Author: Julie Raffa

December 2021

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

The Shaking Reality of Advent
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matthew 3:3).
Centered Alignment

A few years ago, as I was reading various Advent and Christmas meditations, I came across the writing of Father Alfred Delp, a Jesuit priest and philosopher. (Don’t worry I am not headed to Rome). The title of his mediation was “The Shaking Reality of Advent.” I was intrigued with the character and depth of the writing, even as I was curious to learn more about the man and circumstances surrounding his martyrdom. As I sifted through my books, various resources, and this meditation, I was able to piece together the following article.
Alfred Delp was a member of the German resistance against Nazism. He was implicated in the failed July 20, 1944 plot to overthrow Hitler. This was the same failed plot attempt that would put in motion the execution of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. After torturous treatment by the Gestapo, Delp was brought to trial. Though he knew little of the attempted assassination, that mattered little. The Gestapo was resolved to execute him for high treason. He was offered freedom, that is, if he renounced his Jesuit order, but he refused. He was hanged on February 2, 1945. His body was cremated and his ashes were spread over an unknown field.
While the world sought to be rid of him, his confession carried on. He left behind letters to his congregation in Munich that he had smuggled out of the prison through his dirty laundry (You can read this letters in easily attainable books). Having peaked at these letters, they describe a world that has been gutted, where because of man’s disordered life—lives not lived bearing the image of God—humankind has lost its very humanity. Delp believed that Advent was the event through which order could be properly restored. Here then, he says, is the message of Advent: “faced with him who is the Last, the world will begin to shake.”
It shakes by the preaching of John the Baptist. Clothed in camel’s hair, eating insects glazed with honey, and meandering through a barren wilderness, John cries out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Matt 3:3). For his unwavering admonitions to an earthly tyrannical king, he was imprisoned and beheaded. St. John is the personification of Advent. Again and again, like Delp, we can turn to St. John as an example of faithful living in our own chaotic and confusing age.
Outside his jail cell, the Third Reich launched their last futile attack in the Ardennes. Hitler would fall. That was certain. But the Nazis refused to accept this. Delp long resisted the grand myth of Nazism. In 1943, Delp met with the members of the Kreissau Circle (an anti-Nazi gathering of persons who envisioned a post-Nazi German society based upon Christian values). This is why he was imprisoned. This is why he was eventually executed.
The cold chill of a jail cell is hardly the first images that come to mind when we ponder Advent. But perhaps they should be. The cries to prepare for the coming of the Lord rise from the begging cry for mercy and redemption. Naturally, Delp was overcome by the atrocities of Nazi Germany. And yet what squirmed beneath his skin the most was that those involved in such heinous acts could do what they did without being shocked or surprised. It was the tragedy of dehumanization; the tragedy of how one could practice great evils thinking they were somehow noble, wise, and good for society. The Advent hope that Delp held onto was that humanity could turn from these collective self-deceptions and once again hear the call of John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord through repentance and confession of sin.
Advent calls out after us to cease our crooked ways of sin that suit the convenience of our sinful flesh. The call is a jarring turnabout. Untruth is both dangerous and destructive. Delp laments, as we lament with him, “It has already rent our souls, destroyed our people, laid waste to our land and cities; it had already caused our generation to bleed to death.”
Advent is a time for being deeply shaken. It’s a time for humanity to wake up from the disembodied stupor it has been swallowed up into. Advent is not only a time to remember the excitement of the coming Savior, but to participate in this ultimate revelation of God becoming man for man’s rescue and salvation. Year after year, we run further down the road of concealing Christmas under the cover of tinsel and toys, cookies and cocktails, Santa’s sleighrides through mythical snowscapes and whimsical wonderlands. Delp reminds us that “the deep meaning is still hiding behind all those things. What this celebration is about is the founding of a final order for the world, a new center of meaning for all existence. We are not celebrating some children’s holiday, but rather the fact that God has spoken His ultimate Word to the world. Christ is the ultimate Word of God to the world.”
More than ever, the temptation to live outside of or to escape the reality that surrounds us is pervasive. Standard still are the avenues of sex, drugs, and alcohol. But the scary, brave new world has dawned with so much escapism: social media, phones that can easily morph into worlds of unrighteousness, living vicariously through an avatar, defying (often in mental desperation) the bounds of one’s created body, and on the horizon a “metaverse” (the new name for Facebook) which is believed to be an “extended reality”—a combination of virtual and mixed reality, 3D environments that are accessible and interactive in real time. Say what? Contrary to escapism, history itself is the means of existence and the place of God’s self-revelation for us. Delp is spot on. “Trying to live outside history is lifeless and a shadow existence.”
Just as John the Baptist confessed, “I am not he” to those followers who hoped he was the Savior of Israel (Acts 13:25), so we too must confess that we are not God, with the utmost clarity and honesty. This is the beginning point for what Delp refers to as the “Advent of the heart.” The road of Advent shapes us into being more human. To seek God in the manger, in the destiny of His cross, and in the new creation of His resurrection is to be redeemed and renewed wholly into the life of God. The confession that we ourselves are not God is first necessitated by hearing John the Baptist call to repentance. Then to run, or crawl, if need be, to the creche of our God made man, of whom John the Baptist points us to: Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
