Author: Julie Raffa

November 2019

The Pilgrim Herald

Death, All Saints Day, and the Church In Eternal Glory
“In our life, when we are exercised by the Word in the church and use the Sacraments, we are also plagued by various trials, and are faith is tested like gold in a furnace. This is true saintliness.” Martin Luther

I remember the room, the man lying on his death bed, and his soon to be widow. She looked up at me with tears and said, “I don’t know how those without faith get through it.” As All Saints Day beckons my mind to eternal things. As the names of the sainted in heaven hit closer to home and heart. I don’t believe our faith makes facing death easier. In fact, it makes it harder.
Let me explain. We are surrounded by people who are convinced that death is simply the last stage of life. That it may send you off on a journey, or that you simply “passed away,” or were “called home,” or that it just may be the end of you. Either way, its fine. They lived and loved, were cherished and been loved. They had a great run, or they were spared much sorrow. Death happens. It’s natural. It’s all good. That is not hard. That is easy.
You want hard? You stand by the coffin of someone you love. You look long and hard at that body which no amount of parlor makeup can disguise what has happened. To stand by the casket, to look death in its steely eyes and confess: nevertheless this body will be raised again. And to believe that. That’s not just hard. That’s impossible. That’s nuts.
You want proof. Read the New Testament. These books testify to a bunch of guys having their minds blown by seeing a man they new and loved, be crucified and buried, and then showing up alive. Not just in spirit, but in body and spirit, and doing weird things with that body. They couldn’t begin to fathom what had happened. His body, not just animated like a zombie, but incorruptible. Alive forevermore. They knew it sounded impossible and nuts. They knew it was hard, not easy. And this is where All Saints Day comes to sow hope and shine eternal light and joy.
All Saints Day is an old feast. The primary reason for establishing it was the desire to honor the great number of martyrs. And quite simply, there were not enough days of the year for a feast day for each martyr, and many died in groups. By the 4th century, this common feast was celebrated in Antioch.
The confident expectation of everlasting life by the martyrs, gives us great strength and courage amid our own suffering and dying. The Bishop Polycarp, a student of the apostle St. John, was arrested in 167 A.D and was told he could save his life by cursing Jesus. He calmly replied: “Eighty six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” Threatened with fire, the bishop said, “The fire you threaten burns but an hour and is quenched after a little; for you do not know the fire of the coming judgment and everlasting punishment, that is laid up for the impious.” And so Polycarp was burnt alive, praising God like Stephen as he was being killed. What then does Polycarp’s confession mean? What does it mean for the dead body of the ones we love? What does it mean for our failing flesh? That’s where the church at Corinth was at. Many had the idea that those who died before the glorious return of Christ, they were just lost. Too bad. So sad. But another saint, exercised by the Word and suffering, St. Paul wrote to them and said, “No, no, and no.” “Look, if there is no resurrection, then Jesus Himself is not raised and the witness I’ve been giving about God raising Him from the dead is a huge lie and we are then a people most to be pitied.”
But no. In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. So sin is forgiven, death is dead. And Christ is simply the first fruits. The start, there is more to follow. Everyone who died in Adam, is made alive in Christ. But we won’t see it until that appearing, and then we’ll see. Christ, those who died in Him are alive forevermore, and the generation alive at that moment changed, as the “last enemy” is destroyed forever.
Not easier. Harder. Unbelievable. Who can believe it? The Apostles struggle. We struggle. Wrapping your mind around the resurrection is the New Testament. The Apostles and Evangelists, they are not writers of fairy tales. They did not, nor any martyr of the faith, shed their blood and be burned alive for some silly story that was not true. They shed their blood and suffered bodily in the conviction that they had encountered the supreme instance where truth was stranger than fiction. Christ lives. In His body. Forever. You will live. In your body. Forever.
We muse a lot about what this life in heaven will be like. Lambo Field? An eternal choir practice? Lush green valleys? Big snowy mountains? White sandy beaches and clear bright blue sea? In all truth, Scripture tells us very little about what eternal life will be like. None of those raised from the dead by our Lord gave interviews about what they had experienced. St. Paul who was “caught up” into heaven and paradise, reported only that he “heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell” (2 Cor. 12:4). Our language, derived from earthly experience, simply lacks the capacity to express the grandeur of the world to come. Scripture therefore describes it only in pictures and images, like the vivid scenery in the Book of Revelation.
When it comes to explaining the church’s eternal glory, we have to do the same sort of thing when trying to explain, say, marriage to a three-year-old, or human anatomy to an illiterate bush tribe. Luther showed the way when he wrote his little four-year-old son Hans about a beautiful garden, with children in golden frocks gathering up rosy apples, pears, cherries, and plums, and playing with ponies that had golden bridles and silver saddles. From childhood, Christians need to learn that we will find eternal life infinitely more satisfying and exciting than the most intense pleasures that this dull, sin-sick earth can offer. In movie terms, the resurrection life in the new heaven and new earth will resemble a multi-dimensional technicolor extravaganza, as compared with the silent and flitting black-and-white shadows of our present existence.
Delivered from the faithless specter of a funless heaven, we shall be convinced with St. Paul “that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). Here, we modern Christians will find the strength and the courage to sacrifice all else for the pearl of great price, and to hold in contempt the grand allurements of the world, the devil, and the sinful flesh. The more we believe this, the more our church-services will reflect eternity’s beautiful grandeur instead of the cozy clubbiness that accompanies secular self-indulgence.
As we experience the death of our loved ones. As we hear their names reverberate on the walls of the holy ark, the church, and miss their presence among us. As we long to feel their touch and hear their voice of wisdom in our struggling days. Our ears must never loose the sound of the divine truth and holy service of our God, that together in Him, we worship “with angels, and archangels, and with all the company of heaven.”
The martyrs, the saints resting in the peace of Jesus, their proclamation still resounds, precisely because it is not their word, but the Word of Christ who by His blood brought them, and one day us as well, out of this great tribulation into His marvelous joyful heaven. No, our faith doesn’t make death easier. Death won’t let you get off that easy. Death can never cozy up to you and be your friend no matter how hard it tries. Don’t try to make peace with death either. It’s not natural and not a part of the very good life God created. It’s the invader, the slithery serpent, an enemy, but an enemy that Christ has already destroyed in Himself, and He will destroy it in you on the day of His appearing.
While the Christian faith is deeply personal, All Saints Day teaches us that it is never a private affair, “just between me and God.” Christ is the one who sets the lonely in families. Christ is the one creates us to be His chosen race, a royal priesthood. Christians are not footloose individuals, but a holy family, a brotherhood, a communion of saints. The new humanity that Christ brings to us, is His body, and all who live in this body, the church, will remain together, through death, unto life.
In Christ, Pastor Raffa

