Body

July/ Aug --- 2005 --- Sept / Oct

News and Notes - CONVENTION REMINDER

Fanatics Despise God's Word- Luther

Sermon on John 20:19-31- m.e.l.

Bringing into Captivity Every Thought- Luther

Our Augsburg Confession - Chief Article 21

Why Sins of the Saints Are Recorded- Luther

27th Annual Convention - Condensed Minutes

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~ FOR YOUR NOTICE ~

as is noted in our convention minutes:

THE 2006 ILC DELEGATE CONVENTION
is to be hosted by
Trinity Lutheran Church
of Balwin, Missouri

June 22 & 23, 2006
{{{{{ V.B.S. for the children is planned }}}}}

Please make early arrangements to attend.

We pray we will see you and your family there !

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 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.
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.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

It's amazing that the sectarians hold the spoken Word in such contempt, especially since Christ would have remained nothing but a spirit as far as His disciples were concerned had He not comforted them with His Word. Nobody but the devil himself wants us to ungird the sword. But the Scripture opposes him and says: "Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O most mighty, with Thy glory and Thy majesty." (Ps. 45:3).

After Schweinfeld (a contemptuous name for Casper von Schwenkfeld) had disputed with me for a long time he finally said: Mr. Doctor, you simply have to get these words "This is My body" away from your eyes, then we will have unity. Without doubt that is exactly the way the Pope handled things before he arrogated to himself alone the supreme power to interpret the Scriptures and in so doing crucified Christ. Let's by all means beware of the Word and we'll succeed in crucifying Him again.

"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

Grace be unto you and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, our risen Redeemer,

Our Scripture selection for today is yet another account of some wonderful things that happened after Jesus' bodily resurrection. We are indeed very blessed in having so many proofs of the fact that our Lord Jesus truly lives, and thus that He has indeed reconciled us to God the Father. Therefore, may the joy of Easter continue to dwell in us, as we, in view of our text and with the help of the Holy Ghost, ponder:

1) What happened in our text's first sign-filled Sunday showing of the Savior to His disciples

2) What happened in our text's second sign-filled Sunday showing of the Savior to His disciples

3) Why our text, and in fact the entire Gospel of John, has been penned and preserved to us

John chapter 20 begins by informing us of Jesus' resurrection on the first day of the week – Sunday – and how He was seen by Mary Magdalene and spoke with her. It was in the evening of that very same Sunday that Jesus came and stood in the midst of His disciples. Two of the twelve apostles were not present that evening: Judas Iscariot, the traitor, was not there because he had committed suicide by hanging himself (Matthew 27:5); and, Thomas was not in attendance at that time, as our text mentions in verse 24.

The disciples were assembled behind closed doors, for fear of the Jews. Jesus' followers had seen Him crucified and they feared that the Jews would do the same thing to them, so they were in hiding. Peter and John had seen the empty tomb with Jesus' linen grave clothes lying there and the napkin which had been about His head wrapped together in a place by itself (John 20:2-8). Yet, even John and the once bold Simon Peter cowered in hiding with the other disciples that Easter Sunday evening.

Notice that the doors were shut when Jesus appeared to His disciples. The glorified Lord Jesus uses His divine attributes fully – including His omnipotence – and thus no doors or walls can prevent His bodily presence from being visible wherever and whenever He wills. Just as Jesus had passed through the solid walls of the sepulcher, so He passed through the solid walls of that place where the disciples were assembled that Easter Sunday evening. Jesus is true God and true Man forever and ever!

Consider the first words that Jesus spoke in our text to His disciples: "Peace be unto you." It was not only a greeting given by Jesus to those folks, but He actually gave them peace– the peace that He had earned by His bitter sufferings and death on the cross. Jesus is also our Prince of peace. Jesus has made peace between us and God for He has reconciled us to God. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:19). Jesus is our Savior, for He paid for all of our sins in full with His holy and precious blood, and His resurrection is proof positive of that fact. Therefore, take it to heart that in the Gospel Jesus is saying to you: "Peace be unto you."

