Worship at the Lighthouse and In Our Homes
We continue to worship God in Marblehead (and beyond!) in these strange pandemic times. We will keep worshipping together at the Lighthouse for as long as weather allows, unless state and/or local COVID-19 mitigation efforts restrict us from doing so. Meanwhile, our weekly virtual worship services will continue to be produced and posted on our YouTube channel (Old North Church, Marblehead.) See below for more info, and to RSVP for contact-tracing purposes.
We are also working to bridge the "digital divide" and ensure that people without computers/smartphones/internet are still able to participate in our virtual worship.
Starting next weekend, we will be loading our worship services onto Kindle Fire tablets, which volunteers will deliver to people who have not been able to access our online worship. The tablets will make it so people can see our service at the press of just one button--no internet, no searching, no typing in an address required. We know of a few people who want to use this service; if you know of someone who might benefit, let Karen Kilty know at kwkilty@gmail.com or 978-335-6244. If you're interested in volunteering to deliver a tablet to someone nearby, let Karen know that, too!
Think of it like Moses bringing the tablets down the mountain with the word of God, or like the Holy Spirit kindling a fire in the hearts of the disciples. God's word is coming to us in a new way these days.
Additional Information for Lighthouse Worship:
Facial covering and social distancing (6 feet minimum) will be observed throughout the service, and contact information for those attending will be collected to facilitate contact tracing, should that be necessary. (Please let us know if you plan to attend by clicking the link below. Deacons will also be recording attendance on Sunday morning.) The number of worshipers we can accommodate will be limited by the space available at the Lighthouse. Shade may be in short supply, so we encourage you to wear a hat and sunscreen in addition to your Sunday-best face mask. And bring water to drink!
Since we will continue to make our video service available, we strongly advise those at high risk due to age or underlying medical conditions NOT to attend. Our first priority is to safeguard the health and well-being of every friend and member of Old North Church. We look forward to worshiping together on Sunday, whether in person or virtually!
******We will start back up with virtual Coffee Hour at 11am next Sunday, September 13. Please join us on Zoom for conversation and fellowship.
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Are you coming to the Lighthouse service this Sunday?
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LOCATION
Chandler Hovey Park
DATE AND TIME
09/06/20 8:00am
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09/06/20 9:00am
Facial covering and social distancing (6 feet minimum) will be observed throughout the service, and contact information for those attending
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Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Readings: Ezekiel 33:7-11
and
Psalm 119:33-40
Rev. Dr. Dennis Calhoun's Sermon "Dire Warnings and Enduring Hopes""
This week's worship video will be posted by 8am this Sunday.
Please click here on Sunday morning to view the service.
Please click here for a copy of Sunday's bulletin.
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Our Latest News and Activities |
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Coffee Hour Zoom
We will start back up with virtual Coffee Hour at 11am next
Sunday, September 13. Please join us on Zoom for conversation and fellowship.
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Update on Dave Tips
You may have heard that our moderator, Dave Tips, suffered a stroke this past weekend. He is recovering well--receiving excellent medical care in Boston--and his family is well cared for. They appreciate all your prayers! We promise we'll let you know if they have needs you can help with.
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Welcome The Stranger
These last few days have seen a miracle happen. Not only were a family of six refugees allowed to enter the country legally, but with less than 48 hours notice, Welcome the Stranger was able to fully furnish and decorate what has become this Guatemalan family’s first safe home. This happened thanks to the generosity of our wonderful community.
Welcome the Stranger is a collaboration between Old North, Temple Emanu-El and St. Andrews and this week’s move in was the tenth home that we have provided for. The recipients of the front door key are all people who have been referred by Catholic Charities who unfortunately get very short notice of the impending arrival dates. We have, however, been told that another group will be arriving next Wednesday so we are resetting the clock, and enthusiastically starting over. Might you be able to help by donating the following:
Flatware, pans, china, glassware and cooking utensils,
Cleaning supplies for bathroom and kitchen, including bins
New/gently used bed linen, pillows and comforters for full and
twin beds
New or gently used towels and bath mats
Bathroom and personal hygiene items
Floor rugs, table and wall decorations
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Prayers for Back to School
Many prayers are being said for our children and their families as they navigate the new school year ahead. I have included a prayer for the children and for parents and teachers and those in need of rest from all that the new year brings. I have also included a simple family faith practice from the book Prayers for Faithful Families, by Rev. Traci Smith. I hope that you will find it helpful.
