Sixth Sunday of Easter

5/12/2023

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

This Sunday's Service — Sixth Sunday of Easter: "God, Our Mother"
Last Sunday's Service Video --Fifth Sunday of Easter: "Greater Things!"
Hector Vega's Gift
GWA Spring Liturgy Photo Album
Christian Neighbors' May Cereal Drive
Booth Volunteers Needed for Pride-in-the-Park, June 3!
The Art Club the Gallery Show and Sale May 19, 20, and 21
16th Annual Benefit for Christian Neighbors, May 21
Lakeshore Community Chorus - Spring Concert, Road Trip, May 21
Pride Events Ahead! Save the June Dates!
Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance Fundraiser, June 3
Save the Date, West Shore Aware Gala, August 19
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "God, Our Mother"

This Mother's Day Sunday, we will explore "God as Mother." Most of us grew up being told that God was a man, our Heavenly Father. How would our world be different if we viewed God not as an authoritative, judgmental male, but as our gentle, nurturing Heavenly Mother?

Come join us this Mother's Day Sunday at 10 AM (either in person or streaming live online) as we continue to explore the question: Who is God?

Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler

Download This Sunday's Online Bulletin:

order_of_service_may_14_2023__1_.pdf
File Size:	2257 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Last Sunday's Service

In the gospel reading for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus declares, "All of the things that I have done, you can do." And, then he adds, "These things and greater!" Is it really possible for us to do even greater things than Jesus did? What did he mean by this statement? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the "Greater Things" Jesus had in mind. Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black

Here's the Homily!

Hector Vega's Gift

We were so honored to receive this beautiful Hector M. Vega artwork on behalf of the church in recognition for our financial support of Vega’s “Reaching for the Stars” sculpture, which was unveiled last week at the Fennville District Library. Pictured with them is Maryjo Lemanski of Saugatuck-Douglas Friends of the Arts. This beautiful piece will hang in our new administrative office.

GWA Spring Liturgy Photo Album

We has such a lovely afternoon, hosting the UCC's Grand West association of churches' Spring Meeting on Sunday, May 7, celebrating our retiring Area Conference Minister, Rev. Ruth Fitzgerald. Many thanks to all who attended and especially to our event volunteers who made the service and the celebration so beautiful: Lynne Snyder, Beth Stallinga, Peter & Kathleen Mueller, Ruth Vandenbosch, Virginia Stuart, Debra Carr, Mike VerMerris, Vicky Cobb, Kathy Hartman, and Peter Black

Christian Neighbors' May Cereal Drive

Because hunger doesn't take a summer vacation, Christian Neighbors Food Pantry in Douglas is collecting cereal to distribute this summer to its clients with children. You are invited to drop off boxes of cereal at the Friendship Hall from May 1-31 to help stock their shelves, or donate in any of the ways outlined in the poster above. Thank you, as always, for your generous giving.

Booth Volunteers Needed
for Pride-in-the-Park, June 3!

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

We need volunteers to run our church's booth at Pride in the Park on June 3. If you can help out, please sign up in the Friendship Hall or drop an email to [email protected].

Saugatuck-Douglas Art Club
Gallery Show and Sale May 19 - 21

Support local artists, and fellow church members Paul Burdick, Max Brown, and Betsy York, at the Saugatuck-Douglas Art Club's Gallery Show and Sale May 19 through 21. Proceeds provide scholarships for local high school students. This is the event's second year, with more artists and more pieces to view. The show of the year, folks! We hope to see you there.

16th Annual Benefit for
Christian Neighbors, May 21

Our friend Arthur Frederick will be holding his annual fundraising party for Christian Neighbors on May 21 at his beautiful home on Sheffield Lane in Fennville. All are welcome. Please RSVP by May 15 by mail to Box 400, Douglas, MI 49406.

Lakeshore Community Chorus
Spring Concert, "Road Trip," May 21

Celebrate the brink of summertime on Sunday, May 21 at 4:00pm with Lakeshore Community Chorus as it presents “Road Trip: Adventures on Route 66” on stage at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts! The Artistic Director of the chorus is our own church member and a member of our music team, Nancy Plantinga. The chorus itself includes many of our church members, and the concerts sell out quickly! Click the button below to reserve your seats:

Buy Tickets Here!

Pride Events Ahead! Save the June Dates!

It's time to save these dates for the annual Community Pride MI celebrations in Saugatuck and Douglas. And HollandPride's 20th year celebrating Pride Month. Once again, Douglas UCC is proud to sponsor our area pride events. We hope to see you, here, there, and everywhere. Watch the E-pistle for opportunities to get involved!

Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance
Fundraiser, June 3

4 Paws Lakeshore has combined it's efforts with Wishbone Organization, so the 4 Paws Lakeshore name has been dissolved and folded into Wishbone organization.

Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance presents it's annual fundraiser!

There's No Place Like a Home
Saturday, June 3, 2023
6:00pm - 10:00pm
2755 Blue Star Hwy
Fennville, MI 49408

Join us for an evening of fun with an outdoor venue, music, food, drinks, and wonderful adoptable pets.

Attire: Shelter Chic w/Red Shoes

At the event, you'll find the annual "Hearts of Love" donation program that helps Wishbone provide necessary professional medical care to the animals, as well as several other exciting new ways to help them continue to be the voice and caretaker of Allegan County's homeless animals.

To purchase tickets and/or be a sponsor in various areas of need, click the button:

Buy Tickets or Donate Here!

West Shore Aware
20th Anniversary White Party, August 19

The Summer Event is Coming! Save the date for the evening of August 19, and watch this space for ticket sales that begin in June! Follow the button below for sponsorship opportunities and more details.

All the Details!

Birthdays & Anniversaries

May 18– Jo Cooley, Sue Fleming,
19– Jack Hartman, Elisabeth & Joe Manancheril 20– Mary Westenbroek

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

Sheri Debold; Gloria Larrieu; Beth Howley's Family; Edie Plantinga (Nancy Plantinga's mother); Fritz Royce and his Family; Joyce Potts (Ed Korson's Friend); Elaine Overweg and Family; Dee Baker; Carol Brown; Ernie Toth; Jim Dutcher; Dirk Hollebeek (Ruth VandenBosch's Godson); Peter Black and Family; Max Matteson; Marissa Overweg (Laurie VandenBeldt's granddaughter); Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Anne Geraghty (Pat Denner's Sister-in-law); Nicole and John (Wendy Hamlin's daughter-in-law and son); Dan Pierce (Craig Drager's husband); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Darren Dixon (Beverly Hawkes' nephew); Chris Stuart, (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, May 7: 102
Total Views for May 7 Online Videos: 635

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $770.76
Online Giving: $4,191.55
Total: $4,962.31

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.