THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, 4 pm on Zoom, Fifth 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!
Welcome, February! After what seemed like a long January, in February we honor and recognize that this is Black History month, which is, of course, US history. In February, we celebrate Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14). Civil rights icon Rosa Parks is honored with Rosa Parks Day on February 4th(it’s her birthday). And on Feb. 14th we recognize the anniversary of statehood of Oregon (Feb.14,1859). February is also National Goat Yoga month and National Adopt a Rescued Rabbit month, but let’s not get carried away, or stepped on, or hopped all over.
The focus Scripture this Sunday is Luke 5:1-11. In this passage, Luke’s Jesus welcomes Simon Peter, along with James and John, the sons of Zebedee, as his disciples. Unlike Matthew and Mark’s Jesus, Luke’s Jesus meets the disciples doing what they did, day in and day out: fish! Jesus met the disciples right where they lived, without any warning, or a “Head’s up! After today, your lives will never be the same!” sign. The calling to discipleship doesn’t come until after Jesus engages with Simon Peter in his daily occupation of catching fish. After a day and night with little to no fish caught, Jesus gets on his boat and redirects Simon as to where he should throw his net. Probably thinking, “sure, why not…what’s there to lose?” Simon does as Jesus suggests, and, behold, the catch is incredibly large. Overcome by fear and this sense of being overwhelmed, Simon blurts out to Jesus, “Go away from me, for I am a sinful man.” Jesus meets Simon where he is emotionally and intellectually, and tells him that he has nothing to be afraid of or sorry for, and that he has a new occupation for him: to fish for people, who will then follow Jesus. Although they just brought in the biggest catch of fish in their lives, Simon, James, and John leave the boat loaded with fish and follow Jesus, the one who has completely re-oriented their lives. Join us this Sunday as we discuss the ways that following Jesus in our world today keeps dis-orienting and re-orienting our lives.
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There are two opportunities that have made themselves available for the Community of Pilgrims! Here’s the first invitation: On Sat., Feb. 12th, from 1-3 pm, we have been invited by Moreland Presbyterian Church to prepare a home for a family from Afghanistan. The address is 7016 SE 19th, Portland, OR. We would work in the kitchen, cleaning cabinets and cabinet hardware (Moreland will provide cleaning supplies and step stools). More information will come!
The second opportunity could be our Lenten/Easter service project focus, and that would be collecting clothes for HomePlate, a place of refuge and sanctuary for houseless young people in Beaverton, OR that Roxanne Ushman works with as a volunteer. Go to www.homeplateyouth.org for more information. We will talk about gathering clothes and other needs the organization has this coming Sunday, Feb. 6.
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Events!
Feb. 6, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Feb. 12, 1-3 pm, House Project, Moreland Presbyterian Church area.
Feb. 13, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Feb. 20, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
Feb. 27, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
We pray to the Creator of all creation:
· Happy Birthday Mary and Bill.
· Thanksgiving for the good news for Portland and other parts of the country where the Omicron variant is dropping and leveling off.
· Celebrations for this year's Chinese New Year, The Year of The Tiger, on Tuesday February 1st.
· Thanksgiving for the miracle of cochlear implants.
· A young person at Home Plate for whom a memorial service was held on Friday.
· Our nation as we face so many difficult challenges, from voting rights and white nationalists, encroaching authoritarianism and threat to LGBTQIA+ equality.
· Thanksgiving for the wisdom and leadership of Justice Stephen Breyer who is retiring from the Supreme Court and thanksgiving that President Biden has committed to choose an African American woman to replace him.
· People in countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Myanmar who are suffering from war, economic crisis, and hunger.
· Wider access to the vaccines so that we can increase immunity around the world.
· The growing number of small businesses in Portland that have been vandalized or broken into.
· People sleeping outside in the cold and rain.
· Thanksgiving for safe rest villages offering mini homes for the homeless planned for the Portland area and prayers for people to use them.
God in your love, attend our prayers. Amen.
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Poem
Beloved, by E. Ethelbert Miller
Please forgive me for forgetting.
I wanted to go outside and look for you.
I was told this was impossible.
I was instructed to stay indoors.
But my words for you need sun.
My heart needs air.
I love you Spring.
I miss your warmth.
Come unlock my door.
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.