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Sunday, April 21, 2024
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Please join us for worship at 8 or 10 am in our Sanctuary.
The 10am service will be livestreamed on our website, www.onchurch.org
Scripture Lessons:
Ezekiel 37:1-14 and Revelation 21:1-5
Rev. Lindsay Popperson's sermon:
"What to do When the World is Ending"
Please click here to view the bulletin.
To make an online offering, please click here.
Wherever You Are On Life's Journey, You Are Welcome Here.
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Sunday School and Nursery Care
Our nursery is open for children three months to 4ish years, starting at 9:50am. Sunday school for kids aged four through 12 begins partway through the church service, following the "Moments with Children" during worship.
For Earth Day, the students in Sunday School will be planting some seeds to grow their own vegetables and herbs at home (a "grow your own pizza" garden!) and also reading a book about how we can make a big difference, even when we're small (Something, Someday by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Christian Robinson). James Horgan and Holly Jannell will be leading.
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Our Green Congregation Celebration
Chief Seattle is famously quoted as saying "The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth." Our church began a Green Team about 18 months ago. However, the work in our church and community has been going on for much longer. There is a passion for creation care throughout our community. And in this past year we have seen that lived out in our church with speakers, presentations, composting, gardening, email articles, 11th hour bell ringing, earth care encouragement, music and worship. Our church's Green Team, with all their excellent efforts, was quickly able to attain Green Level One certification for our church. (You can learn more about the Green Congregation Challenge here: https://www.sneucc.org/green-congregation-challenge)
Our celebration on Sunday is not the culmination of that work. It is one significant step in the longer journey of efforts to ensure our planet is sustainable, equitable and thriving.
For example: did you know that according to National Geographic, our country is the biggest plastic polluter in the world. Only 5% of the plastic consumed gets recycled [you can't even recycle some of it like the black plastic take out packaging]. That means that most of it ends up in landfills or the oceans, rivers or forests: and our bodies. (Studies reveal that humans are likely to consume anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year.) It is one symptom of the root cause of climate change which is over-consumption and waste.
Our church is trying to do its part in lessening human impact on the earth's sustainability and resilience.
Members of our Green Team are Mark Adams, Marge Adams, Mimi Hollister, Judy Conner, Barbara Day, Chris Arren and Pam Roberts.
Thank you all for your help in this crucial ministry.
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Rev. Lindsay Away for Professional Development
Rev Lindsay leaves on Thursday, April 25 for a week of professional development. She is part of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative, a program of the UCC that equips, energizes, and empowers younger UCC local church pastors to build vibrant congregations that change lives and further God’s mission in the world. She'll travel to Chicago with a couple dozen colleagues from across the country on a "congregational vitality trek," visiting churches that are especially healthy. She'll be back on Wednesday, May 1.
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Congregational Caring
Funeral arrangements for Tom Schaefer have been determined. Tom’s service will be held at the Old Sloop (First Congregational) Church in Rockport (12 School Street) on May 4th at 11 am. There will be a gathering in the fellowship hall of the church immediately after the service. Tom's obituary may be viewed here.
Long-time church member Ray Torto passed away at his home on April 7. Services are planned for a later date. We extend our condolences to Ray's wife, Linn and to his family. Ray's obituary may be viewed here.
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Save the Date
Don’t miss this historic event at Old North Church! The ACTUAL double bass belonging to Serge Koussevitzky – the famous composer, double bassist, and conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from 1924-1949 – will be played in a concert by virtuoso double bassists Susan Hagen & David Heyes on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 7:30pm. Please join internationally-acclaimed double bassists Susan Hagen – a familiar name at Old North Church as Susan has performed with the Old North Festival Orchestra – and David Heyes (from the UK) in an hour-long concert entitled Koussevitzky Connections. This not-to-be-missed performance celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Serge Koussevitzky. Ms. Hagen and Mr. Heyes will perform new commissions and old classics – on Koussevitzky’s actual double bass (!) – in what is sure to be a thrilling and entertaining concert. Special guest artist, soprano Sarah Poole, will be featured as well. This concert is free and open to the public, though a free-will offering will be gratefully accepted; your contributions will benefit both the Old North Church and the artists.
