Author: Julie Raffa

June 2022

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

Why I Wear A Clerical Collar
“It is next to impossible to work in the office without a public and visible distinction. Clothing associated with the office is part of this visibility. People need to be able to see who the pastor is; they should not be left to guess”
[Reclaiming the Reformation, Magnus Persson, pg. 145].

It has happened before. The memory has faded a bit. But I still remember the people, their names, their faces. Back in July of 2017, I was at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee visiting a parishioner. I bent down to tie my shoe as I exited the elevator and there stood a man (whom I later learned was Carl and attended St. Luke’s Baptist Church in Milwaukee) who looked me in the eyes and asked, “Can I talk with you.” I responded, “Of course.” He wavered as he spoke, “A relative of mine is on life support with a brain aneurysm and her daughter (27 years old) is having to decide whether or not to keep her on it or take her off.”
As we continued to converse, Carl began to visibly sob. He simply wanted someone to listen. And while listening is certainly part of the pastoral office, it by no means embraces the fullness of its nature. So, true to my calling, I asked Carl, “is she baptized?” He said, “Why yes. We were all baptized as children. My mom made sure of it.” Carl, I said, “This is your comfort, peace, and hope. She is baptized. That baptism now saves her. It is a present gift from God which declares that her death has already happened, and that her new life is in Christ. She is a new creation in Him. The old is gone, the new has come in the water joined to the Word of Christ.” I then spoke to him Romans 14:8, “For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” Carl’s breath slowed and the tears began to dry on his face. He then asked, “will you come over here and pray with my family.” I replied, “Of course.” “Thank you, father,” he said.” This is why men in the pastoral office need to wear the clerical collar.
It happened just recently. It was May 9th. I was over at Cedar Lake Nursing Home to visit Ruth Mertz. After visiting Ruth, I was exiting the building when a woman stopped me. She said, “Father, can I talk to you for a minute.” I said, “why sure.” She began to tear up. Sonia, as I later learned, had moved with her husband Bob from Arizona to Wisconsin and had been living over at Cedar Ridge since January. Things were good for a while, but then Bob started having memory issues and falling a lot. The day previous, Bob had fallen and broken his nose, and was recovering. Doctors had taken some tests and it was determined that he was suffering from dementia, among other health issues. It pained Sonia greatly, but she could not take care of him at home anymore. The news would need to be broken to Bob that he likely be headed to the Cottages (a memory care unit located near Cedar Ridge. She wanted to know if I would come up to his room and tell him the news. But first, she wanted to know what I would say to him. I simply asked her, “Is Bob baptized?” She responded, “We both are. Are parents made sure of it, though we haven’t been to church in ages.” Sheepishly, she felt the need to say that were never much of the “church-going” type. At this point, I said, “what matters is that Bob is baptized and that is where his comfort, and yours, lies. Wherever he goes, because water was joined to word of God, the Holy Spirit will always know his addressed, even if he doesn’t.” She smiled and said, “father, would you come and speak to him.” I smiled back, and said, “of course.”
When we reached Bob’s room, he wasn’t there. He was just starting to eat his lunch. Sonia was nervous that she was keeping me. I reassured her that, right now, this is where I am supposed to be, this is my office as pastor. We went back to Bob’s room and chatted for a bit. At 81 years of age, she shared the highlights of her life, the tragedies that befell her in childhood and a first marriage that ended badly. Yet also the joy of having met and married Bob, and their precious kids. She asked me the usual questions about why I wanted to become a pastor, how old I was (I looked 18 to her, and that was with the beard), and where how long I had been a pastor. I shared a few things about myself and the conversation ran its course, so we check back on Bob at the lunch table.
Bob was done. We both sat down with him. I talked with him and Sonia for a while, and it was pleasant. A joke here, a fond memory there. When the opportunity presented itself to take with Bob about moving to the Cottages, I saw out of the corner of my eye Sonia shaking her head and mouthing, “no.” I quickly changed the course of the conversation. I didn’t ask her why, in that moment, she changed her mind about telling her husband, but regardless, the time spent in a brief Scripture reading, a devotional word, and prayer was not lost on them or me. I left Sonia with my phone number and the name of our church. She asked if I would come visit Bob once he was moved. I said, “absolutely.” As I stood up to leave, she gave me a big hug and thanked me for being her “angel.” Well, she was sort of right. The Greek word for “angel” does mean “messenger.”
As I was leaving the nursing home for a second time, the receptionist at the intake desk noticed again that I was leaving and quipped, “I thought you might be here all day.” I responded, “Well, I would have left the first time if I had been wearing a suit and tie or jeans and a t-shirt. But with this collar comes great responsibility and yet wonderful opportunity to confess the Gospel.” She smiled and said, “It sure does, father.”
