Author: Julie Raffa

June 2020

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

Marriage as Holy Ground
“ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh.” Mark 10:7-8 (ESV)

I am sharing this parts of a paper presented at our recent Circuit Pastors’ meeting. It is written by Rev. Scott Bruzek from Our Savior Lutheran Church, Momence, IL in 1996
Ecclesiastical Vending Machines
In a nearby parish the pastor is discouraged. He complains that when it comes to marriage, pastors are not really considered pastors anymore. Instead, most people think of him as an ecclesiastical vending machine. If they put in the right amount of money… and then push the right buttons, they expect the perfect wedding to pop out. They assume that marriage within the church is offered as a public service, as if the church is just Las Vegas without the kitsch and the pastor is no more than a justice of the peace. In allowing people to think this way about the church, we have lost the sense of the holy. We have surrendered the joy of Adam and Eve at peace with the Lord in Eden (Genesis n 2:21-25). We have failed to speak of Moses' awe in slipping off his sandals and hiding his face before the Lord at the Burning Bush (Ex 3:3-6) or of the disciples' terror on the Mount of Transfiguration as they fall face down before Jesus with the shining face (Mark 9:6; Matthew 17:6).
In other words, we have lost the sense of the church as otherworldly. We have forgotten that things happen in the church that happen nowhere else, that words and deedare said and done in the church that are said and done nowhere else, and that gifts are given and received in the church that are given and received nowhere else. It is within the church that the holy Lord of heaven and earth has chosen to dwell among his people graciously, and by his merciful presence to hallow the space and the time. Certainly the church is in the world, but it is not of the world—it is otherworldly, it is holy (John 15:19; 17:11-59). This is what we confess each week in the creeds: "I believe in one, holy, Christian, and apostolic church."
If we have lost the sense of the holy—the sense of who the Lord is: the Holy One; and what the Lord does: holy things; and when the Lord does them: sacred time; and where the Lord does them: sacred space; and why: for the saints, the holy ones—even if only in this little corner of the church called matrimony, and the church no longer speaks of holiness, then who will? No one. Others may champion values, character, or virtues. The new book Integrity, for example, written by Yale Law School Professor Stephen Carter, takes up marriage and divorce in this way. Still others may lament our moral poverty. In November of 1995, John Dilulio a professor of politics and public affairs at Princeton University, observed that crime in the United States has been decreasing for the past few years, but he calls this "the lull before the storm." He warns that there are "forty Million kids ten years old or younger" who are about to become teenagers. This is the biggest group of adolescents in a generation, and many of them, says he, are "fatherless, godless, and jobless." Analyses like these of Carter and DiIulio are quite valuable, and they ought to engage us. They do not, however, speak of holiness. That is not their Arnt (office).
To be faithful as a Christian and a pastor is to speak of holy things. Among the holy things done in Christ's holy church is holy marriage. That is how the liturgy speaks—of holy marriage. This thing done at altars each summer Saturday before God and witnesses is something utterly otherworldly and wholly sacred. Marriage is holy ground. Marriage is sacred space.
I am told by a family therapist that most couples who come to him for marriage counseling come for advice. They seek strategies and techniques They want to know precisely what to do, and so that is how most counseling starts, even though he, as a therapist and pastor, believes he has much more to offer. In the paragraphs that follow, however, the point will not be what to do, but where. I will not say; Do this, but be sure not to do that; try this, but never try, that. Rather I hope to remind us where these things are done, so that once again we might think of marriage as holy ground and speak of marriage as sacred space—like Eden, the Burning Bush, or the Mount of Transfiguration.
This summit, as I understand it, is meant to discourage any diminished understanding of holy marriage—to shake and rattle any thoughts of pastors as ecclesiastical vending machines, of the church as a little Las Vegas, and of matrimony as no more than marks on a page in the county clerk's office-, as it encourages. us to rejoice in the full riches of this glorious gift from the Lord.
A SELF-INFLICTED SCOURGE
