Pilgrim Worship Sunday April 26, 2026

 

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 26, 2026

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!  Our usual Sunday schedule starts with Adult Bible class at 9:15 am and 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 on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS 

  First Reading:  Acts 2:42–47

             Psalm:  Psalm 23

            Epistle:  1 Peter 2:19–25

            Gospel:  John 10:1–10

THEME FOR WORSHIP

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is commonly celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday.  Each of the assigned readings captures the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ as the Shepherd of His Church; the best-known being the 23rd Psalm.  Jesus is the only one who can truly gather, tend  and protect us, through His gracious and merciful love, given to us on Calvary’s cross.  Jesus does this all for you and for me; for the love of sheep!

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Thursday Psalms: God Restores You!

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

Today's psalm may be the most beloved and best-known of all the psalms.  But questions may still come to us.  Are you wanting in any situation?  How green are your pastures?  Are the waters in your life still or rough?

Psalm 23

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures.

      He leads me beside still waters.

³ He restores my soul.

      He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

      I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

      You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

      and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Even though all of us have times of suffering, struggle and difficulty, God remains with you, He is your shepherd.  He does protect and provide for you in countless ways, but God does so always according to His will and timing.  We'll never understand everything God does or doesn't do.  But there is one thing for us to consider today, which is always true and sure.

Re-read this psalm, thinking about your countless sins and the forgiveness Jesus gives to you for every stinkin' one of them.  By His forgiveness, your relationship with God is fully restored.  The waters are still, not angry or punishing.  Your relationship with God is peaceful, like lying down in a green meadow and listening to the breeze and the birds.  You do not fear the shadow of death, because Jesus is risen from death and has defeated death for you!  

So, no matter what may be harming you today, let your confidence and peace be restored by God's mercy, which will certainly follow you all the days of your life!

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Pilgrim Worship Sunday April 19, 2026

The Walk to Emmaus    Franz Ittenbach   1835

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Third Sunday of Easter

April 19, 2026

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!  Our usual Sunday schedule starts with Adult Bible class at 9:15 am and 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 on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

  First Reading:  Acts 2:14a, 36–41

             Psalm:  Psalm 116:1–14

            Epistle:  1 Peter 1:17–25

            Gospel:  Luke 24:13–35

THEME FOR WORSHIP

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus hides Himself from the eyes of two disciples walking to the village of Emmaus.  Later, in the breaking of the bread at dinner, Jesus reveals Himself to them, their eyes were opened.  Jesus often does this in our lives also; God hides and reveals Himself according to His will.  This should not trouble us, because Jesus always shows up where He promises to be: in holy Scripture, in the preaching of His Word and in the Lord’s Supper.  

Even when you can’t see Him, your risen Lord Jesus Christ is always present with you, giving you forgiveness of sins, life and salvation!

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Thursday Psalms: God Is Merciful!

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

In these first verses of this psalm, the psalmist describes different ways & situations in which the Lord is merciful, hears your prayers, delivers you from troubles and deals bountifully, generously with you.  Like a beautiful trumpet, verse five declares great truths about God:  Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.

Psalm 116:1-14

¹ I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.

² Because He inclined His ear to me,

     therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.

³ The snares of death encompassed me;

     the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish.

⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord:  “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.

⁶ The Lord preserves the simple;

     when I was brought low, He saved me.

⁷ Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

⁸ For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears,

         my feet from stumbling;

⁹ I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.

Think about times when the Lord has helped you, delivered you, healed you from sickness or suffering, and so on.  But truthfully, we often wonder if God does hear our prayers when He may not answer them in the way or time we'd like.  But in all cases, God is always merciful, loving and always does what is best for us.

Now read this psalm and think of your relationship with God through a different lens, through the lens of your sinfulness.  The snares of death is a phrase which describes our sinfulness very well.  Your sins separate you from God, and the wages of your sins is death.  Without God's mercy, your sins would separate you from God eternally; that is to be damned to hell.  

But your God is merciful!  He saved you!  He has delivered your soul from death, from eternal death in hell!  Jesus Christ, God Himself, died on the cross and rose from the dead to set you free from sin and restore your relationship with God.  Forgiven sin no longer separates you from God, because God has separated your sins from you!

Return, O my soul to your rest; for God is merciful!

