One of the interesting themes in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), along with the "suffering servant" and my personal favorite, the "faithful remnant" (a most useful metaphor!), is the theme of the "reluctant prophet." No one, it seems, likes to answer the call. We receive various calls in life, and we know that many of them will demand our time, our talent, and our treasure. Some of them, as Jesus learned, will demand everything we've got. No wonder we let it ring--the phone or whatever means of communication, earthly or divine. The sermon will investigate what it means to answer the call.

Flowers: The flowers for today's service are donated by Nathan and Merryl Maleska Wilbur and Liam in loving memory of Merryl's parents, Eugene and Jean Maleska, and Nathan's mother, Charlee Wilbur.

Chalice Lighters: The Miles-Rigor da Eva Family.

Ushers: Jeanne Anderson and Jonathan March.

Coffee Hour Hosts: Paul and Nancy Crochiere, Barbara Burnim, Rob Burnham, and Cynthia Williams.

FRS Current Events Forum: 9:30 a.m. in Lower Meetinghouse Conference Room. The topic is "What Would the Dream Cabinet of the Next President Look Like?"

Collection for Cause: One half of the loose plate in March will go directly to Community Service of Newburyport, a privately funded agency that provides food, clothing and emergency relief to those in need in the Newburyport area.

The pure, the bright
The beautiful that stirred our hearts in youth
The impulses to wordless prayer,
The streams of love and truth,
The longing after something lost,
The spirit's yearning cry,
The striving after better hopes;
These things can never die, can never die. . . .

The Young Church and Teen Choirs will sing, and the "Turtle" will make curtain call. There will be no Young Church classes this morning, but there will be child care provided for the little ones. I look forward to seeing you in church on this special Sunday!

Flowers: The Easter flowers for today's service are donated by Marj Babcock, in loving memory of Gertrude, mother and grandmother, from Marj, Sabrina, and Harold Babcock; by Carol A. Young in memory of Kenneth H. Young; by Polly Tesar in loving memory of Robert James Tesar; and by John and Florence Mercer in memory of John's parents, Tom and Kittie Mercer.

Chalice Lighters: Jen, Ed, Meghan, and Matthew Meagher.

Ushers: Marilyn and David Archibald, Marna Badavas and Bill Heenehan.

Coffee Hour Hosts: Lindsay Cavanagh, Sten Cecil, Jim and Ann Chase, and Amy Smith Marshall and Robert Marshall.

Close to 4,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed and 30,000 have been wounded. An estimated 600,000 to over one million Iraqis have died. Billions of dollars have been spent. The Newburyport March will give people an opportunity to express their opposition to the war and their support of peaceful means of solving conflict.

Marchers will gather at Market Square at 12 noon on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Following a brief vigil, the march will begin at 12:15 P.M. and proceed up State Street, go right at Pleasant Street and end at Brown Square, opposite Newburyport City Hall. There will be a short gathering at Brown Square. The March has been organized by concerned local citizens. All who wish to join the March for Peace are welcome.

EVENT DETAILS WHAT: Vigil and March to Stop the War
WHO: Greater Newburyport Citizens Ad Hoc Committee for a Peace March
WHEN: Sunday, March 16 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
WHERE: Starting at Market Square in Newburyport and ending at Brown Square

I gently swayed ten members to participate in this project. Well, my request challenged folks to journey deep within themselves, and some of those journeys culminated in the worship service this past Sunday, which appears to have been a smashing success. Most of the folks involved in the project so far have written powerful sermonettes like Bettina's and Mike's. You will hear more of these in the future, I hope. Lisa Johnson's response to my request was refreshing and even closer to my idea of how members could share during worship. Understandably many of you requested it in writing. So here it is.

9. It is a place for young and old . . . and those who are in the middle.

8. The UUs need me. Without each of us there is no church, there is no community, and I need to be needed.

7. I'm not sure I am a UU, and that's okay.

6. There is a great deal of hope in this faith, and my natural optimism, even though I understand some of the very harsh realities of the world, is nurtured.

5. UU principles are not based solely on historical interpretation. They are vibrant and organic principles with a strong foundation that allows for growth and change as the world grows and changes.

4. I am asked to act not only for myself but also on behalf of others.

3. Problems and/or questions are approached with reason, compassion, and justice. Blindness is not encouraged.

2. I work with God, not for or against.

1. If I fall or stumble there is a beloved community that cares whether I get back up or not.

Tickets are available at the Book Rack, 52 State Street, Newburyport, by phone at 978-352-7625 or online at www.mvcband.org/dinnerdance,

Doo-wahhhhhhhhhhhh
The FRS Girl Chorus
Click the picture to see many other pictures of the Variety Show
[photo by Brent Mitchell]

We had a wonderfully successful potluck event at the JP Forum in October, and look forward to examining our food system while tasting the epicurean talents of Jamaica Plain residents! Please bring a dish that you would like to share with the group. We will provide the plates, cups, utensils and napkins!