….First, we have brought it upon us by our practice. On the whole, we oblige those who appear before us seeking marriage far to quickly.…With such practice, we not only diminish holy marriage but also teach others to do the same. It is now regularly the case that when two are about to become one, the pastor finds out just after the parents, the friends, the wedding coordinator, the florist, the tailor, the band, the caterer, the butcher, the baker, and candlestick maker—the pastor is last to know. But insofar as we are culpable, it is just deserts. By our practice of uniting almost any two persons who appear before us, and thus minimizing the holiness of marriage, we pastor's have robbed ourselves of a very important opportunity to be Seelsorger (curers of souls), pastors who hear confession, pronounce absolution, offer prayers, and speak the enlivening words of the Lord Jesus Christ. By our practice, we pastors have often rob (my guilt) bed ourselves of the chance to be pastors. Mea culpa,
Second, we have brought this scourge upon ourselves by our confession. For too long we have left Marriage lying in the kingdom of the left hand, the civil kingdom outside the Church. Certainly we see marriage as a proper function of the state, enhancing family structure and social order. But when we regard marriage as merely secular, considering pastors to be no more than agents of state and neglecting the propria (attributes) of Christian marriage, then it is small wonder that twice in the last year I have been asked to preside over weddings at Medieval Times, an indoor theme park near Chicago. There the bride comes dressed as a princess, the groom arrives in armor on horseback, guests come in costume, and I suspect that with a party of seventy-five or more the pastor receives a. free tonsure. All are present for a very quick Old English "I do" before heading to the banquet hall to rip roasted Chickens apart with bare hands and throw the bones at each other, no silverware or napkins required.
In such a scene we have abdicated our responsibilities as pastors because we have not said all that Christ has given us to say, or done all that Christ has given us to do, or given all that Christ has given us to give. We err when we simply let marriage lie in the kingdom of the left hand, Mea culpa.
But just to move the ceremony from the banquet hall to the church building does not get it completely right. A more subtle error remains. Even within the church, we err when we speak of marriage first and foremost as our work, as something that we do. The seeds of this Be in seeing Marriage primarily as the public ecclesiastical affirmation of a private vow and the pastor primarily as a witness to this act of two People joining themselves together. This view is hopelessly anthropocentric, focusing on our hearts, our love, our vows, our words, and our works. Mea Maxima Culpa.
Against lapses in practice where pastors unite almost anyone and lapses in confession that speak of marriage as our work come holy words from the Holy One, Jesus Christ. It was He who replied to the Pharisees, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4-6).
THE LORD’S WORK:
FITTING TOGETHER PERSONS WHO FIT
From Jesus Christ we hear that marriage is God’s act. At the altar the Lord’s words and works unite a man and woman as one. His gracious words and works on our behalf, of course, are nothing new. They are the history of life and salvation. As Gerhard Von Rad wrote of the Lord’s call to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), “Yahweh is the subject of the first verb at the beginning of the first statement and thus the subject of the entire subsequent sacred history.” Sacred history is holy history with Yahweh as protagonist, the Actor with a capital A.
While this is nothing new, it often is forgotten. Regrettably, the history of ancient Israel as well as the history of the church can be told as the story of those who have neglected the Lord, His words, and His works. Specifically, in our practice and confession of marriage we have often proceeded as if marriage is ours to do with as we please. This runs hard against Jesus’ words. But with the Lord there is forgiveness, and today is an especially good day to remember that marriage is the Lord’s work. After all, remembering is a biblical synonym for faithfulness. When it comes to holy matrimony, precisely what are the faithful to be confessing? Just what is the Lord doing at the altar? A clue lies within the New Testament word for marriage, gamew. Its root, gam- or gem-, means to fit together or to pair. In confounding the Pharisees, Jesus speaks even more graphically of marriage: “What therefore God has joined together (suvnezeuxev, which literally means yoked together and more generally means joined together or paired], let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6). This image of yoking, of a harness that lies across and loops around the necks of two draft animals, is almost lost on us today, but its implications are striking. Marriage is where the Lord himself fits and fastens two persons to each other.
This is one point, therefore, where premarital counseling may begin. When a man and woman come to a pastor in preparation for marriage, private fears are often given voice: Is he the right one for me? Is she my one and only? Are we the perfect match? Will our love hold?
