PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHURCH 44 CHAPEL ROAD KENMORE, NY 14217 (716) 875-5485 A Congregation in Mission, Community and Service PILGRIM S PROGRESS MAY 2014 PASTOR: Rev. Ben Eder EDITOR: Mary Werth ASSOC. EDITOR: SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:00 AM TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY: 9:30 AM WORSHIP: 10:00 AM
From the Pastor The recent canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II and the publicity this event has generated has led me to discuss saints and the nature of sainthood. The word for saint in the Scriptures Hagios in the Biblical Greek literally means Holy one. In the widest sense, a saint is any and every believer in Jesus Christ in heaven or on earth. Since you are a believer in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are a saint. While the saints may (and do) pray for us, we are not to pray to them because (1) we do not have the confidence they can hear our prayers and (2) the Bible teaches us that only Christ is the intercessor between God and human beings. So, while it is proper to speak of St. Paul, we are not to pray to St. Paul; however, we can have confidence that Paul is now with the Lord in paradise and is praying for the Lord s Church. What is the status of saints in the Lutheran and Protestant churches? We do recognize those saints in the church who have made significant contributions and/or been examples for the faithful to emulate. To that end, the Church has set aside certain days for the saints in order to remember and honor them. However, it is not for the Church to decide who among them is to receive special honor in heaven that is only for the Lord to decide. It is even possible that some miracles have been attributed to the saints; but we would give credit and glory to Christ, and not to the individual through whom the miracle is being accomplished. Just as the Lutheran Church does not have ranks of clergy, neither does it recognize ranks of saints; neither can be Biblically supported. As for me, I will be grateful just to be in heaven, regardless of what position or status I will have: I concur with the psalmist when he says: For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10) Or, another way to say it is: I would rather be a street sweeper in heaven than a prince in hell. May 29 th is celebrated as the Ascension of our Lord into heaven. We have the assurance from Holy Scripture that Jesus, the Risen and Ascended Son of God, is at the right hand of the Heavenly Father in power and glory, and that this same Jesus Christ is interceding for you, me, and all the saints. While we give thanks to God for the life and example of certain notable saints, most of the saints in heaven are those known only to a few: for example, our faithful parents who brought us to the baptismal font, to the services of the Lord s House, and instructed us in the faith. These, among the numerous other unheralded saints, are the ones who have had the greatest impact upon our faith and lives. Whether notable in the Church or not, they are known to God and that is all that matter: to Him alone be the glory through his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
SUNDAY SERVER SCHEDULE MAY 2014 DATE May 4 May 11 May 18 May 25 READER Wes Wiers Sue Holway Carolyn Alessi Steven Rodgers USHERS Naomi George * Harvey Caldow Colvina Colvin * Tyrone Bryant Gary Smith * Beverly Cravak Peggy Clark * George Alessi COMMUNION ASSISTANT Eric Fellner Gary Smith Jim O Brien Jack Hambridge Beauty in brokenness Leonard Sweet, author of Strong in the Broken Places, describes a style of Japanese pottery called kintsukuroi. It s the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer, leaving the piece more beautiful for having been broken. God is like a kintsukuroi potter, healing and staying near to the brokenhearted (see Psalm 34:18; 51:17; and 147:3). Instead of ashes, mourning and despair, God provides a crown of beauty, the oil of joy and a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3, NIV). Although earthly brokenness brings pain, the Master Creator can turn it into something amazing that glorifies him. When life seems to fall apart, remember that our powerful God can make you more beautiful for having been broken.
