Author: Julie Raffa

January 2023

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

Genesis 1:26-27 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Greetings and happy New Year to you and yours, I pray this finds you and those you love doing well and looking forward to what the Lord has in store for us this year. As we look forward with hope for a better year, it is also helpful to look back and remember all that our life-giving and forgiving Lord has done for us. This month on January 18th, 2023, Pilgrim will turn 69. On January 18th, 1954 the founding members of Pilgrim met and signed the charter and Pilgrim became a member church of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod and we are blessed to still have one of those members with us, Ruth Mertz. Ruth, is now a shut-in at Cedar Campus. Yet, I pray that we will take the time to give thanks to God for her and the founding families faithful and say an extra prayer for Ruth as she continues in this trail of tears. I also want to say thank you to you the present members of Pilgrim for all your prayers, support, and desire to be faithful to our Lord and the proclamation of the Gospel.
January is also known as life month, which is fitting that as we remember Pilgrim’s beginning, we also will have the first January since January 22nd, 1973 when that horribly reasoned Roe vs Wade decision allowed the murder of the most vulnerable, the baby in the womb, and the scaring of the conscience of mothers and fathers. Abortion had become such a common procedure that in 2016, more black children were aborted in New York city than born. So, with the Dobbs decision the Supreme Court sent back the protection of life at all stages back to the States. I pray that Wisconsin is God fearing enough
to speak up for the defenseless and protect all life from conception to natural death. As God is the creator of life and He alone will call us home at His time.
Since the Dobbs vs Jackson ruling that overturned Roe, many have spread false statements about what this means. First it doesn’t mean that medical decisions are taken out of the patient’s hands. What it does mean is that both patients in the pregnancy will be considered the mother and the baby. It means that each state can establish the standard for medical care for both patients. I pray this means that more babies will be allowed to live, and adoption will be seen as a better option than death for an unprepared for child. Please also know that a medical procedure called a DNC (dilation and curettage) is not banned as this procedure is done only after the baby in the womb has died, this procedure is strictly for the health of the mother.
Life issues is nothing new to the Church. We didn’t just start speaking up for the life in the womb, in 1973 in response to Roe. In a recent article from Lutheran’s for Life there were many quotes from the lectures of Martin Luther that defend the life in the womb. I thought I might be good to share a few of them. Luther promoted marriage, encouraged childbearing, and praised parenting. He concluded even unborn babies qualified as full-fledged human beings throughout all the volumes of Luther’s Works (LW).
Look at your infancy, and give thought to whether you remember that you were in your mother’s womb, that you lay in a cradle, that you sucked your mother’s breasts, cried, ate pap, grew, etc. Yet we are certainly alive even during the first year, when the fetus is carried in the mother’s womb. (LW 5:75)
For no one of those who are alive today knows where he was during the first two years, when he lived either in the womb … Yet he lived at that time, and he was a body joined to a soul—a body adapted to all natural functions. (LW 8:316)
Luther derived this truth directly from God’s Word. He observed how Holy Scripture testified about the prenatal humanity of Jesus and John the Baptist. “Moreover, when Christ, the Son of God, was to be conceived in his mother’s womb and become incarnate, he certainly had to be already present in essence and in person in the Virgin’s womb, and had to assume humanity there” (LW 37:62). “And St. John was a child in his mother’s womb [Luke 1:41] but, as I believe, could have faith” (LW 40:242).
So, Luther called abortion a sinful offense against the tiniest neighbors. “For those who pay no attention to pregnant women and do not spare the tender fetus become murderers” (LW 5:382). “How great, therefore, the wickedness of human nature is! How many girls there are who prevent conception and kill and expel tender fetuses, although procreation is the work of God!” (LW 4:304). In fact, he labels such acts the devil’s works: “Hourly the devil seeks to destroy us all. No sooner are you baptized than the devil lies in wait for you. If possible, he would kill you in your mother’s womb” (LW 23:256).
You see the love of God and His limitless grace for us, leads us to respect all life from womb to tomb. We humans are the crown of God’s creation and our life has value to God at all stages therefore, it has value to Christians at all stages. As we are taught in Luther’s Small Catechism in the First Article, I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. And we Lutherans conclude This is most certainly true.
Finally, we must also remember that while we stand up for God’s gift of life at all stages, we can’t forget the forgiveness that God provides for all, even those who have for whatever reason sinned against God’s gift of life by ending a life at the beginning or the end. There is forgiveness, Christ Jesus died for all sins and all sinners. God desires that His Church seeks to proclaim not just His Law, but primarily His Gospel, His blood bought forgiveness that removes the guilt of our sins and offers the forgiven sinner like me a clean conscience. Here Luther teaches, “That is why all those should be absolved whose sins are hidden, whether they are sins of the flesh, or of every kind of lust, abortion, and the like” (LW 39:42).
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther famously said, When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares that we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus: “I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it? Does this mean that I shall be sentenced to eternal damnation? By no means. For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Where he is, there I shall be also”. (Tappert, Theodore G, trans. and ed. Luther: Letters of Spiritual Counsel [Vancouver: Regent College, 2003], 86-87).
May God’s peace be with us all as we begin the Year of our Lord 2023.
God Bless,
Rev. Joseph Fisher
Hebrews 12:1-2

