Weekly E-Pistle: 23rd Sunday after Pentecost

10/29/2021

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

This Sunday's Service Notes -- 23rd Sunday after Pentecost: "For All the Saints"
Last Week's Service Video -- 22nd Sunday after Pentecost: "Seeing with New Eyes"
Allegan County Covid-19 Transmission Rate is "High," Masks Requested in Service
Shirley Lawson and Robin Haaksma's "Sabbath"
"Another Way to Look at Poetry," Monday, November 1, 7pm
"Huts for the Homeless" Rev. Willie Watt Presents his Vision
Flour Collection for Christian Neighbors beginning November 7
Community Book Read, "The End of Night" by Paul Bogard, November 2
Brother Al Mascia's Concert, Saturday, November 13 at 7 PM
Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, November 20, 7pm
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "For All the Saints"

In Sunday's Gospel, Jesus is asked, "What is the greatest commandment?" He answers, "Love God with all your heart, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself."

Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we explore love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self.

And, in honor of All Saints Day, we will conclude our Sunday service in the Memorial Garden behind the church with a "Remembrance of Names," honoring our loved ones who have died.

Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler

Here is this Sunday's Online Bulletin:

order_of_service_october_31_2021.pdf
File Size:	209 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Last Sunday's Service: "Seeing with New Eyes"

In last Sunday's gospel reading, a blind man is able to see through the power of belief. Jesus tells him, "Your faith has made you well." Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we went on a "Vision Quest" to discover the ways in which we are spiritually blind, and learn how to "see more clearly" with new eyes of the Spirit. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler
Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily.

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 Allegan County's Covid transmission and infection rate at this link:
CDC infection and transmission rates by county.

Shirley Lawson and Robin Haaksma's "Sabbath"

Last Sunday, we were all so honored to hear a brand new song for our Introit, entitled "Sabbath." This song began as a poem, above, about finding peace in nature during the pandemic, written by our church member, Shirley Lawson. It was set to music and performed by her sister-in-law, Robin Haaksma.
You can see that lovely performance here.

"Another Way to Look at Poetry"
Monday, November 1, 7 pm

Our Church Member, Jack Ridl will speak at a free event on Monday evening, 7pm, at Hope College's Maas Auditorium, 264 Columbia Avenue, in Holland. The program, entitled "Another Way to Look at Poetry," is part of the month-long celebration, "Big Read Lakeshore," which this year is celebrating Joy Harjo's "American Sunrise." This program will cure Poetry Anxiety and eliminate any fear of approaching a poem in the wild. Catch up on past events at the program's YouTube Channel, or look for future events at their website:
Bigreadlakeshore.com

"Huts for the Homeless"
Rev. Willie Watt Presents his Vision

Last Sunday, we welcomed Rev. Willie Watt and his team from Lifeline Ministries, who led a presentation in our Friendship Hall about his "Huts for the Homeless" project. It's a powerful ministry, and so timely as our weather grows colder and more and more people need shelter in our communities. Thanks to all who participated in this presentation!

Flour Collection for Christian Neighbors beginning November 7

It's time for our annual flour drive to help fill the holiday food baskets prepared by Christian Neighbors and shared with our neighbors and friends in need this holiday season. If you'd like to participate, please drop your flour off at the Friendship Hall, on the flour table, or in the bin just inside the Retreat House door. We will be accepting flour contributions through Sunday, November 21.

Thank you for all of your generous giving and looking after our community members! And if you know a family that needs a food basket for Thanksgiving Dinner, please write to us at welcome@douglasucc.org.

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.

Brother Al Mascia, in Concert,
Saturday, November 13 at 7 PM

Brother Al Mascia's will offer a concert on Saturday, November 13 at 7 PM at Douglas UCC. Brother Al was the pastor of Douglas UCC from 1996 to 2001. It will be great to welcome him back. You can learn more about Brother Al and his ministry at his website: www.BrotherAl.org.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, November 20, 7pm

Douglas UCC is proud to serve, once again, as one of the sponsors of this year's Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil, which will take place at Centennial Park in Downtown Holland on Saturday, November 20, at 7 PM.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

October 31- Michael Batey, Loran Atkinson & Gary Nicodemus;
Nov 1- Jeff Spangler, 3- Mike Boston, Marty Coffin,
4- Susan Kuhn, Michael Riemke, 5- Peter Carideo

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

Family and Friends of Darlene Walker (Greg and Sheryll VanPortfleet's friend); Sarah Donovan; Marjorie and Mark Reiman; and Greg and Sheryll VanPortfleet; Deb & Al Atkinson; 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 24: 77
Viewers for October 24 Online Service Videos: 672

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $435.00
Online Giving: $3,579.54

Total: $4,014.54

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.