Bulletin, April 28
FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Prelude
Ringing the Church Bell
Hymn - Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life Voices together 48
Welcoming Words
Psalm 22.27-31
Hymn - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say Voices Together 536
Gathering Our Gifts
Welcoming a New member - Linda Grady
Congregational Response Voices Together 961
Leader: Linda, we have witnessed your commitment to Christ,
And we recognize you as a member in this congregation.
All: We welcome you with joy
As companions on the journey of faith.
We commit ourselves
to fellowship and worship,
service and witness,
as partners in God’s mission.
We receive you as Christ has received us.
Hymn - Morning Has Broken Voices Together 495
Children's Time
(After Children’s Time, kids ages three through first grade are invited to go downstairs)
Acts 8.26-40
Hymn - I Sought the Lord Voices Together 161
Sermon: A Daily Pilgrimage
Silence for Reflection
Hymn - Be Still and Know Voices Together 37
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Praying Together - For Those with Whom Our Lives Are Bound Voices Together 734 (vv 1-2, 4-5)
Sending Words
Hymn - Lead Me Forth Voices Together 837
Benediction
Ringing the Church Bell
Hymn - Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life Voices together 48
Welcoming Words
Psalm 22.27-31
Hymn - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say Voices Together 536
Gathering Our Gifts
Welcoming a New member - Linda Grady
Congregational Response Voices Together 961
Leader: Linda, we have witnessed your commitment to Christ,
And we recognize you as a member in this congregation.
All: We welcome you with joy
As companions on the journey of faith.
We commit ourselves
to fellowship and worship,
service and witness,
as partners in God’s mission.
We receive you as Christ has received us.
Hymn - Morning Has Broken Voices Together 495
Children's Time
(After Children’s Time, kids ages three through first grade are invited to go downstairs)
Acts 8.26-40
Hymn - I Sought the Lord Voices Together 161
Sermon: A Daily Pilgrimage
Silence for Reflection
Hymn - Be Still and Know Voices Together 37
Sharing Joys and Concerns
Praying Together - For Those with Whom Our Lives Are Bound Voices Together 734 (vv 1-2, 4-5)
Sending Words
Hymn - Lead Me Forth Voices Together 837
Benediction
FACILITATORS
Prelude and Offertory
Ari Leatherman
Song Leader
Gerry Leatherman
Worship Leader
Stephen Obold Eshleman
Children’s Time
Joe Blowers
Sermon
Rod Stafford
Prelude and Offertory
Ari Leatherman
Song Leader
Gerry Leatherman
Worship Leader
Stephen Obold Eshleman
Children’s Time
Joe Blowers
Sermon
Rod Stafford
Please Pray For...
- A ceasefire in the war on Gaza and a release of hostages.
- An end to warfare in Ukraine, Sudan, and Myanmar.
Today's Scripture
Acts 8.26-40
Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’
The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’
The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Announcements
Welcoming Linda Grady
My name is Linda Grady. I happened upon PMC while looking for a Mennonite church close to where I live. Immediately I felt that I had found where I belonged. It was only after I joined the weekly mailing list that I realized I was watching a sermon from Portland, Oregon, not Portland, Maine. I believe in my heart that I was led to PMC by the Lord. And, although I live way on the East Coast, I would like to become a member of your congregation. For the last year or so, I have been participating in all the online
classes and prayer groups. While reading Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective I realized that the beliefs of the Mennonite Church are in harmony with how I have lived my life from early childhood to the present. I hold a deep regard for the earth, and all human life, and a deep regard for the animals who inhabit it. I have always been a gardener and have been vegan for half of my life. I am a pacifist and always have been. Peace, Linda
Dine with Nine is back!
Dine w/ Nine is a great way to get to know your church family better. Sign up to join a group of PMC'ers over a meal, meeting 3 times during May - July, typically in a home or nearby park. You can find a signup link in the online bulletin. Just bring a dish such as an hors d’oeuvre, a salad, a side dish, bread or a dessert to share--your host will reach out to coordinate ahead of your first gathering.
