Sunday, March 29, 2020
Old North Church in the Time of Coronavirus
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46:1
These are challenging times. We are in unprecedented circumstances that are changing by the day, if not the hour. It is unclear when things will return to normal, or what that even means these days. In the midst of the uncertainty and anxiety, we need to lean into the faith, hope and love our God reveals through the work and witness of the Body of Christ, the Church.
Old North Church is still open, although we’re not gathered as usual. Your church staff and lay leadership have been working on ways to sustain and extend our ministry to the congregation and the wider community. We are meeting daily (via teleconferencing) to plan virtual worship services and find ways to keep us all connected. We are blessed to have heard from so many members and friends of Old North Church asking what you can do to help our beloved church be the church we need to be in these challenging times.
On Sundays at 10 am we will post an online worship service. You will be able to access it on YouTube by searching for “Old North Church, Marblehead.” Although we will miss being physically present with one another, we WILL be together in spirit. Additionally, we have provided boards and committees with instructions on how to convene meetings and other gatherings while we are physically absent one from another. Also be sure to watch our Facebook page, Friends of Old North Church Marblehead, for information and updates. We will be doing everything we can to keep you informed and connected. Be sure to read the remainder of this newsletter to find out what’s going on with your church.
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Our Latest News and Activities
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Worship and Coffee Hour This Week
The early church met in houses, instead of in sanctuaries; in this pandemic time, we'll be bringing you worship from our houses, for you to participate in from yours. This Sunday's worship will be on YouTube, and can be found by clicking
here
or by entering this link in your browser:
It will be posted by 10am.
The Rev. Dr. Dennis Calhoun's sermon this week is: Connect Dem Bones.
This Week's Scripture Lessons are: Psalm 130 and Ezekiel 37:1-14.
To access this week's bulletin please click
here
.
The hymn is available by clicking
here
.
After worship, at 11am we'll gather for coffee hour via Zoom, an online meeting platform. You can call in with your phone, or join with video and audio from a smartphone or computer. It'll be a little weird, and a little clunky, but it will be so nice to see your faces. (You'll have to make your own coffee). Here's the Zoom information:
Or call this number:
+1 312 626 6799 (Meeting ID: 566 308 766)
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Children's Faith Formation
This Sunday we will hear the story of of the prophet Ezekiel, a story of a
vision a dream. It is a story of noisy and rattling bones and of Gods
promise, “I am going to breath life into you and make you live a new
life”.
During this time when we are apart and when so much looks so different,
we invite you to gather with your family to hear of God’s Scared presence
in the midst life’s whirlwinds.
Stories Under the Tent
Sunday at 4:00
Join together under your tent with weekly Storytelling via Zoom. I will
share a story and we will listen to each others stories too. Build a tent in
your living room with your family, and settle in for some time to reconnect
with your Old North friends. I will be send out an invitation Saturday. If
you are not on my ONC Children’s email group, please send me an email
and I will add you.
time. This invitation goes out to all Children of all ages!
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Marblehead Food Pantry
Oh the times they are a changin’
Bob Dylan’s words were seemingly written for today. In these changing times, we are called to change old habits and for us at Old North that includes the way we support the Marblehead Food Pantry during the month of April when we have a time honored commitment. A few weeks ago the Food Pantry not only reduced its days from two to one, but changed the way in which clients would receive the donated supplies. Instead of choosing their own goods, patrons were given a bag of essentials without entering the premises. In the last 24 hours that has all changed once again. For now the shelves are fairly well stacked but in accordance with the Health Department’s new rulings, the Pantry will no longer be allowed to receive donations of any food. Patrons will now have the opportunity to send in a wish list. Sadly, with so many out of work, the need for supplies is greater now than it has ever been.
Under these circumstances may we suggest that you help lift the spirits of those in need by sending a monetary donation to the Food Pantry. This will enable the organizers to purchase and restock the shelves. Your donation, however big or small, will make an enormous difference.
As April is Old North’s giving month, checks should be made out to the Marblehead Food Pantry with Old North Church in the memo. The address of the Pantry is 80 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead MA 01945. Thank you and stay safe.
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Nominating Committee: Volunteer Opportunities at ONC
My favorite hymn is “Won’t You Let Me Be Your Servant”, written in 1977 by Richard Gillard. You can find it on the web and in our hymnal on page 374. This beautiful hymn, sometimes called “The Servant Song” embodies reasons and rewards for volunteering at ONC. Martha Potvin and I serve to link volunteers to service opportunities at our church.
Thanks, Dave Hostetter, Nominating
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The Bell of Old North Church is Ringing!
At the suggestion of one of the Deacons, the bell at Old North Church is ringing at 6 pm each evening as a way to reminder that we are here to serve the needs and lift the spirits of the community during these trying times. We have invited other area congregations to join us in this effort. If you would like to be a “ringer” please be in touch our Senior Deacon, Frank Arren at 617-448-6083 or email him at
fgarren1@gmail.com
. What a great way to get involved in telling our story!
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Staying Connected and Uplifted
During This Time of Social Distancing
What are you and your family doing to remain positive and uplifted these days? We would love it if you would share a photo with a one sentence description with us. We think it might be fun for all of us to see what others are doing or are drawing some inspiration from. We would create a slide show or will just share your photos in upcoming weekly newsletters.
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Contact Us: 781-631-1244
Church Address: 35 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945
Mailing Address: 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945
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