Thursday Psalms: Free & Forever Forgiveness!

 

Today's psalm is one of six penitential psalms, which speak about our confession of our sins and the forgiveness which God gives to us.  David speaks of this daily rhythm in our lives:  sinning, confessing, and being forgiven. Every day you drown your old sinful self in the waters of your baptism and by God's forgiveness, your new self rises up, clean & ready for the new day coming.

Psalm 32:1:7  

¹ Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

      whose sin is covered.

² Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,

      and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

³ For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

      through my groaning all day long.

⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;

      my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

⁵ I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity;

      I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

           and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

⁶ Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to You at a time when You may be found;

      surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach Him.

⁷ You are a hiding place for me;

      You preserve me from trouble;

     You surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Each one of us knows the guilt & shame from our sins, which build up, burning within us.  As long as we keep silent, we groan and feel the convicting hand of God resting upon us.  Eventually we come to our senses and exclaim with David “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”.  Then, like a fever which finally breaks, we feel the cooling rush of God's forgiveness.  Once again we know how blessed we are to be a loved and forgiven child of God.

Give thanks to God that He has given you faith to trust in Him, faith which draws you to humbly confess your sins and receive God's free and forever forgiveness!

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3  

Pilgrim Worship Wednesday March 26, 2025

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Wednesday Lenten Vespers

March 26, 2025

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

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

   Old Testament:   2 Kings 5:1-14

                Psalm:   Psalm 103

               Epistle:   Acts 3:1-10

               Gospel:   Matthew 8:1-17

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP:  The Hand of the Lord Who Heals the Sick

The outstretched hand of Jesus is willing to reach out to the lives of the untouchable. The leper asking if the Lord willed that he be clean is greeted not only with a yes but also with the hand that touches the unclean. No one is out of the reach of Jesus. In Jesus, the unclean become clean.

In Christ’s cross, He “took our illnesses and bore our diseases” (Matthew 8:17; see also Isaiah 53:4). He who did not know sin even became sin for us in order to make us righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21). In reaching out to us, touching the unclean, our Lord has taken our infirmities to the cross and given us His perfect forgiveness and life.

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

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3

Pilgrim Worship Sunday March 23, 2025

  

The Barren Fig Tree  Eugène Burnand  1850 - 1921

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Third Sunday in Lent

March 23, 2025

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:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

    Old Testament: Ezekiel 33:7–20

                 Psalm: Psalm 85

                Epistle: 1 Corinthians 10:1–13

                Gospel: Luke 13:1–9

THEME FOR WORSHIP

After all the talk of sin, punishment and death in the first half of today’s Gospel reading, Jesus draws us into a parable of a fig tree that has trouble bearing fruit.  The owner waits, the vinedresser cultivates, but the tree doesn’t produce any figs.  

Jesus ends the parable early; He leaves us hanging mid-story.  Was the gardener given another year?  If so, did the tree come around?  The only thing we know for sure is this:  the faithful & patient gardener would certainly have much delight if the following year he plucks and eats a ripe, juicy fig from this tree!

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

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3 

Thursday Psalms: Revive Us Again!

The first half of Psalm 85 provides a great framework for your prayers, whether you're praying for yourself, for others, or for Christ's Church throughout the world.  You may find this prayer format most helpful during times when you feel as though God is not listening to you or may not seem to be answering your prayers.

Psalm 85:1-7

¹ Lord, You were favorable to Your land;

        You restored the fortunes of Jacob.

² You forgave the iniquity of Your people;

        You covered all their sin.

³ You withdrew all Your wrath;

        You turned from Your hot anger.

⁴ Restore us again, O God of our salvation,

        and put away Your indignation toward us!

⁵ Will You be angry with us forever?

        Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?

⁶ Will You not revive us again,

        that Your people may rejoice in You?

⁷ Show us Your steadfast love, O Lord,

               and grant us Your salvation. 

In the first three verses, the psalmist reminds God of His past blessings, most importantly God's covering & forgiving the sins of His people.  What will happen if you pause and reflect on the blessings God has poured out upon you, especially His forgiveness of your sins, anew every morning?  No doubt, we all would speak boldly to God:  Restore me again, O God of my salvation!

In verses five and six this pattern repeats again, but we can almost hear an echo to the psalmist's words.  

    Will You be angry with us forever?  

    Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?      You haven't before...

    Will You not revive us again...     ...like You've done before...

In verse seven, you can feel the psalmist's confidence in his Lord, who will respond in love and forgiveness, like He has always done before.  This great confidence is yours too!  Count on it, from Your Lord, the God of your salvation!

