Author: Julie Raffa

Month 2020

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

A Biblical View of the “Black Lives Matter” Organization
My Mostly Peaceful Protest
By
Rev. Joseph Fisher

Isaiah 5:20 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
Caesarius. (c. 470–543, Bishop of Arles renowned for his attention to his pastoral duties. Among his surviving works the most important is a collection of 238 sermons that display an ability to preach Christian doctrine to a variety of audiences.) Some accept little gifts and presents and endeavor to corrupt just cases, as the prophet says: “Putting darkness for light, and light for darkness: saying what is sweet is bitter, and what is bitter, sweet.” Therefore, they hear cases and decide them unjustly. They accept earthly gifts and lose eternal rewards; gaining money, they lose eternity. O miserable fellow, if you have done this or do it or attempt it, you pay attention to what you are acquiring but do not notice what you lose. By acquiring gold, you offend God, for while your money coffer is filled your conscience is weakened. In a few days or years your soul will leave your body; then the gold will remain in the coffer, but your unfortunate soul will descend into hell. However, if you had judged justly, refusing happily to serve avarice or dissipation, your soul would be lifted up to the kingdom full of God and your moneybox would stay in the world without gold. Therefore I beseech you, brothers, and I adjure you by him who redeemed you with his precious blood, observe justice in every case with all your strength, and think more carefully of the salvation of your soul. Sermon 55.3.
Jerome (c. 347–420, a gifted exegete and exponent of a classical Latin style, now best known as the translator of the Latin Vulgate.) It is of the same crime to call goodness, light and sweetness by contrary names as it is to apply the names of the virtues to evil, darkness and bitterness. This is directed against those who do not think it a sin to curse the good, nor consider it an offense to praise evil. The Jews called good evil, and light darkness, and sweetness bitterness, when they received Barabbas, thief and traitor, while crucifying Jesus, who came only for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, to save those who were dying.15 In Barabbas we can understand the devil, who though he was night and darkness, changed to appear as an angel of light. Hence the apostle said, “What participation does righteousness have with iniquity? What does light have in common with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial?”17 For a lamp must not be taken and placed under a basket or a bed but should be set on a stand that it might illuminate everyone. Nor should a tree that bears evil fruit be called a good tree. Hence it is told with mystical language in Genesis that God separated the light from the darkness, both of which were born above the waters in the beginning.19 But the Savior himself testifies in the Gospel that he shall be called good: “The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.” He also calls himself light: “I am the light of the world.”21 And we say that he is the daily heavenly bread with which we are filled: “Taste and see how sweet is the Lord.” Commentary on Isaiah 2.5.20.
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Introduction and Biographic Information. (2005). (p. 489). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
McKinion, S. A. (Ed.). (2004). Isaiah 1-39 (p. 44). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Introduction and Biographic Information. (2005). (pp. 495–496). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
McKinion, S. A. (Ed.). (2004). Isaiah 1-39 (pp. 44–45). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
The above quotes from Caesarius’ sermon on Isaiah 5:20 and Jerome’s commentary on the same text are clear statements that justice matters to the Church and God’s Word makes it even clearer, Proverbs 31:8-9 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. and our Lord Jesus says to the sheep who will inherit eternal life, Matthew 25:34-40 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ We would do well to take this call to heart as the Word rightly points out that true justice is a matter with eternal consequences.
Recently in a discussion about the senseless killing of George Floyd, (Something I think we all could have agreed on and which could have been a rallying cry for unity in our easily divided country for appropriate reform with level heads and proper motives. Instead has become a source for further dividing us and as the writing of this over sixty days of rioting around our country.) a friend shared an article that ended up leading me to dive deeper into the organization “Black Lives Matter” (BLM). Article after article tossing me to and fro. I know this is a divisive topic, but some Biblical light needs to be shed on this issue. I have to admit I have found myself struggling to agree with some of the conclusions that a few of my well-respected peers have made, and I am not giving examples because I am seeking to speak with them individually. I pray you will bear with me as I attempt to address this topic.
Rev. William Cwirla a well-respected LC-MS Pastor began one of the articles I read with a clear statement based on the objective truth of the Scriptures and sound Biblical reason, he said:
“When I first heard the sentence, “Black Lives Matter,” my reflex response was, “Well, of course. All lives matter.” Human life matters. Your life matters, as does mine. Yellow and brown lives matter too. And white lives. All the wonderful colors of humanity matter because they clothe a human being, fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, endowed with the priestly dignity of Adam. We are kings, priests, and lords over the earth, image-bearers of our Creator. Biologically speaking, we are all the same species. There is no scientific or theological basis for what we call “race” based on the color of a person’s skin.” http://htlcms.org/category/blog/
