Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 30, 2026

 
 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 30, 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 Summer Sunday schedule has started with our Worship service beginning at 9:30 am.  Afterwards, around 10:30 or so, please join us and enjoy food and conversations together.

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

  Old Testament:  Jeremiah 15:15-21

               Psalm:  Psalm 26

              Epistle:  Romans 12:9-21

              Gospel:  Matthew 16:21-28

THEME FOR WORSHIP

In today’s Gospel reading, we see that Peter didn’t want Jesus to suffer and his bad advice would have derailed God’s salvation plan.  From this side of Jesus’ cross, we like the fact that Jesus suffered and died for us, but we don’t want to join Him in suffering.  Two different perspectives, both result from the same problem:  minds which are set on ourselves rather than on God.  How can we overcome this?

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: Walk in God's Faithfulness

  

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

In our Psalm for today, David speaks a lot about how he has walked his daily life.  Of course, neither David nor any of us walk perfectly, but David highlights what is God-pleasing.  His list includes walking with integrity, trusting in the Lord, being tried and tested by God, and others.  David also encourages us to avoid sinfulness in verses four and five.  All of us join David, trying to walk in God-pleasing ways every day.

Psalm 26   Of David.

¹ Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,

      and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

² Prove me, O Lord, and try me;

      test my heart and my mind.

³ For Your steadfast love is before my eyes,

      and I walk in Your faithfulness.

⁴ I do not sit with men of falsehood,

      nor do I consort with hypocrites.

⁵ I hate the assembly of evildoers,

      and I will not sit with the wicked.

⁶ I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, O Lord,

    ⁷ proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all Your wondrous deeds.

⁸ O Lord, I love the habitation of Your house

      and the place where Your glory dwells.

⁹ Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,

      nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

¹⁰ in whose hands are evil devices,

      and whose right hands are full of bribes.

¹¹ But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;

      redeem me, and be gracious to me.

¹² My foot stands on level ground;

      in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. 

But our most important walking is not found in the choices we make, what we do, nor where we walk.  Verse three tells us about this walking, but what does it mean for us to walk in God's faithfulness?  

Because God loves you, me, and all of His creation far more than we can understand, God is faithful to Himself and all His promises.  God's most important promise was made to Adam & Eve just after their first sin.  God promised to send a Savior, to redeem all people from the sins we inherit and those we commit ourselves.  Jesus, God's only Son, was born a human baby and lived a sinless life on this earth.  Furthermore, Jesus allowed Himself to suffer and be killed, so He could be faithful to His Father's will and take the sin punishment you and I daily deserve.  That's faithfulness beyond what we can even imagine!

In verse eleven, David was looking forward to the promised Savior as he prayed that God would redeem him and be gracious to him.  You and I are even more blessed, that we can look back in time and point to Jesus, our Savior.  God HAS redeemed you!  God HAS been gracious to you, and still is gracious and loving and forgiving to you every day of your life!

Today, let's join David in God-pleasing walking, to the best of our abilities.  Best of all, since God was and continues to be faithful, we walk everyday in His faithfulness, His love and His 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

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

Pilgrim Worship Sunday August 23, 2026

 

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 23, 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 Summer Sunday schedule has started with our Worship service beginning at 9:30 am.  Afterwards, around 10:30 or so, please join us and enjoy food and conversations together.

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 

  Old Testament:  Isaiah 51:1-6

               Psalm:  Psalm 138

              Epistle:  Romans 11:33 – 12:8

              Gospel:  Matthew 16:13-20

THEME FOR WORSHIP

The disciples had been with Jesus for over two years when the conversation in today’s Gospel text takes place.  Jesus has led them to an area in which there were many idols of false gods and then posed two questions to them.  The more important question was:  “But, who do you say that I am?”  

This is the most important question you and I can ever be asked, and by God’s mercy we can join Peter in responding “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

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's Purpose for You

 

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

This week's Psalm is a delightful song of thankfulness and praise for all things the Lord gives to you & me!

Psalm 138

¹ I give You thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;

      before the gods I sing Your praise;

² I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name

      for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness,

      for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.

³ On the day I called, You answered me;

      my strength of soul You increased.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give You thanks, O Lord,

      for they have heard the words of Your mouth,

⁵ and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

      for great is the glory of the Lord.

⁶ For though the Lord is high, He regards the lowly,

      but the haughty He knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve my life;

      You stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

          and Your right hand delivers me.

⁸ The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;

      Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

          Do not forsake the work of Your hands.

Notice the final three verses, which really summarize the loving relationship God gives to you and to me.  David observes what is undeniably true:  the Lord, the Creator of all things, the One who is "higher" above and over all things, "regards the lowly".  That's you and me!  The God of the universe loves you, and cares for you, and provides all things for you!  How awesome is that?

