In This Week's E-Pistle You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: Palm/Passion Sunday
This Sunday begins Holy Week, the most sacred time on the Christian Church calendar. On Sunday, we will focus on two processions: one of cheers and palms (Jesus's procession into Jerusalem) and one of jeers and pain (Jesus's procession to the cross), a reminder that both light and darkness are part of the spiritual journey.
Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) for this very powerful Holy Week service. All in attendance will receive palm branches. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler. Download This Sunday's Online Bulletin: 
Last Sunday's Service
In the gospel reading for the 5th Sunday in Lent, Jesus's friend, Mary of Bethany, anoints his feet with costly perfume. But, Judas asks, "Why should an expensive ointment be wasted in such an extravagant gesture when it could be sold and the money used to feed the needy?" Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored what it means to "Love Wastefully." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Nancy Plantinga.
Click here to read, watch, listen to, and share Pastor Sal's Homily. Spirit Journey to Sedona, Arizona
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Help us Buy Dark Sky Children's Books for the Library
The Creation Justice Team is working with Saugatuck Douglas District Library to offer a children’s program during Dark Sky Week, April 22-28. We identified a set of appropriate books and are asking for help in purchasing them for the library. All you need to do is click this link, choose a book, and pay. The books will be shipped directly to the library.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!
Maundy Thursday Service, April 14, 6pm
(Regular Meditation Service Canceled)
Please join us on April 14 at 6 PM for our Maundy Thursday service. This powerful service commemorates Jesus's last meal with his apostles and his seven last words. We will begin in the Friendship Hall with a simple meal of soup and bread, followed by a time of prayer and reflection in the church, where we will darken the sanctuary in preparation for Good Friday. If you plan to attend, please sign the poster hanging in the Friendship Hall or email julie@douglasucc.org, so that we know how much food to prepare. Thank you.
Let's Take Another Look at Poetry, April 18, 7pm
"Why in our culture do most people fall out of love with poetry? We savored it as children. What happened?" -- Jack Ridl
On April 18, from 7- 8:30pm, our church member Jack Ridl will hold a conversation about poetry at the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library. Please call the library at 269-857-8241 to reserve your seat. There is no charge for admission.
Jack Says, "In this workshop we will be open about what stands in our way to appreciating, enjoying, understanding, being enriched by poetry. Some may discover a new way of reading. Some may discover that instead of reading a poem, one can explore it from many starting places. Some may hear its music. Some may create a painting in the mind’s eye. Who knows what will happen? Let's find out together."
On April 18, from 7- 8:30pm, our church member Jack Ridl will hold a conversation about poetry at the Saugatuck-Douglas District Library. Please call the library at 269-857-8241 to reserve your seat. There is no charge for admission.
Jack Says, "In this workshop we will be open about what stands in our way to appreciating, enjoying, understanding, being enriched by poetry. Some may discover a new way of reading. Some may discover that instead of reading a poem, one can explore it from many starting places. Some may hear its music. Some may create a painting in the mind’s eye. Who knows what will happen? Let's find out together."
We Need You: Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup, April 23, 9am
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The Douglas UCC Creation Justice Team has scheduled our highway cleanup for 9am on April 23. We are looking for many hands to work together to make light work of cleaning up our three miles of highway. Sign up on the sheet in the Friendship Hall or by writing to julie@douglasucc.org. Thank you for helping us keep our corner of the world clean! |
CJT Movie Night: The City Dark, April 27, 6:30pm
The Creation Justice Team prresents “The City Dark” at Saugatuck-Douglas District Library, on April 27 at 6:30pm. The viewing will be followed by open discussion, plus information on updating your outdoor lighting to meet dark sky standards.
Saugatuck Douglas Art Club, Tableaux Vivant!, April 13, 6pm
On April 13, learn about becoming a “living picture” or Tableaux Vivant. The Saugatuck Douglas Art Club is providing instruction for creating living copies of paintings which will then be photographed and displayed in the library. This activity has been around for centuries, but became a fun pastime during the pandemic. This is the first of three meetings to set up and accomplish a final tableaux. Saugatuck High School art room
6 to 8:30 pm
Wednesday April 13
6 to 8:30 pm
Wednesday April 13
Help us Fill our Altar with Easter Lilies to Honor Loved Ones
On Easter Sunday, we hope to have our altar filled with Easter Lilies! Please consider purchasing an Easter Lily plant for $15. Please use the special "Easter Lily" envelopes in the pews on Sunday (or mail a check to Douglas UCC, P. O. Box 519, Douglas, MI 49406). You can purchase a plant in honor or memory of a loved one, whose name will appear in the bulletin on Easter Sunday, and you can take the plant home after our Easter service. Thank you so much!
Donate to Help Ukrainians
The United Church of Christ is appealing for support for refugees and for elderly and other vulnerable people who are displaced within Ukraine and unable to leave. As a member of the ACT Alliance, UCC support is being targeted to people most in need through humanitarian relief partners with a history of working in the region.
All donations will be deposited into the International Disasters fund designated for “Ukraine Relief.” Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need. One can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Ukraine Relief Fund” on your check in the memo section.
Read more about how you can support the UCC's drive for the people of Ukraine here.
All donations will be deposited into the International Disasters fund designated for “Ukraine Relief.” Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need. One can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Ukraine Relief Fund” on your check in the memo section.
Read more about how you can support the UCC's drive for the people of Ukraine here.
Save the Date, DUCC's 140th Anniversary Block Party, June 5
Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash
SAVE THE DATE! This year, Douglas UCC celebrates its 140th Anniversary! In celebration, we will be having a "Block Party" with food and live music in front of the church on Pentecost Sunday, June 5, from 11 AM to 1 PM. More details to follow!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
April 10- Jack Ridl, 12- Ben Greene, Stan Greene, 13- Bill Klatt, 16- Jerry Coates
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.
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
Michael Mok and friends and family of Paul Murphy; Wendy Hamlin; Roye McDonald; Michele Turner and Family; Judy Baxter (Kristine Sherman's Mother); Joann DeJonge; Richard and Joanna Weber's grandson Mattox (friends of the Ridls); Paul Burdick; Al Overweg; Beverly Willming (John Willming's mother); Jay North (friend of Dan Pierce); 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); 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, April 3: 72
Livestream Attendance: 52
Total Viewers for April 3 Online Service Videos: 601
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $11,515
Online Giving: $2,039.24
Total: $13,554.24
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.
Livestream Attendance: 52
Total Viewers for April 3 Online Service Videos: 601
Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $11,515
Online Giving: $2,039.24
Total: $13,554.24
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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