Devotion

The Lord is My Shepherd

Are there more familiar words in all of the Bible? These words have been the subject of numerous books. They are the chosen text for many funerals. They appear in much Christian artwork. They have become so familiar, however, that they can unfortunately pass through our minds and over our lips without much thought. Yet they speak so eloquently to our relationship with God and His relationship with us. They are both a profound confession and a confident affirmation.

A Profound Confession: “The LORD is my Shepherd!”

When we confess “the LORD is my Shepherd,” we are confessing two things. First, we confess that we are sheep subject to our God. Secondly, we acknowledge that God rules over us as our Shepherd.

Sheep can be and often are contrary animals. If there is a hole in the fence, a sheep will find it. If there is a noxious plant in a pasture, a sheep will eat it. If there is an alternate path to the correct one, a sheep will take it. We are by nature just like sheep! We look for loopholes. We imbibe, physically and spiritually, things that are not good for us. We like to march to the beat of our own drum, rather than that of the Lord. Isaiah was so very accurate when he wrote by inspiration: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6a).

How thankful we can be that our God has graciously redeemed us in spite of our contrary natures! Indeed, as Isaiah stated in completing the passage cited above: “The LORD laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6b). By God’s grace and through the intervention of the Holy Spirit, we have been saved from our waywardness and brought into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Consequently, He is our Shepherd.

It is to our Shepherd’s voice and none other that we are to listen (cf. John 10:4-5)! He has purchased us with His own blood so we belong to Him (cf. 1 Peter 1:18-19). He has pledged Himself to guard and keep us and to lead us through this life all the way to heaven (cf. John 10:27-28).

A Confident Affirmation: “I shall not want!”

A brief word of explanation—the word “want” here means “lack.” When we each affirm that “I shall not want” we are saying that we, with the blessing of the Lord, will lack nothing. There indeed may be many things in life that we “want,” but in the Lord we will always have what we need!

This affirmation reflects the promises of God. Jesus urges us: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). This affirmation also reflects the reality that is God. James reminds us: “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Our Shepherd possesses the authority and power to provide for our every need which He does each day in so many ways!

This affirmation speaks to the confidence that we, as the Good Shepherd’s sheep, can and do have in Jesus. We know that He will provide us with food and clothing (cf. 1 Timothy 6:8). We know that He will be with us at all times—the good and the bad (cf. Matthew 28:20). We know that He will forgive all of our sins (cf. 1 John 1:9). We know that He will provide us the wisdom we need to meet each day’s challenges (cf. James 1:5). What comfort is ours as we each confess and affirm that “the LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want!”

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting

Expansion/Relocation
Land Acquisition

Due Dilligence

As we enter the New Year, one major issue requiring our prayerful consideration as a congregation is the proposed purchase of the Muellerleile property. The offered price of $1,300,000 for the forty acres of land located near the southeast corner of Mankato, together with the approximately additional cost of $300,000 for assessments, makes this a very expensive project, although the cost could be reduced significantly through the sale of a portion of the property.

The high cost of this project could easily overshadow all other considerations leading some to ask: “Why even consider such a large project at this time, given the financial difficulties facing many of our members individually and our country as a whole?” While we are not yet certain it is the Lord’s will that we proceed—during the period of due diligence we will be attempting to determine that—let us try to put this project in perspective.

Perspective on the Possible Land Purchase

First of all, from a financial perspective, it may be helpful to compare previous projects undertaken by Immanuel as adjusted for inflation. It is interesting to note the challenges our congregation has met with previous land and building projects: [Inflation adjustment figures obtained from www.halfhill.com/inflation.]

• In 1866-1867 five families began Immanuel, investing a total of $2,500 in land and buildings which when adjusted for inflation would be $10,726 divided between the five families.
• In 1913 Immanuel built a new church on our present location at the cost of $43,384 which when adjusted for inflation would be $927,094.
• In 1969 Immanuel built its present school at a cost of $197,361 which when adjusted for inflation would be $1,175.918.
• In 1971 Immanuel Church was rebuilt and the present organ purchased at a combined cost of $327,185 which when adjusted for inflation would be $1,748,162.
• In 1989 Immanuel built the Multi-Purpose Facility at the cost of $340,000 which when adjusted for inflation would be $596,304.

