Dear Friends,

Our biblical faith has many dimensions. We find in the Bible many guides and stays for life and at different times in our lives, and during times of particular need, the Bible meets us with one of its many dimensions. In fact, the same text may speak to and enlighten us differently in each need with which we approach that text. The 23rd Psalm, for instance, addresses us in different ways according to the needs we have when we come to it for direction or comfort.

Sometimes our needs are intensely personal when we read and meditate upon a text from the Bible. The Bible often meets us in times of crisis or grief with a message of solace and hope. Some parts of the Bible help us address new challenges we may face in the context of the sacred wisdom of the ages. There are tests which challenge us to live in accordance with God's purposes and to seek from us an active response to some urgent social or cultural need. At other times we find prophetic challenges which call for righting wrongs and evils which are the bane of the oppressed, the abused, the hurt, the victims of injustice.

The Bible is a library of books each of which were addressed to specific peoples, situations and needs in a particular historic and cultural setting. Yet, in all the manifold ways in which the Bible has spoken, it speaks still. Our times and needs are not the same as they were when parts of the Bible were composed, but the same God and the same sacred wisdom present once is present still. It is our responsibility to find the will of God, the sacred wisdom present to our needs in our ever changing times.

Around New Year, 2004 I read an anonymous exchange between a seeker and one who was a teacher in the holy wisdom of God as an uncertain future was calling. I include that exchange here.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown!"
And he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put thine
hand into the hand of God. That shall be to thee better than light
and safer than a known way."

This advice could have been offered by one of the ancient desert fathers/mothers or a Celtic abbot/abbotess. It is a timeless witness appropriate for any time. This dialogue reflects a deep meditation upon the stories and accounts of the Bible while recognizing that we are ever at the gate of the unknown, of future wants which are by definition not discernable, confronted by challenges which will open out as we go along life's unpredictable ways. The sacred wisdom of the Bible based in faith in the God of all time, places and circumstances remains our guide and hope for today and tomorrow: "Go out into the darkness (future) and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

Love,

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

Morning Worship 10:00 A.M. Rev. Gary Marks will be preaching.

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

Greeters: The McNicholas Family

The Pulpit Flowers (will be announced in the bulletin).

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

Third New Member Class in the Pastor's Study, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided.

Confirmands and Parents: There will be a brief meeting for confirmands and their parents after church. Please meet in the Church House at 11:30 A.M.

Volunteers are needed to sign up for Coffee Hour. Please look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

Greeters are needed for February 15, 22 & 29. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet or look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

Office Hours: M-F 8:45 A.M.-3:45 P.M. Thursday's 8:30 A.M.-3:00 P.M.

CHURCH RECORD

Recuperating at the Beverly Manor Nursing Home after a stay at The Jordan Hospital, Virginia Morgan.

Baptized:
Kellyanne Dorothy Sears, stillborn daughter of Trace and Julie Sears, on January 23, 2004 at The Jordan Hospital. Our prayers and love are with Trace, Julie and Gabrielle.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Feb. 1: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L. Marks will be preaching. Communion will be a part of the morning service. New Members Class in the Pastor's Study, 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Childcare will be provided.

Monday, Feb. 2: Rev. Dan's office hours 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 4:00 P.M. in Church House; The Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship, Monday, February 2nd at 7:00 P.M.

Tuesday, Feb. 3: Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30 A.M. Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Stewardship Committee Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Wednesday, Feb. 4: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M; The Plymouth Interfaith Clergy Council will meet at Christ Church at Noon; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Troop 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Thursday, Feb. 5: Rev. Dan's office hours, 10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.; Girl Scout Troop 1227, 6:00 P.M. in the CH; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in AH.

Friday, Feb. 6: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30-11:30 A.M.

Saturday, Feb. 7: Pack 47, Blue & Gold Banquet, Noon-6:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

PLEASE NOTE

Please call the church office if you are aware of persons hospitalized or in need of pastoral care. It is especially important to let the ministers know about out-of-town hospitals. Hospital listings prepared for clergy at the Jordan Hospital, too, have been irregular in availability. It is, therefore, important that the ministers and church office be informed of any hospitalizations. Thank you for your help.

New Members will be received into the fellowship of the church on February 8, 2004. If you have been thinking about becoming a member of the church, or if you have questions about membership please call the church office or speak to Rev. Marks. Rev. Marks would be pleased to set up an appointment with you.

