Pilgrim s Progress February 2, 2016 Vol. 58 No. 2

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1 Pilgrim s Progress February 2, 2016 Vol. 58 No. 2 Sometimes I miss Seminary. In retrospect, it was the first time in my life that I felt surrounded by so many people who were as passionate about their faith as I am about mine (translation: crazy enough to devote their lives to God through ordained Christian ministry!) And I felt surrounded by people who were fellow church nerds--who actually wanted to discuss the Trinity, church revitalization, the roots of New England congregationalism, etc. over dinner! We knew how to have a great time, what can I say? Since beginning my first call with all of you, I feel passionate about sharing what I've learned (and am learning.) Frankly, I refuse to let that transformative Seminary education go to waste! In that spirit, I dug up a 6 page paper I wrote about Ash Wednesday for a Worship Final. It's interesting enough (at least in this church nerd's mind) that I wanted to share some Ash Wednesday information that you may not know as we prepare for our service here at Pilgrim Church on Wednesday February 10 at 7:30 PM. Ash Wednesday begins the Season of Lent. The service originated in Gaul (France) sometime in the 6th Century. The central ritual of the service is the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful, traditionally accompanied by the words: "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return" or "Turn away from your sins, and believe the Good News." This public act was intended to be a public sign of penitence (showing sorrow or regret for wrongdoings) and a marking of our mortality. UCC Old Testament Scholar Walter Brueggemann argues that the "dust formula" ("remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return") isn't primarily about penance for our sins. The dust formula derives from a short, popular wisdom saying that called people to reflect upon human mortality. Humans are earth creatures dependent on God. It's amazing to think that we still observe a worship service dating back to the 6th Century. That we still hear words that generation after generation of Christians have heard: to remember that we are creatures who depend on God. That we still receive the imposition of ashes on our foreheads to mark our mortality and dependence on God. This year, members of our Confirmation class will help to lead our Ash Wednesday service as we affirm that we do depend on God and life is a gift from God! Hope to see you at this important service to mark the beginning of our Lenten observance at Pilgrim Church. Grace and Peace, Lauren

2 LENTEN WORSHIP SERVICES Pilgrim s Progress February 2, page 2 We have several Lenten worship services here at Pilgrim that we ll offer throughout this meaningful season. Lent provides the time and space for self-reflection and our need for God s mercy. Though Lent tends to be solemn in tone, Easter (the highest holy day of the Christian faith), becomes even more significant if we take the time to immerse ourselves in all that comes before that joyous day. To help us walk with Jesus, we can worship together in Lent. Wednesday February 10 Ash Wednesday 7:30 PM. Ash Wednesday is the day Lent begins, where we use ashes and Communion to observe the start of Lent in an intimate service in Pilgrim Hall. This year s service will also feature three stations to provide the space for individual, contemplative, and tactile reflection. Remember that you are dust, and to dust you will return. Wednesday March 2 Vespers Service 7:00 PM. Dan and Lauren will offer a Lenten Vespers service. Vespers is the sunset evening prayer service in our faith tradition and is celebrated by Christians throughout the world. Come to pray, hear beautiful organ pieces, and receive communion in our candlelit sanctuary. Wednesday March 9 Vespers Service 7:00 PM. Our second Lenten Vespers service to prepare us for Holy Week. To all Pilgrim Church Members and Friends. CALL TO ANNUAL MEETING Pursuant to our Bylaws, Article VII, Paragraph 2, you are invited to a Congregational Meeting of the Church on Sunday, February 7, :45AM following the Service. Agenda 1) Congregational approval of minutes of prior meetings. 2) Presentation of written committee reports, distributed in advance of this meeting. 3) Presentation and adoption of the fiscal budget for ) Any other pertinent matters that may arise. 5) Necrology, remarks, and a prayer by the pastor. Everyone is invited to attend; only members may vote. Child care will be provided. Respectfully submitted, Brooks Taylor Clerk PILGRIM JOYS AND CONCERNS Prayers for Lizeth who died from cancer 3 months ago, and her husband Pedro who just died unexpectedly, leaving 5 orphaned children: Nathaly, Mauricion, Jeral, Lurbin and Darlin. We pray for Alexis Stevens 95 year old grandmother, Esther, who had a brain hemorrhage recently. Prayers also for Alexis dad Earle and Uncle Austin as they face difficult decisions.

