Pilgrim Worship Sunday March 27, 2022

  

Return of the Prodigal Son, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, 1667-1670

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 27, 2022

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

This was another exciting Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our 10:30 am Worship Service.  Afterward, we gathered for food, conversations, and an adult Bible class, in which we're studying Revelation, one of the most fascinating books of the Bible.  We also have Sunday School for children of all ages, full of activities and teaching of God's love for them!

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us for any or all of these great events!

Here is information about todays worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

   Old Testament:  Isaiah 12:1–6

                Psalm:  Psalm 32
               Epistle:  2 Corinthians 5:16–21
               Gospel:  Luke 15:1–3, 11–32

OUR THEME FOR THIS WORSHIP SERVICE

The text for Sunday's sermon and theme for the service comes from the Gospel reading, a parable known as The Prodigal Son.  This parable is by wide agreement, the most beloved and highest of all Jesus' parables.  It is often called in Latin an evangelium in evangelio, or a "gospel within the Gospel".  

God the Holy Spirit can speak to us in so many ways through this text, and we can easily find lessons in each of the well-known characters.  However, first I'd like to step out of the parable to spend some time considering the Pharisees, and why Jesus spoke this parable to them and to us.  Second, we will see ourselves in the younger son, but probably not in a way which you might think.  

Together we'll unpack how while we are both Pharisees and wanderers, God continues to love and draw us home to Himself.

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

For today's Children's message and videos from previous Sundays, please click on this link.

Peace to you on this, the Lord's Day!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34

Pilgrim Lenten Vespers Wednesday March 23, 2022

  

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Wednesday Lenten Vespers

March 23, 2022

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

This was another exciting Lenten Wednesday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our 11 am Bible class.  In this class, we consider various signs of Jesus, which bear witness to Him.  The highlight of the day is our Vespers worship services at either 4pm or at 7pm.  We enjoy a delicious soup dinner between these services, sharing good food and fellowship!  If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us for any or all of these great events!

Here is information about todays worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

       First Reading:  Zechariah 12:10–14
  Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 12:7–10
   Gospel Reading: John 18:12–27

THEME FOR WORSHIP & SERMON

Simon Peter witnessed much of Christ’s ministry on earth.  He is featured in many highlights of the four Gospels, but today we see Peter at his lowest point, as he denies Jesus three times.  The result of Peter’s denial is a massive amount of guilt.  Each of us can relate to that unwanted flood of self-disgust that comes when we remember past sin.  But guilt is not the final word for Peter, and it is not the final word for us.  After His resurrection, Jesus restores and forgives Peter.  Jesus offered Peter grace. Jesus also gives us grace, forgiveness, and restoration at the cross.

To watch the video of this service, please click HERE.  

Peace to you on this, and every Lenten day as we journey with Christ to Calvary's cross!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34

Pilgrim Worship Sunday March 20, 2022

 

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Jan Luyken

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Third Sunday in Lent

March 20, 2022

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

BIBLE READINGS FOR THIS SERVICE

   Old Testament:  Ezekiel 33:7–20

                Psalm:  Psalm 85
               Epistle:  1 Corinthians 10:1–13
               Gospel:  Luke 13:1–9

OUR THEME FOR THIS SERVICE
What  might these things have in common:  an old car, fresh salsa and a transplanted rose bush?  Hmm.  These are ideas related to the second part of the gospel reading for Sunday, in which a gardener pleads with the vineyard owner to have mercy on a poor, barren fig tree.  The owner of the vineyard and the fig tree is very disappointed, desiring the taste of sweet figs, but finding none for the third year.  
But the first half of this gospel is also very important, and the two are directly connected.  In the first five verses we hear Jesus’ teaching in response to a despicable act of evil and a tragic accident.  These words of our Lord also address tragedies going on today, from the conflict in Ukraine to the struggles in your life and mine.
How are these two teachings related?    All sin deserves God’s judgement, but He remains merciful for another year!

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

For today's Children's message and videos from previous Sundays, please click on this link.

Peace to you on this, the Lord's Day!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34

Pilgrim Lenten Vespers Wednesday March 16, 2022

 

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Wednesday Lenten Vespers

March 16, 2022

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

SCRIPTURE READINGS

       First Reading:  Isaiah 53:1-5
  Second Reading:  2 Corinthians 1:1-5
   Gospel Reading:  John 18:1-11       

THEME

All four gospels record the event in Gethsemane when the high priest’s servant’s ear is cut off. Only John gives us names—Peter and Malchus. Our attention now is drawn to Gethsemane that night Judas betrays Jesus as Peter cuts off the ear of Malchus. The chief priests, scribes, Judas, and Peter all seek power and control of the situation. Jesus—the only one with true power and authority—lays it down, as He also does with His life itself. In His resurrection, Jesus will take up His life again, reclaiming His power, control, and authority that extends throughout the earth and heavens.  