Want to host? You can also find a Host signup link in the online bulletin. Hosts choose the first date (or all three) and provide the entrée. (Groups are free to rotate hosting.)
Family Promise's 2nd Annual Auction, June 9-16
You're invited to donate quality items to be auctioned off, including handmade crafts, personalized lessons, tickets to events, professional services, etc. Follow links in the online bulletin to Family Promise's auction page. Or pick up a poster in the Old Chapel. See Susan Voss-Rothmeier for more information.
PNMC Annual Meeting
June 21-23 in Bend, Oregon
PMC is part of a conference of Mennonite churches that are spread through five Pacific Northwest states. The annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference (PNMC) will be held June 21-23 in Bend, OR. The theme of this year’s gathering will be Called in the One Body, and Thankful! The guiding scripture will be Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17. There will be worship services, workshops, a hymn sing, opportunities for community service, and plenty of time for fellowship. This year, there will also be a pre-meeting Anabaptist Theology Symposium on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. If you would like to represent PMC as a delegate, please contact the church office. You can learn more at pnmc.org.
Common Conversation #3
Today at 11am!
Join us after worship for conversations on how we at PMC “Seek the Peace of the City” today. All ages welcome.
Reparations
Each year, as part of our congregational commitment to the work of repairing harms, we include a Reparations line item in the budget. For 2024, the amount is $5000. This year we are giving that money in equal amounts to these three organizations: NAYA Family Center, which we have included each year; Equitable Giving Circle, which is a 'Black Women and Black Femme led organization aiming to make large economic deposits into Portland BIPOC economy while also encouraging community healing'; and the Repair Network of the Coalition for Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. PMC is an active member of the Repair Network. One of our commitments is to support it financially. Of the money we give, 60% goes as reparations to groups that the Network identifies. This year the groups are the Suriname Indigenous Health Fund and the Sararo EcoTourism Community-Based Development Program in Ecuador.
We encourage you to develop a practice of reparations. This year, many of us got an unexpected ‘kicker’ from the state of Oregon. Please consider sending funds to one of these groups (or all three!).
Caring for Each other at PMC
At PMC we are committed to caring for each other through difficult times. And, we have a variety of resources available to help including: small groups, support groups, care companions, meal delivery, and financial support. Follow links in the online bulletin to learn more. If you are experiencing a crisis or something difficult, or know someone who is struggling, please let us know! You can contact any of the PMC Pastors (Rod, Kristen, or Curt) and they will help figure out what resources will fit you best.
PMC Retreat - Last Day to Register
Every spring, our congregation goes out to Rockaway Beach for an all-church retreat. This year the retreat is May 10-12 at the Twin Rocks Friends Camp. For an urban congregation that is spread out in all directions, the retreat is a terrific time for deepening our life together. You can register on our website; paper registration forms are also available in the Old Chapel. April 28 is the deadline to register without a late fee. Please note: The Pacific Woods/Deluxe Rooms are now all booked.
What Time is Church?
Each week we gather to sing our thanks and praise, to listen to the scriptures, and to lift our prayers for ourselves and for the world. Beginning last September, we’ve experimented with a new schedule - worship at 9:30 am, Sunday classes at 11:00 am. As we look ahead to next fall, we’d like to hear what you think about this schedule. You can participate through an online poll or a printed questionnaire that is available in the Old Chapel. Please share your honest responses. We would like to hear from everyone by May 5. The Table will gather all the responses and come to a decision in the next few weeks.
Petition for Peace
Join thousands of Mennonites in the US who are calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Add your name to a petition that calls on our elected representatives to 1) Support legislation advocating for a permanent ceasefire that includes a release of all hostages and all political prisoners, 2) Stop all military aid to Israel, 3) Advocate for diplomacy and a political solution that ends the occupation of Palestine and builds toward dignity for all Israelis and Palestinians, and 4) Fully restore funding to the UNRWA to halt the famine stalking Gaza. You can sign the petition at mennoniteaction.org.
Repotting Plants
The peace lilies on the PMC platform are very resilient plants. They have endured the sporadic watering of a hapless caretaker. No one knows the last time they were fertilized or repotted (or whatever it is that one does to plants). They could use some good care. If anyone is available to give them a good once over, please contact Rod in the PMC office.
