Author: Julie Raffa

November 2023

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

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.

Since Reformation day is behind us and Thanksgiving Day is ahead I desire to give thanks to God for y’all. I am truly blessed by God to be serving here at Pilgrim and Lord willing I pray to be here for many more years to come.
But, I have to admit that I’ve been hearing grumblings lately, that this church is becoming too catholic. I assume what is meant by these statements is that how we conduct the liturgy or dress, or …. feels Roman Catholic to someone.
I assure that I nor Pastor Raffa have any desire to be, become, or appear Roman Catholic. Not that they are not Christians but we are Lutheran, which mean that we are reformed catholics and have doctrinal issues with some of the teaching of the Roman Catholic church. These statements have caused hurt feeling and confusion for me as I serve here at Pilgrim.
When we confess the Nicene Creed we state clearly that we “believe in one holy Christian (catholic) and apostolic Church” this means that there will be things that we do that will look or sound similar to all types of Christians.
Some churches in order to not look to catholic have thrown the baby out with the bath water, removing crosses and crucifixes from the sanctuaries and pastors, no confession of sins and if there is one its not clear and the absolution is taken away by a proclamation of general forgiveness, with no clear declaration of the forgiveness of your sin or mine. Sermons are pep talks or worse us against them speeches that make the hearer join with the publican in thanking God that he is not like other men. Lord have mercy. So I decided to share some parts of a Reformation Sermon by Rev. Dr. Norman Nagel a now deceased Concordia Seminary Professor St. Louis, MO.
Catholic is not a word used in Scripture. In ordinary Greek usage, it means “universal.” A stoic philosopher wrote a book about catholic things and dealt with matters found everywhere. The first Christian use of the word we find in Irenaeus, who died about the year AD 200. He says, “Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic Church.” Notice how this is rather like another way of saying our text, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Mt 18:20).
Whatever we say about the catholic Church must have Jesus Christ as its center. Apart from Jesus Christ, there is no catholic Church, and there is only one catholic Church, for there is only one Jesus Christ. Although we may muddle and contradict this fact, Jesus has his one Church. The particular job the word catholic has is to affirm that no kind of distance divides us.
Those gathered together in the name of Jesus in two different places are not cut off by the miles, sea, or mountains between them, for the compelling reason that Jesus is in the midst of them in both places. Catholic also means not separated by any distance of time. The catholic Church embraces Abraham, Athanasius, grandfather, Aunt Agatha who died three weeks ago, you, and me. All who were and are with Jesus Christ at any time or place are in his one catholic Church. As a great Greek theologian observed about the house of the Church, the important thing is not whether you are downstairs or upstairs but whether you are in or out.
In the fourth century, the word catholic developed another meaning. The leading heretic, Arius, denied that Christ is truly God. To say that you belonged to the catholic Church meant that you confessed Jesus Christ as he was confessed at the Council of Nicaea and in the resulting creed. This meaning of the word catholic is not a foreign item but of a piece with our text and with what Irenaeus said, “Wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic Church.” If you held with the Arians to a Jesus Christ who was not God from all eternity, then you were not with Jesus Christ and not in the catholic Church, which is only where he is, true God and true man. This doctrinal and confessional significance of the word catholic, together with its affirmation that place and time do not divide Christ’s one Church, is beautifully expressed in Art VII of the Augsburg Confession and its Apology: “It is also taught among us that one holy Christian Church will be and remain forever. This is the assembly of all believers among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy Sacraments are administered according to the Gospel.”
Here the Church is tied closely to Jesus Christ. As Irenaeus pointed out, only where he is, there is the catholic Church. Where is Jesus Christ? You won’t find him up there or in here among flowers and birds, babbling brooks, or glorious sunsets. Christ is there, of course, but that is not the place appointed by him, the place where he first does his real work with us. He addresses us, takes hold of us, and imparts himself and his gifts to us through his Word and Sacraments. Where they are in action, there Jesus is present and in action, and wherever he is thus, there is the catholic Church. Notice here how we have all solid factors, Jesus factors, his Word and Sacraments.
These factors, being divine and his, are sure foundation. Pushing in some other factors, human factors, will undo this certainty. This, sad to say, has happened. Other factors have been introduced that should guarantee the catholic Church and also identify it. When these are human factors, the impudence is recognizably colossal. Certain forms of organization, institution, or government came to be insisted on as safeguards and guarantees of the catholic Church. Thus rule by bishops was insisted on, and later rule by the pope, and still later some insisted that the Church organization must be presbyterian, while others said it must be congregational. Support was claimed for each one of these from the New Testament. You should look to see whether you can find anything of that sort in the New Testament. Nor will you find there anything special for a particular place or people. To say Roman Catholic, Greek Catholic, or Anglo-Catholic is to squash the meaning of catholic. If it is particularly Roman, it can’t be particularly catholic.
There is one more use of the word catholic we should look at before we come to the tidying up that took place at the Reformation. The heretic Celsus used the phrase “catholic Church” to mean the “great Church,” the biggest one, as if you could be assured the catholic Church was where there were the most Christian noses to count. This sort of thinking got worse when the Church was approved by Caesar and his way of ruling seeped into the Church.
The tragedy of the Reformation was that when Luther raised questions of the Gospel, he was given no such answer. The government of the Church felt itself bothered by some unheard of little Augustinian monk from the remote cow pasture of Wittenberg, and it told him to be quiet. Luther pleaded for discussion of the Gospel. He was met with the naked demand to recant and to submit to the pope. The Ninety-five Theses were no Declaration of Independence but a request for discussion and debate. When Luther recognized that the pope pulled one way and the Gospel the other, the Reformation began in earnest.