It is often lost on the modern church that pastors are divinely called servants of God and His Word. It’s not a career I chose, but a call I received from Christ, mediated, and confirmed through the church and her seminaries. The pastoral office cannot be reduced to the pastor being a social worker, a lecturer, a cruise-ship director of social events, or an ear that listens and tells you simply what you want to hear. Behind the clerical collar, yes is a man like any other, and yet without the clerical collar, you don’t see or recognize the office of pastor, his call to preach, admonish with the Law, comfort with the Gospel, and feed with the Sacraments, in your midst.
At seminary I was never given guidelines on clerical use and etiquette. It was seen as a matter of freedom. Now, there were guys that prior to even finishing summer Greek classes would wear it every day in the hot Fort Wayne, IN summers. And there are guys that, to my eyes, never wore one. There are certainly cultural influences and movements within our own Synod that have labeled liturgical pastors “round collar” guys and less liturgical pastors “suit and tie guys.” And these labels have flipped flopped at times in our Synod.
I think that in part, the clerical collar is perceived as symbol of power and authority, and many today shy away from wearing it or diminish its function as the sign of the office or the ordained ministry. Somehow, not wearing the collar make them “regular people” or pastors that don’t “judge” or more “approachable”—as if a guy in a polo shirt is guaranteed to be down-to earth, and the pastor in the clerical collar lives in an alternate universe and won’t ever “understand you.” So, the common argument for not wearing a clerical collar was that it “created a barrier” to real ministry which can only be done through personal relationships.
“Just call me Chris.” I have never said these words when serving you as your pastor. Towards the end of my childhood there was a movement toward informality in the church. Many pastors stopped going by “Reverend [Last Name] or Pastor [Last Name] and started going on a first name basis. At the same time, there was a trend of going away from clerical collars, not to mention pastoral vestments. But the moments with Carl, Sonia and Bob, remind me of the some of the reasons why I wear a clerical collar. And mind you, it has nothing to do with being enamored with titles, establishing hierarchy, boosting my ego, or that I don’t have to think about what to wear in the morning (well, maybe a little).
First, as your pastor, I am a symbol. Like many vocations and callings in the world, we become symbols when were “on the job.” Like a police officer or fire fighter who symbolize safety and protection, like doctors or nurses who symbolize caregiving, like teachers or professors who symbolize learning, pastors are symbols of God’s presence in the world to call it to repentance and faith. We are “servants of the Word,” and “stewards of the mysteries of God.” When we speak, we speak not as individuals, but as representative of the One who has sent us: Jesus Christ. “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who reject you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me” [Luke 10:16]. The symbol of the pastorate is visualized in the clerical collar and other pastoral vestments. The symbol is verbalized in the title “pastor.” For when people address pastors by the title “pastor” the symbol and its existence are intentionally articulated, rather than unintentionally assumed.
Secondly, the clerical collar provides clarity. Think about it: imagine walking into the ER and everyone is dressed in street clothes, and some person in jeans and a t-shirt walks up to you and asks you what your symptoms are, and then your told that Jimmy will be with you in a minute? You would be confused wouldn’t you? Now imagine the same thing in a church. A person walks in looking for pastoral care, a parishioner says, “Chris will be with you in a minute.” The collar provides clarity.
Finally, the clerical collar are reminders. Just as I thought as a 26-year-old coming out of seminary into the ordained ministry, it is still the case that going by “Pastor” or Pastor Raffa” and wearing a clerical collar are helpful reminders to you and to me of the office that I fill. It is as one of my former pastors would say to me, the clerical collar is a “theology of presence.” I have also noticed over the years that those who call me just “Pastor” are often those who are most comfortable in their relationship with me as their pastors. Those who use my last name, perhaps are less familiar and comfortable with me. Though this may just be my own warped perception.
Be that as it may, the clerical collar is a reminder not just for those I encounter and serve in the course of my parish ministry here. The clerical collar is likely the most important reminder to me of what my role is here. When I put on that black shirt and slide and snap the white insert into my collar, I am reminded that my personal identity does in a large way take a back seat to my vocational identity—I am a pastor, first and foremost with the people I interact with. When someone calls me pastor it is a small and constant reminder of who I am to them and the nature of my relationship and responsibility to them. That I am called to speak both Law and Gospel to them, to apply this sacred Word of exhortation and consolation in the varied experiences and situations of this earthly life.
In the end, it is not my intention to make a law out of clerical collars or a flow-chart of when to wear it and when not to wear it. While it is ultimately a matter of Christian freedom, I honestly believe that the clerical collar is symbol of sacred and the reminder of the presence of the holy God, that which we have largely lost or forgotten as a society, church, and culture. Whether it be clerical collars, vestments, symbols in the church, all these are important visual reminders of what are callings in life are and who we are as children of God surrounded by His gracious presence every hour that we journey through this wily wilderness.
Blessed Pentecost and in the bonds of Christ,
Pastor Raffa