NAMIWalk 2024
Did you know that May is National Mental Health month? Here is one way you can make a difference for persons impacted directly or indirectly by mental illness. NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, is an incredible grassroots organization which provides free programs of support, education and advocacy around mental illness. To keep these programs accessible to all, please consider joining our fundraising team, Strength in Numbers, and/or supporting NAMI by donating and spreading the word about the important work they do for communities. NAMIWalk 2024 will be held on Saturday, May 18, in Peninsula Park.
click here for more details on joining or donating, and please ask me if you have any questions about NAMI or the team!
Thank you!
Diana Platas
Donate to the Seed Party Fundraiser
Last Chance to Donate for the Seed Party Fundraiser
Couldn’t make it to the Seed Party on Saturday, but still want to support the Maya-Mennonite working group (part of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery)? You can still donate! You can find links in the online bulletin to learn more about the project. And, you can donate through PMC by check or online. Just make sure to put “Seed Party” in the memo line.
My name is Linda Grady. I happened upon PMC while looking for a Mennonite church close to where I live. Immediately I felt that I had found where I belonged. It was only after I joined the weekly mailing list that I realized I was watching a sermon from Portland, Oregon, not Portland, Maine. I believe in my heart that I was led to PMC by the Lord. And, although I live way on the East Coast, I would like to become a member of your congregation. For the last year or so, I have been participating in all the online
classes and prayer groups. While reading Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective I realized that the beliefs of the Mennonite Church are in harmony with how I have lived my life from early childhood to the present. I hold a deep regard for the earth, and all human life, and a deep regard for the animals who inhabit it. I have always been a gardener and have been vegan for half of my life. I am a pacifist and always have been. Peace, Linda
Dine with Nine is back!
Dine w/ Nine is a great way to get to know your church family better. Sign up to join a group of PMC'ers over a meal, meeting 3 times during May - July, typically in a home or nearby park. You can find a signup link in the online bulletin. Just bring a dish such as an hors d’oeuvre, a salad, a side dish, bread or a dessert to share--your host will reach out to coordinate ahead of your first gathering.
Want to host? You can also find a Host signup link in the online bulletin. Hosts choose the first date (or all three) and provide the entrée. (Groups are free to rotate hosting.)
Family Promise's 2nd Annual Auction, June 9-16
You're invited to donate quality items to be auctioned off, including handmade crafts, personalized lessons, tickets to events, professional services, etc. Follow links in the online bulletin to Family Promise's auction page. Or pick up a poster in the Old Chapel. See Susan Voss-Rothmeier for more information.
PNMC Annual Meeting
June 21-23 in Bend, Oregon
PMC is part of a conference of Mennonite churches that are spread through five Pacific Northwest states. The annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Mennonite Conference (PNMC) will be held June 21-23 in Bend, OR. The theme of this year’s gathering will be Called in the One Body, and Thankful! The guiding scripture will be Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17. There will be worship services, workshops, a hymn sing, opportunities for community service, and plenty of time for fellowship. This year, there will also be a pre-meeting Anabaptist Theology Symposium on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. If you would like to represent PMC as a delegate, please contact the church office. You can learn more at pnmc.org.
Common Conversation #3
Today at 11am!
Join us after worship for conversations on how we at PMC “Seek the Peace of the City” today. All ages welcome.
Reparations
Each year, as part of our congregational commitment to the work of repairing harms, we include a Reparations line item in the budget. For 2024, the amount is $5000. This year we are giving that money in equal amounts to these three organizations: NAYA Family Center, which we have included each year; Equitable Giving Circle, which is a 'Black Women and Black Femme led organization aiming to make large economic deposits into Portland BIPOC economy while also encouraging community healing'; and the Repair Network of the Coalition for Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. PMC is an active member of the Repair Network. One of our commitments is to support it financially. Of the money we give, 60% goes as reparations to groups that the Network identifies. This year the groups are the Suriname Indigenous Health Fund and the Sararo EcoTourism Community-Based Development Program in Ecuador.