Secondly, it is helpful to review the reasons why, over the years, the purchase of new property and a possible move has been advocated and why the voters by large majorities have up to this point supported the goal of property purchase. The following have all been discussion points:

• The advantage of a single-level facility—easier access to all areas for all of our members, especially those who are older or disabled (no steps, no need for elevators).
• The need for more parking—as our neighborhood has moved from primarily single families dwellings to multi-family dwelling parking spaces are difficult to find.
• The lack of storage space within our present building—all storage space is being utilized to the maximum; two temporary storage units have been acquired.
• The need for more classroom space—our current home economics program, art program, as well as chapel and study halls are located in the church fellowship area; the start of a desired pre-school program has been delayed because of the lack of space.
• The advantage of having a larger playground and an athletic field.
• The safety of the neighborhood—while neighborhood safety has improved in recent years, concerns remain especially among those people whose children attend our school.
• The possibility that new construction would provide a more energy efficient facility.
• A new location could enhance our visibility within the community and our attempts to reach potential new members and students.

Thirdly, whenever a congregation embarks on an expansion program, it is wise to view it from the perspective of the ministry—will it enhance the

Gospel ministry entrusted to us by God? Our primary purpose as a Christian congregation is to preach the Gospel! That is our great commission! “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Our congregation has sought to fulfill this commission for over 140 years through the regular preaching within our worship services and sponsorship of both television and radio ministries, by the support of our synodical missions, as well as through Christian education in the Sunday School and Christian Day School. We pray those efforts and even more will continue until our Lord returns. Consequently, we must take the broad view of what will be the best decision for our overall ministry in the long run. Will our overall ministry be better served in our present location, or in a new location? Does our present location allow for needed expansion or would we be better served by purchasing a larger piece of property?

Let us not fear the future, but rather embrace it as a time of opportunity and testing provided by our gracious God. Let us use the period of due diligence to “count the costs” (cf. Luke 14:28) to see whether the Lord will enable us to proceed with this purchase. Let us pray, above all, that God’s will be done in our midst, for therein and thereby we will alone experience His blessing!

—Pastor Paul D. Nolting

Financial Due Diligence

A large part of the due diligence that is necessary in determining whether we will move forward on the property purchase is a financial evaluation. There are two ways in which we are able to support this effort financially: 1) offerings/gifts, and 2) personal loans. Immanuel’s Board of Finance has developed forms for members to indicate their personal financial evaluation for this project.

The next page (p. 7) is a form for indicating an offering for the time of purchase (early in 2009—the offering can be delayed until the actual purchase would be approved), and for indicating what additional offerings could be anticipated in the next two years (quite obviously, this can only be a prayerful intent for use in the evaluation. These numbers are not binding).

The following two pages (pp.8-9) are a form for indicating what you would be able to provide to the congregation in personal loans.

The Finance Board, Council, and Voters will use the overall financial evaluation in determining whether to move forward with purchase.

Christian Women’s Retreat

The Christian Women’s Retreat will be held once again at the Days Inn Hotel and Conference Center in LaCrosse, WI on the weekend of April 17-19, 2009. The conference will focus on God’s thoughts from Isaiah 45:5-7, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness. I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.”

In addition to the main presentations, there will be an assortment of mini-session options. Participants will be able to choose from four of the following: Building Positive Relationships with Teens; Strengthening Families; Letting Kids Go; Parenting our Parents; Wine Tasting; Organizing Your Home; Menopause and Perimenopause; Decorating a Christian Home; Vacation Glamour; or Spa-riffic Body Care.

Time is also set aside to sing, to visit, to eat, and simply to relax and enjoy the Christian fellowship! The cost for double-occupancy is $150, triple-occupancy is $130, and quadruple-occupancy is $120. Those costs include rooms for both Friday and Saturday nights, a Friday evening snack, three meals on Saturday, and a Sunday breakfast.

The conference has been well-received each and every year. Ladies—please plan to join us!

Pictorial Directory

Olan Mills will be taking pictures of church members to be included in Immanuel’s Church Pictorial Directory. The pictures will be taken Friday, Jan. 2nd, Saturday, Jan.3rd and Wednesday, Jan 7th through Saturday, Jan. 10th.

Sign-ups are nearing completion, so if you have not signed up, expect a call from Olan Mills to offer you a time. If you have Caller ID, it should read “Church Directories.” If you would like to set or change an appointment, call Olan Mills at 800-866-2263 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm).

Each household that comes for photography & portrait viewing will receive a complimentary directory and 8x10 Custom Color Portrait. Additional portrait options will be available for purchase. Because of the time of year, Olan Mills is offering a 20% Holiday Discount on Portraits, and an additional 10% Senior Discount on Portraits. Please participate – the more pictures taken, the more bonus pages available for additional Church photos.

We are in need of photos of church activities or groups to include in the directory—if you have any, please email to jtheneman@live.com. Thank you!