“The lesson was fear, the lesson was bitter, the lesson was that other people were getting more than their fair share.” —Jeff Sharlet, The Undertow

Behold the Holy of the Week Ahead

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

The week ahead is Holy Week. It came to be called holy only in hindsight, with post-Easter Christians viewing and interpreting the events in the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion as ordained and orchestrated for the world’s salvation. But I wonder what the week must have been like for the followers and disciples of Jesus and the crowds and observers who witnessed it all. By the end of the week, the One earlier heralded with shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord” will die on a cross prompted by cries to “Crucify him!” Those who loved and followed Jesus went from celebrating his triumphal entry into Jerusalem to the somber but moving last supper with his friends, where Jesus articulated a most transformative teaching about love, to the horror of his arrest, accusation, and crucifixion. I imagine many of the observers in Jerusalem looked at the events of that week with a mix of confusion, indifference, annoyance, and malice, perhaps being caught up in the fickle mood of the masses. Who could have known what it all meant at the time it was happening?

Would we know we are in the middle of a world-altering, history-making moment while we’re experiencing it? When the stakes are high, marked by life or death decisions and unpredictable actions of powerful people, and everything about your situation is ambiguous and contingent? When your faith and the proclamations of so loving and prolific a teacher and prophet have caused your spirit to soar and allowed you to hope for better things? Are we able to perceive the movement of God, not just when things are going well, but also when things fall apart?

I’m wrestling with these questions because we appear to be in the middle of significant cultural, political, and economic currents that feel unmoored from a givenness of things that we’ve taken for granted for so long. In a recent book on the religious currents in American politics, Jeff Sharlet profiles clergy, churches, and the faithful who learn the lesson of fear, hatred, and grievance when things fall apart. Perhaps what is required of us at this moment, probably the thing that we can be most reliably consistent in offering the world, is our love, service, and community. I pray we become that consistently safe and hospitable place, steady and firm in our commitment to all, amid the roller-coaster ride of life in this world. I hope Holy Week reminds us to be the kind of people who will never let injustice go unchallenged, remain hopeful when the shadow of death inevitably draws near, and affirm that God is trustworthy in fulfilling the divine promise of love and life.



Amen.

DeWayne L. Davis

Palm Sunday

April 2, 2023

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis preaches,

“Something Big is About to Happen”

9 & 11 a.m.

9 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person

Music from the Jazz Trio, Cherub, and Chorister Choirs

MEMORIES OF TOMORROW

Keith Jarrett

Sundays @ 10

Church School

Education Wing

Sunday Forum

Plymouth Experiences from the Border

Small Group Discussions

No Small Group Discussions

Members Art Show is live in the Gallery!

Coffee & Social Time

The Library, Gallery, and Archives are also available at this time.

11 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person.

Music from the Plymouth Choir, Plymouth Handbell Choir, Chorister Choir, and Philip Brunelle

Anthems

HAEC DIES (THIS IS THE DAY)

William Byrd

WITH GLADSOME MIND

Daniel S. Godfrey

HOSANNA

Christian Gergor

Welcome Madeline Severtson, Director of Spiritual Formation

On March 26, Madeline joined Plymouth as the Director of Spiritual Formation.

Madeline Severtson (she/her) loves helping people discover and cultivate an expression of spirituality that feels authentic to them. Her own search for authentic spirituality has taken her to meditation centers, libraries, hiking trails, and too many places of worship to count. With interests in spiritual practices and interfaith dialogue, Madeline believes that open conversation and careful listening will deepen our relationships and strengthen our communities.

With the addition of the Director of Spiritual Formation, church leadership has made changes to the portfolios of each of our clergy. See the graphic linked below for more information.

Contemplative Prayer is offered:

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

In Memoriam

David “Dave” Colwell (March 25, 2023), father of Charles and Holly Colwell; brother(-in-law) of Tom & Phyllis Colwell and Joan Colwell

Upcoming Memorials

A service for Dean Wahlberg will be held at Plymouth Church Monday, April 3, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. In-person attendance is welcome, or livestream is available here.

   A service for Dave Colwell will be held at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel on Wednesday, April 5, at 11 a.m.

Holy Week Schedule



Palm Sunday

Sunday, April 2

9 & 11 a.m.

Maundy Thursday

April 6, 7 p.m., with a simple supper at 6 p.m.

Good Friday: Stations of the Cross

April 7, 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday

Worship Services 9 & 11 a.m.

Easter Brunch, Guild Hall, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Easter Egg Hunt, Jones Commons 10 a.m.

Easter Bonnet Photo Booth, Guild Hall, between services

Easter Flowers

Our Plymouth tradition of lovely Easter flowers is supported by members and friends. They make the floral setting possible through gifts in memory of loved ones, whose names are listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. Gifts of any amount are welcome; we do not have a set price. If you wish to remember a loved one or loved ones with Easter flowers, please complete this form.

Easter Offering

Every year we humbly choose partners to receive our Easter offering. This year we are excited and honored to support the excellent work of Habitat for Humanity, Simpson Housing, and Plymouth Drop In Center.