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Pilgrim News
The Voters Meeting has been scheduled for Sunday,
February 5 at Noon. All confirmed members 18 and older are encouraged to attend.
Lutherans for Life
Plan to join Lutherans For Life ONLINE from Sunday, January 15, through Wednesday, January 18, to learn about life issues from the comfort of your home. Log in to Zoom each evening (Zoom Meeting ID: 845 7061 0394, Passcode: 501680) for a Gospel-motivated presentation from the following speakers:
January 15 – Rev. Michael Salemink – Blessed as a Gift
January 16 – Rev. Steven and Stephanie Cholak – Blessed in Longing
January 17 – Delores Desemone – Blessed Together
January 18 – Deaconess Chrissie Gillet – Blessed with Healing
Your local chapter of Lutherans for Life is excited to renew our commitment to our LFL MISSION of equipping Lutherans and their neighbors to be Gospel-motivated voices for LIFE, and our VISION that every Lutheran, both individually and in community, uphold the God-given value of human life and influence society to do the same.
Lutherans for Life believes that the Church is compelled by God’s Word to speak and act on behalf of those who are vulnerable and defenseless. The crisis of our times is the repudiation of biblical truth manifested in the wanton destruction of innocent human lie through abortion and the growing threat to the lives of others through legalized assisted suicide and euthanasia. As Lutherans for Life, we will strive to give a Gospel-motivated witness to the Church and society on these and other related issues, such as chastity, post-abortion healing, and family living. We will call God’s people to compassionate action and foster life-affirming alternatives for those facing difficult situations.
Please bless us with your presence Tuesday, February 21, 2023, 7:00 p.m., River of Life Lutheran Church, Saukville, for the next gathering of LFL of WI, Ozaukee County Chapter. Concordia’s Students for Life will share their experience at the January 2023 March for Life in Washington D.C.

For many people, Christians (and me) included, the only Life Issue we ever really thought about was abortion. As we became more informed about Life issues, we discovered that these issues and the decisions we must make regarding them really affect humans at all ages and stages of life.
If you look carefully at the image below, you will see that “abortion” is only the tip of the iceberg. Life issues are many, complex and varied. All of us will face some of these issues in our lifetimes, and as Christians we want to make decisions that are pleasing to God. How can we do that? Let me suggest one way that really works.
Lutherans For Life has developed a set of Life Team Training Tools for the purpose of helping Lutheran congregations develop Life Teams made up of Gospel-motivated people who are trained and certified. A Life Team is the vehicle that helps guide a congregation to become Gospel-motivated voices for Life. Our Pastors cannot do it alone. A congregation cannot do it alone. A Life Team cannot do it alone. If we allow God to teach us and expand our view of Life Issues, He will change our hearts and minds, He will open our eyes to the whole truth, and He will help us begin to minister to others in a whole new way. For those of you already leading the way in proclaiming the Gospel in these issues, may God bless you mightily!
Dr. Barbara Geistfeld, LFL Assistant Director of Volunteer Relations

