This Week at Tabernacle
THIS WEEK AT TABERNACLE CHURCH, UCC
February 23rd, 2025
Take Notice
Sunday, February 23rd there will be no Service here at Tabernacle. Instead, we are worshipping that day with the First Church of Salem in celebration of the city wide 250th Anniversary of “Leslie’ Retreat”,
the first armed resistance to British authority in the lead up to the American Revolution. Reverend Joe along with the Pastor of First Church, Reverend Jenny Rankin will be conducting the service.
The service will begin at 10:30 at First Church, 316 Essex Street.
The Zoom Link to the service is provided by First Church and may be found below. Please be sure to use this link if you plan to attend via zoom.
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Join Us Sunday March 2nd
Madi Gras Pancake Breakfast
After Worship in the Bigelow room
Come enjoy hot pancakes with a variety of toppings as we begin our journey into the season of Lent. The tradition of cleaning out the pantry of fats and sugar for Lent is an ancient tradition. Come with an appetite!!!
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A Message from Reverend Joe……
Dear Members and Friends,
This Sunday is a momentous Sunday! As I’m sure you are aware, First Church, Salem and we share the same birthday: 1629 and hence the Salem Covenant. In 1735 the pastor of First Church of Salem, walked out of the church with the church records, 50 members and the church silver, still calling themselves First Church. Eventually the colonial legislature said there could not be two First Churches and at that time, Second Church had already been established so we became Third Church. In 1774, as part of the colonial dispute that started with the Boston Tea Party, patriots set fire to the Tory owned warehouse next to our church, which caught the church on fire, which led to our purchasing the land we now sit on and eventually renaming ourselves Tabernacle.
But I digress! The reason I said this is a momentous Sunday is that we will be worshipping with First Church at First Church this Sunday at 10:30 am. I don’t know when, if ever, our two congregations have joined together for worship since 1735! At least not in the past 10 years or to my knowledge. First Church has had a history of celebrating their role in Leslie’s Retreat which took place 250 years ago. Some would say it was the first battle of the American Revolution but because no shots were fired, thanks to the negotiation of First Church’s pastor, it’s not as well known as the battle of Lexington and Concord.
In previous years, we were invited to join First Church at the corner of Federal Street and North Street as they re-enacted Leslie’s Retreat. In fact, there were a couple of years when someone came at the end of our worship yelling that the British were coming, we rang our bell, and we followed Jack MacLean playing his bagpipes down Federal Street to the re-enactment, but we didn’t worship together.
This year with all the hoop de rah over the 250th Anniversary of Leslie’s Retreat, First Church invited us to worship with them. I’m not sure what our role, as a church, was in the original event, but I do know our pastor at that time, the Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Whitaker, preached two sermons called “An Antidote Against, and the Rewards of Toryism” which were forwarded to Geroge Washington, at Valley Forge.
So, this Sunday, I will be taking part in our combined service at Frist Church, where I will be sharing more about what was going on at Tabernacle in 1775. It’s complicated and interesting. It’s been fun digging into our history with our church historian, Betsey Bennett, and I look forward to sharing my insights with you this Sunday at Frist Church.
See you at First Church or on their live stream,
Reverend Joe
INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Deacons for the month of February are Sara and Dave Woolfenden.
The Deacon for the month of March is Michele Parr.
The lighting of the Steeple for the month of March is provided by the Lemieux Family in loving memory of Marc.
You are invited to attend Voices of Hope’s performance of
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
At the North Shore Music Theatre Benefiting Mass General Cancer Center
Team Tabernacle has purchased a block of tickets for the Thursday Night, March 27th , 8 pm performance.
Tickets are $60
Please contact Jean Karam 617-872-2041 or karamfour@gmail.com
to reserve your ticket!
INTERNATIONAL FOOD FAIR TO SUPPORT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Please join Missions by attending the International Food Fair at 1st Church in Swampscott on Saturday, March 8th from 11 am to 2 pm to support affordable housing built by Habitat For Humanity.
Delicious homemade food from different countries and an auction will all benefit Habitat. Bring your appetite, friends, and family!!
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The Jubilate Chamber Choir invites you to a Choral Evensong.
Where: The Tabernacle Congregational Church, Washington Street, Salem Mass
When: March 16th at 5 p.m.
Cost: Free Will Offering
Please join us for a relaxing and meditative service of Choral Evensong! In preparation for our choir residency this coming August at Chichester Cathedral, England, the Jubilate Chamber Choir is performing a series of Evensong services across Boston’s North Shore.
The Jubilate Chamber Choir isn’t affiliated with any one church: we’re a unique blend of singers of all ages who hail from many churches and denominations. We’ve banded together in community to sing the great choral music of the Protestant tradition for all to enjoy. Come hear us!
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Steeple Lighting opportunities available for 2025.
Call or email the office for months that are available if you would like to celebrate a special occasion or remember or honor a loved one. With the exception of March and May all months are available . Cost is 150.00 for the month. Phone: 978-744-3164, email: office@tabernaclechurch.org
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WE Are Collecting…..
Missions is collecting plastic tabs from bread and fruit bags, and the pull tabs from cans. Collection Jars are in the Bigelow Room.
NEW ITEMS TO
COLLECT FOR THE SALEM PANTRY
For the months of January, February, and March the collection for the Salem Pantry will be cold remedies during these winter months.
We are recommending donations such as cold medicines, Tylenol, Kleenex, cough drops and any other things you might find helpful for the common cold or mild flu. Baskets for the items are in the Narthex.
Missions thanks you in advance
for your contributions and support.
WE NEED HELP SERVING LIFEBRIDGE MEALS
CHOOSE YOUR MONTH TO SERVE
4-6- P.M. the fourth Monday of the Month
Sign up Sheets are on the board in the Bigelow Room
or
CONTACT MARTHA BAGBY (mhbagby@gmail.com)
WITH OUT VOLUNTEERS WE CANNOT MAKE THIS MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNITY SERVICE HAPPEN!!
CALENDAR
Sunday, February 23rd,2025
10:30 a.m. in person service held at First Church and on Zoom
Monday, February 24th,2025
7:00 p.m. Alanon Meeting downstairs in the dining room
Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
7:00 p.m. Bible Study via zoom
Friday, February 28th, 2025
6:30 p.m. AA meeting downstairs in the dining room.
Sunday, March 2nd, 2025
10:00 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary and on Zoom
11:00 a.m. Pancake breakfast in the Bigelow Room
Bible Study tonight
February 19th, 2025
7:00 pm via Zoom
Tonight’s Readings
Micah 6:1-8 New International Version
The Lord’s Case Against Israel
6 Listen to what the Lord says:
“Stand up, plead my case before the mountains;
let the hills hear what you have to say.
2 “Hear, you mountains, the Lord’s accusation;
listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth.
For the Lord has a case against his people;
he is lodging a charge against Israel.
3 “My people, what have I done to you?
How have I burdened you? Answer me.
4 I brought you up out of Egypt
and redeemed you from the land of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you,
also Aaron and Miriam.
5 My people, remember
what Balak king of Moab plotted
and what Balaam son of Beor answered.
Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
6 With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[a] with your God.
Matthew 5:1-12 New International Version
Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted