Pilgrim Worship Sunday December 29, 2024

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The First Sunday after Christmas

December 29,  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:  Exodus 13:1–3a, 11–15

              Psalm:  Psalm 111
             Epistle:  Colossians 3:12–17
            Gospel:   Luke 2:22–40

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
Christmas is over.  Back to the “real” world, back to normal life, back to the ordinary and the everyday.  All the waiting & anticipation, then the big day, now back to the routine.
Today we meet again Simeon & Anna.  I wonder how Simeon felt as he waited for God to keep His magnificent promise.  I wonder how he felt afterwards.  What can we learn from Simeon today about our mundane yet magnificent lives?

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   

We are Pilgrims with a Purpose:  

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

Pilgrim Website           Pilgrim Facebook page

Soli Deo Gloria

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24   

Pilgrim Worship Christmas Eve 2024

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Christmas Eve Worship

December 24,  2024

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

Today was our Candlelight Christmas Eve service at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  

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.

THEME FOR WORSHIP:

O Come, O Come, Immanuel! 

This is the prayer of every believer since Adam & Eve.  And why would we join with Christ’s Church in this prayer?  Because our sins separate us from God.  We are lonely exiles, held captive by the devil, the world, and our sinful natures.  We can do nothing else than cry out to the Christmas Baby Jesus.  Come and save us!  Come and be with us!  Come and forgive our sins and ransom us back into Your family! 

As we gather around the manger, we celebrate and give thanks because Jesus has come and saved us, all of us!  

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24  

Pilgrim Worship Sunday December 22, 2024

  

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fourth Sunday in Advent

December 22,  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:  Micah 5:2–5a
              Epistle:  Hebrews 10:5–10
              Gospel:  Luke 1:39-56

THEME FOR WORSHIP
God’s people have always been a people who are waiting.  Our Advent waiting and anticipation continues, only a few days until Christmas.  The Apostle Luke describes how John the Baptizer leaps for joy when Jesus, his cousin comes to him for the first time.  In Jesus, all God’s promises to Adam & Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah and David are all fulfilled.  Mary then sings her beautiful Magnificat, praising God’s goodness for keeping His promises.  And the greatest promise of God, Micah tells us, will come from Bethlehem, the most unexpected place. 

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24  

Thursday Psalms: Restore Us, O God!

Our Advent wait is nearly over, our annual visit to Bethlehem's manger is less than a week away.  In our psalm for today, the psalmist is also waiting on God.  He is waiting on God to save His people, as He has done before and as He has promised to do in the future.

  PSALM 80:1-7

¹ Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock.

    You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

² Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,

    stir up Your might and come to save us!

³ Restore us, O God;

    let Your face shine, that we may be saved!

⁴ O Lord God of hosts,

    how long will You be angry with Your people’s prayers?

⁵ You have fed them with the bread of tears

    and given them tears to drink in full measure.

⁶ You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,

    and our enemies laugh among themselves.

⁷ Restore us, O God of hosts;

    let Your face shine, that we may be saved!  

We join the psalmist in praying "Restore us, O God..."  In this short verse we find the entire Gospel of salvation proclaimed to us.  

This is why Christmas matters at all, because God kept His promise to restore His people.  He did so by sending Jesus His Son to the Bethlehem manger.  There, God Himself became also & at the same time, fully human.  God's face was shining on His people, beaming with love.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will NOT die, but have everlasting life!  [John 3:16]  Jesus took your punishment upon Himself as He died on Calvary's cross.  Because of Jesus, you are saved from the punishment you deserve!  Because Jesus took your guilt away, your relationship with God has been restored!  

We wait these last few Advent days, with joy & peace, knowing the God of hosts HAS restored you, He makes His face SHINE on you, and you are SAVED!

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24 

Pilgrim Worship Wednesday December 18, 2024

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Third Wednesday in Advent

December 18,  2024

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

Today was our first of three Wednesday Advent worship services at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  

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.

THEME FOR WORSHIP:  No Fear of Lack
To be human is to know what it means to fear. The season of Advent helps us long for a different reality: one ruled by peace rather than fear. For the Son of God was born into our tribulation, despair, and fear not just to comfort us but to bring about an end to whatever terrifies us most. This is why one of Jesus’ common refrains is “Fear not.”

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24 

Pilgrim Worship Sunday December 15, 2024

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Third Sunday in Advent

December 15,  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:  Zephaniah 3:14–20

              Psalm:  Psalm 85
             Epistle:  Philippians 4:4–7
             Gospel:   Luke 7:18–28

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
The Church historically has named today Gaudete, the Latin word for “rejoice”.  We hear joy & rejoicing all over the assigned Scripture readings, the Introit, our prayers and hymns.  We light the pink Advent wreath candle, a spark of joy during this season of waiting.  Joy & peace are things we’re always restlessly seeking, but more focused during this season.  Why?  Jesus the Coming Light draws near to us & comes to us, giving us His joy & peace!

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24  

Pilgrim Worship Wednesday December 11, 2024

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Second Wednesday in Advent

December 11,  2024

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

Today was our first of three Wednesday Advent worship services at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  

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.

THEME FOR WORSHIP:  No Fear of Failure
To be human is to know what it means to fear. The season of Advent helps us long for a different reality: one ruled by peace rather than fear. For the Son of God was born into our tribulation, despair, and fear not just to comfort us but to bring about an end to whatever terrifies us most. This is why one of Jesus’ common refrains is “Fear not.”

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24  

Pilgrim Worship Sunday December 8, 2024

Domenico Ghirlandaio - Preaching of St John the Baptist

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Second Sunday in Advent

December 8,  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:  Malachi 3:1–7b
                Psalm:  Psalm 66:1–12
               Epistle:  Philippians 1:2–11
               Gospel:  Luke 3:1–20

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP
This second Sunday in Advent continues with expectations of both our Lord’s first and second coming.  Luke’s gospel focuses on John the Baptizer, whose coming Malachi foretold in today’s Old Testament text.  Both readings highlight John’s preaching of repentance, preparing our hearts for the coming judgment.  So, we live today in expectation for and hope in the Messiah, who came to save us from our sins.

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24  

Pilgrim Worship Wednesday December 4, 2024

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The First Wednesday in Advent

December 4,  2024

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

Today was our first of three Wednesday Advent worship services at Pilgrim Lutheran Church!  

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.

The theme and sermon message for this service are based on Psalm 112, especially verses 6-8. Consider reading also Psalm 111 as mentioned in the sermon.

THEME FOR WORSHIP
To be human is to know what it means to fear. The season of Advent helps us long for a different reality: one ruled by peace rather than fear. For the Son of God was born into our tribulation, despair, and fear not just to comfort us but to bring about an end to whatever terrifies us most. This is why one of Jesus’ common refrains is “Fear not.”

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

"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!"  Psalm 31:24