The above statement couldn’t be said better, declaring the objective truth of God’s creation as He made all men and women in His image. This provides the God-given dignity that each life has from the womb to the tomb. The struggle that our reason faces is to not leave the objective reality of God’s good order and the gift of life He gives, and fall in the many pot-holes of how sinful fallen creation has hated, harmed, and killed one. Please hear me, I am not denying that there are racists or racism in America, the world, or our sinful hearts. Nor am I “white-washing” over those sins. As Christians, we know that there is no room for those sins or any other in God’s Church. This is why the Church and Christians cannot allow their unique voice to be silenced. The call of the Gospel (in the broad sense, which means Law and Gospel) must ring clear, we must repent and call our neighbor to repent so that the freeing forgiveness of sins can sing out, and sinners who are so easily divided can instead, as freed forgiven sinners, be united as one in Christ Jesus. Is there work that needs to be done? Of course! And sad to say will always be until our Lord Jesus returns on the Last Day. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and sinners sin, it’s what we do. So, the Church needs to respond to sin and does, but we must be careful not to reject one lie of the Devil only to accept another lie from the Devil.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Pr 31:8–9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 25:34–40). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
So, I need to explain why I can’t in good conscience support the movement called BLM even though black lives, like all lives, matter to God and us from the womb to the tomb.
To understand my position, we need to have a basic understanding of BLM’s birth parent, “Critical Race Theory” (CRT). CRT was pioneered in the mid-1970s by law professor Derrick Bell, who borrowed ideas from Marxism and extreme Feminist groups that have Marxist ideologies. In the late 1980s, a legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw coined the phrase CRT. CRT was a response to the concerns of some that America was beginning to view itself as a color-blind society where one’s racial identity no longer affected one’s social or economic status. This was in turn causing some rethinking about affirmative action policies, as people should be judged by the content of the character, not skin color or national origin. So, CRT was born, and these legal scholars maintained that racism and white supremacy were defining elements of the American legal system and American society at large. It is also important to know that CRT has seeped its way into our education system from elementary to college. CRT teaches that claims of meritocracy, objectivity, and the belief of objective truth which normally are viewed as neutral and good, instead are viewed as tools that reinforce white supremacy.
CRT and Marxism become the guiding lights for movements like BLM and its more radical and violent cousin Antifa, as they are representing a mythical person, who is a victim of slavery and yet has never been a slave. Now without discussion, we throw around phrases as if they are unquestionable facts, phrases like “systemic racism”. What does this mean? The phrase “systemic racism,” as defined means, “Racism resulting from the inherent biases and prejudices of the policies and practices of social and political organizations, groups, or institutions.” (thefreedictionary.com) So, yes there was systemic racism in America, which sad to say makes sense, we are a melting pot of all the racial tensions and problems that sin brings. America is an immigrant nation. It is fair to say, most blacks that came to America before 1872, came by slave trading ships that came from Africa, as captured slaves from rival tribes in Africa, and were sold to Europeans and American slave traders. This is indeed a horrible part of the history of America, one of which I am grateful is in our ever-distancing past.
So, when we hear BLM and respond with all lives matter, and in turn are called racist, CRT is the reason why. Enough for CRT, now to the BLM movement, so I thought I would let the organization speak for itself, BLM:
“… was founded in 2013 in response to the acquittal of Trayvon Martin’s murderer. Black Lives Matter Foundation, Inc is a global organization in the US, UK, and Canada, whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy and build local power to intervene in violence inflicted on Black communities by the state and vigilantes. By combating and countering acts of violence, creating space for Black imagination and innovation, and centering Black joy, we are winning immediate improvements in our lives.
We are expansive. We are a collective of liberators who believe in an inclusive and spacious movement. We also believe that in order to win and bring as many people with us along the way, we must move beyond the narrow nationalism that is all too prevalent in Black communities. We must ensure we are building a movement that brings all of us to the front.
We affirm the lives of Black queer and trans folks, disabled folks, undocumented folks, folks with records, women, and all Black lives along the gender spectrum. Our network centers those who have been marginalized within Black liberation movements.
We are working for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically targeted for demise.
We affirm our humanity, our contributions to this society, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression.
The call for Black lives to matter is a rallying cry for ALL Black lives striving for liberation. (https://blacklivesmatter.com/about/).”
… We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and “villages” that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable.
We foster a queer‐affirming network. When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking, or rather, the belief that all in the world are heterosexual (unless s/he or they disclose otherwise)… (https://blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/)
