THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Oct. 31, 2021, 23rd 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!
And so we move into our high(er) holy days of the Church year this coming Sunday. This Sunday, Oct. 31, is All Hallow’s Eve and Reformation Sunday, followed by All Hallow’s Day or All Saints’ Day. It is said that theologian Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the nearby castle's church door in Wittenberg, Germany, on the evening of All Hallow’s Eve, 1517, in order that the most people possible would see his doctrine on the church door the next morning. With these Theses, he lit the flame of the Protestant Reformation. No green for vestments on this day. Red is the color for Reformation Sunday, because red is worn for the sign of the Holy Spirit, which was and is moving in the Church. This is followed by All Hallow’s or All Saints’ Day on Monday, Nov.1, 2021, which we will celebrate on Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021.
This Sunday’s focus passage is Mark 12: 28-34. To sum it up, Jesus was asked by a Jewish Scribe about which commandment was the first of all commandments from the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments. Jesus answered that the two most important commandments are, one, to love the Lord your God with all your body, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. All the rest of the laws fall under these two major commandments. This is nothing new, of course. These commandments are foundational to Torah. However, no one else put the two ancient commandments together in the way that Jesus did, giving it a new twist, if you will. Core to both commandments is love. And by love, Jesus means an agape love. A sacrificial love. And this sacrificial, agape, love is well-practiced by Jesus, who shows us how to practice this love, right where we are, daily, 24/7. In other words, to love is the way of life for all Christians. It isn't merely a philosophy or theology or "outlook on life," per se, but a practice, involving our mind, body and spirit, learned in and part of our community of faith/the body of Christ. Join us, on this All Hallow’s Eve and Reformation Sunday, as we discuss the application of agape love in our lives and world today, 24/7.
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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 weeks, 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. 31, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! All Hallow’s Eve and Reformation Sunday.
Nov. 7, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! All Saints’ Day to be celebrated.
Nov. 14, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Nov. 21, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! Pledge Sunday! Reign of Christ Sunday.
Nov. 28, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! First Sunday of Advent.
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
We prayer to the Lord:
· The people in Haiti including the missionaries being held for ransom, the 13,000 refugees that were sent back to Haiti, victims of the earthquake and widespread COVID and for leadership after the assassination of their President.
· Traveling mercies for Karen returning home from a visit with Chris.
· Two friends in Montana and California, both fighting terminal illnesses, and for all friends who are suffering.
· Continued prayers for brother Gary who is becoming more debilitated by Parkinson's symptoms.
· Thanksgiving for the vaccine now available for children 5-11 and prayers that it come quickly for younger children.
· Zeta who is now able to be at home recovering and Roberta was able to visit her last week.
· Understanding for refugees worldwide.
· 98-year-old friend who is near death and thanksgiving for the good care from the family.
· Hannah in Scotland recently committed to six months of involuntary care.
· Abby, a registered nurse in CA who cares for COVID patients and she lost her father to COVID.
· Family and friends of John Shuck who died last week due to complications from COVID.
· Our climate and good cooperation and outcomes from the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow next week.
· Congress to act on global climate change and the right to vote bills.
· Celebrations for upcoming birthdays for Scott and daughter Edie, turning three.
· Celebrations for art and being able to attend the Portland Art Museum in person.
“God, in your love, attend our prayers…”
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Poem
All Saints, by Malcolm Guite
Though Satan breaks our dark glass into shards
Each shard still shines with Christ’s reflected light,
It glances from the eyes, kindles the words
Of all his unknown saints. The dark is bright
With quiet lives and steady lights undimmed,
The witness of the ones we shunned and shamed.
Plain in our sight and far beyond our seeing
He weaves them with us in the web of being
They stand beside us even as we grieve,
The lone and left behind whom no one claimed,
Unnumbered multitudes, he lifts above
The shadow of the gibbet and the grave,
To triumph where all saints are known and named;
The gathered glories of His wounded love.
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.