In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday: "Building the Beloved Community"
This Sunday's gospel passage tells the story of Jesus calling the first apostles to follow him with the invitation of "Come and See." He was inviting them to help him "build the Kingdom," which Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. referred to as "building the Beloved Community." At this Sunday's "Video Worship Service," we will celebrate the life and spirit of Dr. King, whose message is more relevant than ever. A man of great faith, Dr. King reminds us during this Epiphany season that "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only Light can do that."
Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler
Tune in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website. Last Week's Service Video
In last Sunday's Gospel reading, we heard 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 enjoy last Sunday's "Video Worship Service," when we celebrated Jesus's baptism and explored the meaning and purpose of baptism in our lives today.
Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Elizabeth Estes. Read, Watch, Listen, and Share last weeks Homily from here. Congregational Meeting & "Year in Review" Video
Thank you to all who attended last Sunday's Congregational Meeting on Zoom. We had such a great turnout, and Pastor Sal reviewed 2020 in the life of our church via video (above). Our doors may have been closed for most of 2020, but, thanks to all of you, the church was very much open and in service of the community. Thank you to Peter Mueller, Mary Fechtig, Bob Kenny, Will Gervais, Stan Greene, and Julie Ridl for their help with the meeting. If you missed it, a video recording of the meeting is available upon request. Just contact Julie.
Congratulations, Eric & Bryan!
New DUCC Handbook
Big KUDOS to our church's Financial Oversight Committee for working with our Church Council to develop a new "Financial Procedures Manual" this past year. At last Sunday's Congregational Meeting, Bob Kenny and Will Gervais of the Financial Oversight Committee presented an overview of the new handbook, which binds together our church constitution, policy handbook, and financial procedures. Below are the downloadable segments of the complete manual, if you wish to review them. Thank you so much to our Financial Oversight Committee and our Church Council for helping us adapt to the growing needs of a growing church!
The Church's Proposed New Air Filtration System
In anticipation of heading back into the sanctuary for worship sometime in 2021, the Church Council has been researching air-cleaning systems similar to ones used by medical facilities to protect their workers and patients. In addition, church member, Jeff Spangler, suggested adding HEPA filters to our existing HVAC system in the church. If you'd like to explore these systems further, click here to learn more about Surgically Clean Air's JADE air purifier, the model recommended for our church. When it's time to move ahead, we will explore group purchase discounts for church members who wish to buy an air purification unit for their home. Stay tuned!
Michigan's Contact Tracing App
We can protect one another as we work to stay safe by downloading and using the MI COVID ALERT app for our apple or android smart phones. The app a free and is managed by the state health department to help with contact tracing and notification, which will slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan. Using the MI COVID Alert app along with following and observing existing public health recommendations will help us all stay safe when we meet up, socialize, work or travel. Click here to find and download the app to your phone!
Sign Up for Your Covid Vaccine!
Local public health departments are working to distribute vaccines in West Michigan. Click here to visit Vaccinate West Michigan for news of distribution in our region. If you are an Allegan County resident and wish to have a vaccine and/or volunteer to help out , follow this link to the Allegan County Health Department website. You may wish to register with your local Meijer, whose clinics will be set up to distribute Covid 19 vaccines. Here is the link to register at your closest Meijer pharmacy. Hope is on the horizon!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
January 23- Greg Sherman, Rose Marie Stevenson, Sarah Swift
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can continue to reach out to one another during this time. 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
Krissy Molitor (Ann Hopkins' daughter);The Plantinga Family; Dr. Bernie Siegel (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Kathy Austin and Mike Boston and their family; Barbara Muller; Bill & Sue Tucker (Gregg Smith's parents); Emil 'Sonny' Pulick (Sue Fleming and Mary Alice Townsend's dad); David Lezondra; Lisa and Michael and baby Harper McLoughlin (Jane Brodt's daughter and son-in-law and new granddaughter); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt); Richard Graham; Max Brown; the Klott Family; five members of family of Max Brown's sister; Audrey Looman and Michael Titus, (friends of Ruth VandenBosh; Ruth Pearson (Wendy Hamlin's sister, Fred Hamlin's daughter); Jimmy Hotwagner; Char Clausing (Nancy Plantinga's cousin); Brent Havens; Ruth VandenBosch; the family and friends of Chris Cook, especially Larry Fuerst and Sue Scott; Pamela Chappell; Bubba Beaudreaux; Marilyn Ondersma (the Reimans' friend); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Leith Letcher and Jim Shewell; Gregg Kirchen (Sheryll and Greg VanPortfleet's friend); Sidney Matheis; Jodi Berault, Dirk Hollebeek (Ruth VandenBosch's godson); Larry Gregsbeek (friend of Mark Reiman); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Hannah Sherman; Gary Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's brother); Terry Stough (Catz Dienes' son); Ted Sommer; Drew Carter; Jeff Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend); Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).
All of our Covid-19 pandemic first responders, and for the researchers and scientists working on effective tests and treatments for Covid-19. Prayers for all in the military and their families; all who are homeless or addicted or abused or neglected or rejected or hungry; The UCC; the Grand West Association; our Church Council; our Stephen Ministers; our church committees; our communities, our schools, our nation and our planet. To add or remove a name from the Prayer List, please email us. Financial StewardshipJanuary 10, 2021 Viewers for January 10, Online Service Videos: 974 Online Giving: $4,171.84 Total: $4,171.84 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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