This Sunday's Service: "God of the Living"
In the Gospel reading from Sunday's lectionary, Jesus says: "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living," meaning there is life after death. But what does life after death look like? Will we be in physical form? Will we be reunited with our loved ones?
Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we ponder these questions together and explore what it means to be children of the Living God. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Stan Greene Download Online Service Bulletin Here: 
Last Week's Service
In last Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus talks about salvation. The terms "salvation" and "being saved" are very misunderstood. What is salvation? How does one become saved? Please enjoy last Sunday's service when we learned about the history of the church's concept of salvation and got to the truth of Jesus' message. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Max Brown
Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's homily. Falling Back! Daylight Saving Time Switcheroo
If you still have clocks to adjust, then please do so Saturday night! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 A.M. At this time, we “fall back” one hour!
(Fun fact: While the Sunshine Protection Act passed the Senate, it's waiting in the House for agreement among our legislators, and a vote, meanwhile, we continue to Spring Forward and Fall Back.) Calling all Singers for Christmas Eve Choir
Peter Black, our Music Director, is calling all singers for our Christmas Eve Choir! All are welcome to join. The Christmas Choir will sing one song at the Christmas Eve service, with four rehearsals, held each Sunday at 11.30 beginning November 27th. You don't need to be able to attend every rehearsal, but we hope you can make as many as possible. Please speak with Peter Black to sign up or click here to write to him!
New Members Class: This Sunday!
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).
Pastor Sal Elected as UCC Association Moderator
At last Sunday's UCC Grand West Association meeting, our very own Pastor Sal was elected and installed as the new Council Moderator of the Grand West Association, which is comprised of 26 UCC churches in Southwest Michigan. Congratulations to him, as he steps into this important new leadership position. And, thank you to church members, Mike VerMerris and Kelly Wright, for representing our congregation as lay delegates at the meeting, where Douglas UCC's 140th anniversary and Pastor Sal's 10th anniversary of ordination were acknowledged with certificates.
Remembrance of Names for All Saints Day
After last Sunday's service, we gathered in our church's Memorial Garden for a "Remembrance of Names" ceremony in honor of All Saints Day this week.
A Delicious End to Our October Book Read
Our October church book read for Parker Palmer's On the Brink of Everything came to a close last week. At our final session together, we enjoyed fruitcake from the Trappist Abbey in Gethsemani (mentioned in the book). Thank you to all who took part in the weekly discussions and to Karen Clark for the fruitcake. We are grateful to our church’s Stephen Ministry team for facilitating this wonderful book read.
"Remembering Our Ancestors" Ceremony
On November 1, All Saints Day, Rev. Ruth Zwald led us in a beautiful “Honoring Our Ancestors” ceremony at Douglas UCC. In the tradition of Dia de los Muertos, we placed photos of our ancestors on the altar, told their stories, and shared a potluck of their favorite foods. Afterwards, Rev. Ruth led us in an emotional meditation with our ancestors. Thank you Rev. Ruth for facilitating this special evening for us, and thank you to all who participated.
Soup-tober Drive: Thank You!!
Soup-tober was a great success! Our little church collected 346 cans for Christian Neighbors Food Pantry in Douglas! Thank you to all donated. We are grateful for your generous giving. And, thank you to church member, Joyce Wright, for facilitating and delivering the soup.
Vote Common Good Tour Bus is Coming!
Last week, at the UCC Grand West meeting, our Pastor Sal hosted Rev. Doug Pagitt, the Executive Director of Vote Common Good, who served as the keynote speaker. Rev. Pagitt shared his work throughout the country, helping Christians understand and stand against Christian Nationalism taking root in our nation and our political process. If you'd like to learn more about this mission, check out the website, or meet up with the Vote Common Good Bus, which will be visiting Grand Haven and Grand Rapids on November 6.
PLEASE NOTE THE TIME CHANGES FOR THESE WEST MICHIGAN EVENTS IN THE FILE BELOW, THAT INCLUDE GOV. WHITMER'S GRAND RAPIDS VISIT.
Flour Collection for Christian Neighbors
Our Annual Flour Drive for Christian Neighbors' Thanksgiving baskets begins on November 1, and will run through November 20. We will place a flour collection box in the entryway to the Friendship Hall. Please donate 4-lb and 5-lb bags only. Thank you so much!
Christian Neighbors News
At Christian Neighbors' Annual Meeting, the staff shared "Christian Neighbors By The Numbers," a document highlighting their biggest expenditures in the past year as they work to serve the area's people in need. Click below to download and read this report. The agency spent close to a quarter million dollars last year, a 52% increase over the previous year. Consequently, their fund balance is just 12 percent of what they anticipate the need will be for this coming year. If you'd like to learn more about Christian Neighbors and how you can support their important work: Click here to check them out online.
Lakeshore Community Chorus Holiday Concert, December 4
Birthdays & Anniversaries
November 8– Alton Overweg, Sr, 9– Elinor & Michael White,
11– John Willming, 12– Marchiene Rienstra 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
Kirstin Barendsen (cousin of Ruth VandenBosch); Marianna Maver (Friend of many in our congregation); Beverly and Orie Hawkes & Family; Susan Schram & Family; Diane Carr & Family; Kenley Hoove (Stephen Lewis' friend); Dr. Paul Lewis (Stephen Lewis's brother); Michael Lynch; Jennifer Roe-Lazzaro; Mary Baxter (Marjorie Reiman's friend); 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); 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 30: 89
Total Views for October 30 Online Videos: 559 Podcast Downloads in October: 2,491 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,818.00 Online Giving: $1,802.02 Total: $3,620.02 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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