March 2026

Dear Friends,

Like so many things we encounter in daily life (days of the week for example), the month of March is named for a pagan god. The original name of the month was Martius and was dedicated to the Roman god of war, Mars. It was from early times the first month of the 10-month year and was understood as the time when the winter weather abated and the time for campaigning in war would begin. After 153 BC it became the third of 12 months which started with 2 winter months January and February. March was the first month of the year in Russia until the 15th century and Great Britain used March 25 for New Year, including the colonies that would eventually comprise the USA, until 1752. Iran and Ethiopia still celebrate New year in March. We celebrate the beginning of Spring in March and in many places March marks a return to more seasonable weather and the end of the hardships of Winter.

Out of the kindness of our Lord and the triumph of the Gospel throughout the world the pagan emphasis on March lost its place so that few people even know of its existence and in its place Christianity placed the emphasis on a season for reflection upon the Passion of Jesus. We call that season Lent, derived from the Latin word for Spring and we commemorate it as a season for fasting and prayer as we encounter for 6 weeks the texts of the Scripture that indicate the depth that God was willing to go in sending His Beloved Son to suffer and die for us and purchase our redemption through His blood. What started out as a time of pagan observance has become for us a most beautiful time to reflect upon the triumph of God over the darkness that had beset the ancient world and the liberation He provided from that darkness in the Light of the World, the Resurrected Son, Jesus the Christ.

One important aspect of the ancient understanding remains. It is the time for a renewed campaign. Time to march. In our world there is a powerful movement afoot to restore the fortunes of paganism and steal the light of the Gospel from the world. Christians must be vitally aware of this trend and vigilant to confront it everywhere. We need to educate ourselves in the ways that this neopagan movement is being reintroduced in the world and rise up to combat it in every forum with the truth of the Gospel, following through with the instruction of Ephesians 6:13:

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Eph. 6:13 KJV).

Knowing our struggle is not with flesh and blood:

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:12 KJV)

We, by God’s grace, are doing our part to fight the good fight of faith and teaching God’s Word so that the Light of Christ may continue to shine bright in this Lenten season and always. We thank you for your support in this work and ask that you continue to do so in prayer and financially as we carry out our calling in ministering to the people of God.

God’s Peace,

Jay Weidner Donations received...

In memory of Vieno Stalo

From Donna Gustafson Flaherty

In memory of Pete Sandretto Sr.

From Donna Gustafson Flaherty STUDYING THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

The Monday night class on the Gospel of Luke is underway, but it is not too late to join in. This class is taught in person at 916 Pine Street, Hancock, or on Zoom. If you are interested, please email cilseminary@ilseminary.com or call 906-482-3337 to be added to the class list. Previous class links can be shared with you so you can catch up! A donation of $50 is suggested but not mandatory YOUR PARNERSHIP IS IMPORTANT TO US

As you may or may not know, the seminary largely runs on donations. We are very thankful for your generosity and also for your prayers. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. We cannot do this work without you. Looking to the spring months, we will need to make some much needed improvements to the sanctuary building; namely, the roof. In the past few months, ice dams have caused water to leak inside the building. We are planning to have the roof repaired as soon as the weather permits.We are grateful for your commitment and partnership as we take the necessary steps to ensure our buildings are in the best possible shape.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 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…”     Philippians 1:3-6 KJV