Weekly Bulletin

Sunday, December 17, 2023

In Our Prayers 


New this week: Bev McFadden


Charlie Belch, Donna Belch, Mary Bir, Ruth Bracht, David Carter, Matthew Carter, Teresa Clingaman, Deb Conklin, Kris Conner, Ann Corral, David Cornwell, Brad Crowder, Lynda and Mike Eckard, Ed Gomez, Susan Green, Dan Hannie, Cheryl Harkenrider, Joseph Harkenrider, Charlene Holly, Sarah Howard, Bob Huff, Kyle Huff, Nancy Jordan, Alli Keith, Tony Kell, Brian Laurenz, Joan Lipscomb, Sandy Lockwood, Skyler Lockwood, Connie Mabe, Kelly Massey, Jane Meredith, Jim Michels, Lori Michels, Peter Michels, Ralph Miser, Pete Morris, Ron Muckway, Jim Nelson, Carol Patterson, Bonnie Pennock, Zoey Pinedo, Rainee Purdue, Jacqueline Sanders, Calvin Scantlin, Max Schilb, Barbara Senn, John Shannon, Maureen Shea, Travis Sheets, Claire Sims, Shirley Slater, Johanna Smith, The Spitler Family, Terry Springer, Ruth Anne Sprunger, Penny Trzynka, Nate Vanover, Stan Volz, Marian Waltz, Thea Westerman, Dana Wichern, Maryanne Williams, Sandra Woodruff Cully

Sympathy


Sympathy is extended to Dwight James in the death of his brother-in-law, Gerald Lockwood, December 9, Waterloo, IN.

Sunday Service

Join us for our weekly worship service at 10:00 am in-person, or through our livestream on our YouTube Channel.


If you miss out on our live broadcast, the worship service will be available on our YouTube Channel and listed by date on the Sermon Archive.

Join us for online worship!

Our in-person worship services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. We continue to record and livestream our services, with the recorded video available by Sunday evening. Masks are optional.

Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 17, 2023

Joys and Concerns


Sunday at 1:00 pm


Our weekly joys and concerns check-in will meet at 1:00 pm this Sunday. Please join this Zoom call for a time to name something we are grateful for, a concern we have, and to be in prayer together.


Those unable to join by video can call 1-253-215-8782, then enter the code 829-3823-4464#, then # when asked for the password.

Click here to join Joys & Concerns

Order of Worship


Prelude: Thee Combo


Welcome & Announcements


Centering Moment


Call to Worship: A Reading from Isaiah 61


Hymn No. 121 “Toda la Tierra” (in English) | TAULE


Invocation & Lord’s Prayer


Passing of the Peace


Lighting the Third Advent Candle: The VanAmerongen Family


Response Song: “One Candle is Lit"


Peace Prayer


Mission Moment: Crossroad Child and Family Services


Pastoral Prayer


Anthem:  “Come, Lord Jesus” arr. Mark Hayes


Scripture: Psalm 126


Sermon: “Holding Space for Joy”


Communion Hymn No. 334 “Graced with Garments of Great Gladness” | SCHUCKE DICH


Invitation to Communion

Communion


Hymn “Canticle of the Turning” (insert) | STAR OF THE COUNTY DOWN


Benediction


Postlude: Thee Combo

This Week

Birthdays

December 17

Judy Dahl

Johanna Smith

Virginia Zimmerman


December 18

Lois Steere


December 20

Jan Gibson

Simon Price

Jude Price

Riet Zwiep


December 21

Ahnee Conner


December 22

Cheryl Rinehart


December 23

John Briscoe Escosa IV


Next Week's Birthdays


December 24

Elena Dupen


December 25

Michelle Bradley

Carol Lehman

Carol Tyndall


December 26

Leeandia Justice

Steve Lauterberg


December 27

Joe Bir

Sara Ofner-Seals


December 28

Kathy Hartsch


December 29

Sharon Conrad

Calendar

Sunday, December 17

Third Sunday of Advent

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Education Hour

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship Service

11:15 am Environmental Action Team Meeting

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)


Monday, December 18

Office Closed

5:30 pm Centering Prayer Group

6:00 pm Violetta Todorova's Violin Studio Holiday Recital

7:00 pm Tapping Into Faith


Tuesday, December 19

9:30 am Michael Spath Religion and Culture Class

1:00 pm Staff Meeting

4:15 pm Moderators' Meeting

5:30 pm Board Meetings


Wednesday, December 20

3:30 pm Study Connection

5:15 pm Sanctuary Singers Rehearsal

7:00 pm Boar's Head Chorus Rehearsal


Thursday, December 21

1:00 pm Study Group (online)


Sunday, December 24

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Christmas Eve

8:30 am Fellowship Hour

9:00 am Carols and Cococa

9:00 am Worship Rehearsal

10:00 am Worship Service

1:00 pm Joys and Concerns (online)

10:00 pm Carols and Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

Sunday, December 17: "O Little Town of Bethlehem" Chapel Class

Join us this Sunday, December 17 for the final session of our three-week series on the history of this Palestinian city, its status as part of the occupied West Bank, and what’s happening there right now as war rages less than two hours away. We’ll also discuss ways we can be in solidarity with Palestinian Christians living in the city.


