Dear Friends,

Recently I came across a story attributed to that ubiquitous source for preachers, G. K. Chesterton. I liked its lesson so much that I've decided to repeat it here. Besides, I couldn't think of anything else to write on a gray February early morning!

A boy left his home on an English mountainside. He was in search of a remarkable phenomenon he'd heard about since he was a very young boy. It seems, according to legend, that somewhere, outlined on the distant hills, was the shape of a giant man. It was a kind of miracle, people said, how the giant had taken shape in the hills. The boy was possessed with the idea of seeing the shape. He must see the shape of the giant!

Across the valley near his home he began his impassioned quest. He had hoped that he'd be able to see this natural miracle from the next row of hills. Sadly, the figure was not there. He was a bit confused, not even sure of his exact direction from where he'd begun his journey. He looked all about to get his bearings, including back toward the hometown from which he had come. Lo, the place from which he had come, his home, he saw in the shimmering white limestone rocks the outline of the giant. At the place where the heart of the giant was he saw his own house from which he had begun his pilgrimage. He'd been too close to the giant to see it.

This delightful story has many lessons and you may wish to infer from it lessons which apply to your own lives. The story is not unlike St. Augustine's mature spiritual observation about his own quest for God. In his Confessions Augustine observed in the attitude of prayer before God, "I was looking for you outside of myself and you were within me all along." (This is a paraphrase).

It is true, I think, that many of the most profound truths about life are to be discovered "close to home," as it were. The truth is found "right under our noses," as the old adage has it. Or, as St. Augustine found, the truth of God's love and grace is to be found in our own hearts or it will never be found at all.

I have been in pursuit of the holy all my life-my life so far! I shall be attending that calling to the holy for as long as I live. I have been far away from home in my quest, but I've always known, though in a "mirror dimly" as the Apostle put it, that the holy can never be far from where I am at any given place in my life. From the heights of craggy Shellig Michael in Ireland last summer, in that place where holiness is as present at the forbidding rock itself, I was able to focus upon my own life, ministry and mission in remarkable ways. I knew before that "focusing experience," that the holy is not restricted to exotic places of discipline, study and prayer only-I knew that dimly all along-but that experience did emphasize my calling to preach the gospel that the Holy God is ever "close to home" and right under our noses." It is a part of spiritual insight to learn that the God we pursue is always pursuing us to give us peace.

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 New Members will be received into the church. The Chest of Joash will be a part of today's service. And it is Boy Scout Sunday

The Children will attend Church School following the Time for Teaching.
Greeters: Boy Scouts

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Peterson, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Voght, given by the family.

All are invited to join us for a special Coffee Hour in honor of the new members downstairs in Allerton Hall following the worship service.

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 22. 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

In Memoriam:
On January 30th, 2004, Rev. Marks conducted a funeral service for Addie B. Curt. Our sympathies are extended to her husband William and her family.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Feb. 8: 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. 9: Rev. Dan's office hours 10:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.; Rev. Marks will attend a meeting of the Library Committee at The Congregational Library in Boston; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 4:00 P.M. in Church House; Adult Bible Study, 7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

Tuesday, Feb. 10: Rev. Marks will be in the church office, 9:30-11:30 A.M. Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Lunch Bunch Bible Study, Noon in Allerton Hall; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in Allerton Hall.

Wednesday, Feb. 11: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Dan's office hours Noon-2:00 P.M.; Staff Meeting, 10:00 A.M; Music Committee Meeting, 6:30 P. M. in Allerton Hall; Missions Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall; Choir Rehearsal, 7:30 P.M. in the Sanctuary; Troop 47, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Thursday, Feb. 12: 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; Membership & Evangelism Meeting, 7:00 P.M. in the Church House.

Friday, Feb. 13: Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH; Rev. Marks' office hours 9:30-11:30 A.M.; Women's Guild, 1:00 P.M. in Allerton Hall (see notes).

Saturday, Feb. 14:

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.

On February 8th New Members will be received into the fellowship of the church. Another class will be offered when enough interest is indicated. If you have been thinking about becoming a member, please speak to Rev. Marks or call the church office.

Rev. Marks and Rev. Spacek are planning to offer a study group during Lent. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 25th. There will be an Ash Wednesday Service in the sanctuary on the 25th. The study group will center on spirituality. If you are interested in the group, please speak to Gary, Dan or call the church office. The day and time of the group is yet to be determined.

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

Should you wish to purchase a copy of Rev. Marks' little book, Pilgrims: Then and Now, it is available by contacting the church office.

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.

Women's Guild will meet Friday, February 13th in Allerton Hall for a program of "Games and Fun". All women of the church are invited! If you have any questions please call Eileen Ganem the Chairperson.

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.

Stewardship Sunday: Please bring your pledge card to Church this Sunday for the Chest of Joash Service. The Stewardship Committee wishes to thank you in advance for all your generous gifts. With your help and dedication we will do great things. Yours in Christ, The Stewardship Committee.

Pictures in Allerton Hall: A number of old, framed pictures have been reclaimed form the church attic, cleaned, and are on display on the stage in Allerton Hall. 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. Our intention is to hang some in Allerton Hall or other appropriate places. 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 child care 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

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: 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.

Those who wish to have information in the Pilgrimage Herald are reminded to have such information into the church office on the Monday preceding the Sunday of the event.

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.