Dear Friends,

This is the first Sunday in the season of Lent. Lent is forty days (excluding Sundays) which begins with Ash Wednesday. It seems as though I repeat an explanation of Lent as a penitential season of preparation for Good Friday and Easter every year. Thus, I am going to share an e-mail message which was shared with me. It is not especially about Lent, but about being responsive to God's grace in Christ.

A newly arrived soul was met by Saint Peter who gave him a tour around heaven. The two entered a large work-room filled with angels. Peter said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here all the prayers to God are received." It was a very busy place, indeed.

The two walked further until they came to the Packaging and Delivery Section. Peter said, "Here the graces and blessings for which people asked are packed and delivered to those who asked for them." This room, too, was abustle with energetic activity.

The tour continued to another room where there was very little activity and, in fact, only one angel was there and the angel appeared to be doing almost no work at all. The newly arrived soul was surprised. St. Peter said, "This is the Acknowledging Section." The soul asked, "How is it that so little work is done in this room?" "That's the sad thing said St. Peter. After people receive blessings and graces, very few send their acknowledgements." The new arrival asked, "How does one acknowledge the good things of life as a part of God's blessing?" St. Peter answered, "That is simple. Just say, Thank you, Lord."

I've revised this story by an unknown author slightly, but not seriously. When I first read this e-mail I thought it to be overly simplistic, but upon further consideration I concluded that it could be used to teach a deeper truth, ultimately a Lenten truth.

The purpose of the long Lenten season is to prepare ourselves to be thankful to God for the blessings of faith and for the gift of life itself. Unfortunately, we often have blessings which we either take for granted, or we act as though we are responsible for them ourselves. To be confessional, I am more apt to include requests in my personal prayers than I am to offer God prayers of acknowledgment for those people and things who and which enrich my life. Too often in my spiritual life I fail to give thanks to God even for gifts given which may have once been one of my prayer petitions.

Lent is an extended period of preparation in which our spirits are ultimately meant to learn how to give thanks unto God for the gift of faith. Such faith does not mean that we actually receive all that we pray for, but it does mean that we should be grateful to God for the blessings of life. During Lent's spiritual journey we can learn to be thankful for the redeeming love of God in Christ.

Love,

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

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

The Children will attend church school following the Time for Teaching.

Greeters: Dave and Diane Cowie

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

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 the month of March. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet or look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

Same Sex/Civil Union Forum, in Allerton Hall, from 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M., to discuss recent decisions and issues regarding same-sex unions. All are encouraged to attend this important forum. Childcare will be provided.

Memorial Service for Kellyanne Dorothy Sears, 2:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

There will be no Confirmation Class today.

Faith Youth Institute: Summer program for youth 15-18 years of age-but plan now-July 10-18th at Andover Newton Theological School campus. The theme for this summer comes from John 1, "In the Beginning was the Word". More information in flyers on Bulletin Board in Allerton Hall. Also information at www.ants.edu/learning/fyi. Scholarships will be available through our church. Applications at church office or online.

CHURCH RECORD

In Memoriam:
On February 24, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a graveside service for Joanne Birnstein. Our sympathies and prayers are with her mother Audrey.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Feb. 29: Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L. Marks will be preaching. Same Sex/Civil Union Forum in Allerton Hall, 11:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M. Childcare will be provided; Special Service for Kellyanne Dorothy Sears, 2:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary.

Monday, March 1: 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.

Tuesday, March 2: Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Habitat for Humanity Meeting, Church House, 7:00 P.M.

Wednesday, March 3: The Plymouth Interfaith Clergy Association will meet at The Church of the Pilgrimage, 8:30 A.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M.; Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Troop 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Thursday, March 4: 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; Wedding Rehearsal in the Sanctuary at 7:00 P.M.

Friday, March 5: Rev. Marks office hours, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH.

Saturday, March 6: Wedding in the Sanctuary at 4:00 P.M.

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.

Lenten Study/Spirituality Group. This study opportunity will be conducted by the ministers. The group will meet for four Tuesdays, beginning March 9, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. in the Pastor's Study. The group will use a small book by Henri J. M. Nouwen entitled, Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living In a Secular World. Nouwen is a well-known writer on Christian spirituality, but he speaks to people who have little or no knowledge of the faith. Yet, in the book which we will use he also speaks with clarity to those who have been in the church for many years. He wrote this book to a secular friend who had spiritual longings, but who was in a quandary as to what to do about those longings. We hope that many who have expressed an interest in adult study opportunities as well as those seeking spiritual guidance will join the ministers as they share their own journeys during the course.

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.

Women's Fellowship: Monday, March 1st at 7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall. Stephanie Gray will be providing a program on scrapbooking and making family albums and faith books. Be sure to call if you need a ride. Jenny at (508) 747-7168.

The Women's Guild will meet March 12, 2004 for a luncheon and meeting at 12 noon in Allerton Hall and then will carpool to the Plymouth Public Library.

Daffodil Sunday will be March 28th. Orders will be taken on Sunday, February 29th during coffee hour or you can place your order by calling the church office by March 4th. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. The charge is $7.00 for a bunch of ten. Please see Jane Burns for more information.

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. Also, if you are in need of a ride to Sunday service please call the Church Office and we will assist in making arrangements for you to receive a ride.

A note from the Board of Trustees: An informational Budget Meeting will be scheduled soon. Please watch upcoming Heralds for the date and time. It is strongly suggested that you send a representative from your committee or board to take place in discussions concerning the upcoming budget.

Also, all committee and board chairs should have their Annual Report to the office by hard copy, disk, or you can e-mail it in Microsoft Word (this is the preferred method if you have it) by March 31, 2004. If you have any questions about e-mailing please give Pam a call.

The Board of Trustees has begun to look into renewing the Capital Campaign to renovate our Church House. In the near future there will be plans and drawings for us to examine during coffee hours. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the space needs committee, please contact Neil Bottomley, Larry Foster, Al Hoyt, Fred Northrop or Bob Colburn. Thank you.

Stewardship Committee: If you were unable to put your pledge card in the Chest of Joash 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.

Our New Hymnal: At long last the new hymnals, Hymns of Truth and Light have arrived. We're beginning to print up our first batch of dedicatory bookplates. But it is important to note that this is an ongoing project: hymnal dedication gifts and bookplates will be available as long as there are hymnals available. It is not too late to make a gift. Thank you, Bill Harting and Louise Brown

COMING EVENTS

March 7: The Second Sunday in Lent.

March 8: Rev. Marks will attend a board meeting of the Congregational Association of The Congregational Library in Boston.

March 9: Lenten Spirituality Group in the Pastor's Study in the church building, 7:00 P.M.

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.