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3  

Pilgrim Worship Wednesday March 19, 2025

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Wednesday Lenten Vespers

March 19, 2025

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

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

     Old Testament: Genesis 3:1-24

          Psalm: Psalm 143

         Epistle: 1 Peter 5:6-11

        Gospel: Luke 9:37-43, 11:14-23

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP

Adam and Eve took the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil into their hands after listening to the deception of the crafty serpent. Since that time, the devil has attempted to hold humanity in his clutches like a strong man. No one can escape, so God the Father sent Jesus His Son, one stronger than the strong man, to bind him, and plunder his possessions. 

Christ has bound the devil in order to release us and bring us into His loving care.  Jesus overcame the devil’s temptation in the desert and cast out demons, and He was faithful to go all the way the cross to defeat the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh.  Though the devil still “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour,” his days are numbered.  Christ Himself will restore and strengthen you.

THE STRONG HAND OF SATAN HOLDS ALL CAPTIVE, 

    BUT THE STRONGER HAND OF JESUS SETS YOU FREE!

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

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3   

Pilgrim Worship Sunday March 16, 2025

Jeremiah Seated in the Ruins of Jerusalem

Eduard Julius Friedrich Bendemann (1811–1889)

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Second Sunday in Lent

March 16, 2025

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:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Old Testament:   Jeremiah 26:8–15

             Psalm:   Psalm 4

             Epistle:   Philippians 3:17–4:1

            Gospel:   Luke 13:31–35

THEME FOR WORSHIP

Like all of God’s prophets, including Pastors and all others who speak God’s judgement over sin, today Jeremiah finds himself in hot water.  Jeremiah boldly spoke God’s judgment and His mercy for His people, and they didn’t want to hear either one.  In fact, they wanted to kill Jeremiah for pointing out their own sins and calling them to God’s mercy.  Sadly, this resistance exists strongly today, even in your own heart and in mine.

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

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3

Pilgrim Worship Wednesday March 12, 2025

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Wednesday Lenten Vespers

March 12, 2025

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

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS
Old Testament:  Job 9:1-12
             Psalm:  Psalm 8
            Epistle:  Ephesians 2:1-10
           Gospel:  Matthew 14:22-33

OUR THEME FOR WORSHIP

When Peter walked out onto the water, he began to sink as he took his eyes off Jesus. But the Lord was quick to reach His hand down to save him. When Christ walked on the water, He demonstrated that He is God in the flesh, through whom all things were created. It is all the work of His hands. In saving Peter, He also showed that He is compassionate. In our helpless state, Christ has reached down to pull us from the pit of despair.

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

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3  

Thursday Psalms: Sleep Well!

Today we'll consider Psalm 4, in which David speaks God's word to us & gives us some good advice.  

PSALM 4

¹ Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

    You have given me relief when I was in distress.

       Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

² O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

     How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? 

³ But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself;

     the Lord hears when I call to Him.

⁴ Be angry, and do not sin;

     ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

⁵ Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

⁶ There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

     Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”

⁷ You have put more joy in my heart 

     than they have when their grain and wine abound.

⁸ In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

     for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. 

FIRST, note that David addresses the first verse to God, and notice how David prays.  He is bold and honest about his questions and his concerns, reminding us that God has heard and answered us before.  In this example, David gives us some good advice.  Don't hesitate to pray boldly and honestly and emotionally to God your heavenly Father!  If you are in a melancholy or sad place, PRAY IT to God.  If your situation is frantic and fearful, PRAY IT to God.  If you are confused and angry, PRAY IT to God.  You get the picture.  God desires all our prayers, and has given His baptized children the Holy Spirit to be our Helper.  Even though your heart is sinful and wrong in your motives or emotions, the Spirit will direct you, lead your thoughts, convict you of your sin, and give you comfort.  Both the Holy Spirit [Romans 8:26] and Jesus Himself [Romans 8:34] have promised to intercede for us with God the Father.

SECOND, David gives you and me advice about getting a good night's sleep.  Take the advice in verse four seriously; Jesus modelled this for us as He drove the dishonest and disrespectful businessmen out of the Temple [Matthew 21:12].  Every night before sleeping, confess all your anger and other sins to God, so you can fall asleep in the comfort of His forgiveness [verse 8].  It is only the Lord's forgiveness which allows us to "dwell in safety" from the devil and sleep "in peace."  

Nightly honest & serious prayer, along with heartfelt confession of your sins; these are the BEST sleep aids EVER!  Enjoy peaceful & restful sleep in the love of Jesus!

Your servant 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

"Restore us, O God, let Your face shine, that we may be saved!"  Psalm 80:3