“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

As we look toward the coming Academic Year, this year’s theme is “Connected.” The image of the vine with its branches comes to mind. And with that, we consider what it means in our lives …

When Jesus explained that He is the vine, he let us know that we should always stay connected to Him. The reason? That’s where receive all that we need for true life. And the next part is also true – something we tend to ignore – our task as branches.

First, we are connected to Christ. Then we are connected to each other. Next, we are to be reaching out – connecting – with those around us. In this way, we can draw others into a relationship with Jesus, grafting them into the vine.

Is there someone you have met that could use a little more Jesus in their lives? Then invite them – and more than that – welcome them to join in a Life Group. Or simply develop the relationship over a meal. Do not be afraid to share Jesus!

However you begin, be “Connected and Connecting” as you go through this season.

May you continue in making disciples in Christ,

Pastor Jim

Rev. James Kirschenmann, Intentional Interim Pastor

Immanuel Lutheran Church / Open Arms Child Development Center

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

There’s a story told - and I take it to be a parable because I hope it’s not true - of a country church which had a creeper - perhaps an ivy plant - growing up by the porch doorway. Over the doorway was a text carved in stone, "We preach Christ crucified".

Over the years the plant grew steadily, and a branch gradually spread over the doorway. The first word of the text covered by the leaves of the plant was "crucified" which reduced the text to "We preach Christ".

Well, we might think that’s unfortunate, but the essential part of our faith is still there. As time went on the branch spread further and covered over the word "Christ".

Now, this was serious, but it seemed to go unnoticed, and the message of the church to the world outside was reduced to "We preach" - it really had no message; the church was merely a “talking shop.”

I pray that, as you hear the Word proclaimed at Immanuel, you hear not only “We preach Christ crucified,…” but extending that to include the rest of the message… “… Risen, Ascended, and Returning.” For “… if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:14).

With that message, we hear of the hope we have and the hope we share – the forgiveness of all sins for all men for all time (eternity). So, as you go, be sure to share the WHOLE story.

May you continue in making disciples in Christ,

Pastor Jim

Rev. James Kirschenmann, Intentional Interim Pastor

Immanuel Lutheran Church / Open Arms Child Development Center

And the rod of the man whom I choose shall bud… On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. (Numbers 17:5, 8)

The people of Israel grumbled in the wilderness, as they seemed to have disagreements about who was truly in charge. So, God had Moses take the staffs of the chiefs of each tribe and brought them into the tent of meeting. The one that God would make to bud was to be a clear indication for all of the one whom God had chosen to continue the priestly duties.

Following that sign from God, the people were afraid that this meant that they would die if anyone approached the tent of meeting. We sometimes meet people who lean to one extreme or the other (and often both), just as those Israelites did at the time of Moses. When that happens, it is important to remember that your own identity is IN CHRIST

We have a great high priest in Christ, the One chosen by God to be our substitute - to satisfy God’s wrath against all mankind. You have no need to fear or be afraid, because you have been redeemed and restored to a right relationship with the Father. This was done FOR you with the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So, is the Christ within you budding, blossoming, and bearing almonds, the fruit of the Resurrection?

May you bear fruit in Christ,

Pastor Jim

Rev. James Kirschenmann, Intentional Interim Pastor

Immanuel Lutheran Church / Open Arms Child Development Center

Hark, the voice of Jesus crying, “Who will go and work today? Fields are white and harvests waiting – who will bear the sheaves away?” Loud and long the Master calleth; Rich reward He offers thee. Who will answer gladly saying, “Here am I, send me, send me”? LSB 826, stz. 1

The stanza above comes from a hymn based on Isaiah 6:8, Luke 10:2, Matthew 9:37-38, and Colossians 4:34. This hymn is found in the “Mission and Witness” section of our Lutheran Service Book. Throughout Holy Scripture, we find this query echoing, calling believers to be “Laborers together with God” in the harvest He has set forth in His Kingdom. That harvest is waiting…

Recently, the Transition Team proposed an over-arching “theme” encompassing our Vision statements. The query is similar to the above, inviting us to pray and ask, “How can I help my ______ experience Christ?” (Fill in the blank with whatever is facing you at the moment). Then listen for how the Holy Spirit moves you, and act upon that urging. And know that your labors are not in vain – God will create a blessing from your labor when you work together with Him and in His will.

