Author: Julie Raffa

October 2019

The Pilgrim Herald

The Lynch Mob Mentality
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law.
But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. - James 4:11 ESV

The Eighth Commandment: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
The Eighth Commandment and its meaning seem to be so easy to forget, especially when someone does or says something that makes us angry. When it comes to behavior on social media there doesn’t seem to be a big difference between believers and unbelievers, in fact, for many their faith becomes more about the social issues they feel strongly about than Jesus.
Today, a refresher on the Eighth Commandment and it’s meaning is vitally needed, as our sinful tongue has a new ally, our thumbs. We have forgotten that how we use our neighbor's name is just as important as how we use God's name. And we willingly take both in vain regularly, go to a sporting event and listen to the way God’s Holy Name is used in vain, let a mistake happen by the coach, a player, or an official and just listen how our neighbor's name is taken in vain. The eighth commandment is all about how we use our neighbor's name. But when we betray, slander, defame, or lie about another person, God takes it personally. Our heavenly Father is just as concerned about how we, His children talk about others, as to how we talk about Him.
Since the fall into sin, we are a people who are quick to react and slow to think, and now we have social media and can quickly say things through the convenience of our phones, things that we would never say to someone face to face, at least without the support of a mob. In fact, in a face to face discussion, we often find time to measure our words with thought and speak in love to those we disagree with.
What a wonderful age we live in, since the birth of Social Media, we have been able to instantly connect with all types of people, and that’s not a bad thing, but boy can it be used for evil. Perhaps the evilest use is the stoking of emotions and feelings, while not being concerned with facts. You see emotions are our reactions to our feelings and fears, and this can be used to unit people quickly and can cause an action to take place quickly, we’ve historically called this a lynch mob mentality. While this isn’t the wild west, the lynch mob is alive and well. Heaven help you if the lynch mob come for you, people have lost their social status, their reputation, and even their jobs because they shared an opinion that was not in keeping with the “woke” lynch mob’s passion of the day. (Woke is defined by the urban dictionary, as the act of being very pretentious about how much you care about a social issue. The urban dictionary is an internet website that strives to maintain definitions and uses for modern slang). This mentality has given birth to the “Me Too” movement, the “black lives matter’s” movement, and the rise of the “Social Justice Warrior” (the urban dictionary defines a social justice warrior as, “An individual that is defined by their constant attacking or addressing of anything they find inappropriate offensive or triggering in their eyes.”) Don’t get me wrong these are serious issues that need to be discussed, but they are often more nuanced and need and deserve serious thought and calm discussion instead of name-calling and ridiculing. That we must understand that there is a difference between taking offense and giving offense. This is where putting the best construction on what my neighbor says and does is so vitally important, and it is a major understatement to say our culture is becoming more divided despite that fact that we have the opportunity to be more connected than ever. As a nation, Church, and people must find a way to stop the lynch mobs’ attacks.
Please understand though that this lynch mob way of thinking is nothing new just look in the Bible. It all starts in the beginning, Adam and Eve were the first to place their feelings over truth, as they rejected the truth of God’s Word for their feelings and desires. God said, And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17 ESV).
But a small mob of two led by their feelings rejected the truth and we’ve had mob rule ever since, Adam and Eve felt the forbidden fruit would make them like God, just as we feel that if we blame the right person at the right time the issue that concerns us will go away.
The Bible is full of examples of lynch mob rule and it always is sinful. It was a Mob that sought to brutalize the Angels in Sodom and Gomorrah. Joseph's brothers agreed to sell him into captivity, thank God they changed their minds from killing Joseph. Moses had to contend with the mob almost every step from Egypt to Canaan. He hadn't even crossed the Red Sea and already Israel was accusing him of bringing them out into the wilderness to die. Later the mob grumbled as they thirsted, But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me (Exodus 17:3-4 ESV).
While Moses is on Mt. Sinai, Aaron caves-in to mob rule and crafts a golden calf for the mob to worship. When the Lord sent 12 spies into Canaan 10 brought back the report that Israel would be as small as insects in a war against the people of the land. While Caleb said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Yet the mob swayed the rest of the people and accused Moses and God Himself of leading the people to suffer and die. Finally, Korah incited a mob to rebel against Moses and Aaron only to be swallowed up by the earth, which should serve as a harsh warning against this lynch mob rule. A mob is there on Mount Carmel when Elijah goes toe to toe with 950 false prophets and none of the people stand with him. The whole history of the Old Testament has one mob after another banding together to rebel against God, His Word, and His leaders.
This mob rule mentality continues in the New Testament, the mob rose up to throw Jesus off a cliff, and the Passion account is the climax of a lynch mob. But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas”— a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder. Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will (Luke 23:18-25 ESV).
As we have seen from our small set of Biblical examples the lynch mob is most often wrong. What has happened to the virtue of standing up for good and truth? We say to our children “just because everyone else is jumping off a bridge doesn’t mean you have too.” Yet, today we seem to teach them to go with the flow, or just duck and cover, because the lynch mob may come for you next. May we all repent of our desire to rush to judgment, our unwillingness to put the best construction on our neighbor's actions, even those neighbors we disagree with.
For while we speak evil against our neighbor, we bring God's condemnation upon ourselves. Yet, even while we speak evil of our neighbor, we have someone who speaks well of us before God. That someone is Jesus, speaking for us self-condemned sinners, speaking of His death, His resurrection, for our forgiveness. Just as He prayed for the mob from the cross, “Father forgive them they know not what they do…” (Luke 23:34).
God Bless, Pastor Fisher (Heb. 12:1-2)