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Jazz Sunday
Please mark your calendars now to attend or participate in our upcoming Jazz Sunday Service on Sunday, May 12th at 10am!
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Outreach Ministry
Temporary Storage Space is Urgently Needed
The Haven Project in Lynn (serving home insecure people between 18 & 24) is one of the organizations sponsored by Old North through Outreach Ministry Board. Several of us went for an on site visit recently and we offered through Welcome The Stranger (our collaboration with Temple Emanu-El and St. Andrews) to help The Haven Project furnish and equip the 24 pods that are being constructed for their clients. The list of items that they need is long and we have started putting out the word.
Unfortunately we have just learned that the building project has met a few bumps in the road and the units will not be ready to move into until at least June. This is where YOU might be able to help! If you have a corner of a garage or room where we could store some furniture (chairs, side tables, coffee table, etc) for a few weeks please get in touch with Lynda Hare at 781 639 0107 or hares8carrots@hotmail.com. Please also get in touch if you have some things that are looking for a new home. We hope you will click here to learn more about the Haven Project and the wonderful work that they do.
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Marblehead Youth Cooperative Ministry High School Student Event April 30
MYCM, a collaboration between three churches in Marblehead, is excited for our next event for high schoolers. We will be showing the movie "Currently a Paperboy" by Marblehead High School students Wyatt Foley and Gwyn Anderson about growing together and growing up. (The movie contains mature subject matter, so this event is being held for high school audiences). It will be held on Tuesday, April 30 at 6:00 pm at St. Andrew's Church, 135 Lafayette St. in Marblehead. We will have popcorn and a discussion following the movie.
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Update from Marblehead Youth Cooperative Ministry
The Marblehead Youth Cooperative Ministry (MYCM) is currently seeking a candidate for our shared position of Youth Minister. This is a part-time opportunity to bring together youth from Old North Church, St. Andrew's, and Clifton Lutheran Church, as well as the wider community. We are also looking at other churches that may want to participate.
Click here to view the job description.
If you know anyone who might be interested, please contact one of Old North Church's Board representatives: Betsey Halbert (halbertbam@gmail.com), Roy Martin (3rdroymartin@gmail.com), Heather Brine Martin ( brine.martin@verizon.net), Richard Thibedeau (rsthibedeau@verizon.net), and Rev. Lindsay Popperson (lindsay@onchurch.org).
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Leadership Board
The Leadership Board met on Thursday, April 11. Minutes from the March meeting were approved and can be viewed here.
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Prayer Shawl 2024
To all knitters! – Prayer shawl will meet May 8 and June 12 at Stacey Street 10:30-12. Please come join the table to work on your prayer shawl or bring a project of your own and join our community.
If you are working on a shawl but cannot be there, please email or text Alexandra so she can get a count of works-in-progress! Thank you.
Alexandra Garfield: 781.929.0540 or Alexandradane@me.com.
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Recycle Your Eclipse Glasses
The Green Team is investigating where to recycle Eclipse glasses to be distributed for the next eclipse. There will be a basket in the Narthex for our collection. Please bring your glasses in - don't throw them away!
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Scrabble Group
The Scrabble group continues to meet weekly in the Great Room in the Stacey Street office on Wednesdays from 2-4pm. It’s great fun and can be quite competitive. Join us!
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Food Pantry
For decades now it has been Old North’s responsibility to fill the shelves at the Marblehead Food Pantry in both April and November. The Pantry serves about 70 households here in Marblehead. For decades now it has been Old North’s responsibility to fill the shelves at the Marblehead Food Pantry in both April and November. Since the outbreak of the Pandemic we have successfully achieved this in a more efficient way, with your help. If you are able to donate, please consider writing a check to Old North Church (with Food Pantry in the memo) and send it to 8 Stacey Street, Marblehead MA 01945. You may also donate online at our website, https://www.onchurch.org/recurringonetime. Our dedicated shopping team will then use your kind donations to meet the very specific needs of the Food Pantry to include non perishable goods, toiletries and personal items. Any questions should be directed to Lynda Hare (hares8carrots@hotmail.com) on behalf of the Outreach Ministry Board.
