December 18, 2016
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Matthew 1:21: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”” What our good works could never do, Jesus has done: He has saved us from our sins, paid our debt, set us free. How can we not give thanks to Him with lives of generosity and godliness? And so what God’s Law could not do – truly motivate us to truly good works – Jesus’ love has done!
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS: All adults and youth are invited to attend the Bible Class in the basement this morning at at 9:15 a.m. Karson Lueck will present the second part of his topic: “Church and Millenials”.
TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, we learn about Jesus teaching the Pharisee Nicodemus under the cover of night. Since the fall into sin, all are born spiritually blind, sinful, and unclean. We are like Nicodemus and cannot see our sin or understand who Jesus truly is for us. As children of God, born of water and the Spirit, we can see our sinfulness and the salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ. Discuss with your children, “How did Baptism change you? What does Baptism do?”
TODAY: Thank you to our Choir for leading us in “The Lessons and Carols Service” this morning. We appreciate the time they have given and their God-given talents.
IT’S TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS: We have a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex for poinsettias on the altar for Christmas. The cost is $8.00 each and you may sign up until Sunday, December 18th. The poinsettias will be available to be taken home after Epiphany which is on Sunday, January 8th. An envelope is also available with the sign-up sheet for your check or cash. Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and list “Poinsettia” on memo line. If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 or Luanne Huth at (309) 829-6897.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE: Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion will be Saturday, December 24th, at 6:00 p.m. Christmas Day, (December 25th; next Sunday) we will have only one worship service at 9:00 a.m. We will celebrate Holy Communion. There is no Adult Bible Class or Sunday School that day.
2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES: Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex. We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!
THE LUTHERAN ANNUAL: It’s time again to order your copy of “The Lutheran Annual”, this being the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation. The cost is $25.00. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact Janet in the church office or by phone (309) 662-8905 or email at: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com. Or even in person.
PORTALS OF PRAYER: The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack 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.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “What We Really Want” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Galatians 4:4-5. What do you want this Christmas? Jesus is God’s greatest gift to a sinful world. Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus is the speaker. 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.