Author: Julie Raffa

February 2023

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

The Shape of the Gospel—Ash Wednesday
“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” [Matthew 3:2]
Centered Alignment

Excuses. We have all been on the receiving end of excuses. We’ve also been ones to use them. Perhaps somewhere in the recesses of our brain we know that with the intensity of a backhoe we’ve begun to dig holes of betrayal and embrace dark justifications for our truest selves and our behaviors. But we keep digging. And so, we reveal the tenacity for covering our tracts and holding on to our sin.
Naively, yet rationally we might reach the point, “We’re Christians and God promises to forgive our sins, why not just be honest and confess it? Simple. The sin-nature is strong. We war against honesty and continue with our excuse-making because the sin-nature knows a little something about confession that it doesn’t want to admit. The sin-nature knows that honest confession is completely incompatible with gaining what we want when we want it. Honesty doesn’t fit into the divine equation of trust in God as opposed to self. Honesty is an exercise in letting go of the badness and clinging to the good. Excuses are the ways we find for keeping at least one finger on the bad.
Ash Wednesday doesn’t tolerate excuses. Ash Wednesday is the proper headstone for all things carnal. Ash Wednesday reveals that the Christian Church knows something about the dishonest sin-nature of mankind and the world’s inability to speak the truth. It knows the wage for sin is death—real and eternal death. It knows this as it recalls God’s terrifying words to Adam and Eve after the fall into sin, “for you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen 3:19). These words still reverberating, the Church hears the truth in them. It knows the necessity for their honest contemplation so that we would see the world as it ought to be seen. It knows the immerse itself in the depths of a solemnity that acknowledges the horror of the very real predicament that the entire human race is facing. The Church knows there’s so much more than just an end to things, but there’s also a terrible dreadfulness just over that end’s boarder for those who remain enslaved to the mess.
You can’t ignore it. You can’t hide from it. You can’t outrun it. You can’t overpower it. The inevitability of its reach is woven into very fleshly fabric of every man, woman, and child, who was ever born in the natural way.
Thus, Ash Wednesday will not let you make your way into and through Lent without contemplating the veracity of the curse. Ash Wednesday becomes a guardian of sorts at Lent’s contrite door, and it won’t let you into the forthcoming events without being stamped. The stamp it reaches out to give, it goes on your forehead. Its dust marks the human frame as the only appropriate coronation for someone born into the fallen lineage of the sin-nature. The mark’s dirty cold embers are the kind that distinguish Cain from Abel, openly identifying the murderer and reminding him of the dusty ground that opened up to swallow Godly innocence.
Liturgically, as you can well surmise, this takes the shape of the “imposition of ashes.” I am fully aware that this practice has never been a custom here at Pilgrim. It is something that is deeply foreign to us. It’s not something that everyone will embrace, and that is ok. Yet, it’s not foreign to Scripture and the history and practice of the Christian Church. In the Old Testament ashes and dust are found in Joshua 7:6; 1 Samuel 1:2; 15:32; Daniel 9:3; Job 2:12; 16:15; and Jeremiah 25:34. In the New Testament Jesus declares, “Woe to you Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes” (Mat 11:21). In short, in the Scriptures ashes carry a two-fold meaning: as a sign of human mortality and as a sign of public repentance.
While liturgical scholars are not clear on the exact time when the “imposition of ashes” became normalized, it is generally thought to be around the 11th or 12th century. We do know that as far back as the 1st century, Tertullian and others describe the use of sackcloth and ashes in the penance of a sinner before his/her pastor. Ashes were a way public penitents and others who had fallen way from the church desired reconciliation. Naturally, the beginning of Lent was a primary season in the church year for that to take place. These “order of penitents” services that took place in the early church, thankfully blossomed into a useful spiritual practice, not simply for self-avowed penitents, but for all believes.
You might find it quite odd, even unnecessary, to engage in such a biblical and liturgical practice. And yet in the semi-darkness of a quite churches all over the world, Christians on Ash Wednesday kneel before their pastor to receive a sign of their mortality that they may remember that it is only by God gracious gift that they are given everlasting life.
Beloved children of God, admitting to sin’s ugly residence in our hearts, even an ashen forehead for all to see, is not weakness, but bravery.
Remember: that filthy mark is in the shape of a cross. It’s smeared onto the penitently-postured foreheads of Ash’s Wednesday’s observers who know their need for a Savior. It serves as a silent proclamation of God’s truest inclination in our excuse making and darkness.
It’s the shape of the Gospel—the death of the Savior, Jesus Christ, for a cursed world.
The Great Exchange—His righteousness for our unrighteousness. It tells of a birthright, not earned, but gifted in love. It beams through dusty grim the truth of an imperishable crown of blamelessness, not earned by the wearer, but won and granted by the Savior. Cain is marked and no one can touch him. God has been gracious. For us, even in that smeared cross’ quiet, there thunders above every human wearing it an otherworldly hope for eternal life through faith in the Savior who was nailed to it on Good Friday. The booming crack of its message drowns out the devil, the world, and the sinful flesh’s accusations to the contrary.
Ash Wednesday’s mark serves as a gentle reminder of something else in particular. It announces rebirth.
The cross of ash will dot the same place where God first made the sign of the cross upon you, His Christians, in Holy Baptism. If only for a few minutes, hours, or min, it will make visible the invisible, leading each of you who bear that ashen cross back to the moment when God put His own name on you, claiming you as His through the washing of water and the Word, grafting you into Christ Himself, the fountain and source of all abiding life.
It's been said that the best opportunities are seldom labeled. The “best opportunity” of Ash Wednesday is, in fact, labeled. Its tag may be grimy, people may ask you why you have dirt on your forehead, or if this is some sort of sorority hazing thing, or a gang symbol, but it’s not. It’s a symbol and shape of the Gospel, that I am a child God even as I return to the dust and rise from the dust in Son of God who gave His life for me. It’s one of the most condensed opportunities in the entire Church Year for a right understanding of our condition in sin and our glorious rescue by the Son of God. I would encourage you in Christian freedom to not keep it at arm’s length. Rather, consider embracing the opportunity to gather with the faithful, marked by the ashen gospel cross, and pray:
“O God, You desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they turn from their wickedness and life. We implore You to have compassion on the frailty of our mortal nature, for we acknowledge that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Mercifully pardon our sins that we may obtain the promises You have laid up for those who are repentant” (Ash Wednesday Litany, Altar Book, 485). Blessed Lententide,
Pastor Raffa

