Weekly E-Pistle: Eighth Sunday After Pentecost

7/24/2020

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

This Week's Service News
Last Sunday's Worship Service Video
A Special Video Message from our UCC President
Christian Neighbors is Moving! Can you help?
Social Justice Team Recommends: Ally to Accomplice Training
Pauline Zancanaro is 101!
Condolences for three church families
Our new Congregational Care Facilitator
Council Minutes, Pastor's Report, and Budget Report
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, Financial Stewardship.

This Sunday's Service: "The Kingdom of Heaven"

In this Sunday's Gospel message, Jesus gives four parables to explain the Kingdom of Heaven. He compares it to a mustard seed in the ground; a pearl inside a shell; yeast inside of bread; and a treasure hidden in a field. Join us this Sunday for our "Video Worship Service," as we explore these parables together and how they point to the location of the Kingdom of Heaven. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Pamela Chappell.

Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.

Last Sunday's Service:

Watch the video from last Sunday's service. Pastor Sal explains the "hidden message" behind the story of Jacob's Ladder, and Kathy Austin reads our "Words of Integration & Guidance." Plus, there's "Joys & Concerns" and music from Peter Black and Stan Greene.

Special Message from the UCC

Rev. John C. Dorhauer, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ, sees you. He sees us. A special message for these times.

Christian Neighbors is Moving!!

Big news for our dear friends at Christian Neighbors! They will be moving from their long-time home at Saint Peter's to larger quarters at the Community Church of Douglas. And they are calling for our help in the form of volunteers and donations. If you think you can help with the physical move, please email them at [email protected]. And if you can help with a donation, please mail a check marked "Moving Expenses" to Christian Neighbors Inc., P.O Box 43, St Peter Drive, Douglas MI 49406. Call them at 269.857.1050 for more details. Thanks, in advance, for your support of this amazing mission!

Social Justice Team Invites You:
What Do I Do Next? Ally to Accomplice Training

If you believe that Black Lives Matter, and wonder what to do next, Douglas UCC's Social Justice Team invites you to join in on Ally training online via four upcoming Zoom meetings on July 23, July 30, August 6, and August 13, all beginning at 7pm, and all behind this link:
@tinyurl.com/allytoaccomplice. We hope to "see" you there. Onward and upward, friends!

Pauline Zancanaro is 101!

On July 19, we celebrated the 101st birthday of Pauline Zancanaro, Mark Zancanaro's mom! Happy Birthday, Pauline! You inspire us every day!

Condolences:

Our congregation has suffered several losses this week. Our condolences and prayers go to:

Jack and Peg Donohue on the loss of Jack's brother, Bob:
Read Bob Donohue's obituary here.

Jeff Chinski and Bill Briggs on the loss of Jeff's mother, Bonita:
Read Bonita Chinski's obituary here.

Peter Black on the loss of Buddy, the dog. Buddy starred in many of our service videos during this pandemic, where he lightened the hearts of our congregation and friends around the world, and where we can always remember him as a good and faithful friend to Peter.

Welcome Lynne Snyder, Our New
Congregational Care Team Facilitator!

Thanks to Lynne Snyder, who is now serving as our new Facilitator for the Congregational Care Team. Reach out to Lynne when you are in need of help. This amazing team provides meals, rides, light housekeeping, all sorts of help for the times in our lives when we need it the most.

Wonderful News!!

Thanks so much for your many prayers and outpouring of love for Ted Sommer.

Dale Lower, Ted's husband, reports that his surgery on July 21 to repair a leaky heart valve went very well, indeed.

We are all so thankful to report that he is doing well and will return home soon.

Prayers, please, for Ted's continued recovery.

Friendship Hall Roundup:

Myron Freund is appreciative of all the outreach and cards he has been receiving from his UCC family. If you'd like to write to him, you can send cards and care packages to PO Box 955 Douglas MI 49406.
David Miedema reports that Richard Graham has been so appreciative of the notes, calls, and love he has received from his DUCC family. He is doing well, and loves to hear from you!
Linda Charvat reports that she is the proud recipient of a cool new digital Insulin Pump she calls her "robot pancreas." She is happy to show it off to anyone who feels they might need an upgrade!
Ann Hopkins asks us to please remember Ruth Bader Ginsburg in our prayers as she undergoes chemotherapy in her cancer fight.

Birthdays & Anniversaries:

July 27- Norman Capello, 27- Rebecca & Jack Klott, 28- Sue & John Fleming, 29- Sue Scott and Larry Fuerst, 29- Kathleen & Peter Mueller, 31- Kathy Klage, August 1- Peg & Nelson Hart

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:

Sam Fitzpatrick; Patricia Carr and her husband Riley (Debra Carr's sister); 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.

Church Council Documents:

See attached for approved June 2020 Council Meeting minutes and the latest Pastor's Report from Pastor Sal. We also have available the latest church Financial Report on our budget performance for 2019-2020, and budgeting for this new fiscal year. Email Julie at [email protected] to ask for a copy.

approved_church_council_minutes_june_2020.pdf
File Size:	65 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

pastors_report_july_2020.pdf
File Size:	516 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Financial Stewardship

July 19
Attendance for Online Services: 1,357
Weekly Online Giving: $4,084.49
Total: $4,084.49

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