Weekly Bulletin

Sunday, April 16, 2023

In Our Prayers 


Charlie Belch, Donna Belch, Mary Bir, Clara Bowling, Matthew Carter, Teresa Clingaman, Kris Conner, Janelle Couture, Brad Crowder, Lynda and Mike Eckard, Ann Filler, Ed Gomez, Cheryl Harkenrider, Joseph Harkenrider, Bob Huff, Nancy Jordan, Alli Keith, Tony Kell, Brian Laurenz, Joan Lipscomb, Gerald Lockwood, Sandy Lockwood, Skyler Lockwood, Connie Mabe, Kelly Massey, Jack Meredith, Jane Meredith, Peter Michels, Jim Nelson, Cindy Ottinger, Bonnie Pennock, Noel Resor, Claire Roney, Jacqueline Sanders, Max Schilb, Barbara Senn, John Shannon, Erin Shaw, Maureen Shea, Travis Sheets, Shirley Slater, Johanna Smith, The Spitler Family, Terry Springer, Stan Volz, Marian Waltz, Dana Wichern, Sandra Woodruff Cully

The acolyte for today is Evelyn McCormick.

Sympathy


Sympathy is extended to Al Bohnstedt, Kristine Bohnstedt Thorn, Kathleen Ashton, Lora Beth Ehrhardt and Elizabeth Resor in the death of their wife and mother, Janis Bohnstedt, April 10, 2023.

Sunday Service
Join us for our weekly worship service at 10:00 am in-person, or through our livestream on our YouTube Channel.

If you miss out on our live broadcast, the worship service will be available on our YouTube Channel and listed by date on the Sermon Archive.
Join us for online worship!

Our in-person worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. We continue to record and livestream our services, with the recorded video available by Sunday evening. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Joys and Concerns


Sundays at 1:00 pm


Our weekly joys and concerns check-in resumes Sunday. Please join this Zoom call at 1:00 pm for a time to name something we are grateful for, a concern we have, and to be in prayer together.


Those unable to join by video can call 1-253-215-8782, then enter the code 829-3823-4464#, then # when asked for the password.

Click here to join Joys & Concerns

Prelude: Thee Combo


Welcome & Announcements


Centering Moment


Call to Worship:


Hymn No. 253 “Yours Is the Glory, Resurrected One!” | JUDAS MACCABEUS


Invocation & Lord’s Prayer


Passing of the Peace


Response Song: “We’ve Come This Far by Faith”


Peace Prayer


Mission Moment: YWCA


Pastoral Prayer


Anthem:  “Lord of the Dance" | Sydney Carter, arr. Rutter


Scripture: 1 Peter 1: 3-9


Sermon: “Jesus: A New Hope”


Hymn (insert) “Who Is My Mother, Who Is My Brother?” | KINDRED


Invitation to Communion

Communion


Hymn (insert) “He Lives!” | ACKLEY 


Benediction


Postlude: Thee Combo

This Week

Birthdays

April 16

Jane Meredith

Monty Millage

Beth Price

Collin Ramsey


April 18

Debra L. Compagnone

John Donley

Karra McCormick

Audrey Velagapudi


April 19

Maggie Jordan


April 20

Joni Sutton


April 21

Gina Arata

Allie Brown

Liam Hurni


April 22

Rhys Rudolph

Mary Ann Sidell


Next Week's Birthdays


April 24

Robin Ames

Sandy Moliere


April 25

Diane Lasley

Claire Sims


April 26

John Hoffman


April 29

Bill Vrabel

Calendar

Sunday, April 16

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Education Hour

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship Service

11:15 am Environmental Action Team Meeting

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)

4:00 pm Music Series: Lisa Gerstenkorn, Contralto


Monday, April 17

Office Closed


Tuesday, April 18

9:30 am Michael Spath Religion and Culture Class

12:00 pm Women's Book Study

1:00 pm Staff Meeting

4:00 pm Moderators' Meeting

5:30 pm Board Meetings


Wednesday, April 19

2:45 pm Study Connection

5:15 pm Wednesday Night Live


Thursday, April 20

1:00 pm Study Group Online

5:00 pm Peace and Justice Committee Meeting

6:30 pm ICMEP - Sam Jarjour

6:30 pm The Makers Group


Sunday, April 23

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Education Hour

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship Service

11:15 am Reproductive Rights Action Team Meeting

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)

2:00 pm Northeast Association Spring Meeting

Sunday, April 16: Adult Chapel Class Resumes

Adult chapel class will resume on Sunday, April 16, with guest presenter Mary Ann Mings. Mary Ann is the coordinator of Circles of Allen County, a national program aimed at ending poverty through building relationships and community. On Sunday, April 23 and 30, Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals will lead a two-week series on Celtic Christianity. Chapel Class begins at 9:00 am on Sunday morning and is available in person or on Zoom. To join via Zoom, the passcode is 063060.