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Pilgrim News
Annual Pilgrim Fall Clean-up Day is Saturday, October 5, 8:00 a.m. - noon. Tasks List: Rake/blow leaves; Wash walls, especially in bathrooms; pull weeds in gardens; remove dead Ash trees, weed trees; Pick up trash around property; change storms/screens in nave; wash windows—in and/or out; Clean HVAC returns; Check/clean out A/C units outside; Trim spruce tree west of office entrance; check all thermostats - set to “Auto” or “Heat” as appropriate.
Join the Pilgrim Quilters No Sewing Skills Required. There are many projects that need laying out, pinning, and tying. This fun group meets in the Old Fellowship Hall on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Join us when you can and stay as long as you want.
Join an Usher Team Ushers are needed at both Sunday Services. If you are able to help, contact the Church Office.
Pilgrim Crafters is no longer meeting.
Pilgrim Food Pantry Needs: Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Facial Tissue, Laundry Detergent, Dish Soap
Portals of Prayer Bible will be released from CPH in October. A sample is available in the Narthex for you to peruse.
“The Beauty of God’s Gifts” is the topic of Concordia Bible Institute’s Fall Seminar on October 12, 8:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. It will be led by Rev. Dr. Dean Wenthe, former President of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN.. Cost is $30.
Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, will be at Trinity LCMS in Racine on October 19, 9:00 a.m. to noon. He will provide information on center’s current work to retain the constitutional right to worship freely. There is no cost to attend. Registration Deadline is October 14. Register by phone, 262-632-2900, or email, events@trinityracine.com
Reformation Hog Roast at St. John’s LCMS in Port Washington will be held on November 2, beginning at 3:00 p.m. The youth choirs from Peace LCMS in Sussex will sing.
WE Energies free winterizing kits are now available by calling 1-800-242-9137. Press 0 to order your kit. May include window plastic, tape, light bulb, night light. You can also request their Cookie Book.
"We thank you for your gift of love through a donation of $261.00 from the freewill offering to honor Pastor Fisher's 25th ordination anniversary. From the staff and volunteers of Seed of Hope Center."

Fall Voter’s Meeting is on Sunday, October 27th at 1:00 p.m. All members who are 18 years of age and older are encouraged to attend. Elections will be held for Voter’s Secretary, Vice President, Elder (2), Trustee, Church Council Member, Endowment Committee Member, and Treasurer
Brat Fry Fundraiser on Reformation Sunday, October 27, will be available following both services. Brats, German Potato Salad, Chips, Beverage, and Dessert will be offered to raise money for the Jonathan Ekong Memorial Lutheran Seminary in Nigeria. Volunteers are needed to assist with food preparation. Donations of homemade desserts are appreciated. There is a sign-up sheet posted in the Narthex.

The Pilgrim Endowment Fund has $3,000 available for distribution. Normally we would wait until the January Voters’ Meeting, but the Committee feels that we have enough at this time to provide funds if there is a real need for them at this time. The guidelines and application forms are available in the Church Office. The deadline for submitting applications is October 13, 2019. Examples of the fund’s uses are as follows:
Education Account
School Tuition Assistance for students attending one of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod’s schools.
Church Worker Tuition Assistance
Staff Education Assistance
Capital Improvement Account
Remodeling
Capital Equipment
Deferred maintenance
Mission Outreach Account
Local Missions
District Missions
Synodical Missions
Human Care—Benevolence Account
helping God’s People — offering financial assistance for the congregation’s members facing economic or personal crises.
Undesignated Account — shall consist of any gifts that are not specifically designated.
None of the income or principal from the above listed accounts shall be distributed and used for the congregation’s operating budget. Most congregations do not use endowment funds to support the operating budget. Congregations that use an endowment to support operating costs often see a decline in general offerings from the members.