We encourage you to develop a practice of reparations. This year, many of us got an unexpected ‘kicker’ from the state of Oregon. Please consider sending funds to one of these groups (or all three!).
Caring for Each other at PMC
At PMC we are committed to caring for each other through difficult times. And, we have a variety of resources available to help including: small groups, support groups, care companions, meal delivery, and financial support. Follow links in the online bulletin to learn more. If you are experiencing a crisis or something difficult, or know someone who is struggling, please let us know! You can contact any of the PMC Pastors (Rod, Kristen, or Curt) and they will help figure out what resources will fit you best.
PMC Retreat - Last Day to Register
Every spring, our congregation goes out to Rockaway Beach for an all-church retreat. This year the retreat is May 10-12 at the Twin Rocks Friends Camp. For an urban congregation that is spread out in all directions, the retreat is a terrific time for deepening our life together. You can register on our website; paper registration forms are also available in the Old Chapel. April 28 is the deadline to register without a late fee. Please note: The Pacific Woods/Deluxe Rooms are now all booked.
What Time is Church?
Each week we gather to sing our thanks and praise, to listen to the scriptures, and to lift our prayers for ourselves and for the world. Beginning last September, we’ve experimented with a new schedule - worship at 9:30 am, Sunday classes at 11:00 am. As we look ahead to next fall, we’d like to hear what you think about this schedule. You can participate through an online poll or a printed questionnaire that is available in the Old Chapel. Please share your honest responses. We would like to hear from everyone by May 5. The Table will gather all the responses and come to a decision in the next few weeks.
Petition for Peace
Join thousands of Mennonites in the US who are calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Add your name to a petition that calls on our elected representatives to 1) Support legislation advocating for a permanent ceasefire that includes a release of all hostages and all political prisoners, 2) Stop all military aid to Israel, 3) Advocate for diplomacy and a political solution that ends the occupation of Palestine and builds toward dignity for all Israelis and Palestinians, and 4) Fully restore funding to the UNRWA to halt the famine stalking Gaza. You can sign the petition at mennoniteaction.org.
Repotting Plants
The peace lilies on the PMC platform are very resilient plants. They have endured the sporadic watering of a hapless caretaker. No one knows the last time they were fertilized or repotted (or whatever it is that one does to plants). They could use some good care. If anyone is available to give them a good once over, please contact Rod in the PMC office.
NAMIWalk 2024
Did you know that May is National Mental Health month? Here is one way you can make a difference for persons impacted directly or indirectly by mental illness. NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, is an incredible grassroots organization which provides free programs of support, education and advocacy around mental illness. To keep these programs accessible to all, please consider joining our fundraising team, Strength in Numbers, and/or supporting NAMI by donating and spreading the word about the important work they do for communities. NAMIWalk 2024 will be held on Saturday, May 18, in Peninsula Park.
click here for more details on joining or donating, and please ask me if you have any questions about NAMI or the team!
Thank you!
Diana Platas
Donate to the Seed Party Fundraiser
Last Chance to Donate for the Seed Party Fundraiser
Couldn’t make it to the Seed Party on Saturday, but still want to support the Maya-Mennonite working group (part of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery)? You can still donate! You can find links in the online bulletin to learn more about the project. And, you can donate through PMC by check or online. Just make sure to put “Seed Party” in the memo line.
Stories of Conscientious Objection
"I am working on a short documentary project about Mennonite conscientious objectors. The doc will explore, in brief, the way that their experiences can guide us as people committed to peace who find ourselves born into U.S. citizenship (with all that it entails) during this moment of international violence and suffering. If you have a story to tell about conscientious objection that you are willing to share in a recorded interview, I would love to hear from you! My email is lucyknightking@gmail.com. Thanks, Lucy Knight-King.”
WhatsApp Community Chat Experiment
We’ve heard from many people that they would like ways to connect with each other during the week. So, we’re going to try starting a new “Community” in WhatsApp where we can connect with each other by text. This “Community” will have multiple chat groups that you can choose to join – or you may not want to join all of them. Stay tuned for more information to come. How do you prepare to join the group?
