Volume 35 Number 3

The Monthly Newsletter of Pilgrim

Lutheran Church 3901 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55409 (612) 825-5375

From the Desk of Pastor Pete

Who is it you are looking for?

Jesus’ first words after his resurrection were a question asked to Mary Magdalene:

“Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” (John 20:15). Once again this year we take time

to review the story: Mary knew that Jesus had died, but she didn’t know that he had risen. The tomb

was empty and she assumed that Jesus’ lifeless body must have been moved.

It was a reasonable assumption, wasn’t it? Reasonable folks don’t expect the dead to get up and walk

out of their tombs.

The living Christ forced her re think her assumptions. Now that he was alive she had to think again

about those promises he had made, promises about resurrection and life. She had to come to the grips

with the fact that the gruesome events of the previous Friday had all been part of the plan and that Jesus

had been in control all along. She came to the tomb looking for a body and discovered instead that her

wildest hopes had been too small. Jesus really was as he claimed: Messiah, Son of God, Savior.

(Continued on Page 2)

We still use the words as a blessing in worship services today. And look at what the Lord says about

this blessing: “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:27)

March 2013

Table of Contents

Sermons/Bible Studies……………………..Page 3 School News…………………….Page 12-14

Stewardship Verse…………………..………Page 4 Family Fun Time………………..Page 15

Birthday/anniversaries………………………Page 6 Children Fun Time……………...Page 16

Announcements/Thank you…………………Page 8-11 Calendar

It’s reasonable to assume, for instance, that our bad behavior cuts us off from God forever. After all,

isn’t that the way the world works? Stealing from your boss will end your relationship with him. Why

should God treat our sins against him any differently? Because of Jesus, that’s why! His death on the

cross means that our sins are paid for. His life means that the payment was accepted. In death he stood

in for us. In life he leads the way.

It’s reasonable to assume that death means the end of life. But Jesus lives and so shall we. His empty

grave means that our graves are just the doorways to heaven.

It might even be reasonable to assume that we live in a chaotic world where bad things happen for no

reason. But Jesus lives to prove to us that he has a plan and that he’s at work all the time, even on the

dark days.

It’s reasonable to assume that no reasonable person could believe any of this “Jesus stuff.” But we do.

And the living Jesus promised to send his Holy Spirit to guide people into his truth. When you share

the message of Jesus you put that Spirit to work.

He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

--Romans 4:25

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Sermons and Bible studies at Pilgrim Lutheran Church

March

3 Sermon Series and Bible study: Walking together

10 Sermon series and Bible study: Walking together

17 Sermon series and Bible study: Walking together

24: Palm Sunday

31: Easter

April

7: Sermon and Bible study: Marriage 1 In the beginning

14: Sermon and Bible study: Marriage 2 Until parted by death

21: Sermon and Bible study: Marriage 3 Shameless

28: Sermon and Bible study: Marriage 4 Love and Respect

May

5: Education Sunday

12: Sermon and Bible study: Christian family (Mothers’ Day)

19: Confirmation

26: Sermon and Bible study: Christian family (Memorial Day weekend)

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What can we give him?

March 29 is Good Friday, the day we remember Jesus’ death. When the events that lead up to his

death happened all those many years ago, the people who placed their hope in Jesus were devastated.

Most deserted him. Most, but not all. In Matthew 27:55 we read, “Many women were there, watching

from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.”

The gospels record so many events around Good Friday that we almost overlook this small tidbit of

information and its significance. Think about that day, and the previous night and the political situation

of the time. Remember that Easter hadn’t happened yet. No one had really grasped the meaning of

Jesus’ words about resurrection.

“Many women were there.” Watching, anguishing over the death of the One who had given them hope.

Jesus had healed their diseases and had promised, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes

in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John

11:25-26) They were there to give back to the Giver all they had to give: their presence, their care for

his needs. Some of the women went to the tomb with spices to anoint the Savior’s body on Easter

morning. An earthquake didn’t deter them (Matthew 27:51) and Roman soldiers didn’t intimidate them

(Matthew 27:65-66) They were at cross; they were at the tomb.

What a lesson these women have to teach us! The gift of our presence, the gift of our compassion—

these are acceptable to our Savior. In the parable of the sheep and the goats Jesus said,

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty

and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing

clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”

The king will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers

of mine, you did for me. “(Matthew 25:37-40)

We, on the other side of that tomb, experience daily the gifts of our Redeemer. Unlike the brave

women at the cross, we have the benefit of knowing the end of the story, and the end is victory! In

response to our Savior’s love we give ourselves to be used and to serve as he chooses.

