The Church of the Pilgrimage

"a beacon for good in the world"

September 24, 2026

From the Pastor...

Friends,

Water is essential for life. Without water, most humans can survive only about three days. This Sunday, the Israelites quarrel with Moses, and ultimately with God, over the lack of water in the wilderness.

This passage is near and dear to my heart. After graduating from college, I headed off to Zaire, what is now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as a Water and Sanitation Volunteer with the Peace Corps. I spent my first three months in the DRC learning local languages, and learning how to cap springs, dig wells, and build ventilated pit latrines. At the end of training, I was sent to the rural northeast part of the country close to the border with Uganda. Most people think of Africa as a dry continent. Thanks to the rainforest, the Congo River and its tributaries, the DRC does not lack water due.

The issue in the DRC is the lack of potable water, meaning water that is safe to drink and cook with, and the lack of easy access to it. The average person walks nearly four miles a day to reach the source for their drinking water. Over the next couple of years, I spent much of my time capping natural springs to ensure that local communities had access to potable water.

In the passage from Exodus, Moses splits a rock to provide drinking water for the Israelites. Spring capping isn’t quite as dramatic as splitting rocks, but the result is the same: life-sustaining water. As part of our service on Sunday, we will baptize a young child with water and the Holy Spirit. The water of baptism offers eternal life through the grafting of the person into God’s family.

The first photo is an example of a natural spring that people in Africa use for their drinking water, bathing, laundry, and more. The second photo is the same spring after it has been capped. Capping protects the natural spring from human and animal contamination, so its water is now safe to drink.

Peace,

Rev. Tim

Sunday Scripture Readings

Matthew 21:23-32

Exodus 17:1-17

Bible Study

Bible study continues with Rev. Tim next week on

Tuesday, September 29^that 10:30am & 5:30pm.

The passage for this coming Tuesday is:

Philippians 4:1-9

Music Notes

This week’s prelude is a Voluntary by John Stanley (1712-1786). Stanley lost his sight after an accident at the age of two. He began studying music at the age of seven. He soon came under the tutelage of the composer Maurice Greene (1696-1755), organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Stanley received his first appointment as organist when he was eleven. Later he was organist at the Temple Church in London. There he attracted the attention of many composers include George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) At the end of his life he was Master of the King’s Music (King George III).

The postlude is by the Belgian composer, Flor Peeters (1903-1986). Peeters was a composer, organist and teacher. He was organist that the Cathedral in Mechelen, Belgium for an incredible sixty-three years. His music has a definite contemporary aesthetic while still being accessible and enjoyable. The Festival Voluntary provides a joyous and energetic ending for our service of worship.

Enjoy!

--Michael Eaton

Pizza and Game Night

Friday October 2^nd

5:30 – 7:30

Bring a Friend and a Favorite Game

Annual Church Picnic

Food

Fellowship

and FUN!

Special Church Meeting

after the worship service on Sunday October 4, 2026

The Church Council last night voted to call the meeting for the purpose of an informational presentation by the Trustee Ministry Team to note the need for repairs on the front roofs, steeple roofs, and steeple dome of the church to deal with the leaks that have disfigured the interior walls of the sanctuary and narthex.

The Church Council voted to support the solution proposed by the Trustees at last night’s meeting. The problem and proposed solution will be presented and be open for discussion at the meeting.

Christian Education Asks,

1 Sunday to Help at the Pray-ground

1 Sunday to Be 2^nd Adult during Sunday School

Let One of Us Know If You Can Help

Nancy Medeiros, Jaimie Costa, Kathy Marks

Thanks

NEW ADULT EDUCATION OFFERING

ALL ABOUT OUR DENOMINATION:

THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

We are blessed to belong to a wonderful denomination, The United Church of Christ. There is so much to celebrate and learn! Like The Church of the Pilgrimage, the UCC has a rich history which can be traced all the way back to the Pilgrims. The UCC supports member church autonomy and personal freedom of conscience making it different from many other religious organizations. While the UCC does not have a “Creed” which members must follow, it does have specific beliefs and principles which make it a progressive, always evolving, Protestant denomination.

This 3-part program, offered by Rev. Dr. Rosemary MacKay and former UCC rep, Val Baumann, will explore the rich history of the UCC; what it means to be a UCC member church ; and its Core Beliefs, such as “God is still Speaking…”

The dates are Friday, October 2nd; Thursday, October 8th and Friday, October 16th. All classes will run from 10:30am-noon in the Marks Conference Room. Sign up at coffee hour or contact Rev Rosemary or Val. (Note— if there is interest in offering this program in the evening, we will consider offering an evening class in the Spring.) Come learn and share your thoughts about our very dynamic denomination.

The United Church of Christ: In Essentials—Unity; In Nonessentials—Diversity; In All Things—Charity.

Monday Meals

Monday Meals began a new season on September 14th and we need your HELP!

This important mission of The Church of the Pilgrimage has been offering meals and hospitality to people in need for many years.

From September through May, on Mondays, we serve a light continental breakfast followed by a hearty hot lunch. We also provide our guests with sandwiches, fruit and cookies to go, something they can have later in the day.

Allerton Hall becomes a place for our guests, some homeless, to gather and experience a welcoming space as well as nourishing food.

If you are able to be part of this important mission, there are many ways you can help:

*We need people who might be able to create a “backup” or “substitute”

team for JUST ONE MONDAY and prepare a meal for up to 50 guests.

•People who would like to join an existing monthly team.

•People willing to make a dozen sandwiches, once a month if possible, or one time only.

•We need donations of fruit juices and pastries (homemade or store bought) for the breakfast table.

•We need people to help with serving and cleanup.

•And last but definitely not least, people who will come and mingle with our guests, perhaps joining them for a cup of coffee or lunch, making them feel welcome.

If you have questions and/or are able to help with this important work of our church, speak with Karla Wood by text or email or at church.

508-254-8462

karlaw231@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Portraits

On Sunday, be sure to stop by and see the newly reframed portraits and the new addition to the Pastor portrait gallery.

Social Action Committee

At a recent meeting of the Social Action Committee, Lori Fitzpatrick, of Plymouth’s Together We Can (TWC), spoke of the need for food deliveries to several local immigrant families. Committee members have agreed to help in this regard.

Lori highlighted a need for baby furniture and supplies, as well as baby boy clothing (new and gently used). Two boys, ages 5 and 7, need clothing (sizes 7 and 8), as well as shoes (sizes 12 and 1). Diapers for little ones are also needed and, along with the clothing mentioned, can be placed in the basket at the base of the stairway leading to the sanctuary. Uber, Walmart, and Target gift cards can be donated via committee members.

Our committee meets on the second Sunday of the month, after worship. Feel free to join us!

For the the weeks to come we will share activities from Creation Justice Ministries that will educate and equip Christians to protect, restore, and rightly share God's creation.

Rest and Reflect

“The sky is my prayer, the birds are my prayer, the wind in the trees is my prayer, for God is all in all.” - Thomas Merton

Reminder to Ministry Team Leadership

Just a gentle reminder to Ministry Team leadership. Do not forget to occasionally check your box at the John Robinson Center. There may be notes or mailings for your team in the boxes.

Parking for Newcomers

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. Paid parking runs April 1 - November 30. 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.