Author: Julie Raffa

December 2022

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

I’m Praying For You
“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice”
[Psalm 141:2]
Centered Alignment

It goes without saying that I am always praying that it goes well with you. This, not simply a wish that your life is smooth without difficulty, but namely that you know the peace of the Christmas angels, the incarnation of Jesus into your flesh. The blessed feast of our Lord’s nativity reminds us in the words of St. Athanasius, “He entered the world in a new way, stooping to our level in His love and Self-revealing to us.”
I pray this for you every day. Truly, I pray this. I kneel in my study, or I sit in church, and I pray that you may know the comfort of Jesus’ manger, the paradise of God at which your body and soul may rest in pardon and peace. I pray for the church and her feebly struggling saints, even as I pray for each person in this parish by name. And if I have been made aware of their struggles and crosses I certainly pray that they would have the unlimited measure of God’s grace to bear them in patience and joy.
Over the years we have seen our fair share of awful tragedies both in homes and in the communities of the world. And its rather telling in our society when such things happen the commonplace shaping of our condolences is to say, “our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragedy.” Ok, maybe a thought or two. But unless you take action and actually share your thoughts of condolences who would be well comforted and upheld by them (through a greeting card, an email, a text, some form of personal communication), even that sentiment sounds empty. It might even sound a bit weird, as though our thoughts are going to somehow ascend into some ethereal space and descend in a tangible way those who need know we’re thinking about them.
There is something else we should consider in this regard.
We don’t send our prayers out to people. They go to God. And again, when someone in the middle of a struggle tells another person his or her story, and that listener responds by saying, “I’ll keep you in prayer,” I really hope that person means it. I hope it hasn’t been reduced into a substance-less auto response that we say when we just don’t know what else to say. I really do hope that at next opportunity available, he or she will actually petition our heavenly Father for the care and comfort of the person in need.
Yes, God already knows all things. We don’t pray like agnostics, as if we have to inform God of what is happening here below. And yet God commands us to pray.
I’ve often thought about this throughout my life, and when talking about prayer the question typically rises to the surface: “If God knows all things—that is, that He knows all things before I even ask—why does He want me to pray?”
Through the study of God’s Word over the years, I have come to two conclusions, the first I’ll explain this way.
When my daughter Rachel was little (yes, she will soon be taller than me), unprompted, she would tell me all the time how she loved me. She’s 13 now (I know, old right?). And as she’s gotten older, into those awkward teenage years, she stills tell me she loves me, but it’s not as often and spontaneous as before. Do I know she loves me? Absolutely. But oh, how I love to hear it. In a sense, God loves to her his children speak their love to Him. It isn’t a narcissistic thing, but rather it is something spoken in relationship built on love—real, genuine, long-lasting familial love.
This truth is reflected in Lord’s Prayer when we pray, “Our Father who art in heaven.” “With these words, God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask him as dear children ask their dear father” (Small Catechism).
The second is that God knows our sinful hearts. He knows that we won’t pray unless He tell us to. But again, this isn’t hard command, but this is an encouraging opportunity He establishes for our good. He wants us to know the joy and importance of having complete access to Him, by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus, through prayer. And why? Well, it comes back around to where the thought started. Because He loves us, plain and simple.
Having said all this, when I tell someone that I’ll keep him or her, or their loved ones, in prayer, I really do. Over the years, as the crosses of this life have multiplied and gotten heavier, I appreciate talking with God on my knees. And again, even though He already knows everything I am going to say, that doesn’t stop me from telling Him the person’s name and explaining to Him what’s happening and why I want Him to act on the person’s behalf.
Most importantly, just as Jacob wrestled with God in Genesis 32, being unwilling to let his divine opponent go until He blessed him, I hold God to His promise to bless the people I’m praying for—to accomplish His holy will in their lives by the virtue of the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ. In all of this, I know He hears me. I know He responds. I know He will act—and is, even now, already acting—to bring to completion the good work He intends. Christmas is already more than a wink to this.
“Let us, then, meditate upon the Nativity just as we see it happening in our own babies. I would not have you contemplate the deity of Christ, the majesty of Christ, but rather his flesh. Look upon the Baby Jesus. Divinity may terrify man. Inexpressible majesty will crush him. That is why Christ took on our humanity, save for sin, that he should not terrify us but rather that with love and favor he should console and confirm.
Look at the Child, knowing nothing. Yet all that is belongs to him, that your conscience should not fear but take comfort in him. Doubt nothing. Watch him springing in the lap of the maiden. Laugh with him. Look upon this Lord of Peace and your spirit will be at peace. See how God invites you in many ways. He places before you a Babe with whom you may take refuge. You cannot fear him, for nothing is more appealing to man than a babe. Are you affrighted? Then come to him, lying in the lap of the fairest and sweetest maid. You will see how great is the divine goodness, which seeks above all else that you should not despair” (Luther’s Christmas Book).
After all, prayer is the voice of faith given to the children of God. In Jesus, the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in the manger, the heart of God is laid bear and His ears are open wide.
Blessed Christmastide,
Pastor Raffa.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Pilgrim News
Advent services will be held on Thursday’s at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
There will NOT be services held on Thursday, December 22 & 29.
Children’s Christmas program will be held on Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m. There will be a Chili Lunch served after the 2nd service.
Christmas services are as follows:
Christmas Eve December 24
6:00 p.m. Divine service
10:00 p.m. Lessons and Carols
Christmas Day December 25
9:00 a.m. Divine Service (only)
New Year’s Eve December 31
6:00 p.m. Divine Service
New Year’s Day January 1, 2023
9:00 a.m. Divine Service
Christmas Shoppe is now open until December 18. If you are able to help out after & between services, please let Norma Benz know. Donations of food items should be brought in the day they are to be sold. All monies raised from the Christmas Shoppe will be going to support the Cory Gabor family, Cory is going to start Seminary in 2023.
Ladies Guild– Cookies , Cookies, Cookies-
Our Christmas Cookie Sale will take place on Sunday, December 11. We are hoping that you will bake a double batch of your favorite Christmas cookies! Please bring your cookies to the church by 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10. We will sell the cookies on Sunday, December 11 after both services. We will sell our 1 pound box for $9.00 each. The proceeds will go to Seminarian Harvey Peters and Missionary Micah Wildauer, serving in Belize. Thank you for baking, buying and enjoying the cookies.
Saturday, December 10 - Please bring cookies to the new fellowship hall by 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, December 11 - The cookies will be on sale after both services.

