THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, 4 pm, Fourth Sunday after Epiphany. 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!
Greetings from my perch in Seattle. I'm writing on the dining room table, looking outside at the blue sky of Seattle (where I am writing this newsletter) and Portland. It is a crisp, winter’s day, in which we may enjoy the unexpected sunshine, given the normally wet, gray days of Pacific NW winters.
And before launching into what is going to be the focus Scripture this week, let us remember that today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. We live in a world in which the next generation—the so-called millennial generation—are not as well versed as to what happened in Nazi Germany in the earlier part of the 20th century. Along with the 6 millions Jewish people who died, we remember those who were LGBTQIA+, those who were disabled, those who were from parts of European society that was largely denigrated, as well as those who fought against Hitler and his autocratic regime in Germany from within, who were systematically targeted and murdered during the bleak chapter in our world’s history.
The focus Scripture this week is two-fold. The Gospel story is from Luke 4:21-30, and 1 Cor. 13:1-13, the “love” passage, is the other part of this week's reading. The Gospel is a continuation of the story from last week, in which Jesus surprised and impressed everyone with his reading from Isaiah, proclaiming that he, himself, was the fulfillment of the Prophet’s words about the coming Messiah. While he is praised and held in awe by everyone in the synagogue after that reading, things quickly go “south” in terms of his favorability rating, to the point that the people of Nazareth were all ready to throw him to his death from a “cliff,” though it is hard to find a cliff in Nazareth. What Jesus did after his reading from Isaiah is continue to tell the truth of his story, his life, which made people uncomfortable. Those from Nazareth wanted this son of Joseph and Mary to work wonders and miracles in their midst, but Jesus brought forth truth that, oftentimes, went against the people’s wishes. As Jesus rightly foretold them all: a prophet is often not welcomed in one’s home town, which is the case of Nazareth. Jesus is not successfully thrown off the cliff, but, in an interesting passage, passes through the midst of the crowd and goes his own way (v. 30). Nonetheless, while the Nazarenes wanted Jesus to be their very own Messiah, Jesus reminds us, first, that he, God’s child, came for all people, from all walks of life, and that, second, what he brought with him was an example of Godly love, which is what Paul’s writing to the church in Corinth exemplifies. Join us this Sunday as we discuss the ministry of Jesus, and the way forward in love.
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Events!
Jan. 30, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Feb. 2, Called Presbytery Meeting, 7 pm (I have Zoom information if interested.)
Feb. 6, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Feb. 13, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Feb. 20, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
We pray to the Creator of all creation:
· Marie Dolson and family dealing with Marie's four brothers who all have serious health problems.
· Carl Bankus who suffered a recent stroke in California and is unable to return to Portland because there are no rehab beds available.
· Roxanne's foster nephew who continues to wait for approval for a CT scan.
· Brother Gary whose residence has been in lockdown since New Year's eve.
· Birthday celebrations for Chuck who turned 92 on January 21st.
· Thanksgiving that vaccines will be available to children five years old and younger beginning in March.
· Traveling mercies for Chris's son-in-law Tom who will be flying to California and then driving back cross-country to Greenwich, New York.
· People in Kazakhstan where violent protests earlier this month killed over 200 people and thousands of protestors have been detained.
· Aversion to a Russian invasion of Ukraine through negotiations between the US, NATO, and Russia.
· People in Tonga who are struggling with ash, the emotional crisis, and the humanitarian crisis following the January 15 underwater volcanic eruption and tsunami.
· Protection of voting rights in the United States.
· With thanks for the work of Justice Steven Breyer, and for hopes of a new Black woman as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the US (SCOTUS).
· End of the death penalty in the US in light of an execution in OK.
· An end to banning books in the US.
God in your love, attend our prayers.
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Poem
Love, by the Apostle Paul
Love is patient and is kind.
Love doesn’t envy.
Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
and endures all things.
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.