Dear Friends,

I remember seminary professor, Dr. Richard Wolf, at The Oberlin Graduate School of Theology shouting in his best German "Anfechtung!" Dr. Wolf was about as purely Lutheran as any Lutheran I've ever met. The word anfechtung was a word Luther used to describe his own life as he lived his troubled life as the major figure in the Protestant Reformation.

I was reminded of Dr. Wolf, Luther, Oberlin and my own spiritual journey when I came across the German word again in an article I was reading, the word anfechtung. That word summarized Luther's life. In some ways it describes my life in the faith pilgrimage and, perhaps, your life at times, as well.

I've found that the word anfechtung is difficult to define and no one word in English can be used to translate its meaning. It is a word which broadly describes a host of strong emotions. It includes all the darts of Satan, all the threats of Rome, political unrest, and fleshly struggles with doubt and depression. I can recall having a strong identity with Luther's pain and struggle as he was caught up in a time of epic transition in church, society and in his personal spiritual life. At various times I have had a feeling that my own life and times, like that of the Reformation, is one which makes the word anfechtung an apt description of my own spiritual existence. I am sure that many of you find the word anfechtung an appropriate description of your own lives as you seek to be loyal to God in faith in trying times.

I have, without recalling his thoughts directly, often taken courage from what Luther said about anfechtung. "Without (it) no one can understand scripture, faith, the fear and love of God. One cannot know the meaning of hope who is never subject to trials."

Faith is everything to me. It is the power of God and the risen Christ given to us to maintain and honor through all times of personal crisis and social change. It is the divine gift of "focus" while we sort through the often perplexing questions about "what it all means," and while we ask, amid anfechtung, how we are being confronted by God's Word in a world which never stands still for us. The major realization to which Luther came, and my own realization, is that faith alone preserves us no matter what the world does nor how it has been, and is, being reconfigured socially, politically or legally.

Amid all our struggles (anfechtung) we are encouraged by the living and dynamic presence of the Word of God risen to life after a barbarous death in the Christ, to keep the faith, personally and in the community of the church, and to press on in hope while things new to us are being sorted out.

The gift of faith is that God's Word is always with us as we systematically walk our way through personal and social change. Faith is the "bottom line" for us. It takes time to grasp its redemptive power in the churning of daily events. It is the witness of the Bible that the risen Christ is always with us. If we trust in his Way, he will lead us lovingly even into paths previously unknown.

Love,

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

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

Deaconess of the Month: Joanne Cole

Ushers: Rollin and Carol Johnson and John & Pam McNicholas.

Greeters: Amy, Thomas, Kathleen and John Garrahan

The Pulpit Flowers are in loving memory of are in loving memory of Miss. Jeanette Holmes and Curtis & Aurissa Holmes, given by the family.

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

All are invited to join us for Coffee Hour downstairs in Allerton Hall following the worship service. Volunteers are needed for coffee hour. Please look for the sign-up sheet on the coffee hour counter.

Greeters are needed for the month of May. Please call the church office to volunteer to greet or look for the sign-up sheet, which will now be located on the Membership and Evangelism Bulletin Board.

Membership & Evangelism is looking for some suggestions to help enhance our website. Megan and Pedro Verdugo have volunteered to take over maintaining the website from Doug Post (whose time and efforts have been valued, especially by Pam!). If you have some ideas of what you would like to see on the website, ideas to make it easy to read and follow (especially for those of us who are somewhat computer illiterate) please put your suggestions in the Membership & Evangelism mailbox in Allerton Hall. We would like to receive all suggestions by Sunday, May 9th. Thank you for your valued input.
Also, if you know of someone who has been missing from Church for an extended period of time, please let one of the ministers know or put a note in their mailbox or in the Membership and Evangelism mailbox, so that they can make contact with them. Thank you, The Membership & Evangelism Committee.

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

CHURCH RECORD

Hospitalized: Judy Coutts, Jordan Hospital

Baptism:
On April 18, 2004, Nathan Michael Wolf, son of Christopher and Michelle (Jones) Wolf, was baptized during the worship service.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, Apr. 25-Morning Worship 10:00 A.M., Rev. Gary L. Marks, preaching.

Monday, April 26: Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in Allerton Hall; Girl Scout Tr. 1128, 6:00 P.M. in Church House.

Tuesday, April 27: Rev. Marks will be in the office 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; The Advisory Board will meet in the Church House, 7:00 P.M.

Wednesday, April 28: 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, April 29: Rev. Dan's office hours 10:00 A.M.-Noon; Girl Scout Troop 1227, 4:00 P.M. in the CH; Aerobics, 6:30 P.M. in AH.

Friday, April 30: Rev. Marks will be in the office, 9:30 A.M.-11:30 A.M.; Aerobics, 9:00 A.M. in AH.

Saturday, May 1: Eagle Scout Award Ceremony in the sanctuary, 5:00 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. Thank you for your help.

Gary and Kathy Marks will be away on May 16th to attend their son's graduation from Hieldlberg College in Ohio. Halleluia!

If you are interested in becoming a member of The Church of the Pilgrimage please speak to Rev. Marks or phone the church office.

Please note the Certificate of Recognition the church received from the Mass. Conference U.C.C. for its giving to our church's wider mission. It is on the bulletin board in Allerton Hall.