Thank you to those who have served on Boards and Committees and have served their terms. Welcome and congratulations to those who have been elected to Boards and Committees.
Congregational Children’s Christmas Program and Chili Lunch—This year the Congregational Christmas Program will be held on December 11th. Following the late service, we will have a Chili lunch in the new fellowship hall beginning around 12:00 and ending at 1:30. The program will begin at 2:00 p.m. I must again reiterate that this is not primarily for the parents whose children are in the program, but for our entire Pilgrim family—an opportunity to celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus centered around Christmas hymns and readings from Holy Scripture. I pray that all of you will take the time to come, not only to support the small voices that announce to us our Lord’s nativity, but also a time for you to prepare and envelope your heart and mind in joyous words and hymns that the Word of God has become flesh, and dwells among you for your salvation—Pastor Raffa.
Sunday afternoon 2nd Samuel Bible Class—The Bible Class will take a break from November 20th to January 1st. It will resume on January 8th with 2nd Samuel chapter 13.

December 2022 — Page #

Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church
Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
November 7, 2022
Attendees: Patrick, Gary, Dan, Dave, Dennis, Tim, Jeff, Pastor Fisher, Paster Raffa
Absent: Ron, Tanner
The meeting began at 6:30 PM with evening devotion and song (“Now Thank We All Our God”) led by Pastor Fisher.
Tim Kreuser and Jeff Schneeweis attended the meeting. They will both be new elders in January.
We completed the Elder schedule for November and December.
The next elders meeting is Monday, December 5 @ 6:30PM.
Pastor Fisher showed us the new Christmas tree for Pilgrim. It uses LED lights, can display color or white, can control brightness, and has a warranty for 2 years.
We reviewed the Discussion Questions for chapter 15 (Theology of the Cross) and Chapter 16 (The Augsburg Confession) in “Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity”.
At the December 5 elder meeting we will review the Discussion Questions from chapter 16 (Two Different Governments - Sacred and Secular) and Chapter 17 (Adiaphora: A Look at Christian Liberty) in “Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity ''. If time permits we may review questions from form Chapter 18 (The Book of Concord: Lutheran Handbook).
We had the Elder roundtable discussion where everyone had a chance to give updates.
Pastor Fisher reported that Dave has made several wood signs with Bible verses which are on display in the back hallway. Members can make a freewill offering if they would like to buy one. They can also request a Bible verse. All money will be given to Pilgrim.
Pastor Fisher showed us a sample of what the new pew cards will look like. He said Ron is working up a professional quality one which Pastor Fisher was going to send this week to the elders for review.
Pastor Fisher reported that Mathias requested to be Confirmed on Nov 20. This will be at the early service. Mathias will continue to attend the Confirmation classes. The elders approved.
Pastor Raffa gave an update on the kid’s Christmas program. There will be about 10 kids in it. A crucifix will be used in the program for a bible reading.
Dennis reported that some members at the voters meeting reported to him that they had trouble hearing the speakers, there were not enough agendas and financial reports, and had some difficulty reading the screen.
The meeting ended with prayer at 8:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Jenovai

