1._ PILGRIM'S PROGRESSDECEMBER 2012.

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FROM THE PASTOR - "PEACE FROM ABOVE"

Dear Fellow Pilgrims:

Is peace just a dream? It might almost seem so, as the spirit of intolerance and oppression continuesto fill our world in this unstable, terror-filled era. But into this disillusioned, troubled world comesagain the spirit of the Prince of Peece to assure us that peace is not a fantasy, not a delusion, not aghost of yesterday never to be recaptured - but that peace is the most real and precious gift we have.

For at Christmas we hear again the song of the angels over Bethlehem's field - "Glory to God in thehighest, and on earth, good will toward men." And perhaps the very fact that we must again this yearcelebrate Christmas in a world faced with uncertainty and bent on destruction will cause us to hearthe angels' song of peace a little more clearly and to understand this promise of the psalmist a littlebetter - "The Lord will bless his people with peace." That blessing is ours alone through Jesus Christ,the Prince of Pesce.

For the peace Jesus brought to us that first Christmas and which he has showered on his followersthrough the generations that followed is not a material, earthly peace, but a spiritual, heavenly peace;not a peace for the body, but a peace for the soul; not a peace for any short and limited amount oftime, but a peace that will peace to all eternity; not a peace dependent on the ambitions of earthlyrulers, but a peace guaranteed by the sure promise of an almighty God; not a peace agreement madeby any earthly nations, but a peace established between God and us and sealed in the blood thatflowed at the cross of Calvary. That is the peace that assures us that we are the children of God; thatpeace enables us to rise above the sorrows and fears of life. That is the peace concerning whichChrist himself declared - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."

That is the peace of which the angels sang that first Christmas night. That is the peace of whichChrist has become the Prince. That is the peace of which the psalmist spoke. That peace is theblessing of our God.

Yours, in the heavenly King,

And that is the peace which, in a world of fear and worry and hate, can make us strong and certainand unafraid. May yours be a Christmas filled with happiness, peace, and joy!

Rev. Carl F. Trosien, Pastor

NOVEMBER VOTERS MEETING - The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. with a prayer by PastorTrosien. The minutes, financial secretary's and treasurer's reports were discussed. There was discussionregarding clarification on several funds and where they belonged. A motion was made to accept the reports aspresented. UNDER OLD BUSINESS: Jerry Thompson extended a thank you to the Helping Hands Committeefor the coffee hour that they hosted after both services. BOARD OF ELDERS: No meeting. BOARD OFTRUSTEES: The Trustees thanks all the volunteers who helped with the outdoor cleanups. A discussion washeld regarding cleanup of the Fellowship Hall after events have taken place. The Trustees will address thisissue at their next meeting. BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: Everything is going fine. PASTOR'SREPORT: Pastor reported on Pastoral Acts, Membership, Average Church Attendance, Bible Classes, andspecial services for the month. NEW BUSINESS: Church decorating will take place on Saturday, December 1st

at 9:00 a.m. Motion made to adjourn at 8:03 and meeting closed with a prayer by Pastor Trosien.

PILGRIMS SERVING IN DECEMBER

EldersSat - Mark AnthonySun - Tim WalravenMid - Don Jones

Altar Guild - Dolores Mast

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 17TH

WORSHIP FOLDERS FOR 2013 - The sign-upsheet for 2013 Worship Folders will be on thebulletin board by December 2nd

• This will include"All Worship Folders" and all special bulletins forthe holidays. The cost is now $13.00. You may putthis money in your Designated Gift envelope fromyour numbered contribution envelopes. Be sure toindicate that this money is for the Worship Folders.Be sure to sign up early to get the dates you wish.Please let the church office know if they are inhonor or memory of someone or an occasion.

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR 2013 - The sign-up sheetfor Altar Flowers for 2013 will be on the bulletinboard by December 2nd

• The cost of altar flowers is$20.00 and checks must be made payable to"Country Gardens." DO NOT put money for flowersin the collection plate. Payment must be made tothe church office. Please contact the church office.the week prior to your sign-up date to request yourcolor and to let us know if they are in honor ormemory of a special person or occasion.

ALTAR GUILD FOR 2013 - The sign-up sheet forAltar Guild workers for 2013 has been placed onthe bulletin board. Please remember to sign up fortwo months. If you aren't able to do each week ofthe month, please consider doing part of a month.

