In This Week's E-Pistle, You Will Find:
This Sunday's Service: Transfiguration Sunday
This Sunday is "Transfiguration Sunday." What exactly happened to Jesus on the mountaintop? Sunday's gospel reading tells us a change happened in Jesus: his clothes became a dazzling white and he was transfigured.
The word "transfiguration" means "a spiritual change." How have the "mountaintop" experiences in your life impacted your own spiritual transformation? Join us on Sunday at 10 AM (either in-person or streaming live online) as we explore how to spiritually transform ourselves and our world. Message: Rev. Marchiene Rienstra. Music: Peter Black and Pamela Chappell. Download this Sunday's Online Bulletin: 
Pastor Sal has been invited to speak at Fountain Street Church in Downtown Grand Rapids this Sunday, so we are delighted to welcome back Rev. Marchiene Rienstra, who will be leading our worship. Rev. Marty (as many of us call her) is the first woman to graduate from Calvin Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree, and she taught at both Calvin College and Western Theological Seminary. She also became the first woman to be senior pastor in the Reformed Church of America, and she helped establish Mother’s Trust Ashram in Ganges, Michigan. She is also the author of five books on spirituality. Last year, she and her husband, John, became members of Douglas UCC. You won't want to miss her inspiring message.
Last Sunday's Service
In last Sunday's gospel reading from Deuteronomy, we hear the words, "See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, death and adversity. Choose life." The choice is ours. Please enjoy last Sunday's service, when we explored the ways to "choose life" each and every day. Message: Pastor Sal. Music: Peter Black and Stan Greene.
2023 UCC Lenten Devotional
The Season of Lent begins on Wednesday, and a great way to journey through the Lenten season is by praying each day with the UCC's 2023 Lenten Devotional.
The devotional features daily Bible quotes, reflections, and prayers for all 40 Days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. The devotionals are $5 each, and you can purchase one in the Friendship Hall on Sunday, or you can order online at The Pilgrim Press. Help for Turkey and Syria
The news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. The death toll continues to rise – numbers are pointing to more than 41,000 – depending on the source. This is shattering news and adds to the challenges of the war in this area for over a decade.
Immediately after the earthquake, the UCC posted a prayer and short statement in response to this crisis. While the earthquake was on the border, the tremors were felt as far away as Lebanon and Cyprus. At this time, we are issuing an appeal to help recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria. It is hard to tell what other areas are affected or the extent of the damage from this seismic event. Amid this current uncertainty, you can be certain that with your financial support the United Church of Christ will be there helping those in need. To support this effort, you can give online by following the button below, or text UCCDISASTER to 41444. You can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Turkey and Syria” on your check in the memo section. All donations will be deposited into the International Emergency fund designated for “Turkey and Syria Earthquake Response”. Your generous financial support will be used by our partners in the areas of greatest need, for relief and long-term recovery. Receipt Collection is Completed! Thank you!
With little notice, the 'Direct Your Dollars' program at Family Fare and D&W Fresh Market has ended. Although participation at our church was steady, we did not make the full $150,000 in receipts needed to collect the $1,000 gift donation. We did, however, collect more than $100,000 in receipts. Therefore, DUCC was awarded a gift card for purchases at any Family Fare store. Pastor Sal will see that this gift card is given to Ladders of Hope Food Pantry in Fennville, as we promised at the outset.
No more receipts will be collected, so the box in the Friendship Hall has been removed. Thank you to all who carefully saved and brought in your receipts over the past few years. Our efforts will be a gift to families in Fennville. Peanut Butter Drive for Christian Neighbors
From now until February 28, we are collecting jars of peanut butter for Christian Neighbors Food Pantry in Douglas. You can drop off your donations on the designated table in the Friendship Hall on Sundays or leave inside the foyer door during the week. Thank you, as always, for your generous giving. (And, thank you, Joyce Wright, for the fun peanut-design tablecloth, too!).
Christian Neighbors' Needs List
Christian Neighbors of Douglas very much appreciates the on-going generosity of the Douglas UCC congregation. In addition to the Peanut Butter drive, Christian Neighbors Food Pantry has an on-going need for the following items:
Rice, Sugar, Flour, Vegetable Oil, Jello, Nuts: Almonds, Walnuts, Saltine Crackers, Triscuits/Assorted Crackers, Bottled Water, Bar Soap, Shampoo, Toothpaste, Cat Food Please deliver Pantry Donations to Christian Neighbors, located at the south entrance of the Community Church of Douglas, 6874 Wiley Rd, Fennville, MI 49408 Monetary donations are always accepted, either online at or by personal check, made out to Christian Neighbors of Douglas. Also, be sure to check out the Christian Neighbors Thrift Store for gently used clothing and household items. Pantry and Thrift Store Hours are Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri. 9:30AM to Noon. Any questions, please contact: Rich Marth or Wendy Hamlin. Birthdays & AnniversariesFebruary 20 – Mary Alice Townsend, 24 – Greg VanPortfleet Birthday and Anniversar;y 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
Dan Pierce (Craig Drager's husband); Marianna Maver (Friend of many of us); Lisa Marth (The Marths' Sister-in-law); Kirstin Barendsen (Ruth VandenBosch's Cousin); Vicki Latham (Ruth VandenBosch's cousin); Darren Dixon (Beverly Hawkes' nephew); Cole Hartman (Kathy Hartman' son); Chris Stuart, (Virginia Stuart's sister-in-law)
Financial Stewardship
In-Person Attendance, February 12: 73 Total Views for February 12 Online Videos: 459 Collection Plate & Mailed Donations: $1,135.00 Online Giving: $3,675.55 Total: $4,810.55 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. |
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56 Wall Street • Douglas, Michigan 49406
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