Newsletter Newsletter Archive for downloading
August 2026
Dear Friends,
?Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. … 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Galatians 5:1, 13-14
Two hundred and fifty years ago this past July, representatives from the American Colonies gathered at the Pennsylvania State House to sign what is now known as the Declaration of Independence. These men knew that signing the Declaration could very well come at a great price. King George III had already announced that those who rebel against the Crown were disloyal and could by tried for treason. The penalty of such treason was death. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were convinced that freedom from tyranny was worth the risk.
During the American Revolution, many soldiers gave their lives in battle to preserve the freedom of our new nation. In the two centuries that followed, many other men and women would also lay down their lives upon what President Abraham Lincoln would one time refer to as “the altar of freedom.” It is this cherished freedom that serves as a hallmark of greatness for our country.
The Bible also speaks of the great gift of freedom that God has given to His people. There are some distinct differences between the freedom that we enjoy as American citizens and the freedom that we have as God’s children. The American colonists fought against the tyranny of the British Crown, while God has delivered us from the tyranny of sin by the finished work of Christ at the Cross. National freedom is temporal, Godly freedom is eternal. We celebrate our freedom as American citizens by asserting our rights, but God has given freedom to Christians so that we might serve one another. “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
As wonderful as it is to enjoy the freedoms that we have as American citizens, it pales in comparison to the great freedom that we have in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Although there are differences between earthly and spiritual freedom, there is at least one striking similarity. Freedom comes at great price. The price of blood. We are grateful for the men and women in history who shed their blood to preserve the freedom of our nation. Even so, we are most thankful for the greater sacrifice of the blood of God’s Son, which has granted us the greatest freedom of all. Thanks be to God!
“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:31-36
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Chuck Bylkas
DONATIONS RECEIVED....
In memory of Loren Bergstedt
From Gladys Bergstedt, her family & friends
Lloyd & Barbara Godell
James & Kristin Erickson
In memory of Reuben & Anita Aho
From Eleanor Puumala
In memory of Stewart Lee
From Eleanor Puumala
In memory of Evey Palosaari
From Mark & Rita Palosaari
In memory of Edward Puumala
From James & Laurene Mattinen
FALL CLASS SCHEDULE
If you are interested in taking a class, please contact the office at
906-482-3337 or email cilseminary@ilseminary.com.
Please see www.ilseminary.org/acadinfo.htm for class descriptions.
Daily classes begin on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Monday night class begins
on September 14, 2026.
See website for complete class schedule - 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**
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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
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Hancock, MI 49930
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Phone: 906-482-3337