Author: Julie Raffa

November 2021

The Pilgrim Herald
Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Revelation 2:10 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. … Revelation 14:13 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! With Reformation Day behind us and sad to say I think, the warm weather also, this can only mean that hunting season and Thanksgiving Day festivities right around the corner. However, let us not forget our first love the Word and worship of God who provides us with much more than just daily bread, He gives us Himself in the person of Jesus the Christ for our salvation.
So, let us remember that God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is the One we give thanks to, and that it is His creation that many of you will be enjoying as you hunt and enjoy the beautiful color. Let us all keep both the hunters and the travelers in our prayers, for both safe travel and a fruitful and safe hunt. Hunters and travelers don’t forget our convenient Thursday night service as I know many of you will be gone on the weekends.
Lastly, I would like to pass on to you an article written by a Pastoral friend of mine that would help us start the month of November remembering and giving thanks to God for those who have gone before us in the faith.
God Bless,
Pastor Fisher
Hebrews 12:1-2
The joy of weeping at All Saints
by Rev. David H. Petersen
All Saints Day has become an increasingly popular observance in the Missouri Synod. In our circles it is not a day to remember martyrs and heroes of the faith, since they already have their special days. Rather, it is a day to remember instead all of those who have passed on with the sign of faith whose lives and deaths were mostly ordinary, but who are nonetheless important to us. In my congregation, people bring Kleenex. They expect to cry. Their expectations seem always to be met.
The hymns we sing on that day always get to people. Who could not be moved by the soaring music and profound texts of “For All the Saints” (Lutheran Service Book 677), “Behold a Host” (LSB 676) and “Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart” (LSB 708)?
Those great hymns do more, though, than lift our spirits. They boldly confess the reason for the hope that is in us (1 Pet. 3:15): the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, delivered to His people in Word and Sacrament for the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. The people in the pews do not cry simply because they miss their loved ones. They cry also for joy that they will see them again, that they are already united to them in Christ and that what He has done for them He will do also for those who now grieve for them.
It is the custom at my congregation to observe a Totenfest on All Saints Day. A Totenfest
(“celebration of the dead”) is a German Church tradition of of remembering those who have died in the faith. This has been done in different ways and at different times by Lutherans over the years. We do it at All Saints. The way we observe it is by inserting the following prayer at the end of the prayer of the Church. (I originally found this, years ago, in a Missouri Synod resource entitled “Proclaim” that I no longer have.)
As the conclusion of the prayer the pastor says to the people: “I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’” Let us remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us with the sign of faith, for they were redeemed by God. He gave them new life through His Son in Holy Baptism. He nourished them in the company of His people at His holy table. In His mercy and wisdom, He summoned them to His nearer presence so that they may rest in His blissful peace forever.
The names of those who received the ministry of this congregation during their last days and received a Christian burial in the past year are read and the bell tolled. There will be a pause for all to name in their hearts their loved ones who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Then the bell will be tolled three more times. The prayer below will then be prayed by the pastor.
In joyful expectation of the resurrection to life, we remember before You, O Lord, all our departed kin and friends who have gone before us in the faith. We offer thanksgiving for the gift of faith and hold fast to the certainty of Your promises. We implore You, remember Your Church throughout the world; make all its members grow in love for You and for one another. As You have received our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life, bring us at the last with them into the light of Your presence, that in union with all Your saints we may give You glory forever, through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
There is more weeping at All Saints at our church than almost any other time of year, and yet the festival is dearly loved. The prayer above, the names, and the ringing of the bell, along with the hymns, are powerful and appropriate. So also weeping is appropriate. The Church Triumphant certainly contains many great and famous men and women who lived extraordinary lives and died with honor rather than deny Christ, but the Church Triumphant is also filled with quiet saints, some even known, loved and missed by us. Simply because they are not noticed much here does not mean that they are not noticed much in heaven or that we should go along with the crowd that does not know them. The fact that they matter to us, that there are specific persons in that number that we remember and are eager to see again, also matters to God. Thus, we rejoice that, while we weep, every tear has been removed from their eyes. And we weep in joy as well that soon the tears will also be removed from our eyes.
The Rev. David H. Petersen is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