Whether it is Liberation Theology, the LGBTQIA movement, or the fact that two of the three founders of BLM Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza are confessed, trained Marxist organizers who are also lesbians, which explains why the state they are a queer-affirming network when the black and African cultures are highly opposed to the pro-homosexual agenda. BLM has no desire to support the principles with which our nation was founded because those principles which are loosely Judao/Christian principles revealed in the Word of God. Remember the founders of our country were mostly deist and not orthodox Christian. BLM also rejects the principles of God’s created order, rejecting the nuclear family and promoting a non-heterosexual society, thus rejecting God’s natural law. A family with a father, a mother, united as one in marriage, and their children living together is as God created and ordered life from the beginning and is the foundation of any healthy society. Since the fall this order is broken and not ideal. This rejection of God’s created order helps to explain why BLM protesters are even attacking Christian churches and Christian symbols.
These are all marks of Marxism (one of the tenets of Marxism is the abolishment of organized religion), and Marxism is BLM’s “praxis” (the transformation per their specific ideological end) and to reach the stated goal BLM and those who expose CRT regularly deploy “Kafka traps” against those who attempt to reject the Marxist praxis (a Kafka trap is a debating trap, where the more you deny something the more it is proof of your guilt) which is both illogical and manipulative by design. The counter move is equally manipulative known as the “absurd proposition” which is to establish a claim by showing that the opposite would lead to absurdity or contradiction. So, you never really answer the question nor have a valuable discussion, but rather further divide the people who are speaking.
A perfect example of this is the Trayvon Martin case. George Zimmerman who was described as a “white Hispanic” was guilty until proven innocent, despite the lack of evidence to contradict his account and the accounts of his neighbors regarding what they saw and heard that tragic night. The many protests, riots, and speeches that have followed have been based on the false narrative, that Mr. Martin was innocently walking back with skittles and iced tea from the store, and Mr. Zimmerman stalked and shot Mr. Martin. Mr. Zimmerman did kill Mr. Martin, but it appears to be in self-defense, after Mr. Martin attacked MMA style, Mr. Zimmerman, breaking Mr. Zimmerman’s nose and busting the back of his head. Just a side note, Skittles, and watermelon iced tea when added to prescription cough syrup make a common street drink called “lean” or “purple drank” which is used for getting high. However, in a rush to judgment, we didn’t allow time to gather all the facts, and the false narrative of an innocent black youth being killed by the racist white man becomes the accepted story and unquestionable truth, which in turn fuels the mob and its vigilante mentality that is the riot and cancel culture in America. The real story of a Hispanic man killing in self-defense doesn’t do much for social outrage.
So, is America systemically racist now? In short, no. But again, that does not mean that racism is gone or that all people will wait to see the content of your character. However, dysfunctional America seems to be it appears to be ever striving for the lofty ideals that our founders spoke in the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” And yes, I know the same men who penned these words, owned slaves, counted black slaves as 3/5 a person and did many other sinful things that we dare not overlook, but these sinful leaders put on paper this Biblically true declaration, “that all men are created equal”. Yet, these lofty ideals that our unique to the founding of our country are based natural law and the Word of God, not race or politics.
So, especially now the Church's voice must not be silent for our voice is unique, it is freeing, forgiving, and true. We dare not forget the many horrible racist things that have been done in the past and continue to flow out of our sinful hearts. Repentance and remembrance become the call of the Church to all, for if we do forget our past, we are destined to repeat it, and I pray that never happens. But God is faithful and just, so having confessed our sins, He will forgive our sins through an act of man’s injustice, the death of God’s only begotten Son Jesus Christ, as He who knew no sin became sin for us. Only through God-given faith we will repent of our sins, rejoice in absolution, and see our neighbor no matter the color of their skin, the nation of origin, or their religious beliefs, as a child of God, whom we are to love as ourselves.
So, there you have it, these are just a few reasons why I can’t in good conscience support the organization BLM. This is also why the Church cannot be silent on issues of sin, matters of conscience, and the Word of God. God’s peace be with you as we strive to continue to confess the peace that passes all human understanding that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Rev. Joseph Fisher
Heb. 12:1-2
Pilgrim News
Due to Covid-19 the pews, communion rails, hand rails, and hymnals are disinfected following every service. Help is needed with this task following the 8:00 am Sunday service. It does not take long to complete this important task, especially if there are multiple volunteers. If you are able to help, please contact the Church Office.
Join Us! Pilgrim Quilter’s will begin meeting again on Wednesday, September 9h at 9:00 am in the Old Fellowship Hall. Join us on the 2nd & 4thWednesdays of each month. Even if you do not sew, we have plenty for you to do. We need help with cutting, laying out, and tying the quilts. We look forward to seeing you!
Join Us! Ladies Guild / LWML will begin meeting again on Tuesday, September 15th at noon in the in the New Fellowship Hall. All women of the congregation are invited to join us on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. If you have any questions please call, Ruth Kohler at 338-6392.
Pilgrim Website has been updated; however, we need help with checking for misspelled words and other typos. When you have time, please read through http://www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org/ note the location of any errors you find. Submit your findings to the church office for us to review. Thank you!
Wednesday Youth Catechism will begin meeting again on September 9th at 4:00 pm in the Sanctuary. All Pilgrim youth in 3rd grade and above are encouraged to attend. A Parents’ Meeting will follow at 5:30 pm in the New Fellowship Hall.
Enduring Faith Sunday School will begin meeting again on September 13th at 9:15 am in the Music Room. All children and youth, 3 years and older, are encouraged to attend.

