Thanksgiving Dinner

This feast, sponsored by the Board of Fellowship, features traditional turkey, potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, rolls and desserts. This year, 2009, the date is Sunday, November 22, so mark your calendars! Chairs and tables are set up throughout the Mayflower Room and the sanctuary basement with over 500 people served! It is truly a heart-warming experience to see so many members and friends sharing a Thanksgiving meal together at Plymouth. Meals are also delivered to shut-in members who are not able to attend. All the food, decorations, set-up and clean-up are provided by volunteers-many are needed! Come and join fellow Plymouth members and friends in a integral part of our Pilgrim heritage!

Hanging of the Greens

Many volunteers are needed to drape Christmas greenery across the chancel area, hang bows and wreaths in the narthex and foyers, and decorate Christmas trees in our church. Time and date to be announced closer to the date.

Children's Christmas Celebration and Pageant-Sam Elliott Sunday

Sam Elliott was a beloved, long-time resident of Lawrence and member of Plymouth Church. For many years he was a local mail carrier and would bring candy and treats to the children along the route, thus earning the nickname "Santa Claus of Lawrence." Because of Sam Elliott's generosity through a fund endowed for a Christmas Party for Plymouth children, each year Plymouth Church presents a Christmas Pageant. This year, the pageant will be on Sunday, December 20, 2009. Over the years, the fund has grown to include special music provided for the season and funding for Plymouth Church's holiday mission projects. Rehearsals will be held during Sunday School on Dec. 6. All Children are invited to participate.

Secret Valentines

Once again we had a Secret Valentine's event at Plymouth. In January, all adults who wanted to be involved were able to take the names of children in the church. The adult then mailed several secret valentines to the child with hints about who they are and kind words. On Sunday, February 15, 2009 the children and adults met and exchanged small Valentine tokens. This has proven to be a wonderful way for relationships within the church to be formed between the generations.

Plymouth's Spring Again Plant & Bake Sale

The Plymouth Plant & Bake Sale has become a popular, city-wide annual event which earns money for the general fund and offers an opportunity for many to share their perennials, houseplants, herbs and other greenery while helping Plymouth. The sale was started in 1992. These last three years the Mission and Service Board added a book sale. This event was held May 2, 2009.

In addition to table after table of flowers, plants and trees, Plymouth members bake all kinds of treats and snack foods to be purchased at the sale, and free coffee is served. In the past several years, the Plant Sale has also offered farm dirt by the bag and many in the community make a special trip just for the dirt. Church members also share their creative talents and the line of gardening gift and raffle items continues to grow.

All who are interested are invited to join the Plant & Bake Sale Committee and/or offer their services in the form of working the day of the sale or baking goodies for the bake sale. Members not only share their own cuttings or divisions of favorite plants (indoor and outdoor both), but they learn much about successful gardening in Kansas from fellow Plymouth gardeners.

Spring Handbell Concert

The Handbell Choirs performed the Spring Handbell Concert on the May 3, 2009 at 7 p.m.

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Every summer we have a Vacation Bible School for all children between the ages of 3 years and 5th grade. This year as we have done in the past, we will combine our program with St. John's the Evangelist Catholic Church. Usually over 100 children participate. 2009's dates for VBS are June 8-11 and the location will be at St. John's.

4th of July Celebration

Plymouth Church is known for its annual Sunday Independence Day Celebration. In 2009, the event wil be held on July 5! The combined worship service featured a sermon about Eleanor Roosevelt. Special music includeded the Chancel Choir, Brass Musicians and our Handbell Choir. Following the service there was a lovely ice cream social with a balloon man, face painter, bingo and piano music hosted by the Board of Fellowship. It was a wonderful day for fellowship and celebration.