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Pilgrim News
Zone 7 LWML Prayer Service February 18, 2023
To be held at St. John Lutheran Church New Fane
As all of us need to make our prayer life more meaningful, we have decided that all of your society members are welcome; not only the women of your society but all of the members of you Church including the men.
The service starts at 9:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be available before and after the service.
Ladies Guild/LWML
We always give thank s to God for our Pilgrim family. Thanks to your generosity, we sold 83 boxes of collies for a total of $839. This money goes to support Missionary Wildauer and Seminarian Harvey Peters. Our Ladies Guild will be hosting the Ash Wednesday Supper. The Zone 7 Prayer Service will be held at St. John’s New Fane on Saturday, February 18, 2023. See above and watch for a bulletin flyer for all the details.
Pilgrim Quilters– Meet on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month at 9:00 a.m. They make quilts for various charities. If you are interested in joining (no need to know how to sew) join them on the 2nd or 4th Wednesday of the month. Please bring something for your lunch as they break at noon for lunch.
Concordia Bible Institute Presents:
Christ in the Old Testament; What Does This Mean?
Jesus once said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). At the center of Christianity is the belief that everything in the Scriptures—what we today call the Old Testament—bears witness to who Jesus is and what he has come to do. Martin Luther put it this way: “All of Scripture…is pure Christ, God’s and Mary’s Son.”
Come take a fresh look at some of the fascinating ways the Old Testament shows us the person and work of Christ with Dr. Brian German and Dr. Harald Tomesch, professors of theology at Concordia University Wisconsin—Ann Arbor, on Saturday, February 18, from 9am to 2:30pm at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, West Bend.
Register for this free seminar at 262-334-0375 Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church.
A light lunch will be provided.
Lutherans for Life would LOVE to be an instrument used by God to assist you in loving others through the message of the Gospel! Our Vision is that every Lutheran, both individually and in community, uphold the God-given value of human life and influencing society to do the same.
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments…are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:8-10).
The transfigured Jesus came down the mountain. He did not camp His glory in a comfortable status quo but put it to work accompanying His loved ones into adversity. So let us take hold of this Gospel and invite our neighbors to leave behind the seeming ease of abortion and assisted suicide. And let us find the blessed life Jesus reveals even in surprise pregnancy and terminal diagnosis.
E—Waste Recycling Event
West Bend Residents only. Saturday June 10, 2023
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Watch for the news release on the city website, Facebook page or in the newspaper for more information as the date nears.
A Place of Refuge: Help Needed.
Place of Refuge Ministries, South Wisconsin District ‘s prolife ministry, is seeking applicants for the full-time position of live-in Refuge House Manager. Refuge House is shelter for mothers in need operated by APOR. For job descriptions and other information, please contact APOR Executive Director, Deaconess Grace Rao, at raogv57@yahoo.com or (414) 760-2483.

