Volume 37 Number 01

The Monthly Newsletter of Pilgrim

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

From the Desk of Pastor Pete

Body, Mind, Spirit

Have you ever heard people describe themselves as “spiritual”? Or

maybe somebody’s said that you’re a “spiritual” person.

I wonder what people mean by that. We’re all “spiritual people.” God

has given each of us a spirit or soul. Some people may deny the existence of

that spirit or neglect it, but there’s a spiritual dimension to all of us.

But “spiritual” doesn’t completely describe us either. The life that God

gave us includes the physical—bodies that need to be fed and rested and

exercised. He also gave us minds so that we can learn about the world around us, ask questions, solve

problems and so on. Like our bodies, our minds can be fed with good or bad things, they need rest and

exercise.

(Continued on Page 2)

January 2015

Table of Contents

Pastor Pete’s Call……………………………..Page 3 School News…………………………………..Page 11-12

Sermons………………………………………Page 4 FamilyFunTime…….…………………………Page 13

Birthdays/Anniversariers……………………..Page 5 Childrens Fun Time..………………………….Page 14

Announcements/Prayers………………………Page 6-10

We’re entering a time of year when people talk about fresh starts, resolutions. One of the most common

new year’s resolutions is about the body that God gave us—we plan to lose weight or start an exercise

program. Spiritual disciplines are also high on the list of resolution topics—people might say they plan

to pray more, go to church more often or read the Bible more regularly. Intellectual pursuits might also

be a resolution—a plan to read more, go back to school, take a class.

So I thought that as we begin a new year at Pilgrim I’ll use sermon time to talk about the way

God made us as body, mind and spirit. God gave us those gifts. When we abused those gifts God sent

his Son to be our Savior and redeem us—body, mind and spirit. Because of Jesus we look forward to a

resurrection one day and to life with God as body, mind and spirit. On that day we’ll be completely

restored and healed. Until that day God calls on us to take care of the gifts that he’s given.

January 4: Body 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

January 11: Mind Romans 12:1-2

January 18: All God’s People (A break from the Body, Mind, Spirit series to observe MLK

day) Exodus 33:13-14

January 25: Spirit 2 Peter 3:14-18

During January our nation also pauses to observe Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr. Day on the 19th

. Here at Pilgrim we’ll dedicate the 18th

to the

message that all of us are God’s people. In Exodus 13:13 Moses speaks to the

Lord and says, “Remember that this nation is your people.” An important

truth to remember, isn’t it? We may divide the people we see into groups like

“your people” or “my people” or “their people.” But Moses had it right—

we’re all God’s people, created in his image and rescued by the same Savior

Jesus Christ. His blood unites as brothers and sisters.

[2]

Pastor Pete’s Call

In December Pastor Pete was asked by our synod’s administrative committee for

South Asia to consider a call to serve in India.

Obviously there’s a lot to consider in a call like this which would involve leaving

Pilgrim and relocating in Guntur, India. The primary responsibility of the position

would be training pastors in the local church body. The call also includes

responsibilities for Tammy including teaching English and helping with administration of a school and

some orphanages.

There will be a special congregational meeting to discuss

the call on January 18, 2015 between the morning worship

services. We’ll meet in the fellowship hall.

[3]

Pilgrim sermons: Fall 2014 – Spring 2015

One for All, All for One

Christ-centered: It’s the first of our core values at Pilgrim and rightly so. Without Christ at the

center of our congregation and ministry we have nothing. One of the most important ways that

we stay Christ-centered is through the preaching of God’s word. Join us as we stay focused on

the One who is for all of us, the One who unites us.

2015

4 January: Body 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 New Year New Start

11 January: Mind Romans 12:1-2 New Year New Start

18 January: All God’s People (MLK Day) Exodus 33:13-14 MLK Day

25 January: Spirit 2 Peter 3:14-18 New Year New Start

1 February: Real Authority Mark 1:21-28 Jesus Revealed

8 February: Whatever it Takes 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Jesus Revealed

15 February: Transfiguration Mark 9:2-9 Jesus Revealed

22 February: Tested Genesis 22:1-18 Caution: God at Work

1 March: Chosen Genesis 28:10-17 Caution: God at Work

8 March: Consumed John 2:13-22 Caution: God at Work

15 March: Saved John 3:14-21 Caution: God at Work

22 March Guest Speaker

29 March: Palm Sunday Philippians 2:5-11 Palm Sunday

5 April: Easter Isaiah 12:1-6 He Lives!

12 April: His Life Our Confidence John 12:19-31 He Lives!

19 April: His Life Our Mission Luke 24:36-49 He Lives!

26 April: The Good Shepherd John 10:11-18 Good Shepherd

3 May: Remain in Christ John 15:1-8 Still With Us

10 May: Our Best Friend John 15:9-17 Still With Us

17 May: Confirmation Confirmation

24 May: Pentecost Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost

31 May: Trinity Isaiah 6:1-8 Trinity

[4]

