Author: Julie Raffa

April 2022

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

Change in the Church: Luther’s Invocavit Sermons
“We have the right to speak but not the power to accomplish. We should preach the Word, but the results must be left solely to God’s good pleasure (Martin Luther, AE 51:76)

In April of 1521, Luther famously refused to recant his writings, and boldly confessed, “Here I stand. God help me.” Shortly after this, Luther would be whisked away by Elector Fredrick to a remote fortress called the Wartburg. Exiled from Wittenberg for his own safety, this solitary confinement became a place where he translated the Bible into German and wrote many theological treatises. Yet the Reformation did not stop. Luther lamented that he was not directly involved. He was not only concerned with the acceptance of new forms and regulations of church practice, but was also concerned for those experiencing those reforms.
Luther had confessed at the Diet Worms that his conscience was captive to the Word of God. A good conscience, freed from anxiety over God’s judgment, he believed, rested solely upon work and Word of Christ. To have such a conscience, the Christian needed to be properly instructed in God’s Law and Gospel. Luther’s concern was for the individual’s faith and taking hold of the Gospel. During the ten months that Luther was at the Wartburg Castle he wrote profusely. Now, Luther assumed that all the ink he was spilling was being listened to by his university colleagues and the city council of Wittenberg when implementing the reforms. However, such was not the case.
Luther itching for any reason to get out of the Wartburg Castle. Thus, when word got back to him that the reforms of the Reformation were being foisted upon the people in un-evangelical ways, he took the first carriage ride back to his parish church in Wittenberg. Once there, he announced his intentions “to speak on these matters” in the Parish Church beginning March 9, 1522. He preached from Sunday to Sunday, March 9-16. Later they would be termed his “Invocavit Sermons” because they preached on the First Sunday in Lent. As an aside, Invocavit, in Latin, means “he shall call,” which is the opening phrase of the Introit (Psalm 91:15a) for the First Sunday in Lent. From these sermons we can glean five important principles of change in the church.
First. Change must be required by the Gospel. This is the most basic and fundamental. Luther says, “take note of these things, ‘must,’ and ‘free.’” Faith is non-negotiable. You can never let that be taken away. Every Christian should be obstinate when it comes to the “musts” of the Christian faith. This is doctrine. Doctrine and faith can never change. “But ‘free’ is that which I have a choice, and may use or not, yet in such a way that it profits my brother and me.”
Second. The Word, not force, should effect change. Even when the Gospel makes change necessary, it should never be forced. Luther writes, “In the things which are ‘musts’ and are matters of necessity, such as believing in Christ, love nevertheless never uses force or undue constraint.” Here Luther gives two examples. First, the Sacrifice of the Mass is an awful thing. But Luther insisted that no one should be forced to do away with it. Rather, he says that change “should be left to God and his Word should be allowed to work alone, without our work or interference.” The other example Luther uses is his insistence that Communion be given in both kinds (body and blood). He agrees that “it is necessary that the sacrament should be received in both kinds.” But then he is quick to add that it “must not be made compulsory nor a general law.” Rather, we teach, preach, and then afterward leave the result and execution of it entirely to the Word, giving everyone his freedom in this matter. Never force change. Let the Word do it.
Third. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. Some of the reformers were quite prone to the imposition of new laws as were the Roman Catholics from whom they sought to free the German people. In essence, they simply exchanged the verbiage of the Law. Of the chief transgressors in this respect was a man by the name of Andreas Karlstadt, the chancellor of the University of Wittenberg and a contemporary and colleague of Luther. In Luther’s absence, Karlstadt had imposed new laws upon the Christians. He was just as bad as the Roman Catholics, Luther would say. And one law that Luther found particularly irksome was the rule that you had to take the Communion bread into your hand then then into your mouth. Luther would quip, “You become as foolish as the pope, in that you think that a person must touch the sacrament with his hands.” Granted, Luther was of the belief that the first disciples took it with their hands, but this certainly didn’t justify making a law out of the matter.
Generally speaking, Luther preferred to retain an old custom unless it conflicted with the Gospel. The new law about handling the bread while not sinful, should be revoked. The church should go back to the old way of receiving the bread in their mouth because “the universal custom is to receive the blessed sacrament from the hands of the priest.” Luther surmised, if it isn’t broken don’t fix it.
Fourth. Don’t let yourself get pushed around. This principle involves making rules in matters of Christian freedom. Luther was a stubborn man, not simply because he was German, though I am guessing that has something to do with it. He was a Christian. And there are times when a Christian ought to be stubborn. We are stubborn in our refusal to be saddled with human laws that God does not intend. St. Paul instructs, “Stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Any time a church rule burdens Christians beyond what Christ has placed upon them, then the church is being made a slave. She must resist. She must disobey. She must be stubborn.
St. Paul addresses this at length in his epistle to the Galatians regarding circumcision. He says you are free to get circumcised or not. So there really should not be any laws about circumcision. Fellow Christians were saying at the time that you must be circumcised in order to be a complete Christian. So Paul responded by saying that the people were not only free to not get circumcised, but they were obligated to disobey the imposition of the new rule (Galatians 5:2) Paul reasoned in this situation that if you caved into the pressure of accepting a new law, then you were obligated to be saved by observing the Law and then Christ died for nothing. In sum, Luther insisted that it was not enough simply to assert your freedom. You were obligated, in the case of a false law, to disobey. When it comes to the Gospel, don’t let yourself get pushed around.
Fifth. Always yield to the weak. Luther is clearly concerned with the principle of love. He says, “love demands that you have compassion on the weak.” What motivated Luther out of the Wartburg Castle was a concern that the changes in Wittenberg had not been initiated out of concern and love for the weak. Love is patient. It doesn’t expect others to understand change more quickly than is realistic. Even if mature Christians know the need for change, that doesn’t justify change. They have had the time to learn. Give others the same time. Luther gives the example, draw from the Scriptures, of a mother feeding her children. “First she gives it milk, then gruel, then eggs and soft food.” So, we should be patient with our neighbor and allow him to move slowly toward solid food. Even when change is necessary for the sake of the Gospel, it must be initiated slowly in mindfulness toward the weak.
Love also distinguishes. The more I serve in the pastoral office, I find that the most difficult thing to do in the parish is to distinguish between those people who are weak and those who are strong. The ability to tell the difference is vital art of pastoral shepherding, especially when change is needed. In his day, Luther was commanded not to eat meat on Fridays. Those commanding him were strong and stubborn. In response he defiantly ate meat. You must resist the strong and who would impede the freedom of the Gospel. At the same time, Luther did not eat meat in front of those who were weak. He says, “If we use our liberty unnecessarily, and deliberately cause offense to our neighbor, we drive away the very one who in time would come to our faith.” Further, Luther explains his practice of both eating and not eating. “Toward such well meaning [weak in faith] people we must assume an entirely different attitude from that which we assume toward the stubborn.”
The impetus for this newsletter article is the perennial difficultly that pastors and parishes face when change occurs. Wanting to better equipped to deal with the various changes that have and continue to happen in our parish, I am reflecting on Luther’s Invocavit Sermons [Luther’s Works 51:69-100] to help us all walk together in the Gospel. We ought to be reminded that not all change in church practice is bad, but nor is it always warranted or ready to be embraced. We must further reflect as individuals and as a parish on these five principles from Luther’s Invocavit Sermons. I believe there is great wisdom here in learning how to live together as the body of Christ with many different members.
In the fraternal fellowship of the Gospel and the forgiveness of sins. Blessed Holy Week.
Pastor Raffa.

