† April 17, 2016 †
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” On their own sheep are in great danger. They need a shepherd to guide them. The sheep know the Shepherd’s voice – and we delight to go where He leads. Of course, the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh want to pull us in another direction. Namely, they want to pull us in the direction of death. But following the Shepherd means life. So no matter how difficult the path is that the Shepherd points out: let us follow Him!
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”.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR TODAY IS “The Good Samaritan.” As a family you could discuss, “Who could we consider our neighbor? How could we share God’s love with our neighbor?”
TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MAY 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.
FROM THE OFFICE: The congregation has received a thank-you note from the Ferch family concerning their recent visit. It is posted on the bulletin board outside of the church office.
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.
GOOD SHEPHERD BLOOD DRIVE: Your whole blood donation may help save as many as three lives. One out of 10 people admitted to the hospital needs blood. As I like to say: “a portion of our world has a little bit of CLueck running through their veins. Aaaaagh!!” This is where you and your left or right arm come in. Our Blood Drive for the American Red Cross is Monday, May 2nd, from 2-6:00 p.m. You may sign-up either on the sheets in the narthex or go to: www.redcrossblood.org. Put in the church’s zip code (61704-9103) and then follow the prompts. Also, we have posters available for those who can put them in their workplaces. Thank you for your help and if you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Lueck who is a long-time donor.
THE WALK FOR LIFE for the Pregnancy Resource Center is this coming Saturday, April 23rd, at 9:00 a.m. at Christ Church in Normal. If you would like to walk, Pastor has the material in his office. Also, Pastor and family will once again participate in the Walk. If you would like to sponsor them with a cash donation, please speak with Pastor. Thank you.
FREE TICKETS: The church has received free tickets for the ISU Men’s Baseball Game against Purdue on Tuesday, April 26th at 6:00 p.m. They are available on the mailbox cabinet in the church office. Enjoy!
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “One-upmanship” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Revelation 21:1-7. Heaven will be more beautiful than we can imagine, it will rectify our problems and satisfy our most profound longings. The speaker is Reverend 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.