In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday’s Service: Advent Begins
This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent, a time for us to prepare with great expectation for the birth of the Christ Light within us. Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we light our first Advent candle and Pastor Sal gives an inspiring Progressive Christian message on "The Power of Hope." We'll also enjoy uplifting music by Peter Black and Nancy Plantinga.
Download the Online Bulletin here: 
Last Sunday's Service
Last Sunday (the last Sunday in Ordinary Time and the Sunday before Advent) was "Reign of Christ" or "Christ the King" Sunday. On this feast day, we celebrated Jesus as fully human and fully divine. Please enjoy last Sunday's sevice, when we welcomed Christina Joy Fleming to lead us in worship. Music: Jeff Spangler and Peter Black.
Covid-19 Update from Church Council
Church Family, we have received notice of two members of our church community who have come down with recent cases of Covid-19, despite being fully vaccinated. And with both Allegan and Ottawa counties seeing a sharp spike in Covid and flu cases, we simply want everyone to be aware and to be safe.
So 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, withold 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, stay safe, and have a joyful holiday season, Because our area transmission and death rate continue to climb, Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services has issued a mask advisory for this holiday season for all gatherings: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98158-572726--,00.html You can follow Allegan County's Covid transmission and infection rate at this link, though it won't be udated until after the Thanksgiving holiday: CDC infection and transmission rates by county. And Michigan's Holiday Masking advisory can be downloaded fro this link:
Helping Daniel Heal
A loving message from our church member, Sue Fleming:
Many of you know me for my work in the community. Others know me for my cashmere creations. Some of you know me well enough to know of my son's struggle with mental health and substance use disorder. A few months ago Daniel wrote his GoFundMe with the hopes of securing treatment for his addiction.With a solid plan in place and his commitment to see it through. We share it now with you. Please feel free to share with your friends and family. Our goal is to break through the shame of this horrible disease. Hold him in your prayers. All my love and appreciation, Sue Fleming Click here to help Daniel Heal. Flour Power: Thanks for Exceeding our Flour Goals!
Thank you so much to all who donated flour to the Christian Neighbors Food Baskets for neighbors in need this holiday season! Special thanks to those who organized, gathered, and delivered 176 bags of flour, 76 bags more than our goal! Pictured here, our flour elves, Gemina Petruzzelli, Joyce and Kelly Wright, Michael White, Wendy Hamlin, and behind the camera, our organizer, Ruth VandenBosch.
Chris Clark's Camino Presentation -- November 28 at 11:30 AM
Our church member, Chris Clark, recently returned from a month-long pilgrimage walking the historic Camino de Santiago in Spain. Chris will be sharing his Camino experience (and photos) with us at a presentation on Sunday, November 28, at 11:30 a.m. in the Friendship Hall. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome.
Afghan Family Task Force Update
Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash
Afghanistan Refugee Family Household Needs: Although we have not had a family assigned to us yet, we have been busy getting organized and identifying basic necessities to set up a household. Once we know when our family is going to arrive, we will most likely have to move fairly quickly. A full list of items needed is posted in the Friendship Hall after services. Some new or gently used items are still needed:
If you prefer, please feel free to contact Barb Witt at bjm2822@aol.com or 616-340-7970 or Pat Denner at dendronus@yahoo.com or 269-509-2911 for specific items still needed. As soon as we receive news of our sponsor family's arrival and location, we will begin accepting donations to help provide for our family, and we will announce giving goals and process in an upcoming E-Pistle and in service. Thanks to all for sharing your blessings with those in need. Year-End Giving Statements Coming -- Do We Have Your Correct Address?
Photo by Amol Tyagi on Unsplash
As our Financial Team works to prepare year-end giving statements, please help them out by updating your mailing address, if it has changed over the past year. Please send your new mailing address to Michael VerMerris at mikenv@sbcglobal.net.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
November 28- Paul Burdick, Paul Murphy & Michael Mok, 30- Max Brown, Paul Murphy
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. If you don't have a directory, please let us know, and we will email one to you. Prayer Requests
Diane Carr (Debra Carr's sister): MaryAnn Debbink (Steve Debbink's mother); Pete Wehle; Family and friends of Kenny Cassabon (Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell's); Julie Ridl; Hannah Sherman; Maureen Pierce; Family and Friends of Darlene Walker (Greg and Sheryll VanPortfleet's friend); 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, November 21: 64
Viewers for November 21 Online Service Videos: 445 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $2,375.00 Online Giving: $2,820.65 Total: $5,195.65 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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