1. Update your info: Make sure your contact information (email especially) is correct in the Instant Church Directory (Directions here: portlandmennonite.org/pmc-directory.html). This is where we will send the invite link for you to join the chat group in the coming weeks.
2. Download WhatsApp: First, you will need to have the WhatsApp app installed on your phone. Start familiarizing yourself with how it works. Notice the button for “Communities.” This is where the “PMC Connects!” community group will show up once you’ve gotten your invite. Once you have connected on your phone, you can also use WhatsApp on a computer.
Questions? Ask Pastor Kristen (kristen@portlandmennonite.org)
"I am working on a short documentary project about Mennonite conscientious objectors. The doc will explore, in brief, the way that their experiences can guide us as people committed to peace who find ourselves born into U.S. citizenship (with all that it entails) during this moment of international violence and suffering. If you have a story to tell about conscientious objection that you are willing to share in a recorded interview, I would love to hear from you! My email is lucyknightking@gmail.com. Thanks, Lucy Knight-King.”
WhatsApp Community Chat Experiment
We’ve heard from many people that they would like ways to connect with each other during the week. So, we’re going to try starting a new “Community” in WhatsApp where we can connect with each other by text. This “Community” will have multiple chat groups that you can choose to join – or you may not want to join all of them. Stay tuned for more information to come. How do you prepare to join the group?
1. Update your info: Make sure your contact information (email especially) is correct in the Instant Church Directory (Directions here: portlandmennonite.org/pmc-directory.html). This is where we will send the invite link for you to join the chat group in the coming weeks.
2. Download WhatsApp: First, you will need to have the WhatsApp app installed on your phone. Start familiarizing yourself with how it works. Notice the button for “Communities.” This is where the “PMC Connects!” community group will show up once you’ve gotten your invite. Once you have connected on your phone, you can also use WhatsApp on a computer.
Questions? Ask Pastor Kristen (kristen@portlandmennonite.org)
Inserts:
upcoming events
April 27…………………………………………………….. Seed Exchange Fundraiser & Party
May 10-12………………………………………………… Church Retreat / Registration is will soon close
May 19 ............................................................... Lunch & Learn / Bystander Training / 12PM
June 9 ................................................................ MYF Strawberry Shortcake Fundraiser
On the last day of Sunday school, come enjoy strawberry shortcake after church and support the MYF.
June 28-30 ........................................................ Church Campout at Gales Creek Campground
May 10-12………………………………………………… Church Retreat / Registration is will soon close
May 19 ............................................................... Lunch & Learn / Bystander Training / 12PM
June 9 ................................................................ MYF Strawberry Shortcake Fundraiser
On the last day of Sunday school, come enjoy strawberry shortcake after church and support the MYF.
June 28-30 ........................................................ Church Campout at Gales Creek Campground
Land Acknowledgment
As we learn about the Doctrine of Discovery, we recognize that the land on which our meetinghouse is located and the land on which we live was previously home to Native American peoples who were decimated and uprooted as this area was colonized. The Portland Metro area rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who stewarded the plentiful natural resources in the vicinity of the Columbia River.
We recognize that the present day Native American community in the Portland Metro area is made up of people who originate from over 380 tribes from around the country.
We acknowledge the local federally recognized tribes; the Grande Ronde, the Siletz and the Cowlitz as well as the Chinook Nation, which has been seeking federal recognition for many years.
As we learn about the Doctrine of Discovery, we recognize that the land on which our meetinghouse is located and the land on which we live was previously home to Native American peoples who were decimated and uprooted as this area was colonized. The Portland Metro area rests on traditional village sites of the Multnomah, Wasco, Cowlitz, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Bands of Chinook, Tualatin, Kalapuya, Molalla and many other tribes who stewarded the plentiful natural resources in the vicinity of the Columbia River.
We recognize that the present day Native American community in the Portland Metro area is made up of people who originate from over 380 tribes from around the country.
We acknowledge the local federally recognized tribes; the Grande Ronde, the Siletz and the Cowlitz as well as the Chinook Nation, which has been seeking federal recognition for many years.