Weekly Bulletin

Sunday, November 13, 2022

In Our Prayers 


Charlie Belch, Donna Belch, Janis Bohnstedt, Clara Bowling, Matthew Carter, Michael Clifton, Teresa Clingaman, Kris Conner, Diana Cornwell, Janelle Couture, Brad Crowder, Bill Deans III, Lynda and Mike Eckard, Ann Filler, Ed Gomez, Cheryl Harkenrider, Joan Hartwig, Sarah Howard, Bob Huff, Nancy Jordan, Alli Keith, Tony Kell, Ginny Laudadio, Brian Laurenz, Carol Lewark, Joan Lipscomb, Gerald Lockwood, Sandy Lockwood, Skyler Lockwood, Connie Mabe, Kelly Massey, Bev McFadden, Jane Meredith, Jack Meredith, Peter Michels, E. Louise Misegades, 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, Harriet Siples, Shirley Slater, Johanna Smith, The Spitler Family, Terry Springer, Marian Waltz, Dana Wichern, Sandra Woodruff Cully, Stan Volz

Sympathy


Sympathy is extended to AJ Calkins and family in the death of his aunt, Joy DeBruyne, on November 4, 2022.

Chancel Flowers


Chancel flowers today are from Nicky Brumbeloe in memory of Harriet Siples.

The acolyte for today is Cora Bilinski.

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.

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: Isaiah 43:1-3, 5-7


Hymn No. 407 “How Firm a Foundation” | FOUNDATION


Invocation & Lord's Prayer


Passing of the Peace


Response Song: "Here in This Place"


Peace Prayer


Welcoming of New Members


Pastoral Prayer


Anthem: “Come Thou Almighty King” | Victor Johnson


Scripture: Mark 13:1-13


Sermon: “Discipleship in Difficult Times”


Hymn No. 173 “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” | PESCADOR DE HOMBRES


Benediction


Postlude

This Week

Birthdays

November 14

Carol Miller


November 15

Ty Ratajczak 


November 16

Pam Etheridge

Jacob Key 

Patrick Vonderau


November 17

Katie Carboneau 

Garrett Pogue


November 18

Teddy Hurni


November 19

Erin Shaw 


Next Week's Birthdays


November 20

Lowell Beineke

Amber Butler

Valerie Pelz


November 22

Jenna Rupp

Darlene Smith

Ross Sonday

Deb Tuttle


November 23

Matt Brown

Kirstin Springer

Ruth Anne Sprunger


November 24

Kathleen Simunek


November 25

Mary Bir

Doug Powers

Jessie Throop-Voors

Christine Week


November 26

Chris Randolph

Calendar

Sunday, November 13

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Education Hour

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship Service

11:00 am Knit and Kibitz Holiday Sale

11:30 am Youth Group Just Neighbors Meal Prep

11:30 am OWL Class

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)

4:00 pm Plymouth Music Series: Wagner Pástor and Andrea Salazar


Monday, November 14

Office Closed

5:30 pm Centering Prayer Group


Tuesday, November 15

9:30 am Religion and Culture Class with Dr. Michael Spath

12:00 pm Women's Book Study

1:00 pm Staff Meeting

4:00 pm Moderators' Meeting

5:30 pm Board Meetings


Wednesday, November 16

2:45 pm Study Connection

5:15 pm Wednesday Night Live


Thursday, November 17

1:00 pm Study Group (online)

5:00 pm Peace and Justice Committee Meeting


Saturday, November 19

7:00 pm Youth Lock-In


Sunday, November 20

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Education Hour

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

9:00 am Youth Group Bread Sale

9:00 am Standish Wreath Pick-Up

10:00 am Worship Service

11:15 am Hanging of the Greens

11:30 am OWL Class

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)

Sunday, November 13: Chapel Class Series

Baruch Spinoza was one of the most important thinkers in the 17th ​‌century. In this four-part chapel class series continuing this Sunday, November 13, Joel Givens will provide a brief biographical description of Spinoza, discuss the context in which he was writing, offer a brief overview of key philosophical concepts from the Ethics, and address implications for Christianity, politics, and day to day living. Joel will include experiential learning exercises to enrich the lecture points, and he will facilitate discussions to promote understanding of the concepts. This won't be a boring philosophy class; Joel will present a fun, engaging, and applicable approach to Spinoza's ideas. This class will be available in-person or on Zoom.

Zoom Link

Sunday, November 13: Knit & Kibitz Annual Sale

Standish Circle Knit & Kibitz group will hold their annual fundraising sale following

worship Sunday, November 13. Donated items for the sale include apparel for all ages and home décor. Pepper jelly will also be available for purchase. Purchases can be made by cash or check. All proceeds go to family support agencies.

