Author: Julie Raffa

March 2020

The Pilgrim Herald

Lost Keys and Lost Self:
Repentance, Confession, and Absolution
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:8-9

Most mornings, as I begin my brief trek from the parsonage to the church, I go through a mental check list of sorts. Took my medication, check. Brushed my teeth, check. Have my phone and watch, check. Three kids and a wife off to school, check. And then about half-way across the parking lot it happens: I reach down into my pocket to grab for my keys and my hand is sadly empty. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Not again! Argh! My tongue becomes a world of unrighteousness. Hopefully not so loud that the residents of Meadowbrook hear me. With the simple loss of my keys goes all sense of perspective. My mind becomes a caldron of frustrated feelings. “Where could they be? “I mean, I just had them.” As I retrace my steps to find them I encounter various emotional responses: logic, self-condemnation, vexation, desperation, last ditch efforts, despair, and finally the apocalypse of my sinful self. Yes, triggered by the simple loss of some keys.
Sometimes the days run smoothly. They hum along as everyone in the house is attending to their responsibilities. But then, something insignificant happens, miniscule in nature, the slightest tare in a smoothly running morning, and everything comes to a screeching halt. The neediness and sinfulness, the fixation on everything going as we expect it to proceed, the weaknesses that we try and dress up, all manage to display themselves in a chaotic household that just a few seconds ago was a calm and serene place of peace. It only takes a spark.
We must remind ourselves that the small cracks, the failures of day-to-day living, the nuisances of this earthly life that turn into atomic bombs, are not equal to the profound suffering that accompany those who sit in the shadow of death. But this is not that. This is the roadside ditch of broken things and lost objects, of passing rain clouds of gloom, of glum days, of the days that mamma said we would have, but knowing with Annie that the sun will come out tomorrow.
And yet even here, in the ordinary ruptures of life, in our petty feuds and frustrations, here is where Jesus dwells. No matter how we define the depth of our brokenness of sin, Jesus remains ever present in salvation to rescue us from every evil of body, soul, and mind. The severity never matters.
We must understand that moments of honest self-reflection, of true penitent confession are opportunities for formation, for sanctity. Beneath our overreactions and aggravation lie our true fears. The loss of my keys may well reveal my anxiety that I won’t be able to do what I need to do to take care of myself and those around me. And as silly at that sounds, there is truth in that. Moreover, a broken appliance, car repair, or piling medical bills unearths my worries about money—will I have enough to fix it. It also exposes my idolatry of ease, of false hope in comfort and convenience—I just want everything to run smoothly.
When the sun is out, when there are no upheavals in the church, when my kids and wife are happy and healthy, I can look and feel like a pretty good person. But let one thing go awry. Let my ears hear of a sad departure of a faithful member of the church, or of a catechumen refusing to learn the language of the faith. Let my eyes see a small crack in a picture perfect life. Let my mind try and figure out the right course of action so that no one gets hurt. Let my heart carry the burdens of this life, and quickly will my ears and eyes, mind and heart know how profoundly I need grace and mercy.
As I have come to learn in the pastoral observance of life, pretty good people don’t need Jesus. And obviously there are no “pretty good people.” There are just lost people. Lost people who keep getting lost and need to be found by Jesus. That is why Jesus came. To seek and to save the lost. He came for the lost, that is, each and everyone one of us. He came for the broken. And in His love He came to give us the foundation and life of His mind, heart, and body, that is, when our mind loses it, our heart is broken, and our bodies weaken unto death.
When suffering is profound and deep, we expect and believe that Jesus will meet us in that darkness. But in the struggles of everyday life, sometimes we seem to feel justified in being annoyed. I am no longer Pollyanna nor can I play her “glad game.” In shipwreck and famine, in tornados and plagues, yes, St. Paul, I am to be content. But in the third day of your child waking you up at 2 am because they lost their sock, your water-heater and stove breaking, your car needing repair and your garage door stuck? That’s just too much to ask.
Everydayness is my problem. We often joke or theorize about what we would do in wartime, or if a hurricane blows through, or 2 feet of lake-effect snow dropped, or if you won the lottery which fund in the church you would put some into it. It’s a lot more difficult to figure out how your going to get through today without despair.