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Pilgrim News
Lutheran Witness subscriptions will be due on or before June 26, 2022. The cost is $15.96 for 1 year. If you are interested in receiving the Lutheran Witness or would like to renew your subscription, please get your name and address and your check for $15.96 to the office on or before June 26, 2022.
We rejoice with Andrew & Rebecca Tinlin on the birth of Ethan James born Sunday May 8, 2022. Grandson of James and Denise Spaeth.
A donation to the Flooring Fund has been given to Pilgrim in honor of Judy Frank’s birthday by Carole Oesterreich.
A Proposed Hospitality Committee---In an effort to reduce the confusion and have better organization when carrying out church events, we are considering the idea of a hospitality committee. The committee would be made of persons who desire to organize, seek out volunteers, and be the point people for various fellowship events in the church, (i.e. church picnics, Lenten meals, Easter Breakfast, and other celebratory occasions). Meetings would be limited to the necessary planning and coordinating of such events. If you are interested or willing to serve on something like this, please contact the office or talk to one of the pastors.
Another big thank you, not only to the congregation for donating books, but to Becky Boehlke for organizing the book drive, for boxing them all up and getting them to the shipping company to be sent to Rev. Wildauer in Belize for his English as a second language classes. We are sending out 7-17 gallon totes with books.
Thank you Becky you did an amazing job of boxing up all the books.
Thank you to all that helped on Spring Cleanup Day. Those that were there accomplished a great deal, but we could always use more.
Some members and families enjoyed the weather while they raked the entire front lawn, trimmed trees, cleaned up windfalls, hauled brush and debris, weeded flower beds, repaired grass, fixed outside lights, lawn equipment cleaning and maintenance and more.
In addition to normal cleaning, Pastor Raffa organized a small crew to begin cleaning out the storage areas in the basement.
Members also changed light bulbs and conducted other small repairs.
A 16 foot trailer was loaded with burnables as well as other items placed in the dumpster.
We still have a ways to go.