Sunday, November 13: Music Series - Tenor Wagner Pástor and Soprano Andrea Salazar

Newcomers to Fort Wayne, this husband and wife duo from Ecuador will present

a varied program from classical art song to indigenous music from South America on Sunday, November 13 at 4:00 pm.

Monday, November 14: New Night for Centering Prayer

Our Centering Prayer group is moving to a new night! Please consider joining us for this time of silent prayer and fellowship on the 2nd and 4th Monday nights of each month. Our first meeting will be Monday, November 14 at 5:30 pm. We will gather for a time of informal fellowship, then transition into 20 minutes of silent, centering prayer, followed by a time of reflection. No experience is needed, so come check us out any time!

Tuesday, November 15: Women's Book Study

The November book choice for Plymouth's Women's Book Study is Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving. We will meet Tuesday, November 15 at 12:00 pm in the Amistad Room. 


"This is the book Irving wishes someone had handed her decades ago. By sharing her struggle to understand racism and racial tensions, she offers a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance. As Irving unpacks her own long-held beliefs, she reveals how her well-intentioned mindsets actually perpetuated ill-conceived ideas about race. She also explains why and how she's changed the way she talks about racism, works in racially mixed groups, and understands the antiracism movement as a whole. Exercises at the end of each chapter prompt readers to explore their own racialized ideas. "


Anyone who self-identifies as a woman is welcome to drop in for one or more of our sessions if the book interests them. We meet on the third Tuesday of most months from 12:00 pm until 1:15 pm in the Amistad Room.

Wednesday, November 16: Wednesday Night Live Programming

Wednesday Night Live programming starts each week at 5:15 pm with Bible Study, Children’s Choir and Adult Choir rehearsals. A catered dinner is served at 6:00 pm, with Bell Choir at 6:45 pm. A sign-up sheet is in the Folsom Room for those who wish to attend dinner. Recommended donation is $8 but is pay as you are able. Wednesday Night Live is a great way to get more involved in the life of the church and get to know other church members. Join us for one or more of the scheduled programs, or just join us for dinner and fellowship! We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, November 16: Bible Study

Join Rev. Murphy and others in Plymouth’s weekly Bible study, which is offered during Wednesday Night Live from 5:15 pm to 6:00 pm. We are now offering a hybrid model: in-person in the Chapel with an online Zoom option as well. For those who intend to join online, please click the link below and enter the following password when prompted: 805552.

Zoom Link

Saturday, November 19: Help Not Handcuffs Teach-In

The Help Not Handcuffs Coalition is offering another teach-in opportunity on Saturday, November 19 focused on mass incarceration, racial justice, and the new jail proposal in Allen County. Rev. Murphy will be co-facilitating the teach-in, which begins at 3:00 pm and will be located at The Impact Center, 3420 E Paulding Road, Fort Wayne, 46816. If you are interested in attending or what to learn more, please see Rev. Murphy or email him at tcm@plymouthfw.org.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, November 22: Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Please join in this interfaith service with the Fort Wayne community on Tuesday, November 22 at 7:00 pm. The theme is “From Mourning to Dancing.” After a three-year hiatus, it’s back! This event will take place at Congregation Achduth Vesholom, 5200 Old Mill Road, Fort Wayne. Refreshments and information tables will be available after the service. Plymouth is a co-sponsor of this event.

Thursday, November 24: Thanksgiving Day Service and Meal at Plymouth

Plymouth will once again host a Thanksgiving Day service and meal. The service will be held in the Chapel at 11:30 am on Thanksgiving Day, followed by a traditional Thanksgiving meal (with all the fixings) in the Folsom Room at 12:00 pm. For those who would like to contribute a dish to the meal, or for those who would like to help with set up, cooking, service, or clean up, there is a sign-up sheet in the Folsom room. Please sign up by Sunday, November 20 if you would like to participate.

Sunday, November 27: Rev. Murphy Book Reading and Signing

Rev. Murphy will be reading and presenting his first illustrated children’s book after worship on Sunday, November 27 in the Folsom Room. It’s entitled Jesus Learns to Glow. Books will be available for sale and signing.

General Announcements

Important 2023 Stewardship Pledge Information!

STOP! Is your 2022 stewardship pledge set up with your bank account or credit card? If yes, you must set up a new pledge for 2023 on the new giving platform. Your pledge for 2022 will not automatically roll over to the new year and will end on December 31, 2022. Please follow this link plymouthfw.org/stewardship to set up your 2023 pledge. If you have questions or need assistance, please call the office at (260) 423-9424 and ask for Tina Puitz, Office Manager or Stephen Cook, Financial Administrator.