Fellow believers in Christ: our Lord Jesus says to you and to me in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." We have no need to fear! We need not fear the threats of God's holy law because Jesus has kept it perfectly for us! We need not fear eternal punishment in hell for our sins because Jesus has already endured that punishment for us! Oh beloved, it is as Romans 5:1 relates, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." By grace through faith in Christ we have personally received pardon and real peace. May we never cease thanking and praising Jesus for the peace He graciously gives us.

"And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." (John 20:20)

Jesus here assured His disciples that the peace He proclaimed to them was real, for He gave them a visual reminder of how He obtained peace for them, and for the whole world: Jesus showed them His wounded hands and side. Jesus' hands had nail prints in them and His side showed a pierced hole that was put there by a soldier's spear; Jesus' holy blood had poured from those wounds, and that is the blood that cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7), the blood that bought us peace with God (Colossians 1:20). Yes, the same Jesus Christ that was crucified is who rose from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity.

When Jesus showed His disciples His hands and His side, it was undeniable proof to them that it was indeed their Lord standing before them in the flesh, and not just a spirit, for in St. Luke's account we read that Jesus told them, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have" (Luke 24:39). This brought true joy to the disciples, for our text says, "Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." Their sorrow was turned into joy, just as Jesus had promised them in John 16:20 when He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy." My friends, Jesus never lies, we can count on His promises. We too should be joyful when we think on the fact that Jesus is risen indeed, for "he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). May we thank the Lord Jesus daily for the peace and joy we have with God through Him.

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." (John 20:21)

Jesus repeated His declaration of peace to His disciples. Jesus did not chide them for their cowardice as they were there hiding behind locked doors. However, Mark's Gospel reveals that Jesus did scold them for "their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen" (Mark 16:14). But, our loving Lord is forgiving, and so He once again pronounced peace to His disciples. Oh, how our Lord understands our weaknesses! Oh, how patient and loving Jesus is toward us! It is as our Lord reveals Himself to us in Jeremiah 29:11, where He declares: "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Let us be ever grateful for the Lord's grace, mercy and peace toward us.

With Jesus' message of peace and imparting of the same to His disciples, He also commissioned them to preach the Gospel when He said: "as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." Those followers of Jesus were not to remain behind closed doors, but they were to go forth with the message of pardon and peace in Christ Jesus. The disciples were to be preachers of God's Word, Law and Gospel, for Jesus told them in Luke 24:47, "that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Jesus had sent them on preaching tours before as He was training them, but after His resurrection His commission to them was, as Mark 16:15-16 puts it, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Just as Jesus had been sent by the Father to speak to the world those things which He heard of Him (John 8:26), to bear witness unto the truth (John 18:37), and to reveal Himself as the Truth (John 14:6), in other words, to speak God's Word; likewise, the disciples were sent by Jesus to preach God's Word, to publish the Gospel of Christ, and to proclaim Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), in other words, to preach Jesus as the Savior of the whole world. The disciples later did exactly that, for Mark 16:20 declares: "And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following." My friends, Jesus still sends His followers forth, and that includes you and me. May we therefore be faithful witnesses for Jesus, and supportive in spreading the pure Word of God to all nations, that all people may hear of the one true Savior– the Lord Jesus Christ.

"And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 20:22-23)

After Jesus had proclaimed peace to His disciples and commissioned them to go forth with the Gospel, He empowered them by imparting the Holy Ghost to them in an extra special measure. Now, it is true that the disciples had the Holy Ghost as soon as they believed, for all believers have the Holy Ghost, because 1 Corinthians 12:3 reports, "...that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." Therefore, it is apparent that our text is referring to an additional measure of the Holy Ghost being given to the disciples by the Lord.

The manner in which Jesus gave the Holy Ghost to His disciples is quite significant: He breathed on them. The Greek word that is translated "Ghost" in our text, and "spirit" elsewhere, is pneu/ma (pneuma) which means: breath, wind, spirit or ghost. Thus, Jesus literally breathed out His Holy Spirit upon the disciples, which proves that the Holy Ghost indeed proceeds from the Son of God, exactly as we confess in the Nicene Creed.

