Newsletter
Newsletter
Archive for downloading
October 2025
Dear Friends,
“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a
blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did
it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant
with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and
worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in
me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them
which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King
eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever
and ever. Amen.” I Timothy 1:12-17
One of the great gifts of the Lutheran Reformation was the teaching referred to
as “Sola Gratia.” Sola Gratia is a Latin term that means “by grace alone.”
Luther asserted, rightfully so, that God has chosen to save us, not by any works
that we have done, but solely by His Divine grace. Luther made this assertion
based solely on the Holy Scripture, especially the epistles of the Apostle Paul.
“But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the
offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace,
which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was
by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation,
but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's
offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace
and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18
Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation;
even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto
justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made
sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover
the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace
did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might
grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:15-21
In this passage, Paul not only speaks about the nature of God’s Divine favor,
but also the magnitude of God’s grace. Paul knows this not only though his study
of God’s Word, but also by his own experience of God’s grace, as he shared with
Timothy. Paul refers to himself as the chief of sinners, because of his
persecution of the church. Paul indicates that God showed him mercy “for a
pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting.” It
is as if to say that if God can grant grace to the Apostle Paul, he can surely
lavish His grace on anyone. God’s grace is not contingent anything that we do.
God bestows His forgiveness, Life and salvation to us, because He is gracious to
sinners. God is gracious to us, because of Jesus and His finished work at
Calvary’s cross. Praise be to God for the marvelous gift of His grace in Christ.
“Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his
mercy endureth for ever.” Psalm 106:1
Thank you for your ongoing support of the Seminary as we endeavor to minister
God’s Word to His people. May God pour out His Spirit upon us as we continue to
partake of His amazing grace.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before
ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10
Yours in Christ,
Chuck Bylkas
DONATIONS RECEIVED...
In memory of Lois Matson
From Linda Wirkkala
Vancouver Ladies Bible Study
Pastor Raymond Hilman & Marlene
In memory of Greg Helmes
From Pastor Raymond Hilman & Marlene
In memory of Don & Vi Salo
From Richard & Marilyn Howk
In honor of Wayne Juntunen
From Richard & Renee Riemersma
YOUR INVITED...
The Board of Directors of the Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary invite you to
attend the Annual Seminary Rally
on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 3:30PM
at Laurium Shining Light Church,
645 Tamarack Street, Laurium, MI.
Dinner will be served following the service.
All are welcome!
MATCHING FUNDS OPPORTUNITY
We have some exciting news!! A kind and generous donor has come forward with a
matching fund donation of $25,000 for the year end of 2025.
We are seeking additional donations above and beyond normal giving that would be
matched dollar for dollar within this program. The program begins October 1 and
runs through December 15, 2025. If you are able to contribute to this program,
please earmark your contribution “matching funds” in the memo section of your
check.
Your continued support of the seminary is deeply appreciated and enables us to
continue to grow and carry on the work of teaching and preparing our students
for ministry. God bless you again for your generosity!
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:_________________
Name:_______________________________________________________
Address:_____________________________________________________
I wish to be removed from the Inter-Lutheran Seminary’s mailing list.
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