This Week at Tabernacle
THIS WEEK AT TABERNACLE CHURCH, UCC
March 15th, 2026
REMINDER TO CHOIR MEMBERS…
We will meet at 11:00 am on Sunday the 15th immediately following our Sunday Services.
LAST CHANCE
Easter Flowers
Time to order!! The cutoff date to order is March 15th!
Once again, our Sanctuary will be decorated on Easter morning with beautiful flowers. You are invited to purchase a flower in honor or in memory of a loved one, or special occasion. Following the service, you may take your plant home or leave it for the Flower Committee to share with a church friend. All flowers cost $12.00 each.
Tulips, Easter Lilies, Daffodils and Hyacinths are being offered.
Order forms will be available in Sunday’s bulletin but are not necessary.
EMAIL THE OFFICE WITH YOUR ORDER AND MEMORIAL.
(office@tabernaclechurch.org)
TO PAY
SEND A CHECK OR GO TO OUR WEBSITE.
CLICK ON THE DONATE BUTTON. BE SURE TO NOTE THAT YOUR PAYMENT IS FOR EASTER PLANTS.
PLEASE NOTE THAT IF PAYING ON OUR WEBSITE YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO EMAIL THE OFFICE WITH YOUR MEMORIAL.
Checks may be mailed to the Church:
Tabernacle Church/Easter Plants
50 Washington Street,
Salem Ma 01970
ORDER YOURS TODAY!!!
A Message from Reverend Joe……
Dear Members and Friends,
I’ve noticed on both TV news broadcasts and social media that various folks have had different ways of celebrating International Women’s Day this past Sunday. As I mentioned during our announcement time, Boh had chosen women composers for his Prelude and Postlude and two of our hymns had lyrics written by women and our final hymn was by the prolific hymn writer, Fanny Crosby.
So, I thought I’d share with you one of the women who greatly influenced my life. When I was in college, a friend of mine three years ahead of me, asked if I would take over his position at a little country church as youth director when he graduated. Shortly after I started there, the organist resigned and I soon became the organist/choir director in addition to youth director. The church was part of what Methodists call a three-point charge. That means the pastor served three churches. He started out at one small country church, hopped in his car and drove several miles to come to our church and then left to end up at the larger church on the charge next to their parsonage. His wife was the epitome of what a pastor’s wife did in those days. She greeted everyone, baked and cooked like crazy for every church function and always chipped in, helping me with youth retreats and fund-raising dinners. We came to refer to this incredible couple as “Momma and Pappa B” rather than their formal names.
Even though Pappa B was, in my estimation, one of the best preachers I’ve encountered even though he never went to seminary, he was a humble and gracious man. So much so it didn’t seem to bother him that in social circles, Momma B outshined him and was ever so popular. Because we were so far from home, the parsonage often became our source of retreat from the college campus, especially during final exam or term paper time. Momma B always had the coffee pot on, something home baked to eat, and most importantly, hugs! Because my fianc? and I didn’t have much money to plan our wedding, Momma B opened up her home and sewing machine for my fianc? to come and make her own wedding dress and you can guess when it came time for the wedding, Pappa B was one of the three clergy involved and Momma B made sure there was plenty of food for the reception.
Truth be told, I think our biological mothers were a little jealous of the devotion we had for Momma B and I do know Momma B’s biological children were jealous of the attention we college kids got from her.
At ministerial and conference events, Momma B was the life of the party and certainly better known than quiet Pappa B. So, when Pappa B died way too early from an unexpected heart attack, the church where they were serving asked Momma B to fill in as the preacher! It seemed to make sense. So, she went to school to be licensed as a lay preacher and was assigned her own church. She lovingly served churches until her own retirement. I was anxious for Jim to meet this woman who had been such an important influence in my life so when we traveled through Pennsylvania, we would make the effort to stop at her retirement home. Not surprisingly, she immediately “adopted” Jim as another “son” in her family.
That’s why, a few years ago, when her daughter called and asked if we would come to the service, we took off for PA to attend her memorial service along with others of her “adopted” kids. We all chuckled when one of the officiating clergy stated that every hymn, every part of the service including the scriptures and which clergy were to do what, had been assigned/chosen by Momma B.
In her honor, I pulled her recipe for Fluffy Meatloaf out of my recipe box for dinner on Sunday!
Love you Momma B and thank you for all you taught me about unconditional love.
See you in church or on zoom,
Reverend Joe
The title of Reverend Joe’s sermon is : “A Call to Live in Awareness of God’s Presence.”
The Deacons for the month of March are Betsey Bennett and Jan Roberts-Breslin.
