THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Aug. 8, 2021, Eleventh 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 Imitators of God,
For several months, I’ve been working on a book of daily devotions for pilgrims, A Daily Devotion for Ordinary Pilgrims on an Extraordinary Pilgrimage, posting daily entries on my Facebook page for the School of the Pilgrim. I’m up to Day 46, with 319 entries left. This week’s reading from the Psalms is excellent source material for our daily pilgrimage, in which we are reminded of where we are going and where we will be safe: “O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him” (Ps. 34:8). This is a helpful verse to remember in the midst of a pandemic, amid global warming changes, and other parts of life that are challenging in our daily lives, we have a place of refuge. Let us be thankful that on this pilgrimage of life we can find safety or shelter from pursuit, danger or trouble in God in Christ, our shield from danger and trouble.safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. Someone who provides shelter. This sounds good!
The focus Scripture this week is Ephesians 4:25-5:2. In the beginning of this passage, the writer (who may or may not be Paul) is writing to the young Christian community in Ephesus about the actions and behaviors of those who are part of the Christian community. But the focus this week will be on the last two lines, 5:1, 2: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” How the heck does one imitate God? This is pure pilgrim fodder: Jesus himself provides the pathway or footsteps of God throughout this world, not simply giving us an example to follow by our own grit and determination, but cutting the pilgrimage path for us, and then pulling, pushing, nudging, cajoling and leading us along. We have the ability to imitate God by grace, and may walk the path and imitate God because we are loved by the Spirit of God. Join us this Sunday at 4 pm as we talk about imitating God as a community of faith. The theme? Being imitators of God!
** We began meeting on a “kick off” Sunday on Sept. 10, 2017 at Rose City Park Presbyterian Church’s Chapel. So on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, we will gather together on Zoom and maybe (just maybe) in person if you are living in the Portland area, to celebrate our anniversary. Place to be announced. Time? 4:00 pm, of course, Pacific Coast Time. Think of one powerful memory or meaningful way that being part of this growing, evolving, ever changing community of faith has touched your life, or the life of others around you. We will share these memories on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021.
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Events!
Aug. 8, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Aug. 15, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Aug. 22, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Aug. 29, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Sept. 5, Holy Holiday! (Labor Day Weekend)
Sept. 12, Celebrating the Fourth Anniversary of the Community of Pilgrims! 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! Huzzah!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· People who suffer from PTSD.
· Roberta's friend Zeta who is still hospitalized and facing extensive rehabilitation and for her daughter Tamara, her advocate.
· Marge and her friend and advocate Patty. Thanksgiving for Patty's faithfulness. Prayers both Marge and Patty can continue in strength and peace of mind.
· Lorinda's friend Christine who died this last week.
· Teenagers and young adults who face significant mental health challenges.
· Those who treat those young people. Continued diligence for those in mental health and caregivers in general.
· People to be able to trust in a higher power.
· Other parts of the world without access to the COVID vaccine.
· Bill's cardiologist who died unexpectedly this past week.
· People who are struggling with rent and eviction pressures.
· Those who live homeless and houseless lives.
· The global climate change that continues to have an impact upon our lives.
· Those places in the world in which there is civil strife and civil war.
· The rising number of COVID infections and deaths, especially in the US, Brazil, and India.
· The voter suppression laws in various state houses; may these hurtful laws be vanquished and suppressed.
“God, in your love, attend our prayers…”
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Poem
A Blessing, by Jan Richardson
When the wall
Between the worlds
Is too firm,
Too close.
When it seems
All solidity
And sharp edges.
When every morning
You wake as if
Flattened against it,
Its forbidding presence
Fairly pressing the breath
From you
All over again.
Then may you be given
A glimpse
Of how weak the wall
And how strong what stirs
On the other side,
Breathing with you
And blessing you
Still
Forever bound to you
But freeing you
Into this living
Into this world
So much wider
Than you ever knew.
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.