October 2019 — Page #

Church council Report
The Pilgrim Church Council September 9, 2019 meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by President, Jerome Sommer. Others in attendance were Suzanne Stadelmayer, Mary Lehtimaki, Judy Frank, Dan Shay, David Fellenz, Tanner Schmidt, Jim Behrens, Pastor Fisher and Pastor Raffa.
Pastor Raffa led an opening devotion.
A motion to accept the minutes from the June meeting was made by Suzanne, seconded by Mary and approved.
Presidents Report - Jerome Sommer
Receipt for $220.oo was received for support of the missionary work of David and Jennifer Preus and Micah and Robin Wildauer given by the Ladies Guild.
Request from Concordia Seminary that congregations pledge toward support of a seminary student.
Trustee Report - David Fellenz
Fall work day scheduled for October 5 with a rain date of October 12.
A city nurse has requested use of the church building a few hours a week to provide medical checks for community members.
Elders Report - Tanner Schmidt
Next Elders meeting moved to September 30 as Pastors will be in Madison October 7-9 for Pastor’s Conference.
Board of Ed - Pastors Fisher and Raffa reported
Vacation Bible School was well done and had good support. Seven students attended.
Treasurers Report - Dan Shay (filling in for Fred Leffin, who recently passed away)
A current financial report as was presented.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
On September 22, Richard Wokoma, Missionary in Nigeria, will assist with Church services and teach Bible Class. A fund raiser in being planned to support Missionary work in Nigeria. It costs $750 to support a seminary student for 1 year in Nigeria.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
Pastor Fisher will be attending Circuit Visitor Training on September 27.
Working on confirmation plans for person receiving individual Catechesis.
The motion was made by Jim Behrens, seconded by Tanner Schmidt and passed to appoint Dan Shay to fill the Treasurer vacancy created by the passing of Fred Leffin.
Office up for election at upcoming October 27, 1:00 pm. Voter’s Meeting are:
Voter’s Secretary
Vice President
Elder (2)
Trustee
Church Council Member
Endowment Committee Member
Treasurer
Please speak with one of the Pastors or officers if you would like to serve on one of the offices.
A motion was made by Pastor Fisher (no second required) and passed to adjourn the meeting.
Pastor Fisher closed with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens
JB/ss

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Board of Trustees report
9/9/19
Present: Dave Fellenz, David Boehlke, Rob Selzler, Mark Ringgenberg, Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa.
Opened with Responsive Prayer.
Approved bills, property use requests.
Pastor Fisher brought a request from Nancy Gloede, a nurse and City Health Dept employee, to use the new fellowship hall at two times each week to provide health screenings for residents of Meadowbrook Manor. This service would then also be available to members of Pilgrim. Approved use of our facility one time per week, on Mondays, 8:00 - 11:00 AM.
Office Copying Equipment (our current copier supplier) is offering a new copier six months early and a fee reduction of $19 per month. Will compare with other offers.
There was a question about the possibility of having a secretary available in the afternoon. No significant need was found to make a change at this time.
Grading between the sidewalk and curb on Meadowbrook Drive will be done by the Trustees and was rescheduled for September 16.
The fall clean-up day is scheduled for October 5th form 8:00 to 12:00, with a rain date of October 12th. A list of tasks will be made available for publishing in the October Newsletter.
We have a commitment from donors to cover the cost of the replacement salt spreader that had been selected. Rob will order.
Respectfully submitted,
David Boehlke.
DB/ss

Ladies guild / LWML report
September 17, 2019
Our group met again in September after the summer break.
Jane Rockrohr led us in a Bible Study called “God’s Time”.
It was decided to support a Seminarian in Nigeria and the money will be given to Rev. Wokoma this Sunday.
The Fall Retreat at Green Lake was enjoyable, inspiring, and informative about the missionary work of The Lutheran Heritage Foundation. Missionary Cindy Wrucke told of her work in the Czech Republic where 80% of the people are atheist because they have no idea who God is as opposed to atheists who reject God.
Many thanks to all who contributed to the ingathering for Bethesda and The International Outreach/Student Ministry. We give thanks to God for your generosity.
Our next meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at noon. All ladies of the congregation are welcome.

