Author: Julie Raffa

February 2020

The Pilgrim Herald

“Eyes on Jesus” O come, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

This coming season of Lent we will be using a series written by Rev. Carl Roth entitled Eyes on Jesus. All the Gospel texts for this series come from the Passion accounts of the Gospel according to St. Mark drawing on Mark 14–16.
O come, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (quoted above and is the Gradual for Lent, based on Hebrews 12:2).
When the characters in the Passion narrative look at Jesus, what do they see? In most cases, people misunderstood who He is and what He was doing. In some cases, by faith, people recognized Him aright. Our Lenten series this year, will examine how the various people around Jesus viewed Him—and how we should view Him. We will “fix our eyes” on what Jesus has done to save us from our sins by His holy, precious blood and innocent sufferings and death, and celebrate what God sees on account of His work: our justification for His sake.
On Ash Wednesday, we will see how, in spite of Jesus’ repeated predictions about His upcoming Passion, the disciples with “Misjudging Eyes” fail to recognize that soon He will not be with them, and they cannot see the anonymous woman’s anointing of Jesus as preparation for His burial. But Jesus sees her actions as a beautiful deed that will be proclaimed throughout the world wherever the Gospel is heard.
At our midweek service after the First Sunday of Lent, we will look through Judas’s “Betraying Eyes” and learn why he did this awful deed. Yet the behind-the-scenes-reality is that Jesus was “handed over” (another way of translating the verb for “betray”) by God the Father Himself, so that Jesus could die for the sin of the world.
“Sleepy Eyes” is the theme for the second week of Lent. In Gethsemane, Jesus’ inner circle of Peter, James, and John cannot keep their eyes open to watch and pray with Jesus for even an hour, while Jesus comes to see that His Father’s will is that He drink the cup of God’s wrath when He comes to the “hour” of His suffering.
In the third week of Lent, we stare into the “Denying Eyes” of Peter and the other apostles. They could not see how they could ever fall away from Jesus, but after Jesus is betrayed by Judas, ten of them flee, and Peter—when he is spotted by a servant girl and sees that his own neck is on the line—sees fit to deny Jesus, which leads to his own eyes weeping in remorse. We sinners likewise deny our Lord in many ways, but Jesus denied Himself to take up the cross for our salvation.
“Murderous Eyes” is the theme of week 4 in Lent. The chief priests and scribes saw Jesus as an obstacle to be rid of by murdering Him through the Roman judicial system. Yet during the Passover festival, they would unwittingly bring about the Father’s sacrifice of the ultimate Passover Lamb.
In the fifth week of Lent, we look through the “Worldly Eyes” of Pilate, the Jewish leaders, and the Roman soldiers. Pilate can only view matters in a worldly, pragmatic way, wishing to placate the worldly Jewish leaders and crowd, so he consents to handing Jesus over for crucifixion. The soldiers see the opposite of a worldly king, but their ironic hailing of Him as “King of the Jews” proclaims who He really is. The world looks for power and glory; God’s way is suffering and the cross.
On Maundy Thursday, there is “More Than Meets the Eye” to the Lord’s Supper. We will look into the Old Testament background of the Last Supper and rejoice in the mystery that Jesus, in and with, bread and wine, gives us His body and blood in order to deliver to us the benefits of His Passion.
On Good Friday, we look through “God’s Eyes” to see what is happening during the Passion: the once-for-all atonement for the sin of the whole world and the justification of all sinners on Easter.
“Resting Eyes” is the theme for Holy Saturday. Various disciples rested their eyes upon the dead Jesus, cared for His body, and buried it. As Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses rest their eyes upon the sealed tomb and contemplate further anointing of His body the next day, they cannot see that Jesus’ own eyes are merely resting temporarily, and Easter morning will bring a dramatic reversal.
Finally, Easter Sunday gazes upon “Angel Eyes.” The angel in the tomb knows the whole story of Jesus’ resurrection. When he sees the women, he proclaims the Gospel to them, shows them where Jesus’ body had formerly lain, and tells them that they can see Jesus themselves in Galilee.
Likewise, the “angels” or messengers of the Church in the apostolic ministry tell God’s people where they can find Jesus and His salvation in the Means of Grace.
Eyes on Jesus will continuously focus our eyes on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, buried, and risen for our justification. This is a vision that will never disappoint, for by trusting in Jesus, He promises that we will gaze upon His beautiful face now by faith and forever in heaven!
God Bless,
Pastor Fisher

Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports	2
Lutheran News	7
Lutheran Life	8
From the Fort	9
From the Synod	10
Lutheran Missions	11
Communal Prayers	12
Birthdays & Anniversaries	14
Calendar	15

