February 19, 2017
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Leviticus 19:2: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” By God’s grace we are His children – and we are called to be spitting images of our Father who is in heaven. Growing in holiness is not some abstract concept – it is growing into the image of God: in love, in generosity, in kindness, in humility. Where Jesus goes, we follow. How Jesus is, thus are we called to be.
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. In conjunction with the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we are studying about that time period with “The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians”.
TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, we study the account “Jesus Walks on Water.” Jesus was gracious to Peter when he feared drowning. Jesus is gracious to us and is ready to catch us as we sink in sin and unbelief; His hand is always strong to save us. Consider asking, “How did Jesus rescue Peter? How does Jesus rescue us?”
TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MARCH 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.
LENT BEGINS: The start of Lent will soon be upon us. March 1st is Ash Wednesday. We will have worship with Holy Communion that night beginning at 7:00 p.m. The theme for Lent 2017 is “Ironies of the Passion”.
GOOD SHEPHERD’S ANNUAL TRIP TO FORT WAYNE, IN wil be Saturday, April 1st –Sunday, April 2nd. Please have all donated items to the church by Sunday, March 26th and place the donated items in the hall closet area on the 2nd floor. We will need to do the packing that week. Acceptable items are clothing for all sizes, ages and genders; kitchen items of all kinds; some household items would be acceptable. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Paula Hardy at (309) 829-8432. Thank you!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Please get these dates on your calendar: Tuesday, May 23rd, 2-9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, May 24th, 2-9:00 p.m. This is when we will be doing our Picture Directory through Lifetouch.
LUTHERAN MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKEND: “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband, does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does”. (1 Corinthians 7:3-4) Come learn more about the Biblical lessons for your marriage by attending a Lutheran Marriage Encounter Weekend. The next weekend is scheduled in Peoria, IL on March 31, 2017 – April 2, 2017. Apply now at: www.GodLovesMarriage.org or contact Norm and Deb Lopez at peorialmereg@gmail.com for more information.
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: “Guilt’s Gone” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. A guilty conscience accuses; a forgiving Savior brings peace to troubled hearts. 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 cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.