Church council Report November 14, 2022 Minutes
The Pilgrim Church Council November 14, 2022 meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President, Bob Knuth. Also in attendance were Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Tanner Schmidt, Rob Selzler, Jacob Hand, Nancy Rosenthal, Mary Lehtimaki, Karen Spiering, Jim Behrens, Phil Gore, and David Boehlke.
Pastor Fisher began the meeting by leading a hymn and responsive prayer from the hymnal.
The minutes of the October 10, 2022 meeting as published in the Herald were accepted without objection after the following correction: The last bullet under the Treasurer’s Report is corrected from “A motion to add a row titled “Approved reimbursements” to the 2023 budget was made by Nancy, seconded by Karen, and approved on voice vote.” to “A motion to add “Approved Reimbursements” to the Approved Vender/Payee list approved for online payments was made by Nancy, seconded by Karen, and approved on voice vote.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Elders Report – Tanner Schmidt
Dave Fellenz has a display outside of the Fellowship Room showing examples of wall art he can make, on request.
A new attendance/communion pew card that will provide additional information has been designed and will be available soon.
Mathias Raffa will be confirmed on November 20, 2022.
There will be about 10 children in the Christmas Program, which will be on Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 p.m., following a chili dinner, which will start about 12:00 p.m., after 2nd service.
Requests to provide a printed agenda ahead of time and use the speaker system for Voters’ Meetings have been received.
Trustees Report – Rob Selzler
The elevator has been repaired for a cost of $205 and is working now.
Getting bids for repair of the parking lots.
Still looking for bids for potential furnace replacement.
A quote of about $8000 has been received for a security system.
Inspected an outside area of church building with missing wood. Good news is that the foundation behind it is solid, so it will be a relatively easy repair that can wait until Spring.
Working on installing some new blinds at the Raffa parsonage.
Potential custodians are being interviewed as one of the current custodians has resigned.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
Has been working on an updated pew-card design, which he showed and discussed at the meeting.
Concordia Texas Board of Regents has taken action to operate outside of the Missouri Synod. The Synod does not agree with this and may take legal action to prevent it.
Discussed ways we could help a student take a school trip to Germany next year.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
Paperwork has been submitted for Pilgrim to join a feasibility study with Saint John’s Fredonia and Saint John’s Port Washington for a Classical Education School. Members of the study team from Pilgrim are Pastor Raffa, Samuel Boehlke, and Tanner Schmidt.
Encouraged all members to attend the Christmas program on December 11 to support the Sunday School.
Writing an article on the offertory, offering, and stewardship, a history and theology of giving, for the December Herald.
Mary – The Pilgrim Quilters have donated eight quilts to the Fort Wayne Seminary and three to the Pilgrim Christmas shop.
Nancy – Will be working with Karen and other members of the Altar Guild to find a new angel for the new Christmas tree.
New Business
David Boehlke, who was chairman of the committee that developed the Endowment Fund By-laws, made a presentation, explaining how the Endowment Fund could be used to accept gifts to Pilgrim, etc.
Money was received from the Dorothy Miller estate on October 20. Tanner made a motion, seconded by Nancy, that passed on voice vote to invest the money with the Endowment Fund so it could increase while a gift agreement, defining how the money is to be used, is developed, and voted on.
Bob formed a committee of the following people to draft a gift-agreement for the Dorothy Miller estate: Dave Boehlke, Tanner Schmidt, Rob Selzler, Jacob Hand
A motion was made by Pastor Fisher, seconded by Tanner, and passed by common consent to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting closed with a prayer by Pastor Raffa.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

December 2022 — Page #

Christmas greetings and a thank you from LFL of WI, Ozaukee County Chapter! We encourage you to share the LIFE message this Christmas with those you meet. We are CREATED BY GOD (Psalm 139: 13-16); we are REDEEMED BY JESUS (Isaiah 43:1); we are CALLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
“When Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb.” Luke 1:39-56 Wombs are supposed to be safe places. Soft, like the yarn of a meticulous knitting. Snug, like the grasp of God’s own hands. But before your eighteen-day cardiac cells started palpitating, before your seven-week brain began to wave, creation’s decay already ate away at you. Your own sinful nature twisted you inward with a monstrous rot that wrought dysfunction, discomfort, disease, and disaster from the instant your DNA first replicated. Jesus—our Emmanuel, God with us—entered this space too. He, though, dwelled in the womb and was without sin. In His Incarnation, Jesus composes of this precious time a song about forgiveness, embrace and exchange, substitution and atonement. Tiny Almighty choreographs in it a dance of grace and faith, promise and purpose. “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy” (Luke 1:44). How precious His compassion has held you too since you first appeared in utero, that He has inhabited not only flesh but also cross and grave with you to comfort and deliver. He who has brought life and immortality to light still loves nothing more than to shine in the darkness, and even the valley of the shadow of death has not overcome it. “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” (Psalm 139:11-14). - Rev. Michael Salemink
REGARDING MEDIA SURROUNDING LIFE ISSUES; THE FACTS
• Abortion is NOT healthcare, there is nothing medically necessary about it, not even to save the life of a mother. In that rare case, the baby would be delivered respectfully and given care.
• Abortion is NOT a right, there was never a Constitutional basis for it. They egregiously decided Roe was rightfully overturned, states will now decide the issue of abortion individually via the legislative process.
In the case of rape/incest (.5- 1% of unplanned pregnancies), we have to be bold and proclaim that an unborn child has worth! The mother needs support and love! Telling a fragile mother in crisis that her baby should be killed is not compassionate, it is a strategy of evil, the enemy. Exceptions do not work. Science tells us that life begins at conception, therefore that child is worthy of protection and love from the moment of conception. God is the author of life, every life is intentional.
Please join us for the next meeting of LFL of WI, Ozaukee County Chapter, Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 7:00 PM, at River of Life Lutheran Church in Saukville. Concordia Students for Life will share their experience at the March for Life in Washington D.C. in January.
For additional information and resources from Lutherans for Life, please see https://lutheransforlife.org/, resources tab.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Offertory, Offering, and Stewardship
“For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace.”
(2 Corinthians 8:3-6)
[Psalm 141:2]
Centered Alignment