Delp urged his congregation in Munich to quit giving a false glamor to the myths that surrounded them. Rather, they should begin to see such fakery for what it is—an unredeemed life. We, the saints of Pilgrim, should be urged to the same awareness this Advent. True life is only possible through the Advent of our God, His breaking open our prison of sin, canceling our debts, and bringing healing and redemption. In the bodily incarnation of our God, our trembling hearts, our nerves and feelings that God in His manger is unapproachable, are silenced. They are replaced with a cry for mercy and a pleading for refreshment in the royal babe of Bethlehem. Once we acknowledge the truth of things, of our life, then our ears can once again hear the Christmas angels, the joy of absolution, and our lungs can breath the fresh air of the Holy Spirit who indwells Christ’s natal flesh unto our dying flesh. As Delp says, “Advent is blessed with God’s promises, which constitute the hidden happiness of this time.” So, even in laborious longings and mournful melodies there is a joyful tune in our heart, a peace of a good conscience from the God who in love condescended Himself unto us in the flesh of His Son. Once this is received by the ear and enters the heart, our life and its external nature holds promise and wonderful fulfillment for us.
The freedom that our path has been made straight by the coming of our Savior, doesn’t mean a freedom to do whatever I want. Rather true freedom is freedom from self, and for one’s neighbor. Our freedom is expressed through the simple acts of honest humility, a readiness to serve the lowliest amongst us, and to care for those who are forgotten by this cold and inhuman world. This is the way of the Advent Road. As we travel down this straight path that John the Baptist calls us to, we have a clearer vision of what is truly important and what is asked of us Christians as we embody ourselves toward the world.
Granted, the distress doesn’t die, but the worry does. The burdens don’t disappear, but the faintheartedness does. When we finally realize that our life centers in God who came to give us abiding life, we truly reflect the new creations He recreated us to be in His Son. Our eyes may well be a little brighter, and our hope may well have a buoyancy it once lacked. Even in times of shaking and distress, certainty rises. The soul and body once again open its lips to sing with joy the “Alleluias” of our coming King, even as our throats get choked up with intermittent cries of “Lord have mercy.”
This is the great mystery of life with God. The “promises of God stand above us, and for us, and are more vailed than the stars and more effective than the sun,” Delp would say. In spite of our blurred vision, our wayward feet, our reticence to hear St. John the Baptist’s call to repentance and faith, we are reminded that God is still with us. Life with God is still possible for all things are possible with God, even the conversion of unbelief to faith, from lostness to being found and rescued. This is our only hope: that God comes for us. And in that God indeed comes for us, we are given a forestate of the feast to come, a glimpse of the never-ending feast of the Lamb. Our Lord’s Body and Blood is the first breath of unending breaths before the face of our Savior, Jesus. On the Advent Road, life moves toward the far horizon, expanding its joyful content even as eyes grow dim and hearts grow fearful, to believe and hope in Him who brings a new world to us in the tiny space of His manger.
When Alfred Delp finally heard of his impending execution, he was surprised by his own surprise. Of course, the outcome was inevitable. But he did wonder how difficult it was to accept when his very nerves “tingled with life.” No, he didn’t embrace death with a fatalism, nor did he want to die. He wrote, “to be quite honest I don’t want to die, particularly now that I feel I could do more important work and deliver a new message about values that I have only just discovered and understood. But it has turned out otherwise.”
One thing was becoming clear for Delp. He knew he must accept the lot in life that God had given him. He was not going to wonder “what if.” He was not going to second-guess God’s ordaining of his life in this time and in this place. “Understanding this world in the light of Advent means to endure in faith, waiting for the fertility of the silent earth, the abundance of the coming harvest” Delp would say.
Delp knew clearly this was seed-time, not harvest. God would sow the seed and some time or another he would do the reaping. The only thing he was called to do was to plant the seed faithfully. As the noose became more and more a reality, he prayed that “others at some future time find it possible to have a better and happier life because he died in this hour of trial.
Even in the last pieces of writing he was able to smuggle out of his jail cell, Delp sustained a hope that looked beyond his own earthly life. His hope rested in Christ who comes to set His people free. His closing words in his meditation “The Shaking Reality of Advent” are quite remarkable and worthy of pondering:
“Space is still filled with the noise of destruction and annihilation, the shouts of self-assurance and arrogance, the weeping of despair and helplessness. But just beyond the horizon the eternal realities stand silent in their age-old longing. There shines on us the first mild light of the radiant fulfillment to come. From afar sound the first notes as of pipes and singing boys, not yet discernable as a song or melody. It is all far off still, and only just announced and foretold. But it is happening. This is today. And tomorrow the angels will tell what has happened with loud rejoicing voices, and we shall know it and be glad, if we have believed and trusted in Advent.”
Blessed Advent and Christmastide,
Pastor Raffa

