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Weekly E-Pistle: 20th Sunday after Pentecost

10/21/2022

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

  • This Sunday's Service — 20th Sunday after Pentecost: "Humble & Exalted"
  • Last Week's Service Video — 19th Sunday after Pentecost: "The Science of Prayer"
  • In Memoriam: Bille Hougart and Dianne Soper
  • Upcoming UCC Meetings
  • UCC's "Hurricanes 2022 Appeal"
  • October is Soup-Tober!
  • "Honoring the Ancestors" with Rev. Ruth Zwald: November 1
  • New Members Class: November 6
  • Reports & Minutes
  • ​​Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Humble & Exalted"

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In Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus says: "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."  The word humility is defined as being "unselved," a liberation from consciousness of self.  When we humble ourselves, we free ourselves from the bonds of the ego and are, therefore, exalted. 

Please join as this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we explore what it means to live a life of "humble heartedness." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Pamela Chappell

​
Download Online Service Bulletin Here:
Order of Service (Oct 23 2022)
File Size: 1076 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Last Week's Service

In the gospel reading from last lSunday's lectionary, Jesus tells the disciples a parable about the need to pray persistently and to never to lose heart. But what exactly is the purpose of prayer, and how do we "pray without ceasing," as Scripture instructs us to do? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored "The Science of Prayer," for prayer does indeed work, if we know how to work it!  Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Stan Greene.

Click here to read, watch, listen to, and share Pastor Sal's homily.

In Memoriam: Bille Hougart & Dianne Soper

It is with great sadness that we share that Bille Hougart (pictured far right with wife, Susan Schram, at one of our recent church socials) passed away on Sunday at Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids. Pastor Sal was able to visit Bille in the hospital just one hour before Bille died. A seasonal visitor to our church for several years, Bille will be missed by all of us at Douglas UCC. Cards of condolence can be sent to Sue at 1001 26th St NW suite 708, Washington, DC 20037. ​
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It is also with great sadness that we share that Dianne Soper (pictured left), sister of church member, Beverly Hawkes, passed away on Monday. Dianne watched our services each week from her home in New York. This past summer, Dianne was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She will be missed by so many. Cards of condolences can be mailed to Bev at 6506 Old Singapore Trail, Saugatuck, MI 49453.


Upcoming UCC Meetings 

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This month, there are several UCC Conference and Association meetings, in which you may take part. All of the meetings will be held via Zoom, so advance registration is required. Click the links below to learn more and to register:
  • The UCC Michigan Conference Annual Meeting will take place on Saturday, October 22, from 9 AM till noon. The theme is "Facing Change with Courage."
  • The Installation Service for Conference Minister, Rev. Lillian Daniel will take place on Sunday, October 23, at 3 PM.
  • The Grand West Association Fall Meeting will take place on Sunday, October 30, from 3 PM to 5 PM. The keynote speaker will be Doug Pagitt. One of the leading voices in Progressive Christianity, Pagitt is an author, activist, pastor, and the Executive Director of Vote Common Good. His latest book is Outdoing Jesus.

UCC's "Hurricanes 2022 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. 

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 Here

October is Soup-Tober!


​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. 
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Photo by Piotr Miazga on Unsplash

"Honoring the Ancestors" with Rev. Ruth Zwald: November 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. 

New Members Class: November 6 

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If you are interested in becoming a member of our church, Pastor Sal will be holding a New Members Class on Sunday, November 6, from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM over at our church's Retreat House. All are welcome to attend.  (If you would like to become a member, but are unable to attend the class, please email Pastor Sal). ​

​Reports & Minutes 

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Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Church Council Minutes (Sep 2022)
File Size: 155 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Pastor Report (Oct 2022)
File Size: 275 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


​​Birthdays & Anniversaries

October 24- Glynis & Kenneth Whitcomb, 25- Maryjo Lemanski, 26- Ken Hemminger
​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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Beverly and Orie Hawkes & Family; Susan Schram & Family; Diane Carr & Family; 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 16: 84
​Total Views for October 16 Online Videos: 522


​Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $7,808.00
Online Giving: $1,157.76
​​​​
​Total: $8,965.76
​​
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