Keeping Connected January 3, 2025 | |
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Connect Virtually
We will continue using our new live streaming equipment. You may access our Sunday morning worship service via our YouTube Channel and our Facebook page.
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The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and the princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.
- Howard Thurman, The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations, Friends United Press, 2011.
Dear Ones of Christ Church,
Christmastide and new year’s greetings to you and to those you love. In the last days of this Christmas season, I share a poem that may be familiar to you, one that I revisit every year at this time: “The Work of Christmas,” by the Rev. Howard Thurman. Thurman was a theologian, pastor, mystic, poet, and key leader of the civil rights movement in this country, including as a spiritual advisor to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and to many other activists and leaders. Thurman’s book Jesus and the Disinherited is a classic of theology, a must-read, a formative text for me in my own spiritual journey.
There are many things I love about this poem. Today I am appreciating the many ways Thurman gives to participate in the work of Christmas. No one person can do all of this work. We are each called to different pieces—some as peace-bearers, some as healers, some as seekers of the lost, some as rebuilders of communities, some as freedom-bringers, some as providers of food and hospitality, some as art- and music-makers. Together, with each of our gifts and callings from God, the work of Christmas goes on, through us. We are the Body of Christ, together as a community.
This year, which of the Christmas callings in Thurman’s poem speaks to the deepest yearnings of your heart, amid the current circumstances, gifts, and limitations of your life? Or is there a different calling that you are holding, that you might add as a line to the poem (for example, “to pray for the world,” or “to care for Creation”)? How are you already living out this calling? How will you make space to pray and discern and listen with God about how to stay true to this calling? Given that the work of Christmas is communal and not individual, who are your partners and companions and supporters in this holy work? And, how is this calling related to your (our!) foundational identity as beloved of God? To put this question another way: when things go well, and when things go terribly, how will you remember that no matter what, you are loved?
With blessings,
Melissa+
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Finances
Last week we received in over $5979. When giving online, be sure to change the 'Fund' to 'Pledges' so your contribution goes toward your pledge.
Thank you for your loving support of Christ Church.
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Resources for Families in Church: Just a reminder that there are activities for kids, including a small table and chairs, in the back of the church. We are also providing special bulletins for kids that are aligned with the week's lessons at the front and back entrances. These bulletins have a variety of coloring, brain teasers, puzzles, and other fun activities. For students in grades PreK-1, Su will be available in the nursery to monitor young students who need a separate space during the church service. We hope that these resources will support family attendance at the 10 am service. Please let us know if you have any other ideas for ways to welcome children and families at Christ Church: education@christchurchplymouth.org
Church School Registration: Registration for Church School is open throughout the year. Click the registration form link to sign up or email education@christchurchplymouth.org for more information. Church School Registration Form
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A Note to Parents and Caregivers with Children in Church
Thank you for bringing your children to church. We are so glad you are here!
We know it can be difficult at times to manage little ones during the service.
For that reason, we have provided some resources which we hope will make it easier for you and your family to enjoy worship together.
You will find books and coloring pages at the back of the Mary Chapel. Please feel free to utilize these at any point during the service.
We have installed a TV in the nursery! You are welcome to visit the nursery with your child during any portion of our service and join us via our livestream.
It is okay to take breaks. If you need to step out with your child, our parish grounds are a great place to get the wiggles out.
Above all, please remember: You and your family are very welcome here!
Your children may be squirming, talking, or making noise, but they are also observing, copying, and learning. Children are a gift and an important part of our community; we are grateful to have them worship with us.
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Adult Sunday School! Sundays, 9 to 9:45a | |
Join us in the parish hall or hospitality suite for a time of wondering, discussion, listening, fellowship, prayer, and sharing. No sign up or registration is necessary. Come as you are. Come for one week or every week. There will be coffee (or bring your own!).
For questions or more information, please contact Rev. Melissa.
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SAVE THE DATES: Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
January 17, 18 19, 2025
We invite you to join us in celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during a powerful series of events taking place in Plymouth on January 17, 18 and 19, 2025.
Organized by the Plymouth No Place for Hate Committee and a host of generous local partners, the Schedule of Events is presented below.
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, January 17, 2025, 7pm
Showing of the Film “I Am MLK Jr.” Free Admission!
Plimoth Patuxet Museum Movie Theater
This documentary explores the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact on civil rights through to the present day. Features John Lewis, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Van Jones, Nick Canon, among others.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
MLK Day of Service
Several volunteer activities to be held in the Plymouth area.
More information to follow.
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Plymouth Church of the Pilgrimage, 8 Town Square
10:30 AM – Ecumenical worship service, conducted jointly with the Bethel AME Church and other local congregations
12:00 – Light luncheon
1pm – 3pm – Program featuring Plymouth Middle School Chorus, essay contest winners, and featured speaker: President and CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, Rev. Rahsaan D. Hall, Esq.
For more information visit:
www.plymouthnoplaceforhate.org
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Bedtime Chapel Podcast
Nightly Family Prayer & Weekly Bible Study
Deuteronomy 11:18,19
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Bedtime Chapel helps families draw nearer to Jesus by gathering for nightly prayer and deepening their understanding of the Gospel. The podcast includes:
- A 5-Min nightly prayer service
- Weekly companion episodes that explore the themes of the gospel readings of the upcoming week for family members with longer attention spans
Pray with Us Apple, Spotify, Amazon and most other Podcast Servers
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Christ Church Thrift Shoppe | |
The Thrift Shoppe leaders are pleased to announce Q4 outreach designation in the amount of $2500 to Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center in Kingston.
Hope Floats is a non-profit foundation whose mission is bereavement support and education for adults, children, teens, and their families who are grieving, dealing with illness, or facing other life challenges.
The center offers free support services including yoga, meditation, group discussion, retreats, and mini-body treatments that bring hope and healing to those in need.
For more information, visit them online at https://www.hopefloatswellness.org/ or call 781.585.4221
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Christ Church Food Pantry | |
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All are welcome to the Christ Church Food Pantry!
We are open by appointment:
Tuesday 4:00-5:15
Thursday 12:00-1:15 and 4:00-5:15
Saturday 10:00-11:15
Call the pantry message line: 508-746-4959, ext 6, BY 1 PM THE DAY BEFORE YOU WISH TO PICK UP YOUR ORDER. Our volunteers check messages and return your call from their homes to ask you what you need.
Leave a message if you wish to donate non-perishable food and household items, or you may leave your donations under the mailboxes outside the office or in the front entrance to the sanctuary. Squirrels like to get into any bags left on the porch of the food pantry!
If you wish to volunteer, contact Eileen Paris at eileenpca@aol.com
For more information, please contact Barbara Wojtklewicz at 617-291-4634, or by email at barbara.wojtklewicz@gmail.com
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Pastoral Care
For any pastoral care needs of Christ Church, please call Robin Nielsen (774-454-2776) or email robinmarianielsen@gmail.com ~ A home visit, a home visit with holy communion or a phone call can be arranged. Although a small group, our Pastoral Care Ministry team meets monthly in confidence.
For any pastoral emergencies, please call Rev. Melissa Howell 508-746-4959 ext 4, and follow the instructions in her voice message.
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We want to keep you in the loop regarding the happenings at Christ Church. Please send your announcements for the weekly bulletin and Keeping Connected, to the office by 12 Noon on Wednesday. They should include date, time, place, description of event, contact information and should be written exactly the way you want them to appear.
The Church Office will be closed on Wednesday, January 8th from 12-3 PM
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