Love Letters to God - Plymouth Congregational Church

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Feb 20, 2013 ... Pastoral Musings: Love Letters to God. The month of February is filled with opportunities to acknowledge people. We honor those we love on ...
Volume 51 | Number 25

February 20, 2013

Pastoral Musings: Love Letters to God Lent at Plymouth

The month of February is filled with opportunities to acknowledge people. We honor those we love on Valentine’s Day. We humble ourselves and let them know they make us better people; that our life would be miserable without them. We sacrifice money and time to show our appreciation. We buy them gifts, flowers, chocolates. We promise acts of service; of gardening, and of dinner. During this month, we also honor our forefathers by honoring President Washington and President Lincoln’s birthdays. We lift up their service and acknowledge their commitment and their sacrifices for our country. This month, we also begin the process of Lent. Where we strip away our egos; strip away the love of money, of gifts, of flowers; and of chocolate. Instead we promise God acts of sacrifice; of service; of planting seeds; and of feeding the poor. We honor our Father and his Son and we lift their sacrifice paid on the cross. We acknowledge that we need to be better people; that our life would be miserable without them. We acknowledge that He is the creator and our lives were created for Him.

Please join us for a six-week Lenten series. ● ● ●

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Our schedule for each Wednesday night: ●

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What would your love letter to God look like? What things would you say? What would you share with others? How does the process of Lent shape that letter? How does the process of Lent shape you? Begin your letter today… --Debbie Maund, Plymouth Intern

Week 2 – 2/20 Prayer – the Road to Change Week 3 – 2/27 Repent? Who? Me? Week 4 – 3/6 Forgiveness: The Unheard of Miracle Guest Speaker: Dr. Mark Taylor, Seattle University Week 5 – 3/13 You’re Perfect! Week 6 – 3/20 If We Don’t Testify , Who Will?



5:45 Molly Meal in the lounge ($10 requested donation) 6:30 Contemplative worship in the Sanctuary 7:10 Program in the lounge 8:30 Program ends

There is no cost for the series except for the dinner. Please sign up by contacting Jennifer Castle at [email protected] so we can get an accurate dinner count. Child care is available upon request, so please also contact Jennifer if you would like child care.

The Herald is a publication of Plymouth Church Seattle 1217 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 206.622.4865 | plymouthchurchseattle.org

Submissions: [email protected]

Apply Now for Change Grants

Change Grants: substantial three-year grants to community organizations working for social justice and long-term, systemic change, with opportunities for direct involvement by Plymouth members in that work. ● ●



Three-year grants of $30,000-35,000 per year Targeted at organizations that work with and on behalf of people living on the margins. Recipients will provide ongoing opportunities for volunteers, including those from Plymouth, to be engaged with the people being served in mutually beneficial and enriching relationships.

For additional information about Change Grants, please contact Don Bell at [email protected].

Announcement Sunday, February 24, 2013 Lectionary Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18, Philippians 3:17–4:1, Luke 13:31-35 Services at 8:30 a.m. in the Chapel and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary The Reverend Brandon Duran, preaching 9:00 a.m. Soul Choir, Lounge 10:00 a.m. Plymouth Forum, Affordable Care Act, Hildebrand Hall 10:05 a.m. Bible Study, Room 225 12:15 p.m. Fellowship Hour, Lounge

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The Herald

Volume 51 | Number 25 | February 20, 2013

Plymouth Forum February 24: The Affordable Care Act

Please join us this Sunday, February 24, 10:00 a.m. in Hildebrand Hall for a lively conversation on health care changes. Dr. Robert Crittenden will outline what is coming with the Affordable Care Act. He will discuss a number of challenges to implement it well, including cost issues. He will discuss how he believes it could be improved. And lastly he will describe ways to getting better consumer input into the health care changes. Dr. Crittenden is currently the Executive Director of the Herndon Alliance, a national coalition of over 300 national and state organizations focusing on communications with a goal of achieving affordable quality health care for all people in America. The Herndon Alliance does extensive research on communications, does briefings, and trains many national and local advocacy groups, membership organizations, unions and faith groups. He has also worked for the state legislature; was a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow with Senator George Mitchell, was special assistant to Governor Gardner for health; and is a Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Health Services at the University of Washington. He has practiced as a Family Physician for over thirty years in Central and Southeast Seattle with urban underserved people. Dr. Crittenden has a B.A. degree with honors from the University of California, Berkeley; a Special Diploma in Social Studies from Oxford University; and M.D. and M.P.H. degrees from the University of Washington.