Here the pastor serves best by redirecting them toward the words and works of Jesus Christ. Why do those whom the Lord fits together in holy marriage fit each other so well? Why do they match? It is because of something in their past. A Christian man and woman match because, before they appear at the altar to be fit to one another, each one already has been fit to Jesus Christ. Before these two come to the altar to be yoked together, each one already has been yoked individually to Jesus Christ. As Christians, each one has already had Jesus’ yoke laid across the shoulders and looped around the neck. Each one had already been encircled by Jesus’ yoke—his meek, mild, humble, trusting, serving, restful, gentle, loving, light, joyful, gospel yoke. That is how Christ describes his yoke in Matthew 11. This yoke is the gospel. It is the free gift of forgiveness from Jesus Christ that bestows life and salvation (Matthew. 11:29-30; see also Matthew 23:4). Why do two Christians who stand at the altar fit each other? On their wedding day, at that sacred time and in that sacred place, they fit each other because each one has been fit to Jesus Christ first. Quite simply, they fit each other because each one has been hallowed and saint matches saint.
HOW IS THIS DONE?
To explain all of this it is best to start at the start. Jesus began with the Pharisees this way, “Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female?” (Matthew 19:4).
From the beginning? Now is the time to speak of Adam, of dust drawn together and enlivened by the whoosh of holy breath: “and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). Life is a gift! Now is the time to speak of Eve, in whom Adam rejoices. “At last,” he cries, “bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). Eve given to Adam and Adam to Eve. Life together is a gift! With intellect and wills perfectly yoked to the Lord himself, Adam and Eve perfectly match each other. They fit each other because the Lord made each of them holy.
That holiness, unfortunately, was lost in the Fall as original righteousness gave way to original sin. But the Fall was not the end of the matter. Now is the time to speak of the Second Adam, of the Lord incarnate (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 5:12-19). The Second Adam comes, takes human flesh, fulfills the law, and gives his life for us in death on Calvary, all to hallow us. Thus a prayer attributed to St. Innocent rejoices,
No human being by himself could or can restore what Adam lost. And what would have happened to us if Jesus Christ in his mercy had not redeemed us? What would have happened to the whole human race? God who loves us far more than we love ourselves, in his great mercy sent his Son Jesus Christ to save us.
Jesus Christ comes among us as Second Adam, redeeming us and drawing all sacred history toward its sacred end in Second Eden, in heaven. Holy Jesus, this Second Adam—he gives hope for marriage.
Before going on we must be absolutely clear. Jesus Christ is holy. We are not. Since the Fall, there is absolutely no good or righteous thing in us naturally. And yet he forgives our sins, declaring us holy, counting us righteous, and calling us saints (Ephesians 1:1). How is it that his holiness—a righteousness so righteous that it is totally alien and external to us—is applied to us? Ephesians 5:25-27 delivers an answer:
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water and the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.”
Made holy by water and the word? Now is the time to speak of holy baptism. Holy baptism, after all, is a matter of good and evil, and so a matter of life and death. William Willimon, Dean of the Chapel at Duke University, tells of the baptism of a child in a Central American village. When the child was brought into the church, he was carried to the font in a coffin. Can you imagine such a thing? No pomp, no whirring video cameras, no giddy sponsors, no grinning grandparents, no flashbulbs. He was borne to the water in a coffin as his parents softly wept. It was as if they were bringing their child forward for death. And of course they were, for that is precisely how Paul speaks of baptism in Romans. To be baptized is to die with Christ and to die to sin. But that is not the end of the matter. To be baptized is also to live with Christ and in Christ. The baptized have been moved out from a kingdom of sin and death into Jesus’ meek, mild, humble, trusting, serving, restful, gentle, loving, light, joyful, gospel kingdom. Holy baptism—that gives hope for marriage.
And why stop there? Now is the time to speak of holy supper. After all, in the later liturgies of the early Eastern Church, just before the distribution of the Lord’s Supper, the bishop’s voice rang out, “The holy things for the holy ones.” The holy things are the body and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The holy ones are the baptized. The ancient liturgies confessed that the Lord Jesus Christ puts his true body and his true blood upon the tongues of sinners at the holy supper. The liturgy still proclaims this truth: the very same body and blood that two thousand years ago was laid upon the cross is today laid upon our tongues at the altar. It is there not in a way that we can touch or taste or smell or feel or see, but in a way that forgives. These holy things hallow us, binding us to the Lord and to our spouses in divine koinonia. Holy things for the holy ones at the holy supper—that too gives hope for marriage. ….
I will complete this excellent essay in the months to come. May God richly bless you and yours and we continue through this time of Pandemic.
God bless, Pastor Fisher

