THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Oct. 24, 2021, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Gathering and Devotion on Zoom this Sunday. 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 Community of Pilgrims!
Prayers for rain are being answered! As we all know, we Oregonians and our friends in CA and WA, are all in severe drought conditions. As I paddled this morning on the Willamette River, in the rain, I smiled because I knew this is good for our part of the world. Amid thoughts and concerns of the “new normal” in weather patterns, it appears that our members from NM to VA, CA to NY, WA and OR, are living in “normal” patterns of weather. Amen.
This week’s Scripture focus is Mark 10:46-52. It is otherwise known as the story of Bartimaeus, who is blind. But this is no ordinary tale of healing. This is a story of discipleship and calling. As all the commentary writers point out: even though Bartimaeus is physically blind, he can “see” Jesus for who Jesus really is in his earthly ministry. For example, Bartimaeus “sees” and knows of Jesus’ lineage: “Son of David,” he shouts to Jesus. How did Bartimaeus know that? Furthermore, Bartimaeus not only receives his sight, but he “sees” and hears that he is called to be a disciple of Jesus, following Jesus and the disciples as Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem, where Jesus will be killed. Finally, many commentary writers call this a story of true “calling” as Jesus literally and figuratively calls Bartimaeus to his side, and heals him. Join us this Sunday as we consider not only Bartimaeus’ calling, but our calling as well. After all, we’ve all received a calling from Christ’s Spirit in our lives, right? What is your calling in life? And how has it been confirmed and affirmed by our community of faith?
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It is that time in the Church year that, along with all the special holy days, there is also our need to ask people to consider in what ways you can support our ministry with one another and the world in which we live through our time, our service, our gifts, and our financial support. Please consider how you can support us, the Community of Pilgrims, in 2022. We will be sending out pledge forms in the coming week, and ask that you return them to Bill Kinsey, our Treasurer, by Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Thank you for considering this request.
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Events!
Oct. 24, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Oct. 31, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! Happy Halloween!
Nov. 7, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! All Saints’ Day to be celebrated
Nov. 14, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Celebrations for leaves and our beautiful fall colors.
· Thanks for being able to sit outside for this evening's gathering.
· Thanks for the COVID vaccine and Merck's coming out with a COVID-19 pill.
· Opening the hearts and minds of those who oppose the vaccine.
· Safe travels for Karen as she travels to see Chris in New York.
· Family and friends of Marcia Ferguson who passed away a week ago of colon cancer.
· Successful outcome to Linda's second cataract surgery on Tuesday.
· Peace and reconciliation in our city after a group of anarchists caused substantial damage to businesses and government buildings in downtown Portland on Tuesday night.
· Paula, Carol's sister whose cancer has returned and she is in hospice. She has two boys.
· Kathy Kelly who has breast cancer.
· Concerns for our world including new weapon testing in China and North Korea, increased military drills by China against Taiwan, and the bombings of Shia mosques in Afghanistan.
· Justice in this country as the investigation into the January 6th insurrection opens.
· All people with mental illness, especially as we come out of the pandemic.
· Brett as he participates (on Zoom) in the 2021 Convocation of the North American Lutheran Church this next week.
· Christian's mother and sister Iva and Yarrow, both suffering from breast cancer.
· Control over the escalating violence in Portland.
· The Christian missionaries who have been kidnapped in Haiti.
* Climate change.
“God, in your love, attend our prayers…”
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Poem
Autumn, by John Clare
The thistledown's flying, though the winds are all still,
On the green grass now lying, now mounting the hill,
The spring from the fountain now boils like a pot;
Through stones past the counting it bubbles red-hot.
The ground parched and cracked is like overbaked bread,
The greensward all wracked is, bents dried up and dead.
The fallow fields glitter like water indeed,
And gossamers twitter, flung from weed unto weed.
Hill-tops like hot iron glitter bright in the sun,
And the rivers we're eying burn to gold as they run;
Burning hot is the ground, liquid gold is the air;
Whoever looks round sees Eternity there.
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.