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March Birthdays

Barbara Laux 1

Erwin Paulson 1

Kaelyn Anderson 2

Thomas Nordby 3

Andrienne Bruess 12

Rozetta Norman 15

Marykay Dahlin 16

Calvin Huggar, Jr. 16

Andrew Bandelin 18

Thomas Bonde 20

Quincy Ndekwe 20

Michael DeYoung 22

Jonathan Honerbrink 22

Debra Ndekwe 22

Dawn Johnson 23

Emily Leyrer 23

Austin Fischer 25

Austin Fischer 25

Burnadean Johnson 25

Seth Witte 27

Gertrude Zuhlsdorf 27

Jacob Knutson 28

Nissa Thumann 28

MacKenzie Maki 29

Joseph Sorensen 29

Lila Aske 30

March Wedding Anniversary

Robert & Betty Helmen

March 5

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Holy Week worship schedule

Maundy Thursday March 28 7:00 pm

Good Friday March 29 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

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Announcements

Electronic News Letter

Did you sign up for the electronic version of our monthly news letter but are not receiving it? If you

answered yes to this question please get in touch with me. It is due to the way you signed up so I

would like to get that fixed for you. Zoe Herzig 763-360-6150

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and found items are in a basket by the tracts in the narthex (1st Avenue entrance) of the church.

Call the church office at 612-825-5375 to inquire about lost and found items.

Lock doors and turn off lights

Pilgrim Church highly encourages the use of our facilities by groups: Pioneers, Ladies Guild, Bible

Study, etc. We ask for each group, upon leaving, to verify all lights are turned off and doors are shut

tight. Doors need to be checked by pulling on them as they may not lock unless forced shut.

Numerous times staff members have arrived to find the doors not locked and lights left on. Not

checking the doors puts our property in danger of vandalism, theft and a host of other issues. Leaving

lights on causes additional funds to be sent to Xcel Energy that could have been used to spread the

Gospel.

PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS

Please pray for the United States military and the following enlisted and/or deployed service men and

women: Paul Bandelin, Errol Belanger, Justin Brandt, David Chernohorsky; Jason Fahey, Brent

Hassler, Jennifer James, Nicholas Neumann, Andrew Rolston, Cory Williams, and John

Zimmerman.

PRAYER REQUESTS FOR OUR MEMBERS

People to pray for (Please call the church office if you would like a name added to this list.)

Gerald Belsaas; Connie and Bill Bonde; Mabel Emde; Bob Florin; Brian Florin; Ken Gostchock;

Rebeccca Herzig; Jean Loescher; Rozetta Norman; Norma Seebach; and Pilgrim shut-ins.

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Announcements Food Shelf

The food shelf is especially in need of canned fish and meat, fruit, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter,

and cereal. Any other food items that are useful to families are greatly appreciated! Thank you for

your kindness and generosity! A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with

the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Hosting Personal events at pilgrim

If you would like to host a personal event (baby shower, wedding shower, confirmation dinner, etc.) at

Pilgrim, please contact Tam Bandelin in the church office at 612-825-5375 between the hours of 7:30

a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (you can also leave a voice message). You will be informed of availability, fees (if

any), etc. Thank you!

Do YOU need a ride to Church?

Or, do you know someone who would like to attend a worship service at Pilgrim but has no

transportation? Pilgrim is reaching out in love to bring all those who want to worship in person to our

church on a Sunday morning. The benefits of being present in God’s house, sitting with others,

singing, praying and praising God are huge. If you would like a ride to church one Sunday a month to

attend the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service, please call Pastor Leyrer or Tam in the church office at

612-825-5375. A start-up date and pick-up schedule will be set up after we determine how many wish

to come and where those people are located.

Camp Croix weekend

Now that we all have our 2013 calendars, mark the Date of August 16-18 for

Camp Croix weekend. A great weekend of fellowship, food, water activities, hiking,

nightly games and camp fires. Come and enjoy the beauty that God has given us. If you have

been there you know how much fun it is and if you haven’t why not come this year. More

details to come when the time gets closer.

Any questions please ask

Jodi Nelson (612)861-1260

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Announcements

Confirmation class of 2013

Please pray for and reach out to our Pilgrim Confirmation Class of 2013. The following young adults

will be confirmed in the Lord on Sunday, May 19, 2013:

Maya Cloud + Sarai Gostchock + Yeane Kiazolu + Adonis Sturdivant

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer

to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. ~ 1 Peter 3:15

Cards and/or notes of encouragement requested

Ken Gostchock was badly burned in a terrible explosion and fire last summer. As most of you know,

we've been praying for his spiritual and physical well-being ever since. Many of you have never met

Ken, and perhaps you won't on this side of heaven, but we certainly know and love the members of

the Gostchock family that serve in our midst. Ken's mom, Joy, is asking the Pilgrim family to send

cards or notes of encouragement to Ken at the address below. This tragic turn in Ken's life has been a

real spiritual wake-up call and we praise God for that. Joy feels that right now Ken is feeling

discouraged and some of the old doubts are coming back. As we continue to pray for Ken, a word of

encouragement from some of us could really serve as God's instrument of blessing in his life. Thank

you all for your love, care, and concern! Ken Gostchock

Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Institute

2323 North Lake Drive

Room 8212

Milwaukee, WI 53211

Early risers’ bible study – all are welcome!

All are welcome to join us for bible study every Tuesday morning from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Coffee

and refreshments are provided. Digging into God’s word with fellow Christians is a great way to start

the day!

