PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHURCH
44 CHAPEL ROAD – KENMORE, NY 14217
(716) 875-5485
A Congregation in Mission, Community and Service
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
JUNE 2012
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
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple
treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth
only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury
than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live
on.” (Mark 12:41-44, NIV)
Summer is traditionally a challenging time financially for churches – not that it has to be in this era of
electronic giving and other methods. One of my favorite stewardship passages is that of the “Widow’s Mite.”
For our purposes, I offer a few brief observations about this text:
“They (the rich) gave out of their wealth (some translations read “abundance”). You may not consider
yourself “rich,” but by the world’s standards you certainly are. Even the poor in the United States are
considered “rich” compared to other parts of the world. You and I have to admit that we have much more than
we need in this life. Many who give to the Lord don’t miss it because it is not a sacrificial gift – it comes from
their surplus.
“She, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” By contrast, the widow gave the greater
gift because it had greater meaning for her. Her gift to God was a sacrifice because it was from the heart – she
did not make it lightly. By comparison with those who gave out of their abundance, her gift was the greater
gift. By the way, do you think this woman was put out on the street after she made this gift? The Lord
promises to take care of those who remember him. He surely found ways to re-supply this generous giver (see
2 Corinthians Chapter 9).
Brothers and sisters in Christ, if you aren’t missing the gift you make to the Lord, it is because you aren’t
giving enough. The tithe to the Lord is 10% of one’s income (in the Old Testament it was a command; in the
New Testament it is a recommendation, for “God loves a cheerful giver”, 2 Cor. 9:7). Are you a tipper, or a
giver? Remember, you don’t own yourself or anything that you have; the Lord does: “For you know that it was
not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you
from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the
creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Enjoy your summer; be here as often as you can, or at least attend a church (preferably LCMS) in your
vicinity. Don’t forget your Savior and His Church, for even when you are gone we are here. Your generosity
will help make it possible for us to remain here in the years to come.
+ Pastor Ben
Marie Curcie
Robert Schober
June Pfohl
Jim Rodgers Sr.
Harris Bartz
Candace Durkin
Scot LaFalce
Betty Yesny
Diane Jakubowski
Roger Watkins
Mary Werth
Jun. 22
Jun. 27
Jun. 10
Jun. 10
Jun. 13
Jun. 18
Jun. 21
Jun. 22
Jun. 25
Jun. 26
Jun. 27
Jun. 28
Jun. 28
Paul & Sue Holway
Roger & Pat Watkins
(If anyone wants their birthday/anniversary included in the newsletter, please
leave a note in Mary Werth’s box at church.)
PILGRIM NEWS NOTES
Pastor Ben is once again participating in the “Lock-up” for the Muscular Dystrophy
Association. The goal this year is $2,400.00. Please make checks payable to the “MDA” and
give them to Pastor Ben. The deadline is Sunday, June 17th for contributions. (I did ask him if
he was actually being locked up, but he said no. Oh, well . . .)
A Call Service for Sem. Domenick Lettieri took place on Saturday, May 26th at Grace
Lutheran Church in St. Catharines, Ontario. He has been called to serve at Redeemer
Lutheran Church in Colden, NY. The ordination service will probably take place at Salem
Lutheran Church in South Buffalo. A tentative date is June 15th. Pastor Ben has been asked
to preach at this service.
A series of three home Bible Studies will take place this summer: June 13th, July 11th
and August 8th. The first will take place at the home of Rod and Rhonda Mohr. The series is
“Faith, Hope and Love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Volunteers are needed to host the July and
August studies.
NEW ADDRESS
One of our members, Derek Bessey, is serving in the Army in Afghanistan. Mail from home
while serving overseas is always welcome. Here is his address:
Pfc Bessey, Derek
A Co 27th BSTB
Camp Stone
APO AE 09382
WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB
The Women’s Book Club met to discuss Minding Frankie in May. This book by Maeve Binchy
showed how a community cared for and nurtured a motherless little girl. From her humble
beginnings, she influenced them all and gave meaning to their lives. Our next book is also
about community – At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon. This book is the first of a series about
an Episcopalian rector in a small town with endearing characters. We plan to meet June 6th
at 7 p.m. at church to discuss this book. Some of you may have read this book already, as it
has been out for quite a few years. As always, we welcome new readers at our meetings.
VOTER’S MEETING
(submitted by a member)
A Voter’s Meeting was held on May 20th after the service. Several items were
discussed. We need members for a 90th anniversary committee and a new pictorial directory
committee. A sign-up sheet was passed around. The outdoor sign committee is continuing
to investigate options. Ideas and quotes will be presented to the congregation sometime
during the summer. (The sign committee is not “closed” but is open to any member who
wants to participate.)
A food pantry/soup kitchen had been discussed by the elders in previous meetings.
But they are now considering a community dinner once or twice a month. Hopefully, this can
be started in September. Anyone who wants to be on this committee can contact Gary Smith
or Wes Wiers.
The Organist committee has been interviewing candidates. The current substitute,
Cristin Krajnak, is on the list.
The property insurance for Pilgrim was discussed and will be updated. It will cost
about $300 more per year, but we will have the correct coverage that we need.
We need a volunteer to organize the church picnic this year. Of course, we will need
plenty of helpers as well.
It was decided that all calendar information (meetings, etc) is now to be given to Mary
Werth by the newsletter deadline. If things can be scheduled in advance (say every 3
months), it would be great.
The meeting was adjourned and we closed with the Lord’s Prayer.
(The Server Schedule is posted on the bulletin board.)
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE JULY NEWSLETTER IS
JUNE 24TH.