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Weekly E-Pistle: Fifth Sunday of Easter

5/5/2023

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

  • This Sunday's Service — Fifth Sunday of Easter: "Greater Things!"
  • Last Sunday's Service Video -- Fourth Sunday of Easter: "Divine Life in Little Things" 
  • ​Remembering Bob Riddle
  • ​KUDOS to Garage Cleaning Crew!
  • Christian Neighbors' May Cereal Drive
  • Gateway Mission Thanks You!
  • Reaching for the Stars, Unveiling, May 6, 6pm
  • UCC Grand West Association Spring Meeting - Sunday, May 7, 3pm
  • Brooke Townsend: Caring for the Children of India through Education, May 9, 6pm
  • 16th Annual Benefit for Christian Neighbors, May 21
  • Lakeshore Community Chorus - Spring Concert, Road Trip, May 21
  • Pride Events Ahead! Save the June Dates! 
  • Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance Fundraiser, June 3
  • Save the Date, West Shore Aware Gala, August 19
  • Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Greater Things!"

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In the gospel reading for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus declares, "All of the things that I have done, you can do." And, then he adds, "These things and greater!"

Is it really possible for us to do even greater things than Jesus did? What did he mean by this statement?

Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online) as we explore the "Greater Things" Jesus had in mind. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black

Download This Sunday's Online Bulletin:
order_of_service_may_7_2023.pdf
File Size: 2489 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File


Last Sunday's Service

God’s living presence and power is evident in the small things of life – in our ordinary, mutual human-ness. Jesus defeats death in the ordinary actions of love. We want Jesus to prove himself in massive works, or think that in order to experience him we must leap tall buildings and climb lofty summits. Nope. The power and life of God are right in front of you, in the smallest experiences, and in “everyday people.” Right here, in our ordinary, even mundane lives.
Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored "The Divine Life in Little Things" for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Message: Rev. Keith Mannes. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler.

​​Remembering Bob Riddle 

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Our friend Robert (Bob) Vance Riddle (The Music Man), a relative of church member Ann Hopkins, made his transition on April 28th, at the age of 90. Many of our church members will have fond memories of Bob, who attended services here before he moved to assisted living in Grand Rapids. His family asks that memorials be directed to one of Bob's favorite charities. The details are all behind the button below.
Remembering Bob Vance

KUDOS to Garage Cleaning Crew!

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KUDOS and many thanks to the crew who showed up to cleaned out the garage at 88 Spring Street on Thursday. Sweat Equity for our new Welcome Center!  Great job!

L to R: Chris Clark, Floyd Fleming, Carol Rice, Kelly Wright, Bill Kelleher, Jim Bailey, Bernie Lopata, Larry Fuerst. Not pictured: Karen Clark, Chris Maitner.

​Christian Neighbors' May Cereal Drive 

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Because hunger doesn't take a summer vacation, Christian Neighbors Food Pantry in Douglas is collecting cereal to distribute this summer to its clients with children. You are invited to drop off boxes of cereal at the Friendship Hall from May 1-31 to help stock their shelves, or donate in any of the ways outlined in the poster above. Thank you, as always, for your generous giving.


​Gateway Mission Thanks You! 

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Our Grant Committee wants you to know that thanks to your generosity, our church has been able to sponsor the work of Gateway Mission, a shelter in Holland. Here is how your help has helped others in need!

​Reaching for the Stars, Unveiling, May 6, 6pm 

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Reaching for the Stars, a sculpture by Cleveland artist Hector Vega honoring the campesinos (migrants). Their hard labor working in the fields feeds millions and also helps to feed and support their families. Mark your calendars for May 6, 6-9pm when the first public sculpture in Fennville, in front of the Fennville District Library will be dedicated and celebrated! Food by local restaurants and music by Fierro. Everyone is welcome!

