Weekly E-Pistle: Third Sunday of Easter

4/16/2021

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

This Sunday's Service Notes -- 3rd Sunday of Easter: "Witnessing the Divine"
Last Week's Service Video -- 2nd Sunday of Easter: "The Benefits of Doubt "
Where is Pastor Sal?
UCC Grand West Association Spring Meeting, May 2
Hannah Star Huggett serves on upcoming Kaufman Interfaith institute Summit panel
Church Member Emily Tieman in Country Living!
Summerhouse Lavender Farm Opening and Art Show, May 8 & 9
Composting Pop-Up Workshop, April 24
Knitting, Crocheting, Fiber Artists Meetings Starting up, April 21
May 1 Household Hazardous Waste Cleanup Day, Volunteers Needed
Friendship Hall News
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "Witnessing the Divine"

In the gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Jesus tells the apostles, "You are witnesses." Where and when have you witnessed the Risen Christ in your own life? What does it mean to "bear witness" to the Divine Presence? Tune-in this Sunday to our "Video Worship Service," as we explore what it means to "Experience the Divine." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Pamela Chappell.

Tune-in on Sunday at 10 AM via our Facebook page, YouTube channel, or here on our website.

Last Week's Online Service

In last Sunday's Gospel reading for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, we heard the "Doubting Thomas" story. The apostle, Thomas, doesn't believe that Jesus has risen from the dead. When it comes to our faith, we've been led to believe that doubting is an obstacle, when, in fact, the obstacle is certainty. The contemporary Christian writer, Anne Lamott, says: "The opposite of faith is not doubt. It is certainty." Here is our "Video Worship Service" from last Sunday, when we explored the benefits of doubt. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler.
Click here to read, listen to, watch, and share last Sunday's Homily.

Where is Pastor Sal?

Last week, Pastor Sal was invited to speak with students (virtually) at Rancho Christian in Temecula, California, about "Diversity in Christianity." Their theology teacher has been watching Pastor Sal's messages online.
On May 1, Pastor Sal will be a guest on the Morning Grind Radio Show, 92.7 FM at 8:30 AM.
Pastor Sal has been invited to preach at Park Church in Grand Rapids for their April 25 worship service.
Pastor Sal has been invited to speak at the Kiwanis Club in Grand Rapids on May 6.
Pastor Sal has also been invited to preach at Hope Church in Holland on October 3, which is "World Communion Sunday."

UCC Grand West Association Spring Meeting:
You are Invited! May 2 at 3 pm on Zoom

The Spring Meeting of the Grand West Association will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 3 PM via Zoom. All church members are invited this year. The keynote address will be given by the Rev. Dr. Michael Montgomery, professor at Chicago Theological Seminary, who will be speaking about “Church on the Other Side of the Pandemic.”

To register click here: https://bit.ly/3d3adZn

Star Huggett Serving as a Climate Action Panelist April 18, 2 pm

Our young climate activist and Douglas UCC churchgoer, Hannah Star Huggett, will be one of the panelists at this Sunday's online Kaufman Interfaith Institute discussion, "How Does Your Faith Inform Climate Action?" This virtual event will explore how various faith traditions prompt action towards addressing our climate crisis. The event is this Sunday, April 18, from 2 to 4 PM. To register: https://www.gvsu.edu/interfaith/cms-form-edit.htm...

Church Member Emily Tieman in Country Living!

Our church member, Emily Tieman, is featured in the latest issue of "Country Living" magazine! She was noticed through her beautiful Instagram feed by an editor at the magazine, who reached out to ask for this lovely feature of her art and decor. Congratulations, Emily!

Summerhouse Lavender Farm Opening
and Art Show, May 8 & 9

Our church members Carol Brown and Dan McGavin, along with Michael VerMerris, and more local artists will all show their work and at the Opening Weekend of the Summerhouse Lavender Farm, May 8 and 9. It's always a lovely celebration of Creation and Spring. We hope you can enjoy it!

May 1 Household Hazardous Waste Cleanup Day, Volunteers Needed

For the first time in 13 years, a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event will be held for residents of the City of Saugatuck, the City of Douglas, and Saugatuck Township on May 1 from 9 am until 12 pm at the City of Saugatuck Department of Public Works Building (3338 Bluestar Highway). Download the guidance sheet, below, which provides examples of the types of materials that will be accepted, fees that will charged (if any) and special guidelines for some items. If you have questions, please contact the Tri-Community Recycling committee at glewis@saugatuckcity.com.