January Birthdays

Mark Odegard 2

Navindra Prasad 3

Norma Kettner 10

Phyllis Martin 10

Thomas Kurth 12

Katherine Wasley 13

Geri Geiselhart 14

Zoe Herzig 15

Travis Moy 15

Nicole Minea 17

Hannah Bandelin 18

Gunner Maki 18

Guy Engelke 19

Arthur Wessels 22

Lori McGowan 27

Mary Lindgren 30

January Wedding Anniversary

Duane & Karen Sonnenburg 7

[5]

L.I.F.T. WINTER 3 sessions only! The Prodigal God

Pilgrim women and friends - mark your calendar for 3 Wednesday Evenings in Pilgrim’s warm and

cozy choir room. Have a cup of hot tea, surround yourself with the sunshine of God’s WORD and the

friendship of women and friends, and bring peace and growth to yourselves and those around you.

We will watch the video sessions and discuss the recent best selling book The Prodigal God

by the New York Times best selling author, Tim Keller.

“Two sons, one who kept the rules religiously and one who broke them all; one father who loved both

lost sons beyond anything they could imagine.”

3 Sessions:

Wednesday January, 14 7:00-8:30 Wednesday January, 28 7:00-8:30

Wednesday February, 11 7:00-8:30

Materials: Book and study guide will be available for purchase the first night. Cost approximately $

16.00. (Don’t let cost stop you from coming. We have funds for assistance.)

Please contact any of us on the L.I.F.T. team to let us know you’re coming or if you have

questions:

Tammy Leyrer , tleyrer@stcroixlutheran.org / 612-229-6544

Rachel Josephitis: rachel.josephitis@gmail.com

Nicole Zagrzebski : mrszag614@gmail.com

Susan Jefferson: susanj3@q.com

Christina Day: chriseday@mail.com

Women’s Christian Retreat March 20-21. L.I.F.T will also be organizing a WOMEN”S

RETREAT at Olympia Resort in Wisconsin. If interested please CONTACT : Rachel Josephitis:

rachel.josephitis@gmail.com; Nicole Zagrzebski :mrszag614@gmail.com

More info on the retreat in bulletin and at L.I.F.T sessions

[6]

Announcements Electronic News Letter

Did you sign up for the electronic version of our monthly newsletter 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

Want to place an article in the News Letter?

If you want to place an article in the News Letter you may do so by handing it in to Zoe Herzig or

email it to her at Zherzig@yahoo.com. All articles are due NO LATER than the 20th of each month

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.

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? The benefits of being present in God’s house, sitting with others, singing,

praying and praising God are huge. Many of us are already giving rides to those who need it,

but there are still some drivers who would be willing to pick others up on a regular basis or

occasionally. If you would like a ride to church some Sunday please call Pastor Leyrer or Tam

in the church office at 612-825-5375.

[7]

Announcements

PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS

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

women:

Ryan Altema, Paul Bandelin, Errol Belanger, Thomas Bonde; Justin Brandt, David Chernohorsky;

Jason Fahey, Jennifer James, Nicholas Neumann, 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.)

Bill and Connie Bonde; Amina Bushey; Joel Dahlberg; Brian Florin; Mary Jean Florin; Ken

Gostchock; Rebecca Herzig; Jallah Family; Carol Johnson; Pauline Jorgensen; Stephanie Kern;

Rick Puterbaugh; Tom Strieter; Mary Ann Williams; and Pilgrim shut-ins.

SON Experience – Sunday Evenings in the gym at 5:00

Any of you here today that are just getting to know Jesus for the first time or even if church can make

you a bit uncomfortable, we invite you to come and join us for the SON Experience. The SON

Experience is a casual and relaxed environment in which a bunch of people gather and experience the

presence of God among us. Everyone is welcomed, but we are especially there to serve those in need of

something a bit different. We welcome you!

HOUSE CLEANING – Joyce Eilers (612-822-4131)

All Rooms: Dusting, vacuuming, cleaning walls, floors, countertops and appliances

LET’S NURTURE OUR PILGRIM FAMILY

If you haven’t seen someone you know in church for a while, please reach out to them with a

phone call, text, email, or card. Everyone needs to feel loved and appreciated.

It starts with a gift. It leads to lives transformed by Christ.

[8]

Announcements

God’s Word through Bible studies.

As always we have opportunities to grow in understanding God’s Word through Bible

studies. Every Sunday you can join Dr. Scott Gostchock with the 7E’s Bible study between

worship services in the fireside room.