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Pilgrim News
Condolence cards and Memorials for Rev. Ronald Albers, former Pastor of Pilgrim who died on October 20, may be sent to Mrs. Barbara Albers, c/o Luther Manor, 4545 N. 92nd St. #1413 Wauwatosa, WI 53225
The Odd Couple, presented by Living Word Lutheran High School: Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the door. Enjoy a great play and support Pilgrim’s members: Sam Grosskreuz, Cassidy Schmidt, and Tanner Schmidt.
Christmas Craft & Vendor Fair at Peace Lutheran Academy, W240 N6145 Maple Ave, Sussex on Saturday, November 9th 9:00 a.m.— 3:00 p.m.
Board of Education will meet on Sunday, November 10 following the 10:30 a.m. Divine Service.
Pilgrim Family Thanksgiving Dinner: November 28 at noon. Thrivent will provide Turkey, Gravy, Stuffing, Glazed Carrots, Cranberry Sauce, Ham, Macaroni & Cheese, Peas, and Pumpkin Pie. Sign up in the Narthex and bring a side dish and/or a dessert.
Annual LWML Cookie Sale is just around the corner and your help is needed. Please deliver a double batch of you favorite cookies to the church kitchen prior to 11:00 am. on Saturday, December 14th. The ladies of the LWML will pack up 1-pound boxes containing a variety of cookies; these will be sold on Sunday, December 15th for $7 per box. Proceeds to support Pastor Wildauer’s mission work in Togo, Africa.
Thursday Divine Service on December 26, 2019 & January 2, 2020 have been cancelled. Further details are available in the Church Council Report on page 4
Higher Things Conference 2020 registration opens on November 1. Pilgrim will attend the conference being held at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI July 21—24. The Early-Bird cost is $385. Each family is responsible for $300; the Scrip Program will pay the remaining $85 for each participant. Registration Forms are available online and from Pastor Raffa. Completed forms and a $100 deposit are due to Pastor Raffa no later than December 15. The remaining $200 is due no later than January 19, 2020. Additional information is available at www.higherthings.org.
Ushers are needed for Advent Services: Thursdays at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Please contact the Church Office to help.