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Membership report
Baptized: None
Transferred In: None
Died in the Faith:
- Karen Chard
- Fred Leffin
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership: None

Lutheran library
A Martyr’s Faith in a Faithless World By Rev. Bryan Wolfmueller
Chosen by Issues, Etc. as their September 2019 Book of the Month, A Martyr’s Faith in a Faithless World is the new book being read and discussed by Pilgrim’s book study group that meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Old Fellowship Hall. We will begin this book on October 22. If you would like to join us, let Pastor Raffa know to order you a book; the cost is $14.99.
Concordia Publishing House describes A Martyr’s Faith in A Faithless World:
Lutheran theology is glorious and mysterious. It is relatable and applicable. It is for everyone, in any time, in any place. But it also can be intimidating. A Martyr's Faith in a Faithless World serves as a starting point for those looking to start reading theological works and deepen their understanding of Lutheran theology.
Short, poignant chapters show the practical side of Lutheran theology and extol the doctrine of the catechism and the Lutheran Church as true, good, and beautiful. Ultimately, readers will come away with a desire for more theology and a renewed confidence and comfort in God’s Word.
The budding theologian, the newly catechized, the curious college student, and the inquiring visitor all will be at home in this book. A Martyr's Faith in a Faithless World serves as a great next step for those who have just finished adult confirmation classes and are looking to continue growing in their understanding of Lutheran theology.

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Lutheran community
Blest Halloween!
By Rev Mark Loest

For most people, October means cooler weather, raking leaves, and, at the end of the month, celebrating Halloween. For Lutherans, October includes the commemoration of Reformation Day–the day Martin Luther is said to have nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. It may seem strange that a day so preoccupied with the devil and death is also Reformation Day. But Luther chose this date with a purpose. His theses (academic statements for discussion and debate) were on the topic of indulgences, and Luther chose the eve of All Saints Day–when the church commemorates the faithful departed–as the date to make them public.
Penance and Indulgences
By the time they are confirmed, Lutherans know that the public outcry that fueled the Reformation of the church started with Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses. They also know that Luther’s theses had to do with the selling of indulgences. However, today’s Lutherans do not always understand exactly what indulgences are and why Luther protested their sale. Indulgences have to do with the Roman Catholic Church’s practice surrounding the Sacrament of Penance that developed during the Middle Ages. Penance is the fourth of the seven Roman Catholic sacraments. Basically, sinners, fallen from the grace they originally received in Baptism, may, by God’s moving and by certain acts (contrition, confession, and satisfaction), recover the lost grace. Sinners are absolved only after displaying sorrow through prescribed acts of penance, such as praying, taking a pilgrimage, or giving alms. In other words, doing works, as well as having faith in the mercy of God, are necessary for full forgiveness. But what especially alarmed Luther were the outright payments in connection with indulgences. For money (and sometimes even goods like fowl and dairy products), a person could buy an indulgence that claimed to offer the merits of the saints–and even of Christ–on behalf of the owner, and, in that way, sins were forgiven and a place was secured in heaven. Defined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an indulgence is “the remissions before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven.” According to the Catholic teaching, indulgences offer forgiveness for the penalties that come with sin, even though Christ paid for those sins. A Christian can acquire an indulgence in a number of ways through the Church, which has authority over the “treasury” of Christ and the saints. In other words, indulgences either transfer or reduce penitential acts and punishment for sin. An indulgence is considered partial if it removes part of the temporal punishment due to sin and plenary if it removes all punishment.