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Pilgrim News
Dartball Team Wins Big!
Pilgrim took first place in the big end of the year church dartball tournament. We played 10 games, 5 Saturday night, and 5 Sunday day. Of the 10 games, we went 8-2, to win the tournament by 1 game. Our team this year consisted of Gabe Kempf, Bryan Kempf, Jason Stange, Ron Stange, Ed Kleinke, John Meillahn, Lindsay Feucht, Becky Kuehl, Bradd Gutknecht, Fred Geidel, Bernie Stern, and Scott Stern
Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday April 9.
We are looking for help with stuffing the eggs on Wednesday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. Also with hiding the eggs on Saturday, April 9 starting at 9:00 a.m.
The Hunt itself will start at 10:00 a.m.
We will need help with helping the young ones finding the eggs, and with clean up, making sure the eggs are matched up again and put away properly, putting away any extra prizes and the area’s used are neat and clean for the Palm Sunday services. We will especially need help with making sure ALL of the eggs are found, if anyone finds an egg after the hunt they are more than welcome to the candy and or prizes therein.
We are still looking for Candy, small individually wrapped, Need to be to the office by April 6th.
If you are willing to help out with the Egg stuffing or the Hunt itself, PLEASE sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Without your help we may not have a Hunt.
“So how’s life? Are you stuck? Are you burdened? Are you troubled? Are you afraid? Do you think you’ve got nothing to live for? Stop acting like Jesus is dead because He’s not. Look again at His life-giving hands. Jesus is alive! Let’s act like it. Let’s pray like it. Let’s believe like it. Let’s embrace His call, ‘I am sending you’ (John 20:21), and bring the Gospel to everyone, one soul at a time. Live life like there is no death because Easter means there is no death. Easter makes life really worth living.” Rev. Peter Sulzle, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Redwood Falls, Minnesota – A Life Quote from Lutherans For Life • lutheransforlife.org
Holy Week and Easter Services
Palm Sunday April 10 Divine Service 8 & 10:30 a.m.
Maundy Thursday April 14 Divine Service 1 & 7 p.m.
Good Friday April 15 Services 1 & 7 p.m.
Easter Saturday April 16 Easter Vigil 6:30 p.m.
Easter Sun Rise April 17 6:00 a.m.
Easter Breakfast April 17 7:00 a.m.
Easter Divine Service April 17 8 & 10:30 a.m.

