Weekly E-Pistle: 20th Sunday after Pentecost

10/8/2021

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

This Sunday's Service Notes -- 20th Sunday after Pentecost: "All Things are Possible"
Last Week's Service Video -- 19th Sunday after Pentecost: "Called By Name""
Allegan County Covid-19 Transmission Rate is "High," Masks Requested in Service
The Blessing of The Animals, A Slideshow!
Sylvia's Place is Shining the Light on Domestic Violence. Can you help?
Celebrating Christian Neighbors' 40th Anniversary!
Community Book Read, "The End of Night" by Paul Bogard, November 2
Our Social Justice Team is Exploring Support for Afghan Refugees -- Want to Know More?
2021 UCC Michigan Conference Meeting: Registration is open!
Fall Cleanup Day, October 16, 9 am-Noon
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "All Things Are Possible!"

In Sunday's Gospel, a rich, young man asks Jesus what it takes to attain eternal life. Jesus tells him to rid himself of his possessions. The rich man feels like this is impossible, but Jesus reminds him that nothing is impossible with God. What are the things in your life that are "possessing" you? Do you feel like it's impossible to rid yourself of them? Come join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or live online), as discover what it truly means to live a rich, full life. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler.

Join us this Sunday in-person or STREAMING LIVE at 10 AM on our YouTube channel.
>>>>> Click HERE to download a copy of SUNDAY'S BULLETIN.

Last Week's Service Video - "Called By Name"

Last Sunday was "World Communion Sunday," in which different Christian denominations come together as one. Our Pastor Sal preached at Hope Church in Holland this Sunday, as we welcomed Ginny Mikita as our guest preacher at Douglas UCC.

Ginny spoke to us about the importance of our names. In Isaiah 43:1, God says, "I have called you by name. You are mine." Several people in the Bible even received new names from God. Please enjoy last Sunday's service video for an inspiring message from Ginny and uplifting music from Peter Black and Jeff Spangler.

Allegan County Covid-19 Transmission Rate is "High," Masks Requested in Service

Mask Recommendation for Sunday Services
Because our area transmission rate has increased to "High," the Church Council requests that we wear masks at the Sunday Service. Greeters will have masks available for anyone who needs them. You can follow our Covid transmission and infection rate at this link. CDC infection and transmission rates by county.

The Blessing of The Animals: A Slideshow!

Last Sunday's "Blessing of the Animals" in Douglas was grand! Please enjoy the slide show. The weather was kind. The dogs were wonderful. The turtle exceptional in every way. The blessings were such a blessing! And the gifts and joy and coffee offered by theLakeshore Pet Boutique in Douglas were all so extra! What a wonderful event for everyone, and a huge outpouring of love from our Pastor Sal and visiting Pastor, Ginny Mikita, who co-officiated.

Sylvia's Place is Shining the Light on Domestic Violence. Can you help?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Sylvia's Place plans to Shine a Light on Domestic Violence. You are invited to use a purple lightbulb to light your front porch or window during the week of October 18th, and share a picture of it on social media to spread awareness of domestic violence and to show survivors they are not alone.

Sylvia's Place will deliver purple bulbs to anyone who orders them. Use the sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall if you would like purple bulbs, or email Julie Ridl. They ask for a donation for each bulb of at least $5, or more if you wish to offer more support to this shelter. They will deliver the bulbs by October 15th, and we will let you know when you can pick them up.

Christian Neighbors' 40th Anniversary!
October 16, 10 am to 1 pm

The rich history and generous support from our community members will be honored in an open house from 10am to 1pm on October 16 at their location at the Community Church of Douglas as Christian Neighbors celebrates 40 years of feeding, clothing, and caring for neighbors in need. We hope you can join us!

Community Book Read, "The End of Night" by Paul Bogard, November 2

Did you know that the over-lighting of our night skies is not only a problem of wasted energy and money, but is damaging to our health and well-being, and that of all the creatures who share our planet home?

Did you know that generations are growing up without ever seeing the night skies many of us remember from our childhood?

What if we could fix this?

What if our towns were known not only for our coastline and nature trails and shops and restaurants, but also for our night skies?

The DUCC Creation Justice Team invites you to read and discuss the gorgeously written and critically acclaimed The End of Night by Paul Bogard. The book is available in print and electronic form from the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, the Fennville Library, and is available as an audiobook, narrated by the author. A few copies are available to check out from the Friendship Hall. It is also available from your favorite booksellers.

On November 2, at 6:30 pm, we will gather at the Friendship Hall to discuss the book and explore local and national efforts to reduce light pollution in our skies. This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited, so please sign up in the Friendship Hall, or online at the link below to help us with our planning.

Following CDC recommendations, facemasks are requested for all participants while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

Our Social Justice Team is Exploring Support for Afghan Refugees -- Want to Know More?

Our Social Justice Team is exploring ways that our church can support locally placed Afghan refugee families. This discernment process explores many levels and opportunities for support, and opportunities for donations of talent, time, and treasure. Sign up in the Friendship Hall if you'd like to join in on these conversations, or email Bob Kenny to share your interest.

2021 UCC Michigan Conference Meeting: Registration is open!

The 2021 Michigan Conference UCC Virtual Annual Meeting is approaching quickly - the date is Saturday, October 16th via Zoom - and all church members are welcome to attend. All materials, reports and Annual Meeting Handbook will be available on the Conference website prior to the meeting. To register for the Annual Meeting, folow this link (please register before October 16):
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvfu6urDopGNShGB8EcNR3efdGtqaOSutn

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the meeting. Please plan to join the Zoom at 9:15 a.m. to ensure your audio and video equipment are working properly.

Fall Cleanup Day, October 16, 9 am-Noon

Photo by Susan Jones on UnSplash

Please join us on Saturday, October 16, from 9 AM till Noon for our "Fall Clean-Up Day." We will be cleaning up the church grounds. Bring garden tools, if you have them. Thank you!!

Birthdays & Anniversaries

October 10- Mike VerMerris, 12- Jim Bailey, 15- Liz Wilson's Anniversary

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. If you don't have a directory, please let us know, and we will email one to you

Prayer Requests

Helaine Miedema (David Miedema's mother); Brenda Marcy; Ron Turks (Carol Cunningham's son-in-law); Elizabeth Estes; Sidney Matheis; Pete Wehle; David Abbot; Sarah Johnson Lock; Linda Masten (Mark Reiman's friend); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Sarah Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's Daughter); Cole Hartman; Mike Sneedon (Peg and Jack Donohue's friend); Sandy Feldman; Tim Reineck, Matt Brazys, Suzanne Cook, and Ken Cassbon (friends of Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell); Richie Czarnowski (Mark Reiman's friend); Dale Lower; Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Michael (a friend of Dan Mack's); Myron (Wendy Hamlin's grandson, Fred Hamlin's great-grandson); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, October 3: 66
Viewers for October 3 Online Service Videos: 255

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,075
Online Giving: $3,021.47
Church/Retreat House Use: $300
Konarski/Kern Wedding: $200

Total: $5,596.47
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.