Contrary to popular American Christianity, and the winds of our culture, I can’t simply will myself to, as St. Paul says, “do all things without grumbling or disputing.” It’s not enough to simply want to be more content or tell myself to cheer up. I need to cultivate the practice of having Christ in these small moments of grief, frustration, anger, of seeing them through the lens of Christ’s death and resurrection—the big story of brokenness and redemption—in a small-sized manic Monday.
This brings us to the reality of repentance. Repentance is not an altar call to come and give your heart and life to Jesus. You can’t do that. Your heart won’t let you. And frankly, your flesh doesn’t want to. Repentance and faith are a gift of Jesus by His Word and which are the daily rhythms of the Christian life. Repentance and faith are our breathing in and breathing out of Christ’s grace and mercy.
In these small moments that reveal my lostness and brokenness, I must develop the habit of admitting the truth of who I am. Not running here and there to justify myself or trying to minimize or rationalize my sin away. At the same time, I must also cultivate in my brokenness and lostness the truth that Jesus loves me, no matter how lost I am, and that He will always search for me, find me, and carry me home upon His broad and burden-bearing shoulders. Repentance is not a moment wrought in high drama. It’s the steady drumbeat of a life in Christ, and therefore a day in Christ.
In church each week, we repent together. We confess that we have “sinned in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone.” This practice of communal forgiveness is a vital way to cultivate the habit of confession that marks our daily lives. Through it we learn together the language of repentance and faith. Confession reminds us that none of us gather for worship because we are “pretty good” people. Quite the opposite. We are “poor, miserable, sinners.” Yet in Christ, and through His absolution we are a new people marked by His grace in spite of ourselves. In a strange way, our communal practice of confession reminds us that failure in the Christian life is the norm. We—each and all—take part in gathered worship as unworthy people who, left on our own, deserve “temporal and eternal punishment.” But we are not left on our own.
Our failures or successes in the Christian life are not what define us or determine our worth before God or God’s people. Instead we are defined by Christ’s life and work on our behalf. We kneel. We humble ourselves together. We admit the truth. We confess and repent. Together, we practice the posture that we embrace each day—that of a broken and needy people who receive abundant mercy.
When we confess and receive absolution together, we are reminded that none of our pathologies, neuroses, or sins, no matter how small or secret, affect only us. We are a church, a community, a family. We are not simply individuals with our pet sins and private brokenness. We are people who desperately need each other if we are to seek Christ and walk in repentance. If we are saved, we are saved together—as the body of Christ, as a church. Because of this, I need to hear my forgiveness proclaimed not only by God but by the called and ordained servant of Christ, by the pastor, in which I know that when I hear the pastor speak, it is just as valid and certain in heaven that my sins are forgiven before God in heaven. This grace reminds me that though my sin is worse than I care to admit, I’m still welcomed here. I’m still called into this community and loved.
Unkind and condemning thoughts tell me that God’s love is distant, cold or irrelevant, that I must prove myself to God and other people, that I am orphaned, that God is tapping His toe, impatient with me, ready to walk out on me. These thoughts are loud enough that I need a human voice telling me week in and week out, that they’re lies. I need to hear from God’s servant, my pastor, who knows me that there is grace enough for me, that Christ’s work is on my behalf, even as I am on my knees confessing that I’ve messed up again. We may confess quietly, even silently. But we are reminded of our forgiveness out loud, with the voice of man in stead of Christ. And we need to be sure to hear it.
So in the moments of my day—loosing my keys, loosing my patience, snapping at those I love, slamming the bed room door—I can respond with self-condemnation, self-justification, or repentance. The practice of confession and absolution must find its way into the small everyday moments of our lives. They’re no longer meaningless interruptions, sheer failure and lostness and brokenness. Instead, they’re moments of redemption and remembering, moments to grow bit by bit trusting Jesus’s work on my behalf.
And over time, through the daily practice of confession and absolution, I learn to look for God in the cracks of my day, to notice what these moments of failure reveal about who I am—my false hopes and false gods. I learn to listen more intently to the true God and His Word which forgives my lostness and restores my brokenness, to agree with God about my sin, and even more to hear again that He has blessed me, forgiven me, and loved me in His Son.
In the Bonds of Christ,
Pastor Raffa