UP COMING EVENTS
You are Invited !!
Seeing the Resurrection Today
The accounts of Jesus’ resurrection are often seen as describing something that happened along time ago. However, the greatest part of these narratives is how they put the resurrection right into the church’s worship of all times and places.
Join us as Rev. Dr. Brian German leads us to a fresh look at these beloved texts.
Tuesdays, May 3, 10, and 17
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
at
Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church
462 Meadowbrook Drive
West Bend, WI 53090
262-334-0375
Rev. Dr. Brian German is Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia University Wisconsin and Director of the
Concordia Bible Institute.
Zone 7 Spring Rally to be held here at Pilgrim
Tuesday, April 26
6:00 p.m. Light Supper
7:00 p.m. Speaker: Dave Fellenz
“I have called you by name, You are mine” Isaiah 43:1
God has CHOSEN you! Video Presentation
8:00 p.m. Installation of Vice -President and Treasurer of Zone 7
Offering
Closing Litany—Pastor Raffa
We will be having a collection for Family Promise (Homeless in Washington County)
Items needed are:
Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Magic Erasers, Dish Soap,
13 gallon Garbage Bags, Clear Plastic Bins, Can Openers,
Pizza Cutters, Dish Sponges, Shower Curtain, Shower Curtain Liners, Toilet Plungers, Toilet Brushes.
There will be a bin out in the Narthex for the donations.