The Reformation may be described as cleaning out the human factors that had intruded into the Church and her message. On Reformation Sunday, we most often consider what this meant in the basic relationship of God and us. This was expressed in the doctrine of justification by faith alone with its affirmation that we cannot stand before God on the basis of any human factors but only on the basis of Jesus Christ, his atoning death, and his victorious resurrection.
Something similar happens in the understanding of the catholic Church that we are thinking about this Reformation Sunday. Irenaeus said, “Where Jesus Christ is, there is the catholic Church.” The Apostles’ Creed puts it more closely: Wherever Christ’s Word and Sacraments are in action, there is the catholic Church. Everything else is subordinate to that—the pope too.
Now the Lutherans did not fall into the same error as the pope by saying that not the pope but some other form of church government was commanded by God. They held that no particular form of church government is laid down in the New Testament. They were even willing to have the pope continue running the affairs of the Church by human right, so long as he did not hinder the Gospel. The pope, however, insisted on being Christ’s vicar by divine right and cursed the Gospel held by the Lutherans. “Let it be anathema,” said the Council of Trent concerning the doctrine of justification by faith alone.
The Lutherans, as their enemies called them, or Evangelicals, as they called themselves, had no notion of starting a new church. Same old Church there has always been; there is only one. They kept everything that did not contradict the Gospel. That is why the Calvinist Reformation regarded the Lutheran Reformation as only half a reformation and blamed the Lutherans for not throwing away the vestments, crucifixes, candles, altars, organs, stained glass windows, and statues, as happened most notably north of the border in Scotland. Luther recognized that as the same old error in different clothes. The catholic Church is not shown to be catholicby having or by not having candles, crucifixes, vestments, and so on. It is catholic by having Jesus Christ, and he is there for us in his Word and Sacraments. Where they are, he is, and there is the catholic Church.
Let us, then, rejoice in our catholic heritage centered in Jesus Christ and freed from the intrusion of human factors. Let us live our catholic heritage in relation to other Christians. Luther said, “Rome is surely worse than Sodom and Gomorrah but there they yet have the Sacraments and the Scripture and the name of Christ. There is the catholic Church.” No matter whether it be Rome, Geneva, Constantinople, Canterbury, or Timbuktu—no matter the denominational label—if the Word and the Sacraments are there, if there two or three are gathered together in the name of Jesus, there is the catholic Church. Even if the flow of the Means of Grace, the Word and Sacraments, may be only a trickle, there is yet the catholic Church. This does not mean that impeding the flow with human factors is not a fearfully dangerous thing. Luther was not exhorting people to affiliate with Sodom and Gomorrah. And if we love people, we will want to help them loosen their hold on the impeding human factors.
But we always have a considerable job of such loosening to do with ourselves. We may put no confidence in the fact that there are a lot of Lutheran noses to be counted in the world or that we have an efficient organization. The only ground for confidence, and this is then a joyful and unshakable confidence, is Jesus Christ, who is there for us and imparts himself through Word and Sacraments. Sharing them in Jesus’ name, we know he is in our midst and we are in the catholic Church. All this comes to clear expression here in church, but we cannot be members of the catholic Church in our homes and not members of the catholic Church at our work. We cannot be members of the catholic Church on Sunday and not on Monday, nor hope to be much in the way of Christians on Monday if not on Sunday. That is flat contradiction of catholic.
When you stay away from church for no good reason, the bad reason is basically some diminishing of Jesus and intrusion of human factors. You are content with yourself and feel that you can manage another week without gathering in the name of Jesus and receiving forgiveness and strength from him through Word and Sacrament. You can do without the catholic Church. You know jolly well you can’t, and if you allow these intrusions, this pushing off of Jesus, you are in danger, you need some reformation: Don’t give up your reformation, your centering in Jesus Christ, your membership in the catholic Church.
That membership is powerfully expressed as you worship your way through the liturgy, which is a pattern of worship in which you join fellow members in the catholic Church of many centuries and many places. This reaches a climax in Holy Communion when we acknowledge ourselves to be together with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.
Do you belong there? If you look at yourself closely, you may well doubt it, but look to Jesus. He says you do. He died and rose again for you. With him there is forgiveness and the life that lasts, and from him there is nothing that can separate you, neither time, distance, nor death itself. He holds you together with all who are his, together in his catholic Church or, as we usually say, the Christian Church—same thing, his Church.
God Bless,
Pastor Fisher
Hebrews 12:1-2
Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church
Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2023
Attendees: Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Gary, Tanner, Tim, Dan, Patrick, Kent, Dave
Absent: Ron, Jeff
The meeting began at 6:30 PM with the Early Evening Daily Prayer and song (“Oh Holy Spirit, Enter In”) led by Pastor Fisher.
We completed the Elder schedule for November.
The next elders meeting is Monday, November 6 @ 6:30PM.
We reviewed Chapter 12 of The Creed (“The Second Article: Redemption”) from the book we are reading “Why I Am Joy:Fully Lutheran”.
At our November Elder Meeting we will review Chapter 13 of The Creed (“The Third Article: Sanctification”).
Elder Roundtable:
Pastor Fisher:
The Washington County Sheriff Department sent a letter letting us know that there will be “Parish Safety” presentation November 9 at the Jackson Village Hall. Kent is going to attend that.
Pastor Willie is doing well.
Pastor Raffa
Gave us an update on the Catechesis he is doing on alternating Saturdays.
The meeting ended with prayer at 8:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Jenovai