Over the past couple of years, at various church meetings, a word here and a word there, has been mentioned as to how best to receive of the offerings of the church. This discussion often centered around the pragmatic: pass the offering plate or not. How about an offering box? If so, where should it be put. Mounted or not. Lock or not. Onward the comments, questions, and opinions go. My purpose in writing to you is not to settle these discussions, but to give you an historical and theological compass to proceed in a faithful and evangelical way.
As many of you are aware, during the pandemic we stopped passing the offering plate to lessen the amount of swapping unwanted germs. Once it was determined that the general offerings were equal or greater to passing the offering plate verses not passing it, the church decided to leave it in a fixed place—in the center aisle of the church nave. The fixed position of the offering plate led to discussions of perhaps having an offering box, which would harken back an historic practice, but by no means without its own difficulties. All of this got me thinking theologically about the singing of the Offertory in the Divine Service and what relation, if any, is that to the offering of our monetary gifts to support the preaching of the Gospel in this place.
In the newborn house churches of the apostles and early Christians, when the Service of the Word ended with the sermon there was a deliberate pause. The bread and wine, to be used for the Lord’s Supper would be brought in from another room, likely the kitchen. There was no entrance rite or ceremony that accompanied the placement of the bread and wine on the altar. The congregants would remain standing awaiting the start of the Service of the Sacrament.
As time progressed, the church began a more elaborate entrance rite for the bread and wine. The gifts of bread and wine would be accompanied by a procession with the singing of psalms or biblical canticles. There was well known Psalm 51, “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God,” or later the biblical canticles of “Let the Vineyards be fruitful Lord,” (LSB 955) and “What Shall I Render to the Lord,” based on Psalm 116. And not only would the bread and wine be brought forward, but congregants would also bring food and other gifts to a table near the altar. These gifts were quite varied: fruit, wool, oil, milk, honey, olives, cheese, as well as sliver and gold. All the gifts were brought forward solemnly and dedicated in the general prayer of the church. While some of the bread and wine would be set aside for use in the Lord’s Supper, the rest of gifts were given to support the clergy and to be distributed to the poor. These gifts were understood theological as the “first fruits of creation.” They were a symbolic and physical expression of the assembled Christians showing their faith, active in love, as those who joyfully gave themselves and all they had to support God’s merciful Divine Service to man.
In the Middle Ages, these first fruit gifts were largely replaced by the giving of money. As a result, those first fruit gifts in some ways lost their proper significance and largely disappeared. Even worse, the church of Rome distorted their character as it led to the belief that the Lord’s Supper was the sacrificial action of the Christian priest and would eventually culminate in the abominable doctrine of the “sacrifice of the Mass.” The Reformers rejected this out of hand. They believed that the Sacrament of the Altar was a gift of God to man, not a sin offering by the priest or an offering of man to God. Luther would write in his Formula Missae of 1523 (a 16th cen. Latin Liturgy for the Lutheran church in Wittenberg) that we should repudiate “all things which reek of sacrifice and of the [Roman] Offertory…let us retain those things which are pure and holy, and thus order our Mass.”
The Lutheran Reformation restored to the Service of the Sacrament two important things: first, the people’s offerings of gifts, and second, the people’s prayers in the Divine Service. The Offertory would now again look forward to the consecration of the elements and the distribution of Holy Communion. In short, the content of the Offertory is preparing our bodies and hearts to receive God’s gifts, His holy body and blood poured out for us for the forgiveness of our sins.
Granted, the collection of charity offerings, and the need to support the proclamation of the Gospel or other church related needs, continued. Interestingly, the predominate custom among the Reformed was to have this collection taken after the close of the Divine Service by means of basins set out before the church doors, whereas the Lutherans preferred to set a place within the Divine Service and to circulate what was known as a “bell-purse” or other receptacle for the collection of the offering. This collection was often taken during the singing of the Creed and reflected the intimate connection between the congregation’s offerings of praise, confession of faith, and charity. In the document entitled, the Cologne Reformation 1544 we read:
“In this way, while the Creed is being sung, the faithful are to present their freewill offerings, each according to the blessing bestowed on him by the generous hand of God. To this end all preachers shall diligently exhort them, showing how these offerings always begin with the true confession of the faith and with prayer made in faith.”
No doubt these words were meant to show that then, and even now, a gift was to be presented to the Lord voluntarily and joyfully.
As we turn to the early 19th century, during colonial American times, we note that churches did not depend on voluntary, weekly giving from their members. Instead, as had been the case in Europe, the government established churches, sanctioning certain congregations, and supporting them financially. Most of the colonial churches could not conceive of a state without an established church. Since churches at that time were given to promoting virtuous citizens and served the public good, it made sense to fund them through public taxes and fees—such as property taxes rather than voluntary offerings.
Public funding of American churches did not cease immediately after the American Revolution. With the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibited Congress from establishing a national church, the states still supported churches through taxes. In the years following Revolution, men like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and others fought against religious establishment in Virginia. Others would lead the church in their respective states. Finally in 1833, when Massachusetts rescinded its religious tax, was every state church in the Union officially disestablished.
From then on, churches in America attempted creative ways to support themselves. There were “pew rentals,” a practice by which the church would rent pews to families and individuals as a primary means of raising income. Renting a pew was quite typical in the United States where churches lacked government support through mandatory giving.
