Dear Friends,

I always prefer it when there is one Sunday between Thanksgiving and the First Sunday in Advent. It is not wise, I've found, to try to impose one's preferences on the calendar because such predictions have no chance of changing time's "ever rolling stream." So, I write this letter about Advent even before I have walked in the Pilgrim's Progress!

It is a bit odd that Advent follows so closely upon our national holiday which had its origins here in Plymouth among our Pilgrim forebears who, it may surprise some, did not celebrate Christmas. Christmas Day, in fact, was a work day in the early plantation. Did the Pilgrims not believe in Christmas?

Of course, the early Separatist Puritans believed in the holy birth of Christ and the faith which grew from it. (They didn't celebrate Easter, either, in any special or flamboyant display). The reason for not observing either Christmas or Easter was because of the excesses associated with those holidays in England. Those holidays had become so far removed from their biblical meanings in their homeland that they had become nothing more than an excuse for "making merry" for reasons quite other than the holy events depicted in the Bible. They had become cultural events whose biblical meaning was all but lost. It was their view that Christmas had become a day of quite human celebration which had obscured, changed or forgotten the reason for the celebration in the first place.

I confess to being a latter day Puritan in some ways. I, too, believe that Christmas (not so much Easter) has become more about us than about God's graceful entry into human affairs in the birth of Christ. I also concer that I am drawn into the cultural celebration of Christmas, but my focus is not really in them so much as it is upon the meaning of the name Emmanuel, God with us.

Advent activities at The Church of the Pilgrimage have one intent: they attempt to focus upon the redemptive meaning of the name Emmanuel. Advent is a four week season of preparing for the birth of Christ not only once upon a time, but in the thick of all our lives, in the center of a world today which lay "in sin and error pining," as the carol has it. Advent at The Church of the Pilgrimage is intended to be a "seasoning" of the heart and spirit so that both are predisposed toward God's grace and power speaking still a Word of peace and holy guidance.

Perhaps Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas have more to do with each other than we might ordinarily think. All three are opportunities of being joyfully thankful to God who continues to be our Covenant partner as we seek out paths of righteousness, justice and personal rebirth under the light of Bethlehem's Star which beamed upon a holy birth on a prickly bed of straw. Advent is an opportunity to "season" ourselves to hear the Word made flesh speaking still. To hear that Word is to be engaged by something uniquely holy which gives renewed meaning to the word "holiday."

Love,

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

CHURCH RECORD

Baptism: On November 21, 2004 Gerritt Lloyd Bingham-Maas, son of Jennifer and Norman Bingham-Maas , and Lily Grace Rickard , daughter of Carrie and Steven Rickard, were baptized during the worship service.

Hospitalized: Hugh Thuerk, New England Medical, Boston. Recuperating following surgery, Carol Runey. Al Saunders wants to thank all for their prayers and well wishes.

In Memoriam: On November 23, 2004 Rev Marks conducted a graveside service for Barbara Tirabassi in Manomet. Our sympathies are extended to Bob Brown whose father, James Brown passed this life last week.

THIS WEEK

Sunday,Nov. 28: Morning Worship 10:00 a.m., Rev. Gary L. Marks, preaching.The lighting of the first Advent Candle will be a part of the service.

Monday,Nov. 29: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall; Girl Scouts #1128, 3:30 p.m., Church House; Tiger Pack 47, 4:00 p.m., Church House (upstairs): Capital Campaign Executive Board Meeting, 8pm, Allerton Hall; Advent Study/Spirituality Group, 7pm, Pastor's Church Study.

Tuesday,Nov. 30: Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30 am; Aerobics, 6:30 pm.

Wednesday, Dec. 1: Aerobics, 9:15 a.m., Allerton Hall;Brownie Troop #122, Plymouth Area Interfaith Clergy Association, noon, 4-5:30pm, Allerton Hall; Troop 47/Den 4, 6-7:30, Church House (up);Troop #47, 7pm, Church House; Choir Rehearsal 7:30 pm, sanctuary; Plymouth Spiritualist Church; Trustees/Capital Campaign Committee Meeting, 7pm, Allerton Hall.

Thursday, Dec. 2: Aerobics, 6:30pm, Allerton Hall.

Friday, Dec. 3: Aerobics, 9:15 am, Allerton Hall; Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30am. Christmas on North Street, 6-8:30pm, (see details elsewhere in this Herald).

NOTES:

Christmas on North Street: The 14th annual Christmas on North Street celebration will take place on Friday, December 3rd from 6-8:30 pm. This year's event features a double tree lighting. The DPW will set up a small Christmas tree at the traditional location at Shirley Square and a grand tree with decorations by the Plymouth Garden Club at Town Square. Violinist Laura Sylvia will present a program of holiday music here at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 7-8pm and hot chocolate will be available downstairs in Allerton Hall. The evening will be filled with activities up and down North Street, at Shirley Square, Town Square and the Jenney Grist Mill. It will be the last year that the Plymouth Antiquarian Society will coordinate the community celebration, and the last opportunity for people to visit the Plymouth National Wax Museum, which closes permanently after the event.

