Third Sunday of Easter

4/21/2023

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

This Sunday's Service — Third Sunday of Easter: "The Road to Emmaus"
Last Sunday's Service Video — Second Sunday of Easter: "The Benefits of Doubt"
Photos: Stephen Ministry Outing to Meijer Gardens
Earth Day Hike and Plastic-Free Picnic, April 22
Supporting Team Donovan! Team Walk is April 22
What's Possible?: Earth Day Stories of Hope: UCC's Virtual Earth Day Summit
Citizen Science -- Participate in Light Pollution Research with the Creation Justice Team
Wishbone Pet Rescue Alliance Fundraiser, June 3
Reports & Minutes
Birthdays & Anniversaries, Prayer Requests, and Financial Stewardship

This Sunday's Service: "The Road to Emmaus"

In the gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Easter, two disciples - confused and saddened by Jesus' death - are walking the road to Emmaus, when they encounter a stranger in their midst.

As they walk and talk together, the stranger enlightens and consoles them. The two disciples then invite the stranger to a meal. In the breaking of the bread, they recognize the stranger as Jesus.

How often on the road of life do we fail to recognize God's presence in our midst? Join us this Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) as we explore "The Road to Emmaus." Message: Pastor Sal Sapienza. Music: Peter Black and Stan Greene.

Download This Sunday's Online Bulletin:

order_of_service_april_23_2023.pdf
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Last Sunday's 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. Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored together "The Benefits of Doubt." Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Jeff Spangler.

Here's the Homily!

Stephen Ministry Outing to Meijer Gardens

Earlier this week, Pastor Sal and our Stephen Ministries Team enjoyed an outing to Frederik Meijer Gardens for the butterfly exhibit. Enjoy the slideshow (above).

Earth Day Hike and Plastic-Free Picnic, April 22

On Saturday, April 22, Radar Hill Hiking Club invites you to a hike and a plastic-free picnic. There's nothing to join and no need to register. Meet us at 10 am at Farview Nature Park, 6257 138th Avenue and we’ll hike about two miles on flat terrain. Any dogs must be leashed. Pay attention to the weather but expect some mud (cancellation info and more here).

Afterward, honor Earth Day by bringing a lunch with NO PLASTIC containers, bottles, cups, wrapping, or utensils (also bring a chair). How do you pull that off? Grab a tin cup, a stainless steel fork, and a cloth napkin. Wrap a sandwich in compostable parchment paper, put your chips in a silicone bag, and bring a beverage in a bottle. Pack everything into a canvas bag or a wooden basket. Even if you can't make it to the hike, a plastic-free picnic is a fun challenge!

What's Possible?: Earth Day Stories of Hope: UCC's Earth Day Summit, April 22

On April 22nd, at 11am, via Zoom, and available by link after the event, the UCC will inaugurate our annual Earth Day Summit to lift up, celebrate, and further ministries dedicated to God's creation. This 2.5-hour digital event will feature a keynote address by the Rev. Jim Antal, author of "Climate Church, Climate World: How People of Faith Must Work for Change." Brooks Berndt, the UCC's Environmental Justice Minister says about the event:

“The care of God’s creation is our first calling as Christians, so I think everyone in the UCC has good reason to attend this event. I can see green team members and leaders attending to receive a good dose of inspiration. I can see pastors joining to hear stories of hope that they can steal for their sermons. I can see anyone looking to climb out of climate despair to climate hope wanting to attend. Who doesn’t want climate hope?”

The event will include a panel discussion with Gina Peltier from Honor the Earth, Analyah Schlaeger dos Santos from Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light, and Alexa Horwart from Isaiah. We will celebrate our newest Creation Justice Churches, recognize youth and young adult Climate Justice Fellows, and present the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award to a congregation or green team that has distinguished itself in taking public action for environmental justice. If you are unable to join at the scheduled time, register anyway, and a link to the recording will be sent to you.

More about the UCC's Jim Antal

Supporting Team Donovan!
Team Walk is April 22

We are Team Donovan, and we're walking toward a world free of MS!

Everyone has the power to change the world for people with MS. We are coming together with thousands of people across the country at Walk MS — a charity walk for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society — to ensure that no one faces MS alone.

We would love your generous support as we prepare for our walk.

Thank You,
Sarah Donovan, Wendy Hamlin and Mike VerMerris

Support Team Donovan Here

Citizen Science -- Participate in Light Pollution Research with the Creation Justice Team

The Creation Justice Team is asking you to take your smartphone outside after dark during the week of April 16 and tell scientists about the brightness of your night sky. It's easy; everything you need to know is under "Globe at Night" at https://ducc-cjt.com/dark-sky/. After submitting your observation online, if you also report the "magnitude number" to Chris Clark ([email protected]), then he can provide us a summary the following week. Chris will be at the coffee hour on Sunday, April 16 to answer your questions. The Globe at Night project has already gathered more than 200,000 measurements from people all over the world!

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 below.

Tickets or Donations Here

Reports & Minutes

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

pastors_report_april_2023.pdf
File Size:	305 kb
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approved_church_council_minutes_march_2023.pdf
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Birthdays & Anniversaries

April 24– Gregg Kurek, Ginny Mikita

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

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); Lisa Marth (The Marths' Sister-in-law); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Darren Dixon (Beverly Hawkes' nephew); Chris Stuart, (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law)

Financial Stewardship

In-Person Attendance, April 16: 76
Total Views for April 16 Online Videos: 673

Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,840.00
Online Giving: $1,211.90
Total: $3,051.90

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.