The Essential Ingredient in Any Education

Can a person make it through life believing that 2 + 2 = 5? Probably so, but he might have to hire an accountant. Can a person make it through life believing the Civil War was fought before the Revolutionary War? No doubt, but he should probably hire a personal assistant to check his facts before making a speech in public. Can a person make it through life without knowing for sure whether metatarsal bones are in his hand or in his foot? In all likelihood, but he will want to engage a knowledgeable family physician. There are many things we do not need to know to make it through life, but there is one thing we absolutely must know: That Jesus Christ is this world’s Savior and Lord. Everyone must know this if he wants to have any hope of everlasting life! The Bible says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). The apostle John quotes Jesus who says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Religious instruction is, therefore, the one essential ingredient in any education!

Our thoughts are returning to school as September approaches. We are busy buying notebooks and pencils, rulers and erasers—all so that our children will learn to read and write and count. But all of that learning will ultimately be of no avail if we do not take the time to lead our children to Jesus! That is why when Moses instructed the children of Israel about the education they would provide their children in the Promised Land, he told them concerning God’s Word: “These words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Moses, who was highly educated in the schools of Egypt, knew the answer implied by the question Jesus would later ask: “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26) There is no profit for such a man, even though he should gain the best education this world has to offer!

Therefore, parents—determine for yourselves to follow the instruction of the apostle Paul: “Bring up your children in the training and admonition of the Lord!” (Ephesians 6:4). Such training involves much more than merely teaching our children the difference between right and wrong—simple morality. Rather, it is religious instruction aimed at and leading your children to know Jesus—to know His truths regarding the Law and the Gospel. Children must learn to understand and know their sin and the consequences of sin, to be led by the Spirit to repentance, and then to be drawn to their Savior by God’s grace. This will help them lay a spiritual foundation which will not crack or give way during the hardships of life, but which will last throughout eternity!

Our parents who choose to use our Immanuel Lutheran School have the assurance of knowing that these truths will be emphasized daily by our teachers in classroom devotions, chapels, and religion classes. Our parents who choose to use the public schools would do well to involve their children in Sunday School and mid-week confirmation instruction, where once again their fellow Christians will help them lead their children to Jesus. These services, however, are not enough, because religious instruction is most effective and is most importantly to be found in each home. It is when parents take the time to sit down with their children on a daily basis to read and discuss God’s Word that children will truly be brought to Jesus. It is at the family altar when fathers and mothers lead their children in prayer that minds are shaped and hearts molded by the Spirit of our Savior God!

Mathematics, history, biology, English are all important elements of any child’s education, but the one essential ingredient in any education is religious instruction, which leads a child to Jesus! May God impress this truth on our hearts, and may His Spirit move us to action!

Pastor Paul D. Nolting

Christian Education Opportunities at Immanuel

Sunday School and Youth Forum classes begin September 11th! Opening Devotion begins in the church at 8:15 a.m., classes begin at 8:30 a.m.

The opportunity to study and grow in God’s Word through Sunday School and Youth Forum is for all, including those who attend our Christian Day School. It is an opportunity for all the youth of Immanuel to grow in the Lord together!

Our God Is An Awesome God

CLC Youth Conference 2005

A bus and two vans departed from Mankato on August 8, 2005, heading southwest to Como, Colorado. Many boarded the bus thinking, “Why am I going to this conference again?” Others were excited to meet new faces as well as chat with familiar ones. After a stop in Wall, South Dakota, and an overnight lodging arrangement at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rapid City, we were on our way. None of us truly knew what was in store, but we were eager to make the journey.

Como, Colorado is a small town. Less than forty people inhabit the place that resembles a slum district with broken-down outhouses. I guess it goes without saying that when we saw the town, we were not too excited to be there. Thankfully, Mr. Paul Stelter, our bus driver, kept driving through the town until we reached our destination at an elevation of 10,125 feet. As soon as we got to our campground, we all had to admit how great our God is to have created such breath-taking scenery. Rocky Mountains everywhere!

Our camp sessions began late Tuesday night with Pastor Paul Nolting telling us how life is a gift from our Heavenly Father. The week’s succeeding sessions centered on the theme “Lift High, Live Strong,” based on the Galatians 5 passage, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control, against such there is no law.” Each of these fruits (nuggets) was discussed by our amazing speakers including Pastor Luke Bernthal, Dr. Jim Sydow, Professor Mike Sydow, Pastor Dave Povolny, and Tina Eichstadt.

Kristen Nolting was in charge of all the music for this year’s conference. She did a spectacular job of making sure we all knew why we were at this conference and by teaching us some very uplifting tunes. We sang many songs, but decided on only three to sing for the worship service at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakewood (Denver), Colorado, on our return trip. I think everyone’s favorite song was “Praise His Name.” (If any of you readers want to know why, you will find out when you watch the 2005 Youth Conference film.)

The Christian fellowship was a definite blessing of this conference. With close to 78 CLC youth along with 18 top-notch counselors and speakers, one was likely to meet new people. In discussion groups and, of course, at lunch, many friends were made and many deep subjects were broached. The skit and talent show night was extremely inspirational and entertaining. It even included Brent Schreyer and Company singing the old German favorite, “Du Bist Ein Musikant”. A sometimes hilarious but fun-filled night was had by all.