January 2023 — Page #

Board of elders report
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church
Board of Elders Meeting Minutes
Dec 5, 2022
Attendees: Pastor Fisher, Gary, Patrick, Dan, Dave, Jeff, Ron, Tanner, Dennis
Absent: Pastor Raffa
The meeting began at 6:30 PM with evening devotion and song (“O Come, O Come, Emanuel”) led by Pastor Fisher.
We completed the Elder schedule for January..
The next elders meeting is Monday, January 9 @ 6:30PM.
Recognition and thanks was given to elder Dennis Engmann by Pastor Fisher and the elders for his outstanding service as an elder. His elder term ends December 31.
We reviewed the Discussion Questions for chapter 17 (Two Different Governments - Sacred and Secular) and Chapter 18 (Adiaphora: A Look at Christain Liberty) in “Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity ''.
At the January 9 elder meeting we will review the remaining 3 chapters (19, 20, and 21) in “Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity ''.
Pastor Fisher brought books to the meeting which will be the next book of elder study, “Why I’m Joyfully Lutheran”.
We had the Elder roundtable discussion where everyone had a chance to give updates.
Pastor Fisher passed out new attendance cards for review that we will begin using once our current attendance cards run out. Ron did the layout for the cards and Dan’s company printed them for us.
Pastor Fisher reported that the evening Advent service on Dec 1 had very light attendance, about 14 people. For next year he said we are looking at the possibility of having a soup supper prior to the Advent services.
Pastor Fisher reminded elders of the kids Christmas program at 2:00 PM December 11. There will be a Chili Supper following the morning service at noon.
Pastor Fisher reported that he had a “Steak Thank You Meal” for the Altar Guild Sunday, December 4.
All of the elders thanked Dennis for his service as an elder.
Pastor Fisher discussed some ideas for the Easter Vigil at Pilgrim.
Ron brought some Mattins Music CD’s to the meeting and said he’d loan them to any of the elders who wanted to borrow them.
Dennis mentioned seeing “In God We Trust” signs in the area and asked if there were any ideas for Christ.
Dan brought up the subject of the theological church services and contemporary church services which we discussed.
Tanner discussed establishing accounts for the boards for the endowment fund.
Tanner mentioned a couple of books which are available in the Christmas shop.
The meeting ended with prayer at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary Jenovai
Pilgrim Ev. Lutheran Church

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Church council Report
Church Council December 12, 2022 Minutes
The Pilgrim Church Council December 12, 2022 meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President, Bob Knuth. Also in attendance were Pastor Fisher, Pastor Raffa, Tanner Schmidt, Rob Selzer, Jacob Hand, Nancy Rosenthal, Mary Lehtimaki, Karen Spiering, Jim Behrens, and David Boehlke. David attended to make a committee report.
Pastor Fisher began the meeting by leading a responsive prayer from the hymnal (page 283) and the singing of a hymn (page 356).
The minutes of the November 14, 2022 meeting as published in the Herald were accepted without objection.
Elders Report – Tanner Schmidt
Dennis Engmann’s term as an Elder is ending and he was thanked for his many years of service in that office.
Children’s Christmas program went wonderfully.
The elders discussed acquiring yard signs for Easter and ways to promote Pilgrim Church.
Trustees Report – Rob Selzler
Angie Skrentny will be filling the open custodian position.
A couple of new blinds have been installed in the Raffa parsonage and the trustees are working toward replacing others.
Working on an electrical issue in the Raffa parsonage where the refrigerator plugs in.
Working on replacing the switch that controls the ceiling fans in the church nave.
Replaced some ceiling tiles in the old Fellowship Hall that were stained by a water leak during installation of the new church roof.
The West Bend City Administrator and Fire Chief made a presentation to the Board of Trustees (Bob Knuth and Jim Behrens also attended because of their President and Vice President roles) regarding their search for a new location for the downtown fire station, currently located at Main Street and Hwy 33. They have determined that the optimum location is near the junction of Hwy 33 and 18th Street. They are looking at several properties in the area and are asking if the members of Pilgrim would be interested in selling about 1.9 acres of the buildable property that we own along 18th Avenue for the new Fire Department. No action on the request was taken by the Board of Trustees or the Church Council; additional information will be provided to the congregation and a subject for the next Voters’ Meeting.
Treasurers Report – Jacob Hand
Financial report year-to-date as of October 31 was presented and discussed. A motion to accept it, subject to audit, was made by Tanner, seconded by Pastor Fisher, and passed on voice vote.
Money received from the Dorothy Miller estate has been invested with the Endowment Fund in a separate Money Market account, until a gift agreement, defining how the money is to be used, is created, and voted on.
The final offering envelopes were ordered and are expected in Mid-December.
Pastor Fisher’s Report
New pew cards have been printed. We will begin using them after most of the current cards have been used up over the next a few months.
Discussed potential advertising to list the holiday worship services. It was decided to not add advertising beyond what we currently have.
Discussed the possibility of having an annual gathering and meal for members who are serving in church offices. He was encouraged by the council to proceed with a plan.
Pastor Raffa’s Report
Thanks to all members, especially the children, who worked, presented, and attended the Christmas program.
Mary – The Pilgrim Quilters donated four quilts to the Pilgrim Christmas Shop and they have all been purchased.
Karen – Was very impressed with the Christmas Program and how clear the children spoke.
Old Business
Classical School study - The requested documents have been submitted. Pastor Raffa is waiting to hear more information.
Dorothy Miller estate - David Boehlke gave a report from the committee that was established to write a gift-agreement document and reviewed a proposal that can be used for further discussion.
Constitution document – Jim Behrens is working with David Boehlke to update Pilgrim’s constitution, endowment fund by-laws, etc. into one document.
New Business
The next Voters’ Meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2023.
A motion was made by Pastor Fisher and passed by common consent to adjourn the meeting.
The meeting closed with a prayer by Pastor Raffa.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Behrens