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November 2023 — Page #

Pilgrim News
Table Talk: Thank you to everyone who participated in the discussions on catechesis and marriage. I look forward to resuming in January. If there are topics you would like to discuss please let me know. Pastor Raffa
**Urgent** We are in need of people who are willing to Usher.
The 10:30 service on Sundays & Thursdays at 7p.m. need people who are willing to help with the general duties of Usher. Please contact an Elder or one of the Pastors for more information. Thank you
Office Volunteers: We are in need of people who would be willing to volunteer to fold the weekly bulletins. A great way for students who need volunteer hours for school.
The bulletins are ready to be folded on Thursday mornings, it usually only takes about 1/2 an hour to get them done. If you choose you may take them home with you or come in on Saturday morning to fold them. The Pastors are usually here between 8 - 9 a.m. If we get enough volunteers, you will only be scheduled once a month. Please contact Sarah in the office if you are willing to help. Thank you
Yes, we will be having the Christmas Shoppe this year! We will start accepting donations for the Christmas Shoppe starting November 1. Please place your donations of gently used, like new or new Crafts, Christmas items, decorations and gift type items in the back hall by the Fellowship Hall under the coat rack.
We are looking for Elves to help out with set up, clean up, and cashiering Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. If you are able to help please contact Judy Frank at 262-388-1210.
The Christmas Shoppe will be open November 26, - December 17. All monies raised will be going to the Selzler family for Medical Bills.
Pilgrim Quilters
The Quilters make Charity quilts for various organizations and charities. Any one is welcome to come and join us. We meet the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the old church fellowship hall. We start around 9 a.m., stay as long as you like, or are able to. Your help would be appreciated.
Ladies Guild is having the Cookie Sale again this year. Please bring a double batch of your favorite Christmas cookies, no candy or bars please, to Church by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9. the ladies will pack them for sale on Sunday, December 10, after and between services. The cookies will sell $9 for a 1lb box. The Ladies Guild Christmas party will be held on Tuesday, December 19.

