Dear Friends,

Over the years I have repeated the basic meaning of Advents as a season. It is the period including the four Sundays just before Christmas. It is also the beginning of the Church's liturgical year. From ancient times Christians have found that periods of preparation for the major events of our faith have been a helpful way to focus the biblical stories and teachings in such a way as to keep the core beliefs of our faith before us. Advent is a season which may be used, therefore, as a time to retell the biblical stories of the life of Jesus.

Sometimes there is confusion concerning the word Advent. It has what appears to be opposite meanings as it is used in the language and practices of the church and, in a sense, it does have a double meaning. We use it to speak of the coming of Christ (his birth) at Bethlehem, but the word is also used to refer to the coming of Jesus at the end of history. The New Testament contains stories of both those events, one which has already taken place, one which is yet to come. Thus, the word Advent is used to refer to Christ's first coming into the world (Christmas) and to his second coming at the end of time. Both events refer to God's entry into the world and its redemption.

During this season of Advent a central part of our worship is the lighting of candles in an Advent Wreath. Purple is the usual liturgical color of this season of the year. Purple is associated with penitence and a part of our preparation for the coming of Christ at Bethlehem is to be penitent, to seek God's presence through acts of humility before the gift of hope for so great a divine gift as God's entry into the World in the Christ Child. There are four purple candles representing the length of the season surrounding a large white candle in the center of the Advent Wreath. That is the Christ candle and, in the tradition of our local congregation, is lighted for the first time as Christmas dawns at midnight during our Candlelight/Communion Christmas Eve Service.

I hope that this brief, explanation of some Advent traditions will be of help to you as we enter this very special season of the Church's yearly celebrations. The lighting of the Advent Candles is a tool, a means of focusing our attention, on the biblical theme that Christ is the Light of the World and thus brings God's hope into our various darkness's. The theme of God's Word as a light to the world is majestically articulated in the Gospel of John, John 1:1-14. You may wish to read and reread this sublime passage known as the Prologue to the Gospel of John as a part of your own Advent preparations.

Advent, 2001 comes to us as a people in very different circumstances than any in recent memory. September 11th and subsequent events will cause you to hear the biblical themes which are the focus of Advent differently this year than before. We have seen great darkness and we are realizing the need for God's Light with renewed urgency. Please plan to be with us during the Advent season as we prepare for the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, God's pure Light.

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 First Advent Candle by Thomas, Jennifer, Nora and William Healy.

The Pulpit Flowers are provided by The Guild in Loving Memory of Guild members who have passed this life. To honor them, present Guild members are invited to sit near the front of the Sanctuary.

The greeters are Thelma Strassel and Billie Courtney

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

There will be a special informational meeting immediately following the worship service. The purpose of the meeting is to hear the report and recommendations of the consulting firm, Williams & Associates Consultants, based on interviews held earlier this year. Margery Williams will make the report. The meeting has been called by the Feasibility Study Committee.

Penny Sunday - Please bring your pennies to Church and put them into the Penny Drive containers.

Messiah Sing-The annual Church of the Pilgrimage Messiah Sing will be held in the sanctuary at 4:00 P.M. Donation is $5.00. Bring your own score or rent one for $1.00.

Members of the Church School will receive gifts of Advent Calendars this week.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized

Hospitalized -Dorothy Strassel, Jordan Hospital

In Memoriam

On November 23, 2001, Rev. Marks conducted a memorial service for Marche Ross.

On November 25, 2001, a memorial service was held at The Church of the Pilgrimage for Dr. Samuel K. Stewart. Sam was a long time supporter and member of the church and one of Plymouth's most astute and generous patrons ever. The memorial service was one of the largest ever held at The Church of the Pilgrimage, an appropriate tribute to a great man!

Our prayers and sympathies are extended to the Ross family and to the entire Stewart family.

Also, long time church member, Gladys Drew, died last week. She was a cherished member of The Church of the Pilgrimage. No plans for her burial have yet been made.

THIS WEEK

Monday, Dec. 3

Aerobics - 9:00 - 10:00 AM - Allerton Hall; 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, tonight's session includes as our guests, Muslim Women speaking about their lives. Please plan to attend and invite a friend; Women Fellowship Members and Friends- Christmas Party, Monday, December 3, 2001 at 6:30 p.m. in Allerton Hall.

Tuesday, Dec. 4

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 Church Council will meet in the Mayflower Room at-7:30 P.M.

Wednesday, Dec. 5

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; Missions & Outreach Committee will meet at 7:00 P.M. at the home of Bonnie Peck; Christian Education Committee Meeting at 7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room.

Thursday, Dec. 6

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

Friday, Dec. 7

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 8

Overeaters Anonymous 9:30 - 11:30 A.M. - Church House

PLEASE NOTE

We are grateful to all who helped to plan and staff our Thanksgiving Day Open House at The Church of the Pilgrimage. We express special thanks to Liisa and Diana Budge for organizing the event. Many people from all over the country, indeed the world, were grateful for the hospitality.

I would like to thank all who helped with our open house on Thanksgiving. The donations of food were plentiful and gratefully appreciated. A special thank you also goes to my kitchen help and Diana Budge for her held with the craft tables. Over $125.00 in donations was collected and donated to the Salvation Army Food Bank.
Thanks again, Liisa Budge.

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.

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.

Neighbor's in Need-If you were not at worship on November 25th, you may place your Neighbor's In Need offering in the collection on December 2nd or a future Sunday. Your offering may also be sent to the church office designated, "Neighbor's In Need." We thank those who have already contributed!

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.

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.

A Christmas Concert will be held on Saturday December 1, at 7:30 PM at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Scituate. For further information call (781) 545-3324.

The Guild will meet on December 14 at 1:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall. Betsey Randall is in charge of the Christmas Program, which will include carol singing accompanied by Alice Dunham, pianist. Eileen Baker will lead the group in a gift exchange. Members who wish to participate are asked to bring a wrapped gift of $5.00 value. Pat Mudgett and her committee will provide refreshments. The Guild is making special Christmas gifts to The Plymouth Fragment Society and to the Veteran's of the Cross.

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

COMING EVENTS

The Second Sunday in Advent - December 9

Christmas Celebration- a festive concert of holiday music at the United Church of Christ in Norwell, Sunday, December 9 beginning at 7:00 PM, free admission and refreshments, free-will offering. For more information call (781) 659-2887.

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!

December 21-Forefather's Day.

December 23-5:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal. 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.

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.