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Pilgrim News
Thank you, from Erv & Ruth Mertz, to the Sunshine Committee for he beautiful valentine.
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt is be planned for Saturday, April 4, 2020. We are asking for donations of small, individually-wrapped candies to stuff in the eggs and gift-type items to serve as prizes.
Volunteers Needed to help with Easter Egg Hunt:
- Wednesday, April 1? at 4:00 pm: Stuff the Eggs
- Saturday, April 4: Hide Eggs
- Saturday, April 4: 8:45 am: Help with Crafts & Snacks
Needed: a member willing to use one of their Thrivent Action Grants to fund this year’s Easter crafts. All necessary information will be provided. If you will help, speak with Julie Raffa.
Pilgrim Pioneers will meet Tuesday, March 3 at noon. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy playing cards and conversation with friends.
Easter Breakfast Volunteers: A committee has formed to plan this year’s Easter Breakfast and they are looking for volunteers to help with food prep, serving, and clean-up. Contact the Church Office to help.
Donations to the Pilgrim Endowment Fund may be made at any time, for any reason; designate “Endowment” on your check.

The Pilgrim Endowment Fund has monies available for distribution. The guidelines and application forms are available in the Church Office. The deadline for submitting applications is Thursday, June 11, 2020. Examples of the fund’s acceptable uses are as follows:
Education Account
School Tuition Assistance for students attending one of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod’s schools.
Church Worker Tuition Assistance
Staff Education Assistance
Capital Improvement Account
Remodeling
Capital Equipment
Deferred Maintenance
Mission Outreach Account
Local Missions
District Missions
Synodical Missions
Human Care—Benevolence Account
Helping God’s People — offering financial assistance for the congregation’s members facing economic or personal crises.
Undesignated Account — shall consist of any gifts that are not specifically designated.
None of the income or principal from the above listed accounts shall be distributed and used for the congregation’s operating budget. Most congregations do not use endowment funds to support the operating budget. Congregations that use an endowment to support operating costs often see a decline in general offerings from the members.

Birthdays
2 Manuel Pintor
Thomas Zell
3 Leah Hoffman
Miranda Hoffman
Joshua Schellinger
5 Joseph Pajewski
Kent Voll
Kyle Voll
6 Norma Krubsack
8 Neal Schleif
10 Howard Glassel
Gertrude Sullivan
11 Emma Haas
12 Sue Hausmann
Mark Selzler
14 Alexander Held
Scott Leffin
Abigail Mulvey
Judith Spiegel
15 Emma Raffa
18 Suzanne Voge
19 Robert Mayer
24 Joyce Heberer
25 Jim Rosenthal
27 Dennis Gabor
30 Ginny Schober
31 David Boehlke
Anniversaries
3– Brian & Angie Skrentny
15– David & Olivemae Olson
20- Courtney & Conrad Castro
John & Carol McKay
Manuel & Elaine Pintor
31- June & Harold Fry

