† Sunday, February 28, 2016 †
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Luke 13:3: “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The season of Lent is all about repentance: turning back to the Lord, away from our sins, in faith. We know that it is only in the Lord that we can find salvation. So we do well in this season of repentance to examine ourselves, asking questions like, “What is trying to keep me away from Jesus? What is a temptation I face? What is a sin I need to repent of and leave behind?” Then we turn to the Lord for the strength to leave these sins behind, and for the courage to follow Him in faith and faithful living.
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.
TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL we study the calling of Jesus’ first disciples with “Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael.” In Jesus, access to heaven is given to all who believe. You might discuss, “How did Philip and Nathanael know that Jesus was the Christ? How do we learn that Jesus is the Christ?
THE MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES under the theme from the Book of Job, “Learning To Lament” will begin Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The Boards of Trustees and Education will serve a spaghetti meal at 5:30 p.m. in the church basement. The meal Offering will be split between Summer Sunday School and Wittenberg Lutheran Center.
LENTEN DEVOTIONS are available on the table in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today
TO ALL THRIVENT MEMBERS: Your Choice Dollars for 2015 will expire March 31, 2016. If you haven’t already done so, please contact Thrivent either by e-mail or by phone and direct your choice dollars before the end of March.
WINTER WEATHER PLAN: If bad weather is likely, the Elders will send an email reminder to the Newsletter email list the night before services reminding you to check WJBC or email to see if church is cancelled. If you do not receive the Newsletter email and want to receive cancellation emails, subscribe to the Newsletter email at: http://www.goodshepherdblm.org/about-us/contact-us/
GOOD SHEPHERD BLOOD DRIVE: Good Shepherd has been blessed to have another Blood Drive through the Red Cross. Our Spring Drive will be on Monday, May 2nd in the afternoon. You need 56 days between donations so in order to be eligible for our Drive please give by the end of February.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell. We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee. If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled. We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.
THE CID LLL will have their Annual Convention on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Faith Lutheran Church in Shumway IL. Lunch is at 12:00 p.m. The speakers are Dr. Nash Naam of Effingham, an advocate for his adopted country; and Polly Gregali from Int’l LHM. Everyone may register by Monday, March 7th, by sending your name and $10.00 per person to Lloyd Foster, 8978 E. St., Hwy 33, Shumway, IL 62461. If you have any questions please see or call Herb Renken at (309) 454-2986.
INGATHERING FOR BABIES BORN IN PRISON: Please consider bringing the following items to the LLL Convention. Due to the State Budget Crisis Macon County Social Services does not have the funds to purchase these items for women who are imprisoned at Decatur Correctional Center. These women are pregnant when they are incarcerated and their babies are allowed to stay a short time with their mothers in a special prison wing. Items in need are: disposable diapers (newborn size); crib sheets, and diaper bags. Thank you for your generosity. Cheryl Garlisch. If you have any questions please see or call Herb Renken at (309) 454-2986.
LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER: Marriage is for a lifetime. Want to get out of the rut and focus on the Biblical principles of fidelity, commitment, physical enjoyment and marriage as the Bride of Christ? Lutheran Marriage Encounter is here for you. The next weekend is scheduled for April 1-3, 2016 in Peoria IL. For more information and/or to register visit: www.GodLovesMarriage.org.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Reconciled Reconcilers” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. Through forgiveness, God gives us another way to deal with people who have hurt us. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz. Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tune in! You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.
PRAYER CHAIN: If you have a prayer request please submit them by email to Mary Anne Kirchner at makirchner@yahoo.com or you may phone a Prayer Request to Mary Anne; her home # is (309) 661-6522; her cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.