Pastor’s Page...Continued from page 1)

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June 2020 — Page #

Pilgrim News
Pilgrim Food Pantry has an urgent need for toilet paper, laundry detergent and Kleenex. Thank you for continued support of this church/community project.
Online Summer Workshops from Concordia Seminary is a faculty-led program offering three-day, in-depth, studies on contemporary topics that influence ministry and worship.
June 15—7: Dr. Reed Lessing &
Dr. Timothy Saleska
June 22—24: Dr. Abjar Bahkou
June 29—July 1: Dr. Joel Okamoto
July 20—22: Dr. Dale A. Meyer
July 27—29: Dr. Dale A. Meyer
August 3—5: Dr. Erik Herrmann
August 3—5: Dr. Kent Burreson &
Dr. Beth Hoeltke
August 6—8: Dr. Richard Marrs
August 10—12: Dr. Benjamin Haupt &
Dr. Reed Lessing
August 17—19: Dr. Abjar Bahkou
All workshops are presented online. To learn more about this program or to register, visit the Concordia’s website: www.csl.edu/workshop-series.
Membership report
Baptized: None
Transferred In: None
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership: Paula Merkel

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Board of elders report
Minutes from May 15, 2020 Special Meeting
The special meeting to address restoring normal operation of the church began with prayer by Pr. Fisher at 2:00.
Present were Pr. Fisher, Pr. Raffa, Gary J., Gary E., Dennis, Jake and Tanner. Absent were John, Bob, and Brian.
The pastors and elders first give thanks to God that to our knowledge none of our Pilgrim family was infected by COVID-19. We further give thanks that the church comfortable made budget on all but one week during the stay-at-home order.
Concerning resuming normal operation, the elders and pastors submit the following suggestions as policies going forward until further notice:
We encourage all those with health concerns who do not feel safe in community to do what they feel is best with regard to attending services. The church is not in business of burdening consciences, and we shall not do so here. The pastors are willing and able to treat such individuals as shut-ins until they are convinced of safety, such as by vaccination or personal choice.
For those who wish to attend services but wish to maintain distancing and personal protective equipment, we encourage you to do so. We ask that you provide your masks and/or gloves, however.
For those who feel comfortable to return to normalcy, we ask only for respect of the decisions of those less willing, as well as general attention to safety.
We implore any and all members, visitors, or staff/clergy who feel unwell to stay home. This is always true, but it deserves special attention at present.
We further implore all people to work and suffer with each other in Christian fellowship, bearing with one another with patience and love. It is unlikely that any one approach will satisfy everyone, but we ask that all show patience and love toward one another as we address this matter in whatever way seems best.
It is possible to purchase some hand sanitizer stations at cost through the district. We commend this matter to the trustees to address as they see fit. Perhaps buying 2 for the narthex would serve well?
We will carry on morning Matins devotions, streamed live on our YouTube channel, through the sixth week of Easter. That is, the last Matins service will be 5/23. All are welcome to attend these services (and receive the Sacrament thereafter if desired) at 8:00 daily on non-Sundays.
There is no restriction on the number of worshipers allowed in the sanctuary, since normal attendance minus those staying home until vaccination or such falls well within comfortable and safe limits for the building. Nobody will be turned away. If desired, people may still sit in the old fellowship hall if they feel safer there.
We ask those attending worship in any service sit on alternating left/right sides of the pews to maximize the distance between congregants until further notice.
We have heard that that the majority of the regular Thursday night crowd wishes to stay home until vaccination; in light of this, we ask the other regulars what their wishes are. If desired we will resume regular Thursday services at 7. Otherwise, we will continue our Evening Prayer services at 4 on Thursdays.
On 5/17 we will have service only at 8:00. 10:30 services will resume on 5/24.
Midweek Bible studies (e.g., Lutheran Difference, Galatians, Men’s breakfast) will begin immediately as long as anyone wishes to come.
Sunday 9:15 Bible study will not start until at least 5/24, but may be put off out of necessity (see below). In any case, breakfast at Bible study remains to be determined.
Sunday school will resume according to the desires of the teachers and families. Depending on the availability of the teachers, we will go forward from there.
8th grade catechesis is proceeding unchanged with Pr. Fisher in a 1 on 1 format until confirmation.
During Divine Services Communion will be offered weekly as usual with a few modifications.
* Instead of 10 communicants (5 per side + any children ) we will commune or bless 6 people (3 people per side, including children wishing a baptismal blessing) until further notice.
* Those desiring individual cups will receive the cup at the altar instead of before, on the way up. This is to ensure that besides you only the pastor, whose hands washed and accounted for, will come in contact with your cup.
* The common cup will still be offered for those who desire it.
* During communion in the Divine Service, the pastors will not wear masks or gloves. The Sacrament is the source of life and health, nor poison. However, for those still leery of contact, Pr. Fisher will offer communion privately or in small groups in an especially sterilized setting with gloves and masks between services at 9:15 through 10:30.
Resumption of Sunday Bible study depends on how long members wish to maintain this custom.
During Divine Services the offering plate will not be passed until further notice. Instead, baskets will be placed at the back of the sanctuary. This will avoid passing other things along with the offering plate. Ushers will hereby be kept at a greater distance, too. The ushers will bring the offerings to the altar during the offertory. As a matter of fact, this practice is that of the early Church, and was indeed the norm until the idea of the offering plate was developed during the American Revivalist movements. This practice in eminently in keeping with our Lutheran heritage.
The Board of Elders will meet in person at their usual 6:30 time on June 1. We ask that any members with questions or concerns pass them along to your elder for us to discuss.
Pr. Raffa closed with prayer at 2:50.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanner Schmidt
TS/ss