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Voters’ meeting minutes
January 26, 2020 Voters’ Meeting
Voters meeting was brought to order at 1 pm. by President Jerome Sommer, followed by Pastor Fisher leading us in prayer and hymn.
ROLL CALL - 34 members in attendance and Jeff Steely signed the Constitution.
SECRETARY’S REPORT - Printed in Herald and motioned to accept by Bill Schepp, seconded by Tanner Schmidt. Unanimous vote to accept.
ELDER’S REPORT - Tanner Schmidt
Catechism 101, 102, 103 new designed program has taken off well.
We are in need of more ushers for church services.
Don’t forget to turn in your Thrivent Choice Dollars.
TRUSTEE’S REPORT - Rob Selzler
Besides all the normal duties:
a lot of shrubs,
4-5 ash trees removed,
trimming and major work on sidewalk in front of the church along roadway has been taken care of.
Hopefully this will please the city.
Purchased a new salt spreader for sidewalks and parking lots.
Pastor Raffa’s house was in need of a new dishwasher and maybe a new air conditioner in the future.
There is a new sign on hwy 45 representing our 3 Missouri synod churches in our area.
The office has a new copy machine which is nicer and more efficient at less cost per month.
Trash service cost has dropped.
Sprinkler system had a leak which ended up being more than just a joint, but fixed
Fixed bathroom issues.
Water fountain should be up and running soon.
Hopefully the PA system is fixed also.
Roof is in rough shape will need to patch some areas if needed until enough roof fund is available.
Some changes have been made in the old fellowship hall:
like new lens on the lights in the ceiling that aren't yellow brightening it up
replacement of LED bulbs over the main table used for right now and as the others need replacing. They will be LED also. Any old bulbs can be used in the basement.
Removed some of the old divided curtains.
Plan on doing some different stuff to some of the walls. Remove some of paneling paint, etc.
Marker board was brought in with maybe a chance of another. Chalk boards can be used for the children to play on.
Temporary fix with paint covering stains on ceiling tiles.
There is a leak in the janitor’s room that will need to be looked into.
If you have any questions for Rob Selzler, contact the church office. The number on the “2020 Church Directory of Officers and Organizations” is not valid.
BOARD OF EDUCATION– No report other than if anyone would like a copy of the Christmas program, see Tanner Schmidt or Sarah in the office.
ENDOWMENT FUND - Ron Kabitzke
Growth of the money is good. This change was motioned to accept by Pastor Fisher and seconded by Dave Boehlke and a unanimous vote. Some by laws will need to be looked over and maybe revised.
CONCORDIA REPORT - No report at this time.
Pastors’ Report - Pastor Fisher
First of all, thank you for letting him go to the Symposium conference in Fort Wayne.
Pilgrim is doing well. Still doing chapel services at Ivy Manor and Auxiliary Court.
Keep in your prayers Norma Benz, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, Orville Heckendorf and Audrey Hilgendorf.
Pastor Fisher and Professor Steely will be working a conference at Concordia on Apologetics.
Last Saturday in February the 29th at 10:30 speaker Dr. Daniel Jastram will be speaking on the facts and foundations of our texts.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - none
NEW BUSINESS - Need four people for an audit committee– they are David Boehlke, Dave Fellenz, Jim Behrens and Ron Kabitzke.
Judy Frank motion to adjourn the meeting,
Tanner Schmidt seconded all agreed. Closed with prayer by Pastor Raffa.
Sincerely submitted by,
Nancy Rosenthal
Nancy Rosenthal, Secretary of Pilgrim Lutheran Church Voters Meeting
NR/ss

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Membership report
Baptized: None
Transferred In: None
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership:
- Franklin Schroeter
Died in the Faith:
- Judith Belling

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Board of Trustees report
February 10, 2020 Meeting
Present: Rob Selzer, David Fellenz, Ben Olson, Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa. Absent: Paul Grosskreuz, Eric Johanen
Opened with prayer.
Approved bills and property use requests.
Discussed ongoing updates to the Old Fellowship Hall.
Church safety update presented by Ron Virchow, Jr. and John Heger from the Safety Sub-committee
Closed with prayer.

Church council report
February 10, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President, Jerome Sommers. Others in attendance were Tanner Schmidt, Rob Selzler, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Mary Lehtimaki, Bonnie Leffin, Jim Behrens, Pastor Fisher, and Pastor Raffa.
Pastor Fisher led an opening devotion.
The minutes for the January meeting were accepted without revision by common consent.
Elders Report – Pastor Fisher
Discussed policy for receiving undesignated gifts and determining what to do with them
Trustees Report – Rob Seltzer
Reviewing recommendations from the Safety sub-committee
A motion to remove the blinds from the windows between the Old Fellowship Room and the Nave was made by Pastor Fisher, 2nd by Tanner, and passed on voice vote.
Treasurers Report – Bonnie Leffin
A motion giving Bonnie permission to purchase and begin using new cloud-based software for financial record keeping was made by Suzanne, 2nd by Tanner and passed on voice vote.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
On Saturday, February 29th from 9:30 am – 11:30 am in the Pilgrim Fellowship Room, Dr. Nathan Jastram of the Concordia University—Wisconsin Theology Department, will be speaking on the topic of the Bible in Ruins. There is no cost but a free-will offering will be taken to give to CU-W Concordia Bible Institute
February 24-25 Pastor Fisher attending the North and South Wisconsin Circuit Visitor winter retreat
Pastor Raffa’s Report
Location and use of the new paschal candle was discussed with members of the Altar Guild at their January 27th Meeting. This information provided to them will be published in the March Herald.
New Business
A motion that the Church Council shall decide the use of any undesignated gifts to Pilgrim Church that may be received before the next Voter’s Meeting, where this policy will be discussed further, was made by Suzanne, 2nd by Pastor Fisher, and passed on voice vote.
A motion was made by Tanner and passed on voice vote to adjourn the meeting.
Pastor Raffa closed the meeting with a prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

