April 2026

Dear Friends,

“ Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.” Acts 2:22-24

As we move from the Lenten season into Holy Week and the season of Easter, we reflect on how God has done so many wonderful things for His people. During His earthly ministry, Jesus performs many miracles that defy explanation. Even the suffering and death of Jesus Christ is hard for us to grasp. How is it that an infinite God can experience death? Why would He offer His Beloved Son as a sacrifice for the sins of Adam’s rebellious descendants? And perhaps most importantly, how can a man rise from the dead?

The difficulty in grappling with these questions is one of perspective. Our fallen reason prevents us from seeing or even desiring to see the plan of salvation from God’s perspective. Our sinful minds tell us that miracles are impossible, evil just might overcome good and perhaps death does have the final word. God tells us the exact opposite. Miracles are simple for the God who created the universe by speaking it into existence. Good will not merely defeat evil. The victory we have in Christ will be an absolute triumph. Resurrection from the dead is not a possibility; it is a certainty. Death will not win, because it cannot win. The grave cannot contain Jesus Christ, “Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should be holden of it.” Acts 2:24

Over and over again, the Holy Scriptures remind us not of the possibility of hope, but rather of the certainty of hope. God always keeps His promises. Love never fails. Our sins are forgiven. We are God’s new creation. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. The devil is defeated. Death is swallowed up in victory. Because Christ was raised from the dead, we too shall rise from the dead. God be praised!

Thank you once again for the many ways you support the ministry of the seminary. God bless you with a joyous Holy Week and Easter season.

Christ is Risen! He is Risen, indeed! Alleluia!

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:55-57

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Chuck Bylkas

DONATIONS RECEIVED...

In memory of Beverly Aho
From Joyce Tibbs
Fayth Wolfe

In memory of Dr. Al Saari
From Roy Saari

In memory of Barbara Gross
From Karl & Juliann Somero

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. Currently, we have two women taking this program.

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