In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday - "LOVE: 4th Sunday of Advent"
Christmas is almost here! This Sunday, we'll light the fourth and final Advent wreath candle for "LOVE," for love is the reason for the season. We hope you'll join us this Sunday for our "Video Worship Service," as Pastor Sal gives an inspiring message about "The Power of Love." Music by Peter Black and Stan Greene.
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website. Last Week's Service Video
Our Gospel reading for last Sunday (the 3rd Sunday of Advent) focused on Mary, the mother of Jesus. Though many see her as the "meek and mild" virgin, the real Mary was courageous, radical, and revolutionary. Please enjoy last Sunday's "Video Worship Service," when we explored "The Real Mary." Message by Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black. Plus, several of our Douglas UCC musicians joined together to perform the beautiful song, "O Mother God." We also lit our 3rd Advent wreath candle (the pink one) for "JOY." Read, Listen, and Share the Homily here.
In Memoriam: Myron Freund
It is with deep sadness that we share the news that our Douglas UCC church member,
Myron Freund, passed away last Sunday evening. Myron bravely battled cancer this past year, and he was hospitalized last month with Covid-19. He made a peaceful transition at the home of our church members, Dale Lower and Ted Sommer, who were caring for him in his final days. Pastor Sal visited and prayed with Myron the day before he died. Myron's ashes will be interred in our church's Memorial Garden in the spring. We will remember his deep faith and his joy-filled spirit. May he rest in peace. Christmas Eve Service Broadcasting 7pm
We hope you will join us online on Christmas Eve for our annual Candlelight Service of “The Lessons & the Carols," broadcasting on December 24 at 7 PM.
Tune in via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website. Holiday DUCC Family Album: Deadline Dec. 20
Our DUCC Holiday Family Album is building! We will continue to accept photos through Sunday, December 20. Just email your photos to [email protected]! And watch for the album in an upcoming service!
Lakeshore Community Chorus -- The Gift of Music
The Lakeshore Community Chorus is going online this year for their annual Holiday Concert. They have worked so hard to make this free gift to the community happen, and you won't want to miss this local tradition in its non-traditional format. On December 20, at 4pm, follow the link, above. Click here for all the details!
You are Not Alone --
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During the months of November and December, Pastor Sal will be leading a "Centering Prayer" meditation via Zoom each Wednesday night from 5:30 PM to 6 PM. Each session will begin with a short talk, followed by a 15-minute silent prayer practice. If you are interested in taking part in these sessions, please email Pastor Sal.
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Shopping Receipts Raise Funds for Food Pantry!!!
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Are 9 months of Family Fare receipts piling up in your kitchen?
Have 36 weeks of D & W receipts overwhelmed your entryway?
We sure hope so, and it’s time to clean house! The old familiar dropbox has been moved from the Friendship Hall into the vestibule of the Retreat House. Please drop off those receipts so we can total up the past nine months and move closer to our goal of collecting $150,000 worth of receipts. Once we hit that goal, DUCC will donate $1,000 from Spartan’s ‘Direct your Dollars’ Program to Ladders of Hope Food Pantry in Fennville. If you forgot to save receipts before, now is the time to start! The collection box will stay there until further notice, so drop by Retreat House - and drop them in! KUDOS to Dee Mikos Graves and Kathleen Mueller for managing this program and counting up all of those receipts!
Have 36 weeks of D & W receipts overwhelmed your entryway?
We sure hope so, and it’s time to clean house! The old familiar dropbox has been moved from the Friendship Hall into the vestibule of the Retreat House. Please drop off those receipts so we can total up the past nine months and move closer to our goal of collecting $150,000 worth of receipts. Once we hit that goal, DUCC will donate $1,000 from Spartan’s ‘Direct your Dollars’ Program to Ladders of Hope Food Pantry in Fennville. If you forgot to save receipts before, now is the time to start! The collection box will stay there until further notice, so drop by Retreat House - and drop them in! KUDOS to Dee Mikos Graves and Kathleen Mueller for managing this program and counting up all of those receipts!
Friendship Hall News
While a beautiful snow fell last Sunday, and we watched planes full of the first Covid 19 vaccine head out from Michigan, church members met in the Friendship Hall to share our Joys and Concerns, and check in with one another. Stan Greene reminded us how to raise hands in the Friendship Hall (watch for Friday's email, with a Powerpoint that helps you find that important button). We celebrated Pastor Sal's 12/13 birthday with a Tarta de Santiago, made by Kathleen and Peter Mueller, some fun and festive signs, and song lead by Pamela Chappell and Pete Wehle. Looking for a recipe for Tarta de Santiago? Here's one! David Geen shared that the church members who walked the Camino ate a lot of this cake along their route! He also announced that the Holy Land trip has been rescheduled for next year, in October. Nancy Plantinga joined us from her home, and so thankful for our prayers as she worked over these past many weeks to care for her family members. Max Brown showed us that he is feeling much better after three days in Holland Hospital, getting a new stent in one of his heart bypasses. Pam Chappell is feeling much better, as she heals from her hip replacement. Pastor Sal shared a tribute to Jewell Hall, friend of the church, who passed away and left a lovely gift to DUCC.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
December 22- Mary Harris, 24- Cambria Whitcomb, Kelsey Whitcomb
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.
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
Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt); Richard Graham; Max Brown; the Klott Family; five members of family of Max Brown's sister; Audrey Looman and Michael Titus, (friends of Ruth VandenBosh; Ruth Pearson (Wendy Hamlin's sister, Fred Hamlin's daughter); Jimmy Hotwagner; Tish Swinehart and Diane Carr (Debra Carr's sisters); Char Clausing (Nancy Plantinga's cousin); Brent Havens; Ruth VandenBosch; the family and friends of Chris Cook, especially Larry Fuerst and Sue Scott; Pamela Chappell; Bubba Beaudreaux; 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); 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.
Reports & Minutes
Click below to read the latest Church Council Minutes and Pastor's Report:
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Financial Stewardship
December 13
Viewers for December 13 Online Service Videos: 983
Online Giving: $2,490.11
Advent Devotionals Sale: $40.00
Xmas Ornament Sales: $50.00
Max's Wreath Fundraiser: $750.00
Collection plate (mailed in): $2,475.00
Total: $5,805.11
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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