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Board of elders report
Members Present: Pr Fisher, Pr Raffa, John H, Gary J, Jake H, Gary E, Dennis E, Bob K, and Brian S.
Members Absent: Tanner S
The meeting began at 6:30 pm with Responsive Prayer 2
Continued in our Book Study of Man Up: The Quest for Masculinity by Jeffery Hemmer
Various comments and issues were discussed, including:
Elder Assignments were scheduled for the next month.
Discussed issues related to the Church Endowment Fund
Discussed the Lenten Meal on March 12th. Gary J, will secure a Thrivent Action Team Grant.
Meeting closed with prayer. Next meeting will be March 2.
Respectfully Submitted, Gary Jenovai
GJ/cr
Altar guild report
January 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Members Present: Pr Fisher, Pr Raffa, Carolyn McAfee, Ginny Schober, Karen Spiering, Bonnie Mowery, Cheryl Thill, Laurie Lotz, Nancy Rosenthal, Pat Knuth, Rita Frank, and Ruth Kohler
Members Absent: Betty Schneeweis, Ellen Roerdink, Norma Benz, Becky Boehlke, and Julie Raffa
Meeting started with prayer and devotion by Pr Fisher
September 24, 2019 meeting minutes were read and approved.
Treasurer's Report was read by Karen and approved.
Old Business:
Pat has “cleaned up” the altar guild books that were given to her and has new ones made if anyone new joins.
There was a discussion about cleaning up the Host that are consecrated and mixing them with the unconsecrated. Pat will make a short guide on the correct way to store these both separately.
It was also decided to only set out 2 cups of water with drops of wine instead of 3 that we had been setting up.
New Business:
Pr Raffa talked about the Pascal candle we will begin using at Easter Vigil. There was discussion about the weigh of the base, when it is to be lit, where it will be placed, and where the big brown cross will be placed. From now on the big cross will sit in where the Christmas tree stands at Advent and Christmas.
So far everyone is agreed the new altar guild schedule is working fine. Please let Ginny know if there are any days that you aren't able to serve.
Lenten meal is set for March 19. We will serve a soup and sandwich meal.
Nancy, Cheryl, and Ruth will be the Easter breakfast committee this year and will meet to plan the menu and a list of what is needed. Pr Fisher will ask for volunteers from the congregation to help with the breakfast.
Norma has been contacted and will take care of the pricing and ordering of the Easter flowers.
Next altar guild meeting is set for September 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Meeting closed with prayer by Pr Raffa at 7:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Ginny Schober, president
GS/cr
Board of Christian education report
No report available for publication.