The Origin of Diverse Kinds of Life
The tenth annual creation conference of the Society of Creation, “The Origin of Diverse Kinds of Life,” will be hosted by Concordia University Wisconsin and the Society of Creation, on Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25, 2022. Four keynote speakers—Dr. Matthew Cserhati, Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson, Dr. Gary Locklair, and Dr. Joel Heck—will each speak on various aspects of the conference topic. The conference begins Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. and closes on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.
Dr. Cserhati, who has worked with Creation Ministries International, will speak on “The Science of Baraminology,” i.e., the study of created kinds in Genesis, and he will also speak on “A Different Brand of Baraminology: Molecular Baraminology,” i.e., the study of genes, genomes, and DNA sequences. Dr. Jeanson, research biologist at Answers in Genesis, will speak on “The Mystery of Species: The Way Forward on Common Ancestry” and “The Puzzle of Common Ancestry: Human Origins as a Case Study.” Dr. Heck will speak on “The Psychology of Persuasion on Creation,” drawing on his experience dialoging about creation with those who disagree, and Dr. Gary Locklair, Concordia University Wisconsin, will speak on “Positive Evidences for the Creation of Diverse Kinds of Life.” More information about their talks is available on the Society of Creation website (see link below). The schedule includes sessions on Friday evening and Saturday morning and afternoon (schedule posted on website). The cost for attendance is $35.00 per person for the full conference, if registering before June 1, or $25 for online attendance. A discount is available for families and couples.
Join co-hosts Dr. Gary Locklair (Computer Science, Concordia University Wisconsin) and Dr. Joel Heck (Theology, Concordia University Texas) for this conference. Drs. Locklair and Heck founded the Society of Creation in 2011 and have been conducting annual creation conferences since 2013. A registration form can be downloaded from our website with information about registration, meals, and recommended housing for face-to-face attendance, but most participants prefer to register online through the website. Go to www.societyofcreation.org for online registration or to download the registration form. Then click on the “Conferences” link. As you scroll down, the registration link and registration form are both available. Other information about the keynote speakers and their plenary addresses may also be found on the website. To get more information, contact Dr. Heck at joelheck2@gmail.com.
Dr. Joel Heck, Professor of Theology, Concordia University Texas

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Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church
Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
April 25, 2022
Attendees: Pastor Fisher, Gary, Patrick, Dan, Dennis, Dave, Kurt, Tanner
The meeting began at 6:30 PM with song and devotion led by Pastor Fisher.
Elder schedules were made through July.
The next elders meeting will be June 6. There will be no elders meeting in July and August unless needed.
We reviewed the questions from Chapter 11, Luther’s Large Catechism.
At our June 6 meeting we will be reviewing Chapter 12, Sinner and Saint At The Same Time.
We had a roundtable where everyone had a chance to give updates.
Pastor Fisher reported that he and Pastor Raffa will be attending the Pastor’s Conference, May 2 - 4 in Stevens Point. Both he and Pastor Raffa will be preaching a service there.
Pastor Fisher reported that the Synod Convention is June 12-14.
Pastor Fisher reported that pictures for the new Pilgrim directory will be taken September 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Everyone who has a picture taken will receive a free directory. Pictures can be purchased. Pets can be in the pictures also.
Tanner reported he has a conflict and cannot attend the Church Council meeting. Kurt will attend in place of Tanner.
Pastor Fisher was going to be out of town for the Thursday April 27 service and Pastor Raffa was not well enough to preach the Thursday service. Tanner agreed to do a Service of the Word for that service.
Pastor Fisher discussed some ideas for the Easter Vigil next year in the back behind the church building.
The meeting ended with prayer at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Jenovai

