Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 25, 2024

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 25,  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 9:00 am, then our 10:00 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:  Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9
                 Psalm:  Psalm 119:129-136
                Epistle:  Ephesians 6:10-20
                Gospel:  Mark 7:14-23

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
The book of Deuteronomy looks back on Israel’s history.  Moses gives his final sermons to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land without him.  After reminding them of all God had done for them in the previous 38 years, Moses looks to the future in our text today.   God reminds us through Moses that God’s Word is life, it guides and curbs how we live and look to Him in all things.  

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

"For You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth."  Psalm 71:5  

Thursday Psalms: Unfold God's Words!

When I first read these verses, the psalmist's prayers for God's blessings seem to jump out as the main theme.  It's always good to ask for God's help and care.

Psalm   Psalm 119:129–136

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful;

        therefore my soul keeps them.

¹³⁰ The unfolding of Your words gives light;

        it imparts understanding to the simple.

¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,

        because I long for Your commandments.

¹³² Turn to me and be gracious to me,

        as is Your way with those who love Your name.

¹³³ Keep steady my steps according to Your promise,

        and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

¹³⁴ Redeem me from man’s oppression,

        that I may keep Your precepts.

¹³⁵ Make Your face shine upon Your servant,

        and teach me Your statutes.

¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of tears,

        because people do not keep Your law. 

Today the Holy Spirit drew my attention to the unfolding of things.  I've always been thrilled with paper maps.  Our Dad & Mom took us on many trips, especially the annual two-week epic journey in late July.  Months before, we'd start talking about places to go.  Finally a decision was made and my Dad would order & then bring home the AAA maps.  O, what a glorious day!  I couldn't wait to unfold the maps and see where we'd be going.  Even today, as I unfold maps of places I've been, the memories, pictures and stories come shining back to me.

Have you had similar glorious unfoldings?  Perhaps looking through a wedding album, a baby book or reading a good novel?  Page by page, picture by picture, life unfolds before your eyes.  There is a certain pace and patience to the unfolding, building suspense and anticipation for what is still coming.  O, what glorious unfoldings!

The unfolding of [God's] words give light; it imparts understanding to the simple.  Reading, praying and studying God's Word is the most glorious and life-changing unfolding you can ever experience.  Yes, the Bible includes captivating stories and amazing miracles.  But most importantly, it unfolds the patience and love of God, a love so vast our tiny minds can't even begin to understand it.  Best of all, the unfolding of God's Word gives light to your darkness, gives hope to your struggle, gives faith to believe in Jesus, and gives forgiveness and salvation to all who ask!  

O, what a glorious day!  Start unfolding God's Words today & every day, receiving the life-changing gifts God will unfold for you!

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

"Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law   

     and observe it with my whole heart."  Psalm 119:34     

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 18, 2024

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 18,  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 9:00 am, then our 10:00 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:  Isaiah 29:11-19

               Psalm:  Psalm 14
              Epistle:  Ephesians 5:22-33
              Gospel:  Mark 7:1-13

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
Through His own words and those of His servant Isaiah, today Jesus teaches us about traditions.  Each of us live our lives surrounded by traditions.  What are some of yours?  Pause and think about a couple of them.  Are they good & joyful traditions?  Do some of them come with risks and dangers?  Have you ever stopped and wondered why we follow certain traditions and what good does or should come from them?  

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

"For You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth."  Psalm 71:5 

Thursday Psalms: God Restores You!

It's heartbreaking to know folks who foolishly say “There is no God.”, especially if in our own families or close friends.  But this psalm also speaks to all who do believe.

Psalm 14

¹ The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

        They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;

               there is none who does good.

² The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,

        to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

³ They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt;

        there is none who does good, not even one.

⁴ Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers

        who eat up my people as they eat bread

               and do not call upon the Lord?

⁵ There they are in great terror,

        for God is with the generation of the righteous.

⁶ You would shame the plans of the poor,

        but the Lord is his refuge.

⁷ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!

        When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. 

But wait, you and I are included in the words "all" and "any", and "not even one" in verses 2-3.  Even our best works are imperfect and not "good" enough to satisfy God's laws and earn His favor.  All seems hopeless for "fools" and believes alike, until we get to verse seven.  Through the rear-view mirror of time, we know that God's salvation HAS come, when He sent His Son Jesus to take the punishment for all our sins!  By His innocent death, Jesus paid the sin-cost for all people, "fools" and believers alike.

So rejoice and be glad, the Lord has restored you to Himself!

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

"Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law

     and observe it with my whole heart."  Psalm 119:34    

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 11, 2024

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 11,  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 9:00 am, then our 10:00 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:  1 Kings 19:1–8

               Psalm:   Psalm 34:1–8
              Epistle:   Ephesians 4:17–5:2
             Gospel:   John 6:35–51

THEME FOR WORSHIP
If you’re wandering in the desert, a broom tree can provide a little bit of shade from the scorching sun.  Broom trees provided such shelter for the Israelites at Rithmah [Numbers 33].  They’re places of God’s provision.  But Elijah’s broom tree was a place of death.  He was so discouraged on his journey he cried out to God “…O LORD, take away my life”.  When did you last sit under a desert broom tree, needing rest?  Perhaps right now your journey is too great for you.  But God gives you hope!  Like for Elijah, God feeds you & provides you strength to carry on!

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

"For You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth."  Psalm 71:5 

Thursday Psalms: Your Shame Removed!

David’s prayer of thanksgiving is a beautiful prayer that invites all believers to trust in God for deliverance and give thanks to Him.

Psalm 34:1-8

¹ I will bless the Lord at all times;

      His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

² My soul makes its boast in the Lord;

      let the humble hear and be glad.

³ Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

      and let us exalt His name together!

⁴ I sought the Lord, and He answered me

      and delivered me from all my fears.

⁵ Those who look to Him are radiant,

      and their faces shall never be ashamed.

⁶ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him

      and saved him out of all his troubles.

⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps

      around those who fear Him, and delivers them.

⁸ Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

      Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! 

Check out the deliverance God gives you in verse five.  Shame is such a powerful & defeating force.  It's often more than just an emotion; shame can change lives, shame can completely alter one's physical and/or emotional health.  All shame comes from sin, either directly or indirectly.  How can you and I be set free from shame?  How can we never be ashamed?

The Lord delivers you from all your fears, from your shame, from your sins!  Simply seek the Lord in prayer, confessing your sins and asking for His forgiveness.  God forgives your sins and removes them from you, as far as the east is from the west [Psalm 103:12]!  With God's forgiveness of your sins, your shame & guilt are also removed!

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!  You are blessed when you refuge in Him!

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

"Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law 

     and observe it with my whole heart."  Psalm 119:34   

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 4, 2024

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

August 4, 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 9:00 am, then our 10:00 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:  Exodus 16:2–15
               Psalm:  Psalm 145:10–21
              Epistle:   Ephesians 4:1–16
              Gospel:  John 6:22–35

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
Who are these people of Israel described in the Old Testament text?  They are grumblers and complainers.  They are a congregation of the ungrateful.  They have rejected the LORD who miraculously rescued them and has always provided for them.  They’re driven by their selfish wants & needs.   Who are these people of Israel?  They are you & me!

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

"For You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth."  Psalm 71:5  

Thursday Psalms: Call On Him!

Are you "falling" or "bowed down" today?  Even if you're not, in these psalm verses the Lord encourages & reminders you of His great love & actions for you!

Psalm 145:14-20

¹⁴ The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

¹⁵ The eyes of all look to You,

        and You give them their food in due season.

¹⁶ You open Your hand;

        You satisfy the desire of every living thing.

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works.

¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call on Him,

        to all who call on Him in truth.

¹⁹ He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him;

        He also hears their cry and saves them.

²⁰ The Lord preserves all who love Him,

        but all the wicked He will destroy.

No matter what struggle you're facing today, look at verse 18.  Call on the Lord, who is near to you!  He hears your cries and saves you [verse 19]!

God is so great; He owes us nothing yet gives us everything!  There is no other person or god like Him anywhere!  In Romans 10:13 God tells us "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  What a great promise for you, a promise you can trust in and cling to in times of trouble and peace!  

Call on the Lord right now!

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

"Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law 

     and observe it with my whole heart."  Psalm 119:34