The Holy Ghost is who gave the disciples the ability to effectively preach the Gospel and also to forgive and retain sins. Note well the words of verse 23 of our text, "Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." "Ye" is plural, and so Jesus through His Holy Spirit gave all His disciples what we call "the office of the keys" – the ability to absolve of sin or withhold forgiveness. Understand that it is God who forgives sin, but He does it through men as our text clearly indicates. The office of the keys is, as Luther puts it, "the peculiar church power which Christ has given to His Church on earth to forgive the sins of penitent sinners, but to retain the sins of the impenitent as long as they do not repent." (Luther's Small Catechism) The office of the keys is indeed a "church power," that is, the power to absolve was given to all disciples – all Christians – for Jesus declares in Matthew 18:18-20, "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Hence, every Christian congregation has been entrusted with the office of the keys, and this peculiar church power is publically exercised through God's called ministers, for they are "the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God," states 1 Corinthians 4:1. May you and I heartily repent of our sins and by sincere faith accept the forgiveness of sins offered to us in the Gospel, for Jesus has indeed paid for all of our sins; therefore, may we place and keep our full trust and confidence in Him alone.

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came." (John 20:24)

The apostle named Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared among them on Easter Sunday evening. Thomas was also called Didymus, "Didymus" being the Greek name corresponding to the Aramaic name "Thomas" – both meaning a twin, two-fold or twain. We are not told why Thomas was missing that evening, but in any case his absence was obviously not very beneficial to his spiritual welfare. Let us remember that it is important for us to gather with our fellow Christians each week for worship, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). Absence from worship services is detrimental to our spiritual health.

"The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John 20:25)

Some time after Jesus left, the other disciples testified to Thomas that they had seen the Lord. Thomas did not believe them, but said, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." Not only did Thomas want to see the wounds in Jesus' hands, he wanted to feel those nail prints with his own finger and he wanted to thrust his hand into the spear hole in the Savior's side. Thomas wanted his own senses of sight and touch to be satisfied before he would believe, and he related that anything short of satisfying his senses would keep him in unbelief.

You know, it is sad that so many today are just like Thomas– they simply refuse to believe the good news of the risen Redeemer. Many folks demand that their senses be satisfied before they will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, if such people insist on waiting for that kind of proof it will finally come to them, but it will be too late for them to be saved because when Jesus visibly returns in glory to judge the quick and the dead, the time of grace will have ended. Make no mistake about it, everyone will come to believe in the reality of the risen Lord Jesus, but only those who trust in Him as their personal Savior will be saved from eternal doom. Pray that all people come to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ now, while they yet have time, lest they perish eternally, for Jesus Himself declares in John 12:48, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." And, John 3:36 states, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." There is no life without faith in Jesus Christ, for He is LIFE personified!

We have seen what happened in our text's first sign-filled Sunday showing of the Savior to His disciples. Let us now see what happened in our text's second sign-filled Sunday showing of the Savior to His disciples.

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." (John 20:26)

It was the Sunday following the previous incident when Jesus again appeared to His followers. Just as before, the disciples were gathered behind closed doors, but this time Thomas was also present with them, and Jesus again appeared suddenly and stood in the midst of them and said to them, like He did a week earlier, "Peace be unto you." They always needed Jesus' peace, and so do we. This was not just a greeting from Jesus, but He actually bestowed peace upon those folks gathered in that room.

"Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." (John 20:27)

The all-knowing Lord Jesus was fully aware of Thomas' thoughts and the statements that he had made to the other disciples, and so Jesus immediately and personally addressed Thomas and straightly told him not to be faithless, but believing. Think of the compassion shown here by the Lord. Jesus didn't tell Thomas to get lost; no, He knew that Thomas would be lost if he did not come back to faith in Him. Jesus wanted to restore that man's faith. Our loving Lord Jesus also calls us back to Himself when we stray. Jesus loves us and He truly wants us to be believing– to trust in Him as our Savior.