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Parents of Pilgrim Children and Youth:
We request that you complete a Youth Christian Education Form for your family prior to September 9th to ensure we for up-to-date Emergency Contact Information for you children and so we may properly prepare for the new school year. The registration form may be completed online at www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org under the Education tab or by contacting the office for a hard copy.
Thank you,
Pastor Fisher and Pastor Raffa
The Church Picnic scheduled for September 13, 2020 has been cancelled until further notice.
Sunshine Cards Update
Over 125 cards have been made and mailed to Pilgrim members since the Sunshine Cards program began in December 2019. Cards have been sent to members who are unable to attend church beginning with Christmas and continuing through Valentine's Day, Easter, and August (a "thinking of you" card with a summer theme). Each card included a Bible verse, and all have been created by Pilgrim volunteers. Get well cards have also been mailed to members who have been ill. Many thanks to the Pilgrim Endowment Fund for supporting this program! If you are interested in joining this small group of Sunshine Card volunteers, contact Carol Heger at 262-338-3028 or email xusnps@aol.com.
For the Food Pantry:
We are looking for donations of Diapers, from the smaller to the larger sizes. We also need items like laundry detergent, fabric softener (the dryer sheets are best), garbage bags and storage bags, and now that school is starting again, sandwich bags. Toilet paper, paper towels and Kleenex type tissues are always needed. Thank you.
Silent Auction:
Yes, there will be a Silent Auction this year. It will run form October 4 - 17, 2020. We are looking for donations of gently used items. Gifty , crafty type items are always welcome, as are food items. Food items should be brought in when the Auction in open. Please bring them to the Church office starting September 1, 2020. We are also in need of people to set up, price and work the Auction. If you are interested in helping out, please either contact the Church office or Carolyn MacAfee.