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Pilgrim News
Congregational Christmas Service You won’t want to miss Symbols of Salvation, the Congregational Christmas Program at Pilgrim on Sunday, December 12 at 4:00 p.m. A chill supper to follow. Parents of children are asked to bring there favorite Christmas treat for this joyous supper. Children will tell about Jesus’ birth with joyful hearts, songs, and readings. We need all the congregation to come together and rejoice in Christ’s Holy Nativity.
The Christmas Shoppe is Now Open. After services on and Between services on Sundays, during office hours Monday - Thursday, and after the 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. services on Thursdays. If you are bringing in treats for the Christmas Shoppe, please do so on the day that they should be sold. We are always accepting donations.
Ladies Guild Christmas Cookie sale
We will sell the cookies on Sunday, December 12, after both services. We will sell out 1 pound boxes for $8.00 each. The money will go to Seminarian Austin Meier and Missionary Micah Wildauer, serving in Belize. Thank you for baking, buying, and enjoying the cookies.
Sat., December 11— Please bring cookies to the new fellowship hall by 11:00 a.m.
Sun., December 12— The cookies will be sold after both services.
Ladies Guild/LWML
We will be having our Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 21 at noon. Please bring your gift for your Secret Pal.

ADVENT SERVICE & CHRISTMAS SERVICES :
Thursdays: December 2, 9 and 16th at 1 and 7:00 p.m.
Congregational Christmas program: Sunday, December 12 at 4:00 p.m. with a Chili Supper to follow.
Friday, December 24:
6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Divine Service
10:00 p.m. Service of Lessons and Carols
Saturday, December 25:
9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Divine Service
Sunday, December 26:
8 & 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
Friday, December 31:
6:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve Divine Service
Saturday, January 1, 2022:
9:00 a.m. New Year’s Day Divine Service
Sunday, January 2:
8 & 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
Lutherans for Life has a new MISSION statement…Equipping Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life. Let us help equip you with life-affirming resources for ALL ages. Share a message of hope and healing with family, friends and neighbors! Ozaukee County Lutherans for Life Chapter would like to thank you for your support this past year. Through Mother’s Day rose donations, we are able to support ministries dedicated to being Gospel-motivated voices for life—Concordia Students for Life, Eye Witness for Life ultrasound ministry, A Place of Refuge and Concordia Center for Bioethics. Ozaukee County LFL Chapter meets three times each year—the third Tuesday of February, May and October. We would be honored by your presence Tuesday, February 15, 7:00 p.m., River of Life Lutheran Church, 598 Hillcrest Rd, Saukville 53080. You will be encouraged and informed by Dr. Kevin Voss, Director, Concordia Center for Bioethics, covering seven classic arguments for abortion and Christian responses to them; also basic abortion law. Concordia students will also be present to recap their January 21st March for Life trip in Washington DC.

