“Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

—Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Singing Our Gratitude

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

According to the psalmist, “The works of [God’s] hands are faithful and just” (Psalm 111:7). We know this intuitively and personally when we take a moment to contemplate the love and mercy that flow to us, whether we deserve it or not. Even if we fail to acknowledge the work of God’s hands, the natural world does so without hesitation or embarrassment, praising the God of the universe in its splendid beauty and wonder. But if we are completely honest with ourselves, we may recall our days of loss, sadness, or disconnection, those times of despair when thoughts of blessings were distant from our experience. In those moments, the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” reminds me that life is not all tears and sorrow. It is the invitation in song to remember how reliably faithful God is to me. It reminds us that every breath we take and every new day of life are pure gifts.

God has been faithful in so many ways that it becomes difficult to name or enumerate them all. It may begin in recalling that our lives have been spared for one more day, giving us another chance to make the most of what we have. And then there’s the opportunity to reflect on the faithfulness of God. In all circumstances, God takes the initiative to reveal God’s self to us, in the witness of the seasons, the dance of the sun and moon, and the stubborn gracious presence that cheers and guides us through it all.

God’s faithfulness is a sure promise—the mercy and love we receive never fail us. We live in the hope of the promise made to our spiritual forebears, who also were given “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” I think of the people of Israel who were chosen but exiled, left to mourn their national tragedy, reflect on their plight, and find a way to give voice to their most profound sorrow and frustrations. Pressing questions dogged them: why did such suffering befall even those who attempted to obey? Is God faithful? Is there any hope? The answer is a bold, affirmative, full-throated declaration from the Lord: the days are surely coming when I will fulfill the promise I made to you. God is faithful. There is hope in the wilderness. Great is God’s faithfulness throughout the ages, gathering us up in an overflowing demonstration of love and mercy.

Amen.

DeWayne L. Davis

Rev. Seth Patterson preaches,

"Whose Table?"

September 25, 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 Chapel Singers and the Jazz Trio

Musical Response

RIVER IN JUDEA

Jack Feldman

Sundays at 10

Church School

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Coffee and Social Time

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Small Group Discussion: This I Believe | Racial Justice Is Personal

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Sunday Forum: Beyond Addiction: Hope, Healing & Recovery

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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

HOLY SPIRIT, EVER DWELLING

Jonathan Posthuma

JUST AS I AM

 Stephen Hough

Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Daniel Anderson  

by his parents, Kathryn Hagen and Tom W. Anderson.

Contemplative Prayer is offered:

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

In Memoriam

Tim Sheehan (September 16, 2022), husband of Mary Sheehan; father(-in-law) of Maureen Sheehan and Ben Hulse; grandfather of James and MC Hulse

Chancel Flowers

Would you like to honor a loved one's memory or celebrate a joyous event by sponsoring the chancel flowers on a Sunday? Dates available are October 16, 23, and 30. Suggested donation: $75. Please contact Doug Freeman (dougf@plymouth.org) for more information.

Flower Volunteers

If you enjoy working with flowers, the Plymouth Flower Committee welcomes you! Volunteers are needed for Sundays after worship and planning for Advent and Christmas. Please contact Barb Souther at 952-905-9185 or bsouther@q.com. 

Sunday Forum

September 25

10 a.m.

in the Chapel

Beyond Addiction: Hope, Healing & Recovery

In recognition of National Recovery Month, Jeremiah Gardner and Andrew Williams from the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation will share personal stories and professional perspectives on healing, hope, and their vision of empowering recovery and wellbeing for all.

   Small Group Discussion: This I Believe | Racial Justice Is Personal

10 a.m. in the Conn Gallery

This I Believe | Racial Justice Is Personal video, a project of the Racial Justice Initiative. The goal with these weekly personal stories is to inspire reflection and action, and we offer them with humility and vulnerability.

Immigration Sunday

Living Our Faith: Justice for Immigrants

 October 9 

9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Worship

Readings, music, prayers, and insights from three people intimately acquainted with the challenges to immigrants in the US.

The Cherub Choir will make its debut.

10 a.m.

Sunday Forum Church Borderlands and Beyond

Come to Jones Commons to enjoy treats from local immigrant-owned restaurants and talk with representatives of programs supporting justice for immigrants here and in the borderlands:

  Interfaith Coalition on Immigration (ICOM)

  Minnesota Immigrants’ Rights Action Committee (MIRAC)

  Conversations with Friends

  Caffe Justo

  Minnesota 8

Sanctuary State

Midweek Mingle

Wednesday night programming returned with a bang two weeks ago—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 28. 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 3rd–12th graders, Spoken Word. Register here, and contact Marie Scholtz (maries@plymouth.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) Sept. 24, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 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).

EveryMeal

The Board of Outreach is excited to announce a brand new opportunity for Plymouth members and friends to help support children who live with food insecurity on weekends, summers, and extended school breaks.

The organization is called EveryMeal, and the board voted unanimously to become a partner by sponsoring Green Central Elementary School, just south of Plymouth Church.

EveryMeal is a full-service MN nonprofit specializing in equipping the community to implement weekend food programs in their local school. Every Meal provides the tools, resources, expertise, and food required to make an effective and significant impact on child hunger. Plymouth has pledged to support Green Central financially and, equally important, with volunteers to distribute the food at the end of each week.

Time commitment is Friday mornings for about 90 mins. Volunteers can commit to as many Fridays as desired. Starts on October 14.

Please reach out to Mary Jordan at maryjordan13@gmail.com/612-308-6170 if you are interested and want to learn more!

Conn Gallery Exhibit - Cuatro Artistas

October 2, 2022 - January 2, 2023.

Come view the Art Exhibition, "Cuatro Artistas - Identity and Difference" in the Conn Gallery, October 2, 2022–January 2, 2023.

Works by four artists with strong, confident voices speak to us through their unique imagery. Using ceramics, printmaking, photography, drawing, and collage, these artists speak out about issues of great importance to them. Artists: Maria Santiago, Ricardo Levins Morales, Fermin Cervantes Montes

Campus Task Force Updates

Last spring and summer, well over 100 members and staff responded with over 500 recommendations for the future use of our building, our adjacent properties, and how we can be more welcoming to our neighbors.

Find out where we are at in this process.

A Prairie Homeless Companion

Join our partners Beacon and zAmya Theater Project for the performance of "A Prairie Homeless Companion" on October 14 at 7 p.m. This is a unique theater performance by actors who have lived experience of homelessness. Register at www.beaconinterfaith.org/event/prairie-homeless-companion

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 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!