THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, January 31, 2021, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany, Gather and Devotion on Zoom. If you have any questions, or are interested in a conversation, contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
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Dear Pilgrims of the Way,
To those who live far away from the Portland area, or haven’t been here for a “snow storm,” we hold a creative tension with a sense of wonder and also dread that comes with snow. That’s what happened this past Tuesday. We experienced a mixture of awe and “darn it.” It was the same mixture of wonder and dread that I experienced when living in North Carolina, in which any snow meant the beginning of the great French toast festival, as all the supermarkets were wiped out of eggs, bread, and milk. Thankfully, we are now back to clouds and drizzle, with some spotting of the sun from time to time. Welcome, winter!
The focus passage this Sunday is Mark 1:21-28. Jesus enters a synagogue with the disciples, and he begins to teach. While there, he meets up with a man with an “unclean spirit,” who would not be silent. The man utters these words, “I know who you are, the Holy One of God,” revealing part of the nature or identity, which is why this passage is included in this season of Epiphany. Jesus heals this man, and everyone around Jesus was amazed and said, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! (my emphasis) He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him” (vv. 26, 27). What caught my attention in this reading, which will also be the focus this Sunday, is that line in which Jesus teaches as one with authority. It was an authority that was noticed by the unclean spirit in the man. And what is the genesis of this authority? Is it not God?
The issue I will focus on this Sunday is authority. What is authority? What or who qualifies as “one with authority?” How do we understand the idea of something or someone being “authoritative?” I’ve always wondered about people’s understanding of Holy Scriptures as an “authoritative” text, and if it is authoritative outside of a community or only within a community. And how is this related, if at all, to authoritarianism, which has been part of our discussion as a nation in the past few years in terms of our nation’s politics. In the book Tyranny, by Tim Snyder, he begins with this line: “Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individual think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do” (p. 17). So, a question: while Jesus was speaking as one with authority, did Jesus create an authoritarian community of believers? Or is it because we always have the freedom to choose, aka, free will, that we always have a choice, and are not caught in an authoritarian community, but a community of willing, called, participants who can always exercise free will? Join us this Sunday as we discuss the difference between one who speaks with authority and authoritarianism.
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One last time! It still isn’t too late to send in a pledge form for 2021. As all of you know, we have been supported in large part by the generous gifts of the PCUSA 1001 New Worshiping Communities and the Presbytery of the Cascades New Ministries Team funds since we began in 2017. We are one of the rare new communities of faith ventures that have been granted funds from the Seed Grants, Investment Grants, and Growth Grants! At the end of 2021, we will be dependent upon the financial gifts, time, service, and talents of the membership of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, with possible help from other non-profits. Thank you for considering your gift in support of the Community of Pilgrims in 2021!
** For our Lenten giving and offering, the focus will be on breakfast foods for Human Solution and the Women’s Emergency Shelter in Gresham! Stay tuned for more information.
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Events!
Jan. 31, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Feb. 7, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Feb. 14, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
Feb. 17, Ash Wednesday, Gather, Devotion and Lectio Divina reading, 12 noon, on Zoom. Lent begins!
Feb. 21, Gather and Devotion on Zoom, First Sunday of Lent.
Feb. 28, Gather and Devotion on Zoom, Second Sunday of Lent.
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Lorinda's sister and brother-in-law who both got through COVID.
· All the people who have survived COVID.
· Katie's friends who have COVID and prayers for the entire University of Oregon.
· A smooth roll out of the vaccine.
· Adriane, Edie, and Scott who will move back to Ashville, N.C. in March.
· Chuck and his 91st birthday this past week.
· Workers who have lost their jobs.
· Access to the vaccine in other parts of the world.
· Victims of the civil war in Yemen.
· Alexei Navalny and his wife imprisoned in Russia and all the protesters defying Putin and calling for Navalny's release from prison.
· Celebrations that the inauguration went well and power was transferred smoothly.
· Our nation as we move forward.
· Norway where the government announced a return to shutdown status for Oslo and several other cities with schools and most businesses closed and events canceled until the end of January.
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Poem
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, by Robert Frost
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.