† March 20, 2016 †
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Luke 22: 11: “Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’” Did Jesus really need this man’s Upper Room? If the man had refused to let Jesus use it would the work of salvation have been derailed? Of course not. But what an honor for the man who owned this room! Likewise with us – the Lord needs none of us, but what an honor for God to choose to use our generosity in the work of His Church.
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 Is Anointed,” the children learn how in faith, a sinful woman lovingly anointed Jesus. They also learned how in faith we grasp God’s free mercy, receive the forgiveness of sins, and respond with acts of love and praise. As a family, consider ways that you might respond to God’s mercy. Ask your children, “What sins will God forgive?”
HOLY WEEK IS UPON US: Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy Communion begins at 7:00 p.m. The message from Job: “On Earth Is Not His Equal”. Good Friday we have a brief “Tre Ore” worship at noon. That evening is the thought-provoking and spirit inspiring Tenebrae (Service of Darkness) Worship. As the Lord goes to the cross for you and me. Our Lenten Messages from Job continue with “Tearing Down The Spite House”. Holy Communion will be celebrated. Next Sunday, March 27th, is Easter Sunday. Worship begins at 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. An Easter Breakfast follows the early service and then Adult Bible Study and Sunday School at their regular time of 9:15 a.m. The Easter Communion Service culminates in the Blessed Easter Message from the Book of Job: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”.
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.
PORTALS OF PRAYER: The April-June 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack located in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today.
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: Today, 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 this coming 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: “An Unbeliever’s Sermon” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Luke 24:5-6. Reverend Ken Klaus asked several non-believing friends to help him write his Easter Sermon. Hear what they said. 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.
TODAY 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.
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.
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