KEENAGERS CHRISTMAS PARTY - TheKeenagers of Pilgrim will hold their annualChristmas Party in the Blue Room on Thursday,December 13th at 11:00 a.m.. All retirees of Pilgrimare welcome and invited to attend. Please bringyour own table service. Beverage will beprovided. Please bring a dish to pass and a $3.00gift to exchange. Make plans to attend and join thefun!

ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT - A reminder to allhostesses that set-up times are Monday evening,Dec. 3rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. or Tuesday,Dec. 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please remindyour guests to arrive at 6:30 p.m. We considerAdvent by Candlelight to be a time of preparationfor the soul. We hope everyone who takes part inthis special occasion will feel the same.

HOLIDAY BAKE SALE - Pilgrim Lutheran ChurchWomen's Guild is sponsoring a Holiday Bake Saleon Saturday, December 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00noon. Volunteers will be making phone calls to ourmembers to ask that you contribute to the bakesale and come to shop for all your last minuteholiday goodies!

ATTENDANCE & CONTRIBUTIONS ......

SAT SUN H.C. GEN FUND IMP FUND TOTAL +OR-10/27=27 10/28= 53 65 1,385.00 0.00 1,385.00 - 136511/03=37 11/04= 79 87 2,502.00 20.00 2,522.00 - 22811/10=32 11/11=68 1,849.64 5.00 1,854.64 - 89611/17=36 11/18= 65 77 2,838.95 0.00 2,838.95 +~

$ 8,575.59 $ 25.00 $ 8,600.59 - 2401

Special Gifts. . .. Food Pantry, $70.00; Adopt-a-Student Fund, $70.00; Thanksgiving, $25.00; Gift from Tai .Chi, $400.00; Pett Benefit, $25.00

OUR STEWARDSHIP TO THE LORD AND TO PILGRIM

PILGRIM'S 2012 BUDGET-BUDGET THROUGH NOVEMBER 18th-CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH NOVEMBER 18th-CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER BUDGET NEEDS -

$143,013.00$129,261.75$113,547.71$ 15,714.04

As we begin a new church year and enter into the season of Advent, we praise and thank God for all thosewho have given so much of themselves - their time, their talents and their treasures - for the work of theSavior here at Pilgrim. We ask the Lord as we enter the year 2013 that He would continue to bless you, as youpray for the success of God's work here at Pilgrim and as you give of yourselves to His service. If you haven'treturned your Pledge Sheet for 2013 yet, please do so as soon as possible.

PASTORAL ACTS -

Transfer - Greg and Cheryl Wischmeyer to Immanuel Lutheran, Bay City

Wedding - Tim VanTol and Sherry Yenglin on November 11th

Baptism - CALEB WARD JONES, son of Donald and Stephanie (Trosien) Jones, baptized on Saturday,November 18th.Caleb's sponsors are Donald and Susan Jones, Sr. and Rev. Carl and KimberlyTrosien.

THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS - Pilgrim Lutheran Church donated 6 food baskets for Thanksgiving tofellow members and friends of members who are in need. Our thanks to all of you for your generous gifts offood and money for the Thanksgiving Baskets. Also, a special thank you to Billie Jo McDonald and LaurieMorley who organized and packed the food baskets. They did a great job! Please don't forget that Food PantryWeek will be December 9thso we will have time to pack them for Christmas.

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE

Dec. 5th- Advent Worship, 7:00 p.m. (No Communion)Dec. 1th - Advent Worship, 7:00 p.m. (No Communion)

Dec. 16th- Children's Christmas Service, 10:30 a.m. (Holy Communion)Dec. 24th- Christmas Eve Family, 7:00 p.m. (Holy Communion)

Dec. 24th - Christmas Eve Candlelight, 11:00 p.m. (Holy Communion)Dec. zs" - Christmas Day, 10:30 a.m. (Holy Communion)

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS - The Sunday School Christmas Service will be on Sunday, December 16th.

Important dates and times to remember: Saturday, December 15th- Rehearsal & Party at 10:00 a.m. until 12

noon. Sunday, December 16th- Children are to arrive at 9:15 a.m. The Children's Christmas Service will take

place during the regular Sunday morning Worship Service. We are asking each family to bring two dozencookies for the refreshments following the service. NO SUNDAY SCHOOL - Sunday, December 23rd andSunday, December so". Sunday School will begin again on January 6th

.

