November 25, 2018
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Isaiah 51:6 – “For the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment.” The things of this earth that hold our attention, that cause us worry, that tempt us away from the Lord: they are all passing away. They will vanish like a garment. They are not for us to worry over, but rather to use for the Lord’s purposes. The things of this world are not ends in and of themselves, but only means to be used wisely by the children of the Kingdom that has no end.
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.
THE EVANGELISM/STEWARDSHIP BOARD is sponsoring a “Decorate the Church for Advent/Christmas” gathering after the 10:30 Worship Service NEXT SUNDAY, December 2nd. The Board will provide lunch, you provide muscle and jolliness!
GOOD SHEPHERD’S MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES will be on Wednesday’s at 7:00 p.m. on December 5th, 12th, and 19th. We will serve a meal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each evening. The sign-up for the meals is on the table in the narthex. The free-will offering on December 5th will go to Wittenberg Lutheran Center.
FAITH IN ACTION OF BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL: One ride, one visit, one Senior at a time. Need a ride? Want to volunteer? Need more information? Call (309) 827-7780; or email: office@bnfia.org or contact Barry Hamlin at (309) 750-9424.
THE BABY FOLD SHARING TREE is up in the narthex. Please have your un-wrapped items to church by NEXT SUNDAY, December 2nd. If you wish to give a monetary donation please make your check payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and indicate on the memo line “Baby Fold”. If you have any questions please see Paula Hardy or Toni Lueck. Thank you!
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 we have two separate sign-ups: Donut Pick-up and Coffee Set-up. We would like to encourage you to sign-up for one or the other. You may also sign-up for both if you wish. The sign-up is by the door by the north stairwell.
YOU ARE INVITED to Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N. Hershey Road in Normal, on Sunday, December 9th from 5-7:00 p.m. for “Journey to the Manger”. Free Tours include: live drama and animals; singing and music; indoor and outdoor scenes and hot chocolate and cookies. A meal will also be available for purchase from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions please call the church at (309) 452-5609.
EARN A RETURN AND HELP OUR LCMS CHURCHES: The Central Illinois District Church Extension Fund (CID-CEF) provides resources to churches in our Central Illinois District that wish to grow God’s ministry through building or expansion. We are able to do this because of conscientious LCMS members like you who support our churches by investing in the CID-CEF – we need your continued support and investments! As an added blessing for your investment, we are now offering a 24-Month SPECIAL RATE of 2.35% (minimum investment $500) to you as well as our church organizations to support the LCMS ministry. Please contact Chris Anderson or Susan Short at the CID-CEF: phone: (217)793-1802, e-mail cef@cidlcms or visit our website www.cidlcms.org, (see link in lower left corner) for this special interest rate and other recent rate increases for our investment options. Thank you for investing in the future of our LC-MS!
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Reality Therapy” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Ruth 1-2. The Book of Ruth deals with unimportant people and unimportant matters, but deals with them in such a way as to show that God is active in ordinary lives—like yours and mine. Ruth’s story became an important part of the story of Jesus. Listening to God’s work in her life can rescue us from dead-end delusions and bring us into what is most real—a Jesus-centered reality. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Michael Ziegler. 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.
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.
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.
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.