Indulgences have been around for about one thousand years. In 1096, Pope Urban II offered plenary (meaning complete) indulgences in connection with the first crusade. The great medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas (c. 1224-74) fully developed indulgence theory, allowing for the possibility of indulgences to be applied to souls in purgatory. For the sinner who does not make complete satisfaction in this life, there is purgatory–an intermediate state between heaven and hell. The soul that departs this life and is not immediately judged to heaven or hell is purified for a time in purgatory until released to heaven. The result was that by the time of Luther, Christians cared more about avoiding purgatory than living and dying a Christian life and death. And indulgence claims were inflated beyond the original idea of release simply from temporal punishment imposed by a priest. In 1530, the Augsburg Confession rejected the medieval errors concerning penance by declaring: “Rejected … are those who teach that forgiveness of sin is not obtained through faith but through the satisfaction made by man” (Augsburg Confession, Article XII, page 35–Tappert).
95 Theses
Martin Luther (born Nov. 10, 1483), was the son of Hans Luder, a mine and foundry owner in Mansfeld, Germany. He originally began his studies to become a lawyer, but in July 1505, everything changed when during a terrible thunderstorm–and fearing for his life–he promised St. Anna that if she would spare his life he would become a monk. Luther survived the storm and kept his promise, promptly quitting his university studies and joining the Augustinians in Erfurt. Taking his vows seriously, he soon experienced great spiritual conflicts over the forgiveness-of-sins-through-good-works system of monastery, which he came to realize was a completely inadequate way to be forgiven. In order to save the young monk from spiritual ruin, his superior, Johann Staupitz, directed Brother Martin to Scripture. Luther began his studies again–only this time in biblical theology. By 1508, he was lecturing. In 1512, he earned his doctorate. Upon completing a trip to Rome (from the fall of 1510 until the spring of 1511), Luther may well have begun to question the medieval penitential system, especially in light of what he saw in the “holy” city, but he said nothing publicly at the moment. More would happen to shape his insights.
At the same time, Luther was transferred permanently to Wittenberg, to eventually take the place of Father Staupitz as professor of biblical theology. It was in Scripture that he was to find the answers that troubled his soul.
Luther describes what happened at Wittenberg:“At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, ‘In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”’ “There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is revealed by the Gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, ‘He who through faith is righteous shall live.’ Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates” (Luther’s Works, Vol. 34, page 337–Concordia Publishing House).
It was as a preacher, rather than professor, that Luther encountered the abuses of indulgences. Against the wishes of Luther’s prince, Frederick the Wise of electoral Saxony, indulgences were hawked to the people of his land, albeit in neighboring ducal Saxony. They needed only to cross the border to purchase them. To make matters worse, the indulgence-salesman and friar John Tetzel told Luther’s parishioners they could even purchase indulgences from him for sins they had not yet committed. It was no coincidence that Martin Luther chose what we know as Halloween as the day to put forth his 95 Theses, mailing them to the archbishop in charge so something might be done, and, as the story goes, nailing them to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. In Wittenberg, Luther’s own prince offered the pious the opportunity of indulgence through his enormous collection of relics in the Castle Church on the Day of All Saints, Nov. 1. Luther took advantage of the occasion. Luther himself never told the story, but after his death, co-worker Philipp Melanchthon described the scene.
On the Eve of All Saints, Oct. 31, 1517, Luther posted on the door of the Castle Church (in a manner customary at the university) the 95 Theses, which called into question and for discussion the abuses associated with indulgences. The posting of the theses became the spark that ignited the Reformation.
A poem written long ago to commemorate the Reformation praises Halloween with the words:
Blest Halloween that struck the hour
When Luther’s hammer rose and fell
At Wittenberg in heaven-born power
And rang dark popery’s funeral-knell,
When long and cruel night was gone
And smiling rose the promised dawn!
Rev. Mark A. Loest is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Frankentrost, Saginaw, Mich. This story appeared originally in the October 2001 Lutheran Witness. It is now available on The Lutheran Witness blog: https://blogs.lcms.org/2009/blest-halloween-10-2009/ LCMS congregations may reprint this article for parish use. All other rights reserved. Text copyright © 2001

