Pilgrim Worship

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blesséd be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Friday, October 28, 2022

Thursday Psalms: Fear Not, God is Your Fortress

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

This coming Sunday we will be celebrating the Reformation, and the assigned psalm in our lectionary is Psalm 46. Dr. Martin Luther paraphrased this psalm as the basis for his most well-known and beloved hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God. Notice the symmetry in these verses, with verse six being the central verse.

PSALM 46
¹God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
²Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
⁴There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
He utters His voice, the earth melts.
⁷The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
⁸Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how He has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹He 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!”
¹¹The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

In verse six we view our life & the world’s culture contrasted with the indescribable power of the LORD our God. All around us we see the world’s biggest, most powerful institutions rage and totter. These are institutions we trust, which control and affect our daily lives, such as world governments, our own government & its agencies, major companies & businesses, our employers, and so on.

We see & experience wars, pandemics, economic hardships, hatred & violence among our fellow citizens, strife & divisions in our families, and so forth. All of these can seem so hopeless and overwhelming. But in this psalm, as He so often does, God gives us His eternal perspective on the rage-filled and tottering world.

God clears His throat, God speaks His Word, and the earth melts. God is in complete control of everything which appears to us as complete, hopeless chaos. When God decides, this world is judged and over, and He will create a new heaven and new earth, perfect and sinless. In verse 10, the LORD speaks clearly to us about who He is, what we should do and what the future holds for His creation.

At the beginning, the middle and the end of this psalm, we see the loving encouragement from the LORD our God: He is your very present help in trouble, He is always with you, and He is your Fortress. This is true throughout all time: the world’s existence, our country’s existence, and your life.

The LORD is with you and protecting you all the days of your life, no matter what is going on around you or with you! Thanks be to God, for His very present help!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS Burton, Michigan

office: 810.744.1188

mobile: 248.881.7627

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blesséd be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

A Devotion: The Third Commandment & the Word

I came across the following writings by Martin Luther in my daily readings, and was reminded that this commandment is not "just" about worship on Sundays or any other "Sabbath" day on which we gather around God's Word. It's really all about God's Word!!!

The Third Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

From Luther’s Large Catechism, (underlining added by me):

Let me tell you this. Even though you know the Word perfectly and have already mastered everything, still you are daily under the dominion of the devil, who neither day nor night relaxes his effort to steal upon you unawares and to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against all these commandments. Therefore, you must continually keep God’s Word in your heart, on your lips, and in your ears. For where the heart stands idle and the Word is not heard, the devil breaks in and does his damage before we realize it.

On the other hand, when we seriously ponder the Word, hear it, and put it to use, such is its power that it never departs without fruit. It always awakens new understanding, new pleasure, and a new spirit of devotion, and it constantly cleanses the heart and its meditations. For these words are not idle or dead, but effective and living.

Even if no other interest or need drove us to the Word, yet everyone should be spurred on by the realization that in this way the devil is cast out and put to flight, this commandment is fulfilled, and God is more pleased than by any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant.

Dear brothers & sisters in the Word [who] became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14):

Of highest priority in our daily lives, is living in and under the Word of God. Every day, receive His written Word through daily reading, praying and meditating upon your Bible. As often as possible, receive His body & blood, given for you for the remission of your sins in the blessed sacrament of Holy Communion at Pilgrim or another confessional Lutheran church. In His holy Supper, John 1:14 is real for you, the Word made flesh, physically and tangibly IN you!!!

What an amazing miracle and astounding blessing God gives to us, in His Word! Receive Him every day, for protection from the devil and the salvation of your soul!

Peace in Christ, the Word made flesh,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS Burton, Michigan

office: 810.744.1188
mobile: 248.881.7627
Pilgrim Website
Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blesséd be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Comment

Pilgrim Worship Sunday October 23, 2022

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

October 23, 2022

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

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!

Here is information about today's worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR SUNDAY

Old Testament: Genesis 4:1–15

Psalm: Psalm 5
Epistle: 2 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18
Gospel: Luke 18:9–17

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

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

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blesséd be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Monday, October 17, 2022

Pilgrim Worship Sunday October 16, 2022

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 16, 2022

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

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!

Here is information about today's worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR TODAY

Old Testament: Genesis 32:22–30
Psalm: Psalm 121
Epistle: 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5
Gospel: Luke 18:1–8

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP TODAY
In his two letters to Timothy, the apostle Paul writes God’s words of encouragement and instruction to this young pastor. You’re very correct if you’re thinking I might have special interest in these words, being tested, corrected and encouraged by them!

In the Epistle text today, God clearly gives unique roles & responsibilities to the men He calls to be His under-shepherds. Certainly, one of these is to “preach the word.” But God also speaks to you in this text, one of His beloved lay-people. You are blessed to hear the word, and it is profitable to you in many, many ways!

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

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

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blesséd be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Thursday Psalms: The Lord Keeps You!