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Church council Report Church Council May 9, 2022 Minutes
The Pilgrim Church Council May 9, 2022 meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President, Bob Knuth. Also in attendance were Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Tanner Schmidt, Rob Selzler, Jacob Hand, Nancy Rosenthal, Mary Lehtimaki, Karen Spiering, and Jim Behrens.
Pastor Fisher began the meeting by leading a devotion, hymn, and prayer.
A motion to approve the minutes of the April 11 meeting as published in the Herald was made by Tanner, seconded by Karen, and passed on voice vote.
Elders Report – Tanner Schmidt
Tanner conducted the April 28 Thursday evening service while Pastor Fisher was away, attending his son-in-law’s call night at the Seminary, and Pastor Raffa was ill.
Pastor German’s Concordia Bible Institute Resurrection Study on Tuesday, May 3 went well. The three weekly sessions will be on YouTube, linked from Pilgrim’s website for free viewing.
Planning for a new church directory is continuing, with photos scheduled to be taken September 6-10. Group photos and shut-in photos are being arranged for.
Trustees Report – Rob Selzler
A new vacuum cleaner has been purchased to replace the current one, which has become unreliable.
A water heater began leaking and has been replaced.
The sink in the Sacristy has had the faucet neck replaced so the water flows to the correct place.
Roofers have installed the new gutters. Only a little work is remaining to seal the roofing material to the gutters and the roofing project will be complete.
Lawn has been sprayed.
Fire extinguisher check has been completed.
Elevator inspection has been completed.
Sprinkler inspection is scheduled to be completed within a week.
Treasurers Report – Jacob Hand
Financial report year-to-date March 31 was presented and a motion to accept it, subject to audit, was made by Tanner, seconded by Nancy, and passed on voice vote.
Online bill paying is working well.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
Will be confirming three students at second service on May 15.
Ethan James was born to Andrew and Rebecca Tinlin on Sunday, May 8.
The Pastor’s Conference went well. Pastor Raffa was in charge and both Pastors preached sermons during the event.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
Thankful for the prayers on his behalf during his recent illness.
May 29 will be the last day of Sunday School until classes begin again after Labor Day.
Thursday, May 26 Accension Service will be different than the Sunday, May 29 Service.
Mary Lehtimaki
Suggested putting an article in the Herald about the roofing project once it is completed.
New Business
Discussion was held on the potential for having a hospitality committee or an individual who may enjoy planning meals and events so these events could be better organized. Interested individuals should contact Pastor Raffa.
The next Voters Meeting will be Sunday, June 26 at 12 noon.
Possible creation of a hospitality committee will be discussed.
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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month volunteer schedule
Thursday, June 2 : 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Dave F.
Usher Team: B
Sunday, June 5: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Julie R.
Altar Guild: Laurie L. /Nancy R.
Elder: Kurt M. / Dan S.
Usher Team: 1 / 4
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Wade J.
Thursday, June 9: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Karen S.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, June 12: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Nancy A.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Julie R.
Elder: Dennis E. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 3 / 8
Acolyte: Matthias R. / Josiah R.
Thursday, June 16: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K.
Elder: Dennis E.
Usher Team: B
Sunday, June 19: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Carolyn M.
Altar Guild: Norma B. / Carolyn M.
Elder: Dave F. / Dan S.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Acolyte: Rachel R./ Violet S.
Thursday, June 23: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, June 26: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder: Tanner S. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Wade J.
Thursday, June 30: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Dave F.
Usher Team: B

Membership report
Baptized: None
Confirmed: May 15, 2022
Georgia Janssen
Dylan Kabitzke
Victoria Mulvey
Transferred In: None
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership: None

Designated Funds - Savings Account
Approved Vendor/Payee Church Council Meeting Date

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Treasurer’s report

	Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church
	Income and Expenses
	Year to Date (YTD) April 30, 2022
Income			2021 YTD	2022 YTD
Given		122,431		123,160
Amazon Smile		45		74
Thrivent Choice Dollars			2,915	1,615
Total Income			$125,391	$124,849
Special Giving – Missions			$50,000	$261,519
Expense
Building Expenses
Gas & Electric			6,422	10,336
Sewer & Water			695	788
Trash			885	714
Building Maint/Lawn/Snow/Misc			2,955	2,840
Total Building Expenses			$10,956	$14,678
Office Expenses
Telephone/Internet			828	832
Copier Lease & Copies			1,325	1,281
Postage			1,065	348
Servant Keepers			200	200
Quill LLC			279	140
Total Office Expenses			$3,696	$2,801
Other Expenses
Payroll			50,698	53,208
Payroll Taxes			1,427	2,314
Worker Benefit Plan - Concordia			28,434	28,505
Tuition			5,000	2,256
Concordia Publishing House			1,137	1,367
Annuity Contributions			500	500
District Support			1,330	1,330
Insurance – PC & WC			2,495	3,996
Promissory Note Repayment			0	2,222
Miscellaneous			2,772	3,997
Total Other Expenses			$93,794	$99,695
Total Expenses			$108,447	$117,174
Special Donations – Missions			$50,000	$261,519
YTD Income less YTD Expenses			$16,899	$7,675
Checking Account				$39,087
Excluding Roof Payment				$9,087
Savings Account				$47,196