Pilgrim News
Is the Bible True? There are many “knowledgeable” people today who teach that the Bible is not the Word of God. Rev. Dr. Nathan Jastram, Professor of Theology at Concordia University—Wisconsin, will be at Pilgrim on Saturday, February 29, 9:00 a.m.—10:30 a.m., to teach us how to defend ourselves against these lies, and respond to the liars with the evidence that the Bible is the true Word of God. Please contact the Church Office to let us know you plan to attend.
Weekly Lenten Meals begin on Ash Wednesday, February 26 and continue on Thursdays for five weeks. Each week a different church group hosts the meal, served at 5:30 p.m., for the congregation. The meal is followed by a Divine Service at 7:00 p.m. There are four weeks remaining from which groups may choose to host. A signup sheet is posted in the Narthex. Thrivent Action Team Grants have been used in the past to purchase food items for these meals.
Pilgrim Food Pantry: Many thanks to all who support and donate to Pilgrim’s Food Pantry; your generosity is amazing and greatly appreciated. Did you know the most popular Food Panty items are actually nonfood products? This is because the sole purpose of the Full Shelf Food Pantry in West Bend and Food Share Wisconsin is to provide food. Therefore, help is needed to obtain items such as paper products, plastic storage bags, garbage bags, cleaning & laundry supplies, toothpaste, shampoo, and other personal hygiene products. Please Remember: the Pilgrim Food Pantry is available to all members who have need of it, without question. It is located on the lower level and is accessible at any time the church is open.
Easter Crafts was a successful addition to the Easter Egg Hunt last year. It was made possible with funding from a Thrivent Action Grant. We are looking for a member willing to use one of their Thrivent Action Grants to fund this year’s crafts. All necessary information will be provided and help with the application is available. If you can help, speak with Julie Raffa.
Lutherans For Life of WI—Ozaukee Co Chapter will meet Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 p.m., at River of Life LCMS, Saukville. WELS Pastor Robert Fleischmann, the National Director of Christian Life Resources, Inc. will share information about his organization’s mission to educate on life and family issues. The Concordia Students for Life will also share experiences from their January trip to Washington D.C. for the March for Life. Questions: Susie Pipkorn 262-618-4000
Do you enjoy paper-crafting and card-making? If so, the Sunshine Circle would love to have you join us on Saturday, February 1 at 9:00 a.m. in the Old Fellowship Hall to craft valentine cards for Pilgrim’s shut-in members. Those who have received cards in the past have repeatedly expressed their joy and appreciation at receiving a card from their church family. Supplies are provided including the beautiful papers, dies, stamps, inks, and embellishments from Stampin Up, Lawn Fawn, and My Favorite Things.
Pilgrim Pioneers will meet on Tuesday, February 4 at noon for a potluck lunch, followed by a brief devotion and card games. At the March Pioneers gathering, we will enjoy a potluck lunch, along with a little St. Patrick’s Day fare, a brief devotion, and have a viewing of John Wayne’s The Quiet Man. Adults, ages 55 and older are invited to join in the fun and fellowship.
The Drama Department of Living Word Lutheran High School has begun work on their spring play: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Living Word’s plays always make for a fabulous evening of entertainment. This play is being directed by Pilgrim’s own: Tanner Schmidt and stars Sam Grosskreuz. There will be three showings: Friday, March 13 at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Save the date; you don’t want to miss this.
Organ Recital, given by Sam Grosskreuz, on Saturday, February 22 at St. Paul’s LCMS in Grafton. If you enjoy Sam’s musical talents on Sundays, you will certainly enjoy hearing him at his best and play his favorites. The time is pending and will be published in the service bulletin once it has been finalized.
Thanksgiving Pineapple Casserole: Mix 1 C. sugar, 5 T. flour, 2-15 oz cans pineapple chunks (drain juice from one can), & 2 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese together & spread in 13x9” casserole. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Crush 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, spread over casserole & drizzle with 1/2 C. melted butter. Bake 10 minutes more or until brown and bubbly.
Please remember the Pilgrim family and friends listed here who have requested our prayers: Orville Heckendorf, Norma Benz, Erv & Ruth Mertz, Mark Selzler, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, June Fry, David & Olivemae Olson, Richard Reich, Judy Clark, Louise Kreis, Judith Belling, Dot Miller, Jennifer Jensen, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Marge Legate, Suzanne & Jim Stadelmayer, Elaine Kuenzel, Karen Haufmann, Donald Teske, Connie Hackbarth, Sheryl Pajewski, Jeanette Guillaume, Donna Sommer, Inez Schwock, Glenn Schnabel, Jenny Vickerman, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Charity Carey, Stewart Clark, Rev. Bill Kilps, Susie Fisher, Lois Pritzlaff, Wilma Wilson, Tim Allen, Tracey Leffin-Hedrick, Nancy Nicholas, Scott Biskobing, Carolyn Bren, Linda Lukas, Rachel Davis, Marissa Flanders, Linda Schmidt, Vanessa Kuehne, Laverne Gierach, Travis Winkler, Linda Borneman, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer.
Need to Contact Pastor Fisher? The Fishers no longer have a home phone. If you need to contact Pastor, you can call the church office or his cell 262-305-1663.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

February 2020 — Page #

Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
440 Meadowbrook Drive - West Bend, Wisconsin 53090
Email: office@pilgrimlutheran.wb.org - website: www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org
Office Phone: 262-334-0375 - Office Hours: Monday—Thursday 8:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
2020 Church Directory of Officers and Organizations