June 2020 — Page #

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Church council Report
Minutes from May 16, 2020 Special Meeting
A special meeting of the Pilgrim Church Council was held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2020 to discuss the restoration of church functions following the State Supreme Court striking down of the Stay-at-Home order. Those in attendance were Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Bob Knuth, Carolyn McAfee, Scott Densow, Rob Selzler, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Judy Frank, Mary Lehtimaki, Bonnie Leffin, Tanner Schmidt, and Jim Behrens.
Pastor Fisher led a discussion of decisions and plans made at the recent Elders and Trustees Meetings. A letter will be emailed and/or sent to Pilgrim members on Tuesday, May 19 explaining the details.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

Birthdays
1 Hailey Gatzow
Warren Haeberle
Edmund Meier
2 Adrian Castro
3 Makayla Schneeweis
4 Patricia Engmann
Austin Meier
Thomas Schellinger
Stephen Spalda Jr.
5 Amanda Voelzke
7 Lucas Gatzow
Cody Wiedmeyer
10 Carol Heger
Ronald Kabitzke
11 Karen Haufmann
Janet Meisenheimer
12 Makayla Kabitzke
Adam Mayer
13 Janice Voelzke
14 Rebecca Loomans
15 Nancy Audley
16 Ashely Zenda
17 Kathleen Kabitzke
18 Paul Grosskreuz
Rebecca Steiner
19 Deborah Sumner
20 Christine Fisher
22 Tyler Voge
23 Violet Hand
Kayla Thames
25 David Brehm
Courtney Kreuger
26 Kathleen Greve
27 Russell Guillaume
28 Chad Schellinger
29 Heather Leffin
Jane Rockrohr
30 Sarah Lotz
Amber Milis
Melissa Oppermann
Anniversaries
1 Thomas & Norma Benz
Russell & Jeanette Guillaume
2 Paul & Susan Grosskreuz
4 David & Bonnie Zenda
10 Daniel & Jennifer Schmidt
11 Thomas & Diane Zell
14 Amy & Peter Heinen
16 James & Norma Krubsack
18 Gary & Pat Knuth
19 Dave & Tammy Fellenz
Randall & Edith Frank
20 Kristin & Ryan Thimmig
23 Jeffrey & Rita Dahl
James & Yvonne Rosenthal
25 Austin & Elizabeth Meier
26 Katie & Dave Jakubowski
27 Scott & Bonnie Leffin
Jerome & Donna Sommer
28 Craig & Cindy Schreiner
Rob & Jodi Selzler
Bob & Diane Swanson

