THIS SUNDAY: Sept. 16, 2018, 4 p.m. Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church 1907 NE 45th Avenue – Portland, OR.Questions? Contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com
Dear Pilgrims, Peregrinos (Spanish), Teerthayatree(Hindi), Pelgrims (Dutch), Pilger (German), Family members, and Friends,
I bring you greetings from your sister and brother pilgrims in India, and other pilgrims I met while walking, riding, strolling, in the Himalayas of India. We live in a world of pilgrimage, with people following their God, gods, and goddesses, with devotion, care, and love that is beautiful to witness and behold.
Our focus passage this week as we celebrate our first year anniversary as a community of faith is Psalm 84, especially verse 5: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” Ps. 84 is one of the many pilgrimage Psalms, in which the Psalmist is delighted to be headed towards Jerusalem and the Holy Temple, the destination point for the people of Israel. It was, and still is, one of the holiest places in the world. It was and is still considered a source of life, a place of deep meaning and understanding for many people of many faiths. While many Christians (and Muslims) also find Jerusalem a holy city, there is no doubt that, since we are part of the mysterious and real body of Christ, our source for meaning and understanding of God’s ways are also when we gather together, as pilgrims, in community with one another, bound by the Spirit within us all. For our hearts and feet are also set on a pilgrimage pathway, just like our forbearers, and those to come. Come, and let us explore that in more depth this Sunday! And bring a family member or a friend!
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Events!
It’s here! Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018! We are excited about celebrating the first anniversary of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018! On our first Sunday, 31 people joined us! As I wrote above, bring a friend, a family member, partner, a grandchild or 2, a long lost cousin, niece or nephew, a stranger off the street! Come join us again for a special anniversary Sunday, when we hope to have 32 people join us! Cake will be provided! Bring a bottle of wine! Let's celebrate our First Year together, and all that God has done, is doing, and will do as we follow Jesus and embrace all!
A blurb about us in the Presbytery of the Cascades Newsletter, Cascade Connections: https://mailchi.mp/cascadespresbytery/cascades-connections-wlstjkh86x-586477?e=d2d6e7b533#Bookmark%209
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Requests
*Regarding the t-shirts: Please pick up your t-shirt this Sunday, and bring cash or a check made out to Community of Pilgrims, in the amount of $8 for adult M, L, and XL, and youth; and $12 for adult 2XL. Thank you!
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Prayer Concerns and Celebrations
· Brett as his continues on his pilgrimage and others who are not with us tonight and might be traveling.
· All of us to be more attentive and mindful of all the beauty in people and in little things we encounter.
· Thanksgiving for our pets who can be challenging yet add so much to our lives.
· Chuck's friend Jeff in Salt Lake who is an alcoholic and for all those who struggle with addictions.
· Tom, Mark, and all those who are unemployed, underemployed, or not happy in their jobs.
· Celebration for Jan and Gary on their nine-month anniversary that the joy of their marriage continue throughout their lives.
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Poem
The Pilgrim, by Sophie Jewett
Pilgrim feet, pray whither bound?
Pilgrim eyes, pray whither bent?
Sandal-shod and travel-gowned,
Lo, I seek the way they went
Late who passed toward Holy Land.
Pilgrim, it was long ago;
None remains who saw that band;
Grass and forest overgrow
Every path their footing wore.
Men are wise; they seek no more
Roads that lead to Holy Land.
Proud his look, as who should say:
I shall find where lies the way.
Pilgrim, thou art fair of face,
Staff and scrip are not for thee;
Gentle pilgrim, of thy grace,
Leave thy quest, and bide with me.
Love shall serve thee, joy shall bless;
Thou wert made for tenderness:
God's green world is fair and sweet;
Not o'er sea and Eastern strand,
But where friend and lover meet
Lies the way to Holy Land.
Low his voice, his lashes wet:
One day if God will—not yet.
Pilgrim, pardon me and heed.
Men of old who took that way
Went for fame of goodly deed,
Or, if sooth the stories say,
Sandalled priest, or knight in selle,
Flying each in pain and hate,
Harassed by stout fiends of hell,
Sought his crime to expiate.
Prithee, Pilgrim, go not hence;
Clear thy brow, and white thy hand,
What shouldst thou with penitence?
Wherefore seek to Holy Land?
Stern the whisper on his lip:
Sin and shame are in my scrip.
Pilgrim, pass, since it must be;
Take thy staff, and have thy will;
Prayer and love shall follow thee;
I will watch thee o'er the hill.
What thy fortune God doth know;
By what paths thy feet must go.
Far and dim the distance lies,
Yet my spirit prophesies:
Not in vigil lone and late,
Bowed upon the tropic sand,
But within the city gate,
In the struggle of the street,
Suddenly thine eyes shall meet
His whose look is Holy Land.
Smiled the pilgrim, sad and sage:
Long must be my pilgrimage.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Chris
Rev. Dr. Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com Rev. Chris Dungan (503) 724-7060; chrisdungan1@msn.com