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

Today's Psalm proclaims "The Lord is your keeper!" But you and I likely think of things we endure, from which we would really like to be kept safe and unaffected. Why doesn't the Lord keep me from COVID, cancer, dementia, harsh relationships, hatred of others, temptations of my flesh, etc.... This list of things literally goes on forever. Clearly we pray to our Lord for His protection from all that harms us, and we trust that whatever His response, His will is best for us.

So, what is our Lord speaking about in this psalm? We'll get to that toward the end...

Psalm 121

¹I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

²My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

³He will not let your foot be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

⁴Behold, He who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

⁶The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

⁷The Lord will keep you from all evil;

He will keep your life.

⁸The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.

First, the psalmist reminds us that all help comes from one place; the Lord, the "big Guy in charge", the all powerful owner and creator of all things He created. Why does this encourage us? Because He is the only true and loving Helper, who cares for us and always does what is best for us.

The Lord will not let your foot be moved, as you stand in faith and trust of Him. Picture in your mind those brave (...eccentric?) reporters who stand in the winds of a hurricane while talking to the camera. They stand firmly (most of the time), even though they are buffeted by the harsh weather. This is a picture of our lives; we are buffeted by the storms of sin and life, but our Lord keeps our feet grounded in His care. Unless you directly reject the forgiveness and faith God gives to you, no storm or trial will take away these from you! The Lord who keeps you and His church (Old Testament Israel and today, the new Israel) in relationship with Him, never takes His "eye off the ball", even for a short nap!

So the answer to our earlier question is now more clear, and is punctuated in verse seven. It is evil, from which your Lord keeps you. Evil reflects being separated from God by the devil, the world and our sinful nature. Your heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus to live and die on Calvary's cross, to bridge this separation caused by sin. By the forgiveness of your sins, freely given to you following your confessions, you are no longer separated from the God who loves you! God the Holy Spirit keeps your life, walks with you every day, keeping you in saving forgiveness and faith through all the storms of your life! In baptism He named and claimed you as His beloved child and your Lord keeps you in that relationship no matter what!

Thanks be to our Lord, who keeps all His promises, and keeps us in His care from this time forth and forevermore.

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS Burton, Michigan

office: 810.744.1188

mobile: 248.881.7627

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blesséd be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Monday, October 10, 2022

Pilgrim Worship Sunday October 9, 2022

James Tissot (1836 - 1902) The Healing of Ten Lepers

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 9, 2022

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

If you live in the Burton area, please consider joining us on Sunday mornings!

Here is information about today's worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Old Testament: Ruth 1:1–19a
Psalm: Psalm 111
Epistle: 2 Timothy 2:1–13
Gospel: Luke 17:11–19

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP TODAY
In the Gospel text for Sunday, we read St. Luke’s well-known account of Jesus’ interactions with ten lepers. Leprosy is a horrible disease, and this visit by Jesus stirred great hope in these outcasts from society and the church. “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” they cried out. Jesus mercifully healed these nine Jewish men and one Samaritan, the latter being the only one to return to Jesus in worship and thankfulness.

You and I are also outcasts from God, horribly sick with sin, a condition far worse than leprosy or any other earthly disease. We cry out also, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”, and Jesus does indeed mercifully forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. What is our response to God’s great mercy to us? Do we journey in faith with Jesus to Jerusalem, or do we go our own self-centered ways, like the nine?

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

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

Soli Deo Gloria

"Blesséd be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Thursday Psalms: Holy & Awesome!

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

Today's psalm is all about praise and glory for the Lord! We live and breathe and find our purpose for living in Him and in His works, which are established forever and ever. But there are a few phrases in this psalm to which the Holy Spirit draws my attention today.

PSALM 111
1  Praise the Lord!
    I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
      in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is His work,
    and His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused His wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear Him;
    He remembers His covenant forever.
6 He has shown His people the power of His works,
    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of His hands are faithful and just;
    all His precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to His people;
    He has commanded His covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is His name!
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
      His praise endures forever!
First, we're reminded that the Lord is gracious and merciful.  We are completely undeserving of His care, even His attention, as Psalm 8:4 reminds us:  "...what is man that You are mindful of him,  and the son of man that You care for him?"  
Yet we see God's mercy from the very beginning.  After creating His perfect world, including Adam & Eve who He valued the most, God then promised their Savior (Gen 3:15) after they turned away from Him.  And His mercy remains with us, as He remembers His covenant forever!  He sent redemption to His people in the person God's only Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus was born and fully lived the life of a man, yet He was perfect, without sin.  This allowed Him to be the perfect sacrifice, the perfect scapegoat for you and for me.  God our Father poured out all His wrath and punishment for all sins upon Jesus, so you and I do not need to bear our own.  
Holy and awesome is His name!  Join with me in this:  I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS Burton, Michigan

office: 810.744.1188

mobile: 248.881.7627