Weekly E-Pistle: First Sunday in Lent

2/24/2023

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

This Sunday's Service — First Sunday in Lent: "Into the Wilderness"
Last Sunday's Service — Transfiguration Sunday
"Fearless Leader" Scholarship
In Search Of: Spring Street Cleanup Crew!
2023 UCC Lenten Devotional is Available
Help for Turkey and Syria
Peanut Butter Drive for Christian Neighbors ends Feb 28
Christian Neighbors' Shopping List
"All God’s Children: Faith That is LGBTQ+ Affirming," Herrick Library, March 12
Minutes and Reports
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: First Sunday in Lent

This Sunday is the 1st Sunday in Lent. The 40 days of Lent are a time of spiritual preparation for us. Before Jesus began his ministry of teaching and healing, he spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness. The 40 days of Lent invite us to venture into the wilderness alone, to face our fears and to wrestle with the things that are keeping us from experiencing our greatest good and living life to the full.

Please join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person orstreaming live online on YouTube) as we prepare ourselves spiritually for the sacred season of Lent. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Brenda Marcy.

Download This Sunday's Online Bulletin:

order_of_service_february_26_2023.pdf
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Last Sunday's Service

Last Sunday was "Transfiguration Sunday." What exactly happened to Jesus on the mountaintop? Sunday's gospel reading tells us a change happened in Jesus: his clothes became a dazzling white and he was transfigured. The word "transfiguration" means "a spiritual change." How have the "mountaintop" experiences in your life impacted your own spiritual transformation? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored how to spiritually transform ourselves and our world. Message: Rev. Marchiene Rienstra. Music: Peter Black and Pamela Chappell.

"Fearless Leader" Scholarship

Back in 2017, three women from our church helped launch the "Fearless Leader" Scholarship. They were inspired by the strength and courage of a Saugatuck High School student who bravely stood before the school board to share a personal revelation.

A few that witnessed that student’s bravery were greatly moved and were stirred to do something to encourage such “fearless” leadership in the young adults in our community.

Ultimately, they decided to establish a scholarship for Saugatuck High School graduates who courageously act – even when their voices crack or knees shake. Every year, one such student leader will be awarded the Fearless Leader Scholarship to assist them as they pursue the next steps of their education and develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

You can donate to this Scholarship Fund securely online: Fearless Leader Scholarship and/or you can download the brochure below to learn more.

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In Search Of: Spring Street Cleanup Crew

The refresh project at the Spring Street house is coming along nicely. When it is near completion, sometime next month, we will need volunteers to help with cleanup of floors, windows, bathrooms, etc. If you can help, please contact Kelly Wright at [email protected].

2023 UCC Lenten Devotional is Available

The Season of Lent began on Wednesday, and a great way to journey through the Lenten season is by praying each day with the UCC's 2023 Lenten Devotional.

The devotional features daily Bible quotes, reflections, and prayers for all 40 Days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.

The devotionals are $5 each, and you can purchase one in the Friendship Hall on Sunday, or you can order online at The Pilgrim Press.

Help for Turkey and Syria

The news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. The death toll continues to rise, and the numbers of displaced people run to more than 1 million.

Amid this current uncertainty, you can be certain that with your financial support the United Church of Christ is there, helping those in need. To support this effort, you can give online by following the button below, or text UCCDISASTER to 41444. You can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Turkey and Syria” on your check in the memo section.

All donations will be deposited into the International Emergency fund designated for “Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response.” Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery.

Give Online Here!

Peanut Butter Drive for Christian Neighbors
Ends Feb 28

From now until February 28, we are collecting jars of peanut butter for Christian Neighbors Food Pantry in Douglas. You can drop off your donations on the designated table in the Friendship Hall on Sundays or leave inside the foyer door during the week. Thank you, as always, for your generous giving. (And, thank you, Joyce Wright, for the fun peanut-design tablecloth, too!).

Christian Neighbors' Shopping List

Christian Neighbors of Douglas very much appreciates the on-going generosity of the Douglas UCC congregation. In addition to the Peanut Butter drive, Christian Neighbors Food Pantry has an on-going need for the following items:

Rice, Sugar, Flour, Vegetable Oil, Jello, Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts, Saltine Crackers, Triscuits/Assorted Crackers, Bottled Water, Bar Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Cat Food

Please deliver Pantry Donations to Christian Neighbors, located at the south entrance of the Community Church of Douglas, 6874 Wiley Rd, Fennville, MI 49408

Monetary donations are always accepted, either online at or by personal check, made out to Christian Neighbors of Douglas. Also, be sure to check out the Christian Neighbors Thrift Store for gently used clothing and household items. Pantry and Thrift Store Hours are Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri. 9:30AM to Noon.

Any questions, please contact: Rich Marth or Wendy Hamlin.

Donate Online Here

"All God’s Children: Faith That is LGBTQ+ Affirming," Herrick Library, March 12

Douglas UCC is co-sponsoring this panel discussion, organized by Holland UCC, on the topic of biblical support for inclusion of all God's children. This will take place on Sunday, March 12 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm at the Herrick District Library in Holland. Our panelists are David Myers, Barry Bandstra, Jen Adams, Bethany Winn, and Christina Breen. Sonrisa Cortes of First UMC in Holland is going to be the moderator for this conversation. The intention of this panel is to help us better understand and articulate how inclusion of our LGBTQ+ siblings is not despite our faith in Jesus but is inspired by that faith. This is a community-wide and community-owned event. All are welcome.

Minutes and Reports

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

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approved_church_council_minutes_january_2023__1_.pdf
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Birthdays & Anniversaries

February 26– Bernice (Bernie) Lopata, 27– Wendy Hamlin, Phil Raywood, 29– Craig Drager,
March 1– Elinor White, 2– Carol Watson Ortman,
3– Mary Westenbroek & Marcel terVeen

Birthday and Anniversar;y 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

Nicole and John (Wendy Hamlin's daughter-in-law and son); Dan Pierce (Craig Drager's husband); Marianna Maver (Friend of many of us); Lisa Marth (The Marths' Sister-in-law); Kirstin Barendsen (Ruth VandenBosch's Cousin); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Darren Dixon (Beverly Hawkes' nephew); Cole Hartman (Kathy Hartman' son); Chris Stuart, (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, February 19: 74
Total Views for February 19 Online Videos: 345

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $660.00
Online Giving: $2,472.47

Total: $3,132.47

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.