Dear Friends,

I was exhilarated and inspired by last Sunday's service! It was a spiritual experience to receive seventeen new members into The Church of the Pilgrimage and to see the enthusiasm of established members in their greetings. At the house of church members on the same day there was agreement that there was a positive energy and excitement in the nearly full sanctuary which was uplifting and full of promise for the future. It felt good to be in worship and to allow minds and hearts to race with potential!

There were several aspects to the service on February 8th. The reception of New Members I've mentioned, but it was also the official onset of our Stewardship Campaign. In our congregation that meant that the Service of the Chest of Joash was featured. In that service we also recognized the presence of the Boy Scouts of Troop 47 among us. We have sponsored that Troop, I think, for seventy-five years!

I spent at least two hours trying to put together the components of the service which would be liturgically appropriate and centered in the redemptive power of the Word of God, even though it was a service of what appeared to be only remotely related components. An enormous amount of time and energy goes into every service of worship, but the challenges were greater on February 8th.

I was relieved by the general positive reaction to the service, but deeply moved when a member said, in effect, "The whole service was inspiring, especially since it seemed to contain so many different elements. It all fit together so beautifully." I felt the same way!

The center of our life as a church is in worship. In worship and prayer we reflect upon the presence of God's Word among us. Those activities are the source of our energy personally and as a community with work to do in our perplexing world. Our beloved place of worship is so designed as to draw the eye and soul to a focus upon the Word and Sacrament. The center of our sanctuary is the open Bible placed upon the high point of our inspiration on the pulpit. From that centering focus we are to rehearse our faith's traditions and to receive, by grace, the meaning of the Word for today and tomorrow. The Word is our high place and it is augmented and sustained in our celebrations of the sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Our confidence in the redemptive power of the Word of God, however, does not end with the Sunday Benediction and choral response. Following worship the Word is to be given "feet," as it were, upon which we walk the rough the tumble streets, roads and by-ways of a world which is often dismaying and chuck-full of uncertainty. Yet, it is in that world that we are to give movement to the eternal Word which in moments of repose and challenge we receive in worship and prayer. In other words, the Word walks within us and with us, come what may.

There is an old gospel hymn that says, "It is no secret what God can do." Let us, by worship then action tell everyone what positive good God can do!

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.

The Children will attend Church School following the Time for Teaching.

Greeters: Betsey Randall and Hildegard Schimpf

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Rae Walker and Marion Walker given by Mahlon Walker.

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

Please look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

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

In response to requests by members of the congregation, there will be a forum on February 29 in Allerton Hall, from 11:30-12:30, to discuss recent decisions and issues regarding same-sex unions. All are encouraged to attend this important forum. Childcare will be provided.

Church School Teachers! Your presence is requested at the CE Committee Meeting on February 25 in Allerton Hall, where we will address questions and concerns about curriculum, safety, adult & youth helpers, scheduling, etc. This meeting will take place at 7:15 p.m. (immediately after the Ash Wednesday service). Goodies will be provided.

CHURCH RECORD

Roll Call of New Members Received on February 8, 2004

Amy Brown by Transfer of Letter from Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, Wappingers Falls, NY.
Sarah Forbes Bruffee by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Daniel Bruffee by Confession of Faith.
Kimberlee DeSantis by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Joseph DeSantis by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Dan Enos by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Meghan Enos by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Amy Garrahan by Transfer of Letter from Kingston Congregational Church, Kingston, RI.
Donald F. Jennings by Transfer of Letter from First Parish Church, Dover, NH.
Bertha D. Jennings by Transfer of Letter from First Parish Church, Dover, NH.
Carol Johnson by Transfer of Letter from W. Newfield, Maine UCC.
Rollin E. Johnson by Transfer of Letter from West Newfield, Maine UCC.
David Peck by Reaffirmation of Faith.
David Prendergast by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Mary Prendergast by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Christine Spencer by Reaffirmation of Faith.
Jennifer Trott by Reaffirmation of Faith.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Feb. 15: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L. Marks will be preaching. New Members will be received into the church. The Chest of Joash will be a part of today's service. In addition, it is Boy Scout Sunday.

Monday, Feb. 16: PRESIDENT'S DAY OFFICE CLOSED.

Tuesday, Feb. 17: Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; The Board of Trustees, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Wednesday, Feb. 18: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Troop 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Thursday, Feb. 19: 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. 20: Office Closed. Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH.

Saturday, Feb. 21.

