Weekly E-Pistle: "Celebrate Your Independence" - Sunday at Douglas UCC

America is the land of the free, but what does a life of spiritual freedom really look like? Are you truly spiritually free if you are bound by worry, fear, resentment, lack and limitation? Come join us this "Independence Sunday" as we explore liberation and spiritual freedom. Remember, we go to two services this Sunday: 9 AM and 11 AM. with coffee hour outside between the two services.

---

---

Last Sunday, we welcomed 20 new members to our church!!  Welcome to Ian Mills & Foye McDonald; Ed Korson; Roye McDonald; Jeremy Lund & Mark Johnston; Dick & Linda Rieske; Maryjo Lemanski; Rose Marie Stevenson; Linda Koch; Gloria Larrieu; Patricia Denner; Emil Pulick; Mary Alice Townsend; Gloria Becksford & Katie Nucci; Brenda Marcy; Howard Roche & Russ Lamesfield. 

---

Our Douglas UCC Food Booth was a big hit at last week's first Douglas Summer Social of the season. Thank you to all who came by to show your support.  We made $547 in donations. Thank you to all who helped with shopping, set-up, clean-up, grilling and selling: Annie Hotwagner and Marty Coffin; Gemina Petruzzelli; Larry LaBine; Peter and Kathleen Mueller; Gregg Smith. The next Social is on Thursday, July 25, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Beery Field.

---

Douglas UCC’s Creation Justice Team invites any of our neighbors who would like to help clean up the stretch of US-196 that hugs our cities and township to join us in our Adopt-A-Highway project to clear the trash along the highway. We have scheduled two cleanups this month: Saturday, July 13 from 9 a.m. to noon and Tuesday, July 16 from 4 to 7 p.m.. 
If you can help, please click the dates above or sign the sheet in the Friendship Hall.

---

Reception for Jeff:

Our Director of Music, Jeff Spangler, is retiring from the Saugatuck City Council after 22 years of service. A reception will be held for Jeff on Monday, July 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the Coral Gables Annex in Downtown Saugatuck. The public is invited. Cake and light refreshments will be served.

---

---

On Friday, July 12, "Lights for Liberty" marches will be held all over the country to protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants and children in detention centers.

A local march will be held in Holland at Centennial Park that day at 6 p.m.
Make a sign and join us.

---

---

---

---

​

Jerry Coates (pictured left) will be teaching a weekly class on the "Bhagavad Gita," the ancient Hindu Scripture, beginning Tuesday, July 9, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Summerhouse Lavender Farm in Fennville, which is owned by our church members, Dan McGavin and Carol Brown.  A love offering will be taken.  For more information, please contact Jerry at 616-836-7705 or email him at peacejiva17s@gmail.com.

---

---

Watch last Sunday's music & message:

---

Financial Stewardship Report:

June 30:  Attendance: 158    Collection: $1,699     Online: $1,269.91      Social: $547   ​Total: $3,515.91
     Thank you for your generous giving
which allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service.
You can also give securely online by clicking ONLINE GIVING

---