Clergy:
Sr. Pastor: Rev. Joseph Fisher
Assoc. Pastor: Rev. Christopher Raffa
Church Officers:
President: Jerome Sommer (2015-2021)
Vice President : Jim Behrens (2017-2023)
Voters Sec.: Nancy Rosenthal (2017-2023)
Treasurer: Bonnie Leffin (2020-2023)
Financial Sec.: Jen Schmidt (‘17-2021)
Church Council:
Judy Frank (2018-2021)
Mary Lehtimaki (2017-2020, 2020-2023)
Suzanne Stadelmayer (2019-2021)
Board of Elders:
Dennis Engmann (2017-2020, 2020-2023)
Gary Erdman (2018-2021)
Jacob Hand (2019-2022)
John Heger (2017-2020, 2020-2023)
Bob Knuth (2019-2022)
Tanner Schmidt (2016 - — )
Gary Jenovia (2018-2021)
Brian Skrentny (2018-2021)
Board of Trustees:
Dave Fellenz (2017-2020, 2020-2023)
Paul Grosskreuz (2020 - 2023)
Eric Johanen (2016-20, 2020-2022)
Ben Olson (2020-2023)
Rob Selzler– Head Trustee (‘18-2021)
Board of Christian Education:
Diane Swanson (— - 2020)
Carolyn McAfee (2017-2020, 2020-2023)
Scott Densow (2019-2022)
Carol Heger (2018-2021)
Endowment Committee:
Rita Frank (2018-2021)
Orville Gierach (2018-2021)
Ron Kabitzke (2018-2019, 2020-2025)
Mike Loomans (2019-2022)
Rob Selzler (2018-2021)
Church Staff:
Office Secretary: Sarah Spalda
Custodian: Jim Rosenthal
Custodian: Kevin Hoffman
Organist: Janet Ehlers
Organist: Janet Meisenheimer
Organist: Benjamin Grosskreuz
Organist: Samuel Grosskreuz
Organist: Ian Janssen
Choir:
Director: Samuel Boehlke
Altar Guild Officers:
President: Ginny Schober
Treasurer: Karen Spiering
Ladies Guild / LWML Officers (3rd Tuesday):
President: Ruth Kohler
Vice President: Julie Raffa
Secretary: Norma Benz
Treasurer: Judy Frank
Christian Growth: Jane Rockrohr
Sunshine Circle:
Carol Heger
Dartball:
Captain: Gabe Kempf
Quilters (1st & 3rd Wednesday):
Pioneers (Adults 55+ 1st Tuesday):
Walther League (Teens 2nd Sunday):
Elder Assignments:
Members: Elder:
Asmus - R. Dembski Gary Erdmann
T. Dembski - Glassel John Heger
Gohr - Jennrich Brian Skrentny
Jenovai - Lotz Tanner Schmidt
Maffit - Otten Gary Jenovai
Pajewski - P. Schnabel Dennis Engmann
G. Schnabel - Swanson Bob Knuth
Thames - Zicker Jake Hand

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Board of elders report
January 6, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Present were Pr. Fisher, Pr. Raffa, Gary E. John, Bob, Dennis. Brian, Gary J., Jake and Tanner.
The meeting began with devotion and prayer at 6:30 p.m.
Schedules were made through 2/13. The next meeting will be on 2/3.
Anyone with Thrivent accounts would do well to dedicate their Choice Dollars (the money is given away freely by Thrivent so as to maintain its non-profit status, so it costs you nothing) soon, ideally mid-January. The deadline is 3/31 for the previous year’s funds to be designated. At the moment there are thousands of dollars being wasted by members of our congregations neglecting to designate, money that could serve a charity of your choice well (perhaps the church, i.e. the roof, perhaps another charity—up to you).
The elders discussed a few cases of pastoral care and elder outreach.
The elders discussed the question of a possible fundraiser/free will offering which had been planned. The plan is now is to have a freewill offering following both services for Life Sunday and freewill donations at the soup and salad supper that day for the Gabor family as they look forward to life with newly adopted babies even as the mother recently passed away. The pastors and elders find this to be the best arrangement for a few reasons. This is pending Church Council approval.
The elders would like to encourage any member willing to serve as ushers, including women and youth, to be clear, to volunteer as ushers. This is an uncomplicated and dignified way to be more involved in services, so we hope more will volunteer!
The elders thank Pr. Raffa for his yeoman’s work in databasing member attendance and working through all the difficulties in setting such up for continuing elder/pastoral care.
The elders approved the reestablishment of a checking account by Pastors Fisher and Raffa to manage some synod-provided funds for use in pastoral workshops, conferences and the like. This is simply for ease of access for the varied checks going out and has nothing to do with church funds of any kind.
The elders elected to continue their book study next month owing to time.
The meeting closed with prayer at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tanner Schmidt
TS/ss

Thrivent Members: your help is needed. In order to maintain its non-profit status, Thrivent needs to give away thousands of dollars each year. You can help Thrivent and Pilgrim (or another non-profit tax-exempt group) in two ways:
1—Direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars by calling 800-847-4836 (one member had $618 available when he called to direct dollars to Pilgrim)
2—Call the Pilgrim Church Office at 262-334-0375 and add your name to the list of available Thrivent Action Team Grants. When there is a church fundraiser, educational event or service project that needs funding, you will be contacted about applying for this $250 grant.
In the past, Pilgrim members have used Action Team Grants to fund Life Sunday Lunch, Lenten Meals, Easter Eggstravaganza, Easter Breakfast, Spring & Fall Clean Up, VBS, Christmas & Easter Cards for Inactive Members, Thanksgiving Meal, Christmas Chili & Soup Supper, and Children’s Christmas Bags. With the congregation’s help, we could do even more.