Pilgrim’s Annual Christmas Shoppe will open on
December 1st and is in need of donations, volunteers, and shoppers.
Donations of new, like new, and handcrafted items, suitable for gift-giving or Christmas decorating, are now being collected in the Old Fellowship.
Donations of food items, such as cupcakes, brownies, caramel corn, packaged to sell for $1-$2 are also requested; these are very popular items. Food items can be delivered directly to the Shoppe on Sundays or Thursdays, December 1– 22.
Volunteers are needed to sort, display, and price items on the following days.
Friday, November 8th: 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
Friday, November 15th: 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
Friday, November 22nd: 10 a.m.—1 p.m.
Monday, November 25th: 9 a.m.—noon.
Evening hours can be added if needed.
Volunteers are needed at the cashier’s table, before and after services, on the following days.
Sunday, December 1
Thursday, December 5
Sunday, December 8
Thursday, December 12
Sunday, December 15
Thursday, December 19
Sunday, December 22
Shoppers can purchase items before and after services on Sundays and Thursdays, December 1— 22. Come and see what is new this year—it is always a surprise! Check back weekly for fresh bakery and handcrafted gifts. All proceeds will go to support Pilgrim.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Church Office (office@pilgrimlutheran.wb.org or 334-0375) or Norma Benz (tombenz@charter.net or 334-4274).
Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars to Pilgrim or another of your favorite charity online or by phone.
BY PHONE: Call 800-847-4836
When prompted say “Thrivent Choice.”
Press #1 to direct your Thrivent Choice dollars
A Thrivent representative will then assist you.
ONLINE: www.thrivent.com/thriventchoice
In the “Get Started” section on the right, click on Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars and log in.
Choose organization to which you want to direct your Thrivent Choice dollars.
Follow prompts.

November 2019 — Page #

Church council Report
The Pilgrim Church Council October 14, 2019 meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President, Jerome Sommers. Others in attendance were Mary Lehtimaki, Judy Frank, Dan Shay, David Fellenz, Tanner Schmidt, Jim Behrens, Pastor Fisher, and Pastor Raffa.
Pastor Fisher led an opening devotion.
The minutes from the September meeting were accepted by common consent without revision.
Presidents Report – Jerome Sommers
Correspondence from Joint Seminar Fund asking for a donation from the congregation
Correspondence from Lutheran Special School and Education Services requesting contributions to make up the difference between $14,000 spent per child and $10,000 government funding
Elders Report – Tanner Schmidt
There will be no Thursday evening church services on December 26 and January 2 because there are several other opportunities for worship in these Christmas and New Year weeks. Decision was based on a two-week survey, 28 to 5 not to have these Thursday services.
A motion was made by Tanner, seconded by Judy, and passed to donate the processional cross we are not using to the Seminary in Nigeria, who requested it. The cross was purchased with donations from several members, who have been contacted and support this gift to the Seminary.
Trustee Report – David Fellenz
Working on design for a new church sign next to Hwy 45, north of the fairgrounds
Completed several winterizing jobs, turning off outside water, etc.
Repairing replacement bubbler so it can be installed and functional again
Have removed high sod next to sidewalk to make maintenance easier and improve safety. Grass has been seeded and is growing.
Treasurers Report – Dan Shay
A current financial statement as was presented and a motion to accept it subject to audit was made by Tanner, second by Jim, and passed.
The proposed budget for 2020 that will be presented at the October Voter’s Meeting was reviewed.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
Has been told by employees of Thrivent that our church is missing out on several thousand dollars of Thrivent Choice donations each year because not all members are making a designation. We will be making more effort to be sure that everyone has the information needed to make a designation of their Choice Dollars if they desire.
Briefly: Designation can be done by phone by calling 800-847-4836 and following the Thrivent Choice and then Designate Dollars prompts - or over the internet by logging into your account at https://www.thrivent.com
Designation can be made any time of the year, but the best time is January thru March when all of your Choice Dollars from the previous year are available for designation.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
No additional information to report
Old Business
The next Voter’s Meeting will be October 27, at 1:00 pm. Offices up for election 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 in one of these offices.
New Business
Judy presented information gathered from several members who are interested in having specific funds set up that could be donated to for memorials and other special gifts. A motion was made by Pastor Fisher and seconded by Jim to set up two specific funds, Flooring Replacement and Roof Replacement to be itemized on the monthly Treasure’s Report. The motion passed.
Kitchen sanitation was discussed. Judy and Pastor Fisher are obtaining information that can be used to develop a list of rules to help ensure food safety.
A motion was made by Tanner (no second required) and passed to adjourn the meeting.
Pastor Raffa closed with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Board of elders report
9/30/19 (in lieu of October owing to pastors at conference)
Present were Pr. Fisher, Pr. Raffa, Gary E., John, Bob, Dennis, Brian, and Tanner.
Absent were Gary J. and Jake.
The meeting began with prayer at 6:30.
Schedules were made through 11/10. The next meeting will be on 11/4.
A question arose whether to have Thursday services during Christmas and New Years this year owing to the odd timing of dates. We opt to ask the Thursday night regulars for their opinions and act accordingly.
The brat fry to benefit the Nigerian seminary will be on 10/27.
Elders were assigned family units:
Asmus - Dembski, Rich → Gary Erdman [262-334-3638]
Dembski, Tom - Glassel → John Heger [262-338-3028]
Gohr - Jennrich → Brian Skrentny [262-338-8586]
Jenovai - Lotz → Tanner Schmidt [262-470-9704]
Maffit - Otten → Gary Jenovai [262-677-0517]
Pajewski - Schnabel, Pat → Dennis Engmann [262-644-9687]
Schnabel, Glenn - Swanson → Bob Knuth [270-304-5806]
Thames - Zicker → Jake Hand [262-388-2441]
Elders spent time in their book study, “Man Up”.
The elders have decided to donate/ship the processional cross acquired years ago to the Nigerian seminary, per their specific request, pending council approval.
A sign for HWY 45 to replace the aged, now removed one, is in the works and should be installed in the near future.
Some matters of pastoral care were discussed.
The meeting closed with prayer at 8:18.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanner Schmidt