Please note there will be no class on December 24 and December 31 due to Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve holidays.


Chapel Class begins at 9:00 am on Sunday mornings and is open to all adults in person or on Zoom. The password for Zoom is 063060.

Chapel Class Zoom

Monday, December 17: Centering Prayer

Centering Prayer will meet this coming Monday, December 18. However, we will not meet on December 25 or January 1 due to the holidays. We will resume our weekly meetings on Monday, January 8.

Wednesday, December 20: No Wednesday Night Live

Wednesday Night Live will be taking a short hiatus during the holidays. There will be no WNL on the following Wednesdays: December 20, December 27, and January 3. WNL will resume on Wednesday, January 11 with regularly schedule programming. We will see you in 2024!

Upcoming Events

Sunday, December 24: Christmas Eve at Plymouth

As we approach Christmas Eve, here is a reminder of what will be going on that day:


9:00 am Carols and Cocoa in Folsom Room

This will be a time to sing your favorite Christmas carols or Christmas songs. Hot cocoa will be available. There will be no Chapel Class or Sunday School.


10:00 am 4th Sunday of Advent/Christmas Eve Service

Our morning service will serve as both the 4th Sunday of Advent service with elements of the traditional 4:00 pm Christmas Eve family service included, including children’s moment and communion. There will be no children’s fellowship time but childcare is provided.


10:00 pm Carols and Candlelight Christmas Eve Service

This evening service will include the singing of carols and end with our tradition of singing “Silent Night” as we share the light of Christ with each other and the world as we depart. There is no childcare for this service.

Friday, December 29 & Saturday, December 30: 47th Annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival

The 47th Annual Boar's Head and Yule Log Festival will be Friday, December 29 and Saturday, December 30, with services at 5:30 pm and 8:00 pm each night. The festival is free, but tickets are required.


The last chance for tickets for Plymouth's members and the Boar's Head cast, choir, and orchestra will be Sunday, December 17.


Call the Boar's Head Ticket Line at (260) 423-9424 ext. 325 (or ask for the Boar's Head line) with any questions, and someone from our ticket team will return your call in 24-48 hours.

Sunday, January 21: Film and Faith Rescheduled

Film and Faith, which originally was set for Sunday afternoon, has been rescheduled to Sunday, January 21. This will be a joined gathering for anyone under or over 40. We will be watching the 1966 classic Battle of Algiers. It is in Arabic and French and is one of the most influential war films of all time. Running time is 2 hours. Please RSVP to Rev. Murphy at tcm@plymouthfw.org if interested.

General Announcements

Growing Hope Globally Gift Catalog

This holiday season, Growing Hope Globally offers a charitable gift catalog so people can make charitable gifts in honor of friends or family. Donations to nonprofits in honor of loved ones make great gifts for charitably minded family members and friends, and for those who say they don't need more stuff. They also make easy-to-purchase, last-minute gifts. For the full catalog of gifts, click the button below. 

Gift Catalog

Spiritual Support Requested from Palestinian Partners

During our first meeting with our new Global Mission partners at the Wi’am Center in Bethlehem, we asked what they were most in need of right now. Their executive director, Zoughbi Zoughbi, responded that Christians in Bethlehem are feeling isolated and alone and could really use spiritual support and solidarity from their siblings in Christ around the world. To that end, we are soliciting members of Plymouth Church to write short messages of hope and solidarity to their Christian siblings in Bethlehem. These are not political messages, rather, they are messages to strengthen our Palestinian siblings in their faith during these very difficult times. Please send your completed message to Rev. Sara at smo@plymouthfw.org, who will compile all the messages into a single document and send directly to Zoughbi, to be shared with the wider Bethlehem faith community. Please contact Rev. Sara if you have questions about the content of the message.

COVID-19 Protocols: Masking Optional

Masks are optional in worship and church programming. If you are feeling under the weather or prefer to wear a mask around others, it is an ongoing option. A high-quality mask provides good protection against infection even if others around you are not wearing one. We will continue to offer livestreamed and recorded worship services for anyone unable to attend services in person.

Desk Coverage Volunteers Needed During Staff Meetings

Plymouth Church is looking for volunteers to cover the 1:00 pm Staff Meetings on Tuesdays. If you would like to assist, please sign up with Jake in the office or sign up by clicking the button below.

Sign Up Form

Open Prayer in the Sanctuary

For a time of personal prayer, the sanctuary will be available Tuesday through Thursday during office hours. Please enter through the Berry Street office entrance and check in with our receptionist. Contact Jake Slone at (260) 423-9424 or jss@plymouthfw.org with any questions.

Plymouth Church Linktree

The following links can be found on our Linktree:


  • 2024 Stewardship Campaign Website
  • Study Connection Volunteer Sign Up
  • Plymouth Directory Login
  • Chancel Flower Dedication Sign Up Form
  • Donate
  • Past Chapel Class Series
  • Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Sign Up
  • Plymouth Google Calendar
  • Plymouth's Social Media
Linktree

Plymouth Office Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday: By appointment only 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Questions? Contact the office at 260-423-9424 or office@plymouthfw.org
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