Dear Friends,

The season of Advent helps us all to become aware of some of the magnificent themes of the Christian faith. It concentrates on the biblical themes which reflect upon the long expectation there has been in our traditions for the appearance of a Messiah, an ideal king, who would reveal God's will for us and lead us to righteousness and peace. That is why the readings for Advent are concerned with visions of the future, of ideal conditions, of themes like the one in last Sunday's lesson from Isaiah 11:1-10. That text, as I pointed out last week, is the basis of the famed painting by Edward Hicks entitled, "The Peaceable Kingdom."

Advent is an opportunity for us to learn about that part of our biblical faith which anticipates the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and to understand why the New Testament sees in his birth the fulfillment of dream for the long expected Messiah. Advent seeks to deepen our faith and in each celebration of the season it is hoped that we will grow in our convictions that Christ, indeed, is Lord, the hope of the eons, the Messiah, the entrance of God into our broken world in a human person at Christmas.

Our's is a beautiful faith and in our precarious times it is important for us to grow and mature in its expression as the world's ways divide the peoples of the world into contentious factions and in which secularism threatens to rob us of the genuine hopes of humankind which always are tied to faith in God.

We all know that Advent and Christmas come to us this year amid the ominous circumstances which were set into motion by the events beginning on September 11th, the new "day of infamy." Since that horrid event there has been an interest in the religion of Islam because the terrorism of our time has been linked to an extremist and perverse form of that great religion. The Interfaith Council has offered an excellent course on Islam which showed, it is hoped, that misguided people can use even our greatest human hopes for purposes of evil. Extremists of any religious, including Christianity, can pervert faith and lead people to evil pursuits.

When I was rereading materials on Islam I came across a quotation from the Thai Buddhist monk Ajahn Phra Maka Surasak Jivanando which I find very insightful and cause for us Christians to intensify our own faith. He was asked how the difference among the religions, which seemingly had caused so much bloodshed, might be reconciled. Temple, replied, "Each religion must follow its own precepts, be true to itself. Then there will be peace. War comes not from following religion but by disobeying it." (Brian Muldoon, The Heart of Conflict (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1996), p. 212).

It is important for us as Christians to learn of, and to follow, our Lord who was born in Bethlehem of Judea. Among the titles ascribed to the baby in the straw was, "Prince of Peace." In Advent we must be true to our faith, deepen it, love it, rehearse it, practice it. We are invited, and encouraged, to follow him, the Messiah, to 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. Communion will be a part of today's service.

The Lighting of the Third Advent Candle by Sam, Karin Cruz Bianchi, Ann Lisa, and Sabrina.

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of loved ones, given by the Stearns family.

The greeters are William and Diane Harting

The Children will attend Church School following their dismissal from the Worship Service.

Special Meeting of the Congregation immediately following the Service of Worship. (See "Notice").

Wedding in the Sanctuary at 1:00 P.M.

Church Family Christmas Dinner in Allerton Hall, 4:30 P.M. Please remember to bring an unwrapped gift for a child.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized

Jane Cole, Jordan Hospital; Holly Ponte- South Shore Hospital

Baptism

On December 9, 2001 Margaret Jane Mallon, daughter of Jeff and Kara (Harting) Mallon was baptized during the Service of Worship.
In Memoriam:

In Memoriam

On December 12, 2001, Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Kenneth Paul Larson.
Our sympathies and prayers are extended to his wife, Paula, and his family.

THIS WEEK

Monday, Dec. 17

Aerobics - 9:00 - 10:00 A.M. ;- Allerton Hall; Rev. Robin's Office Hours-11:00-1:00; Girl Scouts Tr. No. 1128 6:00-7:30 P.M

Tuesday, Dec. 18

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; The Advisory Board will meet in the Church House, 7:30 P.M; The Board of Trustees will meet in the Mayflower Room, 7:30 P.M.

Wednesday, Dec. 19

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.

Thursday, Dec. 20

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

Friday, Dec. 21

Forefather's Day; The Rev. Gary L. Marks'-office hours: 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M., Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.

