“There are . . . Christians and people of other faiths who seem to have no trouble speaking of God’s ultimacy with one breath and staking out a private territory of God’s activity and grace with the next.”

―Diana L. Eck, Encountering God: A Spiritual Journey from Bozeman to Banaras

Look at God

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

When something unexpectedly good happens, especially when I am convinced that a good thing wouldn’t happen, I find myself responding the way the elders in the church of my youth often did, “Look at God!” They said it all the time, crediting God for intervening and acting directly into time and space to orchestrate some miraculous outcome for all to see. I don’t think I ever heard them say it when something terrible happened, at least not when it happened to them. Maturing in faith and reason, I realized that such a statement was primarily a statement of faith rather than fact. And I say it now out of habit and sometimes jokingly, signifying to friends and family that I know it’s a thing we grew up hearing. However, when I was recently reading a daily devotional, one of the reflection questions posed was, “When did you see God today?” That got me thinking about that affirmation, “Look at God.” What does it mean to see or look at God?

Don’t worry. I am not trying to tackle such a massive topic in this limited space. Instead, I am inviting us to reflect on how we encounter the presence of the God of our understanding. I’m not talking about a statement of faith that credits God with only the miraculous. Instead, I’m talking about the expressions we can use to articulate what the presence of God is like in nature, in others or in the world. Comparative religion scholar Diana Eck has maintained that “each of us brings religious or ethical criteria to our understanding of the new worlds we encounter.” But that should not prevent us from recognizing the presence of God outside those religious spaces that shaped us. The affirmation of other places as sites or expressions of God can expand what it means to look at or encounter God beyond the good thing we desire or the bad thing we think someone else deserves.

When returning to church after many years away, I visited a church with friends where people greeted each other by saying, “I see God in you.” Still carrying a rigidly drawn image of God at that time, I was suspicious of the idea that God could be seen in the strangers who just happened to show up. And yet, there was something so loving and radically hospitable in being told that I bore the image of the divine. However we conceive of encountering the God of our understanding, I hope we hold it loosely, tentatively, and graciously, allowing room to experience God everywhere. May it be so.

DeWayne L. Davis

Rev. Cynthia Riggin preaches,

"Fierce Tenderness"

September 18, 2022

9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Worship in the Sanctuary

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

There is a "Mask Only" Section available in the Sanctuary and marked for those wishing for extra security.

Schedule

9 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

Features music from the Jazz Trio

Musical Response

GLORIA

Mary Lou Williams

Sundays at 10

Back to Church School

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Coffee and Social Time

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Small Group Discussion: Meaning

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Sunday Forum: Voting Rights For All

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Also Open

Fireside Room for quiet contemplation.

Conn Gallery, Archives, and Library are open for exploration.

11 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

Features music from the Plymouth Choir and Philip Brunelle

Anthems

NISI DOMINUS

Giacomo Carissimi

THOU WHO ART OVER US 

 Eskil Hemberg

Sunday’s Chancel Flowers are given in memory of Jerry Foss and Howard Dixon. The flowers were to be dedicated in loving memory of Jerry from Howard, his life partner. However, Howard passed away September 1, 2022, and his service was held on September 9, the fifth anniversary of Jerry’s passing.

Contemplative Prayer is offered:

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

Sunday Forum

September 19

10 a.m.

How do we ensure voting and the importance of making certain everyone has the right to vote without barriers or restrictions? Attendees will be offered several ways to engage in the effort to make sure everyone has the right to vote and has access to voting. 

Kitty Westin is Advocacy/Action Director of the League of Women Voters Minneapolis. She has been an advocate for many years and is passionate about voting rights.

Marilyn Cantisano has been the Chair of Voter Services for the League of Women Voters Minneapolis for several years and currently serves as co-chair. Her work has been instrumental in “getting out the vote” efforts across Minneapolis.

Meaning: A Podcast              

It's happened to all of us. An amazing idea comes to us, and practically as soon as it does, our inner critic throws up a cloud of reasons why it can't happen: not enough resources, not enough know-how, nobody to help make it real. And this doesn't just happen to individuals; institutions have their own inner critics who are skeptical of growth and new initiatives. In this episode, host Chris Bohnhoff talks to Seth Patterson about making meaning out of those perceived barriers and the liminal space of bouncing on the diving board before your body decides to jump.

Midweek Mingle

Wednesday night programming returned with a bang this week- our halls and classrooms were bursting with joyful voices and a tangible sense of excitement. The word ‘mingle’ was right on- some stayed for a bit, some stayed all evening, and there were conversations with old friends and new acquaintances. We had the happy surprise of having more people than we expected, and we apologize to those families who had to wait for a dinner reorder.

