Thursday Psalms: Who'd Want To?

Our psalm reading for today is from Psalm 81 which calls us to worship the one, true God.

PSALM 81:1-10

¹ Sing aloud to God our strength;

      shout for joy to the God of Jacob!

² Raise a song; sound the tambourine,

      the sweet lyre with the harp.

³ Blow the trumpet at the new moon,

      at the full moon, on our feast day.

⁴ For it is a statute for Israel,

      a rule of the God of Jacob.

⁵ He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt.

      I hear a language I had not known:

⁶ “I relieved your shoulder of the burden;

      your hands were freed from the basket.

⁷ In distress you called, and I delivered you;

      I answered you in the secret place of thunder;

            I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

⁸ Hear, O my people, while I admonish you!

      O Israel, if you would but listen to Me!

⁹ There shall be no strange god among you;

      you shall not bow down to a foreign god.

¹⁰ I am the Lord your God,

      who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.

            Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

 

Praise!  Sing!  Make music to God your strength!  For those who God has called into His family & given faith, these are uplifting and beautiful commands.  We feast and remember God who has given us all things, the same God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  You're reminded that God also relieves your burdens, He delivers you from your distress & troubles.  Most importantly, God sets you free from sin, death and the power of the devil!  Who wouldn't want to shout for joy & raise up songs of thanksgiving?

I love the image in verse seven:  I answered you in the secret place of thunder.  God answers our prayers, especially those as we suffer alone and struggle with powerful temptations and failures.  God loves you more than you can ever understand or even imagine!

God gives you all things and does all these things for you; and He has one warning.  Don't worship anyone or anything else, other than Him.  ...but who'd want to?

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1    

Pilgrim Worship Sunday May 26, 2024

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Holy Trinity

May 26, 2024

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!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our Adult Bible study at 9:15 am, then our 10:30 am Worship service.  Afterward, we gathered for food and conversations, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

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

Here is information about this worship service:

BIBLE READINGS

       Old Testament:  Isaiah 6:1-8

   Second Reading:   Acts 2:14a, 22-36
                  Gospel:   John 3:1-17

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP 
Today we focus on The Holy Trinity, the only festival on the church calendar where we focus on a doctrine and not an event.  Other Sundays we look at what God has done to save us.  Today we zero in on God, who does the saving.  We can’t understand the Holy Trinity and any effort to describe the relationship between one God and three Persons will only lead to heresy.  Many have tired and ended up in that ditch.  However, God does give us glimpses into His nature, revealing the gracious and loving mystery of the Holy Trinity.  

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

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..."  Psalm 111:10a   

Thursday Psalms: The Voice of the LORD Blesses You!

Blessed Thursday to you!  Today we'll consider Psalm 29, in which we're kind of overwhelmed by the power and rule of the voice of the Lord.  The voice of the Almighty Lord accomplishes whatever He pleases!   For many people, this is a frightening idea, one which causes them to avoid the Lord or live as though He does not exist.

PSALM 29     A Psalm of David.

¹ Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,

    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

² Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name;

    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

³ The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

    the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters.

⁴ The voice of the Lord is powerful;

    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

⁵ The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;

    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

⁶ He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,

    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

⁷ The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.

⁸ The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

⁹ The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth

    and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

¹⁰ The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;

    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.

¹¹ May the Lord give strength to His people!

    May the Lord bless His people with peace!

The voice of the Lord is all powerful, and wields His strength however He chooses.    The Lord requires that all His creation worship Him and fear [obey] Him.  But the Lord is not impersonal, He is God of love for His creation.  Because we can't obey God like we should, God sent Jesus to perfectly obey God for us.  Check out 1 Timothy 2:3-4 and John 3:16.  God loves His creation and desires all people to be saved!  God loves you, and saves you!  

The final verse of this psalm also gives you this great news.  God the Father sent His only Son, Jesus to redeem and save His people.  God the Holy Spirit gives to you strength and peace.  The Holy Spirit keeps you in faith, reminding you that God will never leave you nor forsake you, no matter what hard sufferings you may be facing.  Children of God, we are blessed people for sure!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1   

Pilgrim Worship Sunday May 19, 2024

The Apostles Filled with the Holy Ghost     Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1852-60

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Day of Pentecost

May 19, 2024

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!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our Adult Bible study at 9:15 am, then our 10:30 am Worship service.  Afterward, we gathered for food and conversations, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

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

Here is information about this worship service:

BIBLE READINGS FOR SUNDAY

    Old Testament:  Ezekiel 37:1–14

                 Psalm:  Psalm 139:1–12
 Second Reading:  Acts 2:1–21
                Gospel:  John 15:26–27, 16:4b–15

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
Throughout God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelations, the Holy Spirit is powerful & visibly interactive with God’s people & creation.  On this Day of Pentecost, we witness one of those days.  Just as Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit rested on and filled the Christians gathered in Jerusalem.  The new Israel, the new covenant, the new Church is empowered to spread throughout the earth!
How many of us today wish God would reveal His Spirit to us in such bold, visible and powerful ways?   Or, perhaps we’re just not noticing…

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

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..."  Psalm 111:10a  

Thursday Psalms: God Is There!