Do No Harm: Invest in People!

Special Music at Plymouth

"DO NO HARM: Invest in People!" is the theme of Faith Action Network’s (FAN’s) Interfaith Advocacy Day in Olympia. Join Plymouth's delegation on Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at The United Churches of Olympia, 110 11th Ave. SE, Olympia. From 9:00am - 3pm; Registration begins at 8:00 am. Participate in workshops that break down the issues. Learn best practices on how to advocate in today's legislature, including how to prepare for briefings and hearings. Meet with your state legislators.

Northwest Chamber Chorus in Concert Requiem by Gabriel Fauré and Rejoice in the Lamb by Benjamin Britten Featuring Plymouth Organist Douglas Cleveland Sunday, March 17, 3:00 pm

There is no fee. Faith Action Network will provide lunch, the materials for the day, and make the appointments with your legislators. Parking is limited; please consider carpooling with others from Plymouth or your area. For more information, and to register NOW, phone 206 625-9790 or go on-line at www.FANWA.org. This year, Faith Action Network narrows its focus to the following issues: ● ●











FAN will work to prevent Wage Theft. FAN will work to preserve funding for Health and Human Services (including hunger and food programs, housing, and Medicaid expansion). FAN will work toward new ways to create sufficient revenue for the budget (i.e., capital gains tax, tax exemption accountability and repeals). FAN will work toward criminal justice reforms (including the Second Chance Act, the repeal of the death penalty, and gun prevention legislation). FAN will work toward immigration reforms (including the Voting Rights Act, a drivers license bill, Washington State DREAM Act, and human trafficking prevention legislation). FAN will work for sound environmental stewardship (including issues around coal exports, climate change, and Environmental Priorities Coalition items). FAN will work on Federal budget issues as needed to support the safety net.

Questions? Contact Paul Benz at [email protected] or cell: 1-206-390-4133

The Herald

Volume 51 | Number 25 | February 20, 2013

Palm/Passion Sunday Choral music will include Hosanna to the Son of David by Orlando Gibbons, Ah, Holy Jesus by John Ferguson, and the Plymouth Ringers presenting Passion Prophecy by Cathy Moklebust. Sunday, March 24, 9:00 and 11:00 am Festival Easter Worship with the Plymouth Choir, Brass Ensemble, Plymouth Ringers, and Children’s Choir Anthems include Christ is Risen by William Matthias, and Alleluia by Randall Thompson Sunday, March 31 9:00 am and 11:00 am The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass with the Plymouth Choir and the Chancel Choir of Bellevue First Congregational Church Sunday May 19, 11:00 am Plymouth Church hosts the United Church of Christ Musicians Association National Conference July 14-17

Make a Joyful Noise!

Have you been missing the happy singing coming from the lounge on Sunday mornings? Join the Plymouth Soul Choir, led by Sari Breznau. All are welcome to join in, regardless of singing experience, age, or confidence level. The choir sings accessible yet challenging repertoire in a variety of toe-tapping styles, from gospel to country to folk. We strive for great singing in a warm supportive environment with an emphasis on joy and celebration!

Sock it to Me!

Socks, Socks, and More Socks! The Tree of Hope, aka “The Sock Tree”, is in the foyer once again, ready to collect socks for the women and children of Mary’s Place. Hanging devices (clothes pins) can be found in the basket in front of the tree. Beginning February 10 the tree will be in the foyer and will be there until the end of February. Please bring clean, new socks for women and children and have fun decorating the tree. Socks can be white or colored, striped or with polka dots, big or little; just bring socks. As the tree gets full, the socks will be removed and taken to Mary’s Place. Last year we collected over 300 pairs of socks. This year our goal is 500 pairs of socks! The need is great, the winter isn’t over and feet are cold and wet. We can do this! Bring socks with LOVE! Questions: call or email Barbara Campbell. Construction Alert! Beginning February 11 and continuing for approximately three weeks, expect traffic disruption on University between 5th and 6th Avenues. The project hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Please Hold in your Prayers Gordon B. Anderson,Tom Colwell, Muriel Dohrmann, Dave Nelson, Medora Moburg, Maurine Noble, Catherine Orsi, Bob Remole.

The Herald

Volume 51 | Number 25 | February 20, 2013