October 2019— Page #

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Lutheran missions: Dominican Republic Update

From Pastor Preus:
Dear fellow coworkers in our Lord's mission to the Dominican Republic: ¡Saludos!
It’s been way too long since we last reported on the events of our missionary journey in the Dominican Republic. We left off with the close of the second academic year at Concordia Seminary, “the Reformer,” here in the Dominican Republic. Shortly after saying goodbye to our old seminarians, most of whom have gone on to serve as vicars in their home countries, we launched into the “down season” of summer. But you know how down seasons go. All those plans that you couldn’t find time for during the year are pushed to the summer. And before you know it the summer fills up and begins to overflow with more than was previously planned.
Our summer started out with the unexpected death of our beloved Johany. A new member, recently confirmed, and faithful in worship, Johany was only 40 years old when she died, the youngest of four sisters, two of whom are faithful members of our congregation. On the one hand, her funeral was a sad occasion, since the vast majority of the hundreds of mourners in attendance are walking through this world without hope. Yet, it was a privilege to be called by our merciful God to preach the light of truth into that dark hour and plant hope in the midst of hopelessness. The theme of my sermon was the “certainly of salvation.” I am certain that Johany, who heard the voice of her Good Shepherd, will hear it again with a lively joy in the resurrection of the body.
Shortly after the funeral, we welcomed Don Rafael, an old farmer in the community, as a communicant member of our church through the rite of confirmation. He was known as the town drunk, as he will tell you himself. But today he is known among us, and in heaven, as a justified saint who is battling through the Great Affliction with a solid faith and hope in Christ.
The highlight of my summer was the return of family after a several month stay in Sidney, Montana with my folks. How wonderful it was, and is, to have them back! No sooner did they return than Jenny and I were busy handling all the documentation required to enroll them at a private school on the south side of the city. I will let Jenny fill you in on the details of their school.
During the month of July, it happened that I was the only pastor in the area who was not on vacation or home service. Therefore, in addition to my pastoral duties in Palmar Arriba, I was able to preach and teach at a couple of our other congregations, as well. July included our first Vacation Bible School since long before my arrival, thanks to Caitlin Ramírez, a deaconess who recently began working in our congregation. The VBS lasted 5 days and attracted more than 100 kids. The theme was: “Heroes of the Faith.” The week after VBS we had a youth retreat, which drew in several young ladies and two boys from our congregation, including my own Hans and Rebekah. The retreat lasted for three days and focused on the themes of Christian freedom, keeping the body under subjection, and serving our neighbor as Christ serves us—very appropriate topics for teenagers.
In August, we welcomed our new seminary students. In addition to Jeancarlos, Rafael, and Mario, our second year students, we welcomed: Luis from Guatemala, Josué from Chile, Kevin from Bolivia, and Hector and Marcos from Cuba. Kevin, Marcos, and Jeancarlos were installed as fieldworkers in our congregation last Wednesday, and we have begun a rigorous visitation schedule that is yielding good fruit. We hope to bring several young ladies (and we hope some men too) through the catechism, baptize their children, and receive them into our church communion.
After an intense week of orientation with the seminary students, classes began the first week of September. We have high hopes for our seminary, its faculty and students. In addition to parish duties which I spoke at length about last newsletter, I continue to teach full-time. This semester I have the opportunity to teach Confessions 1 (Augsburg Confession) and History 1 (Early Church). Part of my administrative duties at the seminary include chapel and fieldwork scheduling, writing various proposals, and working on vicarage placements.
Dear friends, thank you for taking the time to catch up on latest happenings within our small corner of Christ's mission, on this island in the middle of the Caribbean. We pray that the seeds planted here at our seminary will blow to the far corners of Latin, Central, South America and Spain, and take root as new churches are planted there. My family is happy to be here as we do this work, and we appreciate your support and your prayers so much. You are our partners in this mission, indeed, God’s instruments through which his holy Word goes out to the nations and disciples are made for Jesus for eternal life. May God bless your work and our work, which is God’s work, in his fruitful vineyard in Dominican Republic!
Reflections from home, by Jenny
We arrived back in Santiago in June and stepped into a busy summer. Upon arriving home we began the process of enrolling the kids in school...
David’s academic year began in early September, so we have enjoyed being part of the services and events leading up to the start of our seminary’s third academic year. We’re enjoying getting to know some of the new and returning seminarians from Cuba, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Spain. Now that we have settled into our new school routine, we will be planning visits with each of these students in our home for a Dominican meal made by our housekeeper, Fidelina. She continues to have delicious Dominican cuisine hot on the table for us to eat at noon during weekdays. As many of you heard and saw during our home-service presentations, a typical meal consists of chicken, rice, beans, fried plantains, and salad of cucumbers or avocado with lemon, onion, and peppers.
Some challenges we’ve been dealing with lately are getting the van repaired from some minor car accidents we’ve been in. The commute to and from school involves over 2 hours of daily drive time, which has been an added challenge as David and I juggle our various schedules and Santiago traffic. We are also trying to remain vigilant about mosquito-bite prevention and staying hydrated with the hot, humid weather. There has been a recent dramatic spike in Dengue-fever here, so as we try to avoid exposure to bites as much as possible, we’re also doing what we can to maintain and strengthen our immune systems in case any of us does contract it. For all these specific challenges we would appreciate your prayers.
The kids are doing very well in their new school. We are happy they are getting lots of exposure to Spanish language learning as well as opportunities to speak with new friends. While the school they attend is an English-speaking school, they all have 2-3 classes a day that are Spanish immersion, and Spanish is mainly spoken at lunch and on the playground. The English-language teaching makes it a more familiar place for them to be, and helps them to maintain progress on their other subjects. We have also been finalizing some items for Lars (now 7 months) to get residency approval. To that end the visa process required me and the two little boys to fly to Miami, Florida for a week at the end of August in order to get his passport visa stamped and to re-set his visitor pass into the DR. Two weeks later, we drove to the capital of Santo Domingo for the governmental health appointment. A month or two from now, we expect to hear that he is ready for the final phase, which is to travel to the capital again for his residency appointment and card approval. While this process has taken longer than anticipated, we are happy that he is almost a legal resident along with the rest of us!
As busy as we have been, your continual support is felt and appreciated so very much every single month, and we are so very thankful. While we are not as frequent in our communication as we would like, I did want to share a couple of ways you can follow what Pastor Preus is up to (between our own newsletters, email, and Facebook updates). When on Facebook, you can follow LCMS Missions in Latin America and the Caribbean page as well as the Seminario Concordia El Reformador Republica Dominicana. Quite often you’ll see David in events and stories being featured there, as news is shared about the mission and mercy work being done around the region.
We hope you enjoyed the updates of our life and mission work over the past summer. God has blessed our church richly. That is why we continue to plow forward, sowing the seed of God's Word in hopeful anticipation of his promised harvest. As always, we appreciate your continued support and prayers. God bless you in the work you do for us and for the church! Hasta luego.
In the name of Jesus,
Pastor David and Jenny Preus and children

Rev. Preus preaches to the 100+ children attending VBS in Palmar Arriba, DC. July 2019