June 2020 — Page #

Lutheran worship
Teaching Little Ones: About the Altar
By: Beth Schultz

Church services can sometimes be confusing for little ones. They will have questions about what they are seeing. Teaching young children about the individual parts of the church service can seem daunting. It’s a great opportunity to help them grow and understand the symbols of our Christian faith. This is the second post in a series on teaching our youngest churchgoers about the parts of the service.
What are the two main things we see in front?
Right in the center of our view when we come into the sanctuary, two things focus our hearts and minds for worship. Front and center are usually an altar and a cross (either a plain cross or a crucifix). This center placement calls our attention to the heart of our faith. Understanding the meaning is a blessing to our worship and study. May we teach this in a simple way to our children that it may be helpful to them in their walk with the Lord.
Remembering the History
The altar in Old Testament times was a place of sacrifice. Men gave up their best offering as a sacrifice to God to pay for their sinfulness against His commands. The continual sacrifices made at the altar were a visual reminder—with every sinful thought, glance, and action—of the need for God’s forgiveness. The Old Testament system of sacrifices also looked ahead to the time when God would send the promised “once for all” sacrifice—His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We look at the altar and can remember the history: the sacrifice we had to offer for our sins against one another. The story does not end there, though! This place of relationship and atonement became also a place of true gift: The Lord’s Supper.
What We See
The cross has become the most universal symbol of Christianity, but it was, of course, what the Romans used to execute criminals, in great shame. Jesus died on the cross providing us the greatest, most undeserved, most unexpected gift. The incredible creator of the universe came down as a little babe, fully human, experienced our life but without sin, and then became the permanent sacrifice for all sins. The altar, where we no longer offer a sacrifice, is a symbol of the once-for-all and final sacrifice for all sins offered by Jesus Christ on the cross. This is why cross and altar are so closely connected. This is the heart of our faith. This is the central point.
The altar stands as a symbol of God’s presence with us, His people. It is because of Christ’s sacrifice that we have access to the Father. Because we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ, we can offer our prayers, praise, and thanksgiving to God the Father. The altar is now a symbol of both our past and current, active, relationship with God. We receive the sacramental gift of The Lord’s Supper from the altar, and we respond with thanksgiving and praise as we worship.
Where the Pastor Stands
Where the pastor stands around the altar is also meaningful. From this place of relationship, where we remember the true gift of Christ, the pastor leads the people in worshiping God. When he speaks facing the altar, he is at those times speaking to God on behalf of the people. When he faces the congregation, he is speaking God’s Word to the people. He also delivers the gift of The Lord’s Supper from the altar. From the sacrifice of Christ, we receive His Body and His Blood.
This post explains why the cross and altar are our focus in worship; how they are used reminds us of our deep relationship with God. The many things we place on the altar or use to dress the altar are also visual ways to teach about our faith. We'll learn about those things in the next post and other subsequent ones in this series. May these teachings be helpful as you encourage and educate young ones in the faith.
____________________
This article was originally posted February 27, 2020 on Concordia Publishing House’s blog. It is the second in a series of blog posts giving adults tips on teaching children about what they see in the Divine Service. The author, Beth Schultz, is the first grade teacher at Bethany Lutheran Church and School in Naperville, Illinois and a mother of one.