As “pew rentals” fell out of favor in the late 19th century, the practice of passing an offering plate became the norm. Revivalists associated with the Second Great Awakening (1790-1835) were advocates of using techniques such as the “altar call” or the “anxious bench” to elicit an emotional reaction designed to drive believers into a crisis of spiritual epiphany. These were some of the “New Measures” begun by American revivalist Charles Finny to get the attention of the world and invigorate revivals due to the character of the cultural age. In this context, the passing of the offering plate was formally introduced into American churches, alongside the introduction of the idea that people were obligated individually to give monetarily to the church. This was the undisputed method of collecting contributions in America by the beginning of the 20th century.
Our liturgical practices are often formed and cemented in our minds, whether right or wrong, by what we grew up with, the collective culture of the church in a particular age, or by what we were taught by beloved pastors. Though we are not revivalists, nor do we subscribed to any of the “New Measures” of Charles Finny, we have in some ways inherited their emotionally manipulating Law-driven ideas regarding the monetary support of the church. Many of you may remember a time when individual’s giving was publicly posted as to encourage others in their giving, a not-so-subtle hammer to inspire those not keeping up with their pledges. I have read such “encouragement” letters from the early history of this parish when it came to building projects.
The unintended consequences of passing an offering plate can result in the unenviable pressure to give an offering, the curiosity to glance over and see if, or how much your neighbor is putting in the plate. Overall, there seems to be the general sentiment, perhaps not here at Pilgrim, but certainly in American churches that to pass the offering plate is to non-verbally say that the church is far more interested in the Benjamins in your bank account than it is with the eternal welfare of your body and soul. Admittedly the “stewardship revolution” in the churches has not done itself any favors. Those of you who have been around anything the calls itself stewardship it typically hammers the Law, Law, Law, down into your heart. Nothing of the church, of the Sacrament, nothing of the fellowship of believers and the support of the Gospel, nothing about the truly needy and poor among us.
Not surprisingly “stewardship guys,” and rest of us are often shocked to hear that when St. Paul speaks of the collection for the Jerusalem church, about stewardship, his favorite word is “grace.” The most significant word in the New Testament, grace, is used for the collection of money (2 Cor. 8:6). Martin Chemnitz wrote a short treatise on Almsgiving, and it is incredibly instructive on several levels.
He asks the question, “how much should be given” to which he answers, “Paul says that there is not a certain number or a definite measure in the Scriptures, as there is in the tributes imposed by the government: ‘I do not say this by way of command, but I give counsel in this matter’ (2 Cor. 8:8), that is, Scripture indeed commands that alms be given, but it does not command the manner or measure. It leaves it free to the benevolent will of the godly, just as 1 Cor 16:2 says, “[Each one] setting aside whatever is well pleasing to him.” So, too, 2 Cor 9:7: ‘[let] each one [give] just has he had decided in his heart.’ To be sure, the Scriptures generally describes the manner of liberality in the church this way: “Not that others may have alleviation and you may be burdened, but that there might be equality, so that your abundance might help in their lack (2 Cor 8:13-14).”
Chemnitz goes on to point out that “avarice,” that is, greed, easily abuses this Gospel freedom. Hence why we see that stewardship and talk of offerings naturally reverts to the Law, or the “Gospel with teeth,” which is not Gospel. Given this, the Scriptures do have these exhortations: “Give to the poor from your first fruits” (Proverbs 3:9). “Sell what you own and give alms” (Luke 12:33). “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly; whoever sows with blessing, will reap blessings” (2 Cor 9:6). It is inescapable to realize that genuine offering is shown through generous giving. St. Paul praises the churches of Macedonia because they were inclined to give not only in accordance with their strength, but also beyond their strength, just as the poor little widow.
From these biblical foundations we see that our giving must be enlightened by the proper distinction of Law and Gospel. Otherwise, we will fall into either coercive Law driven manipulative practices or we will abuse the Gospel and fall into miserly and hording practices. And in this, we will always struggle. And when it comes to a theology of giving we will always need both the Law and the Gospel word. The Law will teach us of the proper and godly use of our possessions. The Gospel will teach us that no matter how much we have or lack in earthly mammon, we are joyfully rich toward God by His Son’s no-strings attached mercy, and His sacramental love.
As we sing the Offertory, we are reminded of the words of the Sermon just preached into our ears. That as sinners cleansed in the Word, we would also be cleansed in His bodily gifts, forgiving our sin, strengthening our faith, and prepare us rightly to receive the visible and tangible Word in the Lord’s Supper. The “sacrifices” we offer are primarily a broken spirit, a contrite heart, knowing that our Lord will not despise us miserable sinners, but rather in mercy create us anew in body and soul with His body and blood.
As we look over the landscape of church giving, we see that the church has received support through a variety of means. Sometimes giving was done in the Divine Service itself, other times congregants would place their gifts in an offering box or an offering plate on the day of worship or even during the week. The forces of cultural change, the political polices of the land, and the ever-fickle heart of man, makes the subject of giving something quite hard to pin down to an exact science. What is clear is that when the subject of offerings and stewardship are driven not by both plow horses of Law and Gospel, that is when the church falls into the ditch of either manipulating Law or greed that abuses the Gospel. Not to mention, that in our time of dizzying technological advancements many churches are faced to address the pros and cons of electronic giving. No plate, no box, just a debit card or an electronic transfer.
I hope you can glean from this that whether we use an offering box similar to those in the Jerusalem temple, a bell purse of the Reformation era, or an offering plate prized in colonial America, it really is an adiaphoron—something which is neither commanded nor forbidden in Holy Scripture. But what is taught in Holy Scripture is that the support of the Gospel, the church’s ministry of Word and Sacrament comes from the joyful heart of one forgiven by those very sacred means.
In the bonds of Christ,
Pastor Raffa.

