Weekly E-pistle: "Third Sunday of Advent" at Douglas UCC

12/13/2019

This Sunday, for the "Third Sunday of Advent," we'll light the pink candle, which symbolizes "JOY." There is good news of great joy for all people: the Light is on its way! Come join us this Sunday at 10 AM for an inspiring message from Pastor Sal and uplifting music from Nancy Plantinga and Peter Black.

Sabbatical Worship Volunteer Meeting

There will be a short meeting on Sunday, December 22, at 11:30 AM in the church for all Sabbatical Worship Volunteers.

Christmas Treats Potluck, December 22

Please feel free to bring any Christmas cookies and other treats to share during coffee hour on Sunday, December 22.

True North: The Masks We Wear

The True North Women's Group held a mask-making workshop this month. Our church member, artist, Maryjo Lemanksi, and local artist Priscilla Lynch led the workshop. Each participant placed a strand of white in her mask. As we age, we embrace the color white. It enhances our lives as this strand of white will enhance our masks. In many Native American cultures, the color white is the symbol of North, Elders, Winter, Peace and Happiness. After the mask-making, church member, Josephine Berault, led a meaningful conversation about the masks we wear.

Douglas UCC will be holding a Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence on Saturday, December 14
at 5 PM in our sanctuary. This vigil is held every year on the anniversary of the Newtown school shooting to remember the lives lost to gun violence. Thank you to Hannah Huggett and members of our church's Social Justice Team for coordinating. We hope you will join us.

The beautiful Douglas UCC Christmas ornament (pictured left) is now available for sale. Designed and crafted in Poland, the ornament depicts the front of our church. The cost is $25. We will be selling them in the Friendship Hall after Sunday worship until December 22.

We hope you will join us for our annual Candlelight Service of “The Lessons & the Carols” on Christmas Eve at 6 PM.

Next month, we hope to begin training a new group of Stephen Ministers. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who go through 50 hours of training in order to serve as lay ministers, visiting our church members in need. If you'd like to learn more, we hope you will join us on Thursday, January 9, at 6 PM in our Friendship Hall for "A Taste of Stephen Ministry." Please sign the sheet in the Friendship Hall on Sunday if you plan on attending.

We're so excited to announce our next church trip: “A Still-Speaking Journey through the Holy Land,” including a two-day spiritual discovery hike along the Jesus Trail through Galilee. Led by Pastor Sal, the trip is from October 21 – 28, 2020. Click HERE for all the details, and watch this short video from "CBS This Morning" about the Jesus Trail:

Watch Last Sunday's Music and Message:

Financial Stewardship Report:

December 8: Attendance: 133 Church Use: $200 Advent Devotionals: $55
Ornaments: $191 Collection Plate: $2,025   Online Giving: $4,224
Total: $6,695

Thank you for your generous giving which
allows us to sustain our church community and our mission of service.
You can also give securely online by clicking ONLINE GIVING.