February 2023 — Page #

Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church
Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
Jan 2, 2023
Attendees: Pastor Fisher, Gary, Ron, Patrick, Dan, Tanner, Tim, Jeff, Dave, Kent
Absent: Pastor Raffa
The meeting began at 6:30 PM with evening devotion and song (“Of The Father’s Love Begotten”) led by Pastor Fisher.
We had three new elders present who are beginning their elder term.
Kent Voll
Jeff Schneeweis
Tim Kreuser
We completed the Elder schedule for February.
The next elders meeting is Monday, February 6 @ 6:30PM.
Since we now have 9 elders Pastor Fisher redid the elder groups. He handed out the group listings to the elders.
Pastor Fisher said he will take pictures of elders at our Feb 6 meeting. The pictures are for the new elder groups. Elders should dress appropriately.
We reviewed chapters (19, 20, and 21) in “Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity' which completes our study of this book.
At the February Elders meeting we will review the following chapters from “Why Am I Joy:Fully Lutheran”.
Chapter 1 - The First Commandment
Chapter 2 - The Second Commandment
Chapter 3 - The Third Commandment from
We needed to pick a new head elder for 2023. Tanner is currently serving in that role and said he’d be willing to continue. No one else was interested in the role. Elders voted for Tanner to continue as head elder.
We had the Elder roundtable discussion where everyone had a chance to give updates.
Tanner reported that there is a very good article in the December Herald newsletter, “Offertory, Offering, and Stewardship”. He suggested that elders should read the article if they have not done so already.
Tanner reported that a large amount of money (about $300,000) was received by Pilgrim in the form of an endowment. Right now they are deciding on how to break down the funds and are looking for ideas. This will be brought to the Voters Meeting.
Ron discussed a little more on the endowment.
Patrick reported that at the Christmas Day Service (perhaps the 6pm Christmas Eve Service also), Pastor Raffa chanted the Words of Institution during the Communion Liturgy since it was a festival service. He said it was his understanding that there was positive feedback. Patrick said he encouraged the Pastors to continue this practice at festival services.
The meeting ended with prayer at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Jenovai
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church