January 2023 — Page #

Membership report
Baptized: None
Transferred In: by Affirmation of Faith
Eric Heuser
Transferred Out: None
Released from Membership: None

A Thank You
In response to the gifts cards that were sent to Concordia Theological Seminary, we received this thoughtful thank you:
Dear Members of Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church. Thank you so much for your generous donation of Christmas gift cards for seminarians like myself. These are a great benefit to me, both now and in the future. On breaks I drive a lot to visit friends and family, so the gas cards are perfect. The Walmart gift cards will help me with small things I need, such as snack food or soap, shampoo, and razors. Since I am currently a single seminarian, these gifts cards will also be a great help in the future, once I (Lord willing) have a wife and children. I am a first-year seminarian from Michigan. I was raised by Lutheran teachers and have attended Lutheran schools my entire life, from elementary school through college. My appreciation for these spiritual blessings God has given me throughout my life is the main thing that has brought me to the seminary, because I desire to pass them on to many others as a pastor. May God grant it! Thank again, keep me in your prayers and have a merry Christmas! In Christ,
Seminarian, William Ebel.

month volunteer schedule
Sunday, January 1: 9:00 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Office
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Ron K.
Usher Team: 1
Acolyte: Josiah R.
Thursday, January 5: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Jeff S.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, January 8: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Caryn L.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Laurie L.
Elder: Tanner S. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Wade J. / Rachel R.
Thursday, January 12: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Karen S.
Elder: Dan S.
Usher Team: B
Acolyte: Jamison S.
Sunday, January 15: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Julie R.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Carolyn M.
Elder: Dave F. / Jeff S.
Usher Team: 1 / 2
Acolyte: Clayton K. / Josiah R.
Thursday, January 19: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ruth K.
Elder: Patrick S.
Usher Team: A
Sunday, January 22: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Nancy A.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder: Tanner S. / Gary J.
Usher Team: 3 / 4
Acolyte: Matthias R. / R.
Thursday, January 26: 7:00 p.m.
Altar Guild: Ginny S.
Elder: Dave F.
Usher Team: B
Acolyte: Jamison S.
Sunday, January 29: 8:00 a.m. / 10:30 a.m.
Office Volunteer: Kathryn P.
Altar Guild: Nancy R. / Rita F.
Elder: Ron K. / Jeff S.
Usher Team: 1 /2
Acolyte: Wade J. / Josiah R.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

