Rod Stafford Lead Pastor rod@portlandmennonite.org

Curt Weaver Pastor of Children and Youth curt@portlandmennonite.org

Britt Carlson Pastor of Community Life britt@portlandmennonite.org

Rachel Joy Administrator office@portlandmennonite.org

At Portland Mennonite Church we are striving to take seriously the challenge of the prophet Jeremiah to “seek the peace of the city” (Jeremiah 29:7)

9.27.2020 — 10:45 am

Remembering last year’s Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief

FACILITATORS

Prelude: Gerry Leatherman

Worship Leader: Britt Carlson

Song Leader: Jim Wenger

Musicians: Mary Wenger Crystal Miller

Children’s Time: Paula Brunk Kuhns

Sermon: Ann Graber Hershberger

Prayers: Rod Stafford

Technical Support: Curt Weaver

Rachel Joy

THE LORD’S DAY

WELCOME!

We're glad you could join us for our on-line worship service this morning. Today we are celebrating Mennonite Central Committee's 100 years of relief, development, and peace-making work around the world. It is a story of faithfulness that continues to challenge us to be merciful and just 'in the name of Christ.' We are delighted to welcome Ann

Graber Hershberger, the new Executive Director of MCC US, as our guest preacher. ~Rod Stafford On Sunday at 10:45 am please join us in Zoom or on Facebook Live www.facebook.com/portlandmennonite/ and follow along with scriptures and songs in the following pages. The Zoom link is in the weekly update email.

Prelude

Greeting

Psalm 100:1-5

♫ ‘Now thank we all our God’ — Hymnal, A Worship Book, 86

Offering

Children's Time

Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 50:15-21

MCC at 100

Sermon: “God Intended it for Good”

♫ ‘The work is thine, O Christ’ — Hymnal, A Worship Book, 396

Prayer: “Reconciled for Ministry”

Sending Words

♫ ‘Move in our midst’ — Hymnal, A Worship Book, 418

Benediction

Sharing Joys and Concerns

Prelude

Greeting

Psalm 100:1-5

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. Know that the Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, bless his name. For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

♫ ‘Now thank we all our God’ — Hymnal, A Worship Book, 86

Text: Martin Rinckart, 1636. Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1858, alt Music: Johann Cruger, 1647. Harmonized by Felix Mendelssohn, 1840.

1. Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices; who, from our mother’s arms, has blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

2. Oh, may this bounteous God through all our life be near us, with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us; and keep us safe in grace, and guide us when perplexed; and free us from all ills in this world and the next.

3. All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given, The Son, and him who reigns with them in highest heaven— the one eternal God, whom earth and heav’n adore, for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 50:15-21

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably to him. Once Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream that I dreamed. There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright; then your sheaves gathered around it, and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Are you indeed to have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his words. The man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’“ So Joseph went after his brothers, and found them at Dothan. They saw him from a distance, and before he came near to them, they conspired to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits; then we shall say that a wild animal has devoured him, and we shall see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he delivered him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but lay no hand on him” —that he might rescue him out of their hand and restore him to his father. Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

Offering CLICK HERE TO GIVE

Children’s Time

MCC at 100

Sermon

“God Intended it for Good”

♫ The work is thine, O Christ’ — Hymnal, A Worship Book, 396

1. The work is Thine, O Christ our Lord, the cause for which we stand; And being thine, ’twill overcome its foes on every hand. Yet grains of wheat, before they grow, are buried in the earth below; All that is old doth perish there to form a life both new and fair. So too are we from self and sin made free.

2. Through suff’ring thou, O Christ, didst go unto thy throne above, and leadest now the selfsame way those true in faith and love; So lead us, then, though suff’rings wait, to share thy kingdom’s heav’nly state. Thy death has broken Satan’s might, and leads the faithful to the light, eternal light, from darkness into light.

3. Thou hast, O Savior, led the way through agony and death. O give, we pray, yet more and more thy Spirit’s living breath! Send messengers o’er land and sea to bring thy children all to thee. Thy name can save, thy name makes free! We consecrate ourselves to thee as servants true, as warriors brave and true.

Text: Samuel Preiswerk, Felecian von Saremba, tr Julius H. Horstmann, 1908. Music: J. Michael Haydn, 18th c.

• Jim Wenger, who will have a heart catheterization procedure on Friday

• Dick Noordijk, who is enduring much pain; pray for strength and comfort

Please Pray For...