Thomas gave a beautiful personal confession here when he addressed Jesus: "My Lord and my God." You and I need to make the same personal confession to Jesus, we must each say to Him from our heart: "MY Lord and MY God." Jesus is Lord and Jesus is God! Jesus is not only a man, but He is the Lord God almighty, and each of us must own Him as such, because "all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him," says John 5:23. Yes, Jesus is true God and true man, the one true Savior of the world. May each and every one of us trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

Fellow Christians, note how our Lord pronounces a blessing upon us who by His grace have believed on Him. Jesus says here in our text, "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." Thomas believed because he saw the Lord Jesus visibly with the eyes in his head, but our Lord Jesus calls us who have only seen Him with the eyes of faith "blessed." Oh, we are indeed blessed, because if we did not have faith in Jesus Christ we would all be headed for hell. But realize that our faith is not something that we produced in ourselves, no, "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Faith is a gracious gift of God that He works in our hearts through His Word when it is preached or connected with water in Holy Baptism. And, by God-given faith in Christ Jesus we personally lay hold of the forgiveness of sins that He purchased for us with His holy blood. May we never cease thanking the Lord for His blessings upon us, especially the salvation that we have in and through Him.

We have seen what happened in our text's second sign-filled Sunday showing of the Savior to His disciples; let us now see why our text, and in fact the entire Gospel of John, has been penned and preserved to us.

"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." (John 20:30-31)

Many other miracles that Jesus did are not even recorded by John. In fact, John writes at the end of the last chapter of his Gospel: "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written" (John 21:25). No wonder Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be called "Wonderful" (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is indeed full of wonders! Certainly His supreme sacrifice of Himself on the cross of Calvary and His bodily resurrection are mighty magnificent wonders.

The signs that John did record for us by inspiration of God were written that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing we might have life through His name. God's Word is the means that the Holy Ghost uses to grant us faith in Jesus and keep us therein. We would not and could not know of Jesus if not for God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. We need to know Jesus' name, for Acts 4:12 informs us that, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." We need to know that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah foretold of old, the great High Priest who was anointed with the Holy Ghost without measure (John 3:34). We need to know that Jesus, true man born of the Virgin Mary, is also the Son of God, who was with God and was God from all eternity (John 1:1), for Jesus is the living Word, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

Truly, we need God's Word to sustain and grow our faith. Furthermore, people will continue to come to faith in Christ through the Word of God, because Jesus says in prayer in John 17:20, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word," thus indicating that the Word has been and always will be available to bring men to faith in Him. May we be truly thankful that God has given and preserved His Holy Word to us that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ; and that believing we might have life through His name, for Jesus IS the LIFE: no man comes to God the Father but by Him (John 14:6).

Today we have pondered two sign-filled Sunday showings of the Savior to His disciples. We have been blessed by witnessing the events as recorded in God's inerrant, preserved, Holy Word. We have seen our resurrected Redeemer and the peace that He gives. Let us go forward trusting in Jesus as our personal Savior and living Lord, thereby knowing the peace with God that passes all human understanding. Amen.

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In God's works and words we should surrender into captivity reason and all wisdom, as St. Paul teaches (2 Cor. 10:5), and we should allow ourselves to be blinded, led, guided, taught, and mastered so that we do not become the judges of God and His words. For we are certainly the losers by our judging when it comes to His words, as Ps. 51:4 indicates.
(W 26, 439 --- E 30, 292f --- SL 20, 1028)

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The Confession of Faith
which was submitted to
His Imperial Majesty Charles V

at the Diet of Augsburg
in the year 1530
by certain princes and cities

I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings,
and will not be ashamed.
Psalm 119:46

1] Of the Worship of Saints they teach that the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good works, according to our calling, as the Emperor may follow the example of David in making war to drive away the Turk from his country. 2] For both are kings. But the Scripture teaches not the invocation of saints, or to ask help of saints, since it sets before us the one Christ as the Mediator, Propitiation, High Priest, and Intercessor. 3] He is to be prayed to, and has promised that He will hear our prayer; and this worship He approves above all, to wit, that in all afflictions He be called upon, 1 John 2, 1: 4] If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, etc.