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From the ForT
May 2020
From Seminarian Meier:
To the saints at Pilgrim,
The past quarter has been interesting to say the least. To begin with, upon our return to Fort Wayne from a brief family vacation in Wisconsin, we were met with the news that CTSFW would cease on-campus classes and activities for the foreseeable future. Classes were performed as either live-Google Hangouts or video recordings. Many of our professors were flexible with assignments due to our limited ability to utilize the library on campus.
Classes this quarter included Greek Readings - discussing and translating the Gospel lesson for the coming week, Pentateuch II - which covered Exodus thru Deuteronomy, Hebrews - which mostly consisted of translating the Greek and reading from Dr. Kleinig’s Concordia Commentary (we made it through all 700-some-odd-pages!), Pauline Epistles - we focused on Galatians, Romans, and briefly touched on 1 Corinthians, and Field Ed - during which we had many guest speakers and had quite a few discussions on our current national situation. Field Work came to a halt as our congregation also ceased gathering. Yet, even now the Word continues to be proclaimed - what a blessing are all of the technologies that make this possible, but we keep in mind that this is NOT the “new normal”. God’s people are meant to join together in communion. And so we look forward to the time when we will be able to gather together in person once again. I’m not sure what you’re current situation looks like, but know that we continue to keep you all in our prayers.
This picture portrays a regular day in my corner office of the living room with my cardboard barricade protecting my now walking (though it’s more like an uncertain waddle) son from the mass of computer cables and potentially finger-crushing rollers on my chair. It was and continues to be a challenge to get reading done when I had my charming little boy staring up at me with his baby-blue-eyes over my make-shift wall. That is one of the positives to this whole experience - I have been able to spend a lot of time with Beth and Edmund, though I think our dog Sebastian would rather have more alone-time (he would often retreat to his kennel for naps away from little Edmund).
This past April we were happy to learn that I will be serving my vicarage with the saints at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus, OH. We were privileged to be able to make a journey to visit the congregation this past weekend in worship (they are gathering while observing social distancing practice). We are so excited for what God has in store for us as we look forward to moving the 3 hours East of Fort Wayne. The packing has begun, and after summer classes (unfortunately it sounds like they will continue to be done virtually) are over we will be making the big move on July 10th. I will be officially installed as Vicar on July 12th.
Our new address for the next year (starting July 10th) will be:
5621 Longrifle Rd,
Westerville, OH 43081
It’s been a joy and a blessing to receive the occasional note or letter from many of you letting us know that you have continued to pray for us in the midst of this challenging time. Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and support as we look ahead to vicarage. May God continue to guide and bless you all as you live in His service. God’s peace be with you.
In Christ!
Austin, Beth, & Edmund Meier

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Communal Prayers
For the Blessing of Holy Marriage:
Lord God, heavenly Father, You created us male and female and gave the gift of marriage as both a reflection of Your love for Your Church and the foundation of society on earth. We pray for all the marriages of our congregation, Lord. Work in those relationships so that husband and wife love and honor each other. Mend and heal any marriages under the attack of the evil one. Strengthen their commitment and enrich their lives through the gift of each other, as You intended from the very beginning. Amen.
Prayer when the Peace of the Family is Threatened:
Lord God, Thou has granted that I should be a husband, and hast given me a wife. We stand in the world, in this weak flesh and blood, surrounded by devils and them that disturb all conjugal fidelity and love. Therefore remove not Thy blessing from us, nor let any offence come between us. Let all disturbances be turned far from us, that all harm may be avoided and finally overcome by the gracious blessings with which Thou hast deigned to surround the marriage bond. Amen.
Prayer of Parents for their Children:
Lord God, in Thy name, let me bless my children. Here the blessing I pronounce upon them, even in Thy high heaven. Confirm it, and let it descend upon my children. Hear my children in every need, and protect them for Thy name’s sake. Send them help out of Thy holy temple, and give them strength out of Zion. Grant that their heart’s desire, and deny not their prayers unto them. Prosper them with Thy goodness, and grant them length of days, life, and enjoyment forever and ever. Gladden them with the favor of Thy countenance. Gran them to have clean hands and pure hearts, and not lift up their souls unto vanity nor swear falsely. Bless them with peace, and let Thy mercy and goodness overshadow them. Make Thy face to shine upon them, that they may know Thy ways in all the earth. Lord, bless their going out and their coming in from this time forth and ever for evermore. Let my children sit about my board, strong and healthy as olive branches. As unto the children of Jacob, so grant them the dew of heaven and the good of the land. Make their seed mighty, and their generation shall be called blessed. Make my children and their children to be blessed of the Lord, who made haven and earth. Blessed be they that bless them, and may every curse be turned into blessing upon them. Amen.
Prayer for Children Going off to College:
Lord God, heavenly Father, Your Son grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. Grant your favor upon those children who depart for college and assure them of Your loving presence and protection. Bless their studies that they may diligently apply themselves to wisdom and increase in knowledge and understanding for faithful and loving service in the world. Lead them to Your Holy Word and Supper to live each day in the promise of their Baptism; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Philip Losch, Jason Connelly, Rev. John Klieve, Debra Ziemann, Kandie Darmody, Wilma Wilson, Dennis Engmann, June Fry, Audrey Hilgendorf, Orville Heckendorf, Erv & Ruth Mertz, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, David & Olivemae Olson, Richard Reich, Judy Clark, Louise Kreis, Dot Miller, Jennifer Jensen, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Marge Legate, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Elaine Kuenzel, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Karen Haufmann, Donald Teske, Connie Hackbarth, Sheryl Pajewski, Jeanette Guillaume, Donna Sommer, Inez Schwoch, Glenn Schnabel, Tim Allen, Jenny Vickerman, Stewart Clark, Carl and Lois Pritzlaff, Linda Lukas, Linda Borneman, Tracey Leffin-Hedrick, Nancy Nicholas, Scott Biskobing, Carolyn Bren, Rachel Davis, Marissa Flanders, Linda Schmidt, Vanessa Kuehne, Laverne Gierach, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer.