April 2022 — Page #

Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church
Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
March 7, 2022
Attendees: Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Gary, Patrick, Dan, Dennis, Dave, Kurt
The meeting began at 6:30 PM with prayer, song, and devotion led by Pastor Fisher.
Elder schedules were made through April.
The next elder meeting will be April 4.
Correction to February minutes: St. Paul encourages us that “all things should be done decently and in order.” In the minutes from last month’s meeting they stated, “we discussed members singing while at the altar during Communion. We reached a consensus that members should not sing while at the altar during Communion.” This does not accurately convey the intent and spirit of our discussion. It is our understanding that the aim was that we are respectfully asking members when singing joyfully at the Lord’s Table, to do so softly so that fellow communicants are not distracted from receiving the Lord’s Sacrament. We certainly desire all to make a joyful noise unto the lord and feel welcomed and encouraged to sing. We pray this clarification aids in walking together and caring for our neighbors as well as our participation in the Divine Service.
Lenten Dinner: We discussed the Lenten dinner that the Elder’s will sponsor on Thursday, March 17. Dave reported that Ron had asked him to suggest Shepherd's Pie as an idea. We do have seed money from Thrivent Action Team to help us with the dinner.
We reviewed the questions from Chapter 9, The Lord’s Supper from the Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity. At our April 4 meeting we will be reviewing Chapter 10, Luther’s Small Catechism.
We had a roundtable where everyone had a chance to give updates.
Patrick brought up a question regarding possibly needing to clear out some of our outdated books in the library.
Patrick brought up the idea of doing the rite of Corporate and Confession at a future service.
Pastor Fisher said he will be starting services at Vista Pointe. One of our members there is Arlene Zicker.
Pastor Fisher gave us an update on the dates that he will be gone due to his daughter’s wedding and his son-in--law’s call night at seminary.
The meeting ended with prayer at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Jenovai

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Church council Report
Church Council March 14, 2022 Minutes
The Pilgrim Church Council March 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, Karen Spiering, and Jim Behrens.
Pastor Fisher began the meeting with a devotion from the hymnal.
The minutes of the February 14 meeting were accepted as published, without objection.
Elders Report – Tanner Schmidt
There will be a correction to the Elders February minutes as follows: St. Paul encourages us that “all things should be done decently and in order”. In the minutes from last month’s meeting they stated, “we discussed members singing while at the altar during Communion. We reached a consensus that members should not sing while at the altar during Communion.” This does not accurately convey the intent and spirit of our discussion. It is our understanding that the aim was that we are respectfully asking members when singing joyfully at the Lords Table, to do so softly so that fellow communicants are not distracted from receiving the Lord’s Sacrament. We certainly desire all to make a joyful noise unto the Lord and feel welcomed and encouraged to sing. We pray this clarification aids in walking together and caring for our neighbors as well as our participation in the Divine Service.
Elders will serve Shepard’s Pie as a Lenten meal on March 17.
Trustees Report – Rob Selzler
Repaired the closer on the west door of the Fellowship Hall by installing a new cylinder.
Updating thermostats to daylight-savings time.
Expecting the roof gutters to be installed soon.
Treasurers Report – Jacob Hand
A motion to accept the January 31 financial report that was provided was made by Tanner, seconded by Nancy, and passed on voice vote.
A motion to add The South Wisconsin District (LCMS) and Pilgrim’s payroll to the list of approved online payments was made by Tanner, seconded by Nancy, and passed on voice vote.
A motion giving Jacob permission to work with Payroll Express to apply for the IRS Employee Retention Credit was made by Tanner, seconded by Nancy, and passed on voice vote.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
Will be away from the office April 2-3 to attend daughter’s wedding and April 27-28 to attend son-in-law’s call night at the Seminary.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
Sunday School attendance has been stable at 7-10 students attending weekly.
A new church directory has been requested. Online and printed versions are possible. Pastor Fisher has the name of a company that does them. He will contact them and report on his findings at the next meeting.
A motion was made by Pastor Fisher and passed on voice vote to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting closed with a prayer by Pastor Raffa.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

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Birthdays
2– Benjamin Grosskreuz
Brian Nitzke
3- Mary Lehtimaki
5- Dennis Engmann
Karen Spiering
6- Phyllis Weihert
7– Jerome Sommer
8– Melanie Buchholz
Suzanne Stadelmayer
9- Lynn Kreuser
10- Collin Olig
12- Natalie Ruppier
13- Emily Foti
16- Mallorie Held
17- Levi Spaeth
18- Susan Grosskreuz
Mike Mejchar
20- Nancy Rosenthal
23- Darleen Baerenwald
Traci Chapman
Cheryl Virchow
24- Kurt Meyle Jr.
27- Elaine Pintor
Azalea Wollner
28- Rev. Joseph Fisher
Kenneth Sauter
Anniversaries
7- Howard & Marlene Glassel
15- Paul & Barb Soat
19- Joy & Jeffery Buchholz
Gregory & Betty Voelzke
25- Jeremiah & Gertrude Sullivan
26- Becky & Christopher Ruppier
27– Tim & Sherry Cullen
Mike & Linda Mejchar

