Old North Church is an Open and Affirming congregation of the
 United Church of Christ.

 

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  781-631-1244 
  
Rev. Dr. Dennis Calhoun

Rev. Karla Miller

Lisa Nahatis
  
Maria vanKalken
  
Karen Kilty
kwkilty@gmail.com

Rebecca Kenneally
  
Sandy Barrett
  
Betsey Halbert
  
  
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Marblehead's Little Harbor
 from the Old North Church Tower 
    
 Sunday, March 18, 2018
Fifth Sunday in Lent

Today's Scripture Lesson:
John 12:20-33 
 
The Rev. Karla Miller's Sermon:
"Where I Am"
 
  
Our Vision Statement
Old North Church is an inclusive Christian Community called to bring to life God's love and grace by sharing the gospel for this time and place; extending the hospitality Christ showed; embodying God's love and compassion to those in need; and growing together in our understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit at work in our midst.
Welcome the Stranger Interfaith Service
Sunday, March 18 10am at Old North
Congregants from Temple Emanu-el, St. Andrews and the Clifton Lutheran Church will be joining us at the 10 o'clock here at Old North for a Welcome the Stranger fellowship service recognizing Danie and Annie's journey settling into their new home in this country.

Following the 10:00 AM service a coffee and brunch reception will be offered in the Parish Hall. Please email, text or call brunch coordinator Sally Sands 508-843-7401, sallybsands@gmail.com if you are willing to provide any of the following: coffee cake, muffins, deviled eggs, fruit platter, juice, set-up/clean-up, or a financial contribution to offset brunch costs. Thank you!

The Community Life Ministry is Hosting a Paint Night March 18 5-7pm                   

Come paint a picture under professional guidance while having fun and enjoying light appetizers and bring-your-own drinks! Attendees should be 21+ please. The event will be held next Sunday, March 18th from 5-7pm in the Parish Hall. Feel free to bring a friend. Please arrive anytime after 4pm to enjoy fellowship and light bites.  If you would like to bring an appetizer to share, please do!  Painting will begin at 5pm.  Cost is $20 per person, and sign up is required.  Please email Diane Caldwell at dcaldwell5@yahoo.com or call 781-367-6145.
Lenten Choral Concert
Sunday, March 25 at 7:30pm
Please plan to attend our annual Lenten concert on Sunday March 25 at 7:30pm. (in the evening of Palm Sunday). This year's concert will feature the stunning choral masterpiece, Ein Deutsche Requiem by Johannes Brahms, The Crucifixion, by Samuel Barber and Pie Jesu from the Duruflé Requiem, to be performed by the Old North Festival Chorus with soloists, Holly Cameron, Stephanie Scarcella, Kevin Hayden and Jonathan Cole, and accompanied by the Festival Chorus Chamber orchestra. The concert is intended to be part of the observance of Holy Week at Old North Church, therefore we do not wish to sell ads or tickets to this event. We like to think of it as a "musical reflection." If you would like to help us to defray costs of this wonderful project in a meaningful way, you may make a donation of any amount to have your name printed in the program as a Sponsor or In Loving Memory of someone.
 
All donations are due no later than Wednesday, March 21 -please see the attached flyer.
  
We are Within $21,000 of Our Goal!!
Results to date:
259 Pledges, $479,488
Thank you!
Thank you to all who have responded to our Stewardship campaign and our most recent reminder to send your pledge card in. We are now within $21,000 of our goal of $500,000 but we need your help to get there! Every pledge matters.
If you make regular contributions in the offertory but have not filled out a pledge card, would you consider doing so? Your pledge dollars fund our annual church budget. You may pledge online at: www.onchurch.org/donate, place your card in the offertory plate, or return it to the church office at 8 Stacey St.
Easter Lilies
We are providing envelopes in the pews for those who wish to order lilies for the April 1st Easter services. All orders must be in by Palm Sunday, March 25. Plants are $21 this year and if paying by check, please make it out to Old North Church and write "Easter plants" on the memo line. Plants may be picked up following the 11:00 am service on Easter morning. Thank you!
Church Directories Are Ready!
 