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Pilgrim Worship Sunday April 12, 2026

 

“Doubting Thomas”  Giovanni Serodine    1620s

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Second Sunday of Easter

April 12, 2026

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!  Our usual Sunday schedule starts with Adult Bible class at 9:15 am and 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 on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

  First Reading:  Acts 5:29–42

     Psalm:  Psalm 148

    Epistle:  1 Peter 1:3–9

   Gospel:  John 20:19–31

THEME FOR WORSHIP 

The Easter ham & other goodies, if not eaten, are perishing.  If not already, the beautiful Easter hymns are fading away.  Our holiday traditions may be over, but Easter Sunday is more than just tradition.  And Easter matters more than just marking the historical resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead does stuff!  Christ risen changes things, for you!  What stuff does it do and change?  In today’s Epistle reading Saint Peter proclaims many gifts God gives to you through Jesus’ resurrection, all leading up to the salvation of your soul!

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Thursday Psalms: God Raises You Up!

 

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

In today's psalm, God calls all people & things to praise Him, from "creeping things...to kings of the earth".  Why?  All things created praise the Creator, because He commanded and they were created.

PSALM 148

¹ Praise the Lord!

        Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!

² Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts!

³ Praise Him, sun and moon, praise Him, all you shining stars!

⁴ Praise Him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord!

        For He commanded and they were created.

⁶ And He established them forever and ever;

        He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps,

⁸ fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling His word!

⁹ Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars!

¹⁰ Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!

¹¹ Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth!

¹² Young men and maidens together, old men and children!

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted;

        His majesty is above earth and heaven.

¹⁴ He has raised up a horn for His people, praise for all His saints,

        for the people of Israel who are near to Him.

           Praise the Lord! 

But in the final verse we find the greatest reason for our praise, which we celebrated this past Sunday.  "He [the Lord] has raised up a horn for His people..."  In God's word, horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, witnessed by the animals who use them as their chief means of attack and defense.  "Horn" is used as a metaphor for strength in Deuteronomy 33:17 and for honor in Job 16:15 & Lamentations 2:3, and are also symbols of royal dignity and power (Jeremiah 48:25 ; Zechariah 1:18 ; Daniel 8:24 ).  The expression "horn of salvation," applied to Christ, means a salvation of strength, or a strong Savior (Luke 1:69). 

So this week just after our glorious Easter celebration, join me in thanking & praising God, that He has "raised up" Jesus from death, to be our horn of  salvation!  Jesus gives to you His resurrection, so you and I will be raised up too!  God raises you up in the middle of troubles in this life, and God will raise you up after death to live forever with Him in heaven!

Live today in the joy of being Raised Up!

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Pilgrim Worship Easter Sunday April 5, 2026

 

The Resurrection of Christ    Carl Heinrich Bloch     1875

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Easter Sunday

April 5, 2026

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!  Our usual Sunday schedule starts with Adult Bible class at 9:15 am and 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 on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

 SCRIPTURE READINGS

  Gathered at the Tomb:  John 19:38-42

    Easter Proclamation:  Luke 24:1-6a

               First Reading:  Acts 10:34-43

                          Epistle:  Colossians 3:1-4

                         Gospel:  Matthew 28:1-10

THEME FOR WORSHIP

Jesus Christ is real!  Jesus really died, Jesus was really raised from death, and you will be too!

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9

Pilgrim Worship Good Friday April 3, 2026

 

Calvary   Pau Vergós  (1470–1495)

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

Good Friday

April 3, 2026

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 and the rest of our Wednesday services in Lent!  Anyone can watch our services live on Facebook or on Pilgrim's website.

Here is information about this worship service:

SCRIPTURE READINGS

      Old Testament:  Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12

           Psalm:  Psalm 22

          Epistle:  Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9

  Passion Reading:  John 18 & 19

THEME FOR WORSHIP

We’ve all said & experienced these words many times:  “It is finished.”  Today, Jesus speaks these words from the cross at the end of His terrible suffering.  With His death many things are finished, but to what exactly is Jesus referring?  What exactly is finished?  

With Jesus’ sinless death, the work of your salvation is finished and is given to you.  It is finished.  Done.  Completely.  

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

"The LORD is a stronghold in times of trouble."  Psalm 9:9