THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sept. 12, 2021, Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Gathering and Devotion on Zoom this Sunday. 4th-Year Anniversary of The Community of Pilgrims! 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!
Happy Four-Year Anniversary! Woohoo!
Good things come in four! For example, in the Wizard of Oz, there are four incredible characters: Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion, and Scarecrow. There were four Beatles. There are four suits of cards. There are four cardinal directions. There are four seasons. There’s the “Fantastic Four” fictional action figures. And there are four Gospels in the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!
And The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship is celebrating four years together!
On Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, 4 pm, we will gather together on Zoom to celebrate our anniversary. We will be gathering via Zoom, thanks, in no part, to the presence of the Delta variant, which re-configures so much of the world in which we live. The Scripture focus will be Hebrews 13:1, 2: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to pilgrims, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” And here’s a task for you to consider: Think of one powerful memory or meaningful way, or comedic way, that being part of this growing, evolving, ever changing community of faith has touched your life, the life of others around you, or the world in which we live. For example, I still remember the night we re-poured pounds of rice into smaller bags for families who needed food in Portland. Now, your turn. We will share these memories on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. We will share Communion on that day as well, and a toast afterwards with your favorite libation.
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Events!
Sept. 12, Celebrating the Fourth Anniversary of the Community of Pilgrims! 4 pm, Gather and Devotion and Holy Communion on Zoom! Huzzah!
Sept. 19, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Sept. 26, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Oct. 3, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Prayers for the voting right bills before the US Congress;
· Prayers for the girls, women, and families in Texas with the new anti-abortion law;
· Prayers for the youth at Home Plate, especially following the death of one of its own, like to suicide. Prayers for Roxanne and her work there.
· Prayers for Dayna and Luke, who are now “wife and husband.”
· Prayers of thanksgiving and gratefulness for the 4 years of The Community of Pilgrims, and may there be many more.
· Prayers of thanksgiving for the new people who have joined the Community of Pilgrims, like Roxanne and Deborah, Winston, Michael, and others throughout our time together.
· Prayers for people to use masks and get the vaccine, especially in the parts of the nation where there is a strong anti-mask and anti-vaccine sentiment.
· Prayers for Yarrow Halstead, Christian’s sister, and Christian’s mom, who both have cancer;
· Prayers for Afghan refugees, both who got out of the country and those trying to get out;
· Prayers for Haiti;
· Prayers for this nation as we remember the events around the 20th anniversary of 9/11;
· Prayers for those parts of the country who have felt the weight of Hurricane Ida;
· Prayers for those living with and dying from mental illness;
· Prayers for those attending schools in this country with masks on, and prayers for school boards who are assaulted by non-mask wearing people;
· Prayers for those fighting the forest fires in this country and abroad;
· Prayers for those who are refugees in this world;
· Prayers for Tom Letts and his wife, Joelle, at the news of the unexpected death of their son last week in Colorado;
“God, in your love, attend our prayers…”
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Poem
Come Gather All, by Paul Berchtold
Come gather all, from great to least,
Come celebrate this special feast.
This is the day, by God's own choice,
Our church was born. Let us rejoice!
May God be praised! May God be blest!
May He find here His place of rest.
We honor those who built with care,
His throne on earth, this house of prayer.
May all who come, find truth and light,
Receive new hope of future bright.
God fill us with abundant grace.
May angels guard this holy place.
We thank you, Lord, for what you've done
Here in this place through your dear Son.
Abide with us, your Spirit show,
As rivers may your blessings flow.
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.