So… What is God calling you to do today?

May you know peace in your Laboring Together with God.

In Christ,

Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

The promise of enjoying Jesus' glorious kingdom is made possible by His gracious provision.

In Ephesians 2:12b-13, Paul tells us that we were formerly "strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world..." but then adds the good news: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."

Christ came to us, to bring us in to the family, at great sacrifice and cost. Now we enjoy the unspeakable privileges of the King's hospitality – and are called to share that with others!.

Jesus is Our Spiritual and Social Example: The question that we must ask ourselves is whether or not we're practicing Jesus-like ministry. Many Christians see Jesus as a personal moral example (and rightly so), but not as a social example. But why not? When you become a Christian, your social life, how you interact with others, should change also.

While Jesus was separated from sin, He was never isolated from people. And He definitely wasn't the incarnate killjoy. Sinners loved being with Jesus. The poor and vulnerable found hope in Him. It was the religious pious that got upset with Him.

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." -  Hebrews 13:2

Following Jesus includes following His practice of Christian Hospitality — joyous, authentic, generous, countercultural and hope-filled hospitality. What we do today is “entertaining” with friends and family – not hospitality…

When Jesus says, "Come follow me," He isn't calling us to offer a class or start a program, but to follow His way of life. And that way includes opening up our homes and lives to others. But before we can do this, we must open our hearts… Open our hearts to true Christian Hospitality!

4 Practical Ways to Show Christian Hospitality:

1. Welcome everyone you meet. I mean this literally and figuratively. Extend a kind word to everyone you meet, but also, share your time, energy and life with others — especially those who may need you more than you need them. Jesus welcomed strangers and outcasts (see Luke 19:1-10). In the same way that Zacchaeus was a "son of Abraham" and worthy of Jesus' time, the outcasts and marginalized in our society (that you are called to interact with) are loved by God and worthy of your time too.

2. Engage people. Engage others with the mindset of being like Jesus, not just inviting them to a function at your church (see Romans 12:13-20). This kind of engagement involves a personal connection, not just a "connection" via text or social media — I'm talking about face-to-face interaction.

3. Make meals a priority. Many of Jesus' striking moments occurred around meals (and Lutherans do food really well!). Invite a person to a meal and serve him or her. Pay for the meal if possible, pray for your guest specifically and serve him or her. Use mealtimes to build relationships and talk about things that really matter.

4. Pay attention. We all interact with people at work, at church, at school and in our communities. But how many of these people hide their problems or are ones that often go unnoticed? Take some time out of your day to stop, look around and show kindness to others – ask if you can pray with them. Your uplifting word or kind action may change someone's life forever.

We are, as a Christian congregation and individually, Blessed to Be a Blessing to Others.

Share some Christmas Blessings, in Christ,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church / Open Arms Christian Child Development Center

Excerpted from Tony Merida’s book, Ordinary (B&H Publishing) – modified by Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

³We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,⁴since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,⁵because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. - Colossians 1:3-5

We give thanks and praise to God that, as of October 7, 2022, we learned that the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS has approved our amended constitution with our new MISSION STATEMENT.  So, it is now official! We now begin the task of living out that mission statement as we have already laid out the Vision Statements and begun to define the corresponding Strategies for the next 3-5 years.

AND… we can begin using the newly designed LOGO on all of our media properties. Just as a reminder, that new MISSION STATEMENT has 3 components:

ENCOURAGING one another in Faith,
          by GROWING in God’s Eternal Word,
                     and SHARING the Love and Grace of Christ.

As we approach this year’s Thanksgiving, let us do so with this mission statement in mind and pray that God continues to bless us that we might be a blessing to others.  Rather than giving thanks on a single day, may we continue to LIVE in a way that shows our grateful hearts as we strive to care for our community in many and various ways.  In other words, may we this year begin THANKS LIVING!

Grace and Peace in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. Deut. 30:17-18a

In this Season after Pentecost, and especially in September this year, the words from Jesus are particularly hard to hear… they make us cringe as we are convicted of how wrongly we, like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, are oriented – toward the ways of the world and not toward the ways of God.