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Church council Report
The Pilgrim Church Council January 9, 2023, meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President, Bob Knuth. Also in attendance were Pastor Fisher, Phillip Gohr, Jacob Hand, Ruth Kohler, Tanner Schmidt, Nancy Rosenthal, Karen Spiering, and Ron Virchow, Jr. Additionally Rob Selzler and David Boehlke were in attendance to make committee reports.
Pastor Fisher began the meeting by leading a responsive prayer from the hymnal (page 282) and singing of a hymn (page 394).
The minutes of the December 12, 2022 meeting as published in the Herald were accepted without objection.
Elders Report – Tanner Schmidt
Tanner Schmidt was reelected Elder’s Chairman
Elders were “content” with the proposed Endowment distribution or “other similar divisions”.
Trustees Report - Ron Virchow Jr.
Ron Virchow Jr. was elected this evening as head Trustee.
Pastor Raffa’s parsonage has windows that need replacing. A request for funding may be made to the Endowment Committee.
Furnace problems on the west end of the Fellowship Hall with a smell of gas. The new contractor did a good job with the repairs and many other small issues. A new thermostat was installed in the basement and changes were made to the outside furnace to alleviate on going air quality and temperature control problems.
The West Bend Fire department report noted that “egress” lighting was defective.
Replaced the controls for church sanctuary fans.
Removed a portion of old control wiring and consolidated and cleaned up junction boxes in the church sanctuary.
Treasurers Report - Jacob Hand
Financial report year to date as of December 31 was presented and discussed. A motion to accept, was made by Tanner Schmidt, and seconded by Karen Spiering, and passed on voice vote.
Jake reported he reviewed the church’s Concordia Plan for work hours reported.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
On the 19th of this month Pilgrim and St. Johns West Bend will be meeting regarding shut-in services.
Pastor Fisher asked permission from Council to leave immediately after Sunday, January 15th mid-service Bible Class to travel to Fort Wayne, IN to attend the Lutheran Concerns Association conference January 15th & 16th where he will be presenting Presidents Wille’s paper for him due to President Wille's ongoing health situation. Due to this request coming after the Elder’s meeting had already been held Tanner Schmidt stated it would be ok with the Elders if it is ok with Pastor Raffa. Pastor Fisher stated he will stay for the 2nd service should Pastor Raffa net be physically up to the task that day.
23rd & 24th of January Pastor Fisher will be in Stevens Point for a Circuit Visitor’s training conference for the North & South Wisconsin Districts.
Thank you to the Altar Guild for their quick and thorough cleaning of the sanctuary and getting it back in order from Christmas putting everything away.
Ladies Guild is planning to do the February 22nd Ash Wednesday Supper, the Altar guild is planning on doing Thursday March 2nd, and Pastor Fisher asked if the Council would be willing to do one as well. It was decided to do Thursday March 16th.
It was good to see everyone at Christmas, just praying that everyone gets healthy again, there’s a lot of flu going around.
Pastor Raffa’s Report - given by Pastor Fisher
Pastor Raffa’s family has leftover Tuition Reimbursement funds remaining at Peace Lutheran School in Sussex in the amount of $3,270.90. To do things proper and in order the funds will be returned to Pilgrim and then given back to the Raffa’ to apple to the next school year which will be at Living Word.
Please keep the Raffa family in your prayers for a speedy recovery from present illnesses.
Board of Education - given by Pastor Fisher
There will be a Confirmation Retreat at Concordia Seminary Fort Wayne in February available to Pilgrim Confirmands which this year will be Wade Janssen and Matthias Raffa. Funds are available that the boys may attend cost free. It will focus on the Chief Parts of the Catechism. Pastor Fisher suggested that Pastor Raffa go as chaperone. Rachel Raffa will also be able to attend as last year she was unable.
Altar Guild - Nancy Rosenthal
A question was raised about possibly switching to White wine for Communion. No decision was made.
The altar Guild along with the Men’s Bible Class will be serving Easter Breakfast this year.
LWML - Ruth Kohler
83 boxes of cookies were gathered and sold this year netting a total of $849.00. The proceeds will be used to support Missionary Micah Wildauer and Seminarian Peters.
Old Business
West Bend Fire Department land acquisition proposal was discussed. It was decided to ask the Voter’s at their next meeting if they would even consider, either “yes” or “no”.
The Classical School feasibility study of using the Port Washington location is probably 2 years away. Pilgrim may be asked to host a micro school until then for 5-8 children. This could happen as early as next year of possibly not at all.
New Business
Pastor Fisher was approached by Dr. German and Dr. Tomesch to hold a no cost educational seminar open to the congregation and SW District. Pastor requested permission to schedule use of the Fellowship Hall sometime in February (TBA) which was granted pending Trustee’s approval.
Endowment Fund/ Dorothy Miller Estate - David Boehlke presented a gift-agreement document proposal asking for a percentage division Suggestion for the $3000,385.91 into four accounts, Capitol Improvement, Mission Outreach, Human Care, and Education.
Motion to recommend to the Voter’s Assembly to
divide the Estate monies as follows:
1) $225,000 - Capitol Improvement
2) $25,000 - Mission Outreach
3) $25,000 - Human Care
4) $25,000 + remainder of Estate funds -
Education.
Motion by Nancy Rosenthal
Second by Ruth Kohler
Carried
Motion to recommend to Voters Assembly to
distribute monies as follows:
1) Capital Improvement distribution shall be
limited to a maximum of 30% of the total value of the Account in any one calendar year, or $10,00 which ever is greater.
Motion by Nancy Rosenthal
Second by Tanner Schmidt
Carried
2) Mission Outreach, distributions shall be limited
to a maximum of 10% of the total value of the Ac count in any one calendar year, or $1,500, which ever is greater.
Motion by Tanner Schmidt
Second by Ruth Kohler
Carried
3) Human Care, distributions shall be limited to a maximum of 10% of the total value of the Account in any one calendar year, or $2,500, which ever is greater.
Motion by Nancy Rosenthal
Second by Tanner Schmidt
Carried
4) Education, distributions shall be limited to a maximum of the total value of the Account in any one Calendar year of $1,500, which ever is greater.
Motion by Tanner Schmidt
Second by Nancy Rosenthal
Carried
TDS Telecom telecommunications company offered Pilgrim $5,000 to grant them an easement, at the northern edge of the church’s high grass area adjacent to Pastor Fishers lawn, to place a permanent utility pedestal for their underground cabling. It was determined to take this to the February 5th Voters meeting asking permission for the Trustees to negotiate a higher price or to accept the $5,00 as offered.
VOTERS MEETING is scheduled for February 5th, 2023 at 12:00 noon.
Next Council Meeting is scheduled for February 13th at 7 p.m.
Tanner Schmidt asked if the Elders or Council should bring forward overture to 2023 LC-MS Convention, teaching that creation is a relatively recent occurrence, tens of thousands of years as opposed to billions of years ago. No decision was made.
Motion by Tanner Schmidt with Second by Nancy Rosenthal to adjourn the meeting. Carried
The meeting closed by Pastor Fisher leading the Council in “the Evening Prayer”.
Respectfully submitted,
Phill Gohr

