† March 13, 2016 †
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Luke 20:16: “He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.” When they heard this, they said, “Surely not!” The crowds were shocked at Jesus’ parable because they took the grace of God for granted. They never thought that God would actually take “the vineyard” away from them. But we only have access to God by faith. And we can drive faith and the Holy Spirit away. That is the warning of the parable. The Lord has graciously given us His Kingdom – let us not take it for granted, but instead respond with humble thanksgiving!
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”.
IN TODAY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, “Jesus Teaches Us to Trust,” we hear another portion of Jesus Sermon on the Mount. The theme? Do not worry! Talk with your children about how God has provided for them. List the blessings God gives your family in this life. Then talk about the eternal and spiritual blessings that God gives through His Son, Jesus. Ask your children, “What do you worry about? How has God answered that worry?”
MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICES: Your Evangelism/Stewardship Board, having been postponed a few weeks ago, are ready to reveal their culinary creations this Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the basement of the church. The free-will Offering will be split between Lutherans For Life and Lutheran World Relief. Our Lenten Worship will then begin at 7:00 p.m. with the message: “God Speaks In The Storm”.
TODAY will be our monthly door Offering for Seminarian Brad Ferch and family. They will be with us on Sunday, April 3rd. Mark your calendars so you can be here to support Brad as he preaches and leads Bible Class.
NEXT SUNDAY, March 20th, begins Holy Week as we celebrate Palm Sunday. The Sacrament of Holy Communion will be part of both Worship Services.
NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the APRIL NEWSLETTER. Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.
EASTER LILIES may be purchased for $9.00. They will be placed on the altar on Easter Sunday and may be picked up following the late service on Easter. The sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex. Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and also indicate on the memo line on your check: Easter Lily. Any questions contact Jackie Kwasny (309) 662-4995.
LUTHERAN WITNESS: It’s time again to renew our subscriptions to the Lutheran Witness. This year’s cost is $15.96. If you are not receiving this and would like to do so, please contact Janet in the church office at (309) 662-8905; email at: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or even in person.
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.
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.
COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS for the American Passion Play are available for the following times: Sunday March 20th and Saturday April 2nd. Please contact Fern and Theron Noth at (309)473-3222; email: tfnoth@gmail.com or Carol Schroeder at (309)452-2872; email: Gordoncarol304@gmail.com. Performances are at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts and begin at 1:00 pm.
YOU ARE INVITED: Wittenberg Lutheran Center, 201 S. Main St. in Normal will host a traditional Seder (Hebrew for “order”) Meal at the chapel on Tuesday, March 22nd beginning at 7:00 p.m. A representative from Apple of His Eye Ministry will lead this instructional meal. Tickets are $5.00 to reserve a seat. All proceeds going to Apple of His Eye Ministry. A free-will donation will also be taken on the night of the meal. Contact Pastor Bill on his cell phone: (217) 836-9305, or at Wittenberg (309) 452-597 to reserve a seat for this event, and/or if you would like to help with the groceries and preparations for the meal.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Strive For What You Already Have” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Philippians 2:5-11. Christianity is about putting to work what God has already given us, in Christ. 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.