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Church council Report
Council Minutes, January 13, 2020
Meeting was called to order by President Jerome Sommer at 7:02 PM.
Present were Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Jerome Sommer, Bonnie Leffin, Mary Lehtimaki, Judy Frank, Tanner Schmidt, Rob Selzler. (Absent: Jim Behrens, Carolyn McAfee, Susan Stadelmayer)
Pastor Fisher opened with a Hymn and Responsive Prayer.
President Jerome Sommer asked for any corrections to the last minutes of December 9, 2019. There were no corrections. The minutes were approved as printed.
President Report given by Jerome Sommer mentioned that he received letters from LCMS National Offering and a Thank You from Concordia Academy for the Nigerian Mission.
Elders Report given by Tanner Schmidt: Everyone who is a Thrivent member is reminded to sign up for Choice Dollars. This has to be done the beginning of each year. January 26th is the voters meeting. There will be a Chicken Noodle Soup and Salad Lunch after the late service and before the Voters Meeting. A free will offering will be taken for Lutherans for Life after each service. Thrivent funds will be used for the soup & salad lunch fund raiser for the Gabor Family. (Mrs. Ann Gabor recently passed away leaving her husband and two young sons.) There is a need for more ushers. We need volunteers.
Trustees Report: Rob Selzler reported that the salt spreader is being used and works well. Ben Olsen is working on the microphone system in church. Rob is purchasing new light panels for the Fellowship Hall and replacing the bulbs with LED's. The Quilters group will pay for the new light panels.
Board of Education Report: Carolyn McAffee submitted a written report. The parents of the Sunday School children appreciated the lunch and games for the children after the Christmas program rehearsal. The Christmas program went well. (If anyone would like a CD or a USB of the program, please contact the office.) Sunday School is going well. Confirmation 101 class has 6 students and is going well.
Pastors Report: Pastor Fisher will be gone January 19th to the 24th to a Conference in Fort Wayne. The new Lenten series for this year is The Eyes of Jesus. Pastor Raffa has been nominated for the position of Jr. Counselor for the South Wisconsin District LWML.
Pastor Raffa closed the meeting with prayer.
Tanner made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Frank

Membership report
There were no changes in membership during the moth of January 2020.

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Board of trustees report
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees on January 13, 2020, 5:30 p.m.
Present: Rob Selzler-Head Trustee, Dave Fellenz, Ben Olson, Pr. Fisher, Pr. Raffa
Absent: Eric Johanen, Paul Grosskreuz
Opened with prayer.
Approved bills and property use requests.
Projects completed since last meeting:
Trustee David Fellenz built a stand to hold the new Paschal Candle that we will begin using at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday.
Friday morning, January 17, the cable on one side of the parsonage 1 garage door broke due to rust resulting in the garage door coming off the track. Pastor Raffa called Trustee Dave Fellenz who was came over and worked on the door to get it raised manually. The Consolidated Garage Door Co was called and came out later that morning and fixed the door. They were also asked to submit an estimate for replacing the garage door in the future. (the Raffas thank Dave for coming quickly over so early in the morning, allowing them to get their cars out for doctor appointments and school)
After being informed of a loose pew, the screws were tightened thus securing the pew back to the floor. If members find other pews have become loose, they should contact the church office or a trustee, so it can be tightened.
Ongoing projects:
Trustee Ben Olson is working on fixing the inconsistency of Pr. Raffa’s microphone. He believes the microphone, which remains at the same setting throughout the year, was adversely effected when the settings were changed for use at the Children’s Christmas Program.
Trustee Rob Selzler has begun updating the Old Fellowship Hall:
- Lights: Old T-8 bulbs are being replaced LED bulbs. Light covers that have became discolored with age are being replaced. The Pilgrim Quilters are funding the cost of these updates to the lights.
Continuing to monitor the roof for damage and leaks.
Closed with prayer.
Respectfully submitted, David Fellenz
DF/cr

Lutheran news
The January 2020 edition of the Pilgrim Herald included an article about the murder of the Rev. Luis Gregorio Coronado, a pastor of the Lutheran Church of Venezuela. The following is an update from a Venezuelan News website: http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/. It has been translated using Google Translate and edited for content.
“For the cruel murder of the pastor of the Lutheran church “Fuente de Vida”, Luis Gregorio Coronado (58), Carlos Javier Hurtado Rodríguez (28) was apprehended...After the investigations [it was] determined that [Rev. Coronado] had been the victim of a robbery to which he resisted...which caused his death...The [police] continues with the search for Jonathan José Hurtado Rodríguez (24) and Ruberd Gabriel Laporta Brito (29), also responsible for this homicide.”
Please continue to keep Rev. Coronado’s wife and children in your prayers.
http://www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve/noticias/sucesos/esclarecen-homicidio-de-pastor-luterano/.

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Lutheran life
Keeping a Holy Lent
By: Rev. Dr. Gregory J. Wismar