ALL are welcome this coming week, September 21. Meet up with your Plymouth community and join in the offerings of the evening: choirs for all, senior high youth group, and our brand new ensemble for 3-12 graders, Spoken Word. Register here, and contact Marie Scholtz (mariesplymouth.org) with questions

What: Church School at Plymouth is designed to help our young people learn about the expansive, liberating love of Jesus and how God is still working and speaking in the world.

When: Church School runs from 10:00 to 10:50 am.

Where: All classes will be held in the education wing.

Ages 2–5 (not in Kindergarten): Room 209

Grades K–2: Room 204

Grades 3–5: Room 205

Grades 6–8: Room 207

NAMI Walk

The Plymouth Drop-in Wanderers team is walking again this year for NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) September 24, 11-3, at Minnehaha Park. We went last year and we plan to improve on that great success.

You can join the team and walk by emailing Plymouth Drop-in Coordinator, Larry Johnson, at larryjvfp@gmail.com. 

You can also join by making a donation below for the Plymouth team effort. That page also lets you register and create your own team. It all goes toward helping all of us be better at living with a mental illness.

Innovation Hub

Interested in looking at the neighborhood around Plymouth through different eyes? Curious about the work being done by The Riverside Innovation Hub and how it interconnects with work being done by the Campus Task Force and other groups? Join members of the Riverside Innovation Hub Thriving Congregations Steering Committee on Monday, September 26, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. for a practice known as a prayer walk.

Plan to spend time on your feet, traveling through the community around Plymouth. We will meet at 6 p.m. in Jones commons. We are looking for tentative RSVP's to know how many walkers to plan for. Email hannahcg@plymouth.org to let us know you'll be joining us.

Habitat for Humanity Build Week

Please join with other Plymouth members and friends in our Habitat For Humanity Build Week, September 26–30. We will be working on a new house located at 917 31st Ave. N. in Minneapolis. We will mainly do interior finish work and need 12 to 15 volunteers daily. To volunteer, click on the Habitat volunteer website at:

http://plymouthcongregational.tchabitat.volunteerhub.com/

Should you have questions or if you would be interested in helping by assisting in providing lunch at the site for the volunteers, please contact Jim Christenson (christensonjim@msn.com or 651-895-0644, phone or text).

Meals on Wheels

Community Emergency Service (CES) is excited to get together and celebrate our 50th Anniversary.  We want you there with us! You are such an integral part of the success of CES, and we hope you can join us for a little food, friendship, and fun.

Tuesday, Sept 20 | 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.

Westminster Town Hall Forum

1200 Marquette Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN

Questions call: 612-870-1125 ext. 204

Would You Help Our Children & Youth Programs?

We need volunteers! Please take a moment to complete this survey and see how you can help support our children and youth programming throughout the summer and fall. Our events and programs cannot continue to grow, expand, and welcome in new families without widespread support!

One More Chair is a Plymouth-sponsored fellowship group that is always open to new members. The OMC planning committee offers 3-4 social events annually that provide fun, enrichment, and opportunities to meet new people. Six interest groups offer a smaller group setting for people to get to know each other without an expectation to participate regularly. Duplicate Bridge, Hiking, Women’s Book Group, Men’s Book Group, Women’s Breakfast Group, and Men’s Breakfast Group. If you would like to be on the events mailing list or have an interest in groups, please find the brochure here.

MinnesoThai

It is once again time for Plymouth to Step Out! Join us Saturday, September 17 at 11 a.m. for the MinnesoThai Street Food Festival in St. Louis Park. We will meet on the South end of the Wat Promwachirayan Temple (closer to West 27th Street, look for Nina) at 11 and enjoy the event together. Wear your Amplify Love shirt if you have it, bring cash/card, a blanket to sit on, and your appetite!

Please email Nina ninaj@plymouth.org if you are planning to attend so she can look for you!

Want to encourage voting in November?

Please join us to write personalized, non-partisan letters urging sometimes Georgia voters to vote this November. Work with others at our table in Jones Commons 9:45-11 a.m. on Sunday, September 18 and 25, and October 2, 16, and 23. We will provide names, addresses, examples, and stamps.

Sponsored by the Racial Justice Initiative

Ongoing Tuesday Vigils for Justice

Racial Justice Initiative justice vigils are now being held from noon to 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Please join us when you are able. We always meet by Door 1 near Jones Commons.

Plymouth Church Building COVID-19 Updates

Wearing a mask is strongly recommended for everyone.

The health, safety, and well-being of all who use Plymouth Congregational Church is our top priority.

Thank You For Your Support

The clergy and staff at Plymouth are continuing to work to care for and support you—our congregation—and, as mentioned above, our essential building tenants. Our need for your support continues. Please consider making a gift online (click here), texting your gift to 612/999-2874 or sending in a check (1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis 55403). Mail is being collected securely and safely each day. We are so grateful for you!