At the conclusion of Saturday night and reaching into early Sunday morning, we had time to sit around the fireplace and reflect on our week with the Lord as well as our thoughts about returning home. We could sense the Lord’s presence among us! We reassured each other that, “the Holy Spirit’s got your back.” It was a very emotional and a spiritual time for all of us. I believe many young people were drawn closer to their Lord that night.

Making memories has never been as much a blessing as it was at Youth Conference 2005. Friends, skits, hikes, whitewater rafting, music, and our Lord’s continuing presence, summarize the blessings of this year’s conference. What was so beautiful about this year was that it was a brand new Youth Conference, but it still contained the same old message of Christ’s love. That message is the only thing that is unchanging in this sinful world, and further proof that “Our God is an Awesome God.”

Alison Hansen

Women in the Word

Recollection of Past Blessings…

CLC Women’s Retreat—April 2005

The CLC Women’s Retreat, held from April 1-3, 2005, was by every standard blessed by the Lord with success! A record 83 women met at the Marvin M. Schwan Retreat & Conference Center for this spiritually uplifting and thoroughly relaxing weekend in the beauty of northern Wisconsin.

The conference theme, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD” (Psalm 33:12), focused the women’s attention on issues confronting Christians in America. Interesting presentations on world views, supposed overpopulation, the balance between man and nature, marriage, and individual rights led to an examination of Scriptural principles and spirited discussions. Mini-sessions ranging from “A Holy Land Tour” to “Financial Independence” to “Therapeutic Massage” perked people’s interests throughout the afternoon hours. Rhonda White, an Army Reserve nurse who served recently in Iraq and as the banquet speaker, brought tears to many eyes with her presentation entitled, “Shining you Light in a Non-Christian World.”

Christian fellowship is and always has been an important aspect of the conference. Laughter could be heard coming from the sleeping quarters long into the night and early in the morning. It was rumored that those who opted this year for housing in the retreat lodge enjoyed their visits in a hot-tub! Pastor L.D. Redlin led the conference in worship Sunday morning, urging all of the women to be the salt and the light in our world that God has made them to be!

Plans have already become for the next CLC Women’s Retreat to be held in April 2006.

Promise of Future Blessings…

Christian Women’s Seminar—October 1

Matthew 5:16 … Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

These words of our Savior will be the theme for the upcoming Christian Women Today Seminar on October 1. The sessions will give us the opportunity to explore four aspects of letting our light shine:

• How to receive the light
• How to use the light
• The consequences of losing the light
• How to increase the light

Join us for what promises to be a wonderful day of fellowship! We’ll be getting acquainted or reacquainted with other Christian women as we study God’s precious Word to arm ourselves for our day to day lives.

Plan to bring your arts and/or crafts to display. Also, we’ll be needing volunteers for food preparation—Please let Ruth Mueller (387-6788) or Kelly Fleischer (344-1916) know if you can help.

News & Notes

Immanuel’s Evangelism Group meets monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Conference Room. Our next meeting is September 6th — we would love to see you there!

Visit our website to find school calendars and schedules, church calendars, sermons, Bible Studies, and much more! If you haven’t visited in a while, check out what’s new! It’s your online resource to the ministry at Immanuel.

Church: www.immanuelmankato.org

School: www.immanuelmankato.org/school

School Locker Project

Upper Hallway Ordered!

The School Locker project is progressing very well! We have received funds to purchase the lockers for the Upper Hallway! The plan is to install them in October during the school break. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to make this possible!

Update and Deadline

Since the inception of the project, the cost of steel and shipping has caused the price per locker to increase. The new price for each locker is $103. This price will be good if ordered by Thanksgiving, November 24, 2005. This would call for delivery and installation during Christmas break.

How to Contribute

A display of the Lower Hallway is set up in the school entryway with a tag for each locker. The Lower Hallway has one run of 68 lockers. Simply remove a tag form a locker and insert it in the provided envelope with your gift. Any dollar amount is welcomed. Please make checks out to Immanuel Lutheran School. Drop the envelope in the basket provided or mail it to Immanuel Lutheran School, 421 N. Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001. If you have questions about the project, you may contact Diane Bode at 345-3027.

ILS Fall Athletic Schedule

Dates and times of games may be subject to change in circumstances beyond our control. Watch the bulletin for any changes. You may call the school (345-3027) on game day to verify times.

* Denotes HOME Game

Grade School

Volleyball

Soccer

High School

Volleyball

Soccer

Dates and times of games may be subject to change in circumstances beyond our control. Watch the bulletin for any changes. You may call the school (345-3027) on game day to verify times.

* Denotes HOME Game

Seminar Survey

From time to time it is beneficial to use God’s Word and gather together with fellow Christians for focused study and discussion on specific life issues and topics. In the past we have done this through seminars on parenting, marriage, and a few other topics. During the next 4-6 months we would like to create one or more opportunities for this type of study and discussion. We may also seek to make use of an opportunity for outreach by offering it to the community. To better plan these opportunities, your input on the following survey will be greatly appreciated. Please indicate the seminar(s) that most interest you. Check all that apply.

Please return surveys by September 15

Completed surveys may be returned

• to the box in the narthex or by mail to the church,
• by email (wayne.eichstadt@immanuelmankato.org),
• or online: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=605831298443

Specific duration of seminars, dates, and other details will be announced as they become available.