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Donate to Save Lives in Gaza with World Central Kitchen
As we continue our spiritual journey through Holy Week and into the joy of Easter, the Outreach Ministry Board encourages you to join us in helping to save precious lives in Gaza with World Central Kitchen (WCK). The 1.3 million displaced people currently in Gaza, approximately half of whom are children, are now all at risk of at least crisis-level food insecurity- defined as high levels of malnutrition. The UN has stated that over 200 people per day, particularly children, are expected to start dying from starvation. It is a food crisis fare surpassing that seen in Somalia and Yemen.
In the midst of this suffering and the ongoing warfare, World Central Kitchen, a Washington-based nonprofit, has succeeded in providing desperately needed food. Most recently, they succeeded in building a temporary jetty out of rubble to allow the first food shipments by sea. Your Outreach Ministry Board has just sent $1,000 in emergency relief funding to WCK on behalf of Old North Church, and we invite you to join us by going to wck.org and selecting "Donate." WCK is a 4-star-rated charity that impressively spends 98% of donations directly on its food programs.
Thank you for your continued generosity. May you and your families be blessed this Easter season.
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Prudential Ministry Board Seeks New Members
The Prudential Ministry Board (aka ONC Trustees) would like to add 3 or 4 additional members to our Board to replace those who are stepping down after years of service. What are the Pru Board responsibilities, you ask? The Board is responsible for oversight of all church property, finances, the church office, and the annual Stewardship Campaign to fund the operating budget. You need not be a financial wizard nor skilled in the use of power tools! Old North Church has experts for that. The Prudential Board works collaboratively with the Leadership Board, our very competent church Treasurer, the volunteer Investment Committee, the amazing office staff, as well as a number of dedicated contractors and volunteers to keep our church finances, buildings and grounds in good shape.
The Pru Board meets the second Tuesday evening of each month. Hybrid and Zoom options are meeting options for those who wish to serve on the Board but may not be able to meet in person. Decisions on unexpected expenses or other Pru Board business that may occur between meeting dates, are often made via emails, conference calls or texts.
If you are interested in serving on the Board or would like more information, please call or text Board Chair Sally Sands 508-843-7401. Other current Board members are also good sources of information: Mark Adams, Scott Fillenworth, John Tatum and David Bennet. Joining the Prudential Board is a great way to experience another important facet of your church. And yes, we DO have power tools, if you would like to add some 'sweat equity' to your Pru Board experience!
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Gifts of Cheer
If you know of anyone, either here at Old North or in the wider Marblehead community who is going through a difficult time, the Community Life Board would like to reach out with a little plant and a friendly note. Please contact Lynda Hare at hares8carrots@hotmail.com or 781-639-0107 if you know someone who would appreciate a little extra cheer.
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Lectio Divina
A monastic practice of scripture, reflection and prayer dating back to the 4th century, at Old North lectio divina has been adapted and practiced for more than ten years on every Tuesday morning from 9 to about 10:30 am. When Dennis was here, he led the practice. Since his leaving, we all take turns being the leader to select the readings. We have welcomed newcomers, some not from Old North, who seem to find soul food in the practice and the shared reflections that are part of it. We meet at 9 am both in person in the “Great Room” on Stacey St. and on Zoom.
We begin each meeting with a context-setting call to worship. Then we pair a scripture reading with a poem, chosen by the leader for the day and read aloud. We then move into 21 minutes of silent meditation, marked by chimes, and finally we share in “safe space” our responses – personal and intellectual. We end each session with prayers for healing and the Lord’s Prayer.
It is a rich time of being together in community and quite like no other. We invite you to give it a try.
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Office Hours
The church office is open Tuesday-Thursday mornings from 9:30am-1:30pm. If you have an emergency outside of office hours, please send an email to office@onchurch.org.
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Contact Us: 781-631-1244
Email: office@onchurch.org
Church Address: 35 Washington St., Marblehead, MA 01945
Mailing Address: 8 Stacey St. Marblehead, MA 01945
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