THIS SUNDAY: Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sept. 20, 2020, Proper 20, 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 September Smoke,
I hear from our pilgrim family and friends on the east coast that there is a kind of veil of smoky sky hanging over them, in which the sun there, too is but a pin prick in the brown-and-orange fog-like sky. Our prayers for the family and friends of those who died during this epic forest fire blaze up and down the west coast, as well as with those who have lost homes and livelihoods. Prayers as we re-build and re-plant, in which forest management does make a difference. And prayers for the earth, in which the evidence of global climate change is startling clear, that we may, as a community and society, do a better job of taking care of the creation. On Sunday we can talk about which organizations are asking for contributions of clothes, furniture, and food, and our communal response.
The focus Scripture this Sunday is Matthew 20:1-16, and it is the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. It is a fascinating passage, in which what we think, at first read, isn’t necessarily what it may be about. It is, "open for interpretation," and that is what we will do. For example, at first read, many assume it is God who is the vineyard owner, who pays all the people who work in the vineyards for the same pay, no matter what time the workers begin their work for the day. And it ends with this interesting moral point: “the last will be first, and the first will be last.” So, is this a parable about God’s boundless love for the world, especially when it is lavished upon others we would think as not worthy of receiving such a gift? Is it a view of our own labor as a gift from God? Or is this a story about the joyful fulfillment of our created purpose? Perhaps it is simply a story about the mere endurance of scorching heat on a hot day when working in the “vineyards of God?” Join us this Sunday as we consider the lessons from the parable of the laborers, and consider who is among the last who will be first, and the first who will be last in our community and world today.
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Thank you for joining us this past Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020 for a three-year anniversary. I especially thank you for your reflections upon what the Community of Pilgrims has meant for you and your family. Please write a sentence or two about being part of the Community of Pilgrims, so that I may add it to the website. Please email it to me at the email address provided above. This is a way of sharing with those who go to the website and are looking for a community of faith in the Portland-Vancouver area, to see what is happening among those of us who live and are part of this community. Who knows?! They may want to join us!
Also, please consider making a special contribution to the Community of Pilgrims for the third-year anniversary, like 30 cents, $3.00, or $30.00, or more. While we are not meeting in person, the Community of Pilgrims still welcomes your financial contribution. We still have bills to pay as a community of faith, with Zoom, etc. Please make a check out to Community of Pilgrims, and mail it to Community of Pilgrims, c/o Brett Webb-Mitchell, 9460 SW Martha St., Tigard, OR 97224, or use “Give Now” button on Community of Pilgrims website, www.communityofpilgrims.com. Many thanks for considering this request.
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Events!
Sept. 20, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Sept. 27, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Oct. 4, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
Oct. 11, Gather and Devotion and Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· The West Coast is suffering from fires, smoke, property damage, and deaths.
· Thanksgiving that the Donald's home and cabin in Detroit both survived the fires.
· Thanksgiving that Linda's brother is moving to a retirement community and will be near his family.
· Thanksgiving that her brother's youngest grandson is doing well in rehabilitation for alcoholism.
· Roberta's friend Sonya and prayers that the long-standing estrangement can heal.
· Celebration for Winston's church and the rite of passage ceremony it offers to help young teens understand themselves as they enter adulthood.
· Peace and comfort for Ken Miller who is in great pain.
· Improved vision for Lorinda following her eye doctor appointment tomorrow
· Celebrations that Kathy's sister Jan will have her breast cancer surgery on September 23.
· Those who have lost property and lives in the fires.
· George Doolittle who suffers after the death of his wife.
· Happy Birthday to Chris on September 14!
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Poem
God Letter, by CM Burroughs
Do I have to dress up or can I wear jeans? Dear Joaquin,
casual Sunday is a plus! Can a woman be fully present in heels?
Remember the other day at the shops, we saw the T-shirt that
read “Blessed” across the front? I know
you picked it up for me as a joke, but it made me pause. I think
I am blessed in the way I understand people to mean it: having
good fortune. But this is where faith messes with my clean concept,
because practicing Christians don’t believe blessings come
out the clear blue sky. So here’s God again, all up in the Kool-Aid.
I’m dating myself, but I mean that He gets in the way of
spiritual minimalism. He is at once contained and uncontainable,
which, intellectually, is hard to understand. So being blessed
must require that one acts in such a way that presses God to bestow
blessings, which isn’t the same thing as good fortune, but I want
to believe that people are saying, “You have such good fortune,
I hope for good fortune, too,” because it means that no one is
preaching at me like, “You have good God-God,” “Father
God I hope He Gods for us, too,” “You got God?” Et cetera.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.