What is the holiest season of the Church Year?
Perhaps that seems an inappropriate question. After all, each season in the annual cycle we observe has its distinct spiritual character. There is the anticipation of Advent, the glorious rejoicing of Christmas, the exuberant triumph of Easter, and the resounding power of Pentecost. But what season invites us more than any other to a repentant reflecting, to a changing of the patterns of our lives, to a new dimension of devotion? That season is Lent, the period of preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Day.
Each year on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, the liturgy of the Church calls us to begin “a holy season of prayerful and penitential reflection,” when “our attention is especially directed to the holy sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The words used in the Ash Wednesday rite of the Lutheran Service Book Agenda also remind us that “from ancient times the season of Lent has been kept as a time of special devotion, self-denial, and humble repentance born of a faithful heart that dwells confidently on His Word and draws from it life and hope.”
Each of the seasons of the church year is observed and celebrated, but Lent, and only Lent, is “kept.” The holy season of Lent invites us to be “keepers”—the people of God who keep the fast, keep the silence, and keep the focus throughout this singular season.
‘Keeping the Fast’
The custom of keeping the fast in Lent has been part of the holy observance of the season from its very beginnings. The biblical precedent for this custom is reflected in the very first hymn in the “Lent” section of Lutheran Service Book (LSB). The hymn writer, Claudia Hernaman, starts with a reference to the time of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. She begins: “O Lord, throughout these forty days You prayed and kept the fast” (LSB 418, LW 92). In the final stanza of the hymn, however, she makes a thoughtful transition; she writes: “Be with us through this season, Lord.”
What Hernaman skillfully does is link the 40 days of Lent with the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness in prayer and fasting, with the inference that for those who would follow Jesus, Lent is a parallel experience.
The idea of the special nature of the 40 days is reflected in the English word quarantine, which has come to connote a time of separation from, and special attention to, the daily sequence of activity for the restoration of health and well-being. For Christians in previous centuries, the quarantine of the 40 days of Lent included going without regular meals for a period of time. That custom is still observed in various parts of Christendom today. Fasting may be observed on one or more specific days of the week, often Tuesday and Friday, when food is limited to one meal each day. In the Middle Ages, the time for that one meal was set at None (sounds like “known”), the ninth hour of the Roman day—three o’clock in the afternoon. Over the course of time, this single daily meal was moved to earlier in the day, but its “time name” remained—and became the word noon in our common English usage.
In the early church, people fasted for different lengths of time and abstained from various foods. In a 604 letter to Bishop Augustine of Canterbury, St. Gregory the Great (commemorated on Sept. 3 in LSB) wrote: “We abstain from flesh meat and from all things that come from flesh, as milk, cheese, and eggs.” In its observance, however, the style of fasting was never to eclipse the purpose of fasting: a spiritual discipline with a positive purpose. Already in 461, Leo, the bishop of Rome, had written: “What we forego by fasting is to be given as alms to the poor.” In the Small Catechism and elsewhere, Martin Luther commends the practice of fasting as “fine outward training.”
In our day and age, some popular health experts promote the medicinal value of occasional fasting. For Christians, however, to keep the fast is to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in the wilderness, finding blessing and spiritual benefit in purposeful self-denial during Lent.
‘Keeping the Silence’
Another spiritual dynamic of Lent is that it is a time to keep the silence in reflection and devotion. The language of Lent is purposefully quieted. The word alleluia is not used as an expression of praise in Lent. Our vocal and instrumental music is reflective and subdued. Purple, the liturgical color customarily appointed for Lent, is the “quietest” of the colors used throughout the church year and is associated with penitence and sorrow. In many churches, the crosses, crucifixes, and other religious artwork is “veiled”—covered with a transparent cloth throughout the 40 days to mute their brilliance and to add a solemn tone to the worship space. In some places, families also cover religious paintings and wall hangings in their homes.
Times of silence for personal reflection and prayer before individual or family devotions have special meaning in Lent. The words of one of the great Lutheran hymns of Lent serve as a call to an extra measure of devotion and prayer: “Jesus, I will ponder now / On Your holy Passion; / With Your Spirit me endow / For such meditation” (LSB 440, LW 109, TLH 140).
Today, establishing a proper setting for such reflection in our fast-paced and noisy world may take extra determination. Finding that place and observing that time, however, is another central component of the discipline of the holy season of Lent and is more than worth the effort. Although much devotional material for the Lenten season exists, one of the best—and readily available— sources of such material is the corpus of Lenten hymns in Lutheran hymnals. Each hymn contains meaningful sacred lyrics from across the history of Christian poetic expression—ready to be rediscovered and taken to heart again and again, whether as part of keeping the silence or in concert with others.
‘Keeping the Focus’
The days and weeks of Lent call us to keep the focus of our lives of faith on Jesus, our Lord, and to learn more of Him and His loving plan of salvation for us. One of the classic hymn stanzas of the Lutheran church portrays that proper focus in this petition to the Lord:
On my heart imprint Your image,
Blessed Jesus, King of grace,
That life’s riches, cares, and pleasures
Never may Your work erase;
Let the clear inscription be:
Jesus, crucified for me,
Is my life, my hope’s foundation,
And my glory and salvation!
—LSB 422, LW 100, TLH 179
In the early centuries of the Church, the season before Easter was used to teach the faith to people who desired to convert to Christianity and asked to be baptized. The process of catechesis included a time when the candidates for Baptism were questioned about their understanding of what they had been taught regarding the basics of the faith. In Latin, this sequence of inquiries was called scrutinia, from which our English word “scrutiny” is derived. At certain times during Lent, the greatest treasures of the faith were shared with the candidates for Baptism, including the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. The Gospel account of the suffering and death of Jesus to pay the penalty for the sins of all mankind was told simply and directly as being of the greatest importance, as it still is.
The observance of a holy Lent has a sacred purpose and can be of great benefit. As we keep the fast, keep the silence, and keep the focus of Lent, it becomes a fuller and more meaningful season. The LSB Ash Wednesday order shares an appropriate prayer for all of us:
Let us pray that our dear Father in heaven, for the sake of His beloved Son and in the power of His Holy Spirit, might richly bless this Lententide for us so that we may come to Easter with glad hearts and keep the feast in sincerity and truth.
_________________
This article was originally published, February 4, 2008, on The Lutheran Witness blog at https://blogs.lcms.org/2008/keeping-a-holy-lent-2-2008/ The author, Dr. Gregory J. Wismar, is a retired LCMS pastor who served for more than 40 years in New England District.