November 2019 — Page #

Membership report
Transferred In:
Heather Leffin from First Immanuel LCMS,
Cedarburg, WI
Transferred Out:
Brittany Hokana to Immanuel LCMS,
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Karl & Michelle Bandow to St. Paul LCMS
Grafton, WI
Scrip Program Report
01/01/19—10/15/19:
Families Participating: 18
Monies Raised YTD: $559.98
Silent Auction/ Raffle report
This year’s auction/raffle raised $866 for Pilgrim. The raffle winners are as follows.
Green Bay Packer Football: Jayne Gohr
Admiral Tickets: Gabe Kempf
Bowling Party: Brian Skrentny
Flat Screen TV: Art Kufahl
Kewaskum Floral Basket: Cheryl Thill
Culvers Basket: Mary Schwittau
Honey Grove Basket: JoAnn Hoffert
Honey Grove Certificate: Russ Guillaume
Slushie Maker: Haley Densow

Birthdays
Joanne Haller
2 Joanne Klumb
3 James Schmidt
4 Thomas Greve
Cheryl Thill
5 Justin Krueger
6 Andrew Virchow
8 Ian Janssen
9 Jeremy Baerenwald
Joy Buchholz
Meredith Janssen
Laura Susnik
Ron Virchow Sr
10 Rev. John Wille
12 Beatrice Kiesow
Ross Weber
13 Bernadine Faul
Muriel Magnus
14 Hannah Hand
Georgia Janssen
15 Bernard Doyle
Wendy Franke
William Schepp
17 Beth Brehm
18 Courtney Zehetner
19 Janet Schellinger
Denise Spaeth
22 Carrie Mulvey
Carol Shay
23 Michael Krueger
25 Joan Prine
Mary Schauland
26 Scott Densow
29 Lucas Skrentny
30 Jeffrey Dahl

Anniversaries
1 Tom & Nicole Kabitzke
Bob & Sue Knuth
8 Ken & Rita Frank
15 Chris & Nicole Zehetner
28 Jamie & Kathy Sullivan
30 Don & Cheryl Thill

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Listening to luther
Preaching: An Interview with Luther
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany.
In recognition of this anniversary, we went back 502 years to interview Luther on the great Reformation
emphasis to preach the Word of God for the faith and life of God’s people.