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Lutheran worship
The following was presented by the pastors to the Altar Guild at their meeting on January 27. It is included here for the edification of the congregation. If you have any questions, please speak to one of the pastors.
Candles In the Church
The most common symbolic and ceremonial light in the church is the candle. The symbolism has its roots in the Old Testament (already in Genesis 1:3), but the most basic Christian symbolism attached to the use of lights is derived from the statement of Jesus: “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12).
Eucharistic Lights: The two three-candle brass candelabras on the altar are called eucharistic lights because they burn only for the service of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Pilgrim celebrates Holy Communion at every service except the Good Friday Service (the candelabras on not on the altar for this service) and the Christmas Eve Lessons & Carols Service (the candelabras are on the altar but are not lighted). These candles are not lighted at weddings or funerals unless Holy Communion is being celebrated.
Office Lights: The seven candle sconces mounted on the chancel wall to the left of the altar are hold the office lights and are lighted for the office services (includes matins, vespers, morning and evening prayer, and all other noncommunion services). These are lighted for every service at Pilgrim including weddings and funerals.
Eternal Light: Sometimes called the sanctuary light or everlasting light, this lighted continuously throughout the year to symbolize the continual presence of God. Pilgrim’s eternal light is in a ruby-red glass globe, held in a brass fixture and suspended from the ceiling above the chancel. This light is not a candle; for safety reasons, the church trustees have placed a battery-operated flicking lightbulb in place of a candle. The Altar Guild is responsible for replacing the batteries as needed.
Christ Candle – The Christ Candle is the, cream-colored, pillar candle that serves as the centerpiece of the Advent Wreath. It is decorated with a red and gold Chi-Rho symbol. The Chi-Rho symbol is an abbreviation of the name “Christ” as it features the first two letters of the Greek word for “Christ: Chi = X and Rho = P).”
The Christ Candle is lighted along with the four Advent candles on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. After Christmas Day, the Advent wreath is removed, and the Christ candle is placed on a small table at the foot of the chancel stairs next to the baptismal font. It remains here and burned at every service during the seasons of Christmas, Epiphany, and Lent. On Good Friday the Christ candle is placed on the altar and then removed to the sacristy by the pastors at the end of the service. Up and until now, the Christ candle was used in place of the Paschal Candle.
Paschal Candle – The Paschal Candle has been used in the church since the 4th century. Paschal comes from the Greek word pascha meaning “passing over.” In the Old Testament it refers to the night the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land. In the New Testament and into the early church the word “paschal” took on new meaning, referring to our Lord’s passion, death, resurrection, and ascension. The Paschal Candle represents Christ Himself and symbolizes the resurrection victory over the darkness of sin and death; the light of Christ scatters the darkness of our minds and bringing us into heavenly kingdom.
The Paschal Candle is to be the largest/tallest candle in a church. It is white or cream in color and has varying degrees of decoration, but almost always includes the Christian symbols:
- Cross to represent His redemptive sacrifice
- Wax Nails, five to symbolize the fives wounds of Christ
- Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet, to signify He is the beginning & the end
- Current Year, signifying that the risen Christ shall be a “pillar of fire” in the year to lead us to the heavenly promised land.
The Easter Vigil marks the first lighting of the Paschal Candle each year; it then burns at all services through Ascension Sunday. From Holy Saturday until Ascension Sunday, the Paschal Candle is placed in the chancel, between the altar and the credence shelf. (The large cross will now be displayed in the same area that the Chrismon Tree is displayed during Advent. Replacing the Chrismon Tree with the Cross is a common practice in many churches as it reminds us that Christ was born to die to save His people from our sins.)
After it is extinguished on Ascension Sunday, the Paschal Candle is moved down to the nave. It is placed on the lectern side, near the Baptismal Font and remains there until the first Sunday of Advent when it is replaced by the Christ Candle and Advent Wreath.
In view of the connection between Easter and Baptism (Romans 6), The Paschal Candle is lighted for all baptisms throughout the year. This symbolizes Christ’s triumph over death and the grave.
Similarly, it is used at all funerals, regardless of the time of the year, as a sign of the Christian’s Passover from death to life. The Paschal Candle is moved to the pulpit side, near to the head of the casket, for funerals.