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From the ForT

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

From Seminarian Meier:
January 2020
2020 the Year of Good Vision!
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil 1:2)
The Winter Quarter seems to be the longest - three weeks of classes followed by three weeks of Christmas break, then seven more weeks of classes, and the annual Symposia looms right around the corner! I look forward to meeting pastors that I have not met before, and visiting with those that I have. If either of those categories include you - I would very much like to thank you in person!
It was such a joy to be able to spend so much with family and friends over the holiday break. And though family and friends are important, we must not fail to remember the reason we celebrate: our Lord. Epiphany - the Light of the world has been revealed and shines into the darkness. Let us proclaim the good news that all may hear and see this light! Please continue to pray for me as I proceed to learn to do so faithfully.
It has been and continues to be a great blessing and joy to learn from all of the knowledgeable professors here in Fort Wayne. This quarter I’ve been learning about the Formula of Concord in Confessions III with Dr. Masaki, Genesis in Pentateuch I with Dr. Pulse, sacraments and the office of the ministry in Dogmatics III with Dr. Scaer, and Baptism in a plenary class (Theologia Baptism) along with small groups, and weekly Field Ed with Dr. Pless, as well as Greek readings with Dr. Just.
In my last newsletter I wrote about little Edmund learning to crawl in late November. Well, now he’s standing up with ease - we’re learning to baby-proof our home much sooner than we thought! He’ll be walking on his own in no time… Thankfully my wife is creative with creating barricades that protect our son while simultaneously keeping him entertained, haha! Your generous gifts are much appreciated as we continue in this ongoing endeavor. Now that I have my own child, I empathize with my parents and am much more appreciative of them taking such incredible care of me as I grew up (I was quite the wild child if
you can believe it!).
Thank you so much for your ongoing prayers and support! You and your families are ever in our prayers. May God continue to guide and bless you as you live in His service. God’s peace be with you.
In Christ!
Austin, Beth, & Edmund Meier
Austin.Meier@ctsfw.edu

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From the synod
It All Rests on Christ
By: Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President of the LCMS

“May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2).
The apostle Peter informs his readers that grace and peace are abundantly, effusively, constantly given in the specific knowledge of God the Father and His only begotten Son, Jesus. The Rev. Dr. Norman Nagel, beloved professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, recently passed from this world to the heavenly and joyous presence of Jesus to await the resurrection. He used to say, “When the Lord gives, He gives the whole lot.” And the Lord gives the “whole lot” for specific reasons, and by specific means.
I’ve been in many situations, mostly with Lutherans outside the LCMS, where I heard grace defined as tolerance, with little emphasis or connection to Christ’s cross, or the delivery points of grace as the divine favor of God, in Word, Absolution, Baptism and Supper. I’m thankful for LCMS people who both confess the clear grace of God in Christ and are highly motivated by that grace to serve their neighbors by loving them and sharing Christ.
Grace — the free favor of God — is a result of the work of Christ. That’s why it’s certain. The apostle John wrote, “The blood of Jesus his Son [i.e., man and God] cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). John the Baptizer pointed to Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
In the Old Testament, the animal sacrifices really did forgive sins, but only in view of the coming and ultimate sacrifice of God in the flesh on the cross. “It is the blood that makes atonement by the life” (Lev. 17:11). Hebrews says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb. 9:22). Then the writer lets us know that Christ is the be-all and end-all of all sacrifices. “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26). This once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus was for us, and indeed for all. “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:6). “He made him to be sin who knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21).
Paid in full
Because of verses like Rom. 4:25, which states, Christ “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification,” and 2 Cor. 5:19, “In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself,” we have spoken of an “objective” justification. That is, a divine judgment was rendered in the death and resurrection of Christ. All sins of the whole world have been paid for, and the price was Christ’s bloody death then and there. The world has been “justified” according to the New Testament. This means that the most important thing in Christianity is not how I feel about Jesus, or came to believe in Jesus, or my experience of Jesus (though all these things are certainly not unimportant). Christianity is not ultimately or primarily focused on me, my deeds, my experience, my sincerity. All things focused on me will falter and are imperfect (Rom. 7).
The big thing is the cross and resurrection. Everything for my salvation, and the salvation of the whole world, Jesus accomplished in Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago. One of my seminary professors explained it this way: If someone puts a million dollars into a bank account for you and you simply refuse to believe it, and thus gain no benefit from it, it does not mean that the money’s not there! Faith is simply recognizing the facts, and the bank card is the means to get at the fortune! The world has been reconciled to God in Christ, believe it or not. That makes our task of sharing the Gospel simple. It’s about telling folks they’re broke (repent!), but they’ve got a treasure with their name on it. “Here! It’s yours! It’s done! Believe it!” If by the power of the Word they believe, they have immediate access (Eph. 2:8–9; Acts 13:48) to complete forgiveness and peace of conscience. If by the stubbornness of their wretched human will and the will of the devil they refuse, they walk away from the treasure (Acts 13:46).
Happy exchange
And there’s more. Grace is certain. St. Paul describes an exchange that occurs. The Bible teaches that Christ is our righteousness and more (Jer. 23:6)! “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Cor. 1:30–31). What did Christ get from us? “The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Is. 53:6).
Luther said our relationship with Christ is like a marriage. Each spouse receives everything of the other, good and bad, debt, family, money, property, you name it. Luther called our relationship with Christ in faith a “happy exchange.” He suffers my sin, punishment, death, hell. I get His payment for my sins, His sinless birth, life, good works, Baptism, suffering, agony, death, resurrection and eternal life, indeed His sinlessness, and His perfect relationship to the Father, all credited to my account! Happy exchange indeed!
If this is true, and it is, then my salvation is as certain as Christ, because everything Christ did is mine! You see, it’s blasphemous to say, “Yes, I believe in Christ, but I don’t know if I’m really going to heaven.” In fact, no one could say such a thing if he or she truly understood the nature of the Gospel as Christ giving us “the whole lot.” People who are not sure of eternal life are not sure of Christ. They are looking at themselves, not Christ.
Behold the Lamb
Do you suppose when John pointed to Jesus and shouted, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), he wanted people to be in doubt? They knew full well what happened to the perfect lamb once a year. The people’s sins were confessed over its head by the high priest. It was slaughtered, and its blood sprinkled in the Holy of Holies in the temple for forgiveness. The people knew full well that the blood of the Passover lamb was used to mark the door of the Israelites in Egypt, so that the angel of death would pass over and not kill their firstborn! We sing in Luther’s Easter hymn:
Here our true Paschal Lamb we see,
Whom God so freely gave us;
He died on the accursed tree —
So strong His love — to save us.
See, His blood now marks our door;
Faith points to it; death passes o’er,
And Satan cannot harm us.
Alleluia! (LSB 458:5)
The Means of Grace
Grace is as certain as Christ’s life, death and resurrection. And that grace is even more certain because the Bible tells us where this free favor of God, this forgiveness, is found. I’ve heard people say, “Pastor, my church is the golf course. I worship God there!” I respond, “Hey, that’d be great if only God would have tied the forgiveness of sins to a golf club!” But He hasn’t. He’s tied it to His Word, preached and read (faith comes by hearing — Rom. 10:17); to Baptism (Baptism now saves you — 1 Peter 3:21; Titus 3:5); to Absolution (if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them — John 20:23); and to the Lord’s Supper (given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins — Matt. 26:28). Only a fool would despise these gifts. God help and have mercy upon us sinners and all for whom we pray, and all to whom we speak the Gospel.
The babe whose birth we celebrate came to give us grace. And He wants us to be completely certain of it, because it rests totally on Him.
-Pastor Harrison
This article was posted January 2, 2020 on The Lutheran Witness blog at
https://blogs.lcms.org/2020/it-all-rests-on-christ/