Is God really at work through the preaching of the pastor? Luther: Yes, I hear the sermon, but who is speaking? The minister? No indeed! You do not hear the minister. True, the voice is his; but my God is speaking the Word which he preaches or speaks. Therefore I should honor the Word of God that I may become a good pupil of the Word.1
What is the purpose of preaching Jesus Christ?
Luther: Christ wants to be preached in such a way that we believe in Him.2
What does it mean to preach Christ?
Luther: To preach Christ means to feed the soul, make it righteous, set it free, and save it.3
Can simple preaching really deliver Christ to the hearer? Luther: No painter can depict Christ as accurately to you with his colors as I have depicted Him with my preaching.4
Why is preaching Christ so important? Luther: God takes hold of the contrite [sinner] and justifies him through faith in Christ which He pours into him through the preaching of the Gospel [i.e., Christ], as he took hold of Peter and justified him.5
Whose faith is being created and sustained in preaching Jesus Christ? Luther: Christ ought to be preached to the end that faith in Him may be established that He may not only be Christ, but be Christ for you and me, and that what is said of Him and is denoted in His name may be effectual in us. Such faith is produced and preserved in us by preaching why Christ came.6
Do you believe the preacher’s job is to interpret the Bible for God’s people? Luther: And what do those who at this day preach? Do they not expound and declare the Scriptures? In a word, if the Scripture be obscure or ambiguous, what need was there for its being sent down from heaven? Truth and doctrine are to be preached always, openly, and firmly, and are never to be dissembled or concealed; for there is no offence in them; they are the staff of uprightness.7
Is preaching from the Bible all that important?
Luther: Nor should any doctrine be taught or heard in the church except the pure Word of God… This is not preaching that gains favor from men and from the world.8
Is preaching the same as a theological speech?
Luther: Cursed be every preacher who aims at lofty topics in the church, looking for his own glory and selfishly desiring to please one individual or another. When I preach here I adapt myself to the circumstances of the common people. I don’t look at the doctors and masters, of whom scarcely forty are present, but at the hundred or the thousand young people and children. It’s to them that I preach, to them that I devote myself, for they, too, need to understand.9
How important is that God’s Word is clearly understood through preaching ? Luther: We shall, to the best of our ability, expound the Gospel’s meaning and not hide it from the common people,, frightening them away with fabricated subtleties, as do the scholastics. There is no need for many clever, hairsplitting considerations, but only for simple and plain attention to the words of the text.10
How is the pastor to rightly divide God’s Word in his sermons? Luther: Christ Himself teaches these two articles [Law and Gospel] in such an order. On must preach repentance [Law] and the forgiveness of sins [Gospel] in His name.11
Do you believe preaching the Word is more important than writing about it? Luther: Christ did not command the apostles to write, but only to preach. The Church is no a pen-house, but a mouth-house.12
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in preaching?
Luther: The Word is the channel through which the Holy Spirit is given. The lips are the public reservoirs of the church. You see, unless the Word is preached publicly, it slips away. The more it is preached, the more firmly it is retained. Reading it is not as profitable as hearing it, for the live voice teaches, exhorts, defends, and resists the spirit of error. Satan… flees at the speaking of the Word.13
What is the role of the pastor in preaching?
Luther: Would to God that we could gradually train our hearts to believe that the preacher’s words are God’s Word and that the man addressing us is a scholar and a king. To be sure… all I hear is the voice of the preacher, or of my brother or father, and behold only a man before me. But I view the picture correctly if I add that the voice and words of father or pastor are not his own words and doctrine, but those of our Lord and God.14
Any concluding thoughts about preaching?
Luther: No heart is ever satisfied unless it hears Christ preached properly in the gospel; when this happens, a person comes to Bethlehem and finds Him; he also comes and stays in Judea and thanks His God eternally; then he is satisfied. Then, too, God is praised and confessed.15
This article was originally published in the October 2019 edition of the Reporter: Official Newspaper of the LCMS on pages 2-3.
———————
Footnotes:
1 What Luther Says (St. Louis: CPH, 1959), 1125.
2 Sermons on the Gospel of St. John, Chapters 6-8,
AE 23:381.
3 The Freedom of the Christian, AE 34:173.
4 Galatians, AE 26:199.
5 The Disputation Concerning Man, AE 34:173.
6 AE 31:357.
7 Luther, Martin, Henry Cole, tr., The Bondage of the
Will (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976),
108, 61.
8 Galatians, AE 26:58.
9 Table Talks, AE 54:235.
10 Sermons II, Main Christmas, AE 52:41.
11 Against the Heavenly Prophets, AE 40:82.
12 Luther, Martin, Companion Volume: Introduction to
the Exegetical Writings (St. Louis: CPH, 1959), 63.
13 Lectures on Minor Prophets I, AE 18:401.
14 Sermons on the Gospel of St. John, AE 22:526
15 Sermons II, Gospel for Christmas Eve, AE 52:20

November 2019 — Page #

Lutheran community
When Lutherans Begin to Reject Lutheranism
By Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard

