In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "Gifts & Talents"
On the surface, Sunday's Gospel of the "Parable of the Talents" may sound like an uncomfortable story about greed. But Jesus is offering an important teaching about our own relationship to God. We are endowed with innate talents precisely so that we can invest them, use them, and produce greater good. Come join us this Sunday for our "Video Worship Service," as we explore how to invest our gifts and talents to bring more of God's abundance into expression. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black & Pamela Chappell.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website. Last Sunday's Service: Keep Your Lamps Burning
During this Election Season and this time of COVID, many of us are feeling emotionally and spiritually drained. Do you have enough oil in your lamp? In last Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus tells "The Parable of the 10 Bridesmaids," five of whom did not prepare enough oil in their lamps. We explored how to keep our spiritual lamps lit and burning, especially during such challenging times as these. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black & Stan Greene. Read and share the homily here.
Post Election Statement from the UCC
What does love require of us next? The UCC shares an important message urging worshippers to tap the healing power of love to close our political divide.
Also, the National UCC's "Feature Story" this week talked about our little church and quoted from Pastor Sal's sermon last Sunday. You can read the article here: "As Election Contention Continues, Churches Pray for Peace - and to Persist for Justice." It's the second time this past month that the National UCC has highlighted our church. Help Us Build a Holiday Church Family Album
|
|||
| thanksgiving_dinner_prize.pdf |
Registration Open for Saturday's
Virtual UCC Michigan Annual Meeting
Registration is open for Saturday's Virtual 2020 Annual Gathering of UCC's Michigan Conference. Click here to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link you need to join the meeting. The gathering will take place on Saturday, November 14th beginning at 9:30 a.m. The meeting organizers ask that you plan to join Zoom at 9:15 a.m. so that we can begin promptly at 9:30. The Annual Report Booklet will be available prior to the gathering on the Conference website, and in the Michigan Conference Weekly Newsletter. More information will be shared as plans come together.
Friendship Hall News
The coronavirus is hitting home again, Bubba Beaudreaux and Dennis Bales, Myron Freund and Ted Sommer are all struggling with this virus. At the meeting, we shared more news of friends and family with the virus. By now most of us know someone close to us and close by who is infected. Please protect youself and others by staying home, staying safe, and using those masks! We shared our election stories, and stories of the past four years of work. One of our favorite reflections came from Stan Greene: "These past few days demonstrate that Snowflakes come in different colors." Dan Mack shared news and thoughts of his upcoming knee surgery. (That was Monday, and he is well and home and so grateful for prayers and support), Pam Chappell's hip surgery is next week. We can encourage her at this week's online meetup! Mike Ver Merris' virtual pottery show extended through December 7. You can find the whole show, with Michael's link online here. Greg and Sheryll VanPortfleet have been working hard for Sheryll's mom, Vivian, who is making the move to assisted living. Now we have news that Vivian has tested positive for Covid 19. Sheryll and Greg are in quarantine and will be tested soon. Prayers up for them and all of our loved ones, please!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
November 15- Doreen Ritt, 18- Alex Andrede & Michael Batey,
19- Mark Johnston & Jeremy Lund, 19- Marcel terVeen, 20- Linda Koch, 21- Peter Mueller
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. 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.
19- Mark Johnston & Jeremy Lund, 19- Marcel terVeen, 20- Linda Koch, 21- Peter Mueller
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. 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
Rev. Lynn Young (friend of the Clarks); the family and friends of Chris Cook, especially Larry Fuerst and Sue Scott; Pamela Chappell; Bubba Beaudreaux and Dennis Bales; Sarah Weaver (Ed Korson's family); Marilyn Ondersma (the Reimans' friend); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Dan Mack; Leith Letcher and Jim Shewell; Warren Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's father); Gregg Kirchen (Sheryll and Greg VanPortfleet's friend); Sidney Matheis; Jodi Berault, Dirk Hollebeek (Ruth VandenBosch's godson); Larry Gregsbeek (friend of Mark Reiman); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Vivian Libby (Sheryll Van Portfleet's Mom); Hannah Sherman; Gary Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's brother); Barbara Klatt (Barb Lucier's friend); Myron Freund; Terry Stough (Catz Dienes' son); Ted Sommer; Phyllis Wallis (Kathy Austin's mother); Drew Carter; Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend); Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
All of our Covid-19 pandemic first responders, and for the researchers and scientists working on effective tests and treatments for Covid-19. Prayers for all in the military and their families; all who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add or remove a name from the Prayer List, please email us.
All of our Covid-19 pandemic first responders, and for the researchers and scientists working on effective tests and treatments for Covid-19. Prayers for all in the military and their families; all who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet.
To add or remove a name from the Prayer List, please email us.
Financial Stewardship
November 8
Viewers for November 8 Online Service videos: 680
Online Giving: $3176.81
Facebook donations: 10/1 - 10/15/20: $520.00
(FB donations reported approximately 2 weeks after donation period)
Total: $3,696.81
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.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
Viewers for November 8 Online Service videos: 680
Online Giving: $3176.81
Facebook donations: 10/1 - 10/15/20: $520.00
(FB donations reported approximately 2 weeks after donation period)
Total: $3,696.81
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.
Or you may send checks by mail to:
Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ
56 Wall Street, PO Box 519
Douglas, MI 49406
RSS Feed