month volunteer schedule
Sunday, April 3: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Nancy A.
Altar Guild: Laurie L. / Nancy R.
Elder: Kurt M. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 1 / 4
Acolyte: Matthias R.. / Georgia J.
Thursday, April 7:1:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Karen S.
Elder: Dennis E. / Kurt M.
Usher Team: / B
Sunday, April 10: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Linda M.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Julie R
Elder: Ron K. / Dan S.
Usher Team: 3 / 8
Acolyte: Victoria M. / Wade J.
Thursday, April 14: 1:00 p.m. / 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Julie R. / Ginny S.
Elder: Gary J. / Dave F.
Usher Team: / A
Acolyte: Dylan K.
Friday, April 15: 1:00 p.m./ 7:00 p.m.
Elder: Dennis E. / Tanner S.
Usher Team: / B
Saturday, April 16: 6:30 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, April 17: 6:00 a.m. / 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: / Carolyn M./ Carolyn M.
Elder: Ron K. / Dan S. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 1 / 3 / 2
Acolyte: Rachel R. / Matthias R. / Josiah R.
Thursday, April 21: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K.
Elder: Dan S.
Usher Team: B
Acolyte: Dylan K.
Sunday, April 24: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Kathryn P.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder: Dave F. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 1 / 4
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Violet S.
Thursday, April 28: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A

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The Lord’s Supper and the Ascension
By the Rev. Jacob Hercamp

These are thoughts that I had when reading the wonderful book Without Flesh: Why the Church is Dying even Though Christ is Still Alive by Jonathan Fisk published by CPH. I highly recommend this book to be read for the continued strengthening and resolve to trust our Lord’s Promise made to us in His Supper.
Now that the Resurrection of our Lord has passed, the Body of Christ, turns her attention to her Lord’s ascension and His promise that “it is for your benefit that I go away.” It is an audacious promise for the disciples to belief because what is better than having Jesus “present” with them? How is it better for Jesus to go away? It makes no sense to our human minds. What if I told you our Risen Lord Jesus is more present with us now after His ascension than He was while He walked on Earth during His Ministry?
Remember who Jesus is. He is God in the Flesh. God has the power to be everywhere at any moment in time. When Jesus walked the earth before His death and resurrection, He denied himself these rights of His divinity. He was locally present with His Disciples in Galilee. The Church speaks of this as Christ’s time of Humiliation. But before Jesus ascended into heaven, He spoke to his Disciples, “All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me” (Matt 28:18). The authority of God has really always been Jesus’ authority. Now He wields all that authority as a man! When He ascends to the Right Hand of God, He is now saying that His body can be anywhere He wants it to go. As Paul says, “Christ fills all things.” He does so in His body of flesh and blood. The Sacrament of the Altar in particular is one of those places by which He promises to give Himself and the forgiveness of sins.
Christ hears our prayers and all the prayers of the saints around the world with His own human ears. So also, now that He has ascended, He can be at every altar in His body where the Sacrament of the Altar is being celebrated. And this, my friends, is better for us. He, as the God Man, ascended to the right hand of God so that He could be with His Church in a way far more beneficial than merely sitting on a throne somewhere in Jerusalem. Hence, why we hear the words of Luke as the apostles leave the mountain. They were rejoicing, for they knew Christ had not left them, but rather was with them forever (Luke 24:52–53, cf. Matthew 28:20). They firmly believed that wherever they gathered together in the name of Jesus and according to His commands, there Jesus was with them physically in flesh and blood for the forgiveness of sins and salvation. The Church has repeated those commands more often than any other words of Christ a in remembrance of Him. They are “Take, eat” and “Take, drink.”
Let us give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, who came in the flesh, died, and rose in the flesh also ascended in the flesh. He does it all for our benefit that He may be with His whole church on Earth in His flesh and blood for our forgiveness and eternal salvation.
———————————
This article was first published on the Blog: What Does This Mean? Lutheran Theology for the Everyday People, It can be accessed at this link: https://whatdoesthismean.blog/the-lords-supper-and-ascension/

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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 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.
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.
Membership report
Baptized: None
Transferred In: None
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership: None
Church Council Approved Online Payments for:
Approved Vendor/Payee Church Council Meeting Date

April 2022— Page #

From the ForT

CTS exists
to form servants
in Jesus Christ who teach the faithful, reach the lost, and
care for all.

