Dear Friends,

There are some years when there is a week between the celebration of Thanksgiving and the beginning of Advent. That is true this year and I prefer it when that is the case. It gives us an opportunity to shift our spirits from one kind of holiday to another, to separate our gratitude for God's providential care of the earth to making our soul's sensitive to God's redemption of the world and the human spirit. I like the break between Thanksgiving and Advent.

In the traditions of the church this Sunday has been called "Christ the King Sunday" or Reign of Christ Sunday." Although I have hardly begun to think about my next sermon at this writing, I do plan to follow that theme. It focuses, in what seems odd at first, on the crucifixion of Jesus just one Sunday before we begin the season which seeks to prepare us for his birth! There is, however, a logic to the juxtaposition of Jesus' death and birth, but I'll hope to deal with that whenever I get to my sermon. For now, it is enough to say that our faith is one in which God is ever seeking to bring us to hope and peace through God's actions for us in the life of Jesus, oddly from his death to his life. If all has to do with the wholeness of our lives as we are on the earthly pilgrimage.

One of the pervasive themes of our faith is peace. Surely that is one of the expectations the ancients had for the long expected Messiah; he was given the title in expectation of "the Prince of Peace." He taught peace, among nations, among people, within the soul. Peace is a theme of Christ the King Sunday and Advent. Peace was not only a part of Jesus' preaching, it was a primary designation of who he is as God's Son.

As we are in seasonal transition in the church the world is hardly in a state of peace! Not many of us, I imagine, can say that peace and serenity define our lives, either. In fact, before Christ, during his lifetime and since his Resurrection peace has eluded humanity and the human spirit. So, what is it that keeps us speaking about, seeking and praying for peace?

Peace, I believe, is a desire for harmony which, while innate in the soul, is ever met by what is not peace in the world. Our faith in Christ is an affirmation of the desire we have for peace as a part of what God wills for us. Peace and harmony are divine gifts and whenever they appear we can be sure of God's presence in the world or in the soul. Even though God sought to live peace among us in the life of Jesus, the world did not allow that grace to prevail, the crucifixion happened.

But, we are not left to our own failures at peace. The risen Christ is God's sign to us that peace is still to inspire our goals on the earthly way.

When the Berlin Wall was about to fall in 1989 the authorities in Leipzig wanted to subdue a crowd of 70,000 by force. At the advice of a pastor, the crowd was non-violent. The commander looked out at the mob and said, caught on film, "We planned everything. We were prepared for everything, except candles and prayers."

The image of Christ the King leads us, if we want the grace of peace, to the birth of the Prince of Peace.

Love,

Gary

 (c)The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.

The Rev. Gary L. Marks will be preaching at 10:00 AM worship service.

The greeters are Peter and Patricia PcLeodThe Children will attend Church School following their dismissal from the Worship Service.

Dr. Samuel K. Stewart Memorial Service in the sanctuary at 2:00 P.M.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized

Dorothy Strassel, Jordan Hospital; Holly Ponte, South Shore Hospital.

Baptisms

On November 18, 2001, the following children were baptized: Sam Merton Chapman, son of Joseph Lynch and Donna Chapman, and Emma Grace Coleman, daughter of John and Janet (Cole) Coleman.

THIS WEEK

Monday, Nov. 26

Aerobics - 9:00 - 10:00 AM - Allerton Hall; Rev. Robin's office hours 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.;Girl Scouts Tr. No. 1128 6:00-7:30 P.M. Interfaith Series on Islam from 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. at the Christ Church. Please plan to attend and invite a friend.

Tuesday, Nov. 27

The Rev. Gary L. Marks'- office hours: 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M; Girl Scouts Trp. #1234 - 6:30 PM - 8:00 P.M. - Church House, Aerobics - 6:45 P.M. - 7:45 P.M. - Allerton Hall; Advisory Board Meeting-7:30 P.M.

Wednesday, Nov. 28

Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall, Staff Meeting - 10:00 A.M.; Rev. Robin's Office Hours - 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M; Den #47 Pack Meeting-7:00-8:00P.M, Church House Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M. - Sanctuary; Feasibility Study Meeting 7:30 P.M. in the Pastor's Church Study.