New Giving Platform Assistance

A new online giving platform is now available to simplify the donation process! Make one-time or recurring gifts, access your donation history, or make changes to your giving plan through this easy-to-use portal, which can be accessed at this link. Assistance is available over the phone or in person to those desiring help in setting up their online giving account with Tina Puitz (Office Manager) or Stephen Cook (Financial Administrator) on Wednesday, November 9 and 16 from 2:30 – 4:30 pm and Friday, November 11 and 18 from 9:00 – 11:00 am.

New Member Bios

This Sunday, we welcome a new group of members to Plymouth Church. Click the button below to read each of their bios.

Read New Member Bios

Grant/Scholarship Opportunities for Tuition and Fees for Academic Credit

The Grants and Scholarships Committee has the pleasant responsibility of awarding scholarship grants for tuition and fees for academic credit from the earnings generated by several endowed funds.


Applications for the following scholarships are due in the church office by February 15:


  • The Richard Nelson Kent Memorial Fund provides educational grants for tuition and fees for academic credit for members of the United Church of Christ in the Northeast [Indiana] Association and other qualified applicants who are at least 16 years of age and entering into or continuing ecological studies, conservation biology, or other environmentally related studies.


  • The Van Gorder Scholarship is awarded annually for tuition and fees for post-secondary education leading to a degree, certificate, or license for a graduating senior who is a member of Plymouth Church.


Applications for the following scholarship is due in the church office by April 15:


  • The Richard C. Hess Peace Studies Scholarship provides a $1,000 tuition and fees scholarship for a college student majoring in peace studies or a related program.


Completed applications for grants/scholarships for tuition and fees for academic credit with all supporting materials must be received in the church office by the respective due dates. Incomplete applications are ineligible for consideration.


To request application packets for these funds or to receive additional information, call the church office (260) 423-9424 and leave your name, phone number, and email address so a member of the Grants and Scholarships Committee can respond to your request.

Poinsettia Order Forms Due December 4

It’s time to order your Christmas poinsettias! Ordering poinsettias is an easy way to remember, honor, and celebrate loved ones and friends, while helping to decorate our church home for Christmas. To order, please fill out the order form and return it with your check to the church office by Sunday, December 4. Poinsettias are $11.00 each. Please take your plant home with you following the 10:00 pm worship service on Christmas Eve.


To place an order, please either click the button below to print off a copy of the order form to fill out and return to the church office, or pick up an order form in the church office on Sunday morning.

Print Order Form Here

Boar’s Head Kitchen Crew Volunteers Needed

The Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival is December 29 and 30, 2022. Between the 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm services, the kitchen crew serves food to the cast, orchestra, and crew. The kitchen crew is always looking for additional volunteers to spend a few hours or the entire afternoon/evening in the kitchen preparing food. A big thanks to those kitchen crew members who return year after year. We also gladly welcome new crew members. Between making sandwiches and cutting fruits and vegetables, there is a lot of lively banter and conversation. We usually get started early in the afternoon each day. If you would like to be part of the kitchen crew on one or both days, please send an email to Diana Bauer at dcb1120@gmail.com. Boar's Head is a huge part of Plymouth and the kitchen crew makes an important contribution to the overall production!

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!).

Holiday Outreach Opportunities

The E&M Board has several opportunities in the coming holiday season for Plymouth to express our love of neighbor. Mindful of rising costs, we have decided on some budget-friendly collection efforts. It is our hope that providing information on all of them at once will allow folks to make choices ahead of time and plan accordingly, without feeling overwhelmed or pressured as projects are promoted separately. Thank you in advance for being the church!


November 8 – December 4 (FW Pride Christmas)


This was meant to be a December collection, but wrapped gifts are due by Dec. 9, so November it is! We know that plenty of Plymouth folks already participate in FW Pride’s Christmas for families in need, and we had fun ourselves playing Santa with FW Pride last year. We also know that sponsoring a family – or even one kid – by yourself can be a real expense. So, if you’d like to participate in FW Pride’s Christmas this year, but aren’t sure about sponsoring a family solo, E&M is organizing an “Angel Tree” for a larger family. Beginning November 8, you can choose one gift item to purchase (usually $25-$30), and help a family have a happy Christmas.


November 8 – January 1


During this season, we will be collecting unopened canned/boxed food items. From what is collected, we will work to help keep the community pantry in the parking lot stocked during the winter. Please ensure cans have “pop tops” so they can be opened without a can opener if necessary. Canned meats and beans, hearty soups and pastas, and potatoes are treasures! Peanut butter, shelf-stable microwave meals, and instant oatmeal are easy for kids to prepare! Canned fruit, canned veggies, and condiments really complete a meal! Shelf-stable milk is a miracle!

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

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:


  • 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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