THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sunday, March 27, 2022, No Meeting! Holy Holiday! Fourth Sunday of Lent. 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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Greetings, Community of Pilgrims!
I am writing this newsletter note in Palm Springs, California, on a beautiful, open, airy porch, surrounded with the sounds of birds, gorgeous flowering plants, trees, and bushes, a large ceiling fan moving around the desert heat, sitting on a comfy chair, having taken not one but two naps outside on the patio couch, sipping iced water. Tomorrow I leave for three days in Tempe, Arizona for a dragon boat festival, and then back here to continue the “down time.” Thank you, all, for giving me the space to vacate a little bit. Trust me. This is all restorative.
The Scriptural focus this fourth Sunday of Lent is the story or parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. We know this parable like the back of our hand. As I get older what I like most about this story is the term, “prodigal,” which means “Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant” (dictionary.com). Herein lies the fun and thought-provoking part of this story. At first glance (when I was younger), I was sure that the Prodigal Son was, well, the younger son who had gone out and spent all he had on the “fun” parts of life, making merry with whatever, and with whomever, he could find for a day or night. But as I grow older, the title “prodigal” can be passed around to all the members of the family. The dad could be the “prodigal,” and was in the eyes of the older son, who thought his dad was recklessly spending his money on the errant younger brother. But the older brother was also “prodigal,” recklessly spending his hate and distrust of his younger brother, letting these feelings pile “higher and deeper” on and in him, with no desire to let them go and seek repair of relationships. He savored and fed the hurt and hate he felt deep in his bones towards his family and himself. If I were a commentary writer, I would call this story, “The Prodigal Family.” And here’s the question for us in our families and friendships: in what ways are you and I “prodigals” in our daily lives? Who knows? And how do we practice the art of forgiveness and understanding? I just may have to preach a sermon on this text next week.
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Service Project
Our Lenten/Easter Service Project. From Kathy Fukuyama:
For the past several years, the Community of Pilgrims has donated to Human Solutions and SnowCap in East Multnomah County. We will continue to support these organizations and also support HomePlate Youth Services for this year's Lenten/Easter Donation. Please check out their website https://www.homeplateyouth.org. They operate two centers, one in Beaverton and one in Hillsboro, and they are Washington County's only non-profit provider of drop-in centers and street outreach for young people experiencing homelessness. Their immediate needs include:
· Athletic shoes, boots, and long-sleeve t shirts - new or gently-used
· Men's boxer shorts - new
· 2-person tents and tarps - new or gently-used
· High-protein snacks, individually wrapped
· Applesauce and fruit snacks, individually wrapped
We ask everyone to collect items from this list starting Ash Wednesday March 2nd and to drop them off at Kathy Fukuyama's house before Thursday April 14th. We hope to deliver everything to the Beaverton drop-in center on Good Friday, April 15th or the following week. Please contact Kathy if you have any questions and thank you for your support.
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Events!
March 27, No Meeting! Holy Holiday! Fourth Sunday of Lent.
April 3, Fifth Sunday of Lent, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
April 10, Palm Sunday, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom.
April 17, Easter Sunday, 10 am, Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church!
April 24, 2 pm, Bobby Jo Valentine, Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church!
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
We pray to the Creator of all creation:
· Thanksgiving that Linda is healing and for modern medicine after her trip to the emergency room.
· Karen to feel better.
· Celebrations that Lorinda and Ray are enjoying time at the coast with family.
· Yarrow, Christian's sister, whose cancer is progressing.
· Friend Gary who will have surgery for melanoma cancer on his back.
· Bruce and Steve's friend Sally who had breast cancer in the past but a recent scan found new cancer.
· Galena's family hiding in a basement in northeastern Ukraine.
· People in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar, and other countries where conflict is shattering lives.
· People in Cuba where inflation has driven up prices.
· Smooth sailing as the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court start next week.
· The US Congress to pass voting rights legislation.
· An end to anti-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation being adopted by states across the country including anti-trans bills, youth healthcare bans, youth sports bans, and other legislation.
· An end to legislation restricting abortion as passed in Texas and recently passed in Idaho.
· Former classmate Pam's in-laws who are caught in Ukraine.
· Peace in our world.
· Hebron Presbyterian Church near Chris which is going through difficult transition
God in your love, attend our prayers. Amen.
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Poem
Blessing that Waits to Come to Your Aid (Based on Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32),
Jan Richardson
When I have become
so reliant on myself
that I cannot see
the need that gnaws
so deep
in my soul,
open my eyes,
open my heart,
open my mouth
to cry out
for the help
that you do not ration,
the deliverance
that you delight to offer
in glad and
generous measure.
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Buen Camino! Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.