THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Matthew 3:15 – “But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ ” The reason God sent His Son into the world is to fulfill all righteousness for us, to do what we could not do. So here Jesus plunges Himself into our sins and soaks them up in His Baptism, so that in our Baptism we might be cleansed and renewed. The whole of Jesus’ life, everything He did and said, was one great offering to the Father in our stead to fulfill all righteousness for us. All our offerings back to our Lord are in thanksgiving for this one great, true offering.
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. and is studying a DVD-based Study entitled: “Joseph: Carpenter of Steel!” Come learn about this important person in the Christmas Story.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).
TODAY we welcome Chris Patterson to our congregation as he joins through Profession of Faith in our 10:30 worship service. Chris works in Cyber Security for Palo Alto Networks. He has two children, Chloe and Gavin. He lives at 1400 Indigo Drive in Morton IL. His phone# is (309) 825-2537 and email is: cpatterson1974@gmail.com. Chris also enjoys golf and coaching softball.
FROM THE OFFICE: We received a card from our adopted Seminary Student Aaron Wendorf and family—child #3 is to be born any day. To read more about their lives, the card is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office. TODAY will be our monthly Offering for Aaron.
TODAY: Pastor and Mary Anne will be at Luther Oaks today at 2:00 p.m. as they conduct the weekly worship service.
THE FIRST GOOD SHEPHERD FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES of the new decade will be shown THIS COMING FRIDAY, January 17th at 6:30 p.m. The movie is titled “OVERCOMER”. Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison (Alex Kendrick) after he loses his basketball team and is challenged by the school’s principal , Olivia (Priscilla Shirer), to coach a new sport he doesn’t know or like. As John questions his own worth, he dares to help the least likely runner take on the biggest race of the year. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, humor and heart, this inspirational story will have you on the edge of your seat. Join us for the first Friday Night at the Movies of the new decade. It is a great movie, there will be plenty of food and good fellowship.
NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER. Any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted via email to: office@goodshepherdblm.org, mail, hand-delivered, or you may call (309) 662-8905. Thank you!
FROM THE OFFICE: The church received a brochure on the Summer Offerings in 2020 at Camp CILCA. Camp CILCA is the camp of our Central Illinois District and you may peruse the brochure located on the table in the narthