Dear Friends,

Perhaps the most persistent theme in our biblical faith is that the human heart and soul is defined by hope. When I was in seminary, and during my several years of post-graduate study, the most popular focus of contemporary theology was on the reality of hope as the redemptive quality which can spare the individual, society and the world from destruction and ruin. The message in last Sunday's Old Testament Reading, and the text upon which I based my sermon, was that God is not finished with us or our world. God is able to do a "new thing" and to provide hope even for those caught up in the various kinds of exile in which human beings and societies find themselves. (Isaiah 43:18-25).

One of the outstanding theologians in recent years is a German named Jurgen Moltmann. His primary book is entitled, Theology of Hope. As is typical of massive theological works, so this great book can be intimidating even for those who are trained in systematic theology. Yet, there is a theme which sometimes gets through theological convolution and makes sense to any who are seeking the simple blessings of our God of hope. In one passage Moltmann speaks that the loss, or surrender, of hope is not always reflected in the desperate circumstances of life. He says; "It can be the mere tacit absence of meaning, prospects, future and purpose. It can wear the face of smiling resignation." (Jurgen Moltman, Theology of Hope, p. 24).

The phrase, "smiling resignation," has a haunting quality about it. It means that many go through life with a pleasant day to day exterior attitude and manner, but even in that exterior there is the revelation of the absence of genuine hope. People tend to live from moment to moment, day-to-day, flit from one interesting or obligated activity to another, but even in this behavior there can be detected an absence of any general sense of purpose, no matter how much smiling they do. The absence of hope in a person or society is one of the worst things which can befall us as individuals or as a race.

Our biblical faith, though often expressed in ritual and routine's celebrations of the distant past, is ultimately about a God who gives to faith a sense of purpose, meaning and redeeming hope. It is hope to which God appeals. Where there is no hope, there is only surrender to hopelessness. That seems contradictory to say, but it isn't when we think about the deadness of spirit which possesses us when we are without prospects, future or purpose. We are not fully human without hope and, the Bible attests, we are not fully human without faith in the God of all hopefulness.

During the upcoming Lenten season we shall encounter many themes of despair in the biblical story of redemption through Christ. In all these themes, however, there is a powerful testimony that God continues to grant hope to the spirit through faith which prevents us from resigning our humanity to the powers of evil, to any power which robs us and our race of genuine hope.

Love,

© The Church of the Pilgrimage in Plymouth, MA Inc., all rights reserved.

Morning Worship-10:00 A.M. Rev. Gary Marks preaching. Holy Communion will be a part of the service.

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Steven Emerson Rogers given by his parents and sisters.

Greeters: The Vannozzi Family

Ushers: Arlene Axford, Katherine Lafayette, Janie Chapman and Shirley Axon.

Youth Worship Service-10:00 A.M. in the Church House. The Children will attend Church School following the service.

All are invited to join us for Coffee Hour downstairs in Allerton Hall following the worship service.

Confirmation class will meet from 5:00-7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Youth Fellowship will meet from 7:00-8:30 P.M. in the Church House.

Board of Trustee meeting following the service in the Mayflower Room.

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: No one as of February 25, 2003.

Baptism:
On February 23, 2003, Evan Christopher Wolf, son of Christopher and Michelle (Jones) Wolf was baptized during the service of worship.

In Memoriam:
On February 24, 2003 Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Minot Devitt. Our sympathies are extended to "Red's" family.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Mar 2—Rev. Marks will be preaching. Holy Communion will be a part of the service. Board of Trustees Meeting in the Mayflower Room, following the service.

Monday, Mar 3— Aerobics 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M; Girl Scouts-6:00-7:30 P.M. Church House.

Tuesday, Mar 4-- Rev. Marks will attend a legislative breakfast at the State House.; Dan's office hours 1:00 P.M.-3:00 P.M.; Aerobics-6:45-7:45 P.M.; Stewardship Committee Meeting-7:00 in the Mayflower Room.

Wednesday, Mar 5— Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics - 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. Allerton Hall; Staff Meeting-10:00 A.M; Ash Wednesday Service in the sanctuary-7:00 P.M.; Troop 47 - 7:00-9:00 P.M. in the Church House; Cub Scout Pack 47 - 7:00-8:00 P.M. in the Church House; Christian Ed Meeting at 7:30 P.M. in the Mayflower Room (instead of 7:00 because of Ash Wednesday Service); Choir Rehearsal - 7:30 P.M.

Thursday, Mar 6— Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Girl Scout Troop 1227-6:00-7:15 Church House; Aerobics-6:45 P.M.-7:45 P.M.

Friday, Mar 7—Rev. Mark's Office Hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics-9:00 A.M.-10:00 A.M.; Rev. Marks will attend a meeting at the Jordan Hospital at Noon.

Saturday, Mar 8-- Overeaters Anonymous- 9:45-11:30 A.M.-Church House; Memorial Service for Barbara Bates in the sanctuary, 11:00 A.M.

PLEASE NOTE

Please call the church office or let the ministers know if you or someone you know is Please call the church office or let the ministers know if you or someone you know is presently or soon to be hospitalized or in need of pastoral care. It is especially important to inform the ministers of those hospitalized in out-of-town hospitals. Please call, too, if you are aware of any situations for which pastoral attention would be helpful.

If you are interested in church membership, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office.

The Board of Trustees will have their re-scheduled meeting on Sunday, March 2, 2003 in the Mayflower Room, following the service.

Ash Wednesday Service: For several years the ministers have held a brief Ash Wednesday Service in the sanctuary. On March 5th at 7:00 P.M. that tradition will continue. It will be a brief service to initiate the penitential season of Lent. For those from the many Christian traditions which make up our congregation who are accustomed to the "imposition of ashes," that will be an option during the service. We hope that many of you will attend the service.

We were saddened to learn of the death of Ruth Axford last Sunday. Ruth was a gallant and "spunky" spirit who passed this life in the one hundred second year of her very fruitful life. Ruth was the mother-in-law of Arlene Axford and the grandmother of Linn Peterson. A memorial service for Ruth is being planned and will likely be held at The First Parish Unitarian Church.

Help! Hold these dates, March 15-16. The choir is looking for host families to house college students from the University of Connecticut for one overnight stay here in Plymouth. They will be participating in our morning worship service and presenting a concert on Sunday afternoon. If you would like to host one or more students please see me in church or contact me at home. Thanks. Linda Kegel

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship field trip to the Manomet Bird Observatory scheduled for Sat. morning, March 15, leaving the church at 9:30 a.m. Transportation will be provided for those you need it. Lunch will be provided for a small fee. There will be a presentation about the goals and activities of the sanctuary and it should be very interesting. If you are interested, please call Diana Budge at (508) 746-4514. I need a count by March 12. All are welcome whether they are members of the fellowship or not. Those already committed are Diane Cowie, Janet Holmes, Betsy Randall, Marcia Bramhall, Pam Pawlowski, Gayle David, Darlene Bregoli, Sara Vannozzi and Marna Blomberg. If you are unable to attend, lease et me know. Diana Budge.

SAVE THE DATES: The Board of Trustees is planning several fundraiser dinners this winter with lots of fun for everyone:

March 28, 2003 (snow date March 29)- The Church of the Pilgrimage ANNUAL TALENT SHOW and DINNER!! Sign-up in Allerton Hall during coffee hour on Sunday, March 2, 2003 to be in the talent show. This has always been a fun event with a delicious dinner. We can't have a Talent Show without talent-if you can sing, recite poetry, dance, play an instrument, etc., let us know. Acts will include single and/or group performances. Dave Cowie will be directing this year's Show. There will be minimal rehearsal time involved; there are no age restrictions. If you have any questions, please see Dave Cowie or call him at (508) 759-4499. WE NEED YOU!!!

May 17, 2003-The Church of the Pilgrimage ANNUAL TIME AND TALENT AUCTION AND DINNER! Sign-ups will being the first Sunday in April. Please be thinking about a donation of your time or/and talent and be ready to join in the fun. Don't be afraid to suggest the unusual. We have had some wonderfully different ideas in the past. Obviously, the tried and true contributions from our talented kitchens are always welcome. If you have any questions, particularly if you are new to the congregation please feel free to call me at (508) 746-4514. Diana Budge.

Knitting Evening is scheduled for March 11 at 7:00 at 15 Oak St. Beginners and accomplished knitters are both welcome. It is a great night of fellowship and we have started a new generation of knitters that have discovered the therapeutic benefits of an old craft. Call Diana Budge for details.

Harvest Fair-The organizational meeting for the Harvest Fair 2003 will be on Monday evening, March 24 at 7:00 p.m. at 15 Oak. St.. Individual letters will be mailed to past table leaders, but I would like to extend an invitation to anyone else that would like to be involved, especially new members of the congregation to join in the fun of planning this major fundraiser for the year. If you have been a table leader or helped in the past, but cannot participate this year please let me know so I can try and fill the positions. Please bring any ideas for new activities or table selections. Call Diana Budge at (508) 746-4514.

Daffodil Sunday will be March 30th. Orders will be taken on Sunday, February 23rd and Sunday, March 2nd during coffee hour. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Please see Jane Burns for more information. The charge is $6.00 a bunch. The Cancer Society receives $4.00.

A very special thank you to our "church family" for the visits, cards, calls and especially your prayers, during my surgery and recuperation time. Bob Olsson.

Greeters for Sunday Morning Services are needed! Please call Pam in the church office to learn of an upcoming Sunday which needs greeters. Currently, greeters are needed for March 23 and the month of April.

Coffee Hour -we still need volunteers to prepare for Sunday morning Coffee Hours. There is a sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall.

It is up to the Chairs of boards and committees to inform the office of meeting times and places. Information should be given to the church office on Monday prior to the week when a meeting or event is planned. This holds for any news item you may wish to have placed in the Herald.

Coming Events

Mar. 9: The First Sunday in Lent.
Mar. 16: The University of Connecticut Concert Choir will sing during the morning service of worship and there will be a concert in the sanctuary at 4:00 p.m.
Mar. 28: Talent Show/Dinner in Allerton Hall.

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - David Kegel; Collector - Thomas Mudgett; Asst. Collector - 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.