5] This is about the Sum of our Doctrine, in which, as can be seen, there is nothing that varies from the Scriptures, or from the Church Catholic, or from the Church of Rome as known from its writers. This being the case, they judge harshly who insist that our teachers be regarded as heretics. 6] There is, however, disagreement on certain Abuses, which have crept into the Church without rightful authority. And even in these, if there were some difference, there should be proper lenity on the part of bishops to bear with us by reason of the Confession which we have now reviewed; because even the Canons are not so severe as to demand the same rites everywhere, neither, at any time, have the rites of all churches been the same; 7] although, among us, in large part, the ancient rites are diligently observed. 8] For it is a false and malicious charge that all the ceremonies, all the things instituted of old, are abolished in our churches. 9] But it has been a common complaint that some abuses were connected with the ordinary rites. These, inasmuch as they could not be approved with a good conscience, have been to some extent corrected.

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This story is also recorded in order to illustrate that no man is so holy or stands so firmly that he cannot fall again. If this man could fall so deeply, is it surprising that we stumble? Yet this gives no one a covering or an excuse for sinning. Rather it is written as a comfort for those who believe, to keep them from despairing even though they fall now and then... If you do fall here or there, do not despair; rise again.

Therefore we shall also hear later on that Jacob the patriarch stumbled when he was weak and despondent and made a miserable showing. If God had not pictured the saints to us as playing the fool in this way, we could not learn to know His kingdom as consisting of nothing else than the forgiveness of sin. Therefore this record - that the praise and honor may rest, not on the works of men but on God's grace. Lot and Abraham could become as bad as I am. On the other hand, I can become as pious as they were.
(W 24, 355 - E 33, 373 - SL 3, 318 f)

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Sermon preached by Pastor Finke - Text: Isaiah 45:20-25 - Theme: "I am God: there is none else."

About Noon: Break for Lunch/Fellowship at Old Country Buffet courtesy of the gracious host Congregation.

About 2:20 p.m. meeting reopens with a Hymn and Scripture reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

1) President - Pastor Popp requests please move his report to tomorrow's agenda.

3) Treasurer - Report presented and accepted (noted that we were well under last year's budget.)

6) Lutheran Reformation Hour - Pastor Popp reports that he still has the same stations. Mail is picked up by his wife and Tim puts 36 sermons on each CD for the stations. If He has one for a special occasion, he just sends it separately. He is still trying to answer letters as best he can.

He could broadcast on Pan American to China, Japan, and those areas for about $110.00 per week. He remarks that even shortwave has it's problems (seasonal changes, weather affected interference, etc.). We must try to remember how lucky [he means blessed] we are to have God's Word preached clearly and truthfully right in our own midst.

7) Lutheran Theological Studies Center -
---Pastor Popp has 3 students.
---Pastor Finke has 1 student.
---Pastor Sempert has 1 student.
---Pastor Latsch's student is on extended leave trying to find more time to read.

Pastor Popp reminds us that the whole point of preaching is GLORIFYING CHRIST! Some are discouraged to become preachers because they feel that even their own witnessing is not effective at converting anyone; To which he replies: "God's Word doesn't tell us to convert them - it simply says we must tell them.";

and: "If we do not tell them, their blood is on our hands - but if we DO tell them, then CHRIST'S blood is on THEIR hands."

Preaching is not a job - It is a PRIVILEGE! St. Paul said that it does not matter how other people judge me or even how I judge myself, but what matters is how God judges us.

Cross of Christ in Midland, Michigan reports that things are about the same as last year. About 8 members - 5 or 6 take communion. They still hold services at the parsonage or sometimes at Mrs. Kregal's because she cannot drive a car.

Eternal Savior Church in Arbor Vitae, Wisconsin reports that they are meeting at the Bolger Funeral Chapel in Woodruff, WI. They have 18 members in regular attendance. Weekly worship services are followed by Sunday School and Confirmation Class and then Adult Bible Study.

Grace Church of New Lenox, Illinois reports about 60-65 members, 40-45 in regular attendance, (about 30 communicants). Sunday School -8; Bible Class - 11-12; There was some sort of delay with building permits so it looks like construction on the new building will be held off - till maybe next year.

Our Savior's in Morris, Illinois reports average attendance of 22-23; 18-19 communicants; 2 or 3 Sunday School attendees.

Reformation in Tinley Park, Illinois reports 10 regular members (8 communicants); 1 adult instruction; 1 confirmation; 1 seminary student. Weekly and Lenten and advent services are held.

St. James in Columbia Falls, Montana receives regular recorded weekly services --- Please remember them in our prayers.

