THIS SUNDAY: Dec. 2, 2018, 4 p.m. Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church’s Chapel. 1907 NE 45th Avenue – Portland, OR. Questions? Contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com
Dear Advent Pilgrims!
Here we go! And we are off! Our new year as a Fellowship, part of the universal Church, has begun! We have switched our readings from Mark to Luke as we follow the Revised Common Lectionary. And coming up first in our pilgrimage of faith is the first Sunday of Advent, in which we light the candle of hope.
The Scripture focus is Jeremiah 33:14-16. Six hundred years before Jesus’ birth, the people of Israel were carried off to exile in Babylon, after many warnings to do justice, practice loving kindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). As one can imagine, the future prospects were not bright. Yet Jeremiah the prophet speaks to the people of Israel a word of hope even in the midst of despair and destruction. It is a hope that even dwells deep in the hearts, bodies, and minds of the people of God. It is a hope that is stirring that they—and we—may not be aware of quite yet or at times when we are overwhelmed by the gloom of the moment. It is said by many in the Church that Advent is not only a time of waiting, filled with hope, as we await the celebration of the birth of the embodiment of hope, the Christ-child. The writer Edward Hays calls Advent a “winter training camp for those who desire peace.” Join us this Sunday as we explore and discuss in what ways hope is present amidst the brokenness of this world.
In being hope for the world, I also want to call your attention to two of the attachments: 1) the Reverse Advent Calendar, which is how we have chosen to celebrate Advent this year as a Community of Pilgrims; and 2) Pledge Cards for time, talent, and financial contributions to the growth of the Community of Pilgrims. Your support in sharing your time, talent, and financial contribution made it possible for us to exist, let alone flourish, this past year, making a difference in so many lives. Thank you! Let us be a light of hope for the world, following Jesus and embracing all, as we continue to use the gifts given to us to spread the love of God in the world today. We will collect these Pledge Cards this Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, as our gift of hope, so bring the cards with you! Or email them to Bill Kinsey, our Treasurer, whose email address is part of this email.
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Events!
Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, First Sunday of Advent! Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church’s Chapel;
Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park;
Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park;
Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, Our Christmas Eve Service, Gathering and Worship at Rose City Park;
Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, Breakfast and Worship, Moholt’s home, Time TBD;
Sunday, Jan. 6, 2018, Epiphany! Pastor Brett preaching at First Presbyterian Church, Salem.
Sunday, Jan. 6, 2018, Epiphany! Gathering and Worship, place TBD!
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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!
* In the coming months, Pastor Chris and I will be quoting from and referencing sections from the book, Wisdom Distilled from the Daily by Joan Chittister, a Benedictine monk, who, in this book, focuses on the nature of living life in an intentional Christian community, which is our aim as Community of Pilgrims. We can either order books for those interested and sending in a request for so-many copies, or feel free to order it or buy it from your favorite book distributor. Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Joan Chittister, San Francisco: Harper One.
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Poem
December, by Michael Miller
I want to be a passenger
in your car again
and shut my eyes
while you sit at the wheel,
awake and assured
in your own private world,
seeing all the lines
on the road ahead,
down a long stretch
of empty highway
without any other
faces in sight.
I want to be a passenger
in your car again
and put my life back
in your hands.
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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