Pilgrim Pantry
Thank you to those who have donated and will donate in the future. Please note we do not need food items as they are not being taken.
We are in need of the following items to keep our pantry stocked: Deodorant: Men’s & Women’s; Paper Towels, if you are going to donate the large packages, could you please make sure that the rolls are individually wrapped: the same for Toilet paper: Kleenex type tissue: and Dish Soap.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Pilgrim
We will be having our Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, November 23, 2023. It will be a potluck as in the past. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex with your family name, how many will be attending and what dish you will be bringing to share.
The Silent Auction raised $897.20 for Cory Gabor and family to help with his costs at Seminary.
Lutherans for Life Essay Contest:
This an excellent opportunity to have students familiarize themselves with the LFL website so they know where to find Biblical answers to life questions! The LFL website link is https://lutheransforlife.org/ 2024 LFL Essay Contest. At the essay contest site, click on the "non-federation" link for directions, rubric and deadline date of April 1, 2024 (also see attached). https://lutheransforlife.org/2024-lutherans-for-life-essay-contest/. This is an excellent writing project for students in grades 6-8 and 9-12. Students will write a life-affirming essay based on the theme “Life Shines in Darkness” using the Bible verse “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).
Church council Report
Church Council October 2 nd , 2023, Minutes
The October 2 nd , 2023, Pilgrim Church Council meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Bob Knuth. In attendance were Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Phillip Gohr, Jacob Hand, Nancy Rosenthal, Karen Spiering, and Ron Virchow Jr. Dave Fellenz was also in attendance to provide information on the Raffa kitchen remodel proposal and nominations update. Rob Selzler on behalf of the Endowment Fund Committee. Bill Schellinger potential board nominee.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Pastor Fisher began the meeting, leading the group in responsive prayer and singing Hymn from LSB.
Motion to accept minutes of the September 2023, meeting as published in the Herald, made by Pastor Fisher, second by Jacob Hand, carried.
Elders Report – Tanner Schmidt
 The welcome banner in the church narthex will be changed to include an invitation to all the different Bible classes that are offered at Pilgrim.
Trustees Report – Ron Virchow
 Trustees will be applying for application to Endowment Fund for Raffa Parsonage Kitchen remodeling project.
 Ahern Fire Protection is testing spare sprinkler heads.
 Angie Skrentny gave notice she is stepping down from her church custodial position.
 If there are issues that need addressing during the November 4 th clean-up, please contact Ron Virchow or one of the other Trustees.
Treasurer’s Report - Jacob Hand
 The income and expenses were reported and will be presented at the October Voter&#39;s meeting. The year-to-date deficit was discussed in detail. It was noted that donations were down in September.
 Motion to accept Treasurer’s report Karen Spiering, second Nancy Rosenthal, carried.
Pastor Fisher’s Report:
 11-9-2023 Washington County Sherriff’s Office will be giving seminar on “Understanding threats to worship facilities”, for improving safety. Pastor and several members from Pilgrim will be attending.
 Dr German will be giving presentation here on Saturday, 10-07.
 Pastor Raffa’s Saturday “Home Devotion & Parenting” sessions are well attended.
 Due to having a cold, Pastor Fisher canceled today’s nursing home chapel services.
 Sunday School is going well.
Karen Spiring – No report
Nancy Rosenthal – No report
Phill Gohr - No report
Old Business:
 Sprinkler system: if the spare heads being tested do not pass there will be additional charges.
 A clarification to what was said in previous meeting: It was noted there have been questions regarding the second bullet under “New Business” as published in the October Herald. The quote in question stated, “Per Chairman Knuth we need to take money from the endowment fund to balance the budget” It was discussed that this statement did not reflect the intended meaning by Chairman Knuth. The true intent was to explore the use of the endowment fund with the endowment committee to fund the remodel project that was discussed in the previous bullet so it is not forced to be a budgeted expense that will cause the budget to become further unbalanced. All agreed the sentence stated was misleading and there are no issues with the true intent of what was truly discussed in the September meeting.
 Raffa kitchen remodeling: the following Dave Fellenz stated that $14,500 would cover the cost of materials to complete the Raffa kitchen remodeling project. Two issues will be brought to the next Voters Meeting, approval to proceed, and from which specific Endowment Fund the congregation wishes to take the monies.
 Nominations Committee: Dave Fellenz stated that the following members are being nominated for these respective offices.
(A) President; Bob Knuth (i), David Boehlke (B) Financial Secretary; Nancy Rosenthal, Tom Cullen (C) Elder; Patrick Schiefelbein (i) (D) Elder; Ken Frank (E) Trustee; Scott Densow (F) Trustee; Carolyn McAfee (G) Trustee; Joe Hills (H) Church Council; Derek Dich, Lisa Hills, Debra Brathovde (I) Endowment Fund; Tim Cullen, Bill Schellinger. [(i) = incumbent] Motion to accept the slate of candidates by Pastor Fisher, second by Nancy Rosenthal, carried. Motion to accept Treasurer’s report Karen Spiering, second Nancy Rosenthal, carried.
Motion to accept list of candidates by Pastor Fisher, second Nancy Rosenthal, carried.
 Budget presentation was discussed.
 October Voters Meeting confirmed for Sunday the 15 th at Noon.
 The Genesis Project was discussed.
New Business:
 Next Council Meeting November 13 th at 7:00 pm.
Motion to adjourn by Tanner Schmidt, second Nancy Rosenthal, carried.
Pastor Raffa offered up a prayer for the meeting’s close.
Respectfully submitted,
Phill Gohr