Carolyn Alessi May 8 Mark Eder May 18 Peggy Clark May 29 Gail Rodgers May 30 May 11 May 17 Rob & Carol Gross Frank & Carolyn Alessi
BOOK CLUB The Pilgrim Women s Book Club resumed meeting on April 21 st and set up a schedule of books to read during the coming months. We would like to invite anyone who is interested to join with us any month that you would like to discuss a particular book. We meet at 7 p.m. at church and our meetings last about an hour. The schedule for the next few months is: May 27 Modoc by Ralph Helfer. This is a very touching, true story about an elephant that spans 7 decades and 3 continents. Modoc was a circus star in the 1940s in New York City. June 16 In a Heartbeat by LeighAnne and Sean Tuohy. The Blind Side is a movie that was based on this true story about a couple s relationship with a football player. Again, this is a very uplifting story. July 21 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. This novel of a young girl living in Germany in WWII can also be seen on DVD now. August 18 The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. This novel is based on the orphan trains that would take abandoned children from the East Coast to the Midwest in the years between 1854 and 1929. Although this is a novel, it is based on facts. Today in Minnesota, there are reunions of people who experienced this relocation as children. All of these books can probably be obtained at the public library and all are published in paperback. Some of us also have copies to lend. If you have any questions, please see or call Sue Holway at 773-3625. CHECK THESE OUT! FRIDAY, MAY 2 COMMUNITY DINNER, 5-7 PM FRIDAY, MAY 9 GAME NIGHT, 6:30 PM SATURDAY, MAY 17 P.A.L. MEETING, 8 AM
ESTHER CIRCLE The Esther Circle will meet on Monday, May 12 th at 6:30 p.m. We will be having a Salad Bar dinner. If members were not at the April meeting, please call Rhonda Mohr at 352-3060 to sign up for an ingredient to add to the Salad Bar. The 2 nd annual Basket Raffle will be held on Friday, September 26 th from 4 7 p.m. at the Eldridge Bicycle Club in Tonawanda. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board at church for committees that we need in order to be successful. We still collect Dash s Market grocery tapes (give to Sue Holway), used stamps and used ink cartridges (give to Pat Watkins) and mites for LWML (give to Mary Werth). There are some empty mite boxes on the credenza at the back of the church if you need one. When it is full, you can empty the pennies into a sandwich bag and turn them in, keeping the box for future use. ALL women of Pilgrim are invited to join us and BRING A FRIEND! Vacation Bible School will be held the week of July 21 st 25 th. The time will be from 5:45 p.m. 8 p.m. The theme is Gangway to Galilee! Amazing Grace Adventures! The key theme is Jesus gives amazing grace! The key Bible verse: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8) We will be exploring the ministry of Jesus along the Sea of Galilee. All children (from pre-k to 6 th grade) of members and friends of Pilgrim are encouraged to attend and bring a friend! Spread the word to your family, friends and neighbors about this great experience. For information and pre-registration, contact Carol Obot at 573-5303 or Carolyn Alessi at 913-0187. There will also be an adult Bible Study with Pastor Ben during this time.
Fellow Friends in Christ, Pilgrim Lutheran Bake Sale Many exciting things are happening this summer; the Elevator Renovations starting, Bathroom and Nursery renovations. Coming up in June we are planning a bake sale. With your help we can have a fun and prosperous day. The date is set for Saturday, June 21 st from 9:00 am 4:00 pm in the church parking lot. We are asking for any and all bakers to help provide the goodies. There will be a sign up sheet on the bulletin board for those of you that are interested in baking something for the sale. All goodies should be baked and dropped off to the church no later than Friday June 20 th by 6 pm. We had such a great turn out last year that we are hoping for the same good time and good weather. For all questions and inquiries please contact: Melody (716) 603-9879
Celebrating Mom In spring 2013, a young man named Aba Atlas wanted to do something special for his birthday, so he gave his mom a present and made a video about the gift and its beloved recipient. (Locate it on YouTube by searching for iprojectatlas, Dear Mother. ) For years, Aba s mother had worked long hours outside the home and then cared for her kids each evening. She d bought a house so her children would always have a place to call home, yet the mortgage caused her great stress. Working at a $30,000/year position, Aba saved enough money to pay off his mom s mortgage and, on his birthday, presented her with a check. According to a caption in the video, her response was Wow x 9000. I want to celebrate my life by celebrating the woman who gave me life, Aba says. God is nigh The simple but powerful bugle melody Taps has been a standard component of U.S. military funerals since 1891. It s also played during each of the 2,500 military wreath ceremonies conducted every year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, including those held on Memorial Day. Many legends exist about the origin of Taps both its melody and its lyrics. The words below, by Horace Lorenzo Trim, make an appropriate bedtime prayer. Day is done, gone the sun From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky All is well, safely rest God is nigh. Fading light dims the sight And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright From afar, drawing near Falls the night. Thanks and praise for our days Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky As we go, this we know God is nigh.
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