Bulletin – Dec 6
UPCOMING EVENTS (God-willing)
Today 10:00 Bible Class (Daniel 9)
5:00 Information Class
6:30-8:00 Open Gym
Tuesday 7:00 Elders
7:30 Council
Wednesday 3:10 Faculty Meeting
3:45 Confirmation Class
7:00 Mid-week Advent Service
8:00 Voters’ Meeting
Next Sunday 9:00 Worship Service
10:00 Christmas Eve Practice/Bible Class
6:30-8:00 Open gym
December 18 7:30 ILC Christmas Concert
ILC Retirement
Last week Professor John Pfeiffer announced to the Regents his retirement effective at the end of this current academic year. He had previously announced his intent to retire at the end of the 2016-17 school year, but some recent complications with health issues have led him to move up the date since he knows that time is needed in order to call another faculty member. The process for replacement is underway and further announcements will be forthcoming. We thank the Lord for the use of Prof. Pfeiffer’s theological gifts for the edification of the congregations he served and for preparing pastors for ministry in our church body! May the Lord bless him in this next phase of his life and continue to enable him to use his extensive gifts in the Lord’s kingdom.
Advent candles
The general interpretation for the Advent wreath is as follows:
The wreath itself is made of evergreen boughs and in a circle. This is symbol of eternal life. Blue is the color of Advent because it is the color of the sky. We look to the sky for Jesus’ second coming, and at His first coming the shepherds’ eyes were drawn to the sky at the announcement of the angels.
1st Candle: Prophecy candle. A reminder of the numerous prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the coming Christ.
2nd Candle: Bethlehem candle. Focuses on a single prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. This reminds us of the humility of Jesus’ birth.
3rd Candle: Shepherd candle. Advent is a season of repentance, yet pink is a color of joy. The shepherds are an example of the joy found in Jesus’ birth.
4th Candle: Angel candle. At the coming of Jesus, God’s special messengers were used to convey messages to Zacharias, Mary, Joseph, and to the shepherds.
Christ-Child Candle: The candle in the center is white as a symbol of purity and holiness.
Mission Helper Trip 2016
Information and applications for next summer’s Mission Helper trip to India may be found at mht.lutheranmissions.org or by contacting Pastor Todd Ohlmann at toddohlmann@clclutheran.com. The deadline for applying is January.
Nominations for ILC President
The Board of Regents invites nominations for the office of President of Immanuel Lutheran College. The current term of Professor Steve Sippert expires June 30, 2016. All pastors, professors, male teachers, and voting members of the CLC are entitled to nominate a man from the faculty of Immanuel Lutheran College to serve a two-year term beginning July 1, 2016. Nominations must be written or E-mailed no later than midnight January 5, 2016 to: Mr. Craig Ryan; 499 Country Lane; Fulda, MN 56131; E-Mail: cryan@page1printers.com.
Maintenance Position at ILC
With the retirement of Ron Porath at the end of March, Immanuel Lutheran College will have a vacancy in the position of a full-time maintenance man. Interested applicants may direct inquiries about the position, applications, and resumes to ILC president, Prof. Steve Sippert (steve.sippert@ilc.edu or 715-836-6620). The deadline for applications is January 10.
Doctrinal Discussions Continue between the CLC, the ELS, and WELS
Representatives from the Church of the Lutheran Confession, the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod met in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on November 13 to continue formal doctrinal discussions. The group made final edits on a joint statement on the biblical doctrine of fellowship. This statement had been adopted by the group as a draft in an earlier meeting and had been shared with the doctrinal committees of all three synods. Comments from those committees were considered in the writing of the latest draft. The revised statement will be shared again with the doctrinal committees for additional input.
The group also spent a portion of the meeting addressing how the biblical doctrine of fellowship is applied in various situations. One significant area of discussion is how the biblical fellowship principle impact participation in various organizations that may have religious elements in their governing documents or in how the organizations function. Another subject for discussion was the biblical doctrine of the role of men and women in the church, in marriage, and in society. Discussion of these matters will continue at the next meeting, planned for early in 2016.
The talks have been constructive and positive, with all involved fully committed to a faithful understanding and application of God’s Word.