CHURCH CALENDARS - The 2013 Church Calendars from Penzien and Steele will be arriving shortly. Besure to check the table in the narthex for yours.

CHRISTMAS CARDS TO SHUT -INS - The following is a list of our shut-ins who would really enjoy getting aChristmas card from fellow members. They are:

Frieda Evans, 4471 Sheffield Place #212, Bay City, MI48706Dorothy Piesik, 4471 Sheffield Place #1, Bay City, MI 48706

Della Burns, 734 N Pine Street, Sterling House #15, Bay City, MI 48708Edna Cunningham, 6700 WS Saginaw Road, Bay City, MI 48706Eunice Gottleber, 1200 Corporate Drive #108, Adrian, MI 49221

Viola Randall, 409 Sharpe Street, Essexville, MI 48732Mary Jacobs, 854 N Pine Road #207, Essexville, MI 48732

Arlene Wentworth, 564 W Hampton Road #269 West, Essexville, MI48732Arlene Blehm, 854 N Pine Road #302, Essexville, MI 48732

Harvey Menzel, 564 W Hampton Road, #290, Essexville, MI48732Fran DeSanto, 2858 Fisher Road, Bay City, MI48708

Ednalouise Wojcik, 564 W Hampton Road, #263, Essexville, MI 48732Sandie Weatherbee, Eda Court, Essexville, MI 48732

Vera Niemi, 854 N Pine Street, #208, Essexville, MI 48732Amelia Simmons, 1395 S Huron Road, #119, Kawkawlin, MI48631

THANK YOU! - Pilgrim's Helping Hands would like to thank everyone for their support during the month ofOctober. The food drive was a great success! A special thank you to those who volunteered their time, donatedmoney or items to the food pantry, donated baked goods or assisted with the coffee hours. With everyone'shelp, we truly "brought in the fall harvest" and lined the stage in the fellowship hall with boxes filled with a greatselection of food items. These items will be used to help those in need during the Thanksgiving and Christmasseasons.

CONTRIBUTION ENVELOPES - Your 2013 contribution envelopes will be put in your church mailboxes byDecember 16th

. Be sure to pick yours up and do not use until 2013 as the numbers have been changed. Theones that do not fit in the mailboxes will be on a table across from the mailboxes.

BOAR'S HEAD FESTIVAL - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 808 Weiss, Saginaw, is presenting the 28th annual"Boar's Head Festival" on November 29th and December 1st at 7:30 p.m. and December 2nd at 4:00 p.m. and7:30 p.m. Please join with the singers, the players, and the musicians to feel the true spirit of Christmasenacted before you. There is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be taken.

THE LUTHERAN WITNESS belongs in every home - offering pages of doctrinal, inspirational and devotionalarticles, plus the latest news of the worldwide mission of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. You get all thatfor the low price of $10.50 per year. The subscription must be processed through the church office. Anyoneinterested in receiving a subscription for 2013 must contact the church office by December ro".

ST. PAUL BAKE SALE - St. Paul Ladies Aid is having their annual Bake Sale on Saturday, December 1st inthe school gym located at: 6094 WS Saginaw Road, Bay City. Coffee and home-made donuts will be availableat 8:30 a.m. the Bake Sale is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon, featuring homemade breads, cookies, noodles,German Stollen, eisenchuechle and handmade rugs.

ZION COOKIE WALK & BAZAAR - The 6th annual Zion Lutheran Cookie Walk and Bazaar will be onSaturday, December 1st from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the school gym, 1707 S. Kiesel Street, Bay City. Fill adecorated can for only $6.00 with your choice of delicious cookies created and donated by the families of ZionLutheran School and Church. There will be a delicious breakfast casserole prepared and served by the MiddleSchool families. They offer many varieties of home-baked cookies, creative crafts, art, and product tables, the5th annual Zion Book Fair, home-baked breads, specialty treats, and goodies.

LIVING NATIVITY - Immanuel Lutheran Church of Frankentrost, 8220 Holland Road (M-46) in Saginaw, willhost their 16th annual free "Living Nativity - A Journey to Bethlehem." This will take place on Friday, Decemberyth from 7 - 9 p.m., Saturday, December 8th from 6 - 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 9th from 6 - 8 p.m.Experience the real Christmas story amid the Sights and sounds of Bethlehem long ago. The paved sidewalkprovides accessibility for all ages and needs. An interpreter for hearing impaired groups may be requested onSaturday by calling (989) 754-0929. Fellowship and light refreshments will follow. This is a 30 minute outdoorwalk, so dress the family for the weather.