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Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
11/1/2021
Present were: Pr. Fisher, Pr. Raffa, bob, Dennis, Brian, Gary, Jake, Patrick, and Tanner.
Also present was Kurt, newly elected elder.
The meeting began with prayer and devotion at 6:30.
Given the overwhelming support for Setting 2, we will keep it in the rotation of services.
There will not be services on Thursday 12/23 or 12/30 given their proximity to services the next day in each case.
Schedules were made through the new year. The next meeting will be Mon. 12/6.
The children’s Christmas program will be 12/2 at 4:00 with a chili supper afterward.
We highly encourage all to attend!
Some elders note their appreciation for some thoughts raised at the voters meeting, namely those spoken in favor of our hymnal, care for the Blood of Christ at the altar, and the importance of the congregation’s attendance at the children’s program.
We will consider scheduling the children’s program on Christmas Eve in years to come since that’s been done before.
By no means has that been decided; we will simply consider it.
If you have any thoughts on that please share with an elder or pastor!
The meeting closed with prayer @ 8:10.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanner Schmidt

Church council Report
Church Council November 8, 2021 Minutes
The Pilgrim Church Council November 8, 2021 meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by President, Bob Knuth. Also in attendance were Pastor Raffa, Mary Lehtimaki, Nancy Rosenthal, Jacob Hand, and Jim Behrens.
Pastor Raffa began the meeting by leading a devotion from the hymnal.
A motion to accept the minutes of the October 11 meeting as published was made by Jacob, seconded by Nancy, and passed on voice vote.
Trustees Report – by Bob Knuth
Completion of the roof work has been delayed for a few weeks, awaiting arrival of the correct material to finish it.
Treasurers Report – by Jacob Hand
A financial statement, the same as was presented at the Voter’s Meeting, was reviewed.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
Encouraged everyone to attend the Children’s Christmas program on December 12 at 4pm. There will be a meal available following the Children’s Christmas program.
Thanksgiving Day potluck meal will be available after the 9:00am church service on Thursday, November 25. A signup sheet is available.

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Has drafted a letter commending Bonnie Leffin for her work as treasurer. Motion made by Nancy, seconded by Jacob, and passed on voice vote to approve the letter.
Pastor Fisher is planning to provide a meal for the Alter Guild after they decorate for Christmas on the first Sunday of December.
Mary Lehtimaki
The Ladies Guild will be having a cookie sale this year to support a missionary and a student.
Nancy Rosenthal
A member is donating money to purchase a small refrigerator for storage of communion wine. It will replace the older one that is currently being used.
New business:
Jacob moved that on-line payment plans be set up to pay the following expenses:
We Energies (gas and electric)
GFL Environmental (garbage disposal)
Concordia Plan (Pastors health and retirement benefits)
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance (church and parsonage properties)
Motion seconded by Nancy and passed on voice vote.
A motion was made by Nancy and passed on a voice vote to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting ended with a prayer by Pastor Raffa.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

The Congregational Children’s Christmas program Symbols of Salvation will be held on Sunday, December 12
@ 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon. We are encouraging all members of the congregation to come and help the children celebrate the Symbols of Salvation.
There will be a Chili supper served after the service at 5:00 p.m. Again all ae invited to attend.

