In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: "The Baptism of Jesus"
In Sunday's Gospel reading, we'll hear the story of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. Most Christians have been baptized at some point in their lives, either as infants or as adults. But, what exactly is the meaning and significance of the ritual of baptism?
Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we celebrate Jesus's baptism and explore the meaning and purpose of baptism in our lives today. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler. Download the Online Bulletin here: 
Last Week's Service Video -- Second Sunday After Christmas, "Epiphany Sunday"
Last Sunday, we celebrated the Epiphany, when the Magi followed the Star of Wonder and were guided to that Perfect Light. Who were the Magi, and how does their story apply to our lives today?
Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the "Journey of the Magi." Message by Pastor Sal. Music by Peter Black and Stan Greene. Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Mask Recommendation
We're taking this opportunity to remind everyone that following the new Michigan Public Health advisory for masking in all indoor public places, it's important to wear a mask in services and church meetings, maintain a safe distance from others, and withhold hugs and handshakes when passing the peace. If you forget your mask, fresh masks and hand sanitizer are available at all doors, and we encourage you to use them when entering and exiting church buildings. We want you to be well, and stay safe.
Here is Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services mask advisory for all gatherings: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-100997_100998---,00.html You can follow Allegan County's Covid transmission and infection rate at this link: CDC infection and transmission rates by county. Mid-Year Congregational Meeting, VIA ZOOM ONLY on January 9, 11:30 AM
For safety from weather and illness, our Church Council has decided to run this year's Mid-year Congregational Meeting via Zoom, as we did last year. If we have you on our E-mail list, by now you have received a Zoom link to join us online on Sunday, January 9, at 11:30am.
If you havent received your link yet, but wish to join us, write to julie@douglasucc.org for the link. Spring Street House Alert
As welcome our Afghan Family to Spring Street, we just wanted to remind everyone that the Spring Street house is now closed for meetings, events, and church storage. Our church property has been moved to other locations to make room for our guests. It's important that we give this family their privacy, and preserve, above all, their feeling of safety in this place.
If you wish to welcome them or provide for them, please first reach out to the Afghan Task Force to by emailing Barbara Witt (bjm2822@aol.com) or Pat Denner (dendronus@yahoo.com). Afghan Family Moving in Next Week!
Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash
Our Afghan Family Task force will meet on Monday at 10am via Zoom to review final tasks before the family arrives on January 12. If you wish to join the meeting, contact Bob Kenny (rkenny@schainbanks.com) for the link! If you have further donations or questions for the task force, contact Barbara Witt (bjm2822@aol.com) or Pat Denner (dendronus@yahoo.com).
Quiet Contemplation Service Time Change 
Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash
"Yes! Blessed are those holy hours in which the soul retires from the world to be alone with God. God’s voice…is everywhere. Within and without, [God] speaks to our souls, if we would hear. Only the din of the world, or the tumult of our own hearts, deafens our inward ear to it. Learn to commune with [God] in stillness, and [God], whom thou hast sought in stillness, will be with thee when thou goest abroad.” – E. B. Pusey
The beginning and end times for our Thursday Hour for Contemplative Prayer at DUCC have changed from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm to a new time of 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. This change will be in effect until Spring 2022. This is a time each Thursday to "Be Still and Know," practice contemplative prayer, or simply sit in the quiet of our church for an hour to still the mind in community. The hour begins with the lights dimmed. A brief seasonal call to prayer is spoken; followed by a period of silence while soft music plays. The hour concludes with a closing prayer. Birthdays & Anniversaries
January 12- Darris Cichock, Arni Scheving, 13- Bruce Dybas, Elaine Overweg,
14- Nelson Hart, 15- John Rossi 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 Direct Prayer Requests
Paul Burdick; Jane Grady and Family; Family and Friends of James (Jim) Eric Kruse; Kevin Farley; Paul Murphy; Al Overweg; The Cox Family; Beverly Willming (John Willming's mother); friends and Family of Jimmy Hotwagner (Annie Hotwagner's brother); Jay North (friend of Dan Pierce); Diane Carr (Debra Carr's sister): Family and friends of Kenny Cassabon (Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell's); Hannah Sherman; Maureen Pierce; Helaine Miedema (David Miedema's mother); Ron Turks (Carol Cunningham's son-in-law); 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); Dale Lower; Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Michael (a friend of Dan Mack's); Myron (Wendy Hamlin's grandson, Fred Hamlin's great-grandson); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend)
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, January 2: 40
Livestream Attendance: 67 Viewers for January 2 Online Service Videos: 800 December Podcast Downloads: 9,450 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,305.00 Online Giving: $10,320.99 Total: $11,625.99 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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56 Wall Street • Douglas, Michigan 49406
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