The Church of the Pilgrimage

2.12.26

"a beacon for good in the world"

Friends,

Our journey from Bethlehem to Calvary to Easter morn enters its next stage on Wednesday, February 18, Ash Wednesday. This Sunday is a transitional moment along the journey as Peter, James, and John climb a high mountain with Jesus. This Sunday, we will experience the Transfiguration of Jesus through the eyes of Peter, James, and John, the Gospel of Matthew, and the interpretive lens of my sermon.

The disciples witness Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah and Jesus’ face shining like the Sun and his clothes turning a dazzling white. Peter wants to construct three booths one for Moses, one for Elijah, and one for Jesus so the three along with the disciples could remain in the moment for as long as possible. This is not surprising. When we encounter something beautiful or holy, I would argue that the Transfiguration is both beautiful and holy, we want to hold onto it, protect it, control it.

The Transformation cannot be contained or frozen in time. Our faith invites us to come down from this high point and engage the world we live in. Jesus leads the disciples back down the mountain—back into a world of suffering, conflict, and unmet needs. The Transfiguration is not an escape from reality; it is preparation for engagement with it. Our time on the high mountain will be a time of preparation for our own engagement with the world around us. Our lesson on the high mountain is God’s presence is not found only in moments of brightness and certainty, but also in solidarity with pain, injustice, and vulnerability. Our faith does not deny struggle; it faces it with courage shaped by love.

Peace,

Rev. Tim

Bible Study

Bible study continues with Rev. Tim next week on

Tuesday, February 17^th at 10:30am.

There will be no 5:30pm session this week.

The passage for this coming Tuesday is:

John 3:1-7

Music Notes

The prelude this week is titled O Gentle Presence by the composer E.W. Jenkins. The tune used is in our hymnal as Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart. I found this composition some years ago up in the music library here at The Church of the Pilgrimage. For a long time, I knew nothing about the composer. Former Church of the Pilgrimage Organist, Elizabeth Reilly, was able to finally fill me in on Edward Walter Jenkins (1902-1983). Jenkins was a Worcester, MA native. He was blind and attended the Perkins Institute as well as the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. Liz Reilly was able to provide me with a few other compositions from Edward Jenkins. I am glad to finally have some definitive information about this composer after playing this music for many years.

The Postlude will be Carillon by Herbert Murrill (1909-1952). This piece is evocative of a celebratory peal of bells from a church tower. Murrill was a composer and teacher who spent most of his career in the music department at the British Broadcasting Company (BBC).

Enjoy!



--Michael Eaton

Scout Sunday

From Missions

Thanks to all who continue to support our neighbors with food/goods donations. Going forward, the Missions Team has decided to make the last Sunday of each month as a day to collect for our local food pantries. We will publish a list of specifically needed items a couple of weeks before the last Sunday. The basket will remain on the stairs for those who wish to donate during the rest of the month. Again, many thanks for your continued support.  

Nancy

Lenten Study Group

All the Light

Mark Twain said that “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”

Given current circumstances, in our nation and around the world, well we might wonder if Twain was right.  There’s an all-too-familiar darkness that hovers over us and too easily infiltrates our lives.  Is there light, either at the end of the tunnel, or possibly to be discovered along the way?

Author Anthony Doerr’s novel, “All the Light We Cannot See,” speaks to this.  I invite you to read (or re-read) the book and join me at the JRC for a discussion of it on the following dates during Lent:

Friday, Feb. 27 - 11:00-12:30

    “    March 13 - 11:00-12:30

    “    March 20 - 11:00-12:30

    “    March 27 - 11:00-12:30

Hope to see you there!

Rev. Bill McCoy

Welcome Table

The Membership and Evangelism Team is beginning an initiative. It is an informal Welcome Table in Allerton Hall during Coffee Hour. The idea is simple! Beginning on Sunday, March 1st, we will place a “Welcome” sign on the round table nearest the front of the church on the ocean side. 

Our goal is to have all newcomers to our church feel welcomed and comfortable when they come to Coffee Hour.  For many people, coming to a Coffee Hour is very intimidating. Recently, I said hello to a woman at Coffee Hour and she replied, ”I was just that praying someone would come talk to me”. 

How Can You Help?  We are asking everyone in our church family to help with this welcoming effort. If you meet someone new at Church, please invite them to Coffee Hour and invite them to sit with you at the Welcome Table. If you see someone new sitting at the table, please go and chat. Here are a few hints for the easiest topics of conversation: are you new to Plymouth; what brought you to our church; did you enjoy the service? Also, you can share what you like best about our church and, if possible introduce the person to others.   

If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at gburycronin@gmaill.com or any member of the Membership Team.  Thank you

Submitted by Pat Cronin, Co-chair Membership and Evangelism Team. 

Lenten Devotionals

Lift Up Your Hearts, a Lenten Daily Devotional for Families is now available on the table in the upper vestibule at the church.

Also available on the table are limited copies of; Taste and See. This is a book of Reflection, Remembrance (and Recipes) for Holiday gatherings.

Copies of both booklets are also available in the church office.

Celebrate Valentine's Day a Little Differently

Show love for Creation this Valentine's day! Try to integrate something green-- such as an eco-friendly Valentine's Day gift, using green cleaning products, etc. 

Parking for Newcomers

Beginning December 1st, public parking is free until April.

A reminder that on Sundays most of us park on School St., Main St. Extension (3 handicap), Summer St. (4 hours), and in the Market St. and Middle St. lots. Park Plymouth has informally agreed to not start ticketing vehicles near the church until noon on Sundays. One can get parking permits from Park Plymouth at 4 North Street; ph. 508.747.5929; www.parkplymouth.com. If you have questions, please speak with Mike Eaton.

Church Office Hours



Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30am - 4:00pm

Wednesday 10:00am - 5:30pm

508-746-3026

office@8townsquare.org

On The Calendar

• February 15: Worship, 10:00am
• February 16: Monday Meals; President's Day - Church Office CLOSED
• February 17: Bible Study, 10:30am & 5:30pm; Deacons, 7:00pm
• February 18: Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00pm; No Choir Rehearsal
• February 19: Trustees, 7:00pm