March 11, 2018
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Even the good we do in this world is a gift from God, prepared beforehand for us to do. And this too is a gift! For isn’t doing good also a good thing for the one who does it? So from first to last, from the Lord’s free salvation given to us to the good works He’s prepared for us to walk in, it is all a gift of God’s grace.
NEED A RIDE? If you are unable to drive to church, we have an option that is available. Please speak with Pastor who has the details. Thank you.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period. We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.
TODAY is our monthly door Offering for Seminarian Michael Brent Keller. You have seen both his names these last few months but we learned this week he likes to go by Brent. Seminarian Keller and his family will be here on Sunday, April 29th, when he will preach and conduct Adult Bible Class. Also, we have received a Thank you note from Seminarian Brent and his family and it is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.
TODAY: The Sunday Evening Small Group Bible Study is beginning a new study today, March 11th, at 5:00 p.m. “Lutheranism 101: Worship” will be our learning experience. We invite everyone to this class as we expand our knowledge together.
OUR MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICE 5 gathers in the Lord’s House this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The message: “Isolation and Community” under our Lenten theme, “The Gospel In Seven Words”. The Boards of Education and Trustees will be providing the Italian Cena (dinner) at 5:30 p.m. There will be no II Conto (the check) but the freewill Offering will go to Laborers For Christ. Chi mangia bene, vive bene (Who eats well, lives well).
THE LADIES MORNING BIBLE STUDY will meet on this Tuesday, March 13th at 9:30 a.m.
NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the APRIL NEWSLETTER. Janet Evans is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or you may call her at (309) 838-1552.
EASTER LILIES: If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the altar for Easter Sunday, there is signup sheet on the table in the narthex. Lilies are $10.00 each. You may pick them up after late service on Easter Sunday. Cash or checks made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. On the memo line write “Easter Lily”. Contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 if you have any questions.
CAMP CILCA: Brochures for Camp CILCA Summer 2018 are on the table in the narthex.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Pastor Lueck for the shut-in visits, the questions to Charlie regarding my condition and progress, the wonderful get well cards we received, the beautiful shawl Shirley Potter made for me during my recovery, the flowers and gifts from family and six grandchildren, the important documents and other things Craig and Penny have taken care of in my absence, and my loving husband who is with me every day helping me get through this critical time. Thanks to all of you and God bless you! Joann Nottingham
THE MOVIE: “TORTURED FOR CHRIST”: The congregation has another opportunity to attend a film like last summer’s Martin Luther movie. This one is entitled “Tortured For Christ” and is the story of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand from Romania and his story under Communist rule following World War II. (Pastor has read two books about both Pastor Wurrmbrand and his wife if you have any questions.) The showing is Monday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at the AMC Starplex in Normal. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.torturedforchrist.com.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Thrown Into the Arms of God” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Mark 10:32-45. The desire to advance your own interests can alienate you from others and God. Serving others without thought of reward is God’s way forward for followers of Jesus. Reverend Dr. Dale Meyer is the speaker. Hear his 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.
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE: If you miss church, please be reminded that copies of the previous week’s sermon are available on the table in the narthex. Also, the sermon will be available on our web site at www.goodshepherdblm.org. Thank you.
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.