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month volunteer schedule
Thursday, December 2: 1:00 p.m./ 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Ginny S.
Elder:
Usher Team: / B
Acolyte:
Sunday, December 5: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Linda M.
Altar Guild: Laurie L. /
Elder:
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Victoria M. / Wade J.
Thursday, December 9: 1:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Karen S.
Elder:
Usher Team: / A
Acolyte: Dylan K.
Sunday, December 12: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Kathryn P.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Julie R.
Elder:
Usher Team: 1 / 8
Acolyte: Rachel R. / Josiah R.
Thursday, December 16:1:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Ruth K.
Elder:
Usher Team: / B
Acolyte:
Sunday, December 19: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Carolyn M.
Altar Guild: Norma B. / Carolyn M.
Elder:
Usher Team: 3 / 2
Acolyte: Matthias R. / Violet S.
Friday, December 24: 6:00 p.m. / 10:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder:
Usher Team: 4 / B
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Georgia J.
Saturday, December 25: 9:00 a.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder:
Usher Team: 1
Acolyte: Rachel R.
Sunday, December 26: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder:
Usher Team: 3 / 8
Acolyte: Victoria M. / Wade J.
Friday, December 31: 6:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder:
Usher Team: A
Acolyte: Dylan K.

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We are wishing every one a most Blessed, & Joyous Christmas !

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Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Voter’s Meeting Oct. 31, 2021
Bob Knuth called meeting to order at 12:20 pm. Prior to the meeting an advisory vote to the Pastors was taken on the setting 2 issue, whether we keep it in our setting rotation of settings? It was voted that the setting 2 decision is left to the Pastors decision.
Pastor Fisher began with noon prayer and singing of hymn #568 “If Your Beloved Son, Oh God!”
ATTENDANCE: 32 people signed the attendance sheet and 8 people signed The Constitution.
MINUTES: printed in the Herald no objections of June 27th meeting. Kurt Meyle motioned to accept and Phil Gohr seconded it. All accept.
TRUSTEES REPORT: Rob Selzler, thank you to all who helped with cleanup day and fixing things around the church’s properties. Made repairs to sink faucets in building and toilet issues at the Raffa house. Elevator inspection needs to be done after checking into it, the cost will be $1500, and will be done shortly. Air conditioning in good news, found the right guy who got it fixed much cheaper so we just need to pay for part and his time, saved a lot of money. Updating lighting through out the building to L.E.D. as bulbs need to be replaced. Bubbler in hallway on hold due to covid. Old fellowship halls work will continue shortly, we just need to be patient.
ELDERS REPORT: Tanner Schmidt says still working on perfecting the sound system. The hardwood floor up front in church while taking communion gets of drip of consecrated wine {GOD’S BLOOD} on it please let the Pastors know so it can be wiped up properly since it is GOD’S BLOOD, and needs to be disposed of in a special way.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Jacob Hand is taking over for Bonnie. Report attached and Tanner Schmidt motions to accept and Dave Boehlke seconded it.
PASTOR’S REPORT: Pastor Fisher thank –you for the health prayers. November 14th, St. John’s Fredonia is having a ham meal. Hog Roast in Port Washington on Nov. 6 at 3 pm.
Pastor Raffa, is planning on having the annual Thanksgiving potluck meal, meat will be supplied following the Divine service. The Children’s Christmas program is in need of congregational support for the program. There are very few children so if the congregation can help out with attendance, singing, etc. Program will be December 12 at 4pm with a chili dinner to follow. There will be one practice Saturday December 11, from 9 - 10:30 am. Interested call Pastor Raffa. Visits with shut-ins still difficult cause of the covid, but will do what we can. No longer services at Cedar Lake service day changed and Samaritan has goofy medical records rules.
ENDOWMENT REPORT: Jacob Hand reported for Ron Kabitzke in his absence. The balance is $169,573.
CONCORDIA REPORT: Pastor Fisher says there is a lot of confusion in the committees and we need to pray for them.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Roof looks great will be finishing soon. Delay is due to material shortage, misjudged by roofers when there was a product change. Received a grant for $1200 for the sound system. Staff Electric and Jamie Sullivan took care of fixing and the remainder of the bill. Thank you to them.
NEW BUSINESS: We need to address the lannon stone where the salt hits it, is getting damaged. This will be addressed. Update to by-laws, about Synods letter to churches amendments of Marriage, sex, and sexuality. They want us to upgrade by-laws to protect us form being sued for hiring, firing, etc.. Reasons. Attached is a statement on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality. Bill Schepp motioned to accept upgrade to by-laws and Kurt Meyle seconded it. Needed is a 2/3 majority vote, All unanimously accepted. Article 3 says that all bills need to be paid by check. Jacob would like this to be changed so he can pay some bills on line. Phil Gohr seconded this motion. Dave Boehlke amended this motion to a motion allowing Jacob to do that for now and by-laws to be voted on in January’s meeting to affect in June, Bill Schepp seconded the motion. All accepted.
ELECTIONS:
ELDERS: Dave Fellenz, Ron Kabitzke, Kurt Meyle, Dan Schmidt, and Tanner Schmidt {nominated by Jacob Hand this would be Tanners 3rd term} Dave Fellenz motion to accept 3rd term and Jim Behrens seconded it. All accept.
CHURCH COUNCIL: Karen Spiering
TREASURER: Jacob Hand
TRUSTEES: Dan Rockrohr and Judy Spiegel
Tanner Schmidt motion to accept election nominees and Janey Heckendorf seconded it. All accepted.
BUDGET: Jacob Hand explained it, but Bonnie Leffin did a lot for the budget finding monies that were not budgeted for. A big thank-you for all of her hard work with the budget and everything she did. She will be missed. Dave Boehlke motioned to accept the budget and Sarah Spalda seconded it. All accept. A thank-you letter will be sent to Bonnie for all her hard work.
Diane Swanson motion to adjourn meeting and Karen Spiering seconded it.
Pastor Raffa closed with prayer.
Sincerely submitted by,
Nancy Rosenthal
Nancy Rosenthal, Secretary of Voters Meeting