Habitat for Humanity

Click to play video

Plymouth Drop In

Click to play video

Simpson Housing

Click to play video

April 2, 10 a.m., Chapel

Presented in collaboration with Immigrant Welcoming Working Group

Participants of Plymouth’s Immigrant Welcoming Working Group will discuss their trip in late February to the Arizona border. There will be photos, and there will be good stories. Their intent is to share not just the trip, but also the feeling and experience of being at the border. This presentation will speak to your spirit.

Members Art Show

Drop off March 25

April 2–June 11, 2023

On Saturday, April 1, 2023, the Gallery Committee will install the 2023 Members Art Show. You are invited to visit the exhibit in Conn Gallery.

Looking for Leadership Nominations



Plymouth’s Nominating Committee is seeking nominees for our Boards, Deacons, and Leadership Council (Chair-Elect). As soon as you can, please nominate yourself and/or others by clicking the button below. Before you nominate someone other than yourself, please have a conversation with that person to confirm they have an interest in board service.

Plymouth has six Boards: Community Life, Finance and Administration, Fine Arts, Outreach, Spiritual Formation, and Worship. If you have any questions, contact a Board Chair or Elizabeth Glidden, Chair-elect. Thank you for your help.

You Are Invited to Iftar!

“Great,” you say. “What’s an iftar?”

Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan (this year March 22-April 21). Similar to Lent for Christians, Ramadan is a time for Muslims to practice self-restraint. They fast each day for an entire month!  

The Minnesota Council of Churches, in partnership with state-wide mosques, invites you to partake in an iftar. We have been building a relationship with the Brooklyn Park Islamic Center (BPIC) in recent years. BPIC is hosting its interfaith iftar on Wednesday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for Plymouth to share a spiritual practice and a community practice at the same time. All are welcome!

To register...

Step 1: Register through this website at the Minnesota Council of Churches:http://www.mnchurches.org/what-we-do/taking-heart

Step 2: email Hannah at hannahcg@plymouth.org so we have a sense of how many Plymouth friends are attending and also so we can possibly coordinate carpooling.

Plymouth Shirts



Amplify Love Shirts Are Back! WE have all sizes currently available as well as child sizes.

Suggested donation of $20

If you have questions about a previous order for shirts, please contact Elizabethb@plymouth.org.

Gentle Yoga

Saturdays 9:30- 10:45 a.m.

Beginning March 25, 2023

Start your weekend with this soulful, welcoming yoga class, skillfully led by long-time Plymouth members Summer, Steve, and Sharon Hills-Bonczyk. Each 75-minute class will include meditation, slow, flowing postures with attention to alignment, and deep relaxation. Poses are guided with in-depth, non-intimidating cues to ensure comfort and rejuvenation for all bodies. Appropriate for beginners to seasoned practitioners.

Make a Joyful Noise—with Ukuleles!

Third Monday of each month,

10:30 a.m. in the Chapel

Facilitator: Jill Nelson

Looking for uke players of any level who want to meet others and play music together. We will focus on songs of joy, community, and inspiration. I’ll have some songs to get us started, and I’m hoping you’ll find songs to share with the group. Bring your ukulele and a music stand (if you have one). Questions? Email Jill at jillary17@comcast.net.

Sign up to Usher!

All are welcome to serve as ushers! Please sign up to serve as an 11 a.m. usher as often as you're able in April. Invite a friend or family member to become involved.

Serving as an usher involves coming to the narthex by 10:30 and handing out bulletins prior to worship. Also, we're taking up offering, passing collection bowls through the pews.

For more information, text Andrea Bubula at 612-929-0804. Thank you!

Third Sunday Meal



After three years of providing to-go meals to our neighbors the third Sunday of each month, we’re so excited to return to in-person dining. It takes many volunteers each third Sunday evening, from about 4:30-6:30. Tasks are varied and flexible. All ages welcome. If you’re on our volunteer list, you’ll receive an email once a month asking if you’re available to help. If you’d like to be added to the Third Sunday Meal volunteer list or have questions, contact Barbara Read barbararead2@icloud.com .

Visit the State Capitol

One more Chair

Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m.



Join friends and family of Plymouth for a fun and educational tour of the MN State Capitol! Two choices: Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m.--convenient for families! All ages invited. Also offered is a tour on Monday, April 17, 11 a.m. There will be carpooling from church available for both dates. Lunch possible afterwards!

Chamber music

April 23, 4 p.m.

Transformations

A beautiful blending of the music of David Evan Thomas, the paintings of Carolyn Brunelle, and narrations by Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis and Katherine Ferrand.

Earth Sunday Guest Speaker

Michael Noble, Climate Policy Change Champion, will speak on a life in climate policy, with special emphasis on how progress in Minnesota has remained steady while the power of money thwarted meaningful federal action for 32 years.

Help Us Find Groveland Food Shelf's next director!

Groveland Food Shelf's long-time director has retired, and the food shelf needs your help to find their next executive director! Please share this job posting with your networks, and consider applying for the role yourself. The job will remain open through April. Visit https://www.grovelandfoodshelf.org/ to learn more.

Ongoing Tuesday Vigils for Justice



Every Tuesday 12-12:30 p.m.

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