Spring quarter begins shortly and classes I will be taking include Minor Prophets, James, Ministry in a Pluralistic Context, and Theologia III: Lord’s Supper. I can hardly believe that our time among our seminary family is drawing to a close.
“First years don’t know that much; second years know EVERYTHING; Vicars learn that they don’t know everything; fourth years know that they’ll never know everything.” Maybe you’ve heard this before, but I can attest to the accuracy of this statement having lived the life of a Seminarian for the past four years. A little over two years ago, we anxiously awaited our vicarage placement service. Today we anxiously await the Candidate Call Service. It’s comforting to look retrospectively at how the Lord has provided for us over the past four years. We can look ahead to the future with confidence that He will continue to provide our daily bread wherever He calls us to serve. If you are interested in watching the Service - it will be livestreamed at https://callday.ctsfw.edu/ (NOTE: I believe the website information may need to be updated). The Vicarage and Deaconess Assignment Service will be Tuesday, April 26th at 7pm EST and the Candidate Call Service will be Wednesday, April 27th at 7pm EST.
I request that you would continue to pray, not only for me, but for both of our seminaries' (Concordia St. Louis & Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne) fourth-year students who are anticipating the calls they'll receive in a short month and a half. The past two years' classes were sent into a world beset by COVID concerns and questions. This year, depending on how long the Russo-Ukrainian War lasts, our seminarians will preach their first sermons being ordained to people concerned about how high gas prices and other economic factors hamper their families' livelihoods. These new pastors will watch their congregation members who may be deployed to Europe however duty calls them. The persistent questions of our vulnerability to nuclear attack may bother some parishioners more than others. And all these things will add to the day-to-day matters besetting families, schools, and congregations.
Through it all, not just despite it, our pastors-new and seasoned-will stand in the pulpit, at the baptismal font and altar, by people's bedsides, and in classrooms giving the free gifts of Word and Sacrament. May our gracious, Mighty Fortress, preserve our pastors from temptations to shrink back from declaring His full counsel. May they be filled with the joy of courageously confessing Christ to friend and stranger alike. May our Lord Jesus give us willing ears and hearts atuned to our pastors' care and counsel, for God has sent His men to teach it to us.
And may we not forget to pray also for those congregations who remain vacant. “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38). If you or someone you know is interested in following the path which I have been on - pray for them, encourage them, and let them know about CTSFW’s Prayerfully Consider Visit events (https://www.ctsfw.edu/pcv).
My family cannot thank you enough for your prayers and support! May God continue to guide and bless you all as you live in His service. God’s peace be with you always.
In Christ!
Austin, Beth, Edmund, & Agatha Meier

