunday was World Farm Animals Day set aside to remember the plight of billions of farm animals including laying hens, the majority of whom are raised in windowless sheds among 20,000 - 50,000 of their fellow sentient beings.

In Matthew’s Gospel (Matt 23:27), he tells the story of Jesus citing hens as examples to whom we should aspire. “How often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings.”

Hens, when permitted to sit upon their fertile eggs in a light- and fresh air-filled coop until and after their babies hatch, are devoted mothers. Last May, I chicken-sat for a month and bore witness to a mother hen - as night fell each night - gently tucking her four chicks in under her wings. For the first time, I understood those words of Jesus.

Please consider buying free-range eggs from local family farms.
--Ginny Mikita, Creation Justice Team Member

Cultivating a Spiritual Path, October 12 

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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.
cultivating_a_spiritual_path.pdf
File Size: 79 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


SCA Looking for Volunteers! 

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The SCA needs help disassembling their summer exhibition. We hope you all had an opportunity to enjoy the multi-site summer art exhibition titled, "Create Community: Spaces for Discovery!" The seven sites spread across Saugatuck, Douglas, Fennville, and Holland were a big hit for visitors and locals alike!  And...as they say...all good things must come to end. 

The SCA needs our help to disassemble the exhibitions. They have scheduled one day per site (9am-4pm), and in many cases may be able to finish up sooner than planned. Volunteers will be helping disassemble the structures using battery operated drills, and then carrying the lumber and materials to either a dumpster on site or a vehicle that will transport the items. 

If you can lend an hour or two (or more!), please follow the link below to sign up for one more location. 
Sign Up Here

Trunk or Treat at Douglas Cove:
​Candy Donations Needed by October 24

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Douglas Cove Health & Rehabilitation Center (formerly known as Grace of Douglas) is hosting a Trunk or Treat on Halloween - Monday, October 31, from 4 pm to 6 pm.  They need donations of candy for the event. If you can provide candy, please drop it off at Douglas Cove by October 24.

Honoring the Ancestors: Rev. Ruth Zwald, Nov 1 ​​

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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. It will be an amazing evening to connect and celebrate our stories.​

If you are interested, please RSVP directly to Ruth to reserve your spot.   

Birthdays & Anniversaries

October 10– Mike VerMerris    12– Jim Bailey
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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

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Matthew McWebb, 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, October 2 : 93
​Total Views for October 2 Online Videos: 408
Podcast Downloads, September: 4,063

​Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $5,676
Online Giving: $2,508.47
​​​​
​Total: $8,184.47
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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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  • 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