December 2, 2018
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Luke 19:31 – “If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” Consider the faithfulness of that man who owned the donkey and colt. All he needed to hear was, “The Lord has need of it,” and he willingly gave. The Lord has given each of us various callings in life – in our homes, in the Church, and in our communities. In each calling we have good work to do, and that comes from the Lord’s hand. The Lord has need of us in each calling. How is He calling you to generous giving in each of your vocations?
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.
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.
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.
TODAY: The Evangelism/Stewardship Board is sponsoring a “Decorate the Church for Advent/Christmas” gathering after the 10:30 Worship Service TODAY. The Board will provide lunch, you provide muscle and jolliness!
OUR ADVENT SERVICES begin this week under the simple theme: “Who Is Jesus?” The message: “Jesus Is The Son of David”. Worship begins at 7:00 p.m. Preceding our time in the Lord’s House we gather for food and fellowship in the church basement from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. The food sign-up is in the narthex and this week’s free-will Offering will go to Wittenberg Lutheran Student Center.
THE ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS, “The Coming King”, is available on the table in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today!
THE BABY FOLD SHARING TREE is up in the narthex. Please have your un-wrapped items to church by TODAY! 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!
IT’S TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS: There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex to order your “Poinsettia” to be placed on the altar for Advent/Christmas. The cost is $8.00 each. You will need to sign-up by Wednesday, December 19th. You may take your poinsettia home following the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 6, 2019. There will be an envelope available with the sign-up sheet for you to place your check or money order in. Please make your check payable to: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and indicate “Poinsettia” on the memo line. If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 or Luanne Huth (309) 829-6897. Thank you!
YOU ARE INVITED to Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N. Hershey Road in Normal, NEXT 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: “Redeemer With a Capital ‘R’” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Ruth 3-4. When people use the word “redeem” outside of religious context, they tend to use it in a commercial sense-redeeming points from purchases or casino tokens for cash. In the Bible, the word “redeem” is used in a family setting. In the story of Ruth, Boaz is a “kinsman redeemer”, who points to Jesus, our capital-Redeemer. Jesus has done more than pay our points. He redeems by bringing us into His clan, His people, His household, that we might be with Him forever. 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.
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.