Weekly Bulletin
Sunday, March 14, 2021
The Children Are Asking © M. Southard CSJ, www.marysouthard.org. Used with permission.

Joys and Concerns

Sundays at 1:00 pm

Our weekly joys and concerns check-ins continue. 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
644-410-868#, then # when asked for the password.
2021 Lenten Theme:
 
"Passion of Earth"
Order of Worship

Prelude
 
Welcome
 
Invocation and Lord’s Prayer

Mission Moment: One Great Hour of Sharing 
 
Lenten song - “Touch the Earth Lightly” vs. 1-4
 
Pastoral prayer
 
Scripture - 1 Kings 21:1-18
 
Homily
 
Closing Song - “O Day of God, Draw Near” NCH#611

Benediction
 
Postlude
Chapel Class: Sunday, March 14
Rev. Ruth E. Phillips will guide us through the contemplative practice of Visio Divina, using art and photos, and a DVD produced by The Well Spirituality Center. Prior to joining class, go to www.csjthewell.org. Click on RESOURCES and scroll to bottom of page to find the dvd – universe story, narrated by Bridget Sperduto. Watch the six minute video before joining class. Click the button below to join!
Chapel Class: Sunday, March 21
Artist Mary Southard will be our special guest, via Zoom, from the Congregation of St. Joseph, LaGrange Park, IL. Join Rev. Ruth E. Phillips as we engage in conversation with Sr. Mary. She will share a PowerPoint with us as she talks about her creative story and process, as well as her commitment to eco theology and the universe story.

We have been inspired by Mary Southard’s paintings for several years, including The Children Are Asking for this season of Lent. Now, join us on Zoom to meet this uniquely gifted and inspiring human being.
This Week
March 19
Ann Borgerson
Todd Jordan
Kathy Kolb

March 21
David Childs
Steve Etheridge
Tegan Fultz
Olivia Steele

March 24
Anne Rowland

March 25
Lucia Leal
Adrian Steele
All programs and events are online unless otherwise stated.

Sunday, March 14
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Daylight Saving Time Starts
9:00 am Chapel Class
10:00 am Worship Service
11:30 am Meet & Mingle
1:00 pm Joys & Concerns

Monday, March 15
Office Closed

Tuesday, March 16
1:00 pm Staff Meeting
5:30 pm Benevolence

Wednesday, March 17
St. Patrick's Day
5:30 pm Rev. Timothy’s Lenten Book Study
5:30 pm Wednesday Night Live

Thursday, March 18
1:00 pm Rev. Ruth’s Book Study
6:00 pm Search Task Force Meeting

Sunday, March 21
Fifth Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Chapel Class
10:00 am Worship Service
11:30 am Transition & Grieving
1:00 pm Joys & Concerns
4:00 pm What's the Motif? Piano Concert
Sunday, March 14: One Great Hour of Sharing
On Sunday, March 14, we will have a special collection to participate in the UCC’s One Great Hour of Sharing, supporting the church’s wider mission in the world. In this Lenten season, we often speak of wilderness almost metaphorically. However, for so many of our global neighbors, the reality of the wilderness is all-too literal.

One Great Hour of Sharing funds life-saving work in the various wilds of our time. It rebuilds communities following natural disasters, assists refugees in their search for a safe home, makes education and sustainable livelihoods accessible, and creates reliable and safe water sources for communities lacking access to this vital resource.

You may contribute to the special collection with a check made payable to Plymouth Church, sent by mail to 501 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802 – the memo line should note “OGHS." You also may give online by clicking the Contribute button below. On the donation page, you will find a list of potential recipients, including One Great Hour of Sharing.

Let us offer the assistance we are able with gratitude and joy!
Wednesday, March 17: Lenten Book Series
During this season of Lent, Rev. Timothy Murphy is leading a book study on Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si”, which focuses ecologically on the care for our common home. It is free online and can be found by clicking the button below.
 
The group meets every Wednesday through March 31 at 5:30 pm. Those attending this week’s session are asked to read chapter 4, pages 103-120. The link is below.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, March 21: Associate Pastor Transition and Grieving
It’s hard to believe but Rev. Ruth Phillips is retiring in June. As church members, we need spaces to grieve all that we will miss once she retires. The next opportunity to meet with Rev. Timothy Murphy and other church members will be on Sunday, March 21. This will be a space to discuss what she has meant for us and Plymouth Church.
 