The Lighting of the Steeple for the month of March is provided by Lou Amico in celebration of all the March Birthdays in the Amico Family.
Bonhoeffer Lenten Study Group
Monday, March 16, at 3:00 p.m. at the church…Please use Federal Street Entrance
Any questions can be directed to Reverend Joe or Stephen Fisher (570-380-0663).
Join us for one, some, or all sessions!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR……
Join us April 2nd, Maundy Thursday for a Special One person show in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m.
For Thirty Pieces and a Kiss: Judas Iscariot in his own words:
One of the most controversial humans of all time will speak to us about why Judas did what he did and how he has been unfairly demonized through the ages.
Preacher and lawyer Rusty Chadwick of Boxford and a member of Tabernacle, will play Judas in his one person play which uses biblical passages,
Renaissance art, audience participation and popular culture to bring Judas alive for our modern consideration on the anniversary of his infamous so-called betrayal of Jesus the Christ.
THE POLAR PLUNGE IS BACK ON!! March 21st
Due to freezing temperatures on January 30th, Mental Makeover needed to cancel their Polar Plunge fundraiser.
Now it is back on for a “warmer date” of March 21st at the boat launch on Winter Island with check-in at 12 noon (if registered for previous date no additional fee is needed).
The Plunge is scheduled for 1:30.
Come take a dip or watch your Tabernacle friends and family step in some mighty cold water to support a much-needed cause.
MISSIONS IS COLLECTING A NEW ITEM FOR THE SALEM PANTRY
A NEW Item Has been Added to the Kleenex…HAND WIPES
GOD BLESS YOU!!!
For the following months of February and March, Missions will be collecting boxes of Kleenex and Hand Wipes to donate to the Salem Pantry.
Baskets for the items are in the Narthex.
Bless you for your contributions!
Missions Group
Steeple Lighting Opportunities for 2026!!
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.
April, June, August and September are available
Call or email the office to reserve your month now!
Cost is 150.00 for the month. Phone: 978-744-3164,
email: office@tabernaclechurch.org
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
WITH OUT VOLUNTEERS WE CANNOT MAKE THIS MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNITY SERVICE HAPPEN!!
AND WE ARE STILL COLLECTING …..
Missions is collecting plastic tabs from bread and fruit bags, and the pull tabs from cans. Collection Jars are in the Bigelow Room.
Calendar
Sunday, March 15th, 2026
10:00 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary and via Zoom
11:00 a.m. Fellowship Time in the Bigelow Room
11:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsal
Monday, March 16th, 2026
3:00 p.m. Bonhoeffer Lenten Study Group
7:00 p.m. Alanon Meeting downstairs in the dining room
Tuesday, March 17th, 2026
6:00 p.m. Zilber Beatles rehearsal downstairs classroom
7:00 p.m. Council meeting via Zoom
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Jubilate Choir Rehearsal in the Bigelow Room
Wednesday, March 18th,2026
7:00 p.m. Bible Study via Zoom
Friday, March 20th, 2026
6:30 p.m. AA meeting downstairs in the dining room
Saturday, March 21st,2026
1:30 p.m. Polar Plunge Boat launch, Winter Island
Sunday, March 22nd, 2026
10:00 a.m. Worship Service in the Sanctuary and via Zoom
11:00 a.m. Fellowship Time in the Bigelow Room
BIBLE STUDY TONIGHT
March 11, 2026
7:00 pm via Zoom
TONIGHTS READINGS
HEBREW BIBLE READING
Psalm 23 King James Version
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23 From First Nations Version
23 A sacred song of Much Loved One (David). 1Grandfather is my shepherd. My lodge will always have plenty. 2He gives me rest in fields of tender sweetgrass and guides me near quiet and peaceful waters. 3Through these good medicines, he brings strength to my body and healing to my soul. He shows me the good way to walk with firm steps on the road of life, to bring honor to his name. 4Even if my path takes me through the canyon of darkness and gloom, I will fear no evil, for you are close by my side, keeping my eyes straight, my path safe. Your walking stick and chief’s staff bring comfort and peace to me. 5You prepare a great feast for me as my enemies watch. You honor me with a headdress of many feathers. My cup is filled to overflowing with life-giving water. 6Your goodness and love, which remain strong and true, will chase after me on the path of life all of my days. Grandfather’s longhouse will always be my home.
CHRISTIAN TESTAMENT READING
Ephesians 5:8-14 Live as children of light
5:8 for once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as
children of light
5:9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.
5:10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.
5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them.
5:12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly,
5:13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
5:14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Sleeper,
awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”