Weekly Bulletin

Sunday, March 5, 2023

In Our Prayers 


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

The acolyte for today is Liam Hurni.

Sympathy


Sympathy is extended to Joe and Mary Bir in the death of their brother-in-law, Tom McDonough, February 25, 2023.

Chancel Flowers


Chancel flowers today are dedicated by Lucy Hess in celebration of Bob Pugh and Barb Duch and in memory of Richard Hess.

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 strongly encouraged.

Healing Touch © Mary Southard, www.ministryofthearts.org. Used with permission.

Steadfast Shepherd

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Second Sunday of Lent

Joys and Concerns


Sundays at 1:00 pm


Our weekly joys and concerns check-in continues 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

Order of Worship


Prelude


Welcome & Announcements


Centering Moment


Call to Worship: Psalm 121


Hymn No. 530 “God Our Author and Creator” | JEFFERSON 


Invocation & Lord’s Prayer


Passing of the Peace


Response Song: “Shepherd Me, O God” by Marty Haugen


Peace Prayer


Pastoral Prayer


Anthem


Scripture: John 3:1-17


Sermon: “The Eternal Now”


Hymn No. 330 “Let Us Break Bread Together” | LET US BREAK BREAD


Invitation to Communion

Communion


Hymn No. 605 “As Moses Raised the Serpent Up” | MORNING SONG


Benediction


Postlude

This Week

Birthdays

March 5

Diane Campion

Jeffrey Dellinger

Bob Pugh


March 6

Stewart Ayers

Barb Duch


March 8

Ethan Leal

Ken Modesitt

Caspian Throop-Voors


March 9

Beth Walker


March 10

Brandi Wallace


Next Week's Birthdays


March 14

Karen Fraser


March 15

Anna Konger


March 16

Kay Porter

Calendar

Sunday, March 5

Second Sunday of Lent

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Education Hour

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship Service

11:00 am OWL Class

11:15 am Kitchen Training

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)

4:00 pm Music Series: A Concert for Ukraine. Alexander Klepach, Piano


Monday, March 6

Office Closed


Tuesday, March 7

9:30 am Michael Spath Religion and Culture Class

6:00 pm Executive Council Meeting


Wednesday, March 8

2:45 pm Study Connection

5:15 pm Wednesday Night Live

6:00 pm Renovation Taskforce Meeting


Thursday, March 9

10:30 am Library Committee Meeting

1:00 pm Study Group Online

6:30 pm ICMEP - Dr Shawki Harb: A Surgeon Under Israeli Occupation


Friday, March 10

6:30 pm Family Game Night


Sunday, March 12

Third Sunday of Lent

Daylight Saving Time Ends

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Education Hour

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship Service

11:00 am OWL Class

11:15 am Environmental Action Team Forum: "Climate Grief" with Doug Kaufman

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)

Sunday, March 5: Chapel Class Series on Digital Citizenship

Starting on Sunday, March 5, we will be welcoming guest speakers Jessica Pater and Fayika Farhat Nova to our adult Chapel Class to lead a series of talks on digital citizenship and social media concerns. This three-week series will cover what it looks like to use social media responsibly and safely in this digital age. In the first session we will explore the “what, where, how, and why’” of social media and digital technology use. We will discuss our digital footprints and what is done with the data connected with our technology use. Attendees will learn more about new emerging platforms, how platforms use data, and resources available to support parents and children. Chapel Class is held at 9:00 am every Sunday and is open to all adults. Join us in person or on Zoom! The passcode to attend via Zoom is 063060.  

Chapel Class Zoom Link

Sunday, March 5: Kitchen Training

Building Maintenance Manager John Hoelderle will be leading a training on the proper use of kitchen equipment on Sunday, March 5, immediately following worship. This training is required for anyone wishing to use the Plymouth kitchen, and all are welcome to attend. No RSVP is needed.

Sunday, March 5: Just Neighbors Week

Plymouth’s next week to provide dinner at the Just Neighbors Shelter is coming up, starting on Sunday, March 5. Plymouth members are responsible for providing the dinner meal for shelter guests each night that week. You can sign up to bring the whole meal, or simply a component of the meal. Typically, there are around 20-30 guests staying at the shelter on any given night. If you are interested in providing a meal, or part of a meal, please click the link below to sign up.

Sign Up

Wednesday, March 8: Lenten Book Study

Each year during Lent, Rev. Murphy’s Wednesday Bible Study is replaced with a book study. For this year, the book is The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium by Walter Wink. We will be discussing the spirituality of systems and institutions, breaking cycles of violence, and Jesus’ third way, among other topics covered in the book. The series has begun and will run though March 29, meeting in the Chapel at 5:15 pm weekly. Participants are encouraged to order their books ahead of time (Note: there is more than one book with that title so doublecheck the author). For March 8, participants are invited to read chapters 4 and 5. The study will also be available via Zoom. The passcode to attend via Zoom is 805552.

Lenten Book Study Zoom Link

Wednesday, March 8: Wednesday Night Book Study

Rev. Sara’s book study will continue Wednesday, March 8, with a discussion on Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit and Grace by Osheta Moore. Join us at 6:45 pm, after Wednesday Night Live dinner.

Thursday, March 9: ICEMP Dr. Shawki Harb - A Surgeon Under Israeli Occupation

Indiana Center for Middle East Peace welcomes Palestinian surgeon Dr. Shawki Harb, Thursday, March 9, 6:30 pm at Plymouth Church.


In his memoir, A Surgeon Under Israeli Occupation, Dr. Shawki Harb shares his experiences about Palestine and life as a Palestinian surgeon practicing medicine under Israeli occupation from 1975 to 2003, at the Ramallah Hospital and teaching at Al Quds Medical School in Jerusalem. He also describes his medical school training in Germany and specialty training in the US from 1967 to 1975, including his fellowship with internationally acclaimed Houston Methodist Hospital cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Michael DeBakey.


In Palestine, for example, he tells how, under Israeli military occupation, he endured harassment and overcame challenges like performing heart surgery with flashlights during blackouts and gunfire. Dr. Harb will share his unique insights into Israeli apartheid and oppression, practicing medicine, and reflect on the social and political context in Palestine. Free, open to the public. Masks strongly encouraged.


For more information and to RSVP, click the button below to check out the event page on ICEMP's Facebook.

Facebook Event Page

Friday, March 10: Family Game Night

Congregational Life (CL) Board is hosting our monthly family game night this Friday, March 10 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. CL Board will supply decaf coffee, water, some starter games like standard playing cards, Sorry, Jenga, dice for Yahtzee and other dice games, tables set up for puzzles and brain teasers, and a space for toddlers to come and play on their own when not joining in the table games.


Please bring:

  • Your favorite family game to share and be ready to host that game to teach others how to play
  • Snacks to share
  • Your friends and family


Prepare to have a fun evening of games and fellowship!

Saturday, March 11: No Hate in Our State Rally

This year's General Assembly session has been particularly harmful for the LGBTQ community, with what has been dubbed by many as the "slate of hate." There are over two dozen bills that would do everything from banning books with LGBTQ characters to banning gender affirming care for transgender youth. 


Join others in the Fort Wayne community on Saturday, March 11 to say "no hate in our state" and to voice our opposition to these bills. We will gather from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm outside the Allen County Courthouse. Please join us if you can!

Upcoming Events

Sunday, March 12: Climate Grief Workshop

The Environmental Action Team welcomes guest speaker Doug Kaufman on Sunday, March 12, after worship, to lead an interactive workshop on climate grief. This workshop will help participants wrestle with grief around climate change and how we can work through those healthy feelings to engage in acts of hope. No RSVP is necessary, and childcare and light snacks will be provided.

Tuesday, March 21: Women's Book Study

Plymouth Women's Book Study will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, March 21 from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm in the Amistad Room. We encourage you to join us as we discuss:

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Quoting from the book's cover:


"As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these lenses of knowledge together to show that the awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings are we capable of understanding the generosity of the earth, and learning to give our own gifts in return."


As always, anyone who self-identifies as a woman is welcome to drop in if you're interested in the chosen book. We meet on the third Tuesday of most months from 12:00 pm to 1:15 pm in the Amistad Room. 


At the April 18 meeting we will be taking suggestions for books, both fiction and non-fiction, for the year ahead. A vote will follow on line. Please try to read any book you submit before you propose it.

General Announcements

Easter Sunday Flower Order Forms Due March 24

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 $9 each.


To order, print off the order form at the button below or pick one up from the receptionist's office, and return it no later than Friday, March 24. We encourage you to take your flowers with you following worship on Easter Sunday.

Print Order Form

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 (smo@plymouthfw.org) know if you would like to commit to making one (or three!).

COVID-19 Protocols: Masking Strongly Encouraged

While masks remain optional in worship, we strongly 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 jss@plymouthfw.org with any questions.

Plymouth Church Linktree

The following links can be found on our Linktree:


  • Grant and Scholarship Opportunities
  • Donate
  • Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Sign Up
  • Chancel Flower Dedication Sign Up Form
  • Study Connection Volunteer Sign Up
  • Plymouth Google Calendar
  • Plymouth's Social Medias
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 office@plymouthfw.org
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