Sponsors needed! If you would be interested in being a sponsor for new members of the church, please speak with Rev. Marks or call the church office. Being a sponsor means that a member of the church would be available to welcome new members, answer questions regarding our congregational and church family life, and generally demonstrate how important new members are to the congregation. Rev. Marks will offer his ideas about the role of a sponsor at a date to be announced.

New hearing devices are available to those who need them. The aids to hearing will be available for purchase for those who wish their own. Their price, however, will not be an issue for those who need the aids. Debbie Porter will be available during the Coffee Hour to answer your questions and to distribute the first hearing devices. We are grateful for funds from the Vera Blood Estate for allowing the Board of Trustees to make major improvements to our sound system already in use in the sanctuary. We hope those who have had difficult hearing during worship services are already being helped by the most welcome improvements to our sound system.

It's Super Bowl Sunday! Please support our Youth Group in its effort to raise money for Plymouth Area Food Pantries. After church, you are invited to add your donation to the Soup Pots you'll find at the bottom of the stairs outside Allerton Hall. By giving a little, you can make a super difference this Sunday.

Trace and Julie Sears have suggested that should you like to remember them at the time of their loss a gift to the Memorial Fund in Kellyanne Dorothy's name could be designated for improving the Cribroom.

For your Information: During a Coffee Hour at our neighboring Unitarian Church a purse was stolen by someone coming in off the street during the service. This could easily happen at our church. Please be aware of your valuables while at church!

The No Place for Hate Committee in Plymouth is having a fundraiser event in cooperation with Papa Gino's restaurants. No Place for Hate will receive 20% from sales made on Thursday, February 5, 2004 from 4:00 - 9:00 P.M. at the West Plymouth Papa Gino's. A certificate may be received during the Coffee Hour on January 25th from Marylyn Dunlap. You must present a certificate in order for No Place for Hate to receive 20% donation from your purchases. The offer is good only at the West Plymouth Papa Gino's (corner of Rte. 80 in West Plymouth).

The Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship will be meeting Monday, February 2nd at 7:00 P.M. for Movie Night in Allerton Hall. Please feel free to bring a guest! Reminder: If you are in need of a ride or any other special assistance in getting to the meeting, please feel free to call Jenny Healy at 508-747-7168 or Marna Blomberg at 781-826-2543. Thank you.

Stewardship Committee: We trust that the congregation understands that our pledges are more than dollar signs, that our pledges represent, in part on what God has lovingly bestowed upon us. Stewardship is more than fulfilling what you consider to be your fiscal responsibility, it is an act of sacrifice and of giving and, ultimately, of love.

All Committee Chairs should check their mailboxes this week for Treasurer Reports.

ATTENTION: Please reserve the evening of Saturday, February 28th for a Brown Bag Auction. We are planning a fun event for all those interested. Come and join us for appetizers, dessert and beverages. We are asking that you bring a paper bag containing an item of your choice. The bag should be sealed and the weight noted on the front. You will need to give a card describing the contents to the auctioneer for the night. (He is allowed to give hints). We will auction off the bags while enjoying each others company. Childcare will be provided and the cost will be minimal. Winter, after the holidays can be long and we need to get together and have some fun. Use your imagination for the bag contents and be creative. Sign ups will begin on the first Sunday in February. Details will be forthcoming.

Habitat for Humanity Fundraisers: There will be two opportunities to help raise funds for Habitat for Humanity and support the first house to be built in Plymouth. First, in February during school vacation week, February 15-21, 2004 many people will be needed to run the charity train at Independence Mall. There will be a sign-up sheet in Allerton Hall during coffee hour on the up-coming Sundays. Second, on Saturday, March 13, 2004 there will be an indoor yard sale at The Chiltonville Congregational Church from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Again, many volunteers are needed. Please look for a sign-up sheet during coffee hour on the upcoming Sunday.

COMING EVENTS

Feb. 8: Stewardship Sunday, Chest of Joash. Please bring your pledge cards to Church on this Sunday to place in the Chest. Reading: 2 Kings 12:1-15.
New Members will be received into the church during the service.
Feb. 9: Rev. Marks will attend a meeting of the Library Committee of The American Congregational Association in Boston.

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.