Trinity of Balwin, Missouri reports 25 communicant members plus 11 baptized members. Soon the seminary students will be doing the Readings and Liturgy (except for communion Sundays).

About 3:30 Motion is made and passed to dispense with Committees and take all matters to the general assembly.

-Budget: Same figures as last year - $5,550 budget passed then a motion made and passed to send LRH donation of $1,000 and allot other items as proposed.

-Doctrine: Pastor Popp comments that the doctrine of church and ministry is so confused in most churches, but our congregations are autonomous - our ILC is NOT a ruling body. Any organization depends simply on the attitude of the hearts of those in it - we depend on God's Word to govern our hearts and our group (Conference).

-Education: Pastor Finke says that Koehler's Summary of Christian Doctrine has many questionable statements throughout and must be screened VERY carefully against God's Word. Koehler's is officially removed from the list of recommended teaching materials.

-Missions: Pastor Popp advises us not to get discouraged - missions are really always 'one on one' - one dying man witnessing to another.

The Paper on "Angels" by Pastor Latsch is postponed to tomorrow's agenda [due to the time].

10:00 - 10:45 Opening with Hymn 39 and prayer - (26 souls present) Setup took place after opening and previous day minutes were read and accepted with a few changes.

Pastor Latsch presents his paper on "Angels" and a lengthy discussion on angels and their deeds follows.

About 1:00 Lunch - again at Old Country Buffet, compliments of the Host congregation.

A standing motion had been made by Pastor Sempert (before lunch) to accept the "Angels" paper for printing in the ILC Journal with the addition of the clause "with auxiliaries" after "6,000 men" at the top of p.6. - Unanimously passed.

It is decided that Trinity of Balwin, Missouri will host - dates: Pastors - June 21 and Delegates- June 22 & 23 of 2006.

About 4:00 a motion is passed to encourage the host congregation to contact fellow congregations in hopes of arranging a "Vacation Bible School" to take place with the Conference meetings and also to encourage ALL families in our fellowship to make next year's Convention a family fellowship event.

About 4:20 a motion is made and passed to retain all officers in their present positions.

President: Pastor Wayne A. Popp
Vice President: Pastor Mark E. Latsch
Secretary: Mr. Dave R. Yeomans
Treasurer: Mr. Charles E. Clubb III
Visitor: Pastor Richard R. Finke
Historian: Mr. Dave R. Yeomans

4:25 a motion is passed to formally thank Reformation congregation for their hospitality and hosting of this convention.

The day's minutes are read and accepted and motion is passed to adjourn followed by Pastor Popp's closing comments.

Meeting ended about 5:10 with closing prayers and benediction and the singing of Hymn 660.

TLH - Hymn 660

I'm but a stranger here, Heav'n is my home;
Earth is a desert drear, Heav'n is my home.
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on ev'ry hand;
Heav'n is my fatherland, Heav'n is my home.

What though the tempest rage, Heav'n is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage, Heav'n is my home;
And time's wild wintry blast
Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last, Heav'n is my home.

There at my Savior's side Heav'n is my home;
I shall be glorified, Heav'n is my home.
There are the good and blest,
Those I love most and best;
And there I, too, shall rest, Heav'n is my home.

Therefore I murmur not, Heav'n is my home;
Whate'er my earthly lot, Heav'n is my home;
And I shall surely stand
There at my Lord's right hand.
Heav'n is my fatherland, Heav'n is my home. Amen.

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Thou whose almighty word Chaos and darkness heard And took their flight, Hear us, we humbly pray, And where the Gospel day Sheds not its glorious ray, Let there be light!	Thou who didst come to bring, On Thy redeeming wing, Healing and sight, Health to the sick in mind, Sight to the in-ly blind, Oh, now to all mankind Let there be light!
Spirit of Truth and Love, Life-giving, holy Dove, Speed forth Thy flight; Move on the water's face, Bearing the lamp of grace, And in earth's darkest place Let there be light!	Holy and blessed Three, Glorious Trinity, Wisdom, Love, Might! Boundless as ocean's tide, Rolling in fullest pride, Thro' the earth, far and wide, Let there be light! Amen.