Voice of Faith

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

June2020
	1 / 6:30 p Elders Meeting	2	3 / 4p Cable BC / 6:30p Bible Study	4 / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	5 / Office Closed	6 / 7a Men’s Bible Breakfast
7 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / 9:15a Bible Study / 12:30p Bible Study	8 / 5:30p Trustees / 7p Church Council	9	10 / 4p Cable BC / 6:30p Bible Study	11 / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	12 / Office Closed	13
14 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / 9:15a Bible Study / 12:30p Bible Study	15	16	17 / 4p Cable BC / 6:30 p. Ties That Bind Quilt Guild? / 6:30p Bible Study	18 / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	19 / Office Closed	20 / 7a Men’s Bible Breakfast
21 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / 9:15a Bible Study / 12:30p Bible Study	22	23	24 / 4p Cable BC / 6:30p Bible Study	25 / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	26 / Office Closed	27
28 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / 9:15a Bible Study / 12:30p Bible Study	29	30

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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@pilgrimlutheran.wb.org
Website: www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org

The May issue of The Lutheran Witness, “”in sickness and in health,” explores the theology of marriage and weddings, and also includes articles on the church’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic…
We planned this issue in February. Then March 2020 happened. Coronavirus. It changed the plan. A few words from the wedding service sum up the change: “In sickness and in health.”
The original theme of the issue focused on Christ and the church as reflected in the wedding service. Despite an additional theme on COVID-19, we still focused on Christ and the church. Christ provides for His church, in sickness and in health. And that’s the point of this issue. The wedding is not about the bride or the groom. Weddings and marriages point to God’s work in Jesus Christ. As the wedding vows demonstrate, the bride and groom now serve each other in distinct roles. The couple’s hard, hard work of love does not grow out of sentimental poetry, but Christ’s love for the church as St. Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13.
We see this love in action as Christ cares for and provides for His church. As the church now faces disease, Christ still loves and cherishes His bride as His pastors care for His people. And so, we turn our eyes to Him who suffered, died and rose again to conquer death and fear in every circumstance. Delores Fowler, who wrote this month’s Bene+diction article, provides us with 67 years of perspective on God’s love. All the feelings and emotions we experience, from glossy photos of a wedding day to the pain of watching a beloved one die, will fade and pass away. Focusing on God’s work in Christ provides a foundation that has stood and will continue to stand the test of time — just ask Delores.
In Christian love,
Roy S. Askins
Managing Editor, The Lutheran Witness
For information on subscribing to The Lutheran Witness visit www1.cph.org/witness/default.aspx

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“By our practice,
we pastors have often robbed ourselves of the chance to be pastors.”

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Inside this Issue:
Pastor’s Page
1-4
Pilgrim New & Reports
5-7
Birthdays & Anniversaries
7
Lutheran Worship
8
From the Fort
9
Communal Prayers
10
Calendar
11
The Lutheran Witness
12

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