Our Latest News and Activities

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost


Please join us for worship at 8am and 10 am in our Sanctuary.

Rev. Lindsay Popperson 

will be preaching at both services.

*****

Scripture Lessons:

Deuteronomy 26:1-11 and Philippians 4:4-9

The Lindsay Popperson's sermon: "Our Complicated Stories"


Please click here to view the 10am bulletin.

Children's Faith Formation


Join us for time of Thanksgivings as we first gather in the sanctuary, then up to the classroom. Next week we will begin our Advent journey!

 

Childcare for Infants to 4 years old are welcome to join Rey and Donna Weiner, upstairs in the First Church Meeting House room, beginning at 9:50.

 

Registration Forms can be found here.

CPR Training


Thanks to the generosity of the Marblehead Fire Department, James Horgan has kindly offered to teach a CPR class this coming Sunday, November 20th after the 10.00 am service.  Those attending should plan to be in the Parish Hall in comfortable clothes ready for a punctual 12.00 noon start. Please let Lynda Hare at [email protected] know if you would like to participate.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Tuesday, November 22nd at 7pm at Old North Church


Each year we celebrate a delightful tradition where all the faith communities in our town gather together to offer thanks to God. The service moves from sanctuary to sanctuary and this year it is coming home to our church. Music and prayers and a unique gathering in fellowship will help us fully experience this national holiday and holy day. Please join us at 7pm at our church.

  

All interested singers are welcome to participate in the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service hosted by Old North Church on Tuesday, November 22. Singers will gather for a warm-up rehearsal in the Sanctuary at 6pm, and will sing – from the pews – with piano accompaniment, led by Karen Gahagan. The repertoire will be The Road Home by Stephen Paulus plus traditional hymns of the season. All participants must be vaccinated, and masks are encouraged while singing. Please email Maria at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.


Stewardship Update


From generous hearts 

 

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”  ~ Maya Angelou

 

Thank you to everyone who has sent in their pledges, brought them to church or let us know online. You are impacting our future mission and ministry. You are making a difference in people's lives. It is liberating. 

 

We continue to encourage folks to make a pledge or let us know your best estimate of giving for the coming year.   These will be gratefully received any time. 

 

Pledge cards are available in the pew racks and were sent in a recent mailing. You may also indicate your giving online at:

www.onchurch.org/pledge.

Festival Chorus


The popular Old North Festival Chorus Holiday Concerts are fast approaching! Tickets are priced at $30,  and may be purchased in advance – online HERE, in person at Arnould Gallery or Crosby’s Marketplace, or after church in the Narthex. We are pleased to have added a QR code to our posters, postcards, and marketing materials! Simply point your electronic device at the QR code, and order away!


The Festival Chorus Committee is also seeking your generous support of these cherished and enduring annual events at Old North! Please consider becoming a Friend of the Festival Chorus, with a tax-deductible contribution! With checks as our preferred method of payment, please make your check out to Old North Church (with Festival Chorus in the memo) and send to: Festival Chorus, OLD NORTH CHURCH, 8 Stacey Street, Marblehead, MA, 01945. You may also reserve tickets in advance by calling 781-608-2782.  Thank you! 


Marblehead Food Pantry


Just to remind you that November is the month for Old North to stack the shelves at the Marblehead Food Pantry. As with so many food pantries around the world, there has been a significant uptick in how many households are relying on the Pantry for their daily needs and as of now, MHD is helping upwards of 60 households, a number that rises by the week. Unfortunately, your generous financial donations have not been able to keep pace with what we have committed to supply and we are considerably down from the funds that we had a year ago. As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, and if you are able, please write a check made out to Old North Church, with Food Pantry in the Memo. Your donation will truly make such a difference to so many. Please contact Lynda Hare at [email protected] for further information.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel 

 Advent Candle Lighting

in the 

Old North Church Sanctuary

Sundays November 27, December 11, 18

4:30-5:30 



Join us for a time to pause, and to make space in our hearts, minds and souls as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child.



The sanctuary will be prepared with candles for lighting, and space for gentle rest, stay for a few minutes or for a while. 


Poinsettias


Envelopes for the poinsettia plants for our church display on December 11th are in the pews starting this week. Plants are $22 this year; checks may be made payable to Old North Church. Plants may be designated in memory or in honor of someone if you would like to do so. We appreciate your help in making the sanctuary beautiful for Christmas! You may also mail or drop off a check at the church office, 8 Stacey St with your requested designation. We must receive all orders no later than Thursday, December 1.

Capital Campaign Update


The capital campaign has been rescheduled to kickoff during the Lenten season 2023. Leadership has decided to focus on stewardship this fall. We're looking forward to sharing with you all the possibilities the capital campaign will bring us.

Men's Group


On Thursday, November 3, ONC men hiked in Lynn Woods and this time they did not get lost! Below are Ricky Von Reuden, Davy Hostetter and Richie Thibedeau.  


If you would like more information about the men's group and would like to get on their email list, please contact Dave Hostetter at:

[email protected].


New members are always welcome!

Outreach Ministry Board


On Monday, members of the Community Life Ministry board gathered to bake 69 loaves of pumpkin bread for clients of the Marblehead Food Pantry.  The loaves were packaged and delivered to the Pantry this morning. The Pantry staff were so appreciative of this special delivery. Thank you for your efforts to make this thoughtful treat for the families!

Fresh Sunday Flowers are Back!


Fresh flowers are back! And with them, heartfelt dedications in honor or memory of a special loved one. If you would like to participate in this beautiful tradition, please send an email to Bonnie MacDonald at [email protected]. She will help you select a date for your personal message and flower donation.

HAWC Sponsor a Family


HAWC (Healing Abuse Working for Change) is one of the organizations which Old North Church Supports with your pledge contributions. They are asking for sponsors to help brighten the holidays for survivors of domestic abuse. Family sizes range from 1-5 children, aged babies to teens. The suggested gift expenditure is $50 per child. Gifts must be dropped off at HAWC between November 28-December 10. They also appreciate donations of wrapping paper, gift bags and gift cards. For more information, please go to their website, here.

Committee Minutes


The Leadership Board met on Thursday, November 10 at 7pm. Approved minutes from the Board's October meeting are attached here.


The Outreach Ministry Board met on Monday, November 14th at 5m. Approved minutes from their September meeting are attached here.

Give to Old North While Shopping

Use smile.amazon.com when shopping at Amazon and 0.5% of your spending amount will be donated to our church (subscription and digital purchases are excluded). Instead of going directly to www.amazon.com, go to smile.amazon.com and login with your normal User Name and Password. Make sure that you confirm First Church of Christ in Marblehead as your selected charity. If not, enter “First Church of Christ in Marblehead” in the text box and click “search” then confirm your selection. You will only have to do this once – your selection will be saved with your account. Easy! To use Amazon Smile on your iOS or Android Amazon app, open the app and then open the Main Menu. Scroll down to Settings and tap on Amazon Smile. Follow the onscreen instructions to turn on donations from orders placed on your phone.

Office Hours

The church office is open regular office hours: Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 - 1:30.  Please note that Friday is a virtual work from home day. If you have an emergency outside of office hours, please send an email to [email protected].

Contact Us: 781-631-1244

Church Address: 35 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945
Mailing Address: 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945