THIS SUNDAY: The Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, Sunday, Oct 2, 2022, Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost. Meeting at Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church, 7119 N. Portsmouth Ave, Portland, OR at 10 am! 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.
Dear Community of Pilgrims,
Wow! Two days of rain in a row! The vegetation in this part of the world is thankful for the soft sprinkle of rain, leaving puddles here and there on sidewalks and roadways. However, we also pray for those in Puerto Rico and Nova Scotia, who had to recently deal with the flood waters of Fiona, as well as the people of Pakistan, who endured serious flooding, and now citizens of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, who are feeling the full force of Hurricane Ian. Having lived through a few hurricanes in NC, I can vouch that these storms are scary. And clean-up will take more than a few months. Interesting comment on the news this morning: while there aren’t necessarily more storms, the storms are now more violent because of the warmer water in the ocean because of climate change. We are seeing the results of climate change in our lives. Prayers for the people and creation impacted by such storms. And prayers for action on our part to be about serious climate change policies for the good of Mother Earth.
This Sunday’s focus is Luke 17:5-10. Jesus has about made his way to Jerusalem as we see the end of his life coming in a few more weeks in our lectionary reading. This is a two-part passage. The first part is about faith. And the disciples want more of it, as if it were an observable “thing” that you could increase or decrease, rather than being a gift given to us by God in Christ, which simply is. Faith is known best by looking in the rearview mirror of life and seeing, hearing, witnessing how it has worked in the past, and therefore will in the present and future (Hebrews 11:1). Nonetheless, the disciples, who were forever jumpy and nervous about following this prophet named Jesus, ask him, “Increase our faith!” In other words, quiet any anxiety within us, by giving us more of what we think we need. Jesus then puts it all into perspective: “If you had the faith the size of a mustard seed (and they do), you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you’” (Luke 17:5,6). In other words, quantity is not the issue per se. Belief is. Faith is. They already have that gift, as their thoughts, feelings, and actions have and are and will always be transformed by God’s reign in our midst. That’s part and parcel of being on this pilgrimage with the Spirit moving with us as we follow Jesus, the Pilgrim God. Join us this Sunday as we consider this passage in our very lives.
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Thank you, one and all, again, for joining us for our 5-year anniversary last week! What fun it was to meet in person and on Zoom. We will continue to tinker with our Zoom connection, using the television monitor at Rise Church. If you join us at Rise Church, please consider bringing one item to add to our charcuterie board! And thank you for those who contributed a financial gift as well! We are now on to year 6! Thanks be to all of you pilgrims! And thanks be to God!
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Events!
Oct. 2, Gather with the members of Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church at 10 am for a joint service.
Oct. 9, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom only.
Oct. 16, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom only.
Oct. 23, 4 pm, Gather and Devotion on Zoom or at Rise Church.
Oct. 30, 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
· We are able to gather in person again today.
· The updated bivalent COVID-19 boosters are now available and can help provide protection against today's COVID-19 variants.
· Happy Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah.
· Safe travels for Ray and Lorinda on their trip to Montana last week, Christian on his recent trip to The Netherlands, and Karen on her recent trip to Eugene.
· Katie will turn 21 next week.
· The beautiful weather in Portland and California.
· Michael has moved to Berkeley and enjoys his new job, new friends, and his new place.
· Some stability in this country thanks to programs that are working.
· Portland's success stories such as Mainspring which revamped its program during the pandemic and continues to increase its community partnerships and the Multnomah Village Safe Rest Village opened June 2022 providing safe temporary shelter with case management, amenities, and mental and behavioral health services on site for 30 residents.
Prayers of concern
· Marily Quesnel is still not able to keep nutrition down.
· The family of Janice who died last Saturday, and prayers for her husband George.
· Linda Fuqua-Anderson and her brother Gary. Prayer that Linda’s townhouse will sell soon, too.
· Puerto Rico, Cuba, Florida, and Nova Scotia after Hurricane Fiona left people without water, food, or power, and Florida about to be hit by Hurricane Irma.
· Places around the world with ongoing armed conflicts including the Russo-Ukrainian War going on for more than seven months, Yemeni Civil War, Tigray War in Ethiopia, the Syrian Civil War, Myanmar, and the India-Pakistan conflict.
· Protection of our voting rights.
· The risks posed by global climate change.
· Gun violence in America is not slowing down.
· Protection for access to health care and reproductive autonomy.
· Containment and cessation of white nationalism and Christofascism;
· Prayers for the people of Italy, who elected a fascist as leader of the country;
· Cessation of violence in the world.
· The results of the midterm elections strengthen, not weaken our democracy.
· The Vuptil family to be able to put end of life things in order.
· Those who are hungry, thirst, and sleep
· on the streets of Portland.
· Transgender children and young people who are targeted by politicians in hurtful policies;
· Women’s reproductive rights;
God in your love, attend our prayers. Amen
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Poem
Blessing in the Storm, Jan Richardson
I cannot claim
To still the storm
That has seized you,
Cannot calm
The waves that wash
Through your soul,
That break against
Your fierce and aching heart.
But I will wade
Into these waters,
Will stand with you
In this storm,
Will say peace to you
In the waves,
Peace to you
In the winds,
Peace to you
In every moment
That finds you still
Within the storm.
Buen Camino! Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell and Karen Cornwell Fortlander