A Prayer for Back to School:
At the start of the school year, we are beginning something new. New things can be exciting. New things can be scary. New things can be wonderful. New things can be confusing. God, you are always with us. You are with us when things are exciting, or scary, or wonderful, or confusing. You are with us every day and all the time. God, please help us to feel your presence with us on the first days of school, and every day, Amen
A Prayer for When I need Rest:
When I’m tired I need rest for my body and for my mind and spirit, too. God, please show me how to rest, Help me to find peace for my spirit, Peace for my mind, Peace for my body. Thank you for my breath. Thank you for my family. Thank you for your Spirit. Amen
Faith Practice Spotlight:
Breath prayer: A breath prayer is a practice of praying one thing on the breath in, and one thing on the breath out, and then repeating it. One way to do this is to say “I breathe in joy and peace” (breathe in) “I breathe out worry and fear” (breathe out.) Try it for a few breaths, and then say “Amen.”
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Anti-Racism Accountability Group
A group of Old North Church folks are committing to get together regularly to hold ourselves accountable to doing anti-racism work in our own lives. This will be a time for sharing and accountability about how we are participating in the work Jesus calls us to do in unraveling white supremacy--whether that's confronting racist language in our families and friends, supporting Black organizers in the local area, immersing ourselves in learning from people of color, or many other things. We're still figuring this out, and we'd love for you to be on the journey with us.
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Ways to Connect With Us During the Week
So that we might stay connected, we've set up several times throughout the week to gather on Zoom. You can join from a computer, iphone, or ipad using the links below, or you can call +1 929 205 6099 and enter the meeting ID (listed with each event).
Lectio Divina (Tuesdays 9am)
A time of contemplative prayer, with scripture and poetry, led by Dennis.
Breakfast Group (Fridays 8am)
A time to gather with one another, with your breakfast and coffee.
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ONC Reading Group-
Wednesday - September 9th at 8:30 am
The next meeting of the Old North Reading and Discussion Group on Preserving our Democracy and Environment will be on Wednesday, September 9th, from 8:30 to 10:00 am via Zoom. This is the latest of a series of meetings on preservation of our democracy and environment that have been hosted by the ONC Men’s Group. The discussions are supported by background reading assignments. You are invited to participate regardless of the amount of reading you have done. At this meeting we will complete discussion of the book, How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi and will begin discussion of the book, Not Born Yesterday: the Science of Who We Trust and What We Believe, by Hugo Mercier. Undoubtedly, there will be much discussion also of current world and local affairs. To join the Zoom meeting please click on this URL:
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Church Building Access and Office Hours
We are limiting access to the church and office buildings to critical business needs only. Our office is closed for normal business but some of our staff are in periodically to ensure that critical operations are maintained. Please reach out to us via email at office@onchurch.org if you have any questions. Thank you for staying home and staying safe!
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Do You Need Assistance? Here are some Resources.
We are sharing a list of resources which Gordon Lothrop thoughtfully shared with us from the Marblehead Masonic Lodge.
List of Resources
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Swampscott Council on Aging: click here
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Marblehead Council on Aging: click here
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Marblehead Community Support Forum: click here
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Nahant Council on Aging: click here
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Anchor Food Pantry Swampscott: click here
- The Nahant Veteran’s Food Bank operates the first Wednesday of the month for veterans living in Nahant.
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Marblehead Food Pantry, 80 Atlantic Ave. (781)631-5335: click here
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Town of Marblehead: click here
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Town of Swampscott: click here
- Churches
- Synagogues
- Schools
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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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