Starting in 2011, I spent two years interviewing over 400 former Evangelicals for my doctoral thesis. The point of the research was to discover the intricate details of what happens when a person leaves Evangelicalism and becomes a Lutheran. Now, considering this research, I have recently begun to question what happens on the opposite side of the coin. That is to say; what happens when Lutherans start to reject Lutheranism and journey to American Evangelicalism? Through simple observation and my personal experiences, I believe there is a very distinct pattern to churches and parishioners who begin to reject Lutheranism. Even though these stages are not comprehensive and have not been officially researched, I believe they show obvious features of a church/person who begins to migrate away from Lutheran doctrine and practice.
Stage 1: Boredom Sets In
After Sunday Service while putting his coat on, Larry turned to his friend Tom and said, “The liturgy is just so dry and mechanical. Don’t you ever get bored from going through these dead rites?” Tom responded, “I was thinking the same thing the other day. If only we could be on fire like the Baptist Church down the street. If only we could make some changes, things would be better and we could be alive!” Now, what Larry and Tom may not quite understand, is that their conversation displays a great deal of liturgical boredom. Boredom is an emotional state of being, where a person is not interested in their surroundings, or they feel that what they are participating in is dull, unpleasant, or unimportant. Boredom creates a situation where people want some stimulation to give them relief from a tedious grind.
In the Lutheran Church, boredom amongst parishioners typically looks like discontentment, or perhaps apathy, towards historical practices. Aside from being demoralizing, the real danger of boredom comes about when individuals attempt to relieve it. You see, liturgical boredom is a real thing; however, there are only two options to alleviate this kind of boredom. They are rediscovery or discovery. Rediscovery happens when a person acknowledges that they have abandoned their first love, but then return to their Lutheran roots to relearn and remember the gifts that have been set before them in the Divine Church Services. But rediscovery is difficult. It is difficult because individuals have to acknowledge that the problem is not with Lutheran practices but with themselves. For example, with Larry and Tom, they would have to admit that the burden of boredom is on them and not with the practices of their Lutheran Church. Unfortunately, though, individuals like Larry and Tom will often not put the onus on themselves, but will often demand changes in practice (the journey of trying to discover non-Lutheran practices) to offset their boredom and enhance stimulation, thus opening the door to the journey to rejecting Lutheranism.
Stage 2: Practices Change
Leaning forward, Larry said, “You know, the Baptist Church down the street is doing something that seems to connect with young folks.” Tom responded, “Yeah, I know what you are going to say, they have these really neat bands singing catchy tunes with big screens. And I hear that the services are just so incredibly relaxing and easy-going.” Nodding his head, Larry said, “I think we can learn a lot from them and maybe make some simple changes here in our church. Besides, everyone knows that church practices are adiaphora. It isn’t like we would be changing our Lutheran doctrine.” It is important to keep in mind that long-standing Lutherans, like Larry and Tom, never intend on forsaking Lutheran doctrine. But the desire to relieve boredom and the enticement of something “New” that supposedly attracts young people has a powerful seductive pull on changing church practices.
Two concerns need to be addressed at this point. First, practice is never neutral. Church practices are ‘always’ derived and flow out doctrine. Doctrine drives, shapes, and forms church practices. And practice – over time – can also reciprocally change a church’s doctrine. Therefore, what Larry and Tom do not understand is that the introduction of Baptist practices in a Lutheran Church is an introduction of Baptist theology shrouded in supposedly neutral Baptist practices. Second, Larry and Tom fail to understand what is meant by adiaphora. Adiaphora pertains to things neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, but it is not a license to do whatever one may want with a church service. Just because something is neither commanded nor forbidden in God’s Word, does not mean that it is beneficial to a church service. Furthermore, just because something is adiaphora does not mean it can be excluded from being judged by God’s Word. Here’s the point; after boredom sets in, individuals like Larry and Tom will set out to change the practices of the church, while naively believing that Lutheran doctrine will remain unaffected.
Stage 3: They Become Faux Evangelicals
When the smallest changes of practice begin to take place in the church, Larry and Tom will feel a sense of jubilance. Not only will they supposedly be reaching young people, but their burden of boredom will begin to be lifted. There is a catch-22, though. What typically happens is that the small changes in a Lutheran Church are behind the trends of Evangelical Churches. That is to say; by the time the Baptist Church down the street implements a new trend, and by the time Larry and Tom pick up on the so-called new trend, the trend has already been outdated.
There is an unspoken stigma upon Lutheran Churches who try to act like Evangelicals. That stigma is that they are 15 years behind the trends. Furthermore, the stigma is that these Lutheran Churches are faux Evangelicals. The word ‘faux’ means imitation, or fake, or not genuine. When someone has the label ‘faux,’ they are easy to spot because they look awkward and uncomfortable in the clothing, language, mannerisms, and tastes of another culture or group that they have hopelessly tried to emulate. The same is true for a church. A Lutheran Church that borrows Baptist practices does not look Lutheran or Baptist but looks like an out-of-date-faux-Evangelical Church. Indeed, boredom leads to a desire to change practices, and a change of practices leads to faux Evangelicalism.