Today we'll meditate on the first 12 verses of Psalm 139.  

¹ O Lord, You have searched me and known me!

² You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

     You discern my thoughts from afar.

³ You search out my path and my lying down

     and are acquainted with all my ways.

⁴ Even before a word is on my tongue,

     behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.

⁵ You hem me in, behind and before,

     and lay Your hand upon me.

⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

     it is high; I cannot attain it.

⁷ Where shall I go from Your Spirit?

     Or where shall I flee from Your presence?

⁸ If I ascend to heaven, You are there!

     If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there!

⁹ If I take the wings of the morning

     and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

      even there Your hand shall lead me,

     and Your right hand shall hold me.

¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

     and the light about me be night,”

     even the darkness is not dark to You;

     the night is bright as the day,

     for darkness is as light with You. 

How do you read these verses?  You may conclude:  "I can't run and hide from God!  He is everywhere and He is after me!  I am doomed!"  This reading is certainly true; God is everywhere, God knows everything and we most certainly can't hide from Him.  Also, left to our own devices and "goodness", we are doomed.  There is no way we can earn our salvation; the price of our sinfulness is death.  If we're judged only on our own merits, we would be separated from God in this life and we'd spend eternity in hell. These thoughts can be terrifying to us, and all who are sinners.  

But is this really what God is telling us in these verses?  While all the things mentioned above are true, God is giving us better news. The fact that God is all-knowing & present everywhere should give us great hope and comfort!  Above all else, this psalm proclaims God's love, which He expresses in His personal care and involvement in all of His creation.  Because Jesus died on the cross to take your sin punishment, and He rose from the dead on Easter morning, you know God is not chasing you everywhere to punish you!  There is no need trying to run and hide; simply confess your sins and they will be forgiven!  

These verses remind us that God loves us and His protecting, forgiving and loving presence is with us anywhere we go!  He "hems us in" with protection, and His hand "leads" us and "holds" us.  Thanks be to God, for His great love for us!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1  

Pilgrim Worship Sunday May 12, 2024

The Ascension     John Singleton Copley  (1738–1815)

  Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Ascension of Our Lord

May 12, 2024

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!  Once again, we had lots of great activities going on, starting with our Adult Bible study at 9:15 am, then our 10:30 am Worship service.  Afterward, we gathered for food and conversations, while the children enjoyed Sunday School.  These classes are full of activities and teaching, so the children learn how much God loves them!

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

Here is information about this worship service:

BIBLE READINGS FOR SUNDAY

   First Reading:  Acts 1:1–11

              Psalm:  Psalm 47
             Epistle:  Ephesians 1:15–23
            Gospel:  Luke 24:44–53

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
In many ways, our lives are like riding a roller coaster.  Some days things are great, and others are terrible.  We’re up, then we’re down.  Your blood pressure, your weight, your emotions & feelings seem to bounce around like a yo-yo:  up & down.  Sometimes this applies to the strength of our faith.  When under the devil’s attacks, we often feel weak.  On other days, we feel close to God and far from temptations.  Thank God, that His love for you is neither a roller coaster nor a yo-yo!  God’s love & care are always yours, no matter what!

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

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..."  Psalm 111:10a 

Thursday Psalms: The Ascension of Our Lord

There are several themes of our Lord's ascension, His return back to His throne & rule in heaven.  One theme is that of triumph and victory.  Psalm 47 commemorates this blessed day, and draws our attention to these ideals.

PSALM 47

¹ Clap your hands, all peoples!

     Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

² For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

     a great King over all the earth.

³ He subdued peoples under us,

     and nations under our feet.

⁴ He chose our heritage for us,

     the pride of Jacob whom He loves.

⁵ God has gone up with a shout,

     the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises!

     Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;

     sing praises with a psalm!

⁸ God reigns over the nations;

     God sits on His holy throne.

⁹ The princes of the peoples gather

     as the people of the God of Abraham.

   For the shields of the earth belong to God;

     He is highly exalted!

A second theme of this day we should consider is completeness.  Jesus became human in Mary's womb and perfectly lived His fully human life without sin, so He could accept ALL the punishment of sin.  The perfect man, the spotless sacrifice taking our guilt and punishment in our place.  Jesus' salvation work is now done, once for all people of all time.  So this day, in His glorious return to heaven, reminds us of His perfect and complete forgiveness of our sins.

The third theme I'd like us to consider today comes in response to the disciples' certain feelings of being deserted and abandoned.  God always has something better coming for us, and this is also true for His disciples on the first Ascension Day!  Just like Jesus HAD to suffer and die to win their forgiveness, Jesus HAD to leave them so the Holy Spirit would be given to them.  And so today begins 10 days of anticipation, looking forward to The Day of Pentecost.  The Holy Spirit is given to us in our baptisms, and remains with us each and every day of our lives, protecting our faith and encouraging us as we walk through this valley of the shadow of death.

Thanks be to God, who reigns over the nations, who completed His salvation work and returned to His heavenly throne, and who sent His Holy Spirit, to care for you and me!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Mark

Pilgrim Lutheran Church, LCMS    Burton, Michigan

office:  810.744.1188     mobile:  248.881.7627

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website

Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

 "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1