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February 2025
Dear Friends,
“And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, He took
Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as He
prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white
and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses
and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should
accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with Him were heavy
with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that
stood with Him. 33 And it came to pass, as they departed from Him, Peter said
unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three
tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing
what he said. 34 While He thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them:
and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And there came a voice out of
the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him. 36 And when the voice was
past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those
days any of those things which they had seen.”
Luke 9:28-36
As the season of Epiphany draws to a close, the church historically celebrates
the festival of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. Since the season of
Epiphany is focused on how God makes His Son Jesus known to the world, it is
fitting that we would be directed to the Transfiguration event.
As Jesus is praying on the mountain, the disciples witness a dramatic change in
His appearance. Not only does the clothing of Jesus appear dazzling white, but
as Matthew records, “…His face did shine like the sun.” Amazingly, Jesus is
talking with Moses and Elijah, two of the great heroes of the Old Testament.
Peter is so stunned by what He sees, that tells Jesus that they can build three
tabernacles, one for each of these great prophets: Moses, Elijah and Christ,
Himself. Peter, James and John become terrified when a cloud came and
overshadowed them. The voice of God, the Father now makes the startling
announcement “This is My beloved Son: hear Him.” As the disciples lift up their
eyes, they only see Jesus. Moses and Elijah are gone. What does this all mean?
Of first significance is that the disciples have been given a glimpse of the
glory of Christ in His transfigured appearance. Second is the presence of Moses
and Elijah. Moses as the deliverer of the law, and Elijah as the representative
of the great prophets of God. Their disappearance means that Jesus is now the
One to whom we should listen as the greatest of the prophets. Christ has come to
fulfill the law and the prophets. Most importantly, is the declaration of God
the Father. Jesus is not merely a great prophet, but His Son; the Messiah who
would come to save His people from their sins by way of the Cross. This is
precisely what Moses, Elijah and Jesus were talking about on the mountain. Moses
and Elijah “…appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which He should
accomplish at Jerusalem.” The great prophets are speaking about the single
greatest event in human history; the death and Resurrection of the Son of God,
Jesus Christ.
The message of God the Father is just as much for us. God not only declares
Jesus to be His Son, but that we should also listen to Him. “In Christ alone,
our hope is found”, as the song writer has said. May God grant us ears to hear
and hearts to believe the beautiful message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God
bless you!
Yours in Christ,
Chuck Bylkas
DONATIONS RECEIVED...
In memory of Jack Tibbs
From Joyce Tibbs
In memory of Jana Pile
From Joyce Tibbs
In memory of Jill Sanko
From Joyce Tibbs
In memory of Verna A. Hendrickson
From Neal & Cheryl Hendrickson
MONDAY NIGHT CLASS CONTINUES
The Monday night class on The General Epistles & Hebrews has started but it is
not too late to join in. Class begins each Monday at 7PM (ET) at 916 Pine
Street, Hancock or on Zoom.
The General Epistles & Hebrews is a study of the content of each letter
emphasizing the uniqueness of thought in their respective authors.
If you are interested in taking this class, please contact the seminary as soon
as possible by calling (906) 482-3337 or email – cilseminary@ilseminary.com. If
you are able, a $50 donation would be appreciated. As always, your continued
support is appreciated.
THRIVENT FINANCIAL
CHOICE DOLLARS PROGRAM IN 2024
THANK YOU to those who made contributions through Thrivent Financial Choice
Dollars Program. The seminary received $1,935 in the calendar year 2024. For
more information about Choice Dollars, visit http://www.Thrivent.com/thriventchoice
or call 800-847-4836 or contact your local Thrivent Financial representative.
2025 SPIRNG CLASS SCHEDULE LINK
https://ilseminary.org/classchedule.htm
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**
If you are receiving this newsletter in error or would prefer to be taken off
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!
Date:_________________
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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