PINE STREET POST
November 21st, 2021
A Weekly Newsletter from Pine Street Church
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A Word from Andrew... Today is Commitment Sunday, Welcoming New Members, and A Future with Hope!
Click HERE to make your financial commitment for 2022 to PSC's mission and ministry. OR, bring your Commitment Card to worship TODAY, Sunday, November 21st, at 10am MT.
Dearly beloved Pine-head Members and Friends,
The great English writer G.K. Chesterton once wrote, “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
His words are apropos for a season like this. Today is Commitment Sunday as we celebrate sharing our collective financial commitments to plan for our ministry together in 2022.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been thinking and praying together about how Christian life includes cycles of exile and return. We’ve heard the words of the prophet Jeremiah (chapter 29) affirm that God’s good future is a future with hope.
We’ve given thanks for the miracles of technology that God has given us over the last 20 months to be the church scattered when we’ve not been able to be the church gathered---to be together in Spirit even when we aren’t together in body.
And yet: there’s one more step in the dance of Christian life.
There is exile, there is return, and then there is a third movement: being sent back out into the world for the sake of our neighbors and creation as a whole. It’s being commissioned, sent for the sake of God’s love and justice, God’s future of hope.
Pine Street Church is a community of “hope” and “home.” And it’s also a community of sending, a place that commissions us as agents of God’s love and grace, so that all may experience God’s embrace of everyone in a new world of compassion, dignity, and joy.
Join us today at 10am MT in-person or online as we celebrate all that God has promised and done and all that God promises to do with our lives—to give us a future with hope.
Hopefully your prayers are helping to clarify how, with the Spirit’s wisdom, you can contribute to the ongoing returning and sending that makes Pine Street Church who we are today, and who we’ll be tomorrow.
Christianity was made for this: building bridges of homecoming and commissioning, sending and return, welcoming the stranger and being sent forth to proclaim good news to the poor and poor in spirit; and to help bring home all those (including ourselves!) who have lost their way.
Christianity is made for each one of us, a child of God in the image of God. To be clear, though: we are made to do this together, offering up all our skills, our hopes, our ideas, our money, and our hearts to answer God’s call for a new time.
Remember the pledge card (Commitment Card) you received in the mail two weeks ago, and bring it with you to worship today. We will also have extra cards on hand. Or you may go HERE to make your 2022 financial commitment today.
With a past so full of grace, our future, thanks be to God, is likewise full of hope.
Thank you for your generosity and leadership — and I look forward to seeing you in-person or online today and every Sunday, of course!
10,000 blessings,
Andrew
CLICK HERE to download a copy of today's worship guide.
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Art Brunch
with Waverly Matthews
The Art of Spiritual Awakening - Sudden Transformation
IN-PERSON ART BRUNCH that will take place at 11:15 AM at the Off-Broadway Salon at Pine Street Church, located at 1237 Pine Street in Boulder, CO. Same presentation as for the Zoom meeting at 9am.
We live in a world of instant gratification. Technology allows us to have a meal ready in 3 minutes rather than 3 hours. This expectation of extreme efficiency spills over into the quest for spiritual awakening. In books and on the internet, one finds a myriad of "hacks" to facilitate spiritual awakening as quickly as possible - fasting, sleep depravation, sensory deprivation, sound therapies such as bi-naural beats, scents, visual sensation, dance/motion, and of course psychedelics.
Then there are the highly publicized accounts of spontaneous and seemingly instant psychic change, like the example of Eckhart Tolle. Is such rapid change really possible? If so, can we have any control over the process?
In this presentation, we will try to answer such questions. Our exploration will include an account from Tolle himself about his sudden transformation. We will look at other examples from history and modern times to help us navigate our own possible journey to spiritual awakening.
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CLOSE TO HOME - Advent at Pine Street Church, 2021
When something hits close to home, it affects us deeply. During the Advent and Christmas season, we journey through scriptures and rituals that are tender, heavy with emotion, and vulnerable. We carry the memories and truths of this season close to our hearts. Close to Home acknowledges the “already but not yet” tension of our faith: Emmanuel is with us, and yet, God’s promised day—our
everlasting home—is not fully realized. It names our deep longing for God to come close to us.
The Advent and Christmas scriptures are rich with home metaphors and imagery. John the Baptist prophesies about the One who is to come, but reminds us that we are still wandering far from God’s promised day; his message hits close to home, especially for those experiencing inequity and oppression. After receiving the angel’s news, Mary retreats to Elizabeth’s home, seeking refuge and safety. Christ is born in the midst of a journey home, in a crowded dwelling space amidst livestock and shepherds alike. The Magi travel far from home to pay homage
to Christ, and, having been warned in a dream, they avoid Herod by traveling home another way. In these scriptures, home is both physical and metaphorical, something we seek and something we are called to build. Ultimately, God is our home and resting place. God draws near and makes a home on earth—sacred
ground is all around us.
Close to Home also names the pain many of us will carry into this season. The holidays can poke at our grief. Many will be missing loved ones lost to sickness and tragedy. The traumas of the pandemic will still be with us. Many will have lost homes—due to natural disasters, economic hardship, and unjust policies. Many
do not feel safe in their own homes due to poor living conditions or harmful family dynamics. Many feel alone and isolated at home. Churches are discerning transitions with their physical buildings; many of our spiritual homes are changing.
This Advent, may we be comforted by the One who dwells intimately with us. May we expand safety and sanctuary for everyone wandering far from home. May we come home— wherever home is found—to live fully with joy, hope, and courage.
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Welcoming New Members
Francis and Kathryn Duffy have been attending Pine Street Church virtually for several months, and joined us in person when we reopened for in-person worship.