Saturday, Dec 22

Overeaters Anonymous 9:30 - 11:30 A.M. - Church House; Wedding in the sanctuary, 2:00 p.m.; Wedding rehearsal in the sanctuary, 6:00 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE

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.

Rev. Marks is planning to offer a basic introductory study of the Bible after the first of the year, if there is enough interest indicated for such a study. Please let him know or call the church office, if you are willing to be a part of such a study. Dates and times would be based upon interest shown.

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.

Pledge Envelopes for the first 6 months of 2002 (the last 6 months of the new fiscal year) are available in Allerton Hall. Please pick up your envelopes as soon as possible.

The SERRV Mission Mart- The SERRVice Mission Mart's 10th appearance at The Church of the Pilgrimage, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001 was a huge success. Elizabeth and the Rev. Dr. John Minott, the Mart Mangers, wish to thank the Board of Missions and Outreach, as well as the congregation and Rev. Gay Marks for the incredible support and enthusiasm shown.

Flower Committee-On December 16th the Flower Committee will receive orders for Memorial Poinsettias. Committee members will be in the lower vestibule following the Service of Worship. Plans may be loaned or given to the church. If loaned they may be picked up after the 11:30 P.M. service on Christmas Eve or on Sunday, December 30th. If given to the church, the plants will be distributed to shut-ins or others in the church family in need of remembrance. On Christmas Sunday, December 23rd, an insert will appear in the bulleting containing the names of those remembered and those who donated or gave the plants.

Family Christmas Dinner Program the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade church school class members are reminded to be at church school at 10:00 A.M. on December 16 to practice for the afternoon program. They are also reminded to be at the church at 3:30 P.M. for practice, as well.

Family Caroling-Saturday, December 22nd, 4-6:30. Come as a family to spread Christmas cheer to some folks who really enjoy it. Take some time as a family away from the hustle and bustle of the season to be simply about the Good News of the Birth of Jesus by telling the story in song. Small children are encouraged as their presence is a gift to those we visit. After caroling we will share a simple meal together. Sign up in Allerton Hall.

Christmas Pageant Rehearsal.- December 23-5:00 p.m. Jr. High's please sign up in advance with Rev. Robin by December 16th. Look for a sign up sheet in the Church House or contact her by phone or e-mail.

Time and Talent Auction Dinner- This year's Time and Talent Auction and Dinner will be held on January 19, 2002. It's a busy time of year, but I would ask that you consider what you can contribute in the way of time or talent that we might auction off on that evening. For those who are new to our congregation or are unfamiliar with the event, we have a wonderful time auctioning off such things as babysitting services, yard work, favorite recipes on a monthly or six month period, dinner for 2, 4 or more. These are just some examples of what you might volunteer. Be creative and join in the fun. There will be sign up sheets in Allerton Hall after services for the next few weeks or call me at home if you need information or have an idea. Diana Budge (508) 746-4514.
The Women's Fellowship is sponsoring a sanctuary spruce up morning on Thursday, December 27, 2001. We are inviting anyone interested in helping to clean up some neglected corners to join us at 9:30 in the Church Vestibule. Please bring pails, cleaning cloths, sponges and any appropriate cleaning supplies. We will serve coffee and donuts to our helpers. We have scheduled this during school vacation so that any of the older children who would like to may participate.

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

COMING EVENTS

December 23

Christmas Sunday Service, 10:00 A.M.

December 24

Christmas Eve with Living Cr�che, 7:00 P.M., in the Sanctuary.

Candlelight Communion Service, 11:30 P.M., in the Sanctuary.

NOTICE

In accordance with the Bylaws of the Church of the Pilgrimage, a Special Business Meeting has been called by the Board of Trustees. The meeting will be held on December 16, 2001, immediately following the Service of Worship.

The purpose of the Meeting is to:

1. Approval of the “Feasibility Study Report for the Church of the Pilgrimage” conducted by Margery and David Williams, presented at the 12/02/01 Church Informational Meeting

2. Approval of the Feasibility Study Committee Recommendations presented at the 12/02/01 meeting

3. To take any other action relative to the implementation of the Feasibility Study Report

A quorum is necessary to conduct any business, and all Church Members are urged to attend.

Lois E. Post

Clerk

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.