THIS SUNDAY: August 5, 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 Folks who Stroll, Hike, Bike, Paddle, Use Canes & Walkers, Bus Riders, Drivers, Friends, and Family Members,
Thank you, Pastor Chris Dungan, and all who gathered at Chris’ air-conditioned home on Sunday, July 29! You’re flexibility in moving locations is amazing. What a wonderful relief on a hot summer’s day in Portland, OR, with the promise of more sunshine in the coming week. We are back in our home in the Chapel at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church this Sunday.
The focus Scripture for this Sunday is from the Letter to the Ephesians (which may or may not have been written by Paul), 4:1-16. The writer is exulting over the incredible work of being a Christian community, which is possible by the gift of grace, embodied in the risen Christ, and made real in the never-a-dull-moment of being the body of Christ on earth. The Benedictine writer John Chittister wrote, “In community we work out our connectedness to God, to one another, and to ourselves. It is in community where we find out who we really are…It is easy to talk about the love of God; it is another thing to practice it.” As we, the Community of Pilgrims, continue the work of our calling—to be an intentional Christian community, in which we practice service and fellowship, prayer and worship, and education and discipleship as we follow Jesus and embrace all—may we always be open to what the Spirit is calling us to be and do as we practice and grow into being the body of Christ in Portland, OR!
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Events!
Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, 10:00 am, Pastor Brett preaching at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Tigard, OR.
Sunday, Aug. 5, 2018, 4-6:00 pm, Gathering and worship of Community of Pilgrims at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church.
Wed., Aug. 8, 7 pm, Steering/Guide Team, Chris’ home.
Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, 9:30 and 11:00 am, Pastor Brett will be preaching at First Presbyterian Church, Salem, OR.
Thurs., Aug. 16-Sunday, Aug. 19, Pastor Brett will be theologian-in-residence at Camp Hope on the OR Coast (Camp Magruder), which is a camp for people with intellectual disabilities. Worship will still “happen”, from 4-6 pm at Rose City Park on Aug. 19.
Fri., Aug. 24-Wed., Aug. 29, Pastor Brett will be staff for “Listening with Open Hearts” Conference for the United Methodist Church at Collins Retreat Center. Again, we will gather together on Aug. 26 for worship.
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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!
*Opportunity to discuss and act: From Pastor Linda at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church: “If your folks would be interested in fixing a dinner for the kids from Warm Springs as they are here in the NW College of Construction program-- let me know. Opportunities will be S-Th dinners from July 8-August 8.” Let’s discuss Sunday.
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Poem
Things of August, by Wallace Stevens
These locusts by day, these crickets by night
Are the instruments on which to play
Of an old and disued ambit of the soul
Or of a new aspect, bright in discovery--
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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