Francis has very recently retired from a career in Information Technology, and Kathryn retired in 2017 from a career in organizational consulting and project management.
They both enjoy hiking and outdoor activities, and are looking forward to rescheduling a number of travel adventures that were put on hold during the pandemic.
Their two children have flown the nest and get-togethers are always a joy. Both Francis and Kathryn look forward to getting to know the members of Pine Street Church in the months to come.
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Advent Decorating
Believe it or not, it's that time of the year again! In fact, due to COVID closures, it's actually been two whole years since we've joined in meaningful fellowship to decorate Pine Street Church in the spirit of the Advent season. This year we will meet at the church 9am - 12noon on Saturday November 27th.
There will be Christmas music, coffee, tea, and bagels, as well as inspiring seasonal spirit. Please join us!
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Contemplative Ireland: A Celtic Pilgrimage
May 6--May 20, 2022
You are invited to join us not as a tourist, but as a pilgrim.
Along the way you will be encouraged to approach each experience with contemplative awareness and each sacred site with care.Time will be given for learning, integration, meditation and interaction. As we journey together, we will focus on major themes in the Irish spiritual tradition.
Time will be spent exploring how those themes can be integrated into our lives. Optional meditative sessions will include the music of the Taizé community, Celtic music, mandala work, journaling, small group interaction, discussions with our leaders, Irish music and prayer. Because registration is limited to 20 participants, group size will encourage personal interaction in style and content.
When we are joined by local specialists, mythologists, archaeologists, artisans, musicians and storytellers to share experiences and offer guidance to us, there will be opportunities for interaction. We are confident that your journey will be a fulfilling one.We have gone before you, having traveled to Ireland many times to meet with those who will join us as we go.
Questions about the tour itinerary?
Contact Brad Berglund: Phone: 720-489-8073
1-877-489-8500 toll free
E-mail: brad@illuminatedjourneys.com
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Sunday Morning Greeters Needed
Showing hospitality takes a team. And we need a few more players on our hospitality team for Sunday mornings! Can you help?
We're looking to fill out our online signup form for being a greeter on Sunday mornings. It's both easy and important! And even more so, FUN!
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Adult Learning Opportunity
All We Can Save has been selected as this year’s “One Book, One Boulder”, and we are one of the registered book circles to share insights from the book. There’s still time to gain a lot from this book study.
We started on October 5 to meet by Zoom on Tuesday evenings, 7:00 - 8:30pm, for nine weeks. To learn more or sign up, contact book circle leader, Mary Beth Mankin, mbmakin545@gmail.com. Let us encourage one another in making a positive difference for our earth.
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Men's Fellowship Group
The Men's Fellowship Group has a new meeting schedule. Beginning immediately they will meet in person for Breakfast at the Parkway Cafe on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. They will also hold a monthly Zoom gathering at 9:00 a.m.on the third Tuesday of each month. Please contact Bill Mankin for more information on how to join these meetings: mankin@ucar.edu
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Oasis Women's Group: New Book Study
Dr. Sanchez is a Boulder author. This is a great time for women to join the group to learn something new, as well as develop new relationships. Contact Mary Beth Mankin, mbmankin545@gmail.com, with questions or to get zoom information for Oasis meetings on Thursdays at 1:30 PM.
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The Pinehead Portal
Check it out, and register today, HERE. There's a church directory, updates from the PSC Leadership Council and much more. Email admin@pinestreetchurch.net if you have any trouble registering and gaining access. |
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God's desire for us is our wholeness; the Hebrew Scriptures call this shalom. This wholeness incorporates our physical, mental, emotional, and relational being.
*Please note: If you wish to include a prayer need on this Community Care list---or another specific pastoral care need for which you would like prayer, please email Pastor Andrew Daugherty at Andrew@PineStreetChurch.net
PSC's Nurture and Prayer Team also stands by for prayer support. To share your prayer concerns, needs, or celebrations, contact Rev. Carol Simpson at: pastorcms@cs.com
Community Care List
Please use this list today and throughout the week, praying with special intention for:
- The people of Afghanistan
- The people of Haiti
- The healing of the division in our nation. For unity and peace and an end to violence.
- Thanks be to God for COVID-19 vaccines that are being distributed now!
- Out Boulder County and all those in our LGBTQ+ community
- PSC's Off Broadway Preschool and summer camps
- Those in our Boulder community who suffer from food insecurity and hunger and who are experiencing homelessness
- All who celebrate joys and those who are distressed in mind, body, or spirit, and members of our spiritual family including:
Short term
Barbara Russo (Lynda Molden's mom--hospice care)
Judy (sister of Polly McDonald who is recovering from a heart attack)
Neva Huffaker
Chris Dowd
Jo White
Susan Medley (sister of Carol Simpson)
Alicia Andersen
Carter Edgerley (son of PSC bookkeeper Michele Edgerley is in remission!😃)
Lizzie Parker (Susan Anderson's Daughter, still in remission! 😃)
Dan Torpy
Long term
Susan and Julie (Jane Gray's sister & niece are both battling cancer)
Jo White
Susan Medley (Carol Simpson’s sister)
Vondell Martin
Shirley Scott
Butch & Kathy Stanko, Friends of Polly McDonald
Jo Judd
Kerry Hassler
Missionaries
Lance & Christina Muteyo, Juan & Denise Aragon, Ruth Fox, Pieter & Nora Kalkman
*Please notify the church office (303-442-6530) or David@PineStreetChurch.net if there are people who should be added to or removed from our community care list.
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In Case You Missed It:
Pine Street Church Sunday Morning Worship
November 14th, 2021
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