“Our calling . . . is to live against evil, oppose the woes that afflict humanity, and to stand against their human causes. We cannot responsibly leave misery unalleviated.” —John B. Rogers, Jr.

God’s Movement Toward Us

Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis

When I woke to the news about the shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, my first thought was, “God, where were you?” It was an honest expression of distance, despair, and being alone. God, my siblings wouldn’t have gotten shot and died if you had been there. Shortly after that, as if in answer to my lament, I read an Advent devotion that included one of the most comforting thoughts about God that I needed: Advent makes us aware of God’s movement toward us. In the songs and readings of Advent, we faithfully testify to God’s acts of creation and promises of salvation, reminders of God’s intention to dwell among us. We are not alone; our mourning in lonely exile here is neither deserved nor permanent because a great Light is coming.

The shooting in Colorado, the tragedy of war, rumors of war, ecological devastation, and economic inequality and uncertainty fill us with so much anxiety that it can be hard to perceive God’s movement toward us. The ease and frequency with which some people hurt others reveal the tyranny of hate and violence that make us despair that God is absent and doubt that much will change. But if the coming Promised One indicates God’s movement toward us, perhaps this is the season to reach back, listen more carefully, and open ourselves to the movement of goodness and compassion. That echoing in our Advent songs, prayers, and music is the faint sound of God trying to open the doors of our hearts to be let in.

My initial reaction to the shooting assumed that God was not present. That was a mistake. There were many heroes in that club, channels of hope, peace, joy, and love, who risked their lives to save others. Many more may have been killed had it not been for those brave souls who used their bodies to stop the shooter. I believe they are manifestations of God’s movement toward us, those who stood against evil and opposed the woes that afflicted their neighbors when it counted most. Preaching scholar Karoline Lewis asks, “Where will we look for God this Advent season?” That question presupposes that we can perceive God’s movement toward us. So, during this season, as we light candles and anticipate the arrival of the Promised One, we can be confident about God’s intention to be with us, with a posture not so much as a pursuit of God as it is a waiting to behold the Light. It is coming!

May it be so.

DeWayne L. Davis

Seth Patterson preaches, "The Waiting that Leads to Wonder: Hope"

First Sunday in Advent

November 27, 2022

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

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

Schedule

9 a.m. Worship

Worship is offered online or in person

Features music from the Jazz Trio.

Offering

LO, HOW A ROSE E'ER BLOOMING

16th-century German Melody

Sundays at 10

Church School 

Education Wing

Coffee and Social Hour

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

Features music from the Plymouth Choir, the Solo Quintet, and Philip Brunelle

Anthems

BLESSED BE THE TIME

Neil Butterworth

LACHRIMAE AMANTIS

Ian Kellam

Chancel Flowers are given in loving memory of Rev. Joel D. Albers by his parents, Sonia and Bob Albers.

Correction: November 20 Chancel Flowers were given in loving memory of Bill and Jean Brastad by their daughters Patty O’Brien and Carla Owsley

In Memoriam



Mary Lou Mathison

Contemplative Prayer is offered:

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

Now Hiring, Director of Spiritual Formation

The Director of Spiritual Formation will lead and supervise the spiritual formation activities and programming of Plymouth Congregational Church of Minneapolis by providing direction, vision, and oversight for various developmental initiatives for members and visitors, including classes, workshops, retreats, and special events. The Director will also look to develop new opportunities to enhance the discipleship, personal development, and spiritual lives of members and guests of Plymouth Church.

A very special intergenerational event:

Workshop 9 a.m. - Noon Register below

Show open to the public; 12:30-1:30



CLIMB theater company will be coming to Plymouth to run an intergenerational workshop for kids and caring adults who are not their parents or grandparents. This workshop, which will be fun, creative, and interactive, has been designed by CLIMB to help build positive relationships between people from different generations and has traveled to schools, senior living communities, and churches around Minnesota and Wisconsin, where it has been universally well received. We promise you will leave the event feeling more connected to the children of Plymouth and perhaps having some new tools for connecting with other children and young people in your life! 

Wreath Sales

Sunday, December 4, our senior high class will be selling wreaths and swags in Jones Commons from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Please plan to help support our Youth Program by purchasing holiday greenery from us. If you've already bought a wreath, you can purchase one that will be donated to those who utilize Groveland Food Shelf or attendees at the Drop-in Center. Wreaths and garlands can be paid for with check, cash, or credit card.

Lend us your mangers!

In 2019, we spent the month of December showing off some of the beautiful and unique nativity scenes that our community has. Everything from precious nativity scenes that immigrated to the United States with older relatives; scenes representing diverse cultures; Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as characters in pop culture; and scenes made of found objects—they were as beautiful and unique as our congregation.

We are looking to do this again, and we need your nativity!

We would like to display up to 12 nativities from December 3 through 26 if possible.

Please contact Nina (ninaj@plymouth.org) if you can lend us your scene.

Every Meal

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.

Every Meal 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. We need volunteers to distribute the food at the end of each week.

There are available slots left yet in November and many in December. Please contact Mary Jordan at maryjordan13@gmail.com, or 612-308-6170 if you are interested and want to learn more!

A Plymouth Tradition Returns

Members Art Show

Can you believe that it’s been four years since the last Members Art Show? Perhaps in those intervening years, you have explored your artistic side, or maybe you have created new works of art since we last gathered for this show. Whatever your reason, we want you to be a part of the 2023 Members Art Show. 

The Gallery Committee is happy to announce the return of this beloved Plymouth tradition. Members of all ages are encouraged to participate. 

The show is scheduled to open on Sunday, April 2, 2023.  More information to come.

A New Addition to Wednesday Night:

The Big Question

Every month, a Big Question will be posed to the community, both in person and online, and throughout the month, a range of voices will give super quick video responses that you’ll also see in person and online. For the rest of the year, chew on the questions and the responses on your own. In January, an in-person space for tackling the questions in the community will happen on Wednesday nights from 6-7 p.m. during Midweek Mingle. No sign-ups, no commitment, just show up and talk spirituality with your community!

Gift Cards for Beacon's Nicollet Square residents

We had hoped that the Nicollet Square Holiday Party would be different this year. But again, there will be no tree, no dinner, no gift room, and no cookie platters to take home. But with your help, we can give a boxed dinner and a gift card to our 42 youth residents. 

Please send gift cards in any amount for Target to Penny Bond, 101 Promenade Ave. Apt. #243 W, Wayzata, MN 55391 by Dec. 13. 

Call 612-710-2421 with questions. Let’s make it a Happy Holiday for these young people, something they may remember. Happy Holiday to you all.

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

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!