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Treasurer’s report
Financial Statement Ending : August 27, 2020
Month Income:	$ 22,062.00
Month Expenses:	$18,178.93
Year-to-Date Income:	$ 248,047.89
Year-to-Date Expenses:	$ 225,545.72
Checking Account Balance	$ 22,502.17
Designated Funds Savings Account:
Amazon Balance:	$432.03
Tuition Assistance: YTD:	$9,000 ($1,250 August)
General Savings Funds & Accrued Interest: $2,765.81
Flooring Replacement Fund:	$1,545.00
Roof Replacement Fund:	$2,913.00
Total:	$7,655.84
Missions:
Endowment Fund as of / June 28, 2020 :	$134,229.88
Bonnie Leffin, Treasurer

Membership report
Baptized: None
Died in the Faith: None
Transferred In: None
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership:
NolaRae Asmus 8-4-2020

September volunteer schedule
[Subject to change due to Covid 19]
Thursday, September 3: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Pat K.
Elder: Bob K.
Usher Team: A.
Acolyte:
Sunday, September 6: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Linda M.
Altar Guild: Laurie L./ Betty S.
Elder: Gary E. / Dennis E.
Usher Team: 5 / 2
Acolyte: Ian Zehetner/ Caden Olson
Thursday, September 10: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Karen S.
Elder:
Usher Team: B
Acolyte: Dylan Kabitzke
Sunday, September 13: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Kathryn P.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Bonnie M.
Elder:
Usher Team: 1 / 4
Acolyte: Tyler Densow / Rachel Raffa
Thursday, September 17: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K.
Elder:
Usher Team: A
Acolyte:
Sunday, September 20: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Carolyn M.
Altar Guild: Norma B. / Carolyn M.
Elder:
Usher Team: 3 / 8
Acolyte: David Hoffman / Luke Selzler
Thursday, September 24: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder:
Usher Team: B
Acolyte: Dylan Kabitzke
Sunday, September 27: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Caryn L.
Altar Guild: Cheryl T. / Rita F.
Elder:
Usher Team: 5 / 2
Acolyte: Victoria Mulvey / Caden Olson

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Communal Prayers
For a delight and love of God’s Word: O merciful God, You see how, on account of my corrupt nature, I have no desire for Your Word and how easily I am turned from it by the devil, my own flesh and blood, the children of the world, and false teachers, and preachers; how careless, inattentive and reluctant I am to hear and to keep Your Word. Therefore, I ask you now, eternal God, to pardon my inborn sloth, and give me a willing and awake heart, to hear and consider Your Word; awaken in me a heartfelt desire, that as a newborn babe I may long for the reasonable, pure milk of God’s Word. Let nothing in this world be dearer to me than Your Word, that I may love Your Word more than gold and always count it my most excellent treasure. Keep me in Your truth, for Your Word is truth, that I may cling to it as to the heavenly truth and abide steadfast therein until my final end. In your most holy and blessed name. Amen.
Thanksgiving for all the benefits received since the mother’s womb: Lord, before I was or lived or moved, or could do anything, You were over me in my mother’s womb, graciously defending me as Your own creation, tenderly caring for me, and in wonderful manner sustaining me. Much more do You do this to me, now that I am a “man born into this world,” living, going, staying, acting, and knowing You through Your Word, even if it seems far different in the eyes of men, and even though my old Adam, which hangs about my neck until the grave, feels the opposite. But however, it may seem or feel, I pay no head to it, nor am I mislead by it, but hold to Your declaration that You are my Lord from my mother’s womb. This will not deceive or fail. I confide in this, and by it I stir up and strengthen my faith, which does not regard what is seen but by hope and patience awaits what is unseen. May You be ever blessed, my Lord, and my God. Amen.
For comfort against unworthiness and the tribulation of the devil: Lord God, through a brother You have absolved me, baptized me, and fed me with Your body and blood. Do with Your servant as You please; I will not be angry nor blaspheme You, but will bear all things patiently. For I do not want the covenant that You established with me in Holy Baptism and the Holy Supper to be destroyed. I know that I have been baptized, that I have eaten the body of Your Son and drunk His blood, that I have been absolved for God’s sake, released from my sins, indeed, that all my sins are forgiven and that victory over the devil, death, and hell has been promised me. What more can I ask for? Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Richard Fisher, Jeff & Betty Schneeweis, Jerry Sullivan, Carolyn Bren, Barbara Soat, Terry Mowery, Donna Sommer, Debra Ziemann, Kandie Darmody, Wilma Wilson, June Fry, Orville Heckendorf, Erv & Ruth Mertz, 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, Inez Schwoch, Glenn Schnabel, Jenny Vickerman, Carl and Lois Pritzlaff, Linda Lukas, Linda Borneman, Tracey Leffin-Hedrick, Nancy Nicholas, Scott Biskobing, Rachel Davis, Marissa Flanders, Linda Schmidt, Vanessa Kuehne, Laverne Gierach, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer.

