THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, July 4, 2021, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, 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 Pilgrim God.
For those who are “new” to The Community of Pilgrims, we will, from time to time, on a Sunday, take a “holy holiday.” This is especially true on busy Sundays in which, were we a larger congregation, we would see our numbers dwindle on this Sunday of all Sundays, because it is July 4th. It is the epitome of a summer vacation weekend! Driving down from Seattle this morning to Portland, we barely beat the crowds of people on the highways leaving our cities for weekend destinations. At 4 pm on Sunday, July 4th, even without the fireworks, the Steering Team’s hunch was that most people would be busy with BBQ activities. So, have a blessed weekend with family, friends, and strangers alike. And, in the words of President Biden, let’s celebrate the freedom from COVID 19, and gather together with small groups of vaccinated people.
This Sunday’s passage will probably be the focus for next week, because it is all about Jesus sending his disciples, two by two, on a pilgrimage, Mark 6:1-13. I am especially drawn to this part: “He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, ‘Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave this place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them” (vv. 7-13). There are three lessons to be learned here. The first is being sent out two by two. Tom Letts, our church coach, reminded us of this central part of pilgrimage, in which we are to go out into the world two by two, not as solo acts, so that we can spend time getting to know others, and share the adventure with each other. The second is what they were sent out with: hardly anything at all. Instead, they were to be totally dependent upon the hospitality of strangers. Totally. And third, rejoice when the Good News is welcomed. And what do we do if we are not welcome in certain places and people? Simply shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. It is analogous to saying, “I wash my hands of this situation,” taking no more responsibility for what may come. So pray about the practices, as modern-day pilgrims, and how we may enact them today, as we have with the two-by-two rule in The Community of Pilgrims. And see you all next week. Enjoy the pilgrimage.
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On Facebook, there is still one more day left! An opportunity always avails itself around one’s birthday to ask friends and family to contribute to a non-profit of the birthday person’s choosing on Facebook. Tomorrow is the last day to give on Facebook! In years past I’ve raised money for Outside In and Southern Poverty Law Center. This year, I’ve chosen The Community of Pilgrims. The goal? $3,000. This will help us continue our work well into 2022, and hopefully 2023. We have a future! Since we are under the umbrella of the Presbytery of the Cascades, you will see that the Presbytery of the Cascades is non-profit one is asked to give to. But read the narrative and you will see it is to the Community of Pilgrims. So far, we have raised $1400. Go to this link, if you are on Facebook or not, and please consider giving today! And thanks for annual pledges as well. To those of you who have given, thanks! And if you want to simply give to the Community of Pilgrims in honor of my birthday, feel free to send a check to Community of Pilgrims, c/o Brett Webb-Mitchell, 9460 SW Martha St, Tigard, OR 97224. And thank you all for your wonderful support of our Community of Pilgrims.
https://www.facebook.com/donate/570468713935481/10224396768125095/
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A few weeks ago, I had the honor of preaching a sermon that was taped on Day 1, which used to be known as the Protestant Hour. I preached the sermon earlier for the Community of Pilgrims in April, and it was taped in April when Christian and I were visiting his family. This Sunday’s Gospel lectionary passage is the focus of this sermon. If you want to read it or hear it, here it is:
https://day1.org/audio/user-audio/60d34aed6615fb5e7700001c.mp3.
Have fun!
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Events!
July 4, Holy Holiday! We will not be meeting today!
July 11, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
July 18, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
July 25, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· COVID 19 vaccines, prayers that others will get vaccinated.
· Persons facing extreme weather challenges, e.g., heat, floods, storms.
· For youth who are at high risk of suicide.
· For families to find ways to stay together.
· For Columbia County families, to find housing, cooling centers. For those continuing to work in this heat. To provide shelters, water.
· Florida, for the building that collapsed, those who died.
· Linda’s friend Linn who undergoes chemotherapy.
· Marge Stockwell in assisted living Gresham facility, and helper Patti.
· May we be invitational.
· Thanks for Pride Month.
· Voting in this country, which is less “free” and more suppressed than it was in 1965 after the Voting Rights Act was made the law of the land.
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Poem
Bed in Summer, by Robert Louis Stevenson
In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer, quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.
I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people's feet
Still going past me in the street.
And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day?
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.