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Lutheran missions
News from the Conrads serving in Mexico and Guatemala:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We pray that all of you had a Merry Christmas celebration. The message of the Christ Child gives light to a world that is enshrouded in darkness. May the church continue to serve as a beacon of light in all parts of the world. Dan helped pastor Alvaro Lopez with the Advent and Christmas celebrations at Iglesia San Pablo in Mexico City. The candlelight Christmas Eve service was very well attended. We give thanks to all the members for their participation in this event.
Unfortunately, we have some sad news to share: During the second week of December, Pastor Luis Coronado of Iglesia Fuente de Vida in Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela was murdered. Dan taught Luis several courses during our time as missionaries in Venezuela. We remember Luis as a faithful and compassionate servant of the Lord. Please remember the family of Luis and his congregation during these moments of sadness.
During the first week of December the three of us attended a deaconess conference in Mexicali. (Mexicali shares the border with Calexico, California) Deaconess Danelle Putnam and Dan team taught the course whose theme was, “Ministry Under the Cross.” All enjoyed the learning and fellowship that took place at this conference.
Personal Notes
Dan finished up his fall academic semester and is preparing for the next semester that will begin in January. He will be teaching two courses: Pastoral Theology and the Lutheran Confessions.
A week ago, we visited San Miguel de Allende. We had lived there in 1984 when we were studying Spanish. The city has grown a lot since we were there in the eighties. We had a great time visiting the historic sites.
Our mission continues in Mexico as we build up existing congregations and provide Biblical training for national pastors, deacons, and deaconesses. Prayerfully consider how the Lord may be leading you to support this vital mission. The Lord provides the funding for his mission efforts through the donations of His local churches and its individual members.
Through your financial donations national pastors and deaconess will be formed and mentored that they may spread the Gospel throughout Mexico and Guatemala Together we partner with God to take the Gospel to the far ends of the earth. We thank you for your partnership with the mission in Mexico. May the Lord bless you abundantly in 2020!
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:3)
Soli Deo Gloria
Daniel, Kathy, and Ana
To support our work financially, you may send a tax-deductible gift to:
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod , P.O. Box 790089, St. Louis, MO 63179-0089
Make checks payable to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Mark checks “Support of Daniel Conrad.”
Thank you for your support!