November 2023 — Page #

Voters Meeting Minutes 10-15-2023
Opening Prayer 12:02pm. Roll Call taken via sign in sheet: number at start of meeting 53. By end of meeting attendance 29
New Voters Sign Church Constitution: Sam Boehlke, Tom Cullen, Joe Hills, Tim Kreuser, Jeff Kreuser, Kent Voll, Dan Rockrohr (Rockrohr was at meeting but left before signing. Steely will approach him at earliest opportunity to get signature).
Minutes of June 25 Meeting: Motion to approve as published in Herald. Motion made, second and passed.
Elders Report: Tanner Schmidt- Elders not meet since June so not much going on.
See minutes as published in the Herald.
In October, Rev. Dr. Brian German of CUW and Concordia Bible Institute held a special presentation at Pilgrim on “Luther on the Psalms”.
Pr. Raffa has started a series of discussions known as Table Talks that deal with issues facing families in today’s society. These are based on information he learned at the Ft. Wayne Seminary’s Family Institute. Given the holidays, it is likely that the next session will be in January.
As of September, Sunday School enrollment is 5 children. It is thought this may increase due to some new families with young children have been attending lately.
Over last few months, at times the Elder on duty has performed distribution from the chalice at the altar, instead of distributing wafers. This is due to the desire to streamline wafer distribution, owing to some members needing a gluten free wafer.
On December 10, a group from Pilgrim will attend the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performance of Handel’s Messiah. If you are interested or have questions, please see Tanner or Pr. Fisher.
Genesis study is recommending taking the next step toward establishing a Lutheran classical education school in Port Washington. More on this later in the meeting.
Trustees Report: Rob Selzer- Updated audience on some general maintenance projects
Engine on our lawn mower had to be replaced.
Staff Electric completed some repairs at no cost to us and replaced the North Parking Lot light also.
There was a cooling issue in the office in July that has been dealt with.
A refrigerator in the Fellowship Hall had to be replaced.
Fire Sprinkler maintenance has been completed. Some minor repairs were done. We are awaiting receipt of the results from testing performed on a sprinkler head. This testing is routine.
2 plastic dumpsters have been donated to the church. We will not be renewing our waste disposal contract when it expires. Thanks to Rob Selzer for attaching wheels to the dumpsters. Thanks to Pr. Fisher and Jim Behrens for picking up the dumpsters and transporting them to Pilgrim.
NR Asphalt has submitted a bid for work on the parking lot. More on that later.
There are some minor repairs pending in the Fisher Parsonage.
Some minor water damage can be seen in the Janitor’s room by the main entrance. Repairs are in progress.
We are looking to hire a part time janitor. Position is a total of 10 hours every 2 weeks for a total of 20 hours monthly. If interested, contact the Trustees.
Fall Clean up Day is set for November 4.
Dave Fellenz has presented a proposal to remodel the kitchen in the Raffa parsonage. It is believed this is the first time the kitchen would be remodeled since the building was constructed. More on this later.
The new system of reporting repair and maintenance issues seems to be working well. To report an issue, place the completed form in the Trustees Mailbox.
Motion to accept as presented made, seconded and passed.
Pastor’s Reports
Pr. Fisher thanked the church for its generosity in raising funds to cover repairs on a laptop computer for Mark Selzer. The Men’s Bible Class and Pr. Raffa’s Table Talk Group were told of the need and the funds were raised quickly.
Pr. Fisher has agreed to perform a funeral for a family of former members of Pilgrim. The deceased is a 3-year-old unbaptized child
Pr. Raffa- Thanked the congregation for its ongoing prayers for his health
Table Talk Discussion Series has begun. Likely will be on hiatus until January. This series so far has drawn some families to begin attending church.
Related to the Table Talk Discussion Series, Pr. Raffa delivered the Board of Education Report. Few children in Sunday School currently. It is needed to pivot on how we are doing Catechism. Hopefully attendance will rebound. In an earlier report, Sunday School Enrollment was given as 5 children as of September.
Endowment Committee- Rob Selzer- See handout for balances in the accounts. Couple requests pending for later in the meeting.
Concordia Report- Pr. Fisher- New president has been officially installed and some departments have chairs.
School is now requiring all faculty and employees to go through basic catechism with additional catechism training required for promotion.
Concordia Texas has been sued by the Synod due in part to Texas refusal to seat duly elected Synod representatives on its Board and Texas ongoing efforts to leave the LCMS. - See the LCMS Reporter or the website of Brothers of St. John the Steadfast for more detail on the court filing.
Constitution Update- Dave Boehlke- Nothing to report.
Elections- The following individuals were elected to terms starting in January:
President: Dave Boehlke
Elder: Patrick Schiefelbein and Sam Boehlke (nominated from the floor during the meeting)
Trustee: Joe Hills and Scott Densow
Church Council: Lisa Hills
Endowment: Tim Cullen and Bill Schellinger were elected by unanimous ballot. 2 positions were open.
Thanks to Bob Knuth (outgoing President) Jen Schmidt (outgoing Financial Secretary), Gary Jenovia (outgoing Elder), Rob Selzler (outgoing Trustee) and Ron Virchow (outgoing Trustee), Mike Loomans and David Boehlke (outgoing Endowment committee)
Classical Lutheran School- Tanner Schmidt spoke about Classical Lutheran Education.
Pilgrim would get 2 members on the school’s Board
Initial commitment of $25,000 requested to join the other congregations in supporting the school and its related school association.
Motion to join school association Extensive discussion was held. Motion passed.
Motion to elect Jake Hand and Sam Boehlke as Pilgrim’s 2 members of the school’s board made, seconded and passed. (these positions are temporary until January Voters meeting)
New Business
Remodel Kitchen in Raffa Parsonage- The current kitchen is likely the original one dating back to the building’s construction. Dave Fellenz was asked to present an estimate of proposed repairs. Dave presented his report and proposal to the church.
Request for funding from the Endowment Fund was proposed by Rob Selzer. General discussion ensued.
Motion to approve the project and request to the Endowment Committee for funding made, seconded and passed. Project would start ASAP.
Parking lot repair- Rob Selzer- Previous quote from Poblocki was $175,000+. New quote form NR Asphalt has been received. Total cost $15,000 roughly for repair and striping parking lot where needed.
Motion to approve Ron Virchow as Trustee to sign the contract on behalf of the church. Then in January do the actual application to the endowment fund for funding. Motion made, seconded and passed.
Meeting adjourned 3:07pm

