Immanuel Lutheran’s Home Messenger

Volume 25, Issue 4August 2003

Blessed with Success!

You heard “YC2003” mentioned regularly for many months in our church bulletins and Sunday announcements. The CLC Youth Conference 2003, sponsored by Immanuel congregation and held at Camp Agape in Benton, Tennessee, is now history. The Conference was an unqualified success! For this, we thank our loving and gracious God, whose Spirit was clearly present and whose Son was the center of attention!

The conference drew 56 young people from 18 different congregations within the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC). A two-day bus trip from Mankato and a three-day return bus trip included stops in St. Louis and Atlanta adding considerable excitement and sight-seeing to the week.

This year’s conference theme was “R & R (Relationships and Responsibilities) in Christ” Presentation and discussion sessions centered on R&R with My God…my family…my Christian friends…my Christian congregation…my church body…my potential spouse…my co-workers…and my non-CLC acquaintances.

Conference Presenters were: Dr. Bruce and Sally Buchanan of Ascension Lutheran Church, Tacoma, WA; Dr. James and Beth Sydow of Messiah Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI; Professor Mark and Beth Kranz of Messiah Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI; CLC President John Schierenbeck of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Winter Haven, FL; Ms. Tina Radichel of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN; and Pastor Paul Nolting of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato, MN. Morning and Evening devotions were provided each day by Pastor Nolting and Pastor Del Maas of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Phoenix, AZ. In addition to the presenters, seven counselors from six CLC congregations worked closely with the students to guide their discussions and provide general encouragement and supervision.

While the emphasis of the conference was on Bible study, one morning was spent white-water rafting on the Ocoee River—a “level four” rafting experience enjoyed by all! In addition, the camp’s low-ropes course helped foster teamwork among the participants, and a climbing tower challenged even the fittest of the students and staff. Swimming and boating occupied youth during free time. A final session around a blazing bonfire under a full moon and surrounded by the mountains of eastern Tennessee brought the fulfilling experience to a memorable close.

Following the conference, nearly 60 of the participants traveled to Lawrenceville (Atlanta), GA for worship on Sunday, August 10 with the members of our sister congregation, Zion Lutheran Church. The youth used their gifts in the worship service by providing two coral anthems, a vocal solo, and a violin accompanist.

What did the youth and staff say about YC2003? The following quotes are taken from post-conference evaluations:

“It was great, outstanding, and uplifting!”

Tim Maas — Holy Cross, Phoenix, AZ
“It was a spiritual blessing for me to see so many people change in the way they look at things in such a short time.”

Amanda Geiger — Immanuel, Mankato, MN
“This conference has enriched me on several levels-spiritually, mentally, personally, and emotionally. My soul craves this faith-building experience.”

Kendra Ahrens — Grace, Valentine, NE
“[The Youth Conference] was truly amazing, and I can’t say how glad I am that I got to go. Tennessee was beautiful, everyone was great, I made a lot of new friends, and I grew closer to some older friends too. All the sessions were meaningful and will be taken to heart. I had to tackle a lot of things, physical, mental, and spiritual, that I would never have done on my own, and I gained the strength and confidence in my Savior to stand firm in my faith, look thankfully into the future, and to leave my past where it belongs.”

Sarah Gamble — Redemption, Seattle, WA
“Well this was my first Youth Conference, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it …I I can’t wait to come back next [time]!”

Daniel Degnan — Grace, Fridley, MN
“The conference overall was very uplifting and encouraging.”

Christine Dreyer — Peace Thru Christ, Madison, WI
“The whole conference was one of the best and most beneficial things I’ve ever attended. Words can’t even describe how much I grew in friendships as well as faith! The only disappointment I have is that I have to wait two years before the next one! I do wish that there were more opportunities for people like me who attend public school, and who’s church doesn’t have a youth group, to get together along with other CLC people our age.”

Meghan Eichstadt — Messiah, Hales Corner, WI
“I feel that this year was full of ‘greats.’ Great sessions and topics, great presenters, great staff, great setting, great trip, great hospitality along the way. God bless the plans for 2005!”

Matt Busch — Immanuel, Mankato, MN (Counselor)
“I believe in the future of our church and was very impressed by what I saw and heard… It is so strengthening for the larger and smaller congregations to get together.”

Marie Meyer — Our Redeemer’s, Red Wing, MN (Counselor)

YC2005 will be here before you know it! ~ Watch for information in the Fall of ’04!

