Weekly E-Pistle: 6th Sunday after Epiphany

2/10/2023

This Sunday's Service — 6th Sunday after Epiphany: "Choosing Life"
Last Sunday's Video — 5th Sunday after Epiphany: "Salt and Light"
Help for Turkey and Syria
John Pavlovitz at Douglas UCC: March 11, Tickets Now On Sale!!
Upcoming Lenten Book Read — Rise by John Pavlovitz
Stephen Ministry -- Operators Standing By!
Peanut Butter Drive for Christian Neighbors
Survey to help the Social Justice Team with Program Planning, Deadline Feb 13
Anna-Lisa Cox Talk on the History of Covert, MI, Feb 15
Considering Matthew Shepherd, Concert, Feb 26
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Choosing Life"

In Sunday's gospel reading from Deuteronomy, we hear the words, "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. Choose life." The choice is ours.

Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) as we explore the ways to "choose life" each and every day. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Stan Greene.

Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin:

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Download File

Last Sunday's Service

In the gospel reading for the 5th Sunday after Epiphany, Jesus continues his famous "Sermon on the Mount" by telling us that we are "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." What exactly did he mean by this? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored what it means to be "Salt and Light." Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Elizabeth Estes.

Here's the Homily

Help for Turkey and Syria

The news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. The death toll continues to rise – numbers are pointing to over 17,000 – depending on the source. This is shattering news and adds to the challenges of the war in this area for over a decade.

Immediately after the earthquake, the UCC posted a prayer and short statement in response to this crisis. While the earthquake was on the border, the tremors were felt as far away as Lebanon and Cyprus. At this time, we are issuing an appeal to help recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria. It is hard to tell what other areas are affected or the extent of the damage from this seismic event.

Amid this current uncertainty, you can be certain that with your financial support the United Church of Christ will be there helping those in need. To support this effort, you can give online by following the button below, or text UCCDISASTER to 41444. You can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Turkey and Syria” on your check in the memo section.

All donations will be deposited into the International Emergency fund designated for “Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response”. Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery.

Give Online Here

John Pavlovitz at Douglas UCC: March 11
Tickets Now On Sale!!

Join us on Saturday, March 11, at 7 PM at Douglas UCC for "An Evening with John Pavlovitz."

John Pavlovitz is a popular pastor, author, and activist known for his progressive social and political writings from a liberal Christian perspective.

He is author of the books, "A Bigger Table," "Hope and Other Superpowers," and "If God is Love, Don't Be a Jerk.' Over the past few years, his blog, Stuff That Needs To Be Said, has become a virtual hub for millions of people from all over the world, drawn there by his clear, compelling words on compassion, equity, love, and justice.

Join John for an honest conversation about how important activists, caregivers, and damn-givers are right now, and why we can't afford to give up.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased securely online at johnpavlovitz.bpt.me

Upcoming Lenten Book Read — Rise by John Pavlovitz

Beginning on March 1, Pastor Sal will be facilitating at 5-week Lenten book study on John Pavlovitz's Rise: An Authentic Lenten Devotional. The group will meet every Wednesday in March from 3 to 4 PM in the Friendship Hall. The cost is $10, which includes a copy of the book, as well as journal and pen. Registration is required. Please email Pastor Sal or sign the sheet in the Friendship Hall if you wish to take part.

In addition, we are excited to announce that author, John Pavlovitz, will be speaking at Douglas UCC on Saturday, March 11!! Details to follow.

Stephen Ministry -- Operators Standing By!

During last Sunday's service, Stephen Leader Laurie Van Den Beldt shared a beautiful story of the power and grace she felt as a Stephen Ministry care receiver, a Stephen Ministry caregiver, and a Stephen Ministry Leader. Are you in need of a caring, listening heart right now? Stephen Ministers are standing by! You can connect with the team by writing to us at [email protected].

Peanut Butter Drive for Christian Neighbors

From now until February 28, we are collecting jars of peanut butter for Christian Neighbors Food Pantry in Douglas. You can drop off your donations on the designated table in the Friendship Hall on Sundays or leave inside the foyer door during the week. Thank you, as always, for your generous giving. (And, thank you, Joyce Wright, for the fun peanut-design tablecloth, too!).

Survey to help the Social Justice Team with Program Planning, Deadline Feb 13

The Social Justice Team wants your input on issues to address during the coming year. Your responses will help us plan awareness, education and engagement opportunities that help our congregation live out our faith in the wider world. Just click on the button below to complete a brief survey. You can also watch for an e-mail with a link to the survey if you prefer to respond in that way. Thanks for your participation!

Take the Survey

Anna-Lisa Cox Talk on the History of Covert, MI, Feb 15

Our friend and historian Anna-Lisa Cox will give a talk February 15, at 7pm, at All Saints Episcopal Church in Saugatuck. She will be speaking on her first book, A Stronger Kinship, which tells the story of her "historical-detective feat." Anna-Lisa uncovered the history of Covert, Michigan, just a short drive from Saugatuck, a community that, beginning in the 1860s, attempted to do what then seemed impossible: love your neighbor—regardless of skin color—as yourself. Drawing on diaries, oral histories, and contemporary records, Cox gives glimpses of Covert’s people, from William Conner, the Civil War veteran who went on to become Michigan's first black justice of the peace, to Elizabeth Gillard, who, shipwrecked and washed onto Covert's shores, ultimately came to love the unusual community she would call home. In bringing these and other stories of this small town to light, Cox presents a vision of what our nation might have been, and could be.

Considering Matthew Shepherd Concert
February 26

On Sunday, February 26th, the Holland Chorale will present "Considering Matthew Shepard,” an evocative musical response to the death of Matthew Shepard in 1998. As we mark the 25th anniversary of Matthew’s death, this concert seeks LOVE and unity as it encourages compassion and kindness. Excerpts of Matthew’s diary are read and sung throughout the work. After the concert, the Chorale will host a talk-back, offering time and space to process and reflect on what was shared.

Tickets: Adults $20*, Students 18 & over $5, Under 18 years old FREE
*Discounted tickets offered for groups larger than 10.
Call 616-494-0256 for more details.
Purchase tickets online at hollandchorale.org

Birthdays & Anniversaries

February 12 – Demetrhea Terrien, 14 – Rebecca Klott, 15 – Loran Atkinson,
16 – Mary Browning, 17 – Mark Reiman, 18 – Bud Baty

Birthday and Anniversar;y 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

Russ Foster; Marianna Maver (Friend of many of us); Lisa Marth (The Marths' Sister-in-law); Diane Carr & Family (Debra Carr's sister); Kirstin Barendsen (Ruth VandenBosch's Cousin); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Darren Dixon (Beverly Hawkes' nephew); Cole Hartman (Kathy Hartman' son); Chris Stuart, (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, February 5: 71
Total Views for February 5 Online Videos: 677

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $3,701.00
Online Giving: $2,290.21

Total: $5,991.21

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.