May 2015 Newsletter
We are a people working toward putting Christ first in our life;
Being the hands and feet of Jesus in Marysville, and beyond”.
From Pastor:
NATURAL CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
Part Three
What do we want for Pilgrim? More important, what does God want for Pilgrim? In April, 28
members of Pilgrim completed a survey which will help us determine our strengths and weaknesses
based on the criteria established by Natural Church Development (NCD). Pastor Alan Casillas, our
“coach” for implementing the next steps in this process, will be sharing the results of the survey with
the Congregation Council on May 12.
We will learn how we “stack up” in relation to eight characteristics growing congregations have in
common: empowering leadership, gift based ministry, passionate spirituality, effective structures,
inspiring worship, need-based evangelism, holistic small groups and loving relationships.
We will then be able to set goals to address our “minimum characteristic” of the eight listed
above. Pr. Casillas will then begin working with a team of members to implement a plan to build upon
our strengths while addressing our weakness.
Through this process of NCD, the problem depicted in the picture below will be addressed in a
positive and faithful way.
If you would like to participate in the “next steps” in NCD, please contact Fred Russell or me. We
trust that God will help us grow in mission and ministry through what we learn together, using the
principles of NCD.
We pray God’s blessings on our work as we seek to find God’s direction for Pilgrim toward the
future.
Thanks So Much:
Charlie and Krystal Taylor for vacuuming EVERY week.
To EVERYONE who assisted with Holy Week and Easter: the Musicians, Altar Guild, Sherry Russell for
organizing the flowers, the Worship Servers. Your assistance made the week very meaningful.
To ALL of the talented Cabaret people, the cooks who rustled up the grub, the decorators (very authentic), the
set-up people and the clean-up people. The people who donated the basket items and the basket preparers. It
was a great show!
The members who participated in the Natural Church Development Survey. Appreciate your time.
Thank you !
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Thank you !
Thank you all !
 Gathering
to Worship 
All God’s Children in Worship – Celebrating youth involvement as we worship together, Saturday & Sunday, May 9 & 10.
We will celebrate youth in ministry as we encourage children of all ages to help prepare for worship and fulfill worship
roles during the service.
Any youth or children who are interested but have not completed one of the interest forms on the Music Ministry bulletin
board, contact Michelle, 364-7667 or [email protected].
Pentecost Weekend is May 23/24. You are invited to WEAR RED.
Music Ministry 
CHOIR NEWS: Pilgrim Choir rehearsals on Wednesdays: Youth & Children beginning at 6:00 p.m. and Adults at 7:00 p.m.
Music Ministry Picnic at the Carlson’s is June 3, beginning at 6:00 pm. Please bring a lawn chair and a
dish to share.
∝ Growing as Disciples ∝
Please pray for St. Paul, Casco, our Blue Water Conference Prayer Partner.
VBS Leader Meeting – after worship, Sunday, May 3. Anyone who might be interested in helping is invited.
Vacation Bible School - SAVE THE DATES!! July 27—July 31 is
“Everest: Conquering Challenges with God's Mighty Power”
Introduction to the Bible Children will be receiving their Bibles on May 9 & 10, from their parents. We pray for
the Holy Spirit to be with them and guide them as they read their new Bibles.
Confirmation Day is MAY 17th Taylor Corbat and Cameron Hill will be Affirming their Baptisms. We praise God
and ask for Him to guide them along their way.
Sunday School Participants are invited to a light breakfast from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. Classes are held from 8:45-9:45 a.m.
Pre-school - High School. (through the end of the school year)
Adult Sunday School meets in the church basement. May17th is the last day the Adults will meet.
Devotional Bible Study This group meets on Wednesdays at 7 to 7:45 a.m. at church. The African Bible
study method is used to explore passages from Scripture. All are welcome.
Weekly Bible Study Pastor John leads a class, on Wednesdays, at 10:00 a.m. The class studies the
weekly worship texts. Classes will be held on May 6 and 13, and then resume in the fall.
NOOMA® DVD Series will meet Sunday, May 17th at 5:30 p.m. at Pilgrim. The video “Open”– does prayer
really help?” is this month’s topic.
 Loving God’s People 
Lenten Project Thanks so much for your support on this project! Donations collected thus far are over $460. Clean
water is one of the most powerful ways to make change in the world. Donations will be sent to the ELCA Water
Project.