February 2023 — Page #

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Endowment Committee
Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church
Endowment Committee Minutes
Sunday, January 8, 2023
The committee met between services.
Present were, Kevin Hoffman, Ron Kabitzke, Rob Selzer and James Spaeth. Absent was Michael Loomans.
Also present were Robert Knuth, President and David Boehlke from the committee working on how to set up and make distributions from the new account. More on this later in the minutes here.
We met between service but with the absence of Michael Loomans we were unable to nominate and elect a chair for 2023.
The Annual reports from Edward Jones was presented. One report on the regular Endowment fund account showed a year end total of $135.368.13. Of this amount, 5 per cent would be 6,768.40. the Committee decided to add $731.60 that was not used in 2022 for a total amount of $7,500 for distribution in 2023.
The deadline for applying for the funds will be April 1, 2023. The committee will meet Sunday, April 16, 2023 to review any and all applications for monies from the Endowment Fund.
The other account at the present time has a balance of $300,385.91. The discussion on this involves the committee ideas of how many and what types of accounts to set up. The one thing questioned was about investment strategies. Ron Kabitzke will check on this on Monday, January 9, 2023.
The Endowment Committee will meet on Sunday, January 15 to elect a Chair for 2023.
Ronald Kabitzke, Chair
Pilgrim Endowment Committee
The following is an after the meeting update:
On Monday we learned that we will be able to set up the four different accounts and that each one can have a separate investment strategy. These can be (1) conservative; (2) moderate conservative; (3) moderate; (4) liberal.
Our present account has a moderate conservative strategy.