Stage 4: Core Lutheran Doctrines Go Missing
One morning before service, Larry turned to Tom in the pew and said, “I really like the changes; however, with the new changes, things just don’t seem to be jiving in our services.” With a small smile, Tom responded, “Yup, I know what you mean. The Kyrie and the Confession of Sins seem to dampen the mood. I like the Kyrie and the Confession, but they seem to clash with the rest of the service. Perhaps we could leave them in our 8:00 AM Service and remove them from our 10:30 AM Service.”
Again, there is more going on here than meets the eye. What Larry and Tom have correctly identified is what is called ‘cognitive dissonance.’ Cognitive dissonance is what happens when you mix two things that can’t be mixed (think of oil and water). The dissonance that Tom and Larry are picking up on is between Lutheran doctrine (as expressed in the Kyrie and Confession) and the newly introduced Baptist practices. Keep in mind that doctrine and practice work hand in hand. Doctrine shapes and forms practice, and practice informs and teaches doctrine to the church. Therefore, a church cannot exist long-term with Lutheran doctrine and Baptist practices. Either the Baptist practices will have to be rejected, or various Lutheran doctrines will have to be omitted to reduce dissonance in the church services. And so, when churches and parishioners continue on the path to rejecting Lutheranism, Evangelical practices increase and distinctive Lutheran doctrines decrease or is omitted.
Stage 5: A Defensive Spirit Arises
Early one morning, Larry and Tom were out for coffee with several other men from the community. In the group of eight men, about half were Lutherans and the other half were Baptists from several different churches. John, one of the men stated, “Larry, I have heard some weird things about your church. Have you guys been getting rid of portions of your service and introducing things from Frank’s Baptist Church?” Frank, a Baptist from down the street leaned forward and said, “Yeah, Larry, I didn’t know that Lutherans and Baptist were so alike.” Shuffling in his chair, Larry composed himself and said, “We are very much Lutheran, we are just not like the other Lutherans in town. We are doing something special, for we are reaching out to the youth and igniting a fire in our members.” Almost cutting Larry off, Frank responded, “But Larry, there is nothing in your church service that looks anything like Lutheranism. A newcomer to your church will have no idea that you are Lutheran for everything you are doing looks and feels like my Baptist Church. If you are Lutheran – like you say – why are you rejecting Lutheranism?”
It is easy to see at this point that Larry and Tom will get extremely defensive, and quite angry with John and Frank. A defensive spirit is one of the final characteristics of individuals and churches that are journeying out of Lutheranism into Evangelicalism. We must keep in mind that John and Frank are not being problem makers or being divisive. They are merely applying the ‘Duck Test’ to Larry and Tom’s church. If the church looks like a Baptist, swims like a Baptist, and quacks like a Baptist, then it probably is a Baptist Church. As mentioned, Larry and Tom will be led to a defensive spirit, wanting to preserve the idea that they are Lutheran – at least in their doctrine. The defensiveness is a result of Larry and Tom wanting to justify their actions in the face of confusion over their conflicting Lutheran doctrine and Baptist practices.
Conclusion
It is hard to know for sure what will become of Larry and Tom’s church, as well as Larry and Tom. Will they continue down this path of being Lutheran in name only? Will Larry and Tom get tired of the cognitive dissonance and eventually leave for the Baptist Church down the street? Or, will they realize the tragic journey they have been on in rejecting Lutheranism, resulting in a return to Lutheran doctrine ‘and’ practice?
The one thing that is for sure is that boredom opens the door to a desire to change practices. Once Evangelical practices are introduced, awkward faux-Evangelicalism sets in, which eventually leads to dissonance that will result in core Lutheran doctrines being omitted. And the icing on the cake? A defensive spirit intended to self-justify! Alas, this is what happens when Lutherans go down the road of rejecting Lutheranism.
May the Lord protect us from boredom, the seduction of change, cognitive dissonance, and a defensive spirit. May the Lord grant us the assurance and joy knowing that Lutheranism is not the only way, but it is the best way. May the Lord always grant us fresh eyes, ears, and minds to hear and receive the Gospel anew from our Lutheran Churches. In the words of a close friend, “May we practice what we preach or we will end up preaching what we practice.”
This article was originally published on Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard’s blog, “PM Notes,” (http://www.pastormattrichard.com/) on September 26, 2019.
Rev. Dr. Matthew Richard is the pastor of St. Paul's LCMS in Minot, North Dakota. In 2013 he obtained a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis MO. His doctor of ministry thesis was on exploring the journey of American Evangelicals into Confessional Lutheran thought. He is the author of Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up?: 12 False Christs, published by CPH in 2017. He was recently featured on Issues, Etc. to discuss “Lutherans Becoming Faux-Evangelicals.” You can listen to this podcast at https://issuesetc.org/?s=matt+richard