LIVING NATIVITY - Trinity-St. James Living Nativity Christmas Walk is on Saturday, December 8th andSunday, December 9th from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. Come take a walk back in time. Your journey will begin at thevery start of human history. You'll hear prophecies made about the coming of Jesus through the centuries.You'll see the crucial events of His time on earth. Shepherds, innkeepers, Roman soldiers, merchants, kings,prophets, and beasts will accompany you on your journey. You'll see the star pointing the way to Bethlehem.At the end of your journey, hot cocoa, coffee, cookies, and fellowship await you. Please join us! Join us in thesanctuary at Trinity-St. James Lutheran Church, 119 E. Munger Road for Christmas carols, and music whileyou await your sentry to guide you back in time. Please dress accordingly, as almost all of your journey willtake place outdoors on uneven terrain. Groups welcome.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Happy December Birthdays!

2 3 4 5 6 7 8Kyli Braeutigam Walt Dominowski Cole Trosien Myra LaPouttre Tom Dillard Robert Dammann

Avery JohnsonRyan Morley Trace Johnson Harper Gibbs

John LaPouttreMarilyn McDonaldCaiden Ramirez

9 10 11 12 13 14 15James Sloan Verna Rosenberg Katie Mielens Jason Dardas Canton Wagner Earl Evans

Kathryn HaffordMarlene Shannon Grigg Joni KlepserVanOoteghem Tyler Schroeder

16 17 18 19 20 21 22Emily Benchley Alyse Hages Terry Eddy Matthew Dardas Dorothy BunnellJean MossnerSuzanne Pascuzzi Elizabeth NannVicki Thompson

23 24 25 26 27 28 2930 31 Amelia Simmons Noah Bursick Steven Elbers

Walter Koerber Amanda Imker

Keith Lewis

CJThrivent Financial for Lutherans'Pilgrim Lutheran Church1705 Nebobish Avenue

Essexville, Michigan 48732DECEMBER 2012

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayI 1

Rev. Carl F. Trosien, Pastor Giving Tree

Home: 893-5266DeadlineHOLY

Office: 893-7224COMMUNION,7

1st Sunday in Advent 2 3 4 5 6 7 8Sunday School, 9: 15 Advent by Candlelight Quilting, 9:30 Bible Holiday BakeBible Class, 9:15 Set-Up, 6- 8 Advent by Candlelight Class, 9:30 Sale, 9 - NoonHOLY COMMUNION, 10:30 Set-Up, 8 - 3 Choir, 6:15Confirmation Class, 11 :30 Elders, 7 Advent by MIDWEEK WORSHIP

Candlelight, 6:30 ADVENT,7 SERVICE,7

2nd Sunday in Advent 9 10 11 12 13 14 15Sunday School, 9: 15 Food Pantry Week Quilting, 9:30 Bible Keenagers, 11 Sunday SchoolBible Class, 9:15 Class, 9:30 Rehearsal & Party, 10WORSHIP SERVICE, 10:30 Voters, 7 Bible PrayerConfirmation Class, 11:30 Class, 7 Network,3 HOLYTrustees, 11:30 Choir, 6:15 COMMUNION, 7

MIDWEEKADVENT,7

3rd Sunday in Advent 16 17 18 19 20 21 22Sunday School 9:15 Quilting, 9:30 Bible WORSHIPBible Class, 9:15 Class, 9:30 SERVICE,7HOLY COMMUNION, 10:30 Bible Choir, 6:15Children's Christmas Service Class, 7 MIDWEEKRefreshments following the ADVENT,7Worship Service Stewardship, 7:30Confirmation Class, 11 :30

4th Sunday in Advent 23 Christmas Eve 24 Christmas Day 25 26 27 28 29Bible Class, 9:15 HOLY COMMUNION, HOLYWORSHIP SERVICE, 10:30 7 & 11 HOLY COMMUNION, COMMUNION, 7

10:30

1st Sunday of Christmas 30 New Year's Eve 31 Office Closed Office ClosedHOLY COMMUNION, 10:30