Weekly E-Pistle: Fourth Sunday of Advent

12/17/2021

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

This Sunday's Service Notes — Fourth Sunday of Advent, "Mary's Song of Love "
Last Week's Service Video -- Third Sunday of Advent, “Choosing Joy"
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Mask Recommendation
Longest Night Service, December 20, 7PM
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, December 24, 6 PM
DUCC Christmas Ornament for Sale
Quiet Contemplation Service Time Change
"A Christmas Carol" in Saugatuck - Tickets Now on Sale
Chris Clark's Camino de Santiago Presentation via Zoom, Dec 30, 7PM
Afghan Family Task Force Update
Year-End Giving Statements Coming -- Do We Have Your Correct Address?
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Mary's Song of Love"

This Sunday is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent, in which we put our focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her revolutionary song of love. We also light our fourth advent candle for "Love."

Pease join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) for an inspiring message from Pastor Sal and uplifting music from Peter Black and Jeff Spangler.

Download the Online Bulletin here:

order_of_service_december_19_2021.pdf
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Last Sunday's Service

The late spiritual teacher, Henri Nouwen, wrote: "Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day." Please enjoy last Sunday's service when we lit the pink candle, which symbolizes "JOY." There is good news of great joy for all people: the Light is on its way! Inspiring message from Pastor Sal and uplifting music from Peter Black and Pamela Chappell, who performed her original song, "Joy in My Heart."

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, stay safe, and have a joyful holiday season,

Here is Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services 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:
CDC infection and transmission rates by county.

Grand West Association's Longest Night Service, December 20, 7pm via Zoom

The clergy of the Grand West Association will offer a live-streamed (via zoom) Longest Night Service of memories and reflection on Monday, December 20, 2021. Please join us if you are able. This service will acknowledge that this season, while merry and bright for many, is not so for some. Mixed feelings of grief and loss mingle with the anticipation of the season. This is a time to express longing and joy together.

If you'd like to attend, write to [email protected] for the Zoom link.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service,
December 24, 6 PM

Please join us (in-person or streaming live online) for our annual Christmas Eve tradition of the candlelight service of "The Lessons & the Carols” on Friday, December 24 at 6 PM. We'll hear the story of the birth of Jesus told through readings from the Gospels and through beloved Christmas Carols that we all know and love.

DUCC Christmas Ornament for Sale

The beautiful Douglas UCC Christmas ornament (pictured above) is now available for sale. Designed and crafted in Poland, the ornament depicts the front of our church in winter. This lovely ornament makes the perfect holiday gift. The cost is $25. To place an order, please email us at [email protected]. We can arrange for you to pick up your ornament at the church, or we can send it to you. Shipping is $5 more.

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.

"A Christmas Carol" in Saugatuck - Tickets Now on Sale

Tickets are now on sale for "A Christmas Carol," a Saugatuck holiday tradition for over 30 years. Performances are held at the Women's Club in Downtown Saugatuck beginning on Friday, December 10. Our very own Peter Black is the musical director of the show, and church member, Jim Kern, serves as the narrator this year. There are only 8 performances total, so tickets will sell fast. For performance dates/times and to purchase tickets, visit: https://saugatuckchristmascarol.ludus.com

Chris Clark's Camino de Santiago Presentation via Zoom, Dec 30, 7pm

In case you missed Chris Clark's presentation on walking the Camino de Santiago, he will be doing it once more via Zoom on December 30 at 7:00 pm. You can sign up for this presentation in the Friendship Hall, or write to Julie at [email protected], for the link!

Afghan Family Task Force Update

Photo by Mayur Gala on Unsplash

We have heard from Bethany Christian Services that our Afghani family will most likely arrive in Mid-January. We will welcome them to the Spring Street House until permanent housing is arranged for them in Holland. Thanks to our generous church family and the hard work of the Afghan Family Task Force team, most of the groundwork has been laid in place. Our family of three will have extended family in the area. The father in our family worked as an English language translator in Afghanistan. If you have questions between now and January, please feel free to contact Barb Witt at [email protected] or 616-340-7970 or Pat Denner at [email protected] or 269-509-2911. 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 [email protected].

Birthdays & Anniversaries

December 19- Dee Mikos-Graves, 22- Mary Harris, 24- Cambria Whitcomb, Kelsey Whitcomb

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

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, December 12: 52
Livestream Attendance: 52
Viewers for December 12 Online Service Videos: 609

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,735.00
Online Giving: $2,523.50

Total: $4,258.50

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.