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Pilgrim News
We welcome Jake Hand as Treasurer. He is taking over the duties of Treasurer from Bonnie Leffin.
Thank you to Bonnie for all your hard work.
Silent Auction and Raffle Big Winners are:
Packers Football - Jayne Gohr
Card Baskets all were won by Nancy Rosenthal
Kelly’s Country Creamery gift cert. - Helen Lauter
Kelly’s Country Creamery Basket - Helen Lauter
Toy/Game Basket - Jichelle Gauthier Children
Sony - Hannah Hand
Echo Dot - Helen Lauters
Echo Dot -Pastor Fisher
Honey Basket - Mary Schwittau
Honey Grove Basket - Pastor Fisher
Water Pic - Pastor Fisher
Thank you to all who bid , donated, or bought raffle tickets. $ 1,333.15 was raised for the Roofing Fund.
Ladies Guild/LWML
We always give thanks for you, remembering you in our prayers. You helped us collect so many wonderful items for The Pace of Refuge and for the DNR “stuff”. Our ladies enjoyed the food, the fellowship, the speaker, and especially the devotion at St. John New Fane.
Cookies, Cookies, Cookies– Our Christmas cookie sale will take place on Sunday, December 12. We are hoping that you will bake a double batch of your Favorite Christmas cookies! Please bring your cookies to the church by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 11.
We will sell the cookies on Sunday, December 12, after both services. We will sell out 1 pound boxes for $8.00 each. The money will go to Seminarian Austin Meier and Missionary Micah Wildauer, serving in Belize.
Thank you for baking, buying, and enjoying the cookies.
Sat., December 11— Please bring cookies to the new fellowship hall by 11:00 a.m.
Sun., December 12— The cookies will be sold after both services.

Holiday Service Schedule:
Thanksgiving Services are as follows;
Wednesday, November 24 6:00 p.m. Divine Service
No Catechism or Adult Bible Class
Thursday, November 25 9:00 a.m. Divine Service.
No 9:00 a.m. Bible Class or 7:00 p.m. Service.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Pilgrim!
Will be held on Thursday, Nov. 25 after the 9:00 a.m. service. The meats for the meal will be provided, side-dishes and desserts are requested to be provided by those attending. There is a sign up sheet in the Narthex for you to sign up for the dinner and what dish you will be bringing. Hope to see you there!
Christmas Shoppe will be open on Sunday, November 28th and close on Sunday, December 19th.
We are looking for new or like new Christmas items, decorations, gifty type items. Craft items are always welcome, as are home-made candy and other Christmas treats to be sold at the Shoppe. Please have all Shoppe donations at Church by November 14 (except for food) so the set-up Elves can begin working. Please bring food items on Thursdays and Sundays while the Shoppe is open so they can be sold before and after services.
We are also looking for Elves to help with the set up as well as serving as cashiers. Please contact Elves Sarah (in the office) or Norma Benz (334-4274) if you would be willing to help. Thank you so much.
**All monies raised will be going to pay off the new roof. (if that is paid off, then to the flooring fund.)**
Congregational Christmas Service You won’t want to miss Symbols of Salvation, the Congregational Christmas Program at Pilgrim on Sunday, December 12 at 4:00 p.m. A chill supper to follow. Parents of children are asked to bring there favorite Christmas treat for this joyous supper. Children will tell about Jesus’ birth with joyful hearts, songs, and readings. We need all the congregation to come together and rejoice in Christ’s Holy Nativity.
Thank You!
Pilgrim Lutheran Members:
Thank you to our Pastor Fisher and Pastor Raffa for coming out to give us the sacraments while we are on the slow recovery road.
We thank you for all the prayers, calls and get well - encouragement cards we have received from everyone.
Ron Sr. is going for cancer treatments and Joyce is doing therapy from wheelchair to walker.
Your Friends from Pilgrim,
Ron Sr. and Joyce Virchow.
Starting in December: The Lutheran Difference Bible will be looking at worship.
All who worship the Holy Trinity and trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins are regarded by Lutherans as fellow Christians, despite denominational differences.
Lutheran churches first described themselves as evangelische, or evangelical, churches. Opponents of these churches called them Lutheran after Dr. Martin Luther, the sixteenth-century German church reformer.
Lutherans are not disciples of Dr. Martin Luther, but rather are disciples of Jesus Christ. They proudly accept the name Lutheran because they agree with Dr. Luther’s teaching from the Bible, as summarized in Luther’s Small Catechism.
Lutherans are led in worship by a pastor.
The service follows an order, an outline of worship that addresses spiritual needs such as forgiveness, edification, and spiritual nurture.
Lutheran orders of service are from the western (Latin) liturgical tradition. This stems from the synagogue and temple worship practiced by the earliest Christians, who were Jewish.
The Lutheran Reformation restored the practice of congregational singing, which had largely disappeared during the Middle Ages. The Lutheran church has been called “the singing church.”
Lutheran chorales spread to every nation touched by the Reformation. The chorales stem from the simple congregational songs of the early Middle Ages (Gregorian chant or plainsong). Lutheran hymns have typically focused on the gracious work of the Holy Trinity for our salvation.
We will be looking at “The God we worship, the people who worship, the Way of the Church, Elements of Christian Worship, when Scripture is Silent and the Bible in worship.
I pray you can join us from 6:30-7:30 starting December 1st.