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

November 2023 — Page #

month volunteer schedule
Thursday, November 2: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Kent Voll
Usher Team: B
Sunday, November 5: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Laurie L. / Nancy R. Deb. B
Elder: Tanner S. / Tim K.
Usher Team: 3 / 2
Thursday, November 9: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Karen S.
Elder: Kent V.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, November 12: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Julie R.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Carolyn M.
Elder: Dave F. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 1/ 4
Thursday, November 16: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K.
Elder: Dan S.
Usher Team: B
Sunday, November 19: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Nancy A.
Altar Guild: Norma B ./ Carolyn M.
Elder: Tanner S. / Tim K.
Usher Team: 3 / 2
Wednesday, November 22: 6:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Carolyn M. Deb. B. training
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Thursday, November 23: 9:00 a.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Gary J.
Usher Team: 4
Sunday, November 26: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F. Deb. B training
Elder: Ron K. / Dan S.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Thursday, November 30: 1:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K. / Ginny S.
Elder: Jeff S. / Kent V.
Usher Team: / B

Membership report
Baptized: None
Deaths: Mark Selzler 10-16-2023
Transferred In:
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership:
Glenn & Vicki Schnabel

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Giving Opportunities At Pilgrim
There are many ways to support the work that Pilgrim does for us and others.
The most common way is through your Offering envelopes. If you have not picked yours up yet they are in the Cry room. If you do not have envelopes and would like them please contact the office.
Pilgrim has a PayPal account, please see the Pilgrim web page at: www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org click on the link at the bottom of the page. Please note: Your donation statement will be coming from PayPal and not from Pilgrim.
Members who are aged 70 1/2 or older can contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to a charity and avoid paying income taxes on the distribution.
This is known as a qualified charitable distribution. It is limited to IRA’s. If you are interested in this type of giving, please contact Pastor Fisher.
Thrivent Choice is another good way to support Pilgrim.
To direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars call 1-800-847-4836 when prompted say Thrivent Choice. Press 1 to direct Thrivent Choice Dollars or 2 to hear Thrivent Choice Terms and conditions. (if prompted, say or enter your phone number and date of birth.)
A representative will work with you to direct the Choice Dollars.
You can also direct your Choice Dollars online.
Visit the Thrivent website at thrivent.com/thriventchoice
Click on Direct choice Dollars Log is by entering your User ID and Password. (If you have not registered on thrivent.com, click on Register for account access)
Choose the organization you what to direct Choice Dollars: To direct a previous organization: Click Direct Now next to the organizations name, or
Click on the View activity history link, scroll down and click on the name of the desired organization.
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The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

