Author: Julie Raffa

Introit Psalm 145:1–2, 8, 10, 21; antiphon: John 16:16
A little while, and you will see me no | longer;* and again a little while, and you will | see me. I will extol you, my | God and King,* and bless your name forever and | ever. Every day I will | bless you* and praise your name forever and | ever. The Lord is gracious and | merciful,* slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love. All your works shall give thanks to you, | O Lord,* and all your saints shall | bless you! My mouth will speak the praise | of the Lord,* and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and | ever. Glory be to the Father and | to the Son* and to the Holy | Spirit; as it was in the be- | ginning,* is now, and will be forever. | Amen. A little while, and you will see me no | longer;* and again a little while, and you will | see me.
Salutation and Collect of the Day
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will. Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
First Reading Acts 8:26–40 26An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
“Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Gradual adapt. from Matthew 28:7; Hebrews 2:7; Psalm 8:6
Christ has risen from the dead. [God the Father] has crowned him with glory and honor. He has given him dominion over the works of his hands; he has put all things under his feet.
Epistle 1 John 4:1–11 1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 4Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Holy Gospel John 15:1–8 1[Jesus said:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Announcements
Please, If you have changed your phone number or address, OR if a family member who is a member of Pilgrim has changed either their phone number or address, inform the office so we may keep our records up to date. Thank you
The May Pilgrim Herald is now available on line on the Pilgrim Website at
www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org or in the Narthex. Pick up yours today.
Masks are requested to be worn in the building during services and classes to prevent further spread of the Corona virus. Thank you.
The Endowment Fund has fund available for distribution, the deadline for requesting funds is June 4, 2021. Students attending any LCMS school or university are encouraged to apply for funds for tuition and other expenses. The student must agree to be acknowledged as a recipient from the fund. The Pilgrim Office has the request forms available.
Ushers are greatly needed for all services. If you are able to volunteer a couple of hours a month, please contact the Church Office.
Cable Worship Schedule Pilgrim’s Sunday 8:00 a.m. Divine Service is broadcast on WB 987 and AT&T Uverse 99 multiple times during the week: Sundays: 6:00 a.m. Mondays: 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays: 9:00 a.m. Wednesdays: 4:00 p.m. Bible Study, Thursdays: 4:00 p.m. This service is also live streamed and archived on the church’s YouTube channel:
Pilgrim Lutheran Church- West Bend, WI

Fifth Sunday of Easter
Divine Service
Lutheran Service Book: Page:
Liturgy: Setting 1 151
Hymns:
To God the Holy Spirit 768
At the Lamb’s High Feast 633 Communion Hymns:
Alleluia! Let Praises Ring 822
O Holy Spirit, Grant Us 693
Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain 865
Now All the Vault of Heaven 465
Abide, O Dearest Jesus 919
Scripture Readings:
First Reading: Acts 8: 26-40
Epistle: 1 John 4:1-11
Gospel: John 15:1-8
X X X
In our prayers, we remember:
X all who live under the flag of our nation,
X our government and judicial officials,
X law enforcement officers, military personnel, and their families,
X those isolated from family and friends,
X those struggling with health issues:
Orville Heckendorf, Beatrice Kiesow, Mark Soat, Clare Del Cuze, Brenda Faber, Nancy Rosenthal, Bruce Biendarra, Sue Vandlik Fox, Ruth Mertz, Dot Miller, Judy Clark, Joyce Virchow, Jerry & Gert Sullivan, Carolyn Bren, Kandie Darmody, June Fry, Elaine Kuenzel, Diane Behrens, Jennifer Jensen
X pastors, missionaries, and those who serve God’s people with the gifts of Christ,
X Christians persecuted for the confession of the faith, and especially we remember
X all who have forsaken the faith, that they may be restored to gladness of heart and be made wise to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
X X X
Preacher: Rev. Joseph Fisher
Liturgist: Rev. Christopher Raffa
Elder: Brian Skrentny, Bob Knuth, Gary Jenovai
Organists: Ben Grosskreuz, Kathy Greve

Coming Up at Pilgrim
Saturday, May 1:
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
9:00 a.m. Spring Clean-up
Sunday, May 2:
8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Divine Service
9:15 a.m. Sunday School: Enduring Faith
9:30 a.m. Adult Class: Small Catechism
12:30 p.m. Bible Study: 1 Samuel
Monday, May 3:
6:30 p.m. Elders
Tuesday, May 4:
Wednesday, May 5:
4:30 p.m. Youth Catechesis
6:30 p.m. Adult Class: Lutheran Difference
Thursday, May 6:
7:00 p.m. Divine Service
Friday, May 7: Office Closed
Saturday, May 15:
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
9:00 a.m. Spring Clean-up Rain Date

Fifth Sunday of Easter
April 29 - May 2, 2021
7If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” John 15:7-8
Welcome and blessings to you through our Lord Jesus Christ!
We welcome all who gather with us around the Altar and Pulpit to hear the Word of God. If you are visiting, we are happy that you could join us today. Please sign the guest book in the narthex and fill out one of the pew cards and pass it in with the offering plate to leave a record of your visit.
Communion Statement: By the design and specific warning of our Lord Jesus Christ in His Word, the precious gift of the Lord’s Body and Blood is to be shared with His blessing only with those prepared to take it rightly. (1 Cor 11:23-32) At the first communion our Lord did not commune all believers, but only those who had been instructed by Him daily for three years. The custom of our church is to offer the Sacrament only to confirmed members of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. So that our pastors would faithfully fulfill their obligations, (1 Cor 4:1; Heb 13:17; 1 Cor 11:27), all first-time visitors should speak to one of the pastors prior to communing. Our pastors are eager and available to provide instruction leading to a right and salutary reception our Lord’s holy Body and Blood, so that in the future you may join us in the blessing of this sacrament.

Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, WI 53090
(262) 334-0375 www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org