Chapel Class Zoom Link

Sunday, April 16: Music Series - Lisa Gerstenkorn, Contralto

Plymouth Music Series presents Heartland Sings Principal Vocal Artist Lisa Gerstenkorn in a varied program of chamber music, opera, and art songs featuring the alto voice on Sunday, April 16 at 4:00 pm. She will be joined by Maestro Robert Nance, piano, Deborah Nitka Hicks, cello, Barrett Seals, oboe and Natalie Young, soprano in exciting works composed by Bach, Brahms, Rossini, Bernstein and female composers Betty Roe, Dorothy R. Moore and Rachel J. Peters. Songs will be sung in German, Italian and English.


The concert is free and open to the public. A reception in honor of the performers will be held immediately following the performance.

Facebook Event RSVP

Wednesday, April 19: Wednesday Night Live and Bible Study

Wednesday Night Live programming continues this Wednesday, April 19. Those who want to join the Bible study (with Rev. Ofner-Seals leading this week) virtually can join via Zoom at 5:15 pm. The passcode to join the Zoom is 805552.

Bible Study Zoom Link

Wednesday, April 19: Wednesday Night Book Study Resumes

Wednesday Night Book Study will resume on April 19 with the book Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer, by Richard Rohr. This popular and best-selling book from a renowned Franciscan priest challenges people to move beyond the comfort of a settled life toward an understanding of themselves that is rooted in their connection to God. Only when they rest in God can they find the certainty and the freedom to become all that they can be. Contemplation has its place at the heart of Christianity, a place that allows people to experience how “everything belongs”. Wednesday night book study is held after Wednesday Night Live dinner, at 6:45 pm in the chapel. Participation in this study will be available in person and through Zoom. The password to join via Zoom is 694847.

Book Study Zoom Link
Upcoming Events

Sunday, April 30: Just Neighbors Food Truck at Plymouth

The Just Neighbors’ Same City food truck will be at Plymouth Church on Sunday, April 30, at 1:00 am. Lunch will be available immediately following worship outside the Folsom Room entrance. Please plan to stick around after worship to have some delicious food, enjoy a time of fellowship, and support a great cause. All the money raised through the Same City food truck supports the work and mission of Just Neighbors Interfaith Homeless Network. 

Friday, May 5 - Sunday, May 7: What is Truth Seminar

Plymouth Church will be hosting the “What is Truth Seminar: An Exploration through Study, Story, and Song” beginning Friday, May 5 and continuing through Sunday, May 7. 


The seminar will aim to explore the following questions:

  • How do we discern truth in a world of disinformation and alternative facts?
  • How can we name our truth when we are gaslit or our experience is dismissed?
  • How might we stand up for truth when people deny the reality of injustice?


Come explore these questions with others in this interactive, free seminar!


What is Truth Seminar Schedule:


Friday, May 5

  • 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm - Evening Lecture and Q&A w/ Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon (Doors at 6:30 pm and music beginning at 6:45 pm)


Saturday, May 6

  • 10:00 am to 12:30 pm - Morning Workshop w/ Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon
  • 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm - Lunch
  • 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm - Storytelling and Song w/ Valerie Tutson


Sunday, May 7

  • 10:00 am - Worship Service (livestream available)


Featured presenters include Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Valerie Tutson, and Maestro Robert Nance. More participants will be announced in the lead up to the seminar. Read each presenter's bio and learn more about the seminar by clicking the button below.


The What is Truth Seminar is free and open to the public, although we do ask for you to complete registration. Register by clicking the link below.


We hope to see you there!

Register Here!
What is Truth Website

General Announcements

Let's Review Recycling

As an Earthwise Church, Plymouth folks have taken on the role of being a recycler both at home and at church. While this is a great thing to be doing, it has come to our attention both from Matt Gratz, Solid Waste Director for the city, and and John Hoelderle, our Maintenance Manager, that often the recycling is unacceptable and therefore contaminates the whole batch. This costs the church as well as the city a lot of money.


As EarthDay 2023 approaches, let’s review what we can so both at church and home to be successful recyclers.


  1. Recycle, reuse, or repurpose everything you can.
  2. Know the recycling guidelines wherever you live (in Fort Wayne, outside Fort Wayne in Allen County, or elsewhere) as different companies have different policies.
  3. NEVER place recycling items in plastic bags before tossing them into the recycling bin.
  4. NEVER place containers with liquids in recycling bins. Everything should be empty, dry, and clean.