By Samuel Boehlke.
Concordia Technology Solutions
“I think [social media] is evil,” a friend told me this morning. I don’t think this is an uncommon view, especially with the people I typically spend time around. Pastors and parishioners alike tend to have one of two views: modern mass media was brought straight from hell, or the internet is the only way to save dying churches. There are surely other viewpoints in the mix, but generally, these two dominate the discussion.
These are not new reactions. The printing press, for example, had an incredible effect on Luther’s ideas, amplifying his voice and driving the Reformation. But on that same printing press were other heresies of the time, alchemical texts, and a growing number of sensationalist fictions claiming to be true tales of travel.
Modern Technology in the Church: A Place for Connection, Not Fear
Our modern applications are very similar. In a few short decades, the internet has grown and changed drastically. The tool that was supposed to connect the academic world has started to overload us as individuals. We are connected to so much information that we can easily be overwhelmed. At the same time, this connection ensures that what we need is available to us at all times. Social media can cause us to experience astounding views of other people. It can also connect us to communities we might otherwise lose or never know.
And here we stand as Christians in the middle of this world. The classic (and correct) thought, is that we must remain in but not of the world (see John 17:14–16). With the state of media and the internet as a technology sector, it might be reasonable to question what “in” and “of” mean anymore. We are rightly wary and sometimes fearful of being too much “of the world.”
This fear is at the heart of my friend’s statement. He and I have watched others be torn apart by the same tools that were supposed to bring us all together. It can be hard to even imagine any way that we can use media rightly in the church.
However, it is also this fear that keeps us from greater service to our neighbor.
In Mark 4, Jesus talks a lot about sharing the good news of His salvation with all. He speaks of seeds being spread on every kind of ground and of light shining in every house. There is no place where the message of God’s grace cannot or should not go. Yes, that includes the internet. In fact, the way our world is shaped requires that it include the Internet.
Engaging the World: Four Essential Questions
You might be wondering, then, how to engage the world as a Christian. There are a few simple questions that can help us understand how to carefully create a church's internet presence.
First, what do we have to say? This goes beyond events and holiday wishes to the heart of the Church’s message: “Christ has died for you, a sinner, and has forgiven all your sins. He rose from the dead to bring you into eternal life. He brings this message to you through His Word and Sacraments in a gathering of all believers.” Above all, this is what we should seek to amplify to the world.
Perhaps we should also ask, what is the goal of sharing this message? If we could, we would like to bring all people to faith this way. The most immediate answer might be to bring people to worship services or Bible studies. But the overarching goal is to guide people to the Church so they can join in fellowship with other believers, join a community to hear the honest truth of God, and share in the Church's true connection through Christ.
How do we shape this message? There are so many ways to say, “Come, join us. Hear Christ’s Word," that the answer to this question varies. In your church, this may be a daily Bible verse or a short video clip from the sermon. Maybe it's event invitations and announcements. As important as it is to know and understand your audience, it is equally important to understand that the message of the Church does not change for different generations. Keep your media simple and timeless.
Finally, the hardest question will often be how much? Your church may not have the people or resources to maintain a website, three social media accounts, a weekly service stream, daily messages from the pastor, and the like. At the very least, make sure the ways people are likely to look for your church (like search engines) have accurate information. Your pastor will be the best guide for what sort of content is good, and your particular congregation will be able to know how many resources are available.
Being Careful Doesn’t Mean Avoidance
If you are concerned by these questions or share the opinion of my friend from this morning, please remember that being careful with technology does not always mean avoiding it. True, Christ should not be associated with the many evil things that find their home online. However, churches should be careful with where, when, and how they present Christ’s message. If we avoid a presentation that detracts from Christ and we maintain our identity as Christians in a Christian church, the internet can be an incredible place to share our faith.
In a world increasingly filled with anti-Christian messages, I think it is unfair to our neighbor to allow those to be the only messages amplified by the incredible power of modern technology. Social media cannot save a dying church, but it can bring people’s attention to the wonderful news of the Gospel when they might otherwise ignore it. With care and consideration, the message of Christ can and should be brought by churches to social media, the internet, and beyond.
Endowment Fund Report as of November 30, 2022
THANK YOU !
Thank you to all who donated, purchased and generally supported the Christmas Shoppe.
We have raised $1458.40 for Cory Gabor and family when they are at Seminary next year.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

	November	Full Year
Beginning Value	$131,270.78	$170,794.88
Assets added to the Account	899.84	3,044.84
Assets Withdrawn from Account	0.00	-8,550.00
Fees and Charges	-116.09	-1,459.69
Change in Value	6,193.36	-25,582.14
Ending Value	$138,247.89

