Weekly E-pistle: "The Baptism of Jesus"

1/2/2023

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

This Sunday's Service — "The Baptism of Jesus"
Last Sunday's Video — "First Sunday after Christmas"
Congregational Meeting — This Sunday after Worship
Photos from New Year's Day Service
Pastor Sal on "The Morning Grind" Radio Show -- This Saturday
January 11, National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: UCC Resources
Douglas UCC Podcast
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Baptism of Love"

In Sunday's Gospel reading, we'll hear 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 join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online), as we celebrate Jesus's baptism and explore the meaning and purpose of baptism in our lives. We will also participate in our annual "Burning Bowl" ritual.

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

Download the Online Bulletin here:

order_of_service_january_8_2023.pdf
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Last Sunday's Service

Last Sunday, we greeted the new year by putting our focus on the Magi, who followed the Star of Wonder and were guided to that Perfect Light. Who were the Magi, and how does their story apply to our lives today, as we set our intentions for 2023? Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the "Journey of the Magi." Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza, Special Music: Peter Black and the Douglas Holiday UCC Choir, Pamela Chappell, Adelle Van Daalen on piano and Logan Johnston on saxophone.

Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share Pastor Sal's Homily.

Congregational Meeting: This Sunday after Worship

Join us this Sunday after worship (from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM) for our annual Congregational Meeting to kick-off the New Year. Pastor Sal and our church leaders will be guiding us as we cast our vision for 2023. All church members are highly encouraged to attend. If you are unable to attend in person, please email Julie Ridl for a Zoom link.

Photos from New Year's Day Service

We kicked off the New Year at Douglas UCC with such a joyous and uplifting service last Sunday, featuring special music by Peter Black and the Douglas UCC Holiday Choir; Logan Johnston on saxophone; Adelle Van Daalen on piano; and Pamela Chappell on guitar, performing her original holiday song, "Be the Candle, Be the Star." Here's to a great 2023!!

Pastor Sal on the Radio!

Our very own Pastor Sal will be a guest on the "Morning Grind" radio show this Saturday, January 7, at 8:30 AM. He will be speaking about setting intentions for the New Year. You can listen at 94.9 FM or at Jethro.FM

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day,
Jan 11

January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States. Human Trafficking is a crime that often results in the exploitation of men desperately seeking employment and sexual exploitation of babies, girls, and women of all ages, worldwide.

Learn more through the latest Encounters At The Well blog post, “It Could Happen To Any One,” written by Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith who serves on the National Staff for the United Church of Christ in Wider Church Ministries and on the UCC's #ThursdaysInBlack Campaign.

And if you would like to learn more about the UCC's work against humaan trafficking, bookmark and follow this link: https://www.ucc.org/?s=human+trafficking

"Message from Douglas UCC" Podcast

Did you know that our church has its very own podcast?

You can listen to a library of Pastor Sal's messages by subscribing to our "Messages from Douglas UCC" podcast on Spotify, Google Play, Apple, or Amazon Music.

You can also ask Alexa, "Alexa, play the podcast 'Messages from Douglas UCC."

Many thanks to our church member, Chris Clark, for his dedicated service to our producing our weekly podcast.

Learn more: DUCC Podcast

Birthdays & Anniversaries

January 8- Andy Danos, 12- Darris Cichock, 13- Bruce Dybas, Elaine Overweg
14- Larry Gammons

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

Family and friends of Olive Johnson (Liz Wisehart's mother); friends and friends of Amy Wood (Mary Fechtig's sister); Gemina Petruzzelli; Family and friends of Gary Johnston (Mark Johnston's father); John Willming; Dave Bazany; Carol Rice; Doug Petersen; Kirstin Barendsen (cousin of Ruth VandenBosch); Marianna Maver (Friend of many in our congregation); Diane Carr & Family; Mary Baxter (Marjorie Reiman's friend); Elwood Cephus Stith (Mark Reiman's friend); Pete Wehle; Rev. Lou Grettenberger (friend of Ginny Mikita); Phil Sturdevant (Pete Wehle's friend); Darren Dixon (Beverly and Orie Hawkes' nephew); David Zylstra (Laurie VandenBeldt's friend); Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart's sister); Joann DeJonge; Jay North (friend of Dan Pierce); Hannah Sherman; Maureen Pierce; David Abbot; Sarah Johnson Lock; 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); Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, January 1 : 78
Total Views for January 1 Online Videos: 808
Podcast Downloads for December, 2022: 3,417

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $13,855.00
Online Giving: $3,163.47

Total: $17,018.47

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.