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Dear Great Supporters,
Alleluia! Christ is Risen!
It’s been quite awhile! The Lenten season was really hectic. It culminated with our traditional Palm Sunday procession of 6 ½ hours. The procession caught the attention of people we passed by and inspired them to join us, young and old. Some who only watched as we processed said prayers in their various languages as their way of joining in. Some others who were familiar with some of the hymns of the LSB joined in with singing. Holy Week was the climax! We continue to use Holy Week to literally catechize the students on the doctrine and practice of the Triduum. I had to preach from the Triduum through Easter Sunday, and also presided for some of those services.
Our Easter break started on Easter Monday. Then the first Sunday of the month of May one of the vicars had his daughter baptized. I was made to be the presiding minister and the one who performed the baptism. This was outside the seminary community.
On Mother’s Day I was assigned oversight of one of the vicars. This past Sunday I was assigned oversight over a second vicar who is outside the state. I hope and pray that I am not assigned another vicar outside the state as it requires travel and security detail. Although each vicar has a supervision pastor, we still go to have seminary oversight and make occasional, sometimes surprise visits.
To God Alone Glory Be! Amen. One of my proteges, who is now a domestic missionary as an evangelist, was given a surprise birthday celebration this past Sunday by the members he has gathered. They made a cake for him in appreciation of his hard work and faithfulness. The congregation gathers under an open air structure for all of their church activities. He will serve them for a minimum of two years.
My intensives ended this past week, hence a little freedom for me to finally get this short Report sent out.
Seminary students are looking forward to graduation next month.
Snippets:
1) Final exams for this academic year will be the first week of June.
2) Graduation will be the third weekend of June.
3) Summer break begins directly after graduation.
4) Sandwich summer school begins July 1.
Prayer Requests:
1) Pray for a peaceful graduation day without Muslim interference and political gang destruction.
2) Pray for journey mercies for those students who will be going home, especially those going to Muslim dominated areas.
3) Pray for journey mercies for those students who will be coming in for the summer sandwich program.
4) Pray for my health, especially for adequate nutrition and adequate rest in the midst of the generally hectic schedule.
May our Risen Lord continue to keep you, my very great supporters, steadfast in the true faith unto life everlasting! Amen.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Wokoma.
1 Tim 1:15.