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The Pilgrim Herald — 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.
Fourth Commandment: How have I treated my parents, my teachers, and my authorities? - Have I humbly acknowledged and honored the mage of God affixed to them? - Have I made an effort to show them all love, fidelity, obedience, and gratitude, and called on God for their physical and spiritual welfare?
Fifth Commandment: Have I not frequently held a grudge against my neighbor, hated him in my heart, envied him, rejoiced at his misfortune, and planned revenge on him? - How often has my anger exceeded bounds of moderation? - Have I not wrongly addressed my actions in wrath and expressed angry, mocking, insulting words and evil wishes? - Have I not perhaps concealed my enmity and mischief and sought to injure my neighbor treacherously through false kindness and courtesy? - Has my rage gone so far at times that I have actually hurt my neighbor with respect to his body and health? Have I fed my enemy, given him something to drink, and prayed for him? - Have I let my neighbor fall in danger of life or limb through my own cruelty or treachery or carelessness? - Have I in my words and deeds not sometimes become offensive to the innocent and simple, and so in some respect wounded their soul? - Have I tried to correct an offense that I gave before, to satisfy the neighbor as much as possible for the injury which occurred, and to appease him? - Have I had mercy and charity in my heart, kindness in my actions, and gracefulness in my words? Have I nurtured toward my offender a meek and reconcilable heart and tried to make peace between others? - Have I attended to my neighbor’s good in spiritual and physical things?
Sixth Commandment: Have I earnestly pursued chastity and purity of body and soul, to be suitable for service both to God and neighbor? - Have I used the proper means of chastity, such as devout prayer, moderation, fasting, and the like? - Have I frequently harbored wicked and impure lusts in my heart, delighted in them, and even pursued them for any period of time? - Have my actions not sometimes been shameless and frivolous? - Have I not frequently lent my ears to unchaste speech and my eyes to unchaste person, pictures or other offensive things? - And have I myself offended others by unfitting words with double meanings? - Have I earnestly avoided all impurity and adultery, by whatever name they may be called? Idleness, drunkenness, intoxication, bad company, and lewd fashion?
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.
Please remember the Pilgrim family and friends listed here who have requested our prayers: Dennis Engmann, Audrey Hilgendorf, Orville Heckendorf, Erv & Ruth Mertz, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, June Fry, David & Olivemae Olson, Richard Reich, Judy Clark, Louise Kreis, Dot Miller, Jennifer Jensen, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Marge Legate, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Elaine Kuenzel, Karen Haufmann, Donald Teske, Connie Hackbarth, Sheryl Pajewski, Jeanette Guillaume, Donna Sommer, Inez Schwoch, Glenn Schnabel, Tim Allen, Jenny Vickerman, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Stewart Clark, Lois Pritzlaff, Wilma Wilson, 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.

Voice of Faith

March 2020 — Page #

1 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 3 & 2 / 9:15a Bible Study & / Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	2 / 4p. Chapel @ Jackson Crossing / 6:30p Elders Meeting	3 / 12p Pioneers / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	4 / 9:30a Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	5 / 1p Divine Service / 4p Cable Worship / 5:30p Lenten Meal / Menu: Chicken Pot Pie & Salads / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	6 / Office Closed	7
8 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 5 & 4 / 9:15a Bible Study & / Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study / 5:30p Walther League	9 / 5:30 p Trustees Meeting / 7p. Church Council Meeting	10 / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	11 / 9a Quilters/ Judy F. / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	12 / 1p Divine Service / 4p Cable Worship / 5:30p Lenten Meal / Menu: Chili & Soup / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	13 / Office Closed	14 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
15 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 1 & 8 / 9:15a Bible Study & / Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	16 / April Herald Submissions Due	17 / 12p Ladies Guild /LWML / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	18 / 9:30 a Chapel @ Meadowbrook / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	19 / 1p Divine Service / 4p Cable Worship / 5:30p Lenten Meal / Menu: Soup & Sandwich / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team A	20 / Office Closed	21
22 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 3 & 2 / 9:15a Bible Study & / Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	23	24 / 9a A Martyr's Faith Book Study / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	25 / 9a Quilters/ Joyce H. / 4p Cable BC / 4p Catechism / 6:30p Bible Study	26 / 9a Chapel @ Ivy Manor I-III / 1p Divine Service / 4p Cable Worship / 5:30p Lenten Meal / Menu: Taco Bar / 7p Divine Service / Usher Team B	27 / Office Closed	28 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
29 / 8 & 10:30a Divine Service / Usher Teams 5 & 4 / 9:15a Bible Study & / Sunday School / 12:30p Bible Study	30	31 / 2p Chapel @ Auxiliary Court / 7p Choir Practice	March / 2020

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

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262-334-0375 or by email at office@pilgrimlutheran.wb.org. Thank you for your help. - Pastor Raffa

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“When I urge you to go to confession, I am doing nothing else than urging you to be a Christian.
If I have brought you to the point of being a Christian, I have thereby brought you to confession.”
Martin Luther, 1529,
Exhortation to Confession

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
3
Birthdays & Anniversaries
3
Communal Prayers
10
Calendar
11
Lutheran Worship
8

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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)