PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
About Pilgrim Lutheran Church - LCMS
Pilgrim Lutheran Church is a congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod based in Kenmore, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. Pilgrim was founded in 1922 and has been served by seven pastors: Rev. Fred J. Muhlhauser (1921-28); Rev. Frank J. Schwarz (1928-1963); Rev. John W.C. Fey (1963-1978); Rev. John Kassen (1978-81); Rev. George Schaetzle (1981-91); and Rev. Ben Eder (1993 -2023 ); Rev. David Walsh(2023 -). Over 100 years later, Pilgrim Lutheran Church continues to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to current and future generations.
Our Pastor
David Walsh
About Our Denomination
Pilgrim Lutheran Church is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the second-largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.
What is now known as the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod began with a group of German immigrants who settled in Perry County, Missouri, in the 1840's. Within their band was Rev. Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm (C.F.W) Walther, who rose to become their leader and guided them through a very difficult time of settlement and transition. Although primarily Germanic in origin, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod now encompasses people of numerous ethnic backgrounds and languages.
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, or LCMS, is an orthodox church body that subscribes to the inspiration and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, and holds to the Book of Concord as the clearest explication of God's Word.
Now in its third century, the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod continues to stand for the integrity of God's Word while it continues to proclaim the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to all generations.
Our Faith
Lutherans believe that salvation comes through faith alone in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God - not the result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9)."
Furthermore, we also learn in God's Holy Word that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus declares, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)." And, the Apostle Peter said of this same Jesus, "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12)."
Lutherans also believe that God's Word is the sole authority for all matters of faith and life. "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)." God's Word consists of the Law, which tells us that we are sinners in need of His forgiveness; and the Gospel, which proclaims the Good News that God has forgiven all of our sins for Jesus' sake.
Although all Lutheran teachings are based on the Bible, the Church derives it's name from Dr. Martin Luther (1483-1546), the German Reformer who insisted that the Bible be the only source of doctrine and practice in the Church. A gifted theologian, Dr. Luther intended to reform the Roman Catholic Church from within; only when he was prohibited from doing so did a Church spring up in his name. Although Luther insisted that the new Church be called the "Christian Church" (he said, to paraphrase, "Jesus died for your sins - not me"), his followers did not comply.
Lutherans do not see themselves as a new Church or denomination, but as members of the "one holy Christian and apostolic Church" consisting of true believers from all times and places. We do not bring a new doctrine or teaching, but have instead reclaimed the truth of the Gospel as proclaimed by the Apostles and handed down to us by the Church Fathers. To God alone be the glory!
Our Mission
The mission of Pilgrim Lutheran Church is to seek out the lost and bring them the Good News of Jesus Christ, with the anticipation that some who hear will come to faith. Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)."
In this post-modern era, many do not have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ brings forgiveness of sins, comfort in affliction, courage in adversity, and the sure hope that there is everlasting life for all who believe. By contrast, those who do not know Christ as Lord and Savior have the attitude "let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die (1 Corinthians 15:32)."
The Christian Church is called not only to take care of the sheep already in the fold, but also to go out and find the lost sheep who have strayed away. The "lost sheep" may not only be found in far away places, but right in our own homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Not all Christians are called to be evangelists, but we are all called to be witnesses. There is no one "right way" to witness...God will give us the opportunities, and the Holy Spirit will tell us what to say! What is especially helpful in our witnessing is a good knowledge of the Bible, and Luther's Small Catechism which gives an outline of Scripture. The Apostle Peter admonishes us to "always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15b-16a)."
The most effective witness is to show the love of Christ to a person in need. Jesus said, "as you do to the least of these, you do to me (Matthew 25:40). All of our knowledge and strategies for outreach will be fruitless if they are unaccompanied by genuine caring. As the saying goes, "no one will care what you know, until they know that you care."
Invite your friend, co-worker, relative, or acquaintance to a church service, fellowship activity, or to a Bible study group. Be a friend to that person, and let him or her see the Holy Spirit at work within you. By bringing someone to Christ, you will have that friend for eternity!