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Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
10/4/2021
Present were Pr. Fisher, Pr. Raffa, Bob, Dennis, Brian, Gary, Jake, Patrick and Tanner. Absent was John.
The meeting began with prayer at 6:30.
Schedules were made through November. The next meeting will be Mon., 11/1.
The elders would like to thank Staff Electric for their generous donation of part of the funding for our sound equipment, as well as installation.
A discussion was held re: new elders for the board per a few upcoming vacancies, namely Brian, John, Jake and Tanner. We have an excellent selection of names already nominated for the voters to consider.
The Heger family has asked for release of membership, which we grant.
A discussion was held re: the budget. The budget committee is working on getting the budget in order, aiming for transparency and responsibility. We’ve been working through making sure that this does not result in anything being taking from our pastors.
The meeting closed with prayer @ 9:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanner Schmidt

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Church council Report Church Council October 11, 2021 Minutes
The Pilgrim Church Council October 11, 2021 meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by President, Bob Knuth. Other’s in attendance were Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Rob Selzler, Mary Lehtimaki, Nancy Rosenthal, Tanner Schmidt, Jacob Hand, and Jim Behrens.
Pastor Fisher began the meeting by leading a devotion from the hymnal.
A motion to accept the minutes of the September 13 meeting as published was made by Pastor Fisher, seconded by Tanner Schmidt, and passed on voice vote.
Elders Report – by Tanner Schmidt
Thankful to Staff Electric for covering a large amount of the cost for the sound and projector upgrades.
Discussion was held on nominations for open Elders positions on the board.
Trustees Report – by Rob Seltzer
Have scheduled October 23 for church cleanup day.
Roof repair work is expected to be completed soon.
Cold water faucets in several sinks not working because of calcium buildup have been repaired.
Treasurers Report – by Bob Knuth
Bonnie Leffin has resigned from the position of Treasurer.
Motion was made by Rob, second by Jim, and approved on voice vote to appoint Jacob Hand to fill the position of Treasurer until the October 31 Voter’s meeting, at which time he will be nominated to fill the position for a full term.
A financial statement was presented and a motion to accept it, subject to audit, was made by Nancy, seconded by Pastor Fisher, and passed.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
Concordia Bible Institute “Revelation” sessions at Pilgrim was very successful, with 40-45 in attendance at each of the four sessions presented by Dr. German.
On Saturday, November 6, at 9:30 – 11:00am, Dr. Susan Mobley of Concordia Mequon will be speaking at Pilgrim on the Diet of Worms and the Augsburg Confession.
Not able to do services at Cedar Campus anymore because they changed our time from Wednesdays to Thursdays and we are not available on Thursdays.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
Leading a group of three other members to 3-5 November Luther Hostel at the Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN.
Working with volunteers to host a Thanksgiving Day potluck meal after 9:00am church service on Thursday, November 25. A signup sheet will be available.
Planning for Christmas Children’s program on December 12 at 4pm.
Mary Lehtimaki
The Quilters are back working. Several quilts were sold at the Silent Auction.
Nancy Rosenthal
Reported that water has been found below the refrigerator that is used for communion wine storage.
The next Voter’s Meeting will be October 31 at 12:00 noon:
An advisory vote for the Pastors on whether to continue with the use of Divine Service Setting Two in the regular rotation of church services will be held before the Voter’s Meeting is opened.
Equality Statement suggested by the Synod for addition to Pilgrim’s Bylaws will be voted on.
Discussion and vote on budget for 2022.
Election of officers.
A motion was made by Pastor Fisher and passed on a voice vote to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting ended with a prayer by Pastor Raffa.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

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Membership report
Baptized: None
Transferred In:
Mr. William (Bill) Albert from Berea Lutheran MN
Ms. Dolores Crawley by Affirmation of Faith.
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership:
John & Carol Heger, Joseph Heger.

Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving Dinner
Please remember to sign up on the gold sign-up sheet in the Narthex if you are planning on attending the Pilgrim Thanksgiving Dinner.
The meats will be provided. Items that will be needed are, potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, salads, vegetable dishes and of course, Desserts.
There is room on the sign-up sheet for your name, how many are joining you, and what dish you will be bringing to share.
Please bring enough so everyone can have a taste of your dish.
The Thanksgiving Dinner will be served between 11a.m.– 12 p.m. on November 25, 2021

month volunteer schedule
Thursday, November 4: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny Schober
Elder: Dennis E.
Usher Team: B
Acolyte:
Sunday, November 7: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Julie Raffa
Altar Guild: Laurie L/
Elder: Tanner S. / Bob K.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Acolyte: Clayton K./ Josiah R.
Thursday, November 11: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Karen S.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Acolyte: Dylan K.
Sunday, November 14: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Nancy A.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Julie R.
Elder: Jake H. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Victoria M. / Violet S.
Thursday, November 18: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K.
Elder: Brian S.
Usher Team: B
Acolyte:
Sunday, November 21: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Carolyn M.
Altar Guild: Norma B. / Carolyn M.
Elder: Bob K. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 1 / 8
Acolyte: Rachel R. / Georgia J.
Wednesday, November 24: 6:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny Schober
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Acolyte: Dylan Kabitzke
Thursday, November 25: 9:00 a.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny Schober
Elder: Bob K.
Usher Team: 3
Acolyte: Matthias Raffa
Sunday, November 28: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder: Tanner S. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Wade J.

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Treasurers report
Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church
Income and Expenses
Year to Date (YTD) October 27, 2021
Income 2021 YTD
Given 268,417.24
Transfer from Savings 53,857.34
Promissory Note 20,000.00
Thrivent Choice Dollars 3,138.00
Total Income _______________ 345,412.58
Expense
Building Expenses
Gas & Electric 10,615.09
Sewer & Water 2,192.06
Trash 1,668.55
Building Maintenance/Lawn/Snow/Misc. 9,101.41
Roof 30,000.00
Total Building Expenses ___________________
53,577.11
Office Expenses
Telephone/Internet 2,075.50
Copier Lease & Copies 2,979.91
Postage 1,471.00
Servant Keepers 499.90
Quill LLC 508.43
Total Office Expenses _______________
7,534.74
Other Expenses
Payroll 118,130.77
Payroll Taxes 5,285.74
Tuition 9,897.00
Worker Benefit Plan - Concordia 78,194.60
Concordia Publishing House 3,038.18
Seminary Students 963.00
Annuity Contributions 2,500.00
District Support 3,000.00
Insurance - Property/Casualty 5,543.99
Insurance - Workers Comp 1,365.81
Transfer to Savings 8,850.96
Endowment Fund Grants 8,850.00
Miscellaneous 9,011.41
Total Other Expenses _______________
254,631.46
Total Expenses 315,743.31
YTD Income less YTD Expenses 29,669.27