New crucifix installed, dedicated at LCMS International Center
CHERYL MAGNESS OCTOBER 9, 2023
The Rev. Dr. Bill Matzat of Dovetail Creations prepares the new chapel crucifix for hanging on Tuesday, May 30, at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis. The crucifix, dedicated on Sept. 14, was donated by Ilona Kuchta; Matzat built the cross. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
During daily chapel on Holy Cross Day, Sept. 14, a new chapel crucifix was dedicated at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) International Center (IC) chapel in St. Louis. During the same service, Felix Loc was installed as LCMS chief financial officer.
Christ and Him crucified
The new International Center chapel crucifix was given in memory of Dr. Thomas Kuchta, former Synod chief financial officer. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)
The Rev. Paul McCain, former vice-president of publishing for Concordia Publishing House, who died in 2020, once wrote, “The history of Lutheranism demonstrates that the crucifix was a regular and routine feature of Lutheran worship and devotional life during Luther’s lifetime and during the period of Lutheran Orthodoxy. … A crucifix vividly brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s divinely inspired words, ‘We preach Christ and Him crucified’ (1 Cor. 1:23). …
“The ‘empty cross’ is not a symbol of Christ’s resurrection, as some say, for the fact is that the cross would have been empty regardless of whether or not Christ had risen from the grave. The point to be kept clear here is that both an ‘empty cross’ and a crucifix symbolize the same thing: the death of Christ our Lord for the salvation of the world.”
In May, a team of workmen used ropes and scaffolding to painstakingly hang the new crucifix.
The crucifix was a gift from Ilona Kuchta in memory of her husband, Dr. Thomas (Tom) W. Kuchta, who served as LCMS chief financial officer from 2001 to 2010. Made in Italy by Demetz Art Studio, the crucifix corpus measures 5 feet tall and is constructed of linden wood. It required six months to carve, paint and ship across the Atlantic. After arriving in St. Louis, it was delivered to the Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Matzat, who custom made the cross and installed the corpus on it. Matzat, a retired LCMS pastor, runs Dovetail Creations, where he works with stained glass and wood.
Ilona Kuchta said that she did extensive research, comparing crucifixes made in Germany to those made in Italy, and settled with the Italian company Demetz because of the company’s “marvelous reputation” and use of linden wood.
“I wanted the crucifix to be hand carved because it would mean there would not be another one exactly like it,” she said. The wood — from linden trees in the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy — is well-suited to carving because of its grain and texture, which lend it readily to fine detail. The corpus is stained rather than painted. “I wanted people to see Jesus, not the colors.”
Ilona said Tom would be “humbled and overwhelmed” to hear that she had donated the crucifix in his honor. “It was a labor of love, and I’m happy it’s been so well received. Tom was a wonderful husband. All who knew him knew of his generosity and his integrity. His ‘yes’ meant ‘yes,’ and his ‘no’ meant ‘no.’ But with all his success, nothing meant as much to him as helping the church fulfill its mission.”
Of the crucifix, Ilona said, “It’s a strange juxtaposition of the horrific and the beautiful. It’s horrific to see what our sin did to Jesus, but it’s beautiful to see what He did for us. Where would we be without His work on the cross?”
Proclaiming victory
Former Synod Vice-President Rev. Dr. Daniel Preus preached for the dedication on 1 Corinthians 2:1–2: “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”
During his sermon, Preus shared a story about a teaching trip he took to India. During the trip, he and his wife toured a Hindu temple. Invited to ring a bell near a statue, they refused because of the Hindu belief that the purpose of such ringing is to awaken the “god” within the statue so that it can receive worship.
“Today we dedicate a crucifix,” Preus said, “not … in order that we may pray to the ‘god’ within the crucifix” but because of what the crucifix proclaims: Christ crucified for the sins of the world.
Preus explained that the word “dedicate” comes from the Latin dedicare, which means “to proclaim.”
“The nature of that proclamation could not be clearer,” Preus continued. “It is from the cross that Jesus cried out, ‘It is finished.’ [All of history] looks to the same moment … and we know that, at that moment, all our enemies [were] vanquished … and we … received victory through Christ, our Savior.”
Speaking after the service, Matzat said that the experience of making this cross was different from any other, and “I have made many crosses.”
“When I came to attach the corpus to the cross,” Matzat said, “it was more than a Good Friday moment. I have had many of those … [but] this was different. I was participating in the crucifixion. I was attaching Christ to the cross. It stopped me in my tracks. It was my sins that put Him there. … It was my sin that caused Him to be forsaken by His father. …
“I wish God’s blessings to all of you as you gaze upon this cross, that you realize what we sang in the Te Deum: He who has overcome the sharpness of death has opened the kingdom of heaven to all of us.”
Tom Kuchta died in 2020 at the age of 78. As an IC employee, he regularly attended and spoke of the blessing of daily chapel. Before serving the LCMS, he had a distinguished career in finance, working for the Internal Revenue Service and Price Waterhouse. In Kuchta’s obituary, he is described by LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison as “a rock-ribbed Lutheran, straight as an arrow in matters of business and finance, [with] a heart of pure gold. I’m thankful to have learned much from him and to have called him a friend.”