Dedication of chancel candles and thanks to Carl Bloedel

Please join us on Sunday, April 14, when we formally dedicate the new chancel candles to the service

of the Lord (dedication in both services). Also, we will have a special Coffee Plus 5 in honor of Carl

Bloedel’s 30 years of dedicated service to the Lord at Pilgrim and to wish him God’s blessings in his

new home in Mankato. We will also celebrate Bob Helmen’s birthday! Please join us!

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Announcements

June 10-21 southwest u.s. tour opportunity

A limited number of seats remain for the Martin Luther College Alumni Association’s annual tour.

Open to all WELS members, the tour will, Lord willing, depart from Minneapolis on a 10-day journey

to California, Nevada, and Arizona. MLC Prof. Earl Heidtke will serve as guide, with highlights to

include: San Diego, LA/Hollywood, Solvang, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon, and

beautiful Sedona. Daily devotions, fellowship with like-minded believers, and expert guide insights

add to the enjoyment. Call Steve Balza at 507-217-1731 or visit www.mlc-

wels.edu/alumni/events/2013-alumni-tour to learn more.

Cookbook opportunity

Be part of something new at Pilgrim! The Touche Flemings Banquet committee is looking for your

finest recipes to be part of a cookbook that will be sold to raise money for the Pilgrim school tuition

assistance fund. Cookbooks make great Christmas or birthday presents and you can never have too

many! We want as many recipes as possible to make this a true Pilgrim collaboration. Please submit

your recipes to Heather McAghon at hmcaghon@gmail.com by March 7th. Thank you, and happy

cooking!

Sixteen day tour of “The Best of China

Pastor James Humann, retired WELS pastor, and part-time teacher at Evergreen Lutheran High

School in Des Moines , WA , invites you to join him and fellow WELS members on a sixteen day tour

of “The Best of China , including a 4-day Yangtse River Cruise.” The tour leaves from the West Coast

on June 24, 2013 and returns July 9, 2013. We’ll visit Beijing , Xian, Wuhan , Yichang, Chongquing,

Canton and Hong Kong . In China you’ll see the Great Wall , explore the Forbidden City, see some

of the thousands of life-size terra cotta warriors and horses, enjoy a four day cruise on the Yangtse

River, taste fabulous food, and experience some of the best shopping in the world in Hong Kong. For

a colorful brochure describing the daily itinerary, tour conditions and cost, please e-mail Pastor

Humann at JHumann383@aol.com or call 253-839-9055. Be sure to include your name and mailing

address.

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What’s happening at Pilgrim Lutheran School….

Sports Update

Congratulations to the Girls’ A and Boys’ A Basketball teams for their hard work at the New Ulm

Tournament! The boys won 2 games and lost 2 games (lost Consolation by 4 points). The girls won 2

games and lost 1 game ( lost championship by 3 points) – taking 2nd

place overall! Way to go Pacers!

Two Students from Martin Luther College come to Pilgrim

We will have two students from Martin Luther College at Pilgrim Lutheran school. Mr. Homan is

having Elizabeth Henke complete her Early Field Experience in his classroom on February 25th

–

March 1st. Nichole Chernohorsky is having a student teacher, Kayla Stephan, From March 4

th – May

10th

. Special thanks to Carol Anderson will host Elizabeth Henke and Duane & Karen Sonnenburg who

will host Kayla Stephan.

Taste of Missions

Taste of Missions is Saturday, March 9

th from 5:30PM-7:00PM. Please come and sample a variety of

foods. Thank you to Shannon Gostchock for her work with Taste of Missions.

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning is Saturday, April 13th, M.O.V.E will send youth to assist us on this day from 9:30AM

to Noon. Please join us in this cleaning endeavor.

Spring Musical

The school musical, Malice in the Palace, is based on the story of Esther. Luke & Jen Hartzell are

directing the musical, and Dawn Johnson is the accompanist. Performance times are as follows:

Friday, April 26th

– 1:00 PM

6:00 PM

Sunday, April 28th

– 1:00 PM

2013/2014 Enrollment

We are now enrolling in the 2013/2014 school year. Our best advertisement is word of mouth. Please

continue to pray for and promote our ministry and Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School.

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Sacred Concert March 14

The West Lutheran High School Sacred Concert, "With His Stripes We Are Healed", will be held on

Thursday, March 14th at 7:30 pm in the school's gymnasium with preconcert music prior. This concert

will feature Lent and Easter music that describes the love our Savior Jesus has for us - that He laid

down His life to pay for our sins - and our joyful response to His love. The audience will have an

opportunity to sing along with some selections.

Open House – Sunday March 17th

, 2-4PM, Join us and discover how West Lutheran can provide and

Education for life and eternity.

Mid-Winter Band Concert March 3, 2013

St. Croix's Crusader Band will present a concert in the Chapel on Sunday, March 3, 2013, at 2:30 p.m.

There is no admission charge, and the public is invited.

Twin Cities Fine Arts Festival Annual Fine Arts Festival for grades 5-8, Saturday, April 13, 2013.

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FAMILY FUN TIME

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CHILDRENS FUN TIME

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