November 2021— Page #

Lutheran education
All the Company of Heaven
It is a practice that has fallen out of disuse among Lutherans. Holy Communion at funerals. It’s a shame, but it is understandable, and in my opinion, a matter that should not be pushed. The family is already grieving, and has much with which to deal already. The Church of Rome has the advantage of routinely having traditional Funerals with Holy Communion with which everyone is more or less familiar; but we are still in the process—a very long and painstaking process—of restoring in our midst the prominence of the Blessed Sacrament. So while we can certainly recommended it as an option for a funeral, and give all the salutary reasons for it, it’s usually without the expectation of an affirmative answer. We might have more of an expectation if we have the advantage of year of patient catechesis, as for instance, I do have here at St Paul's in Kewanee, but even here I find that most grieving families choose not to heave the Sacrament at the funeral. There are many, on the other hand, who have opted for it in recent years and in many other cases there are families who would want it, but would not want to upset non-communicant relatives coming to the funeral, a matter which also relates to the weakness of our own tradition in the matter. In the Roman Catholic churches, people are used to it; the Catholics commune, the others do not, even at funerals.
But even so, our funeral can well be conducted with reverence to the Divine Service celebrated every Sunday. The funeral sermon does well that calls attention to the fact that there is a great mystical, heavenly reality present at the Funeral, namely, that Jesus Himself is sacramentally present, and that therefore so are His saints in the Church Triumphant. When we gather on bended knee to receive Christ at the altar, we also touch our sainted loved ones. For we know that they are ever with Him, and since we know that, we are required to believe faithfully and firmly that when He is with us, so are they. Of course He is always with us, but we also know that He is more tangibly with us, more intimately, perhaps we could say, in the Sacrament. And the same must therefore be said about them.
People who have lost loved loves like to visit their graves, and well they should, for there is something deeply fitting and proper about giving such honor to the dead, in addition to the fact that the bond of love that still exists comes to mind when one stands silently at the grave. I’ll never forget how unexpectedly moved I was when I first stood as a returning pilgrim at the foot of my own father’s grave some years after his passing. The sentiments of those who wishes to visit the graves of their loved one have pious Christian value and should never be dismissed as though they were idly sentimental.
Still there is something more important that needs to be said, namely this: he who visits the grave visits the remains of the loved one, but he who visits the altar visits that very loved one, nestled in the everlasting arms. To do both of these things is to acknowledge a kind of dual reality that is not Gnostic; it is to live with the realization that the departed loved one’s life, or soul, is safe in the kingdom of heaven but in a way that is as yet incomplete, for it is not good that the body and the soul should be separate. Yet it must be so until the day of resurrection of all flesh. In the meantime, we must visit both the cemetery and the altar.
The latter’s important is much greater, however, for the simple reason that one will not find the Word of God at the cemetery. But at the Mass there is always comfort, and comfort particularly regarding the departed faithful, because here the Word of God is spoken and is visible. Christ becomes tangibly available to provide comfort to grieving souls.
There is a clear reference to the their departed loved ones in every Divine Service, during the Proper Preface. The Celebrant chants, “Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Thy glorious name, evermore praising You and saying,” at which all sing the Sanctus together, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth…” If you are paying attention, you can envision the Lord surrounded on His heavenly throne , high and lifted up, by all His hosts, with all the ranks of heavenly angels, and with all the saints who have gone head to glory, be they biblical or post-biblical, well-known or little known, all of them, including my own father. And while envisioning these saints you ought to quickly remind yourself that this is not merely a vision, although it is unseen. It is a reality whose presence has been brought into our midst by the Blessed Sacrament on the altar.
There is something less directly clear, but which I believe to be equally so, in a consideration of the various traditional parts of the Divine Service: Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Creed, Gradual, Verse, Offertory, Sanctus, Nunc Dimittis. These are the major elements of our traditional common service, and one thing that is remarkable about them is that they can all be properly said by saints on either side of the heavenly divide. The saints triumphant can all right be said to have made these confessions their own, eternally. This is one of the reasons one ought not to consider the confession of saints that directly proceeds the Introit to be part of the service itself. The saints triumphant no longer have sins to confess. Germane to all the parts of the Divine Service, however, is confession of faith. Our sinfulness precedes our faith, but when we express our faith itself, we do so as a new creation, the Bride of Christ coming down out of heaven adorned for her husband. As such we join in singing the canticles of the saints triumphant (and, in the Gloria, of the angels). Not only in the Sanctus but throughout the service we are joining our praises to theirs.
The point of the unity of all the faithful needs to be stressed, and this stress is made nowhere more clearly than at the Divine Service. The entire Divine Service is the meeting place for the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant, saints on earth and saints in heaven, the quick and the dead in Christ. And whether one is able to celebrate a Funeral with the Sacrament or not, matters like these are well worth bringing to the attention of the grieving, for they provide inestimable comfort to Christians in their grief.
—————————————————————
This article, “All the Company of Heaven” by Burnell F. Eckardt Jr. first appeared in Gottesdienst Journal, Michaelmas 2018 On Funerals, Vol 26, Nu 3 pg. 12-13).

