THIS SUNDAY: Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Nov. 22, 2020, Reign of Christ Sunday, and Zoom; Contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
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Dear Pilgrims of Jesus, the Pilgrim God,
This Sunday marks the last Sunday of the Church year! The title, “Christ the King Sunday” was instituted in the Western Church in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Since then, some of us have removed the monarchical title of “Christ the King” to “Reign of Christ” Sunday. Others have moved to “Centered on Christ” Sunday, taking away all the possible descriptions of a monarchy. What we do know is that those of us, like myself, who use the Revised Common Lectionary and follow the prescribed holy days of the Church, this Sunday focuses on Christ, and that the following Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent.
And, quite fitting for this Sunday, the reading is Matthew 25:31-46. This is the last parable in Matthew’s Gospel. This is his final discourse before his passion. It is all about a certain kind of judgment and justice. We first met this kind of judgment-justice in Matthew 3. And throughout Matthew’s Gospel, we sense this tension between obedience and disobedience in Matthew’s Jesus. Remember that encounter with a rich person and Jesus, who asked Jesus “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16-24). The person who asked that question wanted to have a philosophical/theological jousting session. But what it boils down to is action. Granted, I love a good theological discussion, and being on a teaching faculty at a major seminary was never boring. But at the end of the day, at the end of the Gospel, for Jesus, is not only speech-acts (what we say or don't say). What matters is our action, or inaction, in the face of those who are hungry and thirsty, those who are strangers, those who are naked, and those who are sick and in prison. Plenty of these folk in Portland and beyond. Because, pray tell: who is it that we find or discover in meeting the needs of others? Why, Jesus, of course. Join us this Sunday, this “reign of Christ” or “Centered on Christ” Sunday, as we explore our actions in serving the "least of these" as a community of faith, and how we meet Jesus today, the Pilgrim God.
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Thank you, all, for your contribution of time, talent, service, and financial gifts to us and to the wider PCUSA in 2020. As we draw to the end of the year 2020, there is still time to give to the Community of Pilgrims in terms of what people have pledged for 2020. During Advent 2020, we will also have our annual pledge drive! Stay tuned!
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As a follow-up to this week's message (above) and this Sunday's gathering, we will be supporting Human Solutions and/or SnowCap during Advent! We will talk about our actions in meeting those most in need in the Portland metro area this week. More news to come!
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Events!
Nov. 22, The Reign of Christ/Centered on Christ Sunday, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Nov. 29, First Sunday of Advent, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Dec. 6, Second Sunday of Advent, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Dec. 13, Third Sunday of Advent, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Dec. 20, Fourth Sunday of Advent, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Dec. 24, Christmas Eve gathering and devotion on Zoom!
Dec. 25, Christmas!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Christian who turns “58” or thereabouts today.
· Central America battered by heavy rains and wind from two hurricanes only two weeks apart, and Ethiopia and unrest.
· Birthday celebrations for Winston.
· Better health for Marge Stockwell who needs hip surgery.
· Roberta's friend in a difficult family situation.
· Our nation where the COVID-19 infection rate is rising at an alarming rate. Over 250,000 people have died.
· The incoming Biden-Harris administration and prayers for a safe transition.
· Our rain and the green it brings to our world.
· Philip who will celebrate his birthday on November 29.
· Dorothy, the associate pastor installed one year ago at Winston's church, congratulations on her engagement and thanksgiving for all the wonderful ways she adds to his church.
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Poem
Blessing of Hope, by Jan Richardson
So may we know
The hope
That is not just
For someday
But for this day--
Here, now, in this moment
That opens to us:
Hope not made
Of wishes
But of substance,
Hope made of sinew
And muscle
And bone,
Hope that has breath
And a beating heart,
Hope that will not
Keep quiet
And be polite,
Hope that knows
How to holler
When it is called for,
Hope that knows
How to sing
Where there seems
Little cause,
Hope that raises us
From the dead!
Not someday
But this day,
Every day,
Again and
Again and
Again.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.