Today, I'd like to focus on the last verse, especially the first clause:  The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.  What a trusting statement!  As you wander about your life, crashing & bumping into troubles and crises and things we can't explain, this promise keeps you focused on God.  In all things, God leads you according to His purpose, which matters here and eternally.  Why?  Because God's love for you is steadfast, unchanging, constant and yes, it endures forever!

Thank You, O Lord for this psalm, and for how You wonderfully regard us, in Your love and mercy!  Teach me to trust in You to fulfill Your purpose for me."  AMEN

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 August 16, 2026

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 16, 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 Summer Sunday schedule has started with our Worship service beginning at 9:30 am.  Afterwards, around 10:30 or so, please join us and enjoy food and conversations together.

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

Old Testament:  Isaiah 56:1, 6–8

             Psalm:  Psalm 67

            Epistle:  Romans 11:1–2a, 13–15, 28–32

            Gospel:  Matthew 15:21–28

THEME FOR WORSHIP

In today’s Gospel reading, we find a Canaanite woman engaging Jesus in a very challenging conversation.  You & I may have more in common with in this Canaanite woman than we realize.  Their conversation raises questions which you & I must confront.  Did Jesus come for you, or only for others?  Is God’s mercy enough for you to be included?  Does God even hear your prayers and cries?  Will we be satisfied if we are only given crumbs from God’s table?

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's Face Shines on You!

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

Especially for Missouri Lutheran worshipers, the first verse of today's Psalm reminds us of the familiar benediction spoken at the end of the Divine Service on Sunday mornings.  God uses this idea of His face shining on people many times in the Bible.  We remember and pray for God's grace and blessing, because God loves each of us so very much and gives them to us.  This is personal:  God loves YOU so very much, and gives His grace and blessing to YOU!  

This psalm also introduces another reason why God would be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us.

Psalm 67

¹ May God be gracious to us and bless us

      and make His face to shine upon us,

² that Your way may be known on earth,

      Your saving power among all nations.

³ Let the peoples praise You, O God;

      let all the peoples praise You!

⁴ Let the nations be glad and sing for joy,

      for You judge the peoples with equity

            and guide the nations upon earth.

⁵ Let the peoples praise You, O God;

      let all the peoples praise You!

⁶ The earth has yielded its increase;

      God, our God, shall bless us.

⁷ God shall bless us;

      let all the ends of the earth fear Him! 

We find this reason in verse two:  [so] that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.  God blesses His people, so all people would learn of Him and believe in Him.  With this in mind, we should always give thanks to God for His blessings, given for His purposes.  We should also ask ourselves:  "How can I use the blessings God has given me, so others would also receive God's grace and blessings?".  

God is gracious and blesses you greatly; may He lead you to be grace & blessing to others!

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 August 9, 2026

  

Jesus Walks on Water    Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld 

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

August 9, 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 Summer Sunday schedule has started with our Worship service beginning at 9:30 am.  Afterwards, around 10:30 or so, please join us and enjoy food and conversations together.

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

  Old Testament:  Job 38:4–18

               Psalm:  Psalm 18:1–6

               Epistle:  Romans 10:5–17

              Gospel:  Matthew 14:22–33

THEME FOR WORSHIP 

In today’s Gospel text, Jesus’ disciples are struggling in their little boat, very late in the darkness of night, pushing against the winds and beaten by the waves.  Don’t these images describe your life and mine on some days and weeks?  We struggle & suffer and seem to make no good progress or headway.  

But Jesus’ disciples really become terrified when they see Jesus walking on the water near their boat.  “It’s a ghost!” they exclaim.  Then Jesus speaks these precious and reassuring words:  “Take heart; it is I.  Do not be afraid.”  Let those words sink into your heart and life today.  God promises to always remain with you, and this assurance takes away your fear, even though it’s hard for us to let go.

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 Sunday August 2, 2026

   

Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand    Justin Mathews  2024

 Pilgrim Lutheran Church

The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

August 2, 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 Summer Sunday schedule has started with our Worship service beginning at 9:30 am.  Afterwards, around 10:30 or so, please join us and enjoy food and conversations together.

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

  Old Testament:  Isaiah 55:1-5

               Psalm:  Psalm 136

              Epistle:  Romans 9:1-5

              Gospel:  Matthew 14:13-21

THEME FOR WORSHIP

In today’s Gospel text, Jesus’ disciples advise Him to send the crowd away to buy food for themselves.  Instead, Jesus does what nobody expected, giving them a feast without cost, literally more than they needed or could even eat.  Jesus reminds you how He provides for your needs also, often doing so in unexpected ways.

In today’s Old Testament text, God asks you a revealing question:  On what do you spend your money, your resources, your energies?  So often we spend unwisely, yet God invites you to His eternal feast without cost and gives to you His everlasting covenant promises! 

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