We thank Ruth Fry and Nancy Stearns for providing the sanctuary with a fabulous Harvest Table for our Thanksgiving celebration. Ruth and Nancy have decorated the pulpit/Communion Table area for many years and we are thankful to them!

We thank Liisa Budge and all her volunteers for hosting our Open House on Thanksgiving Day. It is greatly appreciated!

Thank you to all the helping hands that made possible the Thanksgiving trays for the shut-ins. You have made a little sunshine in their day.
From Eileen Baker (Guild)

Can you be a driving force at The Church of the Pilgrimage? From time to time there are folks who need a ride to our Sunday service. Would you be willing to assist by giving someone a ride? If so, please contact Lynnette Lancaster at (508)746-7231. She is updating the list of drivers. Thank you.

MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
Missions Dinner: The dinner on December 12th is a gift to all church members from the Mission and Outreach Committee. Please sign up during coffee hour on November 28th or December 5th. The schedule will be: 4:30-5:00-craft for the children; 5-5:10-Christmas for others parade (the children are asked to bring a gift to place under the Christmas tree to be delivered to the Old Colony Memorial for distribution to local families); 5:10-6:00-dinner will be served; 6-6:30-program provided by Barbara and Sheldon Peavey and Terry Runnels; Closing Prayer.

UCC Coffee Project: This Sunday we will be serving fair trade coffee form the Equal Exchange organization which is committed to helping farmers receive fair prices for their products by paying them directly into their cooperatives. People in the middle are eliminated. Partners in this coffee project include: United Church of Christ, Lutheran World Relief, American Friends Service Committee, Brethren Witness, Catholic Relief Services, Mennonite Central Committee, U.S .Presbyterian Church, USA, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and United Methodist Committee on Relief. Donation during our coffee hour each Sunday will make it possible to serve this coffee in the future. Fair trade coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate will be on sale on December 12th at the time of the Missions dinner.

Habitat for Humanity: The first house built by Habitat for Humanity in Plymouth, on Braley Lane, will be dedicated on Saturday, December 11th at 1pm. Gary Marks will participate in the ceremony. Everyone is invited to come and tour the home.

Too Busy? Take a needed break and come join us for a fun, relaxed evening. The Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Annual Christmas Pot-Luck Dinner will be held Monday, December 6th beginning at 6:30pm. All women of the church are invited to attend. Those whose last name begins with the letters A-F please bring a main dish; G-N please bring a dessert; O-Z please bring a side dish. Not only will we break bread together, but we will also enjoy a sing-a-long of Christmas favorites and a Yankee Swap. If you are interested in participating in the Yankee Swap, please bring along a wrapped gift costing no more than $5. As always, if you would like a ride, please contact either Jenny 508-747-7168 or Marna 781-826-2543.

Informer Wanted We are looking for someone who would be willing to get church information on a regular basis to the Old Colony Memorial newspaper. If you are interested, please contact Kathy Marks or Lynnette Lancaster who are member of the Membership and Evangelism Committee.

Advent Class Sign-Ups are available in Allerton Hall after the service. Please see Michael Harrington, who will be standing by the mailboxes. A $10 donation to cover the cost of the resource books is requested, but not required. This weekly, four-part class begins Monday the 29th at 7pm in the Pastor's Study.

Christmas Pageant Sign-Ups will begin this Sunday downstairs in Allerton Hall (on the wall next to the stage). We're doing it a bit differently this year, as there will be several, mostly brief, speaking parts, and so it's very important that participants sign up as early as possible so they have time to practice. Scripts will be available starting Sunday, Dec.5th. Costume fittings is after church on Dec. 12th and will be coordinated by members of the CE Committee. Rehearsal is Dec. 19th from 11:30am to 1pm. Please contact Rev. Dan with any questions!

The Youth Fellowship event scheduled for Dec. 4th has been changed. We will no longer be going to the Live Nativity at Overlook Farm (simply because it is no longer occurring on that day). Instead, both Youth Groups will meet Sunday, Dec. 5th. Junior High bowl at Alley Cat from 3-5pm (meet at Church House first) and Senior High will meet from 6-8:30 pm in Allerton Hall for Popcorn and a Movie (Billy Eliot, PG-13).

COMING EVENTS

Dec. 5 The Second Sunday in Advent. Special Congregational meeting to discuss renovation financing The meeting will be held following morning worship. Please see the meeting Notice elsewhere in this issue of the Herald.
Youth Fellowship Jr High bowling 3-5pm, Senior High "Popcorn and a Movie" 6-8:30 (see notice elsewhere in this Herald).

Dec. 6 Advent/Spirituality Study Group, 7pm, Pastor's Study. Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Annual Christmas Pot-Luck Dinner, 6:30pm

Dec. 8 Prayer Group in the sanctuary, 7pm (Please note the time change)

Dec. 12 Missions Dinner and Program in Allerton Hall, 5pm

Clerk - Lois Post; Moderator - Steven Triffletti; Treasurer - David Kegel; Collector - Thomas Mudgett;
Music Director - William B Richter; Organist - Chandler Gregg
Secretary - Shellie McCormack; Sexton - Tony Nightingale; World Mission Emphasis - Heifer Project International;
Church Building Telephone - (508) 747-1341.