In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "Who Is My Neighbor?"
In Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus teaches the Parable of the Good Samaritan where several religious leaders pass by a dying man on the street without helping him. It takes a Samaritan to assist the dying man.
Who were the Samaritans, and why were they so looked down upon by the religious leaders of Jesus's day? What does this parable mean for us today? Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we explore together the question: "Who is my neighbor?" Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler Download this week's online bulletin here:
Last Week's Service
On July 4th weekend, we celebrated our nation's freedom, but are all Americans truly free? What does a life of true freedom and independence really look like? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the topic of freedom from both an earthly and spiritual perspective. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Pamela Chappell.
Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily. Supporting Christian Neighbors
Last week, Pastor Sal and Mike Mok from our Grant Proposal Committee presented Christian Neighbors with a $9,500 check on behalf of our church to help with CN's Back to School drive, which provides backpacks, school supplies, and clothing to more than 300 local children. Shown from left to right are: Pastor Sal; Mike Mok; Lauren Potempa, CN's Back to School volunteer; and Margaret Mason, CN president.
Thank You, Brooke!
Thanks so much to Brooke Townsend (church members Mary Alice and Steve Townsend's daughter) for her moving presentation this past Tuesday, to a full house in the Friendship Hall. Brooke is a Humanitarian Photographer and the Executive Director of The 25 Group, which advocates for the poor and marginalized around the world. The 25 Group creates opportunities for donors to change the world with their giving. The 25 Group has worked in 14 countries with more than 38 different organizations to donate nearly $500,000. You can support their important work here: https://the25group.org/
DUCC's Sedona Trip
Join our Pastor Sal as he leads us on a 6-day exploration of Mind, Body and Soul to Sedona and the Grand Canyon in Arizona, one of the most beautiful regions in America. Arizona, and specifically Sedona and the Grand Canyon, both have an immense spiritual and artistic heritage. This is a perfect opportunity to realize and develop your own inner awareness with Pastor Sal as our spiritual teacher!
Attached are all the details, including the Reservation Form with pricing information. Call or email David Geen with questions or to make your reservations: Cell - (313) 492-9574 [email protected] The group is limited to only 20 people, maximizing the experience for everyone.
Greenheart Exchange Looking for Host Families
Greenheart Exchange has been placing foreign exchange students with U.S. Families for more than 30 years. Laurie Goshorn is the Greenheart Exchange local coordinator, and she is searching for families willing to host one or more students, for a semester or for a full year.
Hosting exchange students offers a unique opportunity for host communities and visiting students to learn about other cultures, bringing the world closer together, one person at a time. If you think you might be interested, or just want to know more, visit greenheartexchange.org, or telephone them at 1-866-224-0061. Or call Laurie Goshorn at 1-630-519-1417. Wishbone Volunteers Needed
Good with animals? Have time to help out? Wishbone House needs you! Click the button below to go to the online application, where you can share the ways you can help this worthy organization!
SoulCollage Workshop, August 6
Our friend and spiritual teacher Ruth Zwald's Soul Collage workshop was such a hit last month that she is continuing the offering, with the next session meeting August 6. You must re-register for this workshop by emailing Ruth at the address above.
Forming Soon: An Audio-Visual Advisory Group
The Douglas UCC AV Team will soon be forming an Audio-Visual Advisory Group to help plan and develop our AV capability. They are looking for people with many kinds of backgrounds and interests in recording for live-streaming and in-church broadcast, with an interest in always improving the experience inside the church building and in our homes on Sunday mornings. If you think you might like to join this advisory group, email Julie.
We Are Looking for Affordable Housing Options for Afghan Family
Our family from Afghanistan is beginning to investigate affordable housing options in Allegan and Ottawa counties. We have a list of reduced rent and subsidized housing options. If you are aware of any affordable housing in either county, please email Karen Clark ([email protected]) or Pat Denner ([email protected])
Birthdays & Anniversaries
July 10- Jim Kern, 12- Ben Lemanski, 14- Kathy Austin & Mike Boston,
15- Scott Overweg, Eve Standstrom, Marybeth Sims, 16- Paul Burdick & Michael Valdez 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
Pete Wehle; Rev. Lou Grettenberger (friend of Ginny Mikita); Rachael Rienstra; Phil Sturdevant (Pete Wehle's friend); Darren Dixon (Beverly and Orie Hawkes' nephew); The Hotwagner Family; David Zylstra (Laurie VandenBeldt's friend); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart's sister); Judy Baxter (Kristine Sherman's Mother); Joann DeJonge; Richard and Joanna Weber's grandson Mattox (friends of the Ridls); Al Overweg; Beverly Willming (John Willming's mother); Jay North (friend of Dan Pierce); Hannah Sherman; Maureen Pierce; David Abbot; Sarah Johnson Lock; Linda Masten (Mark Reiman's friend); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Cole Hartman; Mike Sneedon (Peg and Jack Donohue's friend); Tim Reineck, Matt Brazys, Suzanne Cook, and Ken Cassbon (friends of Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell); Richie Czarnowski (Mark Reiman's friend); Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt)
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, July 3: 86
Total Views for July 3 Online Videos: 600 June Podcast Downloads: 2,693 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,080.00 Online Giving: $4,121.58 Total: $6,201.58 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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