THIS SUNDAY: Oct. 7, 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 Evacuee, Migrator, Emigrant, Rover, Nomad, Friends, and Family members,
As I write this email, we are witnessing the moving of thousands if not millions of lives of people on a forced-pilgrimage from their homes and homelands because of natural disasters and wars. In Indonesia, earthquake and a related tsunami destroyed homes and lives. Those who were those people in the pathway of Hurricane Matthew in NC and SC who will have much work to do as they try to recover some semblance of normality in their lives. We pray for those caught in the pathway of destruction.
The focus Scripture is Mark 10:2-16, in which there are two parts of the message: first, Jesus is asked a question about marriage and divorce, in which he proposes that divorce should rarely happen, if it all. The second message is about children, in which we are instructed to receive the realm of God just like a child would welcome good news: with enthusiasm and happiness. What do these two passages have in common? Grace. When a couple’s communication is in sync, both are free to talk and are heard by the other, that is grace. When the “lowly” child accepts the Good News, God’s reign of love, unearned, it is a pure gift of God’s grace. Like the child, Jesus asks those of us who are older to submit ourselves humbly to God’s sovereign grace, in which we know all will be well. We will talk more about relationships and grace this Sunday.
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Events!
Saturday, Oct. 6, Brett leading men’s retreat for First Presby. Church, Portland, at Menucha;
Sunday, Oct. 7, 4-6 pm, Gathering and Worship, Rose City Park Presby. Church.
Wed., Oct. 10, 1-4 pm, Brett leads spiritual retreat on LGBTQ+ People on a Spiritual Pilgrimage, Franciscan Center, Milwaukie, 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;
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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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Poem
For the Chipmunk in My Yard, by Robert Gibb
I think he knows I’m alive, having come down
The three steps of the back porch
And given me a good once over. All afternoon
He’s been moving back and forth,
Gathering odd bits of walnut shells and twigs,
While all about him the great fields tumble
To the blades of the thresher. He’s lucky
To be where he is, wild with all that happens.
He’s lucky he’s not one of the shadows
Living in the blond heart of the wheat.
This autumn when trees bolt, dark with the fires
Of starlight, he’ll curl among their roots,
Wanting nothing but the slow burn of matter
On which he fastens like a small, brown flame.
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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