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Lutheran worship
The Joy of Weeping at All Saints
By Rev. David H. Petersen

All Saints Day [celebrated on November 1st each year] 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 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... 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, Indiana. This article was originally published November 2, 2018 on The Lutheran Witness blog: https://blogs.lcms.org/2018/the-joy-of-weeping-at-all-saints/

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Communal Prayers
For the families and friends of those we name this All Saints Day: Dorothy Young, Donald Meisenheimer, Cynthia Kemeny, Donna Tessar, George Witt, Karen Chard, and Fred Leffin.
For the Faithful Departed: Almighty God, in whose glorious presence live all who depart in the Lord and before whom all the souls of the faithful who are delivered of the burden of the flesh are in joy and felicity, we give you hearty thanks for your loving-kindness to all your servants who have finished their course in faith and now rest from the labors, and we humbly implore your mercy that we, together with all who have departed in the saving faith, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, in both body and soul, in your eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Relying on Christ’s Merits While Dying: Very truly, I tell you, whoever keeps my word, (which means, if he firmly believes in his heart with my suffering and death, and with my crimson blood shed on the tree of the cross, I have submerged, drowned, strangled and destroyed that person’s sins), will never see death. Whether I am asleep or awake, eat or drink, stand or move, I continually await the sound of the last trumpet, when the dead who have fallen asleep in Jesus will come forth from the graves and all will receive their reward from the Judge whom no one can deceive. Amen.
Comforting Assurance of Baptism When Dying: Dear God, I know that though I have done by best, I am still to blame. Yet I am comforted, for you have died for me and covered me with blood from your holy wounds. I am surely baptized in you and have heard the word through which you have called me, have commanded me to believe, and have assured me grace and life. With these blessings I will gladly go ahead, not anxious and hesitating and asking in doubt and fear. Who knows what judgment God in heaven will hold against me? I now live in the assurance of the gracious decree which God in heaven has given me against the curse of the law. Everyone who believes in the Son of Man has eternal life. Amen.
For Final Redemption: Lord Jesus Christ, hurry. Do not delay in bringing the blessed day when the hope of happy redemption will be fulfilled . For this reason you have asked us to pray: Your kingdom come. Since you have so commanded us to pray, give us grace and help us pray diligently, firmly believing that we shall final come to such glory. Continually mortify this old body that we may finally receive a new body not so full of sin nor so inclined to all manner of evil as the life we now live. Give us bodies that will not become sick, nor suffer persecutions, nor die. Give us bodies redeemed from all temporal and spiritual misery, like you own glorified body, dear Lord Jesus Christ. Grant that the glad and blessed day of our redemption and glorification may come soon, and that we may realize it as we now hear and believe your word. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Anne Gaustad, Gert Sullivan, Rev. Bill Kilps, Tim Allen, Janet Ehlers, Barb Soat, Royal Fraedrich, 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

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November 2019					1 / Office Closed	2
3 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 1-2 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	4 / 4p Chapel @ Jackson Crossing / 6:30p Elders	5 / 12p Pioneers / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	6 / 9:30a Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	7 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	8 / Office Closed / 10a Set Up Christmas Shoppe	9 / 7a Men’s Breakfast
10 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 3 - 4 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 11:45a Board of Ed / 12:30p Bible Study / 5:30p Walther League	11 / 5:30p Trustees / 7p Church Council	12 / 8a-12p Pastors at Circuit Meeting / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	13 / 9a Quilters / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	14 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	15 / Office Closed / 10a Set Up Christmas Shoppe	16
17 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 5 - 6 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	18 / December Herald Submissions Due	19 / 12p Ladies Guild / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	20 / 9:30a Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	21 / 9a Bible Study / 9a. Chapel @ Ivy Manor I-III / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	22 / Office Closed / 10a Set Up Christmas Shoppe	23 / 7a Men’s Breakfast
24 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	25 / 9a Finish Set Up of Christmas Shoppe	26 / 9a Book Study: A Martyr’s Faith / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	27 / 4p Cable BC / No Catechism/ / Bible Study / 6p Thanksgiving Service / Usher Team B	28 / 9a Thanksgiving Service / Usher Team 3 / 12p Thanksgiving Dinner / 4p Cable Worship / No 7p Worship	29 / Office Closed	30

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

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

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

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

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“Sing with all the saints in glory, Sing the resurrection song! Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story, To the former days belong. All around the clouds are breaking; Soon the storms of time shall cease. In God’s likeness we awaken, Knowing everlasting peace.”
LSB 671:1

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
3
Birthdays & Anniversaries
6
Listening to Luther
7
Lutheran Community
8
Lutheran Worship
10
Communal Prayers
11
Calendar
13

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