3 Pilgrim s Progress February 2, page 3 NEXT ALL CHURCH EDUCATION We will be having our next all church education class on Sunday, February 7, 2016 at 9:30 am. Each class covers a different topic, so if you missed the first few--feel free to join us for the next one. The children will be with Lisa, and then we'll head into the sanctuary together for Intergenerational Worship at 10:30. Hope to see you there! =========================================================================== FROM LISA HULBERT February like most months is another busy one for Pilgrim's Children. Please note the following dates. On February 7 we will hold our All Church Birthday Party. This event will double as both an intergenerational celebration as well as child care for the Annual Meeting. The Confirmation students are scheduled to participate in the Ash Wednesday Service on February 10 as well as class on February 7 and 21. The Mission Kids Middle school Youth will be working on the All Church Lenten Mission, more information to come in e-notes next week. In addition, the Church school students will be starting a new rotation. Throughout Lent the Church School will be studying the superpowers of faith and Christianity. They will learn how to use their faith to become superheroes in our community. All in all, the next month promises to be filled with excitement! Lisa Hulbert =========================================================================== LEXINGTON CHAMBER MUSIC This Sunday, February 7, we will have a string quartet from the Lexington Chamber Music group provide music during worship. Lexington Chamber Music is one of our renters that teach string lessons to children. They graciously offered to participate in a worship service and we are thankful to have them. LEXINGTON INTERFAITH CHORAL FESTIVAL Pilgrim Choir will be participating in the Lexington Interfaith Choral Festival on Sunday, April 10 at 3 pm. The concert will be held at St. Brigids. We would love to have additional singers for this once a year event as it is a way to promote Pilgrim to the greater community. There will be two Sunday rehearsals in March to prepare our two anthems and a mass anthem as well as a mass choir rehearsal on Sunday the 10 at 2 pm. If you aren't able to join the choir, we do hope you'll attend the concert! More information to follow during February. Thanks. Dan Schmidt ===========================================================================

4 Pilgrim s Progress February 2, page 4 "For surely I know the plans I have for you... to give you a future with hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) Our annual Stewardship drive concluded on November 15. I am pleased to state that as of January 25, we have surpassed our pledge goal of $213,000 and have a balanced budget for The total amount pledged is $218,871 from 79 pledge units, of which 8 are new pledgers. The Stewardship Committee appreciates the wonderful generosity of those who have given this year to contribute to a future with hope for all of us in Pilgrim Church. If you have not pledged yet, you can still do that by sending an to Susan Carabbio at s.carabbio@comcast.net. Stewardship Committee Chair, David Nuss. ========================================================================== VOLUNTEER SIGN UP NEWS Thanks to everyone who has hosted coffee hour so far! We continually need to fill the calendar. Please use this link to sign up. And don t forget - we also need greeters and liturgists too! As a reminder, to donate altar flowers, please contact either Beth Kurth at hughzhoney@gmail.com, or Diane at admin@pilgrimcongregational.org. Without all of you, our friendly welcome at the door, beautiful scripture readings during Worship and a delicious cup of coffee afterwards would never happen. Thank you for all you do to keep Pilgrim Church the special place that it is. With Gratitude, The Vitality Committee ========================================================================== SHOUT OUT TO SAM! When Sam Boehm celebrated his 13 th birthday, instead of receiving gifts, he asked his friends for Spanish books that he could give to children in Honduras. Sam has been actively involved with his support since he was in kindergarten. Next week, we'll have the opportunity to deliver his gifts. Gracias, Sam! Tom and Emily Collins

5 Pilgrim s Progress February 2, page 5 DEADLINE FOR PILGRIM S PROGRESS Please note that the deadline for the March issue of Pilgrim s Progress will be February 26. Thank you! To access the calendar for Pilgrim Church, please click here. Thank you.

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