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Communal Prayers
For the First Sunday in Advent: Almighty God and Lord, come to us with all your powers and help us who are anxious and troubled. Send us the Savior, that he may enter our hearts, and with your light illumine our night, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Second Sunday in Advent: Lord, accept our prayer and supplication, and grant that we may heed the call of John to prepare the way for your Son, and receive him into our hearts, that we may become your children; though Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Third Sunday in Advent: Lord Jesus, our Light and our Salvation, you alone are the one who was to come to save us. We thank you for your coming and for your will to preform in us again your saving work. Rule us by your HOly Spirit, that henceforth we may wait for none other and put our trust in nothing in heaven or earth except you alone, our Lord. Amen.
For the Fourth Sunday in Advent: Lord, purify our hearts that they may be worthy to become you dwelling place. Let us never fail to find room for you, but come and abide with us that we also may abide in you, for you were born into the world for us and now live and reign, King of kings and Lord of lords, forevermore. Amen.
On Christmas Eve: O Lord, heavenly Father, through your angels you bade poor shepherds of the field not to fear but rejoice that Christ the Savior was born. Drive away all fear from our hearts and stir up in us this true and rightful joy, that, though here on earth we may be despised , miserable, poor, and forlorn, we may nevertheless be comforted and rejoice that we have your dear Son, Christ our Lord, as our Savior, who for our sake became man, that he might defend us from death and evil and save us forever. Amen.
On Christmas Day: O Son of God, from the beginning you were with the Father, and for us and for our salvation you came down from heaven. Grant us more and more to receive of your fullness and to accept from you the power to become the children of God; for you are the true light of everyone who comes into the world, and forever. Amen.
For the Feast of St. Stephen (Dec. 26th): Merciful God and Father, you gave your Son to reconcile us, your enemies, to you. Gran that we too may learn and pray for our enemies, as your servant Stephen prayed for his persecutors, and, like him, be permitted to see your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Feast of St. John Apostle and Evangelist (Dec. 27th): Most merciful God, who in the apostle John raised up in your church a pure witness of the truth, continue graciously to enlighten it, that through your light it may be led to fulness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Carl & Lois Pritzlaff, Janet Meisenheimer, Mark Selzler, Paul Lierman, Sherry Cullen, Carolyn Bren, Ron & Joyce Virchow Sr., Judy Clark, Inez Schwoch, Deb Sumner, Jan Meyle, Sue Zell, Richard & Chloe Fisher, Ruth Mertz, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, Donna Sommer, Kandie Darmody, June Fry, David & Olivemae Olson, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Marge Legate, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Elaine Kuenzel, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Jeanette Guillaume, Linda Lukas, Linda Borneman, Nancy Nicholas, Rachel Davis, Marissa Flanders, Linda Schmidt, Vanessa Kuehne, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer

Voice of Faith

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Birthdays
2- Keefe Olig
4- Beverly Hanson
Jennifer Molter
7- David Olson
10- Tom Kabitzke
Nancy Kleinke
11- Orville Gierach
Braycen Nitzke
Sarah Schober
Loretta Waechter
12- Betty Voelzke
13– Josiah Rockrohr
15- Steph Baerenwald
Edith Frank
Rebekah Lotz
18- Richard Lewandowski
Haley Tupper
18- Carl Belling
Anne Farrington
20- John McKay
Jeff Steely
21- Abby Janssen
Gary Jenovai
Ashlyn Olig
22– Evelyn Schleif
23– Bruce Gilbert
Marilyn Meylor
Jenn Schmidt
24– Patricia Faul
25– Carol Jenovai
27– Caroline Reich
28– Gabe Kempf
30– Gary Erdmann
Peg Knaus
Bob Knuth
Parker Roell
Paul Soat
31- Tanner Schmidt
Anniversaries
3- Kurt & Elsie Meyle
28- Gary & Sue Erdmann

Items needed for the Pilgrim Pantry
Thank you everyone for the past years donations! We all appreciate the donations which you have given.
The Pantry is now just accepting non-food items.
We are looking for:
Toilet paper, Paper towels, Garbage Bags, [ kitchen as well as the larger black ones], Dish Soap, Laundry Detergent, Cleaning Wipes and Liquids. Storage bags, all sizes as well as the zip sandwich bags. Men’s & women’s deodorants.
These are some of the items that are not available with the Snap card (formerly Food Stamps).
Donations may be placed in the big blue barrel in the Cry room or bring them to the Church Office and put them on the cart in front of the window.
Thank you again for your continued support of the Pilgrim Pantry.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

December 2021			1 / 1:30p Chapel @ New Perspectives / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: Lutheran Difference on Worship	2 / 9a. Galatians Bible Class / 1 p. & 7p Advent Divine Service	3 / Office Closed	4
5 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30 p. 1st Samuel	6 / 6:30p Board of Elders Meeting	7 / 2p. Auxiliary Court Chapel	8 / 9a. Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference on Worship	9 / 9a. Galatians Bible Class / 1 p. & 7p Advent Divine Service	10 / Office Closed	11 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study / 9a. Christmas Program Rehearsal
12 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p. Bible Class : 1st Samuel / 4p. Congregational Children’s Program / 5p. Chili Supper	13 / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	14 / 2p. Auxiliary Court Chapel	15 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference on Worship	16 / 9a. Galatians Bible Class / 1 p. & 7p Advent Divine Service	17 / Office Closed	18 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
19 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30 p. 1st Samuel	20	21 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Christmas Party / 2p. Auxiliary Court Chapel	22 / 9a. Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis/Christmas Party / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference on Worship	23 / No Thursday Evening Service	24 / 6p. Christmas Eve Divine / Service / 10p. Lessons & Carols	25 / 9 a. Christmas Day / Divine Service
26 / 8a Divine Service / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service	27 / 10:30 a. Chapel @ Jackson Crossing	28 / 2p. Auxiliary Court Chapel	29 / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference on Worship	30 / No Thursday Evening Service	31 / 6p. New Years Eve / Divine Service	1 / 9a New Years Day 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
3-6
Voters Meeting
8
Communal Prayers
11
Birthdays & Anniversaries
12
Calendar
13

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