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April 2024,
Dear Friends,
“Then when Jesus came, he found that he (Lazarus) had lain in the grave four
days already. 18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs
off: 19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning
their brother. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went
and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus,
Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even
now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto
her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he
shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I
am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.
Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art
the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” John 11:17-27
In this beautiful Gospel, we see the patience and tender compassion of Jesus as
He addresses a grieving Martha. Jesus had heard that Lazarus was sick, and yet
he delayed coming to Lazarus for two more days, because He knew that He would
raise Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus finally arrives at Bethany, Martha
anxiously comes out to meet Him. At first, Martha complains to Jesus “Lord, if
thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Many of us can identify with
Martha’s frustration. When we experience a tragedy, such as the loss of a loved
one, our first response is often to ask God “Why?” “Why did you allow this to
happen? Why did this have to happen to me?”
But hidden within Martha’s complaint is a glimpse of her faith. In her very
words, Martha implies “You have the power that could have prevented this from
happening.” Her faith is further expressed in the next phrase “But I know, that
even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” In other
words, “It is not too late. You can still help us.” Jesus patiently listens to
Martha and then assures her “… Thy brother shall rise again.” Martha already
knows this. She knows of the great event that is promised on the last Day. “But
what about the here and now? What can help me deal with the pain of this loss?”
“Jesus said unto her, I am the Resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in
Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live…” Jesus gives Martha the answer to
all of her problems, even though she is asking the wrong questions. The question
Martha should be asking is not what, when or why, but “Who?” “Who can help me in
my time of need?” The Resurrection is not merely an event that will happen in
the distant future. The Resurrection is embodied in the person who now stands
before Martha. It is Jesus Christ Himself. He is the One who shed His Blood on
Calvary’s cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He is the One who swallowed up
death in victory. He is the One who continues to help us in every time of need.
All those who by faith embrace the Crucified and Risen Lord Jesus have life;
right here and right now. May God grant us grace to continue believing in the
One who is the Resurrection and the Life.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chuck Bylkas
DONATIONS RECEIVED....
In memory of Verna A. Hendrickson
From Evelyn Palosaari
Steven Palosaari
Faye Rautio
Deborah Hendrickson
Eleanore Puumala
Karen Manninen
Jim & Tikey Somero
Renee Isaacson
In memory of Melissa Dahlmeier Roeser
From Steve & Marilyn Dahlmeier
In memory of Frank Liupakka
From Edwin Jr. & Kathleen Bergstedt
DEACONESS STUDIES OFFERED AT THE SEMINARY
The Deaconess program at the Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary provides sound
biblical educational opportunities for women. A deaconess is a woman who is a
church-worker and is trained and dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Christ
through acts of mercy and spiritual care. The role of a deaconess is to serve
other women by engaging women in diverse settings and specialization, whether in
a congregation, in an institution or on the mission field. The Deaconess serves
congregations using her gift to bless and serve other women.
Titus 2:3-5 “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh
holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love
their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their
own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
Upon fulfillment of the program requirements which include the classes shown
below, students receive a Deaconess Certificate endorsed by the faculty. Along
with the Deaconess Certificate a student may also receive an additional degree
outside the Seminary such as Nursing, Teaching, Counseling, etc. in order to
focus on a specific calling. You may also take the deaconess courses without
acquiring a Deaconess Certificate. The Deaconess courses of study include:
Orientation to Deaconess Studies. 3 credits
An overview of the issues of women’s ministry in the contemporary church.
Deaconess History. 2 credits
A study of the role of deaconesses through the history of the Christian Church.
Working as a Deaconess I. 2 credits
A course which explores the use of Deaconess skills involving both
congregational and personal care as well as the employment of such skills in the
current church setting.
Working as a Deaconess II. 2 credits
A second course which explores the use of Deaconess skills involving community
outreach and involvement with the employment of such skills in the current
church setting.
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a
good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
If you are interested in learning about the Deaconess program, please contact
the Seminary at (906) 482-3337 or email cilseminary@ilseminary.com. Also,
additional information is available in our on-line catalogue at http://www.ilseminary.org/catalog.pdf
ATTENTION: SUPPORTERS
THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT THE SEMINARY.
CHOICE DOLLARS DETAILS: Eligible clients with membership can recommend
where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable grant funds. These
recommendations are shared by directing Choice Dollars to enrolled nonprofit
organizations, including churches.
Eligibility requirements: To be eligible to direct Choice Dollars as part of
Thrivent Choice®, you must be a client with benefit membership. Individual
eligibility is also based on at least one of the following:
• Having $750 or more in annual billed premiums of qualifying life and health
insurance products.
• Having $20,000 or more in contract value of qualifying life insurance and
annuity products.
Eligibility is determined monthly and reevaluated on an annual basis.
Minimum and maximum Choice Dollars designations: Eligible clients will be
designated a minimum of 25 Choice Dollars and a maximum of 5,000 Choice Dollars
per eligibility period (Jan. 1 to Dec. 31).
Choice Dollars expiration date: Choice Dollars designated during the calendar
year can be directed until March 31 of the following year.
For more information about Choice Dollars, visit http://www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice
or call 800-847-4836 or contact your local Thrivent Financial representative.
THRIVENT CHARITABLE IMPACT & INVESTINGTM
The Inter-Lutheran Seminary has established an Endowment Fund through Thrivent
Charitable Impact & InvestingTM (formerly InFaith Community Foundation). All
earnings of the endowment will be used for the seminary’s needs thereby ensuring
the continued existence of this funding source. This is the preferred method
used by many non-profit entities, especially ongoing religiously focused
organizations such as seminaries. To learn more about this organization, go to
www.thriventcharitable.com.
We would love to grow our endowment into a major source of ongoing seminary
support. Although the seminary still needs the financial ongoing regular
contributions of our supporters, please consider the endowment fund for your
planned giving needs. For more additional information, please contact Kirk Otto,
Jr. at (715) 821-8574 or Cheryl Hendrickson at
(906) 482-3337.
ANOTHER OPTION FOR GIVING – PayPal
Online giving is as easy as clicking the DONATE button on our website: https://ilseminary.org.
Simply go to the How to Contribute tab and tap the yellow DONATE button to
begin. There are options for credit and debit card donations and even the option
to help the seminary cover the PayPal processing fee. (Note we are charged 1.99%
+ $.49/transaction fee). As always, we are thankful for your continued support!
**PLEASE NOTE**
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the mailing list, please complete the form below and mail to: P.O. Box 449,
Hancock, MI 49930.
Or call 906-482-3337 or email: cilseminary@ilseminary.com. Thank you!
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Inter-Lutheran
Theological Seminary
James Weidner, President
P.O. Box 449
Hancock, MI 49930
administrator@ilseminary.org
Phone: 906-482-3337
FAX: 906-482-0694