Residents MUST have an appointment to drop-off HHW items. Sign up to participate at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084FADA92BABFD0-household

Registered participants will drive into the DPW site from the Maple Street entrance (behind the DPW garage). If arriving on Blue Star Highway, turn west on North and south on Maple, or turn west on Old Allegan and then north on Maple. Signs and volunteers will direct vehicles to the proper entrance. You will not be able to turn into the DPW site directly from Bluestar Highway.

Donations to help subsidize this event are gladly accepted at:
Venmo at @hhwday2021
PayPal https://paypal.me/pools/c/8y7LCkwQ1j
Or via the event signup link (above)

We need volunteers for Collection Day to provide traffic control and directions. Sign up to volunteer here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084FADA92BABFD0-hhwday
Note: volunteers WILL NOT touch nor remove any materials in/from vehicles. They will simply direct traffic and provide happy, smiling faces that morning!

household_hazardous_waste_guidance.pdf
File Size:	244 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Composting Pop-Up Workshop, April 24

The Tri-Community Recycling & Composting Committee is hosting a Backyard Composting Pop-Up Workshop on Sat April 24, from 9:30 to 10:30am at the parking lot at 312 Ferry Street (the old Calico Kitchen site). The focus will be on residential composting. Tune in to the Friendship Hall this Sunday morning if you have questions about this event, or connect with Demetrhea Terrien by email.

Knitting, Crocheting, Fiber Artists Meetings Starting up, April 21

Photo by Kayvan Mazhar on Unsplash

-Knitters, Crocheters, Weavers, Stitchers, Fiber People of all types! The good old Douglas UCC knitting crew invites you all to join us at their masked, outdoor, bring-your-own-chair-and-refreshments-and-projects meetups on Wednesday afternoons at the Retreat House backyard, beginning April 21 at 1pm! If you wish to receive reminders of those meetups and alerts when the weather looks too difficult to meet, join this group's mailing list by emailing Julie.

Friendship Hall News

Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash

We had another lively Friendship Hall Zoom meetup on Sunday, sadly opening with the news of Michigan's status in Covid-19 infections. Pastor Sal shared the results of the Church Council's survey of our members and friends. Thanks so much to all of you who participated! See last week's E-Pistle for the Summary report! Ann Hopkins asked for prayers for her daughter Chrissy, who is recovering from a knee replacement, and prayers for her friend Albert, who is struggling with illness in his dog, Olivia. Pastor Sal pointed out Jim Shewell's obituary, and shared that we will have a service for Jim in the memorial garden when the weather gets better. Mark Reiman asked for prayers for Marjorie, who is undergoing two cataract surgeries. And Pam Chappell gave us an update on Sandy Feldman's cancer treatment plan. Cards and letters for Sandy and Larry can be sent here: Sandy and Larry Feldman, 8800 Blackhawk Drive, Lakeside, MI 49116. We celebrated Jack Ridl's "Old 77" birthday too with general silliness all around.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Photo by Mia Cambriello on Unsplash

Photo by Mia Cambriello on Unsplash

April 18- Dennis Barnum, 21- Ron Sieracki, 24- Gregg Kurek

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

John Leon (Marjorie Reiman's uncle); Marjorie Reiman; Pamela Chappell; Tim Reineck (friend of Pete Wehle and Pam Chappell's); Sandy and Larry Feldman; Cindy Winkler; Eleanor Connell (Shannon Connell's mother), Matt Brazys, Suzanne Cook, and Ken Cassbon (friends of Pete Wehle and Pamela Chappell); Jakki Fox (Jeff Spangler's sister); Ronald Konarski; Richie Czarnowski (Mark Reiman's friend); Leith Letcher and his family; Dale Lower; Sherri Kanten (Ruth VandenBosch's friend); Diane Carr (Debra Carr's sister); Michael (a friend of Dan Mack's); Mike Boston and Kathy Austin; Myron (Wendy Hamlin's grandson, Fred Hamilin's great-grandson); Chris Stuart (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law); Kurt McDonald (John McDonald's son); Matt Brazys (Friend of Pete Wehle's); Darren Dixon (Beverly and Orie Hawkes' nephew); Mary Elizabeth Loudin (friend of Laurie VandenBeldt); Richard Graham; Char Clausing (Nancy Plantinga's cousin); Chris Robinson (Peter and Kathleen Mueller's nephew); Gregg Kirchen (Sheryll and Greg VanPortfleet's friend); Daniel Ver Meulen (Susan Fleming's son); Marcia Sullivan (Jo Cooley's friend); Len Lynch (Kathleen Mueller's brother); Curtis Coffin (Marty Coffin's brother).

Financial Stewardship

April 11, 2021

Viewers for April 11 Online Service Videos: 672

Online Donations: $3,910.39
Benevolent Fund: $200.00
Collection Plate (mailed in): $2,810.00

Total: $6,920.39

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.