month volunteer schedule
Thursday, February 2: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, February 5: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Carolyn M.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Laurie L.
Elder: Tanner S. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Rachel R.
Thursday, February 9: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Karen S.
Elder: Kent V.
Usher Team: B
Acolyte: Jamison S.
Sunday, February 12: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Caryn L.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder: Ron K. / Dan S.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Acolyte: Matthias R. / Josiah R.
Thursday, February 16: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, February 19: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Julie R.
Altar Guild: Norma B. / Carolyn M.
Elder: Dave F. / Jeff S.
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Wade J. / Rachel R.
Wednesday, February 22: 1:00 / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: / Ginny S.
Elder: Gary J. / Tanner S.
Usher Team: / B
Acolyte: Jamison S.
Sunday, February 26: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Nancy A.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder: Ron K. / Dan S.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Acolyte: Clayton K. /Josiah R.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

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 will be setting up a PayPal account, this information will be available soon. 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.
This program will be ending on February 20, 2023.
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.
The Deadline for directing your Choice Dollars is March 31st of each year.
The best time to contact Thrivent is mid-January.

Membership report
Baptized: None
Transferred In: None
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership: None

February 2023 — Page #

Lutheran Missions Update
Christmas Greetings From Pastor Micha Wildauer in Belize
A Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year to you who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. I pray that this Christmas greeting finds you well on this, the 10th Day of Christmas.
Our family is doing well now having celebrated our second Christmas in Belize. We were delighted to celebrate Christmas services in both English and Spanish and in various locations. We even gathered for a few potlucks together. The selection of food varied from tamales to pasta salad, from rice and beans to lasagna. And yes, there were plenty of gingerbread cookies to share. The best part about it was hearing the Christmas proclamation of the birth of Christ with new friends made during this past year. The Holy Spirit is active in His Church.
Along with our Christmas Greeting page, I am including a photo of our kids in Orange Walk, Belize where we have a preaching station (and yes, the kids are wearing shorts!). This Nativity Scene is in the town square. It isn’t uncommon in Belize to see public displays of the Christian Faith, yet many are still not members of a congregation or do not often hear the saving message of Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers on our behalf as we go about bringing this Good News to the hearts of Belizeans everywhere. We pray that the Lord will bless you in your daily vocation and service to others as a witness for Him. Christ’s peace be yours in abundance.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Communal Prayers
For Ash Wednesday: Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Another: Help us, Lord, to observe this season with wholesome sacrifice and cheerful self-denial, that the time of need may find us willing and ready to fight against all the forces of evil and that by Your grace, Your visitations, may prove blessings to us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer of Repentance: O God, not only were we conceived in sin and born in iniquity, but also in our life we are sinful throughout. Without You, there is nothing good that we can do. Lord, hear our humble confession. And what we lack in true humility and sincere repentance, do add Your grace and Spirit, so that are prayers may be acceptable in Your sight. Show us, how helpless we are without You. Then point us also to Your Son, who was hanged upon a cross, so that we who look upon Him with eye of true faith, and see in Him the only healing for our sins, may have a good conscience and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Sigh for the forgiveness of sins: I believe and confess that I am a poor miserable sinner before God and deserve condemnation, and I am heartily afraid because I have disobeyed my God again and again and not rightly regarded or considered His Commandments, much less kept the greatest or least of them. Yet I entertain no doubts, but let myself be pointed to Christ that I may seek grace and help from Him and believe firmly that I will find them. For He is the Lamb of God provided from eternity to the end that He takes away the sin of the whole world and by His death makes full atonement for it. Amen.
A Fervent Prayer of Faith: My Lord Jesus Christ, You are the only Shepherd, and I, alas, am the lost sheep which went astray, and I am in anguish and fear and wish that I might be righteous and have a gracious God and peace in my conscience. Thus I hear that You are as worried about me as I am about You, and I am anxious and distressed until I come to You and am helped. Likewise, You are anxious and concerned and desire nothing other than that You may bring me back to You. Therefore, come to me, seek me, find me, that I may come to You and praise and honor You forever. Amen.
A Prayer of the Power of Grace: Lord, I am Your sin, You are my righteousness; therefore I am safe. My sin will not suppress Your righteousness and Your righteousness will not leave me a sinner. Blessed be God, my merciful Lord and Redeemer! I trust in You alone, and thus I will never be put to shame. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Michael Ferguson, Ella Wilkens, Dorothy Kroll, Mary Margaret Hatfield, Rev. John Wille, Phyllis Laabs-Darkow, George Muth, Rev Donald & Carolyn Bren, 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, 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