The witness of Malchus points us → Jesus.  In times of chaos, Jesus remains in control and gives calm and healing.

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

Peace to you on this, and every Lenten day as we journey with Christ to Calvary's cross!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34

Pilgrim Worship Sunday March 13, 2022

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Second Sunday in Lent

March 13, 2022

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

BIBLE READINGS FOR TODAY

  Old Testament:  Jeremiah 26:8–15

               Psalm:  Psalm 4
              Epistle:  Philippians 3:17–4:1
              Gospel:  Luke 13:31–35

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP TODAY
How do you help someone who doesn’t want to be helped?  You may have experienced this frustration, either as an “helper” or one being “helped”.  It is even frustrating to simply watch this dynamic play out with others.  We know this heartache, and Jesus knows it also.

In verse 34 of the gospel reading for today, Jesus gives words to this heartache of His, as He speaks to His chosen people, the “children of Israel”.  What does Jesus do in the face of their rejection?  Jesus does two things:  He laments, and He finishes His course.  Jesus is truly heartbroken for those who reject Him and turn away.  But He continues on His way to Jerusalem, the forsaken house, in order to complete His destiny.  This is the journey of Lent as we walk with Jesus, we’ll sing “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” on Palm Sunday and watch Jesus finish His course  on “the third day”.

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

For today's Children's message and videos from previous Sundays, please click on this link.

Peace to you on this, the Lord's Day!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34

Pilgrim Lenten Vespers, Wednesday March 9, 2022

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Wednesday Lenten Vespers

March 9, 2022

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

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS SERVICE

   Old Testament:  Joel 2:12–19

              Gospel:  John 1:29–34

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP 
In each Wednesday worship service during Lent, we will focus on different people who were Witnesses to Christ during His earthly ministry & passion.  Each will point to Christ and each week we will draw closer to Calvary's cross, where Jesus Christ paid your price, took your punishment and saved you from your sins.

In this service our focus is Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha.  Mary teaches us about a life giving.  John 12:1-11

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

Peace to you on this, and every Lenten day as we journey with Christ to Calvary's cross!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34

Pilgrim Worship Sunday March 6, 2022

 

"Temptation of Christ”, Vasily Surikov,  1872

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The First Sunday in Lent

March 6, 2022

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

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS SERIVICE

   Old Testament:  Deuteronomy 26:1–11

                Psalm:  Psalm 91
               Epistle:  Romans 10:8b–13
               Gospel:  Luke 4:1–13

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP THIS SERVICE

Today’s gospel reading takes place at the very beginning of Jesus’ adult earthly ministry, following immediately after His baptism in the Jordan river.  Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit”, Who led Him into the wilderness, to be intentionally and severely tempted by the devil.  
But this event in Jesus’ life is far more than a one-time deal; it is a major battle in Jesus’ war with the devil, a war which lasted His entire human life.  Jesus does more in this battle than just resist temptations; it is the first of many defeats Jesus will put on Satan, including Jesus’ final and complete victories on Good Friday and Easter Day.  
Jesus waged His war against Satan for us, and He gives these victories to you and to me!  By your baptism, Jesus strengthens you in your struggles and gives you victory & rest at your end.

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

For today's Children's message and videos from previous Sundays, please click on this link.

Peace to you on this, the Lord's Day!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34

Pilgrim Worship Ash Wednesday March 2, 2022

 

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Ash Wednesday

March 2, 2022

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

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THIS SERVICE

   Old Testament:  Joel 2:12–19

              Gospel:  John 1:29–34

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP 
In each Wednesday worship service during Lent, we will focus on different people who were Witnesses to Christ during His earthly ministry & passion.  Each will point to Christ and each week we will draw closer to Calvary's cross, where Jesus Christ paid your price, took your punishment and saved you from your sins.

In this service our focus is on John the Baptizer, who both prepared the way for Jesus and proclaimed His arrival on the scene:  Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"   John 1:29b

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

Peace to you on this, and every Lenten day as we journey with Christ to Calvary's cross!

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188

mobile:  248.881.7627

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Pilgrim Worship blog page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Teach me O LORD, ...give me understanding, that I may keep Your law...”  Psalm 119:33-34