The Congregation is invited…

Philip & Jacquelyn Radichel
and
Melvin & Irene Eichstadt

Invite you to join them
In worship and thanksgiving
As their children

Tina Jean Radichel
and
Wayne Charles Eichstadt

Are united in marriage
At six o’clock in the evening
On the eleventh of October
Two thousand three

Immanuel Lutheran Church
Mankato, MN
Reception following the ceremony
Midwest Wireless Civic Center

Please RSVP by September 15:
Phone RSVP: 386-4942
Email RSVP: wayne_and_tina@hotmail.com

A note concerning parking for the wedding:

Immanuel’s limited onsite parking will be reserved only for those who have physical needs. All drivers may leave passengers at the church prior to parking, but then we are asking you to park elsewhere if you are able. If you park near the Civic Center (ramps, lots, or street), you may walk to Immanuel if you wish, or you may ride a wedding shuttle bus. The shuttle bus will run continually from 4:30-6:00 p.m. The bus will pick up passengers at the Civic Center’s main entrance on Hickory Street. The shuttle will also be available to bring passengers to the Civic Center from the church following the ceremony. Also, if you would like to attend, but are in need of transportation, please phone the church office and transportation will be arranged.

From the Board of Deacons…

Benevolence Committee

“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him”

1 John 3:18-19

Immanuel has had a Benevolent Fund to which many members have contributed over the years. Through that fund a variety of needs have been met for both Immanuel members and non-members. Up to this point, Immanuel’s pastors have administered the Benevolent Fund under the supervision and guidance of the Board of Deacons. The Board of Deacons is currently undertaking a change in the administration of this fund. This change involves a Benevolence Committee that will be formed to assist those seeking help.

The requests for help often involve more than money. Frequently they involve issues that go beyond any expertise your pastors might have, Consequently, the Board of Deacons is looking for individuals who would be willing to serve on the Benevolence Committee. We are looking for people with expertise particularly in the areas of (but not limited to) financial management, social services, health services, and career guidance. Some individuals have already been contacted for the Benevolence Committee because their interests in these areas are well-known. The Board of Deacons, however, would be interested in identifying any and all individuals willing to serve on this new committee.

A meeting date will soon be announced in the bulletin at which time all interested individuals are asked to attend (or contact us if you are interested but unable to attend).

It is hoped that through the Benevolence Committee we will more efficiently and effectively meet the needs of those who contact us for help and do so to God’s glory and for our mutual benefit.

Passion and Purity

By Elisabeth Elliot

Elisabeth Elliot was the young bride of missionary Jim Elliot when he, together with a few other missionaries, was speared to death on January 8, 1956 by a band of Auca Indians to whom they were trying to bring the good news of Jesus Christ. After Jim’s death, Elisabeth and her very young daughter, Valerie, made their home among the Auca Indians and many of them were brought to faith. The exciting and inspiring account of those days was written by Elisabeth Elliot in her books: Through the Gates of Splendor, Shadow of the Almighty, The Savage My Kinsman, and The Journals of Jim Elliot.

Since that time, Elisabeth married again and was widowed again and married a third time. Her books generally contain many excellent pieces of advice and counsel from God’s Word, and Passion and Purity is no exception.

The subject matter of Passion and Purity is the kind of life young Christians should lead when they are in love and yet are not free to be married. Elisabeth met her first husband, Jim, in 1947, when they were both students at Wheaton College in Illinois. But it was not until 1953, that they felt free to be married. It seems that they were both convinced for a time that it was God's will for them to be single missionaries, devoting themselves entirely to the work of the Gospel, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 7:32: “He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord-how he may please the Lord.” Eventually, they became convinced that their marriage was indeed the will of God.

This book stresses the agony and frustration of waiting. As time went on, their passion for each other grew, and yet they kept themselves sexually pure, not even allowing themselves the physical affection of kissing. How great a contrast that is from the style of many today who are having sex with one another after only a few dates! Christians too often follow the lead of the world instead of setting an example of sexual purity. The aim of Elisabeth's book, in her own words is this:

I write in the hope that those who know what honor means will be cheered to see that they are not entirely alone. It may strengthen them to find that even in recent decades, there are those who recognize something far greater than their own passions, even though for the world at large there seems to be nothing else of any consequence. The majority will sacrifice anything—security, honor, self-respect, the welfare of people they love, obedience to God—to passion…A system of fixed values and relations held us apart, each holding the other in reverence for the Owner. (p. 68)

At the same time, the Gospel of forgiveness of all sins in Jesus Christ is set forth for the benefit of all those who have failed in this area, and of course we have all failed in one way or another. Elisabeth and Jim were sinners too, even though they were not guilty of outward sexual immorality. As her last chapter tells us, “Jesus came into the world specifically for us who blew it, not for those who ‘need no repentance.’” (p. 187). But as forgiven sinners, we don’t want to keep on blowing it. “For the Christian there is one rule and one rule only: total abstention from sexual activity outside of marriage and total faithfulness inside marriage. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts” (p. 124). May our gracious Lord help us all, young and old, female and male.