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A Word in the Wake of the Buffalo Tragedy
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Once again violence saddens our nation. A young man, gripped by the satanic delusion “you shall be like God,” has stolen the precious lives of innocent mothers, daughters, sisters, fathers, sons and brothers in Buffalo, N.Y. In his writings, the perpetrator rejected Christianity and espoused the demonic ideas of racial hatred and violence. Yet each one of the slain was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and each was as valuable as the blood of Jesus (John 3:16).
Acts of evil such as this make us ask, “Is there no reasonable path to preclude the deranged from the legal acquisition of firearms?” “Are threats of violence from such a person free speech?” “Must free speech mean the infinite, unending gush of hatred and filth on the internet, including evil, racist rants with associated threats of violence?” “Is there no stronger pre-emptive remedy available?” We cannot settle for the status quo.
Yet Paul reminds us to persevere in goodness. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9). But who of us does not grow weary? Good citizens, loving family and friends, are murdered in cold blood; a heroic retired police officer gives his life for others … again. We pray with the psalmist, “I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God” (Psalm 69:3).
On Nov. 30, 2021, a shooting occurred at the high school my niece and nephew attend in Oxford, Mich. They had attended school with the eventual assailant for years. Their friends were murdered. Other close friends barely survived being shot, including the grandchild of a retired LCMS pastor. The signs were all evident in the young man whose life had become captive to sin, death and the devil, a participant in the demonic. I think of how devastating this incident has been for my sister’s family. I thank God for their resilient faith in Christ and courage in the face of evil, even when answers are not easily at hand.
I now pray for the courage of the victims’ families in Buffalo, that Christ’s merciful love would surround them all and that they would look to Jesus’ cross and resurrection for eternal hope.
Today I think of the beautiful and ever-growing collage of saints in the LCMS. I think of your love and humility. I think of your clear confession and witness to Jesus Christ, a Jew from Palestine, whose racial identity few among us share. He is our precious Savior. I think of His zeal to reach the Jews, the Samaritans and the Syrophoenician woman. I think of Simon from Cyrene, the African who bore our Savior’s cross (Matthew 27:32), and his family who were vital members of the earliest church (Mark 15:21; Acts 11:20; Romans 16:13). I think of my pagan Slavic and German ancestors — apart from Christ and all hope — who were grafted into the family of God when they heard the witness to Jesus. I think of my own precious granddaughter, who has more African genetic material than German. I think of our black brothers and sisters whose hearts have been so won by Jesus and His Word that they hold the Gospel as the greatest treasure and confess the Lutheran faith from deep conviction, despite our many weaknesses and failings.

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I thank God that in this dark world of sin and hatred, you are light in Christ. “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness” (1 John 2:9). Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Paul says that “the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true” (Ephesians 5:9). Peter reminds the church, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Let us act as good citizens of this world as we demand reasonable laws and strict prosecution of evil doers to thwart evil. “For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. … Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:3–4, 8). It is a good work of love to practice civil righteousness toward our neighbor and to demand justice from our leaders. “Public remedy, made through the office of the public official, is not condemned, but is commanded and is God’s work” (Apology of the Augsburg Confession XVI 59).
Please join me in praying for the saints of our LCMS Eastern District and their president, the Rev. Dr. Chris Wicher, that they would not lose heart, but be greatly empowered in their witness to Jesus, the light of the world.
May the words of Paul and Barnabas continue ever more to mark us: “For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47).
O Spirit, who didst once restore Thy Church that it might be again The bringer of good news to men, Breathe on Thy cloven Church once more, That in these gray and latter days There may be those whose life is praise, Each life a high doxology To Father, Son, and unto Thee.
(Lutheran Service Book 834:4)
Pastor Matthew C. Harrison President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod LCMS.org/president
This article is from the Lutheran Reporter. May 18, 2022.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Communal Prayers
For the Festival of Pentecost: O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
For the Festival of the Holy Trinity: Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
A Father’s Prayer: Dear Father, who are the true housefather in heaven and on earth, let me take Your Word and command to heart and manage my affairs accordingly, that I may impress Your Commandments upon my children and speak to them about them at home, when I lie down, and when I rise up. Let me preside over my house in sacrificial love and not mistreat the wife and children that You have graciously given me. Let me use the present life for good and not for sin. And give me grace that I may act as a Christian father in all my doing and life and be faithful with Your goods, that I may stand on the day of accounting and as a good and faithful servant, be set over much, and enter into the joy of my master, and obtain salvation for the sake of Christ. Amen.
For when their is Strife in the Home: Father of all measure, who blesses us, You have placed us together that we might be a help to each other, that we would support and strengthen the other not only for the trials of this life, but also in faith and for the life to come. Have mercy on us; I have not lived my life according to Your will, and by my choosing my will over yours, I have brought strife in the home. O God, You know who prone my heart is to mistrust, temper, lack of patience, and strife. Forgive me for praying so little, for my want of love, for stubbornly insisting on my rights and my own way. Come to us and help us. Make us to know again that without Your peace in our hearts we will have no peace. Give us, O Lord, the will and the means to be reconciled to You and to one another, join us to Yourself through Your Word and Sacrament, that we may live together and with You in the peace that only You can give; through Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Bernie Faul, Ethan Tinlin, Carol Neuman, Jim Stadelmayer, Loretta Waechter, Rev. Clark Davis, Patricia Wirtz, Janette Mullins, Nancy Torre, Delores Crawley, Paul & Barb Soat, Carolyn Bren, Sheryl Pajewski, Carl & Lois Pritzlaff, Mark Selzler, Paul Lierman, Sherry Cullen, Donald Bren, Ron & Joyce Virchow Sr., Judy Clark, Inez Schwoch, Deb Sumner, 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

