THIS SATURDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, Christmas Eve! Joint worship service at Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church, 7119 N. Portsmouth Ave., Portland, OR, 97203. 5 pm. We will not meet on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. 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,
“The reason for the season of Christmas” is almost here! After the four weeks of Advent, focusing on the movement of God in our world’s story, in which justice, peace, hope, joy, and love prevail in the world that is always teetering on the edge of rejecting these characteristics of a well-lived moral life, we remember the change agent extraordinaire who is born in a town outside of Jerusalem, in Bethlehem. The couple that welcomes the birth of Jesus are not well known. They are of the lineage of the house of King David, but besides that, not too much is known of the family. And the setting for the story is not beautiful and serene. It was an ad hoc situation at best. And right after the birth, the pilgrimage of Jesus’ life begins in earnest, to escape the horror show unleashed by Herod.
There is a refrain in the song, “O Holy Night,” with lyrics by French poet Placide Cappeau in 1843, based on the “divine midnight hour” of Christ’s birth, that speaks to us well today, as it did when it was first written, as well as about the night of Christ’s birth: “O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, it is the night of our dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error, pining, until he appears and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.” At the time of Christ’s birth, the world around Jesus’ birth was weary with being occupied territory of the Roman Empire. Sin and error abounded. Weirdly enough, the world feels similar today in some very real ways. We live in a weary and heavy-laden world. God’s faithfulness, in the birth of Emmanuel, God with us, shows up with wonder and surprise. It catches us off guard. There is nothing rational about this birth, or news of it. It came from left field. Off the grid. Out of the framework of our way of knowing the world, and God. And for that gift, let us give thanks. Join us as we read Luke 2:1-20, and remember, again, what God has done, is doing, and will always do in securing the realm of love in our midst today.
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Pledge Time! Thank you! Thank you, one and all, for making a pledge for 2023 for the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship. Your pledge supports the ongoing work of the Community of Pilgrims, including the salary and housing for the pastor, as well as making it possible for us to work together to meet weekly on Zoom or at Rise for worship and prayer, education and discipleship, and continue our work of service and fellowship in the greater community in which we live as we follow Jesus and embrace all. Know, also, that at the end of the year you may contribute the rest of your pledge for 2022, and, if interested, send more funds for the Community of Pilgrims as a charitable contribution for this tax year.
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Advent-Christmas Service Project: Thank you! Thanks to the Community of Pilgrims and Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church for sharing funds to purchase nine Fred Meyer gift cards for people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who have re-settled in east Portland/Gresham. Together, both churches raised over $1,000! Thank you so much for making Christmas special in the lives of those who are making their new home in Portland.
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Events!
Dec. 24, 5 pm, Christmas Eve worship at Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church.
Dec. 25, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2023, Holy Holidays!
Jan. 8, 4 pm, Epiphany! Gather and Devotion on Zoom or at Rise Church
Jan. 15, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom or at Rise Church
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
We pray to the Creator of all creation:
Prayers of thanksgiving for:
Kathy and her commitment to Community of Pilgrims
The traditional Christmas Pageant at East Woods Church this morning narrated by a special needs young man.
The Respect for Marriage Act signed by President Biden.
Brett's experience being Santa.
Chuck's grandson Mike is visiting from Norway.
Chuck for being a wonderful grandfather.
Friends and family.
The lovely service at St. Andrew's to honor Marge Stockwell.
Christian had a safe trip to visit his family.
Midterm elections were fair and safe.
The gifts we have collected for the two adopted families from Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Prayers of concern for:
Roberta's friend who just lost her husband.
Those dealing with dementia.
Paddler Larry Cobb who is in palliative care, and Charles Flaum who has cancer.
France is disappointed they could not successfully defend their World Cup crown after losing to Argentina in the final.
Roberta's former advisor who has been diagnosed with a form of leukemia.
Hot spots around the world including Syria, Yemen, China, North Korea, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, Peru, and parts of the US.
Rise of violence in this country against the LGBTQIA2S+ community, specifically transgender community, and the Jewish community.
Global climate concerns including increased carbon dioxide levels, global warming, and pollution.
The epidemic of gun violence in this country.
Germany where last week police arrested far-right extremists on suspicion of plotting a coup.
Those in palliative care and hospice.
Those on death row and prayers that this country abolish capital punishment.
States where voting rights are suppressed.
Safe return to Norway for Chuck's grandson Mike.
May the Christmas spirit spread and prevail.
God in your love, attend our prayers. Amen
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Poem
How the Light Comes (A Blessing for Christmas Day) by Jan Richardson
I cannot tell you
how the light comes.
What I know
is that it is more ancient
than imagining.
That it travels
across an astounding expanse
to reach us.
That it loves
searching out
what is hidden
what is lost
what is forgotten
or in peril
or in pain.
That it has a fondness
for the body
for finding its way
toward flesh
for tracing the edges
of form
for shining forth
through the eye,
the hand,
the heart.
I cannot tell you
how the light comes,
but that it does.
That it will.
That it works its way
into the deepest dark
that enfolds you,
though it may seem
long ages in coming
or arrive in a shape
you did not foresee.
And so
may we this day
turn ourselves toward it.
May we lift our faces
to let it find us.
May we bend our bodies
to follow the arc it makes.
May we open
and open more
and open still
to the blessed light
that comes.
Buen Camino! Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell and Karen Cornwell Fortlander