— Book Review by Professor David Lau
Journal of Theology, June 2003

Passion And Purity is available in the Immanuel Church Library Check it out!

School Update

Immanuel Lutheran School participates in 5 ongoing education rebate programs each year. These education programs are sponsored by various food companies—both locally and nationally. Listed below is a brief description of each program. Each program has a collection container by the church basement entry.

Campbell’s Labels for Education

Simply collect the appropriate label, UPC, or qualifying box top wherever you see the “Labels for Education symbol.” Each label, etc. accumulates points which are then redeemed with the Campbell Soup Company for a variety of items that can be used in the school.

Box Tops for Education

Please save all Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and General Mills “Box Tops” and place them in the box marked “Box Tops for Education”. We only need the “Box Tops”, not the Betty Crocker points. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents and an easy way to collect money for the school.

Kash for Kids

Kash for Kids is a rebate program sponsored ONLY by the MANKATO Hy-Vee food stores. Save the cash register receipts starting September 2, 2003 and place them in the box mark “Kash for Kids”. For every $150 in receipts totals the school receives $1.00.

Kemps

Save Kemps milk tops marked with the 5 cent symbol and drop them off in the box marked “Kemps”.

Milk Moola

Recently, Kwik Trip convenience stores began specially marking their dairy and other “Nature’s Touch” products for their “Milk Moola” rebate program. For every Milk Moola cap, bag top, label, etc. our school will receive 5 cents.

Christian Women Today Seminar

Each October, women from Immanuel and surrounding congregations in the Church of the Lutheran Confession gather together for the Christian Women Today Seminar. The purpose of the seminar is three-fold:

To search the Scriptures toward the strengthening of our faith and for guidance in our Christian lives — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).
To discuss with fellow Christians the areas of concern which interest us all.
To spend a day of worship and fellowship with other women of our faith.

The theme of this year’s seminar is “Draw Near to God and He will Draw Near to You” (James 4:8). Presenters will discuss topics such as developing a strong, personal devotional life and seeking comfort and strength during times of personal crisis. This year will feature a break-out session in which participants will choose to attend a discussion of three of the following four topics:

Planning a Christ-centered marriage
Celebrating Christ-centered holidays
Fostering Christ-centered devotions
Planning a Christ-centered funeral

Informational leaflets containing registration forms are available in the church narthex or by the rear church door.

Christian Women Today Seminar

Date: October 4, 2003

Location: Immanuel

Time: 9:30 a.m. (registration) - 4:00 p.m.

Registration Fee: $10.00 ~ Childcare $6.00/day

Childcare Registration Deadline: September 20

Seminar Registration Deadline: September 28th

Come Study The Word!

September 14 will mark the beginning of a new Bible Study and Sunday School year. Each Sunday, adults and children meet at 8:15 a.m. for an opening devotion in God’s Word. After the opening devotion, students of God’s Word go to their individual classrooms and study.

The Sunday School classes will begin this year by studying a variety of Old and New Testament accounts as they learn about worshipping God. The junior high classes will discuss topically, “God’s Answers to my Questions.” The focus of the Fall sessions of the High School Youth Forum is still being decided, and the adult Bible Study will being with a study of Ecclesiastes.

“Ecclesiastes” means “Teacher” or “Preacher.” This book of the Bible receives its name from its opening verse, “The Words of the Preacher, the son of David…” The “preacher” who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write Ecclesiastes is Solomon. Ecclesiastes is the reflection of an aged Solomon reviewing his life. His life was filled with success and excess, with faithfulness and faithlessness. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon reveals the emptiness of earthly things and contrasts that emptiness with the fullness of God. Ecclesiastes is a collection of inspired words from a man brought to repentance for a life that went astray. They are words written to direct us to God and to His love for the purpose of strengthening our faith and instilling courage in our hearts as we labor “under the sun” in this life on our way to glory in heaven.

COME! Study with us!

Note: During the summer months, we have been holding Adult Bible Study in the sanctuary on a trial basis. The trial will end this Sunday (August 31) and the location of Bible Class will be evaluated by the Board of Deacons. If you have any thoughts about the location of Bible Class, please share them with either or both of the pastors and/or a member of the Board of Deacons.