December 2022 — Page #

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

December 2022 — Page #

December volunteer schedule
Thursday, December 1: 1:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Ginny S.
Elder: Dennis E. / Dave F.
Usher Team: / B
Sunday, December 4: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Laurie L. / Nancy R.
Elder: Ron K. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Acolyte: Wade J. / Josiah R.
Thursday, December 8: 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Karen S.
Elder: Dennis E. / Patrick S.
Usher Team: /A
Acolyte: Jamison S.
Sunday, December 11: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Kathy P.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Julie R.
Elder: Tanner S. / Dan S. 2:00 p.m. Dave F.
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Rachel R.
Thursday, December 15: 1:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Ruth K.
Elder: Dennis E. / Dan S.
Usher Team: / B
Sunday, December 18: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Carolyn M.
Altar Guild: Norma B. Carolyn M.
Elder: Ron K. / Dave F.
Usher Team: 1 / 8
Acolyte: Matthias R. / Josiah R.
Saturday, December 24: 6:00 p.m. / 10:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Carolyn M.
Elder: Dan S. / Patrick S.
Usher Team: 3 / B
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Jamison S.
Sunday, December 25: 9:00 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Carolyn M.
Elder: Dave F.
Usher Team: 2
Acolyte: Rachel R.
Saturday, December 31: 6:00 p.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Gary J.
Usher Team: B
Acolyte: Matthias R.

Membership report
Baptized: None
Confirmed: Matthias Raffa on November 20, 2022
Transferred In: None
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership: None

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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 set up a PayPal account and has added a donation option at the bottom of the Home page on the church website (www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org). Donations can be sent by clicking the link on a computer or mobile device. 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.
We also have the Amazon Smile program, if you shop on Amazon you can have a portion of your purchase price given to the charity of your choice.
To do this for Pilgrim, please designate Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church as your charity on the home page and place your order as usual.
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.
Choose Direct All or enter a specific number and click Direct Now. Follow prompts on the confirmation page to direct Choice Dollars.

