THIS SUNDAY: Oct. 28, 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 Faithful Descendants of Bartimaeus, Joanna, Matthew the Tax Collector, and Mary Magdalene,
Let us welcome fall weather! While it was the mid-70s last weekend, a shift occurred the other day, and rainy Portland came to town. I am still daft enough to wear shorts (on a day like today, with the promise of going up to the 60s), it is nevertheless fall weather!
Bartimaeus, or “Blind Bartimaeus” is the exemplar of the faith this coming Sunday as we focus on Mark 1:46-52. He gets much attention by commentary writers because Mark has Bartimaeus shouting out not only Jesus name, but the connection with the Jewish people: “Jesus, Son of David!” shouts Bartimaeus. This is also a pilgrimage story. Bartimaeus was minding his own business, on his own pilgrimage journey, when who should show up alongside him on his pilgrimage journey but Jesus! On the side of the pilgrim road they have a quick but intense conversation, "faith makes you well," miracle healing occurs, and soon, Bartimaeus—who now sees—leaves all behind and is following Jesus on the pilgrimage of faith...just like the other disciples! This raises the question: when did we see a modern day Bartimaeus on our pilgrimage of life, who reveal to us in surprising ways the nature and Creator of our faith? Let’s explore this question this coming Sunday!
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Events!
Sunday, Oct. 28, Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church’s Chapel;
Sunday, Nov. 4, Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church’s Chapel;
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 9-10, Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of the Cascades, Columbia Presbyterian Church, Vancouver, WA.
Sunday, Nov. 11, 10:30 am, Brett preaching at First Presby. Church, Woodburn, OR;
Sunday, Nov. 11, 4 pm, Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park Presby. Church’s Chapel.
Sunday, Nov. 18, 4 pm, Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR, Thanksgiving Memory Bags.
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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
An October Garden -
Poem by Christina Georgina Rossetti
In my Autumn garden I was fain
To mourn among my scattered roses;
Alas for that last rosebud which uncloses
To Autumn's languid sun and rain
When all the world is on the wane!
Which has not felt the sweet constraint of June,
Nor heard the nightingale in tune.
Broad-faced asters by my garden walk,
You are but coarse compared with roses:
More choice, more dear that rosebud which uncloses
Faint-scented, pinched, upon its stalk,
That least and last which cold winds balk;
A rose it is though least and last of all,
A rose to me though at the fall.
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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