March 24, 2019
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Luke 13:3 – “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The season of Lent is all about repentance – turning back to the Lord, away from our sins, in faith. We know that it is only in the Lord that we can find salvation. So we do well in this season of repentance to examine ourselves, asking questions like, “What is trying to keep me away from Jesus?” “What is a temptation I face?” “What is a sin I need to repent of and leave behind?” Then we turn to the Lord for the strength to leave these sins behind, and we pray for the courage to follow Him in faith and faithful living.
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.
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.
MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP: The 6½ week journey to Calvary will continue this Wednesday, March 27th at 7:00 p.m. With the Book of Exodus we will “Strike the Rock!” in our Lenten message. The Evangelism/Stewardship Board will use their God-given talents to tickle and enthrall your taste buds with a meal that begins at 5:30 p.m. Your free-will Offering that evening will support the mission work of our Central Illinois District.
TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the APRIL NEWSLETTER. Any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted via email to goodshepherdblm@frontier.com, via mail, hand-delivered, or you may call (309) 662-8905 or (309) 838-1552. Thank you!
PORTALS OF PRAYER: The April – June 2019 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today. Large pint also available.
“WALK FOR LIFE”: Pastor and Toni make their annual trek in the Living Alternatives – Pregnancy Resource Center’s Annual “Walk For Life”. The walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal on Saturday, April 13th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to walk, please see Pastor who has the forms. Also, please speak with Pastor if you would like to support the Lueck’s. Thank you.
FROM THE OFFICE: It’s time for the Annual Renewal of Lutheran Witness. Emails are going out to those who currently have a subscription. If anyone who is not currently receiving the Lutheran Witness is interested, please contact either Janet or Sandy in the office before the end of March and we will gladly add your name to the list. The cost is only $15.96 for the entire year; July 2019 through June 2020. (The June/July issue is combined so there are 11 issues.)
THE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS, “People Of The Passion” are available on the table in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2019 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 sheet is by the door by the north stairwell.
PASSOVER SEDER: You are invited to a “Passover Seeder” at Wittenberg Lutheran Center, 201 S Main St., Normal on Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 2-4:30 p.m. Passover is the observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. A time of family gatherings and lavish meal called “seders”, the story of Passover is re-told. With its special foods, songs, and customs, the Seder Meal is an important tradition of the Passover. Through the re-telling of the Passover account, Y’shua (Jesus) communicates His saving grace. Please R.S.V.P. with how many adults and how many children under the age of 12 who will be attending by Monday, April 1st. You may call (309) 452-5971 or email at: wittenbergLCMS@gmail.com. A free-wil Offering will be taken to aid the ministries of Lutherans in Africa.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Life Worth Living” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from John 12:12-36. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Michael Zeigler. 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 CIRCLE: 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.