February 2023 — Page #

Birthdays
1- Ruth Mertz
6– James Behrens
Nancy Scherer
7- Keith Gierach
9- Eric Heuser
Clayton Kempf
10- Rebecca Boehlke
Jamie Carron
11- Brynlee Kempf
Archer Roell
14- Grant Schellinger
15- Caden Olson
Ilana Wronski
21- Leah Bolstad
22- Samuel Grosskreuz
Joe Hills
23- Shirley Mayer
Diane Zell
25– Dylan Kabitzke
27-Stephen Spalda, Sr.
Anniversaries
20- Joan & James Prine
25– Jon & Sandy Thames

Senior Discounts are available at:
Tuesdays at 10% discount at Good Will
Wednesdays 15% discount at Kohls
Thursdays 20% discount at the Restore
Corner of Jefferson & Barton
West Bend Movie Theater.
Tuesday - $5 Admission Ticket and $8 Whole Pizza!
$5 Admission for everyone!
$8 Pizza (Cheese, Sausage, or Pepperoni)
Friday- Seniors (62 & Up $5 tickets: before 5:00 show time)
KML
Feb 17-18, 7pm, My Fair Lady, tickets $12
Feb 19, 2pm
March 14, Sacred Concert 630 pm
LWLHS
March 10-11 7pm, Spring Musical, Disney’s “Newsies”

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

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

February 2023			1 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	2 / 9a Adult Study: 2nd Samuel / 7p Divine Service	3 / Office Closed	4 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
5 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:00p Voters Meeting	6 / 6:30p Board of Elders Meeting	7 / 9a. Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	8 / 9a. Pilgrim Quilters / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	9 / 9a Adult Study: 2nd Samuel / 7p Divine Service	10 / Office Closed	11
12 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Class: 2nd Samuel	13 / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	14 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	15 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	16 / 9a Adult Study: 2nd Samuel / 7p Divine Service	17 / Office Closed	18 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study / 9a CBI presents / Christ in the Old Testament: What Does this Mean
19 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Class: 2nd Samuel	20	21 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	22 / 9a. Pilgrim Quilters / 1 & 7 p. Ash Wednesday Divine Service / 5:30 p. Midweek Lenten Dinner / NO Youth Catechesis / or / Adult Class	23 / 9a Adult Study: 2nd Samuel / NO Divine Service	24 / Office Closed	25
26 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Class: 2nd Samuel	27 / 10:30 a Chapel @ Jackson Crossing	28 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court

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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
3-8
Giving Matters
8
Endowment committee
7
Communal Prayers
10
Birthdays & Anniversaries
11
Calendar
12

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