This gathering will be via Zoom; please use the button below to join in this transition process.
Saturday, March 27: Supply Drive
The Evangelism & Marketing Board is excited to announce that our monthly supply drive is happening again! March 27, from 9:00 - 11:00 am we will be using the side entrance (port cochère) instead of setting up in the parking lot. Use the alley behind the church to access small driveway for the port cochère.

Fairfield Elementary is requesting help with their "incentive prizes" - little treats that students can pick out after earning Falcon Feathers for good behavior, good work, acts of kindness, etc.

Suggested items include:

stickers, coloring books/small sketch books, scented and/or dry erase markers, fancy/funny pencils, fun/scented/mini erasers, key chains/bracelets/rings, "matchbox" toy cars, candy/Taki's, squishy toys/stress balls, funny or character socks.

Let your inner 8 year-old (or an actual external child in your life) have a blast picking out treats for the students of Fairfield! 
Sunday, March 28: Sunday School
Our next in-person Sunday School gathering will be a Palm Sunday procession at 1:00 pm on March 28. All kids, youth, and families are invited to walk in our processional, and everyone else is invited to join us in the parking lot to watch our parade go by!

Story boxes are available now with materials for observing Lent at home. Videos of these Lenten stories are available on the Facebook “Plymouth Generations” page each week. If your family would like a box, please contact Katie Watson. 
Sunday, March 28: Film & Faith: Forty & Over
Film & Faith, Forty & Over - March 28, 2:30 pm
 
“Quartet” is our next movie to watch at your convenience on Netflix. Directed by Dustin Hoffman, this movie is based on the play of the same title. Retired opera singers and musicians live the “Third Act” of their lives in London’s Beecham House. Opera stars Reginald, Wilfred, and Cissy are already settled residents. News circulates that a new resident is soon to arrive. Opera Diva Jean Horton (Maggie Smith) unhappily joins the community that includes Cissy (Pauline Collins); Reginald (Sir Tom Courtenay), and Wilfred (Billy Connolly). Though the four main actors do NOT sing opera, Dustin Hoffman hired retired singers and musicians to play all the extras. The story is somewhat predictable, the characters human and sympathetic, and the music is superb! 

To participate in the discussion, email Rev. Ruth E. Phillips rep@plymouthfw.org by Saturday Noon, March 27. She will send you the Zoom Meeting ID and Passcode to enter the Zoom gathering on Sunday.
Friday, April 2: Good Friday Prayer Vigil
You are invited to participate in the 12-hour Good Friday Prayer Vigil by selecting a 15-minute time during which you will commit to being in prayer. 
Our Plymouth practice and hope for many years is that the connection between those who pray will create a continuous link throughout the day, 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
 
The person before you will call you at the beginning of your time to pass along the vigil. When you complete your 15 minutes of prayer you will call the person after you.
 
Complete instructions and prayer guides will be sent to you in Holy Week, prior to Good Friday.
 
Monday Noon, March 29 is signup deadline. Please click on the button below to select your 15-minute time. We are using a new JotForm. The difference you will notice is that you won’t be able to see who prays before or after you. That information will be sent to you by Rev. Ruth E. Phillips as signups are filled in. Questions or need help: call Rev. Ruth at 423-9424, ext.322 or email rep@plymouthfw.org
General Announcements
COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility
The state of Indiana recently expanded the age range of who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. As of March 3, anyone 50 and older can schedule to receive a vaccine. If you are eligible, you can click the button below to schedule an appointment. If you have difficulty registering online, you can dial 211 from any phone for assistance.
Indiana-Kentucky Conference UCC COVID-19 Guidance
Our conference released further guidance around churches and COVID-19 this week entitled “Healthy Continuity of Ministry and Mission during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” We are including a link below for your review. Church pastoral staff are reviewing the guidelines as they determine what Plymouth’s process will be going forward for this spring. Look for updates in the announcements or as an e-blast.
A Note from the Office
In order for the office to better serve you, please submit a separate check for each donation made whether it be for pledges, special offerings or any other donation. Checks should be made payable to Plymouth Church. Thank you!
Visiting Plymouth
If you have a need to visit the office, we’d love to see you. Remember to schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance. No one is at the front desk, so please arrive on time so a staff member is available to greet you and unlock the door. Please wait at the Berry Street entrance and be prepared to sanitize, sign-in, and wear a mask. Please contact Tina Puitz at tmp@plymouthfw.org to make an appointment. Thank you.