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Weekly E-Pistle: 7th Sunday after Pentecost

7/14/2023

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

  • This Sunday's Service — 7th Sunday after Pentecost: "The Parable of the Sower"
  • Last Sunday's Homily — 6th Sunday after Pentecost: "Stay Yoked!"
  • What's Next in Campus Stewardship
  • Resilience Blue Star Bash, July 27
  • Call for Altar Flowers
  • Volunteers needed for Venetian Fest! Sign Up Online!
  • Tickets are on Sale! West Shore Aware Gala, August 19
  • Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "The Parable of the Sower"

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In the Gospel reading for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, Jesus tells "The Parable of the Sower." The spiritual principle of sowing and reaping is common throughout the Bible.

Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) as we explore how how to put this powerful spiritual principle of "sowing and reaping" into practice in our lives. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black

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Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin:
order_of_service_july_16_2023.pdf
File Size: 1995 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Last Week's Homily

In the gospel reading from last Sunday's lectionary, Jesus tells us that following the Way is "easy and light." Our spiritual practice shouldn't be a burden which weighs us down, but rather a joyful path which lifts our hearts and minds. 

Please enjoy last Sunday's homily, as Pastor Sal explores how to live with "ease and grace" as we "yoke" ourselves more fully to the Way of the Christ.
Share the Homily!

​What's Next in Campus Stewardship 

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“This Little Church That’s Been Entrusted to Our Care”
As outlined at our Annual Meeting, there are many areas of our church campus in need of important repair and updating. Here's our wish list:

88 Spring Street
  • Grade / excavate perimeter prior to painting 
  • Exterior paint – walls, shutters, gutters, trim 
  • Landscaping / trees on west side 
  • Sprinkler system 
  • Back fence 
  • Concrete: driveway / parking pad / slider step out 

Sanctuary and Friendship Hall
  • Friendship Hall vestibule floor repair / new outer door (east side) 
  • “Bookcase wall” Sanctuary - water damage all the way up (north side) 
  • Memorial Garden fence replacement 
  • Contingency funds
 
We hope to fund these projects through targeted gifts totalling $79, 725 to complete them all.

​You can keep watch on our funding goals here in the E-Pistle. Meanwhile, consider if you can support these needed improvements. You can donate online at the button below, or post a check with  “DUCC Campus Stewardship” in the memo line to:  Douglas UCC, PO Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406. ​
Donate to Campus Stewardship Fund Here

​Resilience Blue Star Bash, July 27 

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Resilience, whose mission is to respond to, reduce, and prevent domestic and sexual violence in Ottawa and Allegan counties, are holding their second annual fundraiser here in Saugatuck on July 27, at Ivy House. If you would like to donate to their auctions or have questions about the event, e-mail DanielleE@ResilienceMI.org. For tickets, hit that red button below!

2nd Annual Blue Star Bash
Thursday, July 27, 2023
Ivy House – Saugatuck, MI
Ticket link below!

Blue Star Bash will feature live music by Desmond Jones, food trucks, delicious drinks, raffles, silent auctions, a 50/50, and a wine pull!

​Thanks to Howard Miller, Empowerment Partner for Blue Star Bash this year!
Tickets and Donations

​Call for Altar Flowers 

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Photo by Kendall Scott on Unsplash
Summer is here, and so are the blossoms! If you would like to dress our altar with lovely blooms, see the Altar Flower sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall. Just write your name and a note next to the date, and tell us if you would like your flowers to hold the memory of a special event or a loved one. Or email Julie Ridl to help you.

​Volunteers needed for Venetian Fest! 

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The Rotary Club of Saugatuck/Douglas is looking for volunteers to help with the Venetian Festival on July 28 and 29. One of our three local Rotary initiatives is to protect and enhance the waterways (and local ecosystems). As a starting point, we have opted for a laser light show instead of the fireworks, and if Rotary continues to carry the mantle for this event in coming years, we plan to include an awareness/educational component to the weekend. Volunteers who sign up by June 25 will receive a really cool t-​shirt with the new logo! See church member Kirsten Stannis (or the website) for details or questions. 
Sign Up Online

Tickets are on Sale! 
​West Shore Aware Gala, August 19 

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The Summer Event is Coming! The White Party Rainbow Reunion is August 19, and tickets are on sale now. Follow the button below for tickets, sponsorship opportunities,  and more details.
Tickets and Info Here

Birthdays & Anniversaries

July 16– Paul Burdick & Michael Valdez, 18– John Ortman,
20– Martha Cronin Bolin, 21– Carol Cunningham
22 – Larry Fuerst
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​​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

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Linda Marth; Myron Bell; Betsy York; Tom Fahlstrom Sr. (Tom Fahlstrom's Dad)
Mary Westenbroek; Brian Aikens; Family of Doug Smith; Jerry Elpers and family (Beth Howley's Dad); Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Fritz Royce and his Family; Joyce Potts (Ed Korson's Friend); Peter Black and Family; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother)
Nicole and John (Wendy Hamlin's daughter-in-law and son)

​Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance July 9: 134
​Total Views for July 9 Online Videos: 477

​
​Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,330.00
Online Giving: $3,360.09​​​​
​Total: $4,690.09
​​
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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  • About Us ▾
    • Meditation Garden
    • Retreat House
    • Our Staff
    • Our Stories
    • About Douglas UCC
  • Connect & Serve
  • Worship & Music Videos ▾
    • Podcast Library 🔊
    • Homily Library 📖
  • Calendar & E-pistle ▾
    • E-pistle
  • Contact
  • Giving