These are hard words, but necessary for us to hear, as we are called to follow Christ and change our ways.  Throughout the month of August, our sermons have dealt with the phrase “Get Used to Different.”

Different? You say… in what ways?  The whole point is that, as Peter tells in his first epistle,

“you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
- (1 Peter 1:5)

Holy – meaning different – set apart – for God. As followers of Christ, we live a different life and have a different view of how the world SHOULD be.  But there are times when these words are hard to hear…  It is often so much easier to follow the world and go along with whatever others believe – don’t make waves, keep your head down, follow the crowd.

Jesus, however, calls us to repentance and points us to His cross to see forgiveness and the true meaning of a love that lasts. When the Holy Spirit directs, that day will come… as the prophet Isaiah gives us words of hope,

“In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.” Isaiah 29:18

With the gift of Faith, let us have ears to hear and eyes to see… and LIVE as God leads us.

Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

When the Transition Team held a “Listening Session” on May 15, 2022, one of the key desires of the congregation was to have opportunities for regular Christian Fellowship. It was mentioned that dinner at people’s houses and other ways of furthering relationships was important in our faith community to be building one another up in Christ.

We read about this in Acts 2:42-47, as being important to the first Christians…

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:46-67

This brought to my mind something I had heard about a few years back where a group of 4-6 people agree to come together once a month for 3 months (a different host each month) and simply share a meal and possibly invite others (it is recommended that groups be no larger than 8 people). Some call it “Dinner with Friends.”
After 3 months, the members of the group rotate into other DWF groups.

This falls right in line with what the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica…

11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

If you might be interested in starting a “Dinner with Friends” group, please contact the Church Office and we will start setting things up.

Encouraging? I pray you continue to do so…

Grace and Peace in Christ,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

Springtime in this area can be both beautiful and hazardous, but always brings that sense of “newness.” Nature seems to awaken quickly as the colors of spring abound – trees bud out and leaves appear, flowers pop up from what seemed to be a completely dormant state. Birds, animals and even insects show renewed activity.

There is a certain excitement and energy that comes with all of this... Certainly, celebrating the Resurrection of our LORD in the middle of the month (April 17) seems to provide an “exclamation point”!

In our readings, we will hear from the prophet Isaiah as he gives us God’s Word,

“For behold, I create new heavens

and a new earth,

and the former things shall not be remembered

or come into mind.”

We are reminded during our Lenten journey to repent, and bring all our sins to the foot of the cross of Christ, where he bears them in his body as it is crucified, taking the punishment we deserve. As he took our sins to the grave, he left them there, rising to New Life on the third day. Our creation story now becomes New – an eighth day of Re-Creation – and our life in Christ is a New Life.

As we rejoice in His Resurrection, we hear the promise of our own resurrection to come, on the Last Day. So, as we hear in Isaiah 65:18, “be glad an rejoice forever in that which [He]” Re-Creates… in Christ,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

February, with Valentine’s Day, brings to mind the concept of “Love.” What do you love?

I love teaching… and I love teaching Catechism Classes. So it is with great joy that I share with all of you what was recently shared with our latest class of confirmands, as we are going through our lessons on the
Ten Commandments from Luther’s Small Catechism.

We often see the “two stone tablets” depicted as huge towering blocks that appear quite heavy. The image of something very “weighty” is appropriate for rules with such gravitas. But… I’ve always found it somewhat humorous that those big blocks only have Roman Numerals (I, II, II on one block and IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X on the other). You see, Rome (founded in 753 B.C.) was not even in existence at the time of Moses! And the tablets themselves had NO numbering (Hebrew uses letters instead of numbers)… More likely, the tablets themselves were sized as you see in this picture – able to be easily held in one hand and fit in a pocket. That kind of makes you wonder – what else have we mistaken about the Ten Commandments?

Most of the world probably thinks of them as “Thou Shalt Not” rules and restrictions.

But they are really all about LOVE. Romans 5:8 puts it this way…

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

It all boils down to this: God loves you AND your neighbor and your response is simply to reciprocate. As Jesus tells us in Matthew 22: 37 & 39… the first and greatest commandment is this:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
(see also Deuternomy 6:5).

And the second is like the first:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (see also Leviticus 19:18).

So, the next time you think of the Ten Commandments, think of God’s LOVE.