Voice of Faith

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Birthdays
Diane Behrens
Brian Skrentny
Rebecca Virchow
Connie Hackbarth
Angela Skrentny
Haley Densow
Jeff Held
Nathan Farrington
Jolene Gundrum
Benjamin Olson
David Pajewski
9 Norma Benz
Alex Chapman
Christian Dahl
Kathryn Parker
Daniel Neuman
David Zenda
12 James Krubsack
Patrick Schiefelbein
James Spaeth
Marilyn Roell
Braedon Brehm
Autumn Schellinger
Mary Schwittau
Jennifer Strohmeyer
Cindy Schreiner
Scott Sullivan
Joyce Virchow
Phyllis Laabs Darkow
Patrice Knuth
Jonathan Thames
Jeffrey Dalton
Cathy Pollow
Samantha Chapman
Christopher Held
Lexie Steiner
Beverly Schepp
Sandra Thames
Eric Johanen
Tyler Densow
Yvonne Rosenthal
Sarah Spalda
Abigail Voll
Anniversaries
Carl & Becky Steiner
Steven & Cindy Wiedmeyer
Chris & Beth Gatzow
Robert & Theresa Baerenwald
Keefe & Lindsey Olig
James & Diane Behrens
Jeff & Betty Schneeweis
Ronald & Joyce Virchow Sr.
Jeff & Pat Otten
Ron & Cheryl Virchow Jr.
Daniel & Barbara Rockrohr
30 Paul & Ruth Kohler

Month 2020 — Page #

September / 2020		1	2 / 4p Cable BC / 6:30p Bible Study: / Lutheran Difference	3 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	4 / Office Closed	5
6 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Adult Class: Luther’s Small Catechism / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Bible Study: Galatians	7 / Labor Day / Church Office Closed	8 / 6:30 p. Elders	9 / 9a Quilters / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 5:30p Parents Meeting / 6:30p Bible Study: / Lutheran Difference	10 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	11 / Office Closed	12 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
13 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Adult Class: Luther’s Small Catechism / Sunday School: Growing in Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Bible Study: Galatians	14 / 5:30 p. Trustees / 7p. Church Council	15 / 12p Ladies Guild /LWML	16 / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study: / Lutheran Difference / 6p.m. Ties That Bind Quilt Guild	17 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	18 / Office Closed	19
20 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Adult Class: Luther’s Small Catechism / Sunday School: Growing in Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Bible Study: Galatians	21	22	23 / 9a. Quilters / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study: / Lutheran Difference	24 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service	25 / Office Closed	26 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
27 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Adult Class: Luther’s Small Catechism / Sunday School: Growing in Christ / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Bible Study: Galatians	28	29	30 / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study / Lutheran Difference

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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

Christian Education:
Sunday School Starts on
Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 9:15 am.
Catechism Classes for 5th - 8th Grade
starts on Wednesday, September 9, 2020.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Pr 31:8–9). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Mt 25:34–40). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Proverbs 31:8-9 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

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The above quotes from Caesarius’ sermon on Isaiah 5:20 and Jerome’s commentary on the same text are clear statements that justice matters to the Church and God’s Word makes it even clearer, Proverbs 31:8-9 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. and our Lord Jesus says to the sheep who will inherit eternal life, Matthew 25:34-40 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ We would do well to take this call to heart as the Word rightly points out that true justice is a matter with eternal consequences.
Recently in a discussion about the senseless killing of George Floyd, (Something I think we all could have agreed on and which could have been a rallying cry for unity in our easily divided country for appropriate reform with level heads and proper motives. Instead has become a source for further dividing us and as the writing of this over sixty days of rioting around our country.) a friend shared an article that ended up leading me to dive deeper into the organization “Black Lives Matter” (BLM). Article after article tossing me to and fro. I know this is a divisive topic, but some Biblical light needs to be shed on this issue. I have to admit I have found myself struggling to agree with some of the conclusions that a few of my well-respected peers have made, and I am not giving examples because I am seeking to speak with them individually. I pray you will bear with me as I attempt to address this topic.

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
5
Communal Prayers
7
Birthdays & Anniversaries
8
September Volunteers Schedule
6
Calendar
9

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