This Sunday, Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals will be leading the final session of a chapel class series entitled, 'To Pray Twice,' on hymnody and congregational song. Rev. Ofner-Seals will cover the history of congregational song, the meaning and power behind it, and will bring in examples of different kinds of hymns and songs for analysis and discussion. This week participants will be invited to bring a copy of their favorite hymn or worship song to share with the class.

Chapel class begins at 9:00 am every Sunday and is open to all adults in person or on Zoom. The password for Zoom access is 461025.

Be the Light! Imagine the difference we can make when we join together with other people of faith who are giving to the same cause. For over 75 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has been allowing like-minded churches and followers of Christ to share out of their abundance with those who need some assistance. You will have the opportunity to do just that as Plymouth Church receives the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering on March 30.

Your support to this annual focus on mission enables our church and our ecumenical partners to make a difference in lives and communities around the world. 

One Great Hour of Sharing understands the needs – immediate and long-term – and are there when the needs are most pressing. By giving generously, you are the light that brings life forth in desolate places. By giving generously, you are the light providing spaces for others to be the light as they share expertise and sustainable approaches to farming. By giving generously, you shine light on today, tomorrow, and well into the future. 

If you would like to give online, you can by clicking the link below and selecting "One Great Hour of Sharing" from the dropdown menu.

On the final Sunday of each month, our parish nurses gather during fellowship hour before worship in the Folsom Room and are available for members and visitors.

Feel free to stop by their table, get your blood pressure checked, and chat with them about any health questions you may have. 

On Sunday, March 30 at 4 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, the Fort Wayne community will gather for a special concert commemorating the life of friend and philanthropist Patricia Mae Adsit. This is a free concert open to all. Her memorial concert will feature over 80 musicians from the area including members of the Philharmonic Players Association, Vocal Artists from Heartland Sings and more, all under the direction of Maestro Robert Nance.

Selections include the Chorale Prelude on “Now thank we all our God” by Karg-Elert; the second movement from Symphony No. 9 by Dvorak; “The Lord is My Shepherd (Psalm 23) by Robert Nance; “Going home” by Stephen Paulus; Intermezzo by Alex Shapiro; and “Pie Jesu” from REQUIEM by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

This choral orchestral performance, along words of remembrance, is meant to celebrate Patricia’s commitment to Fort Wayne and Allen County, the arts, to education and to organizations that work to eliminate abuse and find ways to bring our community together.

Memorial Concert schedule:

3:00 p.m. Pre-concert gathering (Fellowship Hall)

4:00 p.m. Concert (Sanctuary)

5:00 p.m. Reception (Fellowship Hall)

For more information, consult her obituary or contact Maestro Robert Nance (robert@maestronance.com)

Our Lenten book study continues with Michael J. Sandel’s 2009 New York Times bestseller Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?. This Wednesday, we will review chapter 7 & 8.

This may seem a puzzling choice in that it is not explicitly a religious book but rather a book about ethics and what different people mean by the word “justice.” Is it the greatest good for the greatest number, freedom for individuals to choose whatever they will, being treated fairly and minimizing inequality, the common good, or something else? Folks are encouraged to bring a copy of the book with them.

In Chapel Class on Sunday, April 6, Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals will be conducting a live zoom interview with Zoughbi Zoughbi, the executive director of the Wi’am Center for Conflict Transformation in Bethlehem. The Wi’am Center is one of our global mission partners, and in the interview, Rev. Sara and Zoughbi will go into greater detail about the work of the center and will also discuss life in the West Bank as the war in Gaza continues. Chapel Class is held at 9:00 am on Sunday mornings, in person or on Zoom.

Are you interested in becoming a member at Plymouth Church? Our next Welcoming Group will meet Sunday, April 6, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm in the Amistad Room. If your journey of faith is leading you to explore becoming a member, this is a one-time required session. Whether you are confident, confused, or curious, our time together is focused on orientation, conversation, interpretation, and exploration. It is an opportunity for you to ask questions and to meet others who are considering affirming their formal relationship with Plymouth Church, UCC. A light lunch will be provided, and childcare is available upon request. Email Rev. Sara at smo@plymouthfw.org if you would like to attend.

Issa Amro is a Hebron-based Palestinian activist, a leading voice in the non-violent movement resisting Israel's genocidal ethnic cleansing agenda. He is being nominated, together with Israeli activist, ICAHD founder, Dr. Jeff Halper, this year for the Nobel Peace Prize. Founder of Youth Against Settlements and Friends of Hebron, Issa has been harassed, arrested, beaten, and tortured on many occasions.

In 2010, Issa was declared a "human rights defender of the year in Palestine" by the Office of the UN's High Commissioner for Human Rights. Last year, the New York Times called him "one of the followers of Martin Luther King, Jr.," and the New York Times Magazine called him “the Palestinian Gandhi.” Issa was also one of the 2024 recipients of the Right Livelihood Award (the "alternative Nobel Prize") in Stockholm, "for his steadfast nonviolent resistance to Israel’s illegal occupation, promoting Palestinian civic action through peaceful means.

"I have three choices: to use violence and I will be the hero of Palestine for one month; to accept to live under occupation and accept to be a slave; or to fight the occupation using non-violent resistance. So, you choose: I choose to fight using non-violence."

- Issa Amro

Are you curiously watching the American Sign Language interpretation during worship? Join Cassidy Cwierthia for this introduction to worship signs. Learn to recognize some common religious signs, and join along in signing the Lord’s Prayer and common songs at 7 pm on Wednesdays beginning April 9. All ages welcome!

Plymouth members are once again invited to participate in an all-day prayer vigil from their homes on Good Friday. Sign up for one or more 15-minute slots using the link below, and you will receive further instructions and prayer resources via email. Please consider joining your fellow church members in prayer on this sacred day.

• Sunday, April 13 at 10:00 am – Palm Sunday service

• Wednesday, April 16 at 5:15 pm – Final Lenten Book Study

• Thursday, April 17 at 6:00 pm – Maundy Thursday supper and service with foot washing and communion

• Friday, April 18 from 7:00 am – 7:00 pm – Good Friday prayer vigil (participants pray from home)

• Friday, April 18 at 12:00 pm – The Palestinian Way of the Cross (procession through downtown Fort Wayne)

• Friday, April 18 at 7:00 pm – Good Friday Tenebrae service

• Sunday, April 20 at 7:30 am – Easter Sunrise service

• Sunday, April 20 at 8:30 am – Easter breakfast

• Sunday, April 20 at 10:00 am – Easter Celebration service

It’s time to order Easter flowers! Each year, we offer the opportunity to dedicate flowers on Easter Sunday. You can pick between Easter lilies or daffodils (or feel free to order both). Lilies are $10 each and daffodils are also $10 each. To order, click the button below or pick up a form from the receptionist's office and return it no later than Monday, April 14. We encourage you to take your flowers with you following worship on Easter Sunday.

Do you sing or dance? Do you write poetry, or tell jokes? Do you juggle or have a fun talent to share? Don't delay, sign up today for our upcoming Talent Show! Contact Kara Jaurigue (kkjaurigue@gmail.com) by Friday, April 18th to reserve your spot!

The talent show will begin at 11:30 am following worship on Sunday, April 27th. Don't worry if you're hungry right after church, we'll have some snacks to tide you over and enjoy during the show!