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Thursday, May 14 - Life Line Screening Event here at Pilgrim. Early detection screening for Stroke,
Heart Rhythm, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, Peripheral Arterial Disease, and Osteoporosis Risk. FOUR
TESTS for only $139! Add an Osteoporosis Screening for only $10 more– FIVE TESTS for only $149.
Pilgrim will receive a $10 donation and you will receive a $10 discount when you pre-register at 800324-9458. Tell your friends and family members; the community is invited.
Please pick up a Pink Flyer on narthex desk with all details.
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 Fellowship Activities
Richmond Community Choir will present “WE WILL ROCK YOU” on Friday, May 1st at 7 PM & Sunday,
May 3 at 2 PM. Everette Yaek is part of the choir. Poster on the hall bulletin board.
Euchre Card Night is Friday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. All card players are welcome to the friendly game.
Coffee “and” Enjoy fellowship and a light snack after worship. Please sign up to share snacks, (coffee
and tea are provided in the kitchen) on the clipboard, (on kitchen ‘pass-thru’ counter).
SAVE the DATE for the final THRIVENT Annual Picnic Sunday, June 28th at Goodells County Park, 1:00
pm to 4:00 pm. Lunch will be served from 1:30-2:30 pm. There will be games and raffles. Come
and enjoy the fun. A sign up sheet will be on the hall bulletin board in June for your RSVP.
The St. Clair County Thrivent Chapter will be changing to the Action Team grants. Please remember to
apply for ‘Seed Money’ through the Thrivent Action Team program. Apply on-line at https://
www.thrivent.com/actionteam/. It is very simple and easy. If approved, a $250 Visa debit card is issued and T-shirts
and other items will be provided for your project. A letter with all details is posted on the hall bulletin board.
Please continue to make your Thrivent Choice selections when the funds are available on your personal accounts.
Congregation Updates
If you would like to purchase Red Geraniums to decorate Pilgrim’s landscape, they may be purchased for $3.75
each. Envelopes are provided by the Flower Chart to make your Geranium purchase. Thanks so much !
Spring Clean - Up Day MAY 16TH beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please join the fellowship as we freshen up the inside and
outside of our church. There will be something for everyone to do: gardening, windows, dusting, organizing,
cleaning. Hot dogs and chips, along with beverages will be provided. The more people participating, the
quicker we can complete the clean-up. Hope to see everyone here.
Graduating from High School or College? Please contact the church office (364-7081 or
pilgrimoffice @gmail.com). We will be recognizing our graduates on Sunday, May 31, 2015.
ELCA Youth Gathering is July 15-19, 2015, in Detroit. Please see the large poster and small handouts on the hall bulletin board.
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Bible Readings
May 3
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
May 10
Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17
May 17 Confirmation
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Psalm 1
1 John 5:9-13
John 17:6-19
Pilgrim’s Staff
Pastor
May 24 Pentecost
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:22-27
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Rev. John W. Hitzeroth
Email: [email protected]
May 31 Holy Trinity
Isaiah 6:1-8
Psalm 29
Romans 8:12-17
John 3:1-17
Cheryl Cisco
Email: [email protected]
Director of Music Ministry
Michelle Carlson
Email: [email protected]
Office
Worship Services ........ SATURDAYS: 6:00 p.m. / SUNDAYS: 10:00 a.m.
Office Hours ............ Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Phone .............................................................................. 810-364-7081
Website Address .......................................... www.plcmarysville.org
Address………………………1023 Michigan, Marysville, MI 48040
 GENERAL NEWS 
Pilgrim wishes all mothers a Blessed Mothers Day !
Have an honorable Memorial Day - May 25.
Win-Some Women Retreats - online registration @ www.win-somewomen.org. Speakers for the 2015 spring
retreats are Julie Ziglar Norman, Donna VanLiere and Robin Wolaver. Special music will be provided by Annie Moses
band. Retreats are held at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island from May 12-15. There are three retreats to choose from
and attendees can choose to spend one or two nights on the Island. Please register on-line. “Very enjoyable retreat”
reported all women who have attended.
Please see posters on hallway bulletin boards for Community & Pilgrim information.
Pilgrim’s Mission Statement
“Gathering to worship,
Growing as disciples,
Loving God’s people.”
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Pilgrim’s Vision Statement
“We are a people working
toward putting Christ first in our
life; Being the hands and feet
of Jesus in
Marysville, and beyond”.