THIS SUNDAY: Oct. 14, 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
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Dear Imitators, Disciples, Seekers, Doubters, and Followers of Jesus, the Pilgrim God,
The salutation I begin with this week is far different than the creative ones I have used in past newsletters. That’s because this week’s Scripture passage speaks to one of the core themes or visions of Community of Pilgrims, this intentional Christian community we are part of, in which we have focused in on the practice of following Jesus as we embrace all. Indeed, we embrace all because that what Jesus did in his ministry: embraced all. What a brave statement we have put out there in the world for all to see and hear! And it takes nothing less than courage and patience to follow Jesus, along with being willing to sacrifice all for the greater good of following the way of Jesus, the Pilgrim God.
This powerful message is central to this week’s reading from Mark 10:17-31. The passage opens up with the story of the rich young ruler, an outsider to the band of folks following Jesus. The rich young man is searching for the next step in his pilgrimage of faith. He has followed the 10 Commandments, and wants to know what else there is to do or be in order to reach the next step in his pilgrimage of faith. Jesus says to sell everything, give it to the poor, and “Come, follow me.” The young man, unable to do that one thing, leaves the company of the disciples and Jesus. In this passage, Jesus tells the disciples then—and now—what we are to do in following Jesus. It begins with the practice of putting Jesus first or as the highest priority in all parts of our lives, even over family, friends, and national loyalties. Second, it is to ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” not as a bumper sticker motto, but asking it in real-life scenarios, in which, to follow Jesus, may cost one one’s livelihood, home, status in society, or life. In this passage, the disciples finally got this correct, as they left home, family, and occupation to follow Jesus, the Pilgrim God. Join us this Sunday as we explore this passage and its application to our daily lives and lives as a community of faith.
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Events!
Oct. 13, 9-12 am, Brett will participate in local Reconciling UMC event in Toledo, OR;
Sunday, Oct. 14, 10 am, Brett preaching at First UMC, Beaverton;
Sunday, Oct. 14, 4-6 pm, Rose City Park Presby. Church.
Friday, Oct. 19-21, Brett leads Men’s Retreat for First Presby. Salem men at Suttle Lake;
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10, Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Cascades, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA.
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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!
* We also have plenty of beautiful leather bracelets for each member of the community! Pick one up this Sunday!
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Poem
October, by Bobbi Katz
October is
when night guzzles up
the orange sherbet sunset
and sends the day
to bed
before supper
and
October is when jack-o’-lanterns
grin in the darkness
and
strange company crunches
across the rumple of dry leaves
to ring a doorbell.
October is
when you can be ghost,
a witch,
a creature from outer space…
almost anything!
And the neighbors, fearing tricks,
give you treats.
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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