Our church directories are now available at the Membership table! If you find any errors in your listing, please contact Lisa in the church office at office@onchurch.org or 781-631-1244. 
Children's Church               
This week in Children's Church we will hear a story that Jesus told about some seeds. He told his friends this story to try to help them understand what was going to happen to him - that he would die, but that his death would not be the end, that he would rise again! We will be planting our own seeds to watch them die away over the days ahead and become a plant filled with new life.
 
Next Sunday, March 25 is Palm Sunday and in Children's Church we will hear stories of the events of Holy week, from laying down palms for Jesus' arrival on the donkey to the empty tomb on Easter day. I hope you will join us!

Welcome the Stranger

Progressive Dinner Saturday, March 24

 
Saturday March 24. Welcome the Stranger Progressive Dinner. A fun evening will be dining with members of the four partnering faith communities in host homes and then all gathering for dessert at the Clifton Lutheran Church.
 
For additional information  contact Richard Thibedeau rsthibedeau@verizon.net or 781.307.5538 or Marcy Bernstein at auntmarcy@aol.com or 203-253-5353.
  

Lenten Supper Series

Wednesdays, 6pm in the Great Room

Once again this year,  we are gathering for a light supper and study/discussion starting at 6 pm in the Great Room (in the Stacey Street office.) Our discussions will center on The Word in the Wilderness, a collection of poems and essays for Lent and Easter by Malcolm Guite, a poet, priest and singer-songwriter who is Chaplain of Girton College at Cambridge University.  Following our meal each week, we will observe an abbreviated form of Lectio Divina centered on one of the poems.  Materials for study/discussion will be provided each evening, but the book can be purchased in paperback or Kindle edition at amazon.com. The gatherings will end at 7:30. Our final session will be held on Wednesday, March 21. Hope to see you there!
  

Old North Women's Group News

Meeting on March 27 at 7pm

Last month's Women's Night was well attended and lots of fun!  Our next one will be on Tuesday, March 27th, 7 pm, in the Great Room on Stacey Street.  Come enjoy some wine and cheese (and more) and good conversation (feel free to bring an appetizer or beverage to share).  This month we are hoping people will bring a special poem, quote, or mantra to share.  Need a ride?  Let us know - we might be able to help.  Any questions?  Please contact Dara VanRemoortel, Community Life Ministry Board, at 781-631-8336, dara@musicwithdara.com.  
Holy Week Worship Schedule
Sunday, March 25 - Palm Sunday
Worship Services at 8 and 10am
Lenten Choral Concert at 7:30pm
 
Thursday, March 29 - Maundy Thursday
Service of Tenebrae at 8pm
 
Sunday, April 1 - Easter Sunday
Sunrise Worship at 6am at Old Burial Hill
Worship Services at 9 and 11am in the Sanctuary
Holy Week Choir Schedule
                        
Anyone wishing to join the choir to sing for Holy Week is welcome to do so. Please email Maria vanKalken at vankalken@gmail.com. The choir schedule for Holy Week is as follows:

Wednesday, March 28: Rehearsal - Music Room 7:30pm
 
Thursday, March 29 Maundy Thursday Service: 
Warm-up Rehearsal - Sanctuary 7pm
        Service - Sanctuary8pm
 
Saturday, March 3: Rehearsal - Sanctuary 10am-11:30am
 
Sunday, March 27 EASTER SUNDAY:                           
Warm up Rehearsal - Sanctuary 8am
Service - Senior Choir & Bells - Sanctuary 9am
        CHOIR BREAKFAST - Parish Hall
        Service: ALL CHOIRS - Sanctuary 11am