Please note that this week is school vacation week. I will be in the office from 8:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Tues, Wed & Thursday and will be out of the office on Friday. Thank you, Pam.

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.

The ministers are planning to offer a Lenten Study/Spirituality Group during Lent. A guide for the group will be a book by Henri J. M. Nourven a greatly respected contemporary spiritual presence. The book: Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living In a Secular World. Finding a day and time of the week is difficult (as always), but they will be printed in the next issue of The Herald. People frequently request adult education opportunities and this is one such opportunity. We hope that those who make those requests will actually attend! Please call the church office to enroll in the class.

Rev. Marks will be away from February 16th-23rd.

Rev. Marks attended a meeting of the Library Committee of The American Congregational Association on February 9th in Boston. He is on the Board of Directors of the organization which is located at 14 Beacon Street (near the State House) It is a fabulous old building and one of the most significant ones in our denominational history and, indeed, in American Christianity. Rev. Marks has been attending monthly meetings, sometimes more than that, as major decisions are being made about the Library's future. By the way, two features of our own history are featured in the stone works above the entrance of 14 Beacon Street, the first worship service on Clark's Island and the signing of the Mayflower Compact.

Rev. Marks wants to thank those who have agreed to act as sponsors to our new members. The program is still in development, but its duties will be both happy and light. If you would like to be a sponsor for future new members, please call the church office.

Pictures in Allerton Hall: A number of old, framed pictures have been reclaimed form the church attic, cleaned, and have been hung in various appropriate places. Many of them are of a 19th century aesthetic depicting Biblical scenes. Some are of personalities. We would like to know if anyone in the congregation is aware of the stories of how these pictures came to the church, where they hung originally, who individuals photographed may be, or any other information about them. Please talk to Kathy Marks or Bill Harting after church Sunday.

ATTENTION: You are invited to a social evening in Allerton Hall on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004 from 7 to 9 P.M. Appetizers and desserts as well as beverages will be served and we will have a Brown Bag Auction during the evening. Everyone who would like to participate is asked to bring an item or items sealed in a brown paper bag with the weight written on the front. Attached to your bag should be a card with hints as to it's contents. Please be as imaginative as you can while not giving away the actual contents of the bag. (Being deceptive is encouraged). On the back of the card please write the actual contents of the bag for the auctioneers benefit. We will auction off the bags with a minimum bid of $2.00 and a maximum bid of $20.00. A contribution of $3 per adult is requested to defray the cost of refreshments. We are planning childcare for the evening and would like to encourage everyone to share in the fun of a night of fellowship and fund-raising. While we are not serving a dinner, this evening, you can be assured of some delicious goodies being available for consumption.
Diana and Liisa Budge

Stewardship Committee: If you were unable to put your pledge card in the Chest of Joash this last weekend you may bring it to Church this coming Sunday and place it in the collection plate, or mail it to the office Attn: Collector. If you need a pledge card you may contact the Church office or there will be some available in the church upper vestibule this Sunday.

Drivers needed! The Membership and Evangelism Committee is trying to set up a system for people to offer rides to those members who find it difficult to get to church. Those of you who can offer rides, please contact Judi Besegai at (508) 746-3747.

Habitat for Humanity Fundraisers:

First: Thank you to everyone who signed up so enthusiastically for the Charity Train at Independence Mall the week of February 15-21, 2004.

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. Please contribute housewares, collectibles, tools, furniture, children's toys and games, jewelry, books and CDs, baked goods and plants. Drop-off times at the Chiltonville Church are: Thursday evening, March 11, 7:30 P.M.-9:00 P.M. and Friday, March 12th, 9:30 A.M.-3:30 P.M. Thank you. For further information please call Meg Bross at (508) 830-9745.

Plymouth Crossings Assisted Living and Overlook VNA is offering "A Heart Healthy Expo" on February 24, 2004 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Please call Meredith Scott at Plymouth Crossings, (508) 830-4744 for more information.

Marie Robinson would like to thank everyone for their support and expressions of sympathy to her and her family during John's illness and passing.

The Crib Room is in need of a new rocking chair. If you have one that you'd like to donate please call Jenny Healy @ (508) 747-7168.

COMING EVENTS

Feb. 22nd: Rev. Dan Spacek will be preaching.
Feb. 25th: Ash Wednesday Service in the sanctuary, 6:30 P.M.
Feb. 29th: First Sunday in Lent. - The Nominating Committee will meet following worship in the Pastor's Study.

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.