Supply Drive Through April 23 for the YWCA

For 22 years, April has been recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Since 2019, the UCC has observed “Break the Silence Sunday” in April, which falls this year on April 23.


It is no secret that the lack of resources, shelter, and physical and/or mental health care for survivors of assault and abuse is a real obstacle to safety and wellness for too many of our most vulnerable neighbors. Wouldn’t you love to help roll away that stone?


Serving six counties in our corner of the state, the YWCA Northeast Indiana provides many free services for survivors of sexual assault and abuse: confidential support and mental health therapy, connection to community resources, education, support groups, emergency shelter, help navigating the legal system, and so much more. Each year they provide emergency shelter for hundreds of adults and children, as well as counseling and education to thousands of individuals.


The Evangelism & Marketing Board invites you to contribute to a supply drive in support of the good work of the YWCA Northeast Indiana. Items will be collected through April 23 (donations must be new and unopened/never used):


  • Pregnancy Tests
  • Bras, Underwear, Stretchy Clothes (yoga pants, t-shirts, etc.), Coats – various sizes
  • Body Wash, Ethnic Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Phone Chargers (all types)
  • Plug-in Headphones (with an aux cord)


For more on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, visit www.nsvrc.org/saam For more on the YWCA, visit www.ywcanein.org/.

May Bell Submissions Open: Open and Affirming Covenant

This year the Bell Newsletter will focus on one of our four covenants each quarter. Our first issue covered the Just Peace covenant. The next Bell will be published on May 19 and will focus on Plymouth Church's Open and Affirming covenant. "We are an Open and Affirming congregation (2001), welcoming members of the LGBTQ community. We find strength in our diversity and a greater understanding of God's inclusive love." This is a great opportunity for your Board/Committee/Task Force to inform Plymouth members and friends of the work you are doing that aligns with this covenant. If you'd like to submit an article to the Bell, your article is not required to be geared toward the Open and Affirming covenant. The covenant is just a framework for your article and the overarching theme of the May issue. 


The submission deadline for the May Bell is Wednesday, May 10 at 11:59 pm. The Bell will be published Friday, May 19. If you'd like to write an article for the Bell, please submit it to Elizabeth Pruitt by 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 10 to [email protected].

Donate Greeting Cards in the Folsom Room

If you have extra greeting cards, you can donate them to nursing home residents. You will find a container in the Folsom Room. Thanks for your help with this new mission sponsored by pastoral care.

Peace and Justice Committee Seeks Members

Are you interested in the peace and justice work of Plymouth Church? Consider joining the Peace and Justice committee! The Peace and Justice committee oversees and supports the work of our many justice and service action teams, awards a yearly Peace scholarship, decides on the recipient of Plymouth’s annual Amistad award, and much more! The Peace and Justice committee meets every third Thursday at 5:00 pm. Our next meeting is Thursday, April 20. Come and check us out!

Calling All Knitters, Crocheters, and Weavers!

The Indiana Kentucky conference of the UCC is hosting General Synod in June 2023, and it has been a tradition for the hosting conference to provide prayer shawls for delegates and others in attendance. Would you be willing to help by knitting or crocheting one or two shawls? Let Rev. Sara ([email protected]) know if you would like to commit to making one (or three!).

COVID-19 Protocols: Masking Encouraged

While masks remain optional in worship, we encourage wearing them whenever possible. A high-quality mask provides good protection against infection even if others around you are not wearing one. We will continue to offer livestreamed and recorded worship services if you find yourself at risk of being around groups or otherwise unable to attend services in person.

Desk Coverage Volunteers Needed During Staff Meetings

Plymouth Church is looking for volunteers to cover the 1:00 pm Staff Meetings on Tuesdays. If you would like to assist, please sign up with Jake in the office or sign up by clicking the button below.

Sign Up Form

Open Prayer in the Sanctuary

For a time of personal prayer, the sanctuary will be available Tuesday through Thursday during office hours. Please enter through the Berry Street office entrance and check in with our receptionist. Contact Jake Slone at (260) 423-9424 or [email protected] with any questions.

Plymouth Church Linktree

The following links can be found on our Linktree:


  • What is Truth Seminar Registration
  • Chancel Flower Dedication Sign Up Form
  • Donate
  • Past Chapel Class Series
  • Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Sign Up
  • Study Connection Volunteer Sign Up
  • Plymouth Google Calendar
  • Plymouth's Social Media
Linktree

Plymouth Office Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday: By appointment only 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Questions? Contact the office at 260-423-9424 or [email protected]
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