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April 2022 — Page #

Communal Prayers
Prayer on Palm Sunday: O Lord, God heavenly Father, who in Your fatherly grace did not spare Your only Son, but gave Him into death, even to death of the cross; we beseech You to send Your Holy Spirit into our hearts that we may take heartfelt comfort in this grace, continue to avoid sin, and patiently bear whatever You appoint for our sufferings, that through Him we may have eternal salvation. Amen.
Prayer on Maundy Thursday: Eternal Savior You have sealed unto me the forgiveness of all my sins and given me reconciliation and peace in the blessed Sacrament which You instituted on this day. You have promised to give me with the bread and the cup Your body and blood for the forgiveness of my sins. What riches of divine wisdom. In awe and wonderment, I ponder upon this gracious gift. You have bidden me to use this gift as often as You give it and in remembrance of You. Preserve in Your Christian Church this blessed Sacrament given on this sacred day. Amen.
Prayer on Good Friday: O Christ, the Lamb of God, slain for sin of the whole world, with penitent heart I come before You, pleading for mercy and forgiveness. In Your sufferings and cross you have nailed my sins to You in utter agony, darkness, and mystery, that I would not perish but have eternal life. Your sacrificial death brings healing to my body and soul, peace to my mind, and cleansing of my heart. I behold You bleeding, despised, forsaken, dying, pierced, suffering the due penalty of my sins. And yet you say to me, “Today you will be with in paradise.” O darkest woe, oh greatest comfort in Your promise that You have finished the work of my salvation and brought me through suffering into your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
Prayer on Holy Saturday: Divine and ever-living Savior, You did go into the grave and make death a sleep from which our mortal bodies shall arise on the Last Day. We shall live because You live. Let me look forward with joy to the day of my departure, confidently believing that I shall rise from the dust of the earth with a body like unto Your glorious body. Be with me when my last hour comes. Forgive me all my sins, fill my body and soul with peace, and make me unafraid of the Judgement to come, knowing that that there is no condemnation for them that believe. Amen.
Prayer at Rising on Easter: O Lord Jesus, remind me as I rise from sleep this morning, how You did on this Sunday rise from the dead. Fill me this day with the perfect joy and the abundant trust in the glory of Your resurrection. May Your Gospel this day speak sureness and peace to my heart. Let people everywhere be quickened to a newness of faith and life. Give me the power to overcome every force of evil, sin, and the devil, because with You I walk in the righteous light of everlasting life. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Janette Mullins, Nancy Torre, Delores Crawley, Paul & Barb Soat, Bob & Sue Schlinsock, Carolyn Bren, Sheryl Pajewski, Carl & Lois Pritzlaff, 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 Schmidt, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer
(If you feel that your family member was removed from the list and you would like them back on, please contact the office)

Voice of Faith

April 2022 — Page #

April 2022					1 / Office Closed	2 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
3 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12p. Adult Class: 1st. Samuel	4 / 6:30 p. Elders Meeting	5 / 2 p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	6 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 5:30p. Easter Egg Stuffing / 6:30p Adult Class: Lutheran Difference	7 / 9a. Adult Class: 1st Samuel / 1p Divine Service / 5:30 p. Lenten Dinner / 7p Divine Service	8 / Office Closed	9 / 9a. Hiding Easter Eggs / 10a Easter Egg Hunt
10 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12p. Adult Class: 1st. Samuel	11 / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	12 / 2 p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	13 / 6:30p Adult Class:	14 / Maundy Thursday / 9a. Adult Class: 1st Samuel / 1 & 7p Divine Service	15 / Office Closed / Good Friday / 1 & 7p Service	15 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study / 6:30 p. Easter Vigil
Easter Sunday / 6a Sunrise Service / 7a Easter Breakfast / 8a Divine Service / 10:30a Divine Service	18	19 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting / 2 p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	20 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class:	21 / 9a. Adult Class: 1st Samuel / 7p Divine Service	22 / Office Closed	23
24 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: Life of Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12p. Adult Class: 1st. Samuel	25 / 10:30 a. Chapel @Jackson Crossing / Chapel @ Vista Pointe II	26 / 2 p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	27 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class:	28 / 9a. Adult Class: 1st Samuel / 7p Divine Service	29 / Office Closed / Chapel @ Vista Pointe II	30 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study

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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

Christ has Risen
Indeed!!
Alleluia!!!

WE Energies	November 8, 2021
GFL Environmental	November 8, 2021
Concordia Plan Services	November 8, 2021
Brotherhood Mutual	November 8, 2021
Quill, LLC	December 13, 2021
West Bend Water Utility	December 13, 2021
Promissory Note	February 14, 2022
Conley Media	February 14, 2022
Concordia Publishing House	February 14, 2022
Great America Financial Services	February 14, 2022
South Wisconsin District - LCMS	March 14, 2022
Payroll	March 14, 2022

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
2-6
Lutheran News
7
From the Fort
10
Communal Prayers
12
Birthdays & Anniversaries
6
Calendar
13

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