November 2023 — Page #

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

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.
Collect for Thanksgiving Day:
Almighty God, Your mercies are new every morning and You graciously provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your goodness, give thanks for Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience all our days; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Collect for St. Andrew Apostle (Nov. 30):
Almighty God, by Your grace the apostle Andrew obeyed the call of Your Son to be a disciple. Grant us also to follow the same Lord Jesus Christ in heart and life, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Collect for the Blessedness of Heaven:
Almighty, everlasting God, You gave Your only Son to be a High Priest of good things to come. Grant unto us, Your unworthy servants, to have our share in the company of the blessed for all eternity; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Collect for the Hope of Eternal life in Christ:
Almighty, everlasting God, Your Son has assured forgiveness of sins and deliverance from eternal death. Strengthen us by Your Holy Spirit that our faith in Christ may increase daily and that we may hold fast to the hope that on the Last Day we shall be raised in glory to eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Collect for Joy in life and Hope of the Resurrection:
O Lord, the refuge of every generation, we fade like withered grass as You sweep us away in the sleep of death. Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, be gracious to us for Jesus’ sake, and awaken us in the joy of the resurrection to eternal life with Him who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Collect for Times of Affliction and Distress:
Almighty and most merciful God, in this earthly life we endure sufferings and death before we enter into eternal glory. Grant us grace at all times to subject ourselves to Your holy will and to continue steadfast in the true faith to the end of our lives that we may know the peace and joy of the blessed hope of the resurrection of the dead and of the glory of the world to come; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Beverly Hanson, Rev. Clark Davis, Judith Spiegel, Bob Swanson, Sherry Cullen, Stephen Del Cuze, Dave Pajewski, Mark Selzler, Dave Gronowski, Chloe Fisher, Shirley Jahn, Louise Kreis, Lynn Lutz, Mary Margaret Hatfield, Rev. John Wille, Phyllis Laabs-Darkow, Rev. Donald & Carolyn Bren, Joyce Virchow, Ethan Tinlin, Patricia Wirtz, Carl & Lois Pritzlaff, Judy Clark, Jerry Sullivan, Donna Sommer, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Elaine Kuenzel, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Linda Schmidt, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer

Voice of Faith

November 2023 — Page #

Birthdays
1- Jo Haller
3- Jim Schmidt
4- Tom Greve
5- Justin Krueger
6- Andy Virchow
8- Ian Janssen
9- Joy Buchholz
Meredith Janssen
10- Rev. John Wille
13- Bernadine Faul
14- Hannah Hand
Georgia Janssen
15- Bill Schepp
17- Beth Brehm
18– Courtney Zehetner
19- Janet Schellinger
Denise Spaeth
22- Carrie Mulvey
Carol Shay
23- Michael Krueger
25- Joan Prine
26- Scott Densow
Matthew Kemeny
28- Beatrice Kiesow
29- Lucas Skrentny
Anniversaries
1- Tom & Nicole Kabitzke
Bob & Sue Knuth
5- Jeff & Mallorie Held
8- Ken & Rita Frank
14- Joe & Lisa Hills
15- Chris & Nicole Zehetner
26- Jess & Gail Doughty
28- Jamie & Kathy Sullivan
30- Craig & Sue Martinez

Senior Discounts are available at:
Tuesdays at 10% discount at Good Will
Wednesdays 15% discount at Kohls
Thursdays 20% discount at the Restore
Corner of Jefferson & Barton
West Bend Movie Theater.
Tuesday - $5 Admission Ticket and $8 Whole Pizza!
$5 Admission for everyone!
$8 Pizza (Cheese, Sausage, or Pepperoni)
Friday- Seniors (62 & Up $5 tickets: before 5:00 show time)

Did You Know!?!
A new section for the Herald for those who would like to get out and enjoy for not a lot of money. If you have any idea’s for the Did You Know section, Please get your ideas to the office by the 15th of the month to have it included in the next months Herald.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

November 2023			1 / 9a. Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1 & 2 Kings	2 / 9a Bible Class: James / 7p Divine Service	3 / Office Closed / 9a. Matins	4
5 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Bible Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Bible Class: James	6 / 9a. Matins / 10:30a Chapel @ Cedarhurst / 11:30 a Chapel @ Vista Pointe / 6:30p Board of Elders Meeting	7 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	8 / 9a. Matins / 9a. Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Bible Class: / 2 Kings	9 / 9a Bible Class: James / 7p Divine Service	10 / Office Closed / 9a. Matins	11 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
12 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Bible Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Bible Class: James	13 / 9a. Matins / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	14 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	15 / 9a. Matins / 9a. Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Bible Class: / 2 Kings	16 / 9a Bible Class: James / 7p Divine Service	17 / Office Closed / 9a. Matins	18
19 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Bible Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Bible Class: James	20 / 9a. Matins	21 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	22 / 9a. Matins / 9a. Quilters / 6p. Thanksgiving Service	23 / 9a. Thanksgiving Service / 12p. Thanksgiving Dinner	24 / Office Closed / 9a. Matins	25 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
26 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:Bible Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Bible Class: James	27 / 9a. Matins	28 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	29 / 9a. Matins / 9a. Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Bible Class: / 2 Kings	30 / 9a Bible Class: James / 7p Divine Service

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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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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
4-8
Giving Matters
9
LCMS News
10
Communal Prayers
12
Birthdays & Anniversaries
13
Calendar
14

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