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Pilgrim Lutheran Church Voters Meeting October 30, 2022
Meeting was called to order by Bob Knuth at noon on October 30, 2022. Pastor Fisher opened with the Noon Prayer [Page 296] and sang hymn #655 “LORD KEEP US STEADFAST IN YOUR WORD”.
There were 29 people who attended the voters meeting and one person signed the constitution, Susan Gabor.
The minutes from the last meeting were written in the herald, all passed and accepted.
REPORTS
ELDERS REPORT by Tanner Schmidt
Sorry about Gary Erdmann’s death, but thank you for his service for many years with our church. Also thank you to Kurt Meyle’s services as an elder for a short time until he left to help his father.
Children's Christmas program this year will be on December 11. Thought came up that a wooden offering box might be nice instead of the offering plates. If this would happen it would eliminate the offering being taken to the Altar. The box would be emptied after every service.
TRUSTEES REPORT by Rob Selzler
Thank you to all that helped on clean-up day. Still some outside work to be done, but a good day. Also need some work around pastor Raffa’s house, some foundation work before soil is laid. Water fountain is installed and operational with cups in the hallway. Parking lot signs have been replaced. Air conditioning failed, there was nature in the filter. Furnace failed and inexpensive fix, but the furnaces are getting old and may need to be looked at in the future for updating. Thank you to Carolyn McAfee for cleaning the new fellowship rooms carpet. There are a few wicked spots that will need further attention and when there is a spill, we ask that it either gets cleaned up right away or let someone know so it can be addressed instead of becoming a hideous spot that will never come out. They have been working on a calendar in the office for all the events that go on or wanting to use a facility. Best if we can fill that in so we know what’s going on in case of anyone is interested in using any area on certain days.
Elevator failed and will be fixed on Monday.
TREASURER’S REPORT by Jacob Hand
Jacob presented the report, motion to pass by Ron Kabitzke and seconded by Paul Grosskreuz. Jacob was able to submit a form to get a credit back form the government for employing our employees during covid. To our surprise the form was honored and a very significant amount of money was credited to our church. Good job Jacob!
PASTOR’S REPORT
Pastor Fisher says thank you for all the prayers for his ribs. Bible classes going good. Rev. Mark Nuckols has transferred to Greenfield, he accepted a call there. The Gabor family from our church, their son is entering the seminary.
Pastor Raffa says they have been busy with a lot of deaths lately. 2 Samuel is being studied in Sunday afternoon and Thursday Bible class. We have one more district conference committee meeting that they are in charge of. Shut in visits. Sunday school holds it own still small number of children. They will have a Christmas program this year again with a few changes. It will be on December 11, but the chili diner will be at noon and the program will be at 2 pm. Many felt it would be too late for the Children.
ENDOWMENT REPORT and CONCORDIA REPORT by Ron Kabitzke
The endowment has ok’d the extra money left over from the banners to be used toward a new Christmas tree for the Church. Dave Boehlke made a motion to pass the request, Judy Frank seconded it. All accepted.
Concordia has made a divine call to Dr. Erik P. Ankerberg to serve. He is currently provost and senior VP at CU Chicago. Wife Jennifer was previously at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Begins January 2023. Concordia has had nursing for 40 years. 224 Church worker candidates and 61 in pre-sem. All in all they are doing pretty good.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Our Church has received $300,324.66 from Dot Millers estate.
NEW BUSINESS
The Church will be getting a new Christmas Tree this year. Old one is broken.
Looking for ideas and comments on the new offering box idea. The Elders will be in charge of where it would be placed. Pastor Raffa will write a writer up on the theological purpose of a wooden collection box. Talk more on it in January.
Proceeds from the Christmas Shoppe coming up were motioned by Judy Frank and seconded by Mary Lehtimaki to go to Cory Gabor for his support in going to be a seminarian.
SYNOD CONVENTION candidates for next year,
Wohlraabe, Regional Vice-President [retired navy chaplain]
1st Vice-President Peter Lange
President Matt Harrison
Ron Kabitzke made a motion and Bill Schepp seconded it, all accepted.
THE BUDGET was presented by Jacob for 2023 with one change adding $200 more to the Church account taking it from $2200 to $2400. Ron Kabitzke made a motion to accept and Paul Grosskreuz seconded, all accepted.
Election of officers for our CHURCH
Vice President: Phil Gohr
Voters meeting Secretary: Jeff Steely
Elders: Ron Kabitzke
Tim Kreuser
Jeff Schneeweis
Kent Voll
Trustees: Paul Grosskreuz
Ben Olson
Church Council: Ruth Kohler
Endowment Committee: Kevin Hoffman
ALL ACCEPTED!
CLASSICAL LUTHERAN SCHOOL PRESENTATION by Pastor Raffa, he presented a resolution form that we made a few corrections to word wise and it was motioned to be accepted by Dave Boehlke and seconded by Jeff Steely and also accepting the resolution. Briefly stating that in an exploratory mode Fredonia Lutheran, Pilgrim Lutheran and Port Washington Lutheran which has a day school already, just isn’t being used at this time, to maybe get things going to start a school to better educate our Children, since our other schools are being over filled. The resolution is just an explanation of exploring this resolution further, calling it the ‘THE GENESIS PROJECT’. A steering committee would need to be formed of 3 or 4 people.
A thank-you to all who served time on any board and their time is now up.
Pastor Raffa closed with prayer.
SINCERELY SUBMITTED,
Nancy Rosenthal
Nancy Rosenthal [voters meeting secretary]

