PLYMOUTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2615 SYKES ROAD, ST. HELENS, OREGON 97051, 
Phone: 503-397-0062
Website: http://www.PlyChurch.org
E-mail:  Pastor@PlyChurch.org
PASTOR MARILYN ALLEN

VOL.14, NO. 8
August 2008

PASTOR’S MEDITATION

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God's holy name. Psalm 103:1

I'm counting my sabbatical blessings - blessings of personal renewal and renewed friendships, of new experiences and beautiful places, of church history and family history.

During my sabbatical leave I worshiped with many congregations in many settings. One of the leaders of Westminster Abbey in London sent her greetings to Plymouth Presbyterian Church. I shared the Lord's Supper in Presbyterian churches in Portland, Estacada and Santa Fe, with a United Church of Christ in San Diego, and in Church of Scotland and Church of England services. I witnessed one baptism in Brighton, England, and another in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I discovered "streams in the desert" in Big Sur and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, on the island of Iona and at the Ghost Ranch Presbyterian conference center north of Santa Fe. I found beauty in the art museums and galleries I visited, and especially enjoyed the landscapes by Georgia O'Keefe. The sunrises and sunsets, the sheer cliffs and blue skies (even in Scotland!), the flowers and birds and budding trees all called me to rejoice in the beauty of God's creation.

My three months away helped me to renew my call to ministry and gave me a different perspective on how we can work together more effectively. Pastor Chuck Falconer helped the session and congregation to consider that as well. I'm very pleased with the renewed energy I sense as some of you have talked with me about your ideas. You'll hear more about this soon.

On a personal note, the renewal time was bracketed with my father's 100th birthday in February and his death in May. This is the end of an era for my family, but his strong faith and sense of humor live on. His life is still a blessing.

I encourage you to find the blessings in your life, to name them and to give thanks.

Pastor Marilyn Allen

SUNDAY WORSHIP

August 3 - Communion "A Wilderness Encounter"

 Genesis 32:22-31	
 Psalm 17:1-7, 15
 Romans 9:1-5
 Matthew 14:13-21

August 10 Church Campout

Guest Preacher Bill Eagle

 Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
 Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b
 Romans 10:5-15
 Matthew 14:22-33

August 17 "Jesus Beyond the Boundaries"

 Genesis 45:1-15
 Psalm 133
 Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
 Matthew 15 :( 10-20) 21-28

August 24 "Offering Ourselves"

 Exodus 1:8-2:10]]
 Psalm 124
 Romans 12:1-8
 Matthew 16:13-20

August 31

Guest Preacher, Gary Heide

 Exodus 3:1-15
 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45c
 Romans 12:9-21
 Matthew 16:21-28