January 2023 — Page #

Giving Opportunities At Pilgrim
There are many ways to support the work that Pilgrim does for us and others.
The most common way is through your Offering envelopes. They are available for 2023 in the Narthex. Please make note that we have new numbers. If you do not have envelopes and would like them please contact the office.
Pilgrim has set up a PayPal account, this information is available on the Pilgrim Website at: www.pilgrimlutheran-westbend.org at the bottom of the home page. Please note: Your donation statement will be coming from PayPal and not from Pilgrim.
Members who are aged 70 1/2 or older can contribute up to $100,000 from their IRA directly to a charity and avoid paying income taxes on the distribution.
This is known as a qualified charitable distribution. It is limited to IRA’s. If you are interested in this type of giving, please contact Pastor Fisher.
We also have the Amazon Smile program, if you shop on Amazon you can have a portion of your purchase price given to the charity of your choice.
To do this for Pilgrim, please designate Pilgrim Evangelical Lutheran Church as your charity on the home page and place your order as usual.
Thrivent Choice is another good way to support Pilgrim.
To direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars call 1-800-847-4836 when prompted say Thrivent Choice. Press 1 to direct Thrivent Choice Dollars or 2 to hear Thrivent Choice Terms and conditions. (if prompted, say or enter your phone number and date of birth.)
A representative will work with you to direct the Choice Dollars.
You can also direct your Choice Dollars online.
Visit the Thrivent website at thrivent.com/thriventchoice
Click on Direct choice Dollars Log is by entering your User ID and Password. (If you have not registered on thrivent.com, click on Register for account access)
Choose the organization you what to direct Choice Dollars: To direct a previous organization: Click Direct Now next to the organizations name, or
Click on the View activity history link, scroll down and click on the name of the desired organization.
Choose Direct All or enter a specific number and click Direct Now. Follow prompts on the confirmation page to direct Choice Dollars.

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Respect for Marriage Act: Misnamed law threatens religious liberty By Matthew C. Harrison
As we in the church have been keeping busy with our myriad daily vocations and tasks — contemplating the Advent of Christ as a babe at Bethlehem, His continued coming to us in Word and Sacrament, and His return in glory — the U.S. Senate has passed, and the U.S. president has signed, the misnamed Respect for Marriage Act. This bill’s genesis is related to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this June on Dobbs v. Jackson, which overturned Roe v. Wade and caused incalculable alarm.
Some suggest that if the Court could find reason to overturn a half century of legal precedent in Roe, a recent ruling like Obergefell v. Hodges, which codified same-sex marriage on alleged constitutional grounds, could likewise face judicial extinction at the hands of the more conservative court. The bill was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives without debate. It faced a greater potential challenge in the Senate, but to overcome the hurdles, an amendment was proposed and passed to protect the religious freedoms of those who dissent (like The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod [LCMS] and her agencies, schools and institutions). On Dec. 13, President Biden signed the bill into law.
Critics — and I’m one of them — view the alleged protections as no more than window dressing and believe the bill will make our future more difficult, requiring more legal action for those claiming First Amendment rights (i.e., the free exercise of religion). Amendments that would have offered significant protections failed in the Senate.
For the church, the chief issue at stake is not the troubling rapid drift of America away from Christianity or morality. The chief issue involves government and society on all levels defining what is moral or not for the church, and particularly for churchly institutions that interface with government. The Respect for Marriage Act will invite challenges to the nonprofit status of our faithful agencies of mercy and provide impetus for continued challenges to our schools and universities. This may even affect our congregations, since all of them have nonprofit status. This trend is already a concern for our military chaplains, whose First Amendment guarantees are being squeezed to the conscience-breaking point.
The Gospel is at stake. Christ preached, “The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). The apostles preached the same thing. Preaching repentance is integral to preaching the Gospel. We will not yield to any man, government, legal authority or human threat. We must preach the Law and call out sin for the sake of repentance. We must proclaim the Law and repentance in order to preach the blessed Gospel of free forgiveness in Christ. The Law of God condemns us all, including those tempted to homosexual sin. And the Gospel is for all.
This is not about “those” people getting “holy” like us! What Phariseeism we are often guilty of! Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). I will preach as directed by the Word of God. The Gospel is at stake. Compassion and eternal life for all is in the balance. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17).
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor. 6:9–11)
We live in the end times. It is an era of mass delusion
and deception. Transgenderism has increased a thousandfold in recent years and is largely a social media-driven phenomenon, as I’ve pointed out previously. The depression and suicide rates of these young people are astronomical. Hermann Sasse wrote about lies in Germany —precisely in the church — in 1936:
The lie is the death of man, his temporal and his eternal death. The lie kills nations. Through their lies, the most powerful empires of the world were laid waste. History knows of no more unsettling spectacle than the judgment which comes to pass when the men of an advanced culture have rejected the truth, and are now swallowed up in a sea of lies. As was the case with fading pagan antiquity, where this happened, religion and law, poetry and philosophy, life in marriage and family, in the state and society, in short, one sphere of life after another, fell sacrifice to the power and curse of the lie.
Where man can no longer bear the truth, he cannot live without the lie. Where man, even when dying, lies to himself and others, the terrible dissolution of his culture is held up as a glorious ascent, and decline is viewed as an advance, the like of which has never been experienced. If, according to the irrefutable testimony of history, this is the judgment of God on the lie, should God then not also punish the lie in His church? Truly He who is the Judge of all the world will do this! For the power of the lie extends even into the church. Since the days of the apostles there has been lying in the church as in the rest of the world. For people in the church too are and remain poor sinners until their death. (“Union and Confession,” The Lonely Way [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2002], 1:265)
The world remains the world. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He also said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Mark 12:17). Christians are to be good citizens. Our participation in our communities as decent neighbors cannot be undervalued. But in many cases, we will have to make difficult choices, especially for our children when public schools intend to indoctrinate them to believe that Christians, even their own parents and grandparents, are bigots.
What do we do?
We shall pray and believe, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Let’s hold to the sacred Scriptures no matter what. Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’ ” (Luke 4:4). Jesus also said, “From the beginning [God] made them male and female” (Matt. 19:4).
We shall realize we live in a post-Constantinian period. The Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in A.D. 325. He brought great strength and blessings to both the church and the state. On the downside, in the Western world, the church and the state were radically mixed and confused. While the state was viewed throughout much of Western history as a “protector” of the church, most often government “protection” meant the demise of the Gospel. We Christians know this reality from the New Testament. “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
We shall be people of compassion, after the model of our Savior, Jesus. We shall proclaim Christ in Law and Gospel — come what may — for the salvation of many. And we shall be compassionate to all. Government policies like the Respect for Marriage Act cause unending harm to marriage and family life and encourage lives at odds with both reason and the New Testament. Individuals are confused and hurt terribly. Christ saw the revulsion of the sinners, strangers, lost, hurt, lepers, sick and others, and He was drawn to them. We are witnesses of true love in the name of Jesus.
We shall remember that we are sinners. Our minds and hearts are every bit as filled with sin and filth as any outward life we encounter. Our message is not, “Get holy and join us holy people!” Our message is, “Stop acting as though you were sinless. As Luther said, ‘Christ dwells only in sinners.’ Join us sinners. Repent and believe the Gospel.”
Posted Dec. 14, 2022

