THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, Twenty-Second Sunday After Pentecost. On Zoom or at Rise Church,10445 SW Canterbury Ln, Tigard, OR 97224. Contact me if you need a Zoom link. If you have any questions, or are interested in a conversation, contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
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Dear Community of Pilgrims,
Greetings from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Smooth flight from Louisville, KY to Chicago, and I’m waiting to fly to Seattle in the next hour. I’ve spent the last three days at a conference pulled together by the Presbyterian Foundation, which works with our financial resources in the denomination. This conference brought about 30 pastors from large steeple churches and those of us who are considered innovators in the denomination, doing new and exciting things. I shared with them the story of the Community of Pilgrims, as well as listened to the stories of other similar communities. I also got some new ideas and sense of support from the denomination.
This Sunday, Nov. 4, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day. On this day in the life of the Church, which usually follows after All Hallows’ Eve, we remember those who are no longer with us from the previous All Saints’ Day. Bring a candle if you are Zoom, and bring a candle and candle stick holder if you are joining us at Rise Church.
I look forward to seeing all of you this coming Sunday!
Blessings, Pastor Brett
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Events!
Nov. 6, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom or at Rise Church.
Nov. 13, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom or at Rise Church.
Nov. 20, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom or at Rise Church.
Nov. 27, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom or at Rise Church.
Dec. 4, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom or Rise Church and Tom Letts.
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
We pray to the Creator of all creation:
Thanks be to God for:
· Modern medicine in light of flu, COVID, and other illnesses;
· Roberta’s neighbor who gave birth;
· Edie’s birthday (4-year-old granddaughter of Brett & Christian);
· Ron’s safe trip to visit his parents and move them;
· Reformation Sunday and the Reformed churches;
· Sue Malter’s 99th birthday;
· Chuck’s health;
We pray for:
· Linda’s health;
· Roberta and Randy who are COVID positive;
· Marily Quesnel’s health;
· Karen’s job interview;
· Roberta’s nephew’s health;
· Roxanne’s friend with sarcoma;
· Jim and Mary Rose;
· Ukraine, Iran, Yemen, Syria, the Sudan, Ethiopia; Afghanistan, Myanmar, and peace!
· Voting rights;
· Transgender rights;
· Climate control;
· Gun control;
· Women’s reproductive rights;
· Ric Tower’s upcoming visit to Guatemala.
God in your love, attend our prayers. Amen
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Poem
A Sonnet for All Saints’ Day, by Malcolm Guite
Though Satan breaks our dark glass into shards
Each shard still shines with Christ’s reflected light,
It glances from the eyes, kindles the words
Of all his unknown saints. The dark is bright
With quiet lives and steady lights undimmed,
The witness of the ones we shunned and shamed.
Plain in our sight and far beyond our seeing
He weaves them with us in the web of being
They stand beside us even as we grieve,
The lone and left behind whom no one claimed,
Unnumbered multitudes, he lifts above
The shadow of the gibbet and the grave,
To triumph where all saints are known and named;
The gathered glories of His wounded love.
Buen Camino! Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell and Karen Cornwell Fortlander