The Church of the Pilgrimage

2.5.26

"a beacon for good in the world"

Friends,

We worship in a church that is a mere 40 miles from the Massachusetts’s State House on Beacon Hill. The State House is adorned with a golden doom. The persons who selected the location and constructed the State House did so with intention. Their desire was for the State House to be a Beacon of Light to the world reflecting the words found in Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

Our Pilgrim ancestors believed that what they created in Plymouth and later in Massachusetts was a light for the world. We all know that the light has been brighter and dimmer at various moments in history. And yet, we are the inheritors of both Matthew’s Gospel and the Pilgrim’s belief, and therefore we are called to be the light to the world through our good works.

May our light shine in a world where darkness is growing.

Peace,

Rev. Tim

Salt and light

By Poetry in Motion



Yesterday, you were my God

I saw you, in the eyes of a stranger

I heard you, in their indignation

And I felt you, in their sorrow

And I did nothing

Today, you are my God

I saw you, growing my garden

I heard you rustling through the trees

And I felt your warmth, on my face

And I smiled

Tomorrow, you’ll still be my God

I will see you, if I dare to look

I will hear you, if I am still

And I will feel you, working within my heart

For you are the same God

Yesterday, today, and forever

Help me to be salt,

to those who need to taste

And light,

to those who are lost in their own darkness

And compel me to act,

today.

Bible Study

Bible study continues with Rev. Tim next week on

Tuesday, February 10^th at 10:30am & 5:30pm.

The passage for this coming Tuesday is:

Matthew 4:1-11

Music Notes

The prelude this week is a setting of the hymn tune St. Columba by James Boeringer (1930-2014). Boeringer was a composer, author and teacher. He taught in North Dakota, Oklahoma and finally at Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. An organist for nearly seventy years, he continued as organist at the Fifth Church of Christ, Scientist in Georgetown (Washington, D.C.) just shortly before his death.

The postlude is the first movement of a concerto for two violins by the Venetian composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1740). Johann Sebastian Bach created this transcription for organ. This and other transcriptions are seen as a mark of deep respect for fellow composers that helped shape the output of this musical master.

Enjoy!



--Michael Eaton

Scout Sunday

Join us on February 8^th as we celebrate Scouting Sunday and recognize our three Scouting units charted by our church. Scouts and their leaders will participate in the service, and we will honor their achievements and service and recognize them as a valued addition to our church’s mission and outreach to our community.

Following the service, all are invited to Allerton Hall to visit unit displays and learn more about our Cub Pack and two Scout Troops. 

We really appreciate the many adult leaders and volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to support the youth of our community. Please take a moment next Sunday to thank them!

This is also a great opportunity to bring your children or grandchildren, to church to learn more about Scouting. It could make a very positive and lasting influence on their life.



Here are a few of the activities and service project that were accomplished this past year. See you Sunday!

2nd Cookie Bake for Immigrant Families

Jenny Healy is hosting a Valentine’s gathering to make cookies for immigrant families on Saturday, February 7th, 10:00AM - 12:00 PM in the church kitchen. 

She needs and will really appreciate your cookie dough that’s ready to roll out for cookie cutter cookies

Here’s how you can help.

*Bring prepared wrapped cookie dough on Sunday February 1 or any day during the week, and put it in the church kitchen freezer.

OR

*Bring prepared cookie dough and yourself to the church kitchen on Saturday, February 7, 10:00AM and help Jenny make the cookies

Immigrant families will have the opportunity to decorate these cookies in celebration of Valentine’s Day

From Your Missions & Outreach Committee

Can You Help?

The Mission & Outreach Committee will be continuing the Church of the Pilgrimage’s long tradition of supporting the Plymouth Taskforce to End Homelessness’s Overnights of Hospitality program. The Plymouth Taskforce to End Homelessness provides overnight shelter during the winter months. This year we will be providing and (serving) dinner as well as supplying breakfast-to-go on March 12^th.

Volunteers are also needed ( on 3/12) to provide the entrée ( we are currently signed up for Shepherd’s Pie) for approximately 18 people. We also need volunteers to provide vegetables and/or salad, bread & butter, dessert, a gallon of water, a gallon of whole milk and a quart of half n half. In addition, we are looking for a case of water bottles, bananas, packaged cereal or granola bars, and packaged peanut butter/cheese crackers.

If you would like to help please contact Charlene Moore at plymoore@comcast.net or at 617-688-0188 for more details. For more information on the program please go to Plymouth-taskforce-homeless.org

Thank you.

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

January-February Upper Room Devotional Booklets

We received an extra 15 copies due to a postal glitch. These have been placed on the table outside the sanctuary and are available for free for anyone who would enjoy reading a wonderful devotional booklet. Just take one and enjoy!

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.

Intersectional Environmentalism 

Learn about or talk to a friend about the intersection of environmental justice and racial justice. Marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation. The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People & Planet by Leah Thomas is a great resource.

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 6: Revelation Study, 11:00am
• February 7: Cookie Baking, 10:00am
• February 8: Worship, 10:00am - Scout Sunday; Social Action 11:30am
• February 9: Monday Meals
• February 10: Bible Study, 10:30am & 5:30pm
• February 11: Christian Ed., 7:00pm, Men's Bible Study, 7:00pm; Choir, 7:00pm