January 2023 — Page #

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

Communal Prayers
For New Year’s Eve: Eternal God, we commit Your mercy and forgiveness the year now ending and commend to Your blessing and love the times yet to come. In the new year, abide among us with Your Holy Spirit that we may always trust in the saving name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Another: Lord, make me to know my end and the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Another year of my pilgrimage has passed. I am a year nearer to my death, nearer to judgement, nearer to eternal life with Christ, my Lord. Where shall I run as the sins of the past year and the transgressions of all my years rise to condemn me? Lord, to You alone I flee for refuge in these last hours of the waning year. For the sake of Your own Son, whom You sent to be the Savior of all men, be gracious to me, and pardon my iniquity. Trusting in the merits of my Savior, I come boldly to Your throne of grace, in full confidence that there I shall obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Oh, satisfy me early with Your mercy that I may rejoice and be glad all my days. Let me, in a manner befitting a child of God, conclude the old year and begin the new, a year in which You would be pleased to dwell among us continually in Your goodness and means of grace; for the sake of Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
For Circumcision and Name of Jesus: Lord God, You made Your beloved Son, our Savior, subject to the Law and caused Him to shed His blood on our behalf. Grant us the true circumcision of the Spirit that our hearts may be made pure from all sins; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, on God, now and forever. Amen.
Miscarriage: Lord God, Father of mercies and God of all comfort, we thank You for Your care in this time of trial and sadness. Console and comfort mothers and fathers who suffer miscarriages with the assurance of Your tender compassion and unfailing love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For those Seeking to Adopt: Those seeking to adopt: Heavenly Father, before the foundation of the world You chose us in Christ to be Your sons and daughters. Look with favor upon husbands and wives as they seek to adopt and prepare to receive a child into their family. Give them patience during their time of waiting, and encourage them with Your love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
For the comfort of one who has undergone an abortion: Gracious Father in heaven, look with mercy on your children, who suffer the shame of abortion. For the sake of Christ Jesus, our Savior, forgive them all their sins, and remove all feelings of guilt and despair. Protect them from the accusing voices of others and the accusations from within. By Your Spirit increase their faith that they may entrust themselves and their child(ren) into Your fatherly hands; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Family and friends requesting our prayers: Mary Margaret Hatfield, Rev. John Wille, Phyllis Laabs-Darkow, George Muth, Rev Donald & Carolyn Bren, Russell & Jeanette Guillaume, Joyce Virchow, Richard Lewandowski, Ethan Tinlin, Mark Selzler, Rev. Clark Davis, Patricia Wirtz, Sheryl Pajewski, Carl & Lois Pritzlaff, Paul Lierman, Sherry Cullen, Judy Clark, Inez Schwoch, Chloe Fisher, Ruth Mertz, Jerry Sullivan, Donna Sommer, Eric Johanen, Diane Behrens, Suzanne Stadelmayer, Elaine Kuenzel, Ray & Frances Neerhoff, Linda Schmidt, Travis Winkler, Brian Vonlender, Scot Meisenheimer, Thomas Kramlik, and Jody Meisenheimer