On Tuesday mornings we have the “early risers” study at 6:30 am in the board room (across

the hall from the fireside room). On Wednesday’s we have a NEW TIME for Bible study:

10:00 am in the fireside room. At 6:00 on Wednesday evening we repeat the morning study.

They’ll be based on the sermon from the previous Sunday.

Lots of opportunities to grow in fellowship and understanding of God’s word!

Pilgrim Youth Group is an exciting and fun opportunity for our Pilgrim youth and for any other

youth from anywhere! We have a chance to meet and discuss our business, do a

Bible study, have a snack, and do an activity. It is awesome!

The youth group meets the first Sunday of every month from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

We then all go to the SON Experience and have pizza after the SON Experience.

It is open to any youth from anywhere – we target our Pilgrim youth, but we love

it when we have guest youth from anywhere! The age for participation is anyone in or above 7th

grade. We welcome you all!

There are also many volunteer opportunities with the youth group. If you would like to

volunteer or be a part of our youth group, please contact Dr. G at any time – 612-825-5375 ext.

106. We look forward to having you all there and seeing the Lord at work in and through us all!

Fourteen day Kenya Safari Adventure

Pastor James Humann, semi-retired WELS pastor and experienced tour host, invites you to join him

on a fourteen day Kenya Safari Adventure. The tour leaves March 28, 2015. This is a tour that features

Kenya’s finest national parks and game preserves. This tour is not only an African animal lover’s and

photographer’s dream but also includes a visit to the world famous Mt. Kenya Safari Club. Each year

thousands of tourists safely enjoy seeing the sweeping plains, abundant African wildlife and the unique

culture of Kenya. Seventeen people have already joined the tour. For a colorful brochure with the daily

itinerary, tour costs and General Conditions, e-mail Pastor Humann at Jhumann383@aol.com or call

253-839-9055 (Pacific time)

[9]

Announcements

Pilgrim Ladies Guild

We are looking for new members to join our Ladies Guild. We are a service organization and

we need and invite you to bring in new thoughts and ideas. Please mark your calendar for for

the 1st Wednesday of any month to attend and see what we are about. All Pilgrim women are

encouraged and welcome to attend. Many think we only cater food; but the truth is, very few of

us cook or bake. We have many areas of interests and our committees are: sanctuary, flowers,

annual garage sale, food shelf, cards, annual craft sale, and catering. We are a Guild of many

ages, thoughts, words, and actions. Please consider joining us. We would be pleased to see

you! Thank you!

Catering – your help is needed

The Ladies Guild needs help with catering events (mostly funerals). Both men and women can

help! There are several areas that you can help with: setting up tables, serving, clean-up, and

furnishing bars. Whether you work or not, bringing a pan of bars is always greatly appreciated!

If you are willing to serve Pilgrim and the Lord in this way, please contact Sherry

Schochenmaier at 763-416-5003 or contact the church office. Thank you!

FOOD SHELF ITEMS NEEDED

The food shelf is in need of food. 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

Thank You

I would like to thank all those who helped beautify the Church this holiday season. Without all the

help it wouldn’t have been possible. Special thanks to Peg Heilman for assisting me in getting items

we need for decorating. Thanks again. Jodi Nelson

[10]

What’s happening at West Lutheran….

3350 Harbor Lane North Plymouth, MN 55447 Phone: 763-509-9378, http://www.wlhs.net/

"Raise the Roof" Campaign

Most of you know we have been accumulating funds through our "Raise the Roof" Campaign to enable

much needed repairs to our school roof. You may also know that a very wet spring escalated the need

to begin those repairs sooner than expected. We have just received a very gracious commitment from

one of our partner churches to match all donations toward the Raise the Roof Fund up to $10,000.

Can you help us reach our goal of $10,000 for this match - or more? Please designate your generous

gift for the Raise the Roof Fund and send it to our school address at: West Lutheran High School, 3350

Harbor Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447

Thank you, and God's peace in Jesus,

Tim Ulrich

Executive Director

Choral Festival are now online

Both concerts from this past weekends Choral Festival are now online on our BLC Studios youtube

page.

Pops Concert:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waOl8DS2a7U

Sacred Concert:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXGZigiGMa0

[11]

What’s happening at West Lutheran….

3350 Harbor Lane North Plymouth, MN 55447 Phone: 763-509-9378, http://www.wlhs.net/

2015 West Lutheran Dinner Auction

Plans and preparations are being made for the 2015 West Lutheran High

School Dinner Auction. This year's event will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Crowne

Plaza In Plymouth, MN. The theme for this year's event is Prom through the Ages. The Auction

Committee is currently looking for old photos from former West Lutheran proms. If you have some to

share, please email them to Emily Shoop. eshoop@westlutheran.net

[12]

FAMILY FUN TIME

[13]

CHILDRENS FUN TIME

[14]