Voice of Faith

June 2022 — Page #

Birthdays
1- Hailey Gatzow
Warren Haeberle
Edmund Meier
2- Adrian Castro
4- Patricia Engmann
Austin Meier
Thomas Schellinger
Steve Spalda Jr.
5- Amanda Voelzke
7- Lucas Gatzow
Cody Wiedmeyer
10- Ron Kabitzke
Evaline Stuckey
11- Karen Haufmann
Janet Meisenheimer
Steve Stuckey
12- Makayla Kabitzke
Adam Mayer
13– Janice Voelzke
14- Rebecca Loomans
15- Nancy Audley
17- Kathy Kabitzke
18- Paul Grosskreuz
20- Christine Fisher
23- Violet Hand
26- Kathy Greve
27- Russell Guillaume
29- Heather Leffin
Jane Rockrohr
30- Sarah Lotz
Anniversaries
1- Tom & Norma Benz
Russell & Jeanette Guillaume
2- Paul & Susan Grosskreuz
5- Steve & Jennifer Stuckey
10- Daniel & Jennifer Schmidt
11- Thomas & Diane Zell
16- James & Norma Krubsack
18- Gary & Pat Knuth
19- Dave & Tammy Fellenz
Randall & Edith Frank
23- James & Yvonne Rosenthal
25- Austin & Elizabeth Meier
26– Katie & Dave Jakubowski
27– Scott & Bonnie Leffin
Jerry & Donna Sommer
28– Rob & Jodi Selzler
Robert & Diane Swanson

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

June 2022			1 / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference	2 / 9a Adult Class: / 1st Samuel / 7p Divine Service	3 / Office Closed	4
5 / 8a Divine Service / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12p Adult Class: 1st Samuel	6 / 6:30 p Elders Meeting	7	8 / 9a Quilters / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference	9 / 9a Adult Class: / 1st Samuel / 7p Divine Service	10 / Office Closed	11 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
12 / 8a Divine Service / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12p Adult Class: 1st Samuel	13 / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	14	15 / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference	16 / 9a Adult Class: / 1st Samuel / 7p Divine Service	17 / Office Closed	18
19 / 8a Divine Service / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12p Adult Class: 1st Samuel	20	21 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting	22 / 9a Quilters / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference	23 / 9a Adult Class: / 1st Samuel / 7p Divine Service	24 / Office Closed	25 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
26 / 8a Divine Service / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12P. Voters Assembly	27	28	39 / 6:30p Adult Class: / Lutheran Difference	30 / 9a Adult Class: / 1st Samuel / 7p Divine Service

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Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
462 Meadowbrook Drive
West Bend, WI 53090

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Phone: 262-334-0375
Email: office@pilgrimlutheranwb.org
Website: www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org

Happy
Fathers
Day
The Righteous man walks in his Integrity.
His children are Blessed after Him.
Proverbs 20:7

General Fund Savings		$36,170
Roofing Fund		$8,301
Flooring Fund		$2,725
Total		$47,196

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
3-7
From Pastor Wokoma
9
From President Harrison
11
Communal Prayers
13
Birthdays & Anniversaries
14
Calendar
15

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