This Sunday at Coffee Hour members of the Space Needs Committee will bring architectural plans for the proposed renovation of the church house. We hope many of you will stop by our table and we look forward to a lively and constructive discussion about how best to meet the physical needs of our growing church.

ATTENTION: The Annual Meeting of the congregation will be held on Sunday, May 16th (the official notice will be found in the Herald two weeks prior to the meeting) after the service and the Board of Trustees encourages as many members as possible to make plans to attend. Because this meeting establishes the budget for the coming year, it affects everyone with regard to their pledges and the vote taken should be representative of the wishes of the majority of the congregation. In years past, the faithful few have been left with the responsibility of making these decisions which, should be a burden shared by all. We hope to see you there. The Board of Trustees.

ATTENTION: Time and Talent Auction. Saturday, May 8. A roast pork dinner with all the fixins' will be served before the Time and Talent Auction on Saturday evening, May 8 in Allerton Hall. Dinner will be served at 6:30 and the auction will follow. Reservations may be made after service on most Sundays (excluding Easter Sunday) and forms for contributions to the Auction are available at that time as well. You may also call Diana Budge at (508) 746-4514 if you wish to make your reservation or contribution by phone. We hope for a good turnout for a fun evening. Cost for the dinner is $8 for adults, $4 for children and $20 maximum for a family. There will be chicken fingers and fries available for children if they prefer.

Pastor's Pasta Sunday: The Women's Fellowship is sponsoring a Pasta Sunday offering of a take-home meal consisting of home-made pasta sauce, spaghetti, home made bread and cookies for the price of $15.00. These will be available for sale on Sunday, May 16th after service and before the annual meeting. You can reserve your Take-Home meal by calling Diana Budge at (508) 746-4514 or signing up on any Sunday after service. This is the second year that we have done this and it was very well received last year. Extra sauce will be available and some marinara sauce will be available as well for those who prefer a meatless sauce. Proceeds will be shared with the Women's Fellowship and the pastor's discretionary fund. We are planning to make 50 quarts of spaghetti sauce, so reserve early.

Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship: Mother Daughter Reception, will be held Monday evening, May 3rd, beginning at 6:30 P.M. hosted by the Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship. The program for the evening: "Weddings to Remember". Please bring your wedding albums to display. Anyone interested in modeling or displaying their wedding gown, bridesmaid dress, or mother of the bride or groom dress, or having someone model their gowns, please call Pam Pawlowski (508) 746-2819. If there are younger daughters who have a "special dress" they would like to mode, please call Pam as well. Finger sandwiches, salads, and dessert will be served. Sign up during coffee hours on April 18th and April 25th or call Pam Pawlowski. Mark the date to join us for a special evening of fellowship together!

The Fourth Annual Church of the Pilgrimage Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 12 at Squirrel Run Country Club. 8:00 A.M. start time with lunch on the Pavilion to follow. See Ed Pawlowski during coffee hour for sign up information. More information to follow in the coming weeks.

Camp Scholarships: Please contact the church office if you are interested in attending a church camp. Camp opportunities are available for young people, but adult camps are also available. Please speak to Dan, Gary or call the church office for information. Camper-ships are available.

The Pilgrim District Women Spring Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at the First Congregational Church, UCC, 515 Hanover Street (Route 139), Hanover, MA. Gathering at 9:30 A.M., Meeting 10:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. luncheon following-$5.00 per person. The speakers is The Rev. Mary Donnellen, Message: Spirituality. For reservations call Harriet Olmstead at (781) 829-2042 by April 23.

Coming Events: Plant Sale June 5, 2004 (Rain Or Shine). This is a church wide fund raising project, but it is also a pleasant social event (if it doesn't rain). If you have not already done so please look around your yard for plants (ground covers, seedlings from perennials, and other plants you do not need or want). Please pot them up for sale. Mark your calendars to come to Courtyard Place, 124 Long Pond Road on the morning of June 5, from 9:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. even if you only want to see what goes on. You might just find the plant you really want. Call Pat Mudgett if you have any questions or want to help. (508) 224-7206.

Flower Pots: I have accumulated a large supply of flower pots which I would like to donate to anyone who can use them. I will bring the pots to Allerton Hall on April 25 for you to pick up. I hope some of the pots with a plant will show up at the Plant sale on June 5. Most of the pots are small (4"). Thanks you. Helen Belcher

It's Spring clean-up time again... and we have just the place for all those knick-knacks and bric-a-brac. We have a home for all hose household items that need a home...but maybe not yours. If you are updating your wardrobe, cleaning your garage, have extra linens or jewelry, please save those items for our upcoming Summer Sale in July and August. More details will follow in future copies of The Pilgrimage Herald.

May is Heifer Month: please watch for upcoming announcements and inserts in future Heralds and Sunday bulletins. In the meantime mark your calendars that on May 9th beautiful Mother's Day Flowers with card will be on sale in Allerton Hall for a $10.00 donation.

COMING EVENTS

May 2: The Church Council will meet after worship.
May 3: Pilgrimage Women's Fellowship Mother/Daughter
Reception.
May 8: Time and Talent Auction.
May 16: The Annual Meeting of The Church of the Pilgrimage
following the worship service.

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.