Have a prayer request? Let us know: prayer@portlandmennonite.org

Prayer

See next page for responsive prayer

Prayer—MCC litany “Reconciled for Ministry” Based on 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Leader: The apostle Paul proclaims the good news to the church in Corinth:

All: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave

us the ministry of reconciliation.

Leader: God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s

sins against them. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God

were making his appeal through us.

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader: Reconciled to God through Christ, churches have reached beyond

themselves in service for 100 years through MCC.

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader: Through MCC, our understanding of God’s global peoplehood has grown,

connecting us to churches in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin

America, the Middle East, Canada and the United States.

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader: As MCC has walked alongside churches and communities that serve their

neighbors and enemies amidst war and conflict, our understanding of the

good news of peace and reconciliation has deepened.

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader: As MCC has accompanied churches and communities that welcome

refugees and other displaced people, our vision of the scope of God’s

boundary-breaking love has expanded.

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader: Through volunteering at MCC relief sales, thrift shops, meat canning,

school kit packing and more, our passion for service in the name of Christ

has been kindled.

All: Thanks be to God!

Leader: God has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

All: May God use us and use MCC as Christ’s ambassadors, sharing the good

news of humanity’s reconciliation to God through MCC’s ministries of

relief, development and peace.

Benediction

Sending Words

♫ Move in our midst’ — Hymnal, A Worship Book, 418

Text: Kenneth I. Morse, 1942, 1949 Music: Perry L. Huffaker, 1950

Sharing Time (Not streamed to Facebook)

1. Move in our midst, O Spirit of God. Go with us down from your holy hill. Walk with us through the storm and the calm. Spirit of God, now go with us still.

2. Touch now our hands to lead us aright. Guide us forever, show us your way. Transform our darkness into your light. Spirit of God, still lead us today.

3. Strike from our feet the fetters that bind. Lift from our lives the weight of our wrong. Teach us to love with heart, soul, and mind. Spirit of God, your love makes us strong.

4. Kindle our hearts to burn with your flame. Raise up your banners high in this hour. Stir us to build new worlds in your name. Spirit of God, O send us your pow'r!

Announcements begin on next page

Mennonite Central Committee

Celebration 2020: MCC at 100 Oct 17 / 3:50 pm

MCC is inviting its supporters to join a live-streamed celebration of its 100 years of ministry on Saturday, October 17, starting at 3:50 p.m. (PDT). MCC at 100 will include videos, storytelling, music, and a message of inspiration from longtime MCC leader and pastor Leonard Dow of Philadelphia. Participants can join the celebration at mcc.org/celebration-2020.

Oregon Mennonite Fesitival for World Relief: Online Auction and Sale

This year the Oregon Mennonite Festival for World Relief has undergone a re-imagining. Through multiple efforts, we have the goal of raising $100,000 in celebration of MCC's 100th year. Right now, until September 30, you can order many of the same food items you would get at the sale. They will be available for pick-up at either Albany Mennonite or Zion Mennonite on Saturday, October 17 from 11 am—2 pm. Here is the link to the order form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfwXcwMHGz6T0HWEmd_mSE-6mfJbKaUXbcC3NZAsH1nO6n5Bw/viewform. Make a family outing of it, order some chicken and take it to a park for a picnic! And the auction has gone online at: http://charityauction.bid/omfwr. It will function much as a silent auction. It is currently open for previewing of the items that range from traditional quilts to a bird outing with our own Ken Pitts. The auction officially opens for bidding on October 1, at 1:18 pm and will close on Saturday, October 10, at 6:06 pm. We trust that you will find something that is of interest to you this year.

‘The PMC $10,000 Challenge for MCC’ To celebrate and support the on-going ministries of Mennonite Central Committee, we are aiming to raise $10,000 from PMC. The in-person Fall Festival in Albany was cancelled this year because of the COVID pandemic, but we can still have fun supporting the relief, development, and peace-making work of MCC. Go to www.portlandmennonite.org/mcc-10000-challenge to learn more. And please be as generous as you can.

Just Cause Fair Trade Sale to Benefit MCC Oct 3 / 10 am—3 pm Show some love for Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) by shopping fair trade, Oct 3, 10:00am-3:00pm, in the PMC parking lot. You'll get to support not only MCC's work around the world but also individual artisans who make their living by handcrafting these products (being sold through Just Cause, a fair trade store). All profits from this sale will go to MCC, helping us reach "100K for 100 years", commemorating MCC's 100 years of service. For the record, all artisans have been paid for their crafts already. Your purchase just makes it possible for more orders to be made, continuing the fair trade cycle. Find unique gifts for friends and family, stocking stuffers, and even a treat for yourself.