October 2019 — Page #

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Communal Prayers
For the beginning of the fruitful Autumn Season: Blessed be the Lord! He hath done wonderful things; and blessed is His holy name, Who, now that the summer is past has brought me joy to behold these blessed autumn days. Lord, I am not worthy of Thy goodness and mercy which Thou has again showered upon me. Most humbly and heartily I beseech Thee, O Loving Father, turn away all dangerous storms and infectious diseases, and so bless me in my participation in Thy bounty, that with health of body, peace of mind, and a good conscience, I may thankfully enjoy Thy gifts, and use what Thou hast given me unto Thy glory, and the promotion of my fellowman’s happiness, and unceasingly bring to Thee acceptable fruits of my life. In these days of the ingathering of the vintage, let me rejoice in Him, Who alone truly treads the wine press, the beloved Redeemer, Jesus Christ. With the fading and falling leaf, cause me to remember my mortality, and to prepare while it is yet time for a blessed end; to leave this inconstant, passing world with joy, whenever it so pleases Thee; and to enter Thy glory there with angels and all the company of the elect, to evermore laud, praise and thank Thee for all Thy benefits. Amen.
For daily bread: Almighty and everlasting God, Father, all-merciful and of great riches, I , a poor sinner, who have brought nothing into this world, but was born naked, poor, and miserable, am, nevertheless, in need of nourishment for my weak body and this transient life. Therefore, I approach the richly laden tables of Thy house, and beseech Thee, regard not the lack of merit in me, for I am not worthy to receive a crumb of bread nor a drop of water. Turn Thine eyes away from my sin, regard only my poverty and need, and have mercy upon my misery. O Lord, God, the Father, it is all Thine that Thou givest me. From Thy throne do I daily receive the food I eat. Daily I drink the waters that flow from the living fountain which is with Thee. Thou art the great Householder Who feedeth all creatures, the gracious Father Who provides for all His children. Therefore, open Thy hand and satisfy my desire. Bless my food, and give me bread as I may have need. Let me enjoy Thy good gifts, in health and peace, and never squander the same in idleness and ease. Grant me the spirit of frugality, that I may save the surplus for my future needs. Awake my heart unto true thankfulness, that, as Thou dost daily nourish me and mine, we also may daily and without ceasing praise and magnify Thee for Thy great mercy. Amen.
For the grains of the field: O Lord, graciously preserve the grains of the fields. Cleanse the air. Give blessed rain in due season that the grains may proper, and not be poisoned, neither let our cattle shall therein eat unto ourselves a pestilence or other sickness. Gracious Lord, let the grain be blessed that it may prosper us Thy blessing unto healthfulness, and we misuse it not unto harm of our souls or the increase of sin, debauchery, and idleness, whence comes unchastity, adultery, cursing, swearing, murders, wars, and every evil. Grant us grace to use Thy gifts unto the improvement of our lives, and that the grains may serve to preserve and increase in us health of body and soul; through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Barb Soat, Janet Ehlers, Royal Fraedrich, Beatrice Kiesow, June Fry, Stewart Clark, Erv & Ruth Mertz, Richard Reich, Judy Clark, Orville Heckendorf, Sheryl Pajewski, Connie Hackbarth, Louise Kreis, Jennifer Jensen, Tracey Leffin-Hedrick, Diane Behrens, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Thomas Kramlik, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Chris Held, Eric Johanen, Brooke Steiner, David & Olivemae Olson, Jeanette Guillaume, Karen Haufmann, Donald Teske, Nancy Nicholas, Scot Meisenheimer, Wilma Wilson, Carolyn Bren, Dorothy Miller, Mark Selzler, Donna Sommer, Linda Lukas, Rachel Davis, Marissa Flanders, Linda Schmidt, Vanessa Kuehne, Jenny Vickerman, Inez Schwoch, Scott Biskobing, Laverne Gierach, Travis Winkler, Linda Borneman, Brian Vonlender, Glenn Schnabel, Judith Belling, and Jody Meisenheimer.

Voice of Faith

October 2019 — Page #

Birthdays
1 Linda Mejchar
Susan Schober
Robert Selzler
2 Jamison Mulvey
3 Tom Benz
Shaun Olson
Michael Schwittau
Jenny Vickerman
Daniel Virchow
5 Robert Baerenwald
Victoria Mulvey
Jamison Mulvey, Jr.
Jim Stadelmayer
Sophia Voge
6 Dave Fellenz
Becky Ruppier
Jeremiah Sullivan
8 Kevin Hoffman
Michael Loomans
Carolyn McAfee
Megan Ringgenberg
9 Nicole Kabitzke
Marge Legate
Andrew Tinlin
11 Barbara Jennrich
Kristin Thimmig
12 Kassie Franke
Jayden Guillaume
Jayden Rauch
15 Kaitlyn Loomans
Lauren Oppermann
17 Austin Weber
18 Rebecca Woelfel
19 Eileen Mueller
21 Ruth Kohler
Roger Kossert
22 Joseph Heger
Mark Schauland
Cara Schmidt
23 Elaine Kuenzel
Barbara Soat
24 Elizabeth Gatzow
25 Dorothy Kroll
Tiffany Wollner
26 Jamilyn Held
27 Landon Kirkland
28 Janette Mullins
30 Karri Johnson

