Thursday Psalms: Be Still!

 

Blessed Thursday to each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, your Savior!

On the eve of All Saints Day in 1517, Martin Luther nailed 95 theses [statements] to the castle church door in Wittenberg, Germany.  The debates which followed kicked off a reforming of the Christian Church, which had gone far astray from God's Word. This coming Sunday, we will celebrate the Reformation in our worship service at Pilgrim.

Below is Psalm 46, a song of complete trust in God, particularly during times of crisis.  This psalm was a favorite of Luther's, and the basis of one of his most beloved and powerful hymns.  On Sunday, we'll sing that beautiful, traditional hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God to open our 10:30 am worship service.  Come on Sunday, join in with us!

Psalm 46

   ¹ God is our refuge and strength,

        a very present help in trouble.

   ² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

        though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

   ³ though its waters roar and foam,

        though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

   ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

        the holy habitation of the Most High.

   ⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

        God will help her when morning dawns.

   ⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

        He utters His voice, the earth melts.

   ⁷  The Lord of hosts is with us;

         the God of Jacob is our fortress.

   ⁸  Come, behold the works of the Lord,

         how He has brought desolations on the earth.

   ⁹  He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

        He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

           He burns the chariots with fire.

   ¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.

         I will be exalted among the nations,

         I will be exalted in the earth!”

   ¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;

         the God of Jacob is our fortress.

"Be still"  These two simple words can speak to us in many ways; today they remind me of my grandmother Bernhardt.  My siblings and I would frequently spend a week at Grandpa and Grandma's house, and I remember her speaking these words to my brothers and I in a commanding tone.  Be still!   As young boys are apt to do, we were not being still during nap-time and needed some correction.  Grandmother was really saying "Be quiet and lie still!

Today, we can hear in these two words our heavenly Father's gifts of calm and comfort.  This was the psalmist's intent; he reminds us of who God is, and his mighty power over all things.  Because God loves his children, we shouldn't cower in fear, but rather be encouraged, calmed, and comforted.  So today, "Be still"  and think about the God who created and controls the entire universe and all things.  "Be still"  and know He loves you, He cares for you, and He has redeemed you, making you holy and perfect in His sight by the blood of Jesus!  Amen!

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website       Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation."  Psalm 68:19

Pilgrim Worship Sunday October 18, 2026

 

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost

October 18, 2026

We're thankful you've come here to watch our service and to worship the one true God!

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Our Sunday schedule has our Worship service beginning at 10:30 am.  Afterwards, around 11:40 or so, please join us and enjoy food and conversations together.

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

  Old Testament:  Isaiah 45:1-7

               Psalm:  Psalm 96:1-9

              Epistle:  1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

              Gospel:  Matthew 22:15-22

THEME FOR WORSHIP

God’s prophet Isaiah saw dismal days ahead.  God spoke through Isaiah’s words, warning and encouraging His people.  In today’s text, God will anoint King Cyrus to do His work & will.  God promises to break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron to set God’s people free from their bondage.

We can relate to Isaiah’s visions of dismal days ahead.  By the things we see, hear and experience, our visions of the future often include suffering, disaster & destruction.  Rather than be afraid & anxious, remember that God has anointed another King, who has saved you from your dismal days ahead!

To watch the video of today's service, please click HERE.

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188   

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

       Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website           Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation."  Psalm 68:19

Thursday Psalms: God Forgives You Every Day!

Blessed Thursday to each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, your Savior!

Our Psalm today is a majestic song, proclaiming the grandeur and majesty of the Lord.  God is Lord over all the earth, among all the nations & all peoples.  The Lord is great, feared above all gods, and full of splendor, majesty, strength and beauty.  Nothing but glory is due His name from everyone and everything He has made!  All the earth should and will tremble before Him.  What a glorious mountain-top view of the Lord who rules over all the earth!

Psalm 96:1-9

¹ Oh sing to the Lord a new song;

     sing to the Lord, all the earth!

² Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

     tell of His salvation from day to day.

³ Declare His glory among the nations,

     His marvelous works among all the peoples!

⁴ For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;

     He is to be feared above all gods.

⁵ For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,

     but the Lord made the heavens.

⁶ Splendor and majesty are before Him;

     strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,

     ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!

⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

     bring an offering, and come into His courts!

⁹ Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;

     tremble before Him, all the earth! 

But there is another powerful and glorious message here.  Check out verse 2 for a promise & gift, given to you, me, and all the people.  The Lord gives you His salvation, day to day!

Day to day, you confess your sins and the Lord saves you from them by forgiving them!   Day to day, the Lord saves you from despair, by loving and caring for you!  Day to day, the Lord saves you from many struggles and hardships and attacks of Satan, the deceiver and liar.  Day to day, God comforts you, because you are a loved and cared-for child of God!  

So, sing to the Lord; you're forgiven day to day, every day!

Your servant in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188 

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

     Sharing God’s Love & Mercy with Each Other & the World.

Pilgrim Website       Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blessed be the LORD, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation."  Psalm 68:19