December 2022 — Page #

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Communal Prayers
Prayer of preparation on Christmas Day: O Lord of Sabbaoth, how heartily we rejoice at the return of this sacred time, that we may go into Your house to gaze upon the beauty of Your worship and to inquire in Your temple. Grant us, we beseech You, life and blessing, that throughout this day and at all times we may go around Your altar, where thanksgiving is proclaimed aloud and all Your wondrous deed are told. Give our pastors a mouth and wisdom, that they may preach to us what You command them, and that, in opening their mouth boldly, they may so instruct us that their doctrine may flow like a life-giving spring. Open our hearts to hear the comforting sermons on the saving birth and incarnation of Your beloved Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Retrain the devil that seeks to hinder our good devotion and drive us away from Word made flesh. Help us to conclude these joyous days with good health, rest, and peace, for our own comfort, that we may partake of all the benefits of our dear newborn Christ unto our eternal salvation. Amen.
Prayer on Christmas Day: Lord God, gracious Father, who in the fullness of time sent Your Son to become man, to assume human flesh like mine and become our Brother, we thank You for Your truth and Your fatherly goodness in giving us this Savior. By His birth, death, and resurrection, we are delivered from sin, death, Satan, and hell. We beseech You, to keep us until the end in true knowledge of our Redeemer, that with the holy angels, we may rejoice at His nativity, and on the Last Day, when He comes again, we may behold Him, together with You and the Holy Spirit, in glory and majesty, world without end. Amen.
Prayer of the joyful Incarnation of the Christ: Emmanuel, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Highest, and Son of the Virgin, we give thanks unto Thee that, having so heartily compassioned our sinful birth, Thou hast come to save us from the Father’s throne into this misery below, taking upon Thyself our flesh and blood, that so we might be made partakers of Thine own divine nature. Now, indeed, has the heavenly Father shared His loving heart with us. Now is come great joy without ceasing; and in Thee is His wrath assuaged. By Thy holy birth, we are born again unto heaven, and Thou art become the veritable gateway of heaven for us; and by Thee we have access unto the Father, and abundant entrance into Thy kingdom. O help then, dear Lord, gracious Emmanuel, that we may rightly realize the mystery of Thy gracious birth, unto a realization of all its mighty power. Lift up our hearts. Open our lips. Unloose our tongues, that with all the angels, unto whose friendship we are now restored, we may worship, praise, and magnify Thee, and in Thee, the Beloved, be acceptable unto the Father. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Rev. Joel Kotila, Rev Donald & Carolyn Bren, Russell & Jeanette Guillaume, Joyce Virchow, Richard Lewandowski, Ethan Tinlin, Mark Selzler, Rev. Clark Davis, Patricia Wirtz, Sheryl Pajewski, Carl & Lois Pritzlaff, Paul Lierman, Sherry Cullen, Judy Clark, Inez Schwoch, Deb Sumner, Chloe Fisher, Ruth Mertz, Jerry Sullivan, Donna Sommer, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Elaine Kuenzel, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Linda Schmidt, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer

Voice of Faith

December 2022 — Page #

Birthdays
2- Keefe Olig
4– Beverly Hanson
Jennifer Molter
10- Tom Kabitzke
Nancy Kleinke
11– Orville Gierach
Braycen Nitzke
Sarah Schober
Loretta Waechter
12- Betty Voelzke
13– Josiah Rockrohr
15– Edith Frank
Rebekah Lotz
18- Richard Lewandowski
Haley Tupper
19– Carl Belling
Anne Farrington
20– Jeff Steely
21– Abby Janssen
Gary Jenovai
Ashlyn Olig
22- Evelyn Schleif
23– Bruce Gilbert
Marilyn Meylor
Jennifer Schmidt
24– Patty Faul
25– Carol Jenovai
27– Caroline Reich
28– Gabe Kempf
30– Peg Knaus
Parker Roell
31– Tanner Schmidt

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.
Senior Discounts are available at:
Tuesdays at 10% discount at Good Will West Bend Movie Theater.
Wednesdays 15% discount at Kohls Tuesday - $5 Admission Ticket and $8 Whole Pizza!
Thursdays 20% discount at the Restore $5 Admission for everyone!
Corner of Jefferson & Barton $8 Pizza (Cheese, Sausage, or Pepperoni)
Friday- Seniors (62 & Up $5 tickets: before 5:00 show time)
Winter Band Concert at Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Sunday December 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Christmas Choral Concert at Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Saturday December 17 at 6:30 p.m.

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December 2022				1 / 1p Advent Midweek Divine Service / 7p Advent Midweek Divine Service	2 / Office Closed	3
4 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service	5 / 6:30p Board of Elders Meeting	6 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	7 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	8 / 1p Advent Midweek Divine Service / 7p Advent Midweek Divine Service	9 / Office Closed	10 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study / 11:00a Ladies to pack cookies
11 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12p Chili Luncheon / 2p Congregational Christmas Service	12 / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	13 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	14 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	15 / 1p Advent Midweek Divine Service / 7p Advent Midweek Divine Service	16 / Office Closed	17
18 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service	19	20 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	21 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	22 / NO Divine Service	23 / Office Closed	24 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study / 6 p. Christmas Divine Service / 10 p. Service of Lessons & Carols
25 / Christmas Day / 9a Divine Service	26 / 10:30 a Chapel @ Jackson Crossing	27 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	28	29 / NO Divine Service	30 / Office Closed	31 / 6p New Year’s Eve 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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“When we look at this birth, and reflect upon how the sublime majesty moves with great earnestness and inexpressible love and goodness upon the flesh and blood of this virgin, we see how here all evil lust and every evil thought is banished.”
Martin Luther

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
3-6
Volunteer Schedule
6
Treasurer’s Report
7
Offertory & Offering
7-9
Voter’s Meeting Minutes
9
Communal Prayers
11
Birthdays & Anniversaries
12
Calendar
13

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