High School Youth Group

24 Hour Service Trip

The High School Youth Group participated in  a very successful and rewarding a 24 Hour Service Trip to Boston last weekend. We had 4 chaperones and 16 high school youth members. Friday night was spent enjoying pupusas from a local restaurant, experiencing an informative prayer tour around Boston and playing games at the church in Charlestown.  Early Saturday morning we got up to volunteer at the Red Cross Boston Food Pantry. We then spent a couple of impactful hours in Boston Common and Downtown Crossing on an Immersion project to greet and meet the needs of the homeless population. Lastly we divided the group and half of us stayed at the newly renovated Charlestown church to clean, repair and organize the sanctuary for Sunday services while the other half worked at Loaves and Fishes to prepare and serve meals. We ended the day with delicious falafel sandwiches and made our way home. A lot was learned about Boston and its stuggles and everyone worked very hard serving at each of the projects.
 
The Power of Flowers: Help Share It      
Most Sundays we have lovely floral arrangements prepared by our Flower Committee to beautify our sanctuary and glorify our Creator. When our worship ends, one way our service continues is by offering those flowers to people in the congregation or community as a tangible way of sharing our care and concern along with our thoughts and prayers.   There are usually enough flowers for four bouquets. Please, if you know of someone who would be cheered by a special thought, come to the front of the sanctuary following worship and speak to the volunteer who is rearranging the flowers for delivery. You can deliver them, along with a pre-printed note, to someone they will touch. This is a ministry that blesses both giver and receiver. Please help share the love! 
Greeter/Welcome Table Hosts are Needed!
The Membership Committee would like to invite members of the congregation to host the name tag/greeter table in the Narthex prior to the 10:00 service on Sunday mornings.  We are looking for all ages to help greet people who require name tags-parents with children, youth, men & women are most welcome.  If you are interested please contact Linda Davis at pldavis.pd@gmail.com, 781-639-0405 or Christine Arren at c_arren@yahoo.com 781-449-4228 or stop by the table on Sunday morning prior to church.
ONC Coffee House/Reading Room
The Beals Room in our Stacy Street office building will be open every Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11 AM for everyone to drop in, make themselves a cup of coffee or tea, read the available newspapers, talk with anyone else present, and/or contemplate the many ways God works in lives.   
A Call to Action!
If you enjoy getting together in the parish hall after church for coffee, please consider hosting one Sunday.  It's easy and a lovely way to get to talk to people with whom you may not ordinarily interact.  I need you to find a friend and give me a call (cell: 781-530-0065) or drop me an email (jdoyle@doylesails.com).  We will all thank you.
Coffee with Karla Friday Mornings
at Haley's!
Please come and join me for a chat, to share a concern, or just enjoy good conversation.  Coffee Hours are held at Haley's every Friday from 9:30-11am.
 Do You Need Help With Transportation?
Would you like to attend church services or church events but need help with transportation?  Please let us know.  We can try to help.  Please contact Dara VanRemoortel, Community Life Ministry Board, at 781-631-8336, dara@musicwithdara.com.
Caring Committee
Community Life Ministry Board/Caring Committee -Are you, or do you know someone who is, experiencing a hardship or stress of some kind?  A death in your family?  An illness?  Recent surgery?  Something else? The Community Life Ministry Board would like to help ease your hardship or stress with a meal, assistance with an errand, a visit, a phone call.  Please reach out to us.
Lynda Hare: 781-639-0107 or hares8carrots@hotmail.com
Linda Duvel: 781-631-1703 or linda.bill.duvel@gmail.com
Dara VanRemoortel: 781-631-8336 or                                       dara@musicwithdara.com
MACUCC Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
June 15-16 in Springfield, MA
Registration is now open for the MACUCC Tri-Conference Annual Meeting. 

"Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us." 
~ Romans 5:5.
 
These are indeed times filled with hope as we - the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences - consider voting to form a new, united conference with the hope of making our region a more just, loving, and compassionate place.

For more information or to register, please visit www.macucc.org
  

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  Old North Church

35 Washington Street

Marblehead, MA 01945

 

Mailing Address:

8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945