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

That phrase is often used in our secular world in a negative context; for example, in a third-person perspective of “[person] gives negative comments as effectively as those being dished out against [him/her/them]“… And so often the case is that we are proud of the fact that we can lambast another with a slur that tops whatever they said against us.

But… what if?  What if this season we turn that around and flip it into a POSITIVE mindset?  What if we were to build others up (see Ephesians 4:29), rather than tearing them down? What if we were to focus on what could make things better, instead of focusing on what does (or could) make things worse?

What if we were to GIVE hope, encouragement, trust, kindness, compassion, and care?  And what if we were to become an example of that type of giving – all year ‘round? Would that make a difference in our world?

As we’ve been studying the Acts of the Apostles, we recently came across the following passage from Acts 20:35 (ESV):

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

As you (hopefully) still have the remnants of Giving Thanks on top of mind, meditate also now on what God has given you (John 3:16),

  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

So, my encouragement for you this day, this month, this year (and the next) is to give an example, as the Apostle Paul did for us, and to remember that to ‘Give as good as you get’ also means you need to realize just how much you have been blessed – to the point of receiving eternal life… in paradise… with Christ Jesus!

Give even as it has been given to you… in Christ,

Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

Pumpkin Spice, s’mores around a campfire, a cozy blanket … all the things that come to my mind when the season turns to Autumn. 

This is the time of year when we shift from cooling ourselves in the heat of summer to warming ourselves on brisk evenings.

And therein lies the contrast…

The difference between a Hot Seat (anxiety) and having heated seats (warmth) on a chilly morning.

There is a contrast in spices; chili peppers can be hot, while pumpkin spice creates warmth.

And so it is with those who believe in Christ.

Saying you are a Christian stands in contrast to being together in the Body of Christ.

Scripture tells us that WARMTH comes from gathering together:

²⁴ And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25

Gathering together for the purpose of stirring up one another

– creating warmth that spreads to all those we meet. 

I know I need that encouragement on a regular basis. How about you? 

What can you do to help “share the warmth” of Christ in your life today?

Stay Wrapped Up in Christ,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

Star Trek fans will readily identify with the concept of Terran life as being carbon-based.  It seems that all life-forms on this earth are fundamentally based on the element carbon.  Star Trek posed a curious question about what would happen if there were life-forms based on other elements – silicon, for example – and then proceeded to give a look at how we “Terrans” might interact with other life-forms.  Often there is conflict, but the intent is to find harmony, peace.  We find harmony when we can establish some “common ground” and common cause that draws all life-forms together.

As we embark on a new academic year, many are looking forward to the National Youth Gathering in 2022.  The theme chosen for this gathering is “In All Things” and is based on Colossians 1:15-20. You will see this on publications and wall hangings in the months ahead. The reason for this theme is that the Apostle Paul is writing about Jesus Christ. Paul writes,

“¹⁹ For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

That makes me curious… Rather than seeing ourselves as carbon-based life-forms, what if we really, honestly believed that Jesus Christ is the basis for ALL Life? Would that change our interaction with others? Would that make you want to share the hope that we have for a life in Christ?

He is, after all, “In ALL Things”!

Peace in Christ,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

When I was a kid in the 1960’s, this time of year always brought with it anticipation… There was anticipation of outdoor BBQ’s, squirt guns, swimming pools, baseball, hot dogs, etc. Thinking back, the most indelible memory is that of the red & white striped box with caramel popcorn & peanuts with the promise on the outside of the box ”Prize Inside!” …  okay, so later it was changed to “surprise inside” as the incentives got to be less and less over the years.

But maybe you remember those days of summer, sitting outside with lemonade, munching away on the contents of that box, eagerly anticipating the point at which you could get to that ‘treasure’ – usually it had been strategically planted in the BOTTOM of the box.  And possibly, like me, you sometimes raced through eating the stuff just so you could get to that “prize.” And then, opening the little packet, after much anticipation, you suddenly realized that in your haste you hadn’t really enjoyed the popcorn and peanuts in the process.  And that’s when it hits you that the “prize inside” wasn’t really worth all that you went through to get it!

he Apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians, gives this bit of encouragement in chapter 3:

^“13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

No matter what you’re going through at the moment, no matter what obstacles you face or what challenges are presented, you can be absolutely certain that the “prize” that awaits you at the end of it all is far greater than anything you can possibly imagine – Eternal Life in Paradise with Christ!  The prize won for us, not by our own effort, but by the all-availing sacrifice of the Son of God and bought with His body and blood on the cross.