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Communal Prayers
Collect for All Saints’ Day: Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Prayer for the Festival of Harvest: We give You thanks bountiful God and Father, that You have so abundantly crowned the year with Your goodness, and made the earth to yield her increase, and the fields to stand thick with grains. For these, Your mercies, we praise and sing, and bring the fruits of the earth, together with all Your gracious gifts, with rejoicing. Now thank we all our God, Who wondrous things hath done, in Whom the earth rejoices; Who, from our mother’s arms, hath blessed us on our way, and still is ours today. Blessed by the Lord, Who has blessed the fruits of the earth unto us, and makes the earth yearly yield her increase. O Faithful God, we beseech You, grant us Your benediction together with health and peace, and quietness of life, so that we may enjoy these gifts with joyful hearts as in Your fear; to acknowledge all Your goodness and to praise You for all Your grace and faithfulness, both here and hereafter, eternally. Amen.
Prayer for the Comfort of the Holy Spirit in the Hour of Death: My dearest Lord Jesus Christ, you have graciously told me about your holy name. You know that I believe in you, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the only true God. You are the Mediator and Savior who has shed precious blood for us sinners. Support me in this hour. Comfort me with Your Holy Spirit as I commend by body and soul, and all things into your hands. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Prayer for Restoration of What the Devil Has attempted to Destroy: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel is suffering. Your name is profaned. Christians are persecuted and murdered. The right doctrine is suppressed. The devil’s rule of wickedness is spreading. All the blessed departed Christians and saints who lie forgotten in the earth have returned to dust and ashes. Come and display your glory in your church. Restore your name and the blood of the martyrs, and bring them again to their glory. Amen.
Prayer for the Preparation to Await Christ's Coming with Joy: Dear Lord, awaken us that we may be prepared to receive your Son with joy when he comes and to serve Him with a pure heart. Graciously hurry the coming of that day. Bless and prepare us with wisdom and strength that in the meantime we may walk wisely and uprightly. May we joyfully wait for the coming of your dear Son and so depart blessed from this valley of sorrow. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Carl & Lois Pritzlaff, Janet Meisenheimer, Mark Selzler, Rev. Mark Eckert, Pam Zenda, Paul Lierman, Sherry Cullen, Carolyn Bren, Ron & Joyce Virchow Sr., Judy Clark, Inez Schwoch, Deb Sumner, Jan Meyle, Sue Zell, Richard & Chloe Fisher, Ruth Mertz, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, Donna Sommer, Kandie Darmody, June Fry, David & Olivemae Olson, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Marge Legate, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Elaine Kuenzel, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Donald Teske, Jeanette Guillaume, Linda Lukas, Linda Borneman, Nancy Nicholas, Rachel Davis, Marissa Flanders, Linda Schmidt, Vanessa Kuehne, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer

Voice of Faith

November 2021 — Page #

Birthdays
1- Joanne Haller
2- Joanne Klumb
3- Jim Schmidt
4- Tom Greve
Cheryl Thill
6- Andrew Virchow
8- Ian Janssen
9- Jeremy Baerenwald
Joy Buchholz
Meredith Janssen
Ron Virchow Sr.
10- John Wille
12- Beatrice Kiesow
13- Bernadine Faul
14- Hannah Hand
Georgia Janssen
15- Bill Schepp
18- Courtney Zehetner
19- Janet Schellinger
Denise Spaeth
22- Carrie Mulvey
Carol Shay
25- Joan Prine
Mary Schauland
26- Scott Densow
Matthew Kemeny
29- Lucas Skrentny
Anniversaries
1- Tom & Nicole Kabitzke
Bob & Sue Knuth
5- Jeff & Mallorie Held
8- Ken & Rita Frank
15– Nicole & Chris Zehetner
26- Jess & Gail Doughty
28- Jamie & Kathy Sullivan
30– Don & Cheryl Thill

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	1 / 6:30p Board of Elders Meeting	2	3 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Differences	4 / 7p Divine Service	5 / Office Closed	6 / 9:30a. / Reformation Scholar / Susan Moberly on the Diet of Worms
7 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30 p. 1st Samuel Class / Day-Light Saving Ends	8 / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	9	10 / 9a. Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Differences	11 / 9a. Galatians Bible Class / 7p Divine Service	12 / Office Closed	13 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
14 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p. 1st Samuel Class	15	16 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting	17 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Differences	18 / 9a. Galatians Bible Class / 7p Divine Service	19 / Office Closed	20
21 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p. 1st Samuel Class	22	23	24 Thanksgiving Eve / 9a. Quilters / 6p. Divine Service / NO Youth Catechesis / Or Adult Class:	25 Thanksgiving Day / 9a Divine Service / 12p. Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner / NO 9a. Bible Class or 7p. Service	26 / Office Closed	27 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
28 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service	29	30	November 2021

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

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

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There is more weeping at All Saints at our church than almost any other time of year, and yet the festival is dearly loved. The prayer above, the names, and the ringing of the bell, along with the hymns, are powerful and appropriate. So also weeping is appropriate.

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
3-7
Lutheran Library
8
Communal Prayers
9
Birthdays & Anniversaries
10
Calendar
11

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