Voice of Faith

January 2023 — Page #

Birthdays
2- Evelyn Carey
Rev. Christopher
Steven Wiedmeyer
4- James Hanson
5- Inez Schwoch
7- Nolan Nitzke
Betty Schneeweis
8– Chloe Skrentny
9- Jayne Gohr
Bonnie Leffin
Sami Spalda
11- Dylan Zehetner
Ian Zehetner
12- Jacob Hand
13- Arlene Zicker
14– Landon Kemeny
15- Aubri Held
Daniel Schmidt
17- Tyler Jakubowski
Dick Spiering
19- Michael Olson
20- Susan Knuth
Cindy Wiedmeyer
21- Nicole Zehetner
23– Gary Knuth
24- Jeff Schneeweis
Jennifer Stange
25- Paul Liermann
27– Albert Frank
Sheryl Pajewski
30– David Moenning
Terry Mowery
Anniversaries
19– Michael & Lorna Olson
25- Michael & Mary Schwittau
31- Brian & Pamela Nitzke

Did You Know!?!
A new section for the Herald for those who would like to get out and enjoy for not a lot of money. If you have any idea’s for the Did You Know section, Please get your ideas to the office by the 15th of the month to have it included in the next months Herald.
Senior Discounts are available at:
Tuesdays at 10% discount at Good Will West Bend Movie Theater.
Wednesdays 15% discount at Kohls Tuesday - $5 Admission Ticket and $8 Whole Pizza!
Thursdays 20% discount at the Restore $5 Admission for everyone!
Corner of Jefferson & Barton $8 Pizza (Cheese, Sausage, or Pepperoni)
Friday- Seniors (62 & Up $5 tickets: before 5:00 show time)

The Pilgrim Herald — Page #

January 2023
1 / 9a New Year’s Day Divine Service	2 / 6:30p Board of Elders Meeting	3 / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	4 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	5 / 7p Divine Service	6 / Office Closed	7 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
8 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Class: 2nd Samuel / 12:30p Adult Class: 2nd Samuel	9 / 5:30p Board of Trustees Meeting / 7p Church Council Meeting	10 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	11 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	12 / 9a Adult Study: 2nd Samuel / 7p Divine Service	13 / Office Closed	14
15 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a Sunday School: Bible Studies / 9:30a Adult Class: / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Class: 2nd Samuel	16	17 / 12p LWML / Ladies Guild Meeting / 2p. Chapel @ Auxiliary Court	18 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	19 / 9a Adult Study: 2nd Samuel / 7p Divine Service	20 / Office Closed	21 / 7a Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study
22 / 8a Divine Service / 9:15a S.S: Bible Studies 29 / 9:30a Adult Class: 8a. D. / 10:30a Divine Service Service / 12:30p Adult Class: 9:15a S.S. / 2nd Samuel 9:30a Adult Class / 10:30a Divine Service / 12:30p Adult Class 2nd / Samuel	23 / 30 / 10:30a / Chapel @ / Jackson Crossing	24 / 2p. Chapel @ / Auxiliary Court / 31 / 2p. / Chapel / @ / Auxiliary / Court	25 / 4p Youth Catechesis / 6:30p Adult Class: / 1st & 2nd Kings	26 / 9a Adult Study: 2nd Samuel / 7p Divine Service	27 / Office Closed	28

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

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

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When the devil throws our sins up to us and declares that we deserve death and hell, we ought to speak thus: “I admit that I deserve death and hell. What of it? … For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

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Inside this Issue:
Pilgrim News & Reports
3-7
Internet & the Church
by Samuel Boehlke
8
Giving Matters
10
Respect for the Marriage Act: President Harrison
11
Communal Prayers
13
Birthdays & Anniversaries
14
Calendar
15

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