Oregon Festival for World Relief 2020 donation opportunity: BAKE SALE With the sale canceled for this year, many alternative fundraisers for MCC are being created and one of these is a bake sale. Donations can be dropped off at the church on October 16 from 9 AM to 2 PM. Below is a link you can use to indicate what you will be baking and suggestions and requests will be sent out. Please wear mask and gloves during preparation. You can contact Joan Steininger at 360-335-5539 if you have questions. To indicated what you’ll be baking: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQtazGXVLV-Gzde_Y-y2v7w8F3Qzpso7qZdM6aAb-LuYdUdA/viewform

MCC School Kits It’s not too late to make a school kit donation! We’re accepting supplies through the end of this week. You may also make a financial donation for school kits to PMC or directly to MCC if you prefer instead. More information about MCC’s school kits can be found online at: mcc.org/get-involved/kits/school.

Announcements

My Coins Count COVID-style Families of 2nd graders and younger, expect a package! Usually during September we would be hearing the sounds of dimes and quarters plinking in metal cups as the kids collect coins for Mennonite Central Committee. We want to continue to support MCC's work of relief, development and peace around the world, so this year we are sending out packets for kids to collect coins at home. If you are not a 2nd grader or younger but are young at heart and would like to collect coins along with the kids, email Britt and she will send you a packet as well.

Out of Office: Rod will be off next Wednesday and Thursday, to spend a few days in Mount Rainier National Park. He will be back on Saturday.

Children's Sunday School Sundays / 10:30 am Sunday school is going to look very different this fall. The Children's Christian Education Committee realizes that one of the primary strengths of our Sunday School program at PMC is our TEACHERS. The interaction our kids have in the classroom with their teacher is almost impossible to replace during this time of separation. However, we also realize that some connection is better than no connection. We also realize that many of our children are already sitting in front of a screen too much, so Sunday School will be short and sweet this fall. From 10:00 AM until 10:30 we have invited storytellers from our congregation to read their favorite children's story or tell a story from their life. This 1/2 hour offers you and your child an opportunity to see the faces of other children and their parents, to hear a story, and participate in a short prayer. Look for more information on the website here. We hope you will join us!

JR HIGH & HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH Online Sunday School begins SEPTEMBER 27 The MYF and the Jr high will meet for Sunday school and connection by zoom on Sunday evenings BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 27. Barry Frisby will meet with the Jr High group and Curt Weaver (and sponsors) will meet with the MYF. Both groups will meet on Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM for about 45 minutes. ZOOM LINKS will be sent via TEAMSNAP. If your child is moving up into 6th grade OR 9th Grade, please look in your email for an invitation to join TEAMSNAP sometime early next week.

Bed Kits for Oregon Fire Victims The quilters of the congregation are working together to put together queen sized bed kits (comforter, sheets & pillows) for families that have lost their homes due to the wildfires in Oregon. There are two ways to participate: Sewers: we've put together pre-cut fabric kits. Contact Mary Wenger or Gail Manickam for a kit or for a simple pattern if you want to provide your own fabric. Cash donations: we will use the funds to purchase sheet sets & pillows. Donations should be sent to the church, made out to PMC and note "Comfort kits" on the memo line.

SMMS Update: Now Enrolling After months of planning and assessment, Sunnyside Mennonite Montessori School has started off this school year with a robust, age-appropriate Distance Learning program. It includes Zoom sessions, At-Home Activity Boxes, Outdoor Park Gatherings, and more. If you know families who are reluctant to send their preschool child to school in-person, but would like to support their child's learning and social connections, we have room for more children to join us! We are offering all of this at a discounted tuition rate to ensure that it is affordable for families. Please see smmspdx.com for more details.

SMMS Pie Sale Fundraiser! Sep 13-Oct 10 This fall, SMMS is selling pies! We are partnering with Willamette Valley Pies to sell a delicious range of fruit pies, cream pies, mini-pies, cobblers, and frozen fruit. Orders are due by Saturday, October 10, and will be delivered on Monday, October 26. Pies are delivered frozen, so plan to stock up your freezer in preparation for the holidays! For more details or to place an order, go to: www.smmspdx.com/fundraisers.html.