February 2020— Page #

Communal Prayers:
The season of Lent is a time of prayerful and penitential reflection; these prayers help with self-examination through God’s Commandments.
First Commandment: O holy and righteous God, who see and hear all things: I come before You now to examine carefully the condition of my soul and to learn how I am, and whether I am on the way of destruction. Search me O God! Try me and know my thoughts, and make me aware of them by Your Word and Spirit. - Have I remembered You often, great Maker and Sustainer, Redeemer and Sanctifier? - Have I used Your will and Your Commandments as my guidepost in what I do and do not, and have I always asked myself, “Is this in line with God’s commandment?” - Have I not honored many idols and thought of myself highly, followed only my own will, and sought only my own glory and satisfaction? - Have I not feared other men more than God, revered their presence more than God’s presence, and made a greater effort to gain their favor than God’s grace, and done more in love toward them than I would do love in to God? - Has my fear of God borne true fruit, such as obedience, hatred of evil remorse for sin, humility, patience, vigilance, and the like? - Have I sought to know God as the highest good and to love and trust Him above all things? - Has this trust worked true fruit in me, such as hope, serenity, courage, and constancy? - Likewise, what form has my knowledge of God taken? Is it a living or dead knowledge? And do I seek to increase in that knowledge? Do I earnestly guard myself against all errors? - Are all, or even most of, my desires centered on God and His grace?
Second Commandment: How have I treated God’s name, or everything in which God is revealed in His glory? - Have I not frequently spoken the names of God and Jesus irreverently? - How often have I prayed without true devotion and conception of God’s majesty? - What form has my reading and meditation of God’s Word taken? - Have I not sometimes quoted verses of Holy Scripture in an unfitting manner to bring attention to myself or to make a joke? - Have I, in the contemplation and use of created things, reverently regarded the Creator’s wisdom, goodness, and almighty power? - Have I misused my mouth for cursing, swearing, and slander after the manner of brazen sinners? - Have I been a liar and deceiver in spiritual things and knowingly twisted God’s Word, or even deceived others through hypocrisy—What form have my praise and thanks taken?
Third Commandment: Have I regarded the Sabbath with due reverence and tried to sanctify it is a way pleasing to God? - Have I on Sundays allowed my mind to rest from temporal concerns and my body from the regular work of my vocation, that God might do His work in me and I might rest in God? Have I, to that end, prepared myself in the morning with sincere prayer? - Have I behaved as a child of God in thoughts, words, and actions, and heard the Word devoutly as the Word of God and prayed and sung with sincerity? Have I acted like a child of the world at church and used my clothing to show off, chatted about worldly things, looked down on other people, judged the preacher only by human favor?- Have I passed the rest of my Sunday with holy activities such as reading, praying, examining myself, contemplating God’s works and benefits, renewing my good resolution, an so on? - Or have I joined the world in seeking all manner of carnal amusements and passed the time with sinful jokes, foolishness, and looked to my own contentment on the Lord’s day in indolence, excessive eating and drinking, or frivolous parties? - Have I been serious about serving God and being properly edified and amended?
Dear God, I confess to You that I am a great sinner, and the Ten Commandments drive and thrust me down to hell, but the Gospel teaches me that this is to be regarded as the highest wisdom: to know and believe that it is Your will to be gracious and merciful. Therefore I take these together in one word and confession: I am a sinner, yet You are merciful to me; I am Your enemy, but Your are my friend only; I ought to be condemned, but I know that Your do not wish to condemn me, but to save me as an heir in heaven. . Indeed you wish it to be so. You have preached this to me and commanded me to believe it for the sake of your dear Son, whom You gave up for me. Amen.

Voice of Faith

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

February 2020— Page #

Birthdays
1 Ruth Mertz
4 Andrew Hoffman
6 James Behrens
Nancy Scherer
7 Keith Gierach
9 Clayton Kempf
10 Rebecca Boehlke
Jamie Carron
Bryce Schulz
11 Brynlee Kempf
Archer Roell
15 Caden Olson
17 Lorraine Gierach
19 Dean Milis
20 Brayden Thimmig
21 Leah Bolstad
22 Samuel Grosskreuz
23 Shirley Mayer
Diane Zell
25 Dylan Kabitzke
27 Stephen Spalda, Sr.
Anniversaries
1 Shane & Melissa Oppermann
20 Joan & James Prine
25 Jon & Sandy Thames

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February 2020						1 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study / 9a Sunshine Circle
2 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 1 & 4 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	3 / 4p Chapel @ Jackson Crossing / 6:30p Elders	4 / 12p Pioneers (Cards) / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	5 / 9:30a Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	6 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	7 / Office Closed	8
9 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 3 & 8 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study / 5:30p Walther League	10 / 5:30p Trustees / 7p Church Council	11 / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	12 / 9a Quilters/Darleen B / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	13 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	14 / Office Closed	15 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
16 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 5 & 2 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	17 / March Herald Submissions Due	18 / 12p Ladies Guild/ LWML / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	19 / 9:30a Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	20 / 9a Bible Study / 4p Cable Worship / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	21 / Office Closed	22
23 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 1 & 4 / 9:15a Bible Study & Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	24	25 / 9a Book Study / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	26 Ash Wednesday / 9a Quilters/Jennifer E / 1p Divine Service / 4p Cable BC / No Catechism / No Bible Study / 5:30p Lenten Meal / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	27 / 9a Bible Study / 9a. Chapel @ Ivy Manor I-III / 4p Cable Worship / No Divine Service	28 / Office Closed	29 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study / 9a—10:30a Bible is Truth / Presentation

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

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Email: office@pilgrimlutheran.wb.org - website: www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org

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Ash Wednesday: February 26
“Misjudging Eyes” (Mark 14:1–9)
Midweek of Lent 1: March 5
“Betraying Eyes” (Mark 14:10–21, 32, 41–46)
Midweek of Lent 2: March 12
“Sleepy Eyes” (14:32–42)
Midweek of Lent 3: March 19
“Denying Eyes” (Mark 14:26–31; 66–72)
Midweek of Lent 4: March 26
“Murderous Eyes” (Mark 14:1–2; 53–65)
Midweek of Lent 5: April 2
“Worldly Eyes” (Mark 15:1–20)
Maundy Thursday: April 9
“More than Meets the Eye” (Mark 14:22–25)
Good Friday: April 10
“God’s Eyes” (Mark 15:21–39)
Easter Vigil: April 11
“Resting Eyes” (Mark 15:40—16:1)
Easter Sunday: April 12
“Angel Eyes” (Mark 16:1–8)

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We Pray For
+ The family and congregation of Pastor Luis Coronado.
+Ana’s appointment with her neurologist.
+ Our vicars: Guillermo Leyva and Neftali Garcia. + More mission partners for our mission in Mexico. + The proclamation of the Christ Child throughout the country of Mexico.
We Give Thanks For + The Christmas celebrations throughout Mexico. + The faithful service of vicars Guillermo Leyva and Neftali Garcia + The prayers and financial support that make the mission in Mexico possible. + The missionaries who serve the Lord in all parts of the world.

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