Dear Friends,


I am writing this letter on the morning of the last day of the year 2001. It is New Year's Eve. The year 2001 is coming to an end with a mood far different than the mood which characterized its beginning. 2001 ends having been conditioned by the events of September 11th and it ends, therefore, with the world trembling in terror because it has been, in fact, faced by acts so evil as to have been previously unimaginable. We are as a world, and as a nation, far less secure, far less confident than when the past year was new.

As insecurities have intensified there has been a commensurate resurgence of patriotism and a reconsideration of values. The foundations have been shaken, and we know it, even while we do not yet know the end result of all the convulsing we have endured. We are insecure because we don't really know what is going to happen next.

There has also been a quest among us for the values of faith during the last year. When foundations are shaken people seek that which cannot be shaken. When confidence in our own political and economic systems is challenged, we are driven to contemplate whether or not there is something that is unshakable. When our own attempts to be gods of the earth have been exposed as idolatry we turn to God whose Word has alone given security to people in all ages.

This is not only a time to muse upon the past year, it is a time to look ahead to where true security is. Our faith celebrates the Epiphany of our Lord on January 6th. In the ancient traditions of the church Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus and later was associated with the Nativity, with special reference to the visit of the Wise Men (Magi) to Bethlehem. It has been called also "Old Christmas," and "Twelfth Night." It is the celebration of the time when the great Star of the east concentrated its rays upon the crib of Jesus as the place where God's Word was born into our flesh and blood world.

On New Year's Eve I call upon all of us to focus our attention upon the place where heaven's holy Star rested its rays. When that first occurred, the world lay in "sin and error pining." It was a time of fear and insecurity, a time in which foundations were shaking. Not much has changed in that regard!

It is my prayer that 2002 will find us filled with the power and joys of faith in God's unshakable Word. The Word of God lasts when all else has been shaken down and sifted out.

May God's Word sustain you always!

Love,

Gary

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

Morning Worship at 10:00 AM.

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Anne Patenaude, Mr. & Mrs. Edwin H. Whiting, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth O. Clarke and Eldred and Peg Stacy, given by Jean and Hector Patenaude.

The greeters are John, Pam, Shawn, Kayla & Kyle McNicholas

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

Confirmation Class-Noon-2:00 PM, please remember to bring your books, Bibles and Sketches for our class Quilt/Banner.

"12th Night Party" for Sr. Highs, 6:30-8:00 PM-Church House.

CHURCH RECORD

Weddings

On December 29, 2001, Rev. Marks and the bride's Uncle, Rev. Vinton Upham, conducted a wedding service for Edward Maitland Duvall IV and Kerri Anne Williams in the church sanctuary.

Baptisms

On December 30, 2001 Elizabeth Nicole Levis, daughter of Albert and Jennifer (Trask) Levis was baptized during a private ceremony following the Service of Worship.

In Memoriam

On December 21, 2001, Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Catherine Wieland. Burial was at The National Cemetery in Bourne.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, January 6

Rev. Bickel will be preaching

Monday, Jan 7

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

Tuesday, Jan 8

The Rev. Gary L.Marks' Office Hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Girl Scouts Tr. No. 1234 6:30-8:00 P.M.- Church House; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.-Allerton Hall.; Stewardship Committee Meeting-7:30 P.M.-Mayflower Room

Wednesday, Jan 9

Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M.; Den #47 Pack Meeting-7:00-8:00P.M, Church House Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M. - Sanctuary.

Thursday, Jan 10

Aerobic-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.; Evangelism Committee Meeting -7:00 P.M.-Mayflower Room.

Friday, Jan 11

Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M; Rev. Gary L. Marks' Office Hours-9:30-11:30 A.M.; The Women's Guild Meeting & Annual Auction 1:00P.M.; Wedding Rehearsal-6:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary

Saturday, Jan 12

Overeaters Anonymous- 9:30-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Wedding-1:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

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 an introductory course on the Bible and Bible study. Pleas let him know of your interest or call the church office to do so. Dates and times will be announced when ample interest and availability is determined.

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.

We thank all who helped to make our Christmas services and celebrations the successes they were. We thank those families who helped with the Advent Candle Services on Sundays. We also thank the Clark family, Lee David, Hunter, Abigail and Charlotte for acting as the Holy Family for our early Christmas Eve Service and the young people who played the various parts in the pageant. It was a beautiful Christmas season!

The Women's Guild-The Guild will hold its annual auction following a business meeting on January 11, 2002 at 1:00 P.M. All members are urged to bring unwrapped new or nearly new items for the sale. Eileen Ganem will be the auctioneer. Marge Sears is in charge of the refreshments.

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.

We were saddened to learn last week of the death of Gerry Bailey's father. Our sympathies and prayers are with Gerry and her family.

The Congregational Church in East Weymouth is holding a Chili for Chile Supper on Sunday, January 13, 2002 at 3:00 P.M. to raise funds for the Mission Partnerships. If you would like to attend please all (781) 335-6919 or e-mail them at eweyucc.office@verizon.net by January 10, 2002.

When E-mailing the office, please use the address on the front of the Herald, which is office@8townsquare.org.

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

Coming Events

Tues. Jan 15-7:30 P.M.-The Board of Trustees will meet in the Mayflower Room.

Sat. Jan 19-Time and Talent Auction and Dinner in Allerton Hall.

Sat. Jan. 19-7:30 P.M.- the First Parish in Scituate will present pianist Eyran Katsenelenbogen in concert. Concert is free, but a $10.00 per person donation is respectfully requested. All donations will got to the Elizabeth Smith Memorial Fund established for the restoration of the First Parish's 100 yr. Old Hook and Hastings Pipe organ. For further information call 781-545-3324.

Mon. Jan 21-8-9:30 A.M.- Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast, at Plymouth South High School. Sponsored by the Plymouth Interfaith Clergy Association. Tickets are $10.00 in advance for adults and $5.00for students. Contact Rev. Robin for tickets. The deadline to purchase your ticket is Sunday, January 13th.

Tues. Jan 22-7:30 P.M.-The Advisory Board will meet at 7:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

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.