Narrative Lectionary Gathering around the Word is a central part of our worship services. Each week we listen to the scriptures. Each week the sermon draws from the texts to guide us in our lives of faith. This fall, the Bible passages from week-to-week will come from the Narrative Lectionary. From Sunday-to-Sunday the texts will follow the sweep of the biblical story, from Creation through the early Christian church. Beginning in September and running into Advent, the main readings will come from the Older Testament. In a time as unsettled as this, the story the Bible is telling grounds us in the love and hope and future of God. Next week (September 20), the main reading will be Genesis 15:1-6 (the story of God promising Abraham and Sarah descendants as numerous as the stars).

Current Small Groups—Fall is here! If you are in a small group and you haven’t met for a while due to COVID…or protests…or forest fires…consider meeting again! Fall is a wonderful time to reconnect—even if it’s just via Zoom. We need each other.

Want a Small Group?—Interested in joining a new small group? We have two new groups that are forming! One is a short-term group that will only meet during the pandemic via Zoom. Small groups are the best way to feel connected to the life of PMC. They’re where we share life with one another and deepen our discipleship through personal relationships. Contact Britt britt@portlandmennonite.org if you’re interested.

MDS Weekly Volunteer Mennonite Disaster Service has put into place new guidelines for projects operating under the current pandemic conditions, and currently have projects in Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alaska, West Virginia and Puerto Rico (more information at: mds.mennonite.net/current-projects/). If you would like to volunteer a week or two or three on one of these projects, look for the information and calendar online at https://mds.volunteermatrix.com/ and sign up! If you want to talk with someone at PMC about MDS, contact Maurice Imhoff. Sign up to receive MDS news at: https://mds.mennonite.net/stay-connected/

New Address for Dale Stitt Dale has moved to Kansas for health reasons. He is living with his daughter, Betty. His new address is: 3357 N Porter, Wichita, KS 67204. He has a birthday coming up on October 14 and would be glad to hear from his friends at PMC.

Announcements, continued

Where do I send my offering?

Portland Mennonite Church 1312 SE 35th Ave Portland OR 97214

Or use the online method: CLICK HERE

Join us on FB Live Sunday Morning at 10:45 am, or check our page for updates throughout the week www.facebook.com/portlandmennonite. To join our Zoom meeting for worship, sign up for our weekly update.

Check out our website www.portlandmennonite.org for news, sermons, event information, and ways to stay connected with each other including sharing prayer requests and video greetings.

PMC Staff are minimizing time in the office. Please email us for fastest response. We also check voicemail remotely.

Electronic Giving We have a variety of options for financial contributions, including by credit card, or direct debit from your bank account. Checks may be mailed to the church office at 1312 SE 35th Ave, Portland OR 97214. Rachel opens the mail once a week. For details and forms, go to www.portlandmennonite.org/give. You can also check with your bank about sending electronic payments. Contact Rachel Joy (office@portlandmennonite.org) if you have any questions.

PMC and COVID-19

Sunday Morning Widerstand Anti-Racism Training Sundays / 9:30 am On Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:30 am starting September 20, we are offering a large group option to go through the Widerstand anti-racism training. This class will go through the online tutorial TOGETHER with large group discussions. To join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83769382188?pwd=dGdhaU5yaGNvU3VVZzlyakVpR2hsQT09

Sunday Morning Children's Sunday School Sundays / 10:30 am Sunday School will be short and sweet this fall. From 10:00 AM until 10:30 we have invited storytellers from our congregation to read their favorite children's story or tell a story from their life. This 1/2 hour offers you and your child an opportunity to see the faces of other children and their parents, to hear a story, and participate in a short prayer. More info and links to join: https://www.portlandmennonite.org/online-childrens-ss.html

Monday Morning Pastor “Coffee Time” Monday / 9:00 am On Mondays, 9:00-9:30 am, Britt (occasionally Rod or Curt) hosts a “coffee time” via Zoom for anyone who would like to check in together as the week begins. Look for the link in the weekly update, and on our website. To join: zoom.us/j/368828512

Friday Morning Coffee Group Fridays / 10:00 am

A group of PMCers continues to meet, now via Zoom, every Friday morning for an informal social time. If you’d like to join, contact Linda Rush or the church office for more information.

COVID Chronicles Podcast The PMC podcast COVID Chronicles is a good way to stay connected with your PMC friends. New episodes drop every few days. Find it on the PMC website by simply scrolling down the home page, or look for it on PodBean. When you’d like to get in on the fun, contact host Gloria Nussbaum, 503-645-0616, for more information, or to set up an interview session.

You can also find most of these links on our website at: www.portlandmennonite.org/online-church

Staying Connected This Week