Thursday, Nov. 29

Aerobic-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.

Friday, Nov. 30

The Rev. Gary L. Marks'-office hours: 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M., Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.; Wedding Rehearsal-6:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

Saturday, Dec. 1

Overeaters Anonymous 9:30 - 11:30 A.M. - Church House; Wedding-5:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

PLEASE NOTE

S.E.R.R.V.-We thank the Minots for providing the wonderful S.E.R.R.V. items on November 18th.

We thank Liisa and Dianna Budge for organizing our Thanksgiving Day Open House and all those who in any way helped to make this hospitable event a success.

Harvest Table-once again we thank Nancy Stearns and Ruth Fry for providing us with a beautiful Harvest Table for our Thanksgiving celebrations.

Organist-It was with joy that we welcomed Linda Brookfield to our Thanksgiving Sunday Service. Linda is our new Organist and we look forward to many years of happy association with her. Welcome, Linda!

Church Membership-If you are interested in church membership, please let Rev. Marks know or call the church office. A class will be organized when several people indicate their interest.

Communion- If you know of someone, or if you yourself, would like to receive communion in a private service, please call the church office. One of the ministers will be pleased to make arrangements for such a service.

Neighbor's in Need-It was an oversight on my part that the fliers and envelopes did not get circulated two weeks ago for Neighbor's in Need. So this Sunday between Thanksgiving and Advent, we are asking you to give to our UCC Mission project Neighbor's in Need. Please read the enclosed information to learn of the wonderful work accomplished by your contribution. Thank you, Kathy Marks, Missions

Women Fellowship Members and Friends- Christmas Party, Monday, December 3, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. Hello again Women Fellowship Ladies-for the Christmas Part at Allerton Hall on December 3, 2001 at 6:30 p.m., it would be appreciated if you would bring Christmas paper, ribbon or bows, or scotch tape so that the presents for the needy family can be wrapped. Also, please let Diana or Shirley know if you plan to attend so that we will know how much food to cook We wouldn't want anyone to go hungry! A big thank you to Gayle David for again purchasing gifts for the family! Let us know if you need any help, Gayle-that's a bid job. Don't forget to bring a Christmas card for your Secret Pal and come and have a holly, jolly time.
Shirley Axon

Adopt a Family for the Holidays-The Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless is once again sponsoring the "Adopt a Family" program. If you are interested in participating please call (781) 582-2010.

Reminder-the deadline for submitting notices in the weekly Herald is Monday at 3:00 p.m.

COMING EVENTS

The First Sunday in Advent - December 2.

The Messiah Sing will be held in the sanctuary on Dec.2, from 4:00 -8:00 p.m

The Second Sunday in Advent - December 9

Living Nativity at Heifer International Overlook Farm 216 Wachusett St., in Rutland, MA will be held on December 8 from 1:00 -6:30 p.m. and December 9 from 1:00-5:30 p.m. The Living Nativity will be performed the beginning of each hour and the performance at 6:00 on Saturday and 5:00 on Sunday will be in both Spanish and English. There will be sleigh rides ($1.00 per person) and International Crafts (SERRV). "Price of admission" is to bring cookies to share. For more information call (508) 886-2221.

Family Christmas Dinner-December 16 at 4:30 p.m. in Allerton Hall- You can sign up for this wonderful event after church on December 2nd and December 9th in Allerton Hall. As this is a gift to you from the Missions and Outreach Committee, we hope that you will bring an unwrapped gift for a child. We will deliver all the gifts to the Old Colony Memorial for their Christmas Fund. Thank you!

NOTICE
On Sunday, December 2, 2001 the Feasibility Study Committee is calling a special informational meeting immediately after church. The purpose of the meeting is to hear the Report and Recommendation of the Williams & Associates Consultants. Margery Williams will make the presentation.

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - Cliff Sampson; Collector - Thomas Mudgett; Asst. Collectors - Jerry and Debbie Chaskes; Music Director - William B Richter; Secretary - Pam McNicholas; Sexton - Tony Nightingale; World Mission Emphasis - Heifer Project International; Church Building Telephone - (508) 747-1341.