Consider, as you go through this next month, that you have freedom from the wages of sin, death, and the devil, because of what Christ has already done for you. And continue to press on… making disciples of Jesus along the way.  The “Prize” waiting for you is definitely worth it!

Grace, Mercy, and Peace in Christ,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

We have made it through… through the April showers, taking a moment or two to smell the flowers of May. Now June is suddenly upon us. Things are heating up… Places are opening up (Hallelujah!)… Choices now abound… a constant parade of choices!

Remember that God’s mercies are new every morning. As you consider the many decisions that are facing you, be mindful of where your trust lies – what is the Source of your trust?

The prophet Jeremiah, speaking God’s word to the Israelites as they were coming out of exile, gave the following encouragement,

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,

    whose trust is the LORD.

8 He is like a tree planted by water,

    that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

    for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

    for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

- Jeremiah 17:7–8 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord and the outcomes are guaranteed.

Trusting in your abilities and knowledge and insight? Sure. But do not rely solely on those. This does not mean you do not apply yourself or consider the learnings from the past – what worked and what did not…

You do all of that. But you do it planted beside the stream of Living Water – planted in God as the Source.

Trusting in the Creator who made you to make decisions. Whose Son redeems you. Whose Spirit enables you to make wise choices. Pray for that wisdom. Seek His will. Let Him guide you.

Live – planted in the Source of all true prosperity. With that water, bear fruit year after year…

Peace and Joy in Christ,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

Somewhere in mid-October it comes out of my closet – that red hooded sweatshirt. Big, bulky, comfy, and warm. It is a fairly regular companion until it gets tucked neatly away in spring.  But even during the summer months, it brings an assurance – knowing it is there… Yes, it guards against the winter winds and wraps me, comforts me, during those cold, dark nights. But there’s something more – something it brings to mind, even during the months when I would not wear it.

You see, screen-printed on this sweatshirt are the lyrics of a song by Mercy Me, “Bring the Rain” an excerpt follows …

        And I know there'll be days
        When this life brings me pain
        But if that's what it takes to praise You
        Jesus, bring the rain

Maybe you have a favorite piece of apparel, a favorite lyric, or a verse of scripture that helps you get through those tough times, those storms in life.  Whatever it is for you, know that my prayer is that God would use it to wrap your heart with His abiding and steadfast love, like a big red hoodie.

As storms blow by, know that Christ is greater than the pain, that by suffering His destiny, He has made a way for you. So, what’s a little rain, when you have eternity to praise Him?

While you experience showers, in April or other times, perhaps Isaiah 45:8 (NIV) might be a comfort to you:

     ⁸ “You heavens above, rain down my righteousness;
            let the clouds shower it down.
        Let the earth open wide,
            let salvation spring up,
        let righteousness flourish with it;
            I, the Lord, have created it.

Have a happy and blessed Easter Season!

In Christ,
Pastor Jim Kirschenmann

Not quite what you were expecting, eh?  As we begin the month of February, many will be thinking of Valentine’s Day.  Well, due to an interesting feature of our 3-year lectionary calendar, February 14, 2021 is also the celebration of The Transfiguration of our Lord. What better way to transition from the season of Epiphany and into the Season of Lent than to remember that God is Love.

1 John 4:9-11 states it beautifully:

⁹ In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 

True love is that which flows from God and through us to those around us. As we reflect on the sacrifice made on our behalf, we enter the season of Lent, beginning with “Ash Wednesday” on February 17, 2021. Due to concerns about COVID-19, there will be no imposition of ashes this year, but we will remember that [we] are dust and to dust [we] shall return (see Genesis 3:19).

As we proceed through the season of Lent, we will have devotions available for your daily meditations, as well as midweek devotions online on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm.  We will be focusing on the Gospel of Mark for our Sunday messages and recognizing that ‘seeing is not believing.’ May we continue to ‘see’ through the eyes of faith and share that gift of knowing God’s love.

Peace and Joy in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim Kirschenmann