​UCC Grand West Association Spring Meeting - Sunday, May 7, 3pm 

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We will be hosting the UCC's Grand West association of churches' Spring Meeting on Sunday, May 7 from 3 to 5pm, both live and on YouTube The service will celebrate our retiring Area Conference Minister, Rev. Ruth Fitzgerald. No RSVP needed. All are welcome. 

​Brooke Townsend: Caring for the Children of India through Education, May 9, 6pm 

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Our friend Brooke Townsend, daughter of church members Mary Alice and Stephen Townsend, and niece of church members Sue and John Fleming, has returned from India to share her images and stories from her journey and her work with The 25 Group. If you can join us, please sign up for the event using the sign-up sheet in the Friendship Hall, so we can plan for refreshments. Or email Julie Ridl, who will add you to the list.
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​16th Annual Benefit for Christian Neighbors, May 21 

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Our friend Arthur Frederick will be holding his annual fundraising party for Christian Neighbors on  May 21 at his beautiful home on Sheffield Lane in Fennville. All are welcome. Please RSVP by May 15 by mail to Box 400, Douglas, MI 49406.

​Lakeshore Community Chorus - Spring Concert, Road Trip, May 21 

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Celebrate the brink of summertime on Sunday, May 21 at 4:00pm with Lakeshore Community Chorus as it presents “Road Trip: Adventures on Route 66” on stage at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts! The Artistic Director of the chorus is our own church member and a member of our music team, Nancy Plantinga. The chorus itself includes many of our church members, and the concerts sell out quickly! Click the button below to reserve your seats:
Buy Tickets Here

​Pride Events Ahead! Save the June Dates!  

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It's time to save these dates for the annual Community Pride MI celebrations in Saugatuck and Douglas. And HollandPride's 20th year celebrating Pride Month. Once again, Douglas UCC is proud to sponsor our area pride events. We hope to see you, here, there, and everywhere. Watch the E-pistle for opportunities to get involved!

​Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
​Fundraiser, June 3 

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​4 Paws Lakeshore has combined it's efforts with Wishbone Organization, so the 4 Paws Lakeshore name has been dissolved and folded into Wishbone organization.

Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance presents it's annual fundraiser!

There's No Place Like a Home
Saturday, June 3, 2023
6:00pm - 10:00pm
2755 Blue Star Hwy
Fennville, MI 49408

 Join us for an evening of fun with an outdoor venue, music, food, drinks, and wonderful adoptable pets.

Attire: Shelter Chic w/Red Shoes

At the event, you'll find the annual "Hearts of Love" donation program that helps Wishbone provide necessary professional medical care to the animals, as well as several other exciting new ways to help them continue to be the voice and caretaker of Allegan County's homeless animals.  

To purchase tickets and/or be a sponsor in various areas of need, click the button: ​
Tickets or Donate Here

​Save the Date!
​West Shore Aware Gala, August 19 

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The Summer Event is Coming! Save the date for the evening of August 19, and watch this space for details!

Birthdays & Anniversaries

May 7– Cathy North, 11– Debra Carr, 
11– Jane & Jerry Coates,  Ruth VandenBosch

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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Sheri Debold; Gloria Larrieu; Beth Howley's Family; Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Fritz Royce and his Family; Joyce Potts (Ed Korson's Friend); Elaine Overweg and Family; Dee Baker; Carol Brown; Ernie Toth; Jim Dutcher; Dirk Hollebeek (Ruth VandenBosch's Godson); Peter Black and Family; Max Matteson; Marissa Overweg (Laurie VandenBeldt's granddaughter); Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Anne Geraghty (Pat Denner's Sister-in-law); Nicole and John (Wendy Hamlin's daughter-in-law and son); Dan Pierce (Craig Drager's husband); Lisa Marth (The Marths' Sister-in-law); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Darren Dixon (Beverly Hawkes' nephew); Chris Stuart, (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law)

​Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, April 30: 89
​Total Views for April 30 Online Videos: 234
Podcast Views in April: 3,444

​
​Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $7,898.00
Online Giving: $2,439.97​​​​
​Total: $10,337.97
​​
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