Anniversaries
1 Karrie & Jeffrey Johnson
Glen & Vicki Schnabel, Sr.
2 Neal & Evelyn Schleif
3 Scott & Wendy Franke
5 Phillip & Jayne Gohr
8 Bill & Beverly Schepp
Dick & Karen Spiering
10 Jolene & Joseph Gundrum
Paula & Jody Merkel
13 Richard & Caryn Lewandowski
17 John & Carol Heger
23 Mark & Mary Schauland
27 Orville & Janey Heckendorf
28 Corey & Abby Janssen
Terry & Bonnie Mowery
29 Ed & Nancy Kleinke
30 David & Beth Brehm

From the synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod answers frequently asked questions about its beliefs and positions online at https://www.lcms.org/about/beliefs/faqs. You can read responses regarding the Bible, worship, congregational life, and moral and ethical issues.
QUESTION: Has the LCMS said anything officially on the celebration of Halloween? May we permit children to dress as goblins and ghosts, etc.? What should we teach our children concerning this celebration?
ANSWER: The LCMS has not officially spoken to the observance of Halloween in any of its resolutions or statements. Frankly, opinions differ in our church regarding the appropriateness of Christians observing Halloween customs. Those who oppose the observance of Halloween by Christians argue that its origins are pagan and that emphasis on the Occult in our society finds expression in various kinds of Halloween symbols, parties and activities.
Others argue that, generally speaking, current Halloween customs have little to do with pagan roots in the minds of most, and that there is no harm done in permitting our children to enjoy such customs.
In general, this is a good example of an issue where "sanctified common sense" and a balanced approach are necessary — with sensitivity to the "witness value" of a given action or activity in a specific context. On the one hand, we do not want to minimize the potential dangers of involvement with occultic symbols and practices. At the same time, we do not want to lay a burden of conscience on others in matters that lie in the area of Christian freedom and sound Christian judgment.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

October / 2019		1 / 12p Pioneers / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	2 / 9:30 a. Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	3 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	4 / Office Closed	5 / 8a Fall Clean- Up Day
6 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 5, 2 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study / 5:30p Walther League	7	8 / 7p Choir Practice	9 / 9a. Quilters / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	10 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	11 / Office Closed	12 / 7a Men’s Breakfast
13 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 1, 4 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	14 / 5:30p Trustees / 7p Church Council	15 / 12p Ladies Guild / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	16 / 9a Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	17 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	18 / Office Closed	19
20 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 3, 6 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	21 / Submissions for November Herald are Due	22 / 9a Book Study: A Martyr’s Faith. / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	23 / 9a Quilters / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	24 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	25 / Office Closed	26 / 7a Men’s Breakfast
27 Brat Fry Fundraiser / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 5, 8 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 1p Fall Voter’s Meeting	28	29 / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	30 / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	31 / 9a Bible Study / 9a Chapel @ Ivy Manor I-III / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	Pilgrim Evangelical / Lutheran Church

SWD Fall Pastors Conference, Middleton, WI

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Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
462 Meadowbrook Drive
West Bend, WI 53090

Brat Fry
Fundraiser for
Seminary Students in Nigeria
October 27, 2019
Take-out Available

Phone: 262-334-0375
Email: office@pilgrimlutheran.wb.org
Website: www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org

Jesus said, I Am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
John 10:14-16

Weekly Worship Opportunities:
Sundays:
Divine Service at 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Thursdays:
Divine Service at 7:00 p.m.
Weekly Bible Study Opportunities:
Sundays:
9:15 a.m. Luther’s Small Catechism
9:15 a.m. Enduring Faith Sunday School
12:30 p.m. Book of Ecclesiastes
Wednesdays:
4:00 p.m. Youth Catechesis
6:30 p.m. The Lutheran Difference
Thursdays:
9:00 a.m. The Gospel of Luke
Monthly Bible Study Opportunities:
4th Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. Book Study
Every other Saturday:
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study

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The Bible is full of examples of
lynch mob rule and
it always is sinful.

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
3-6
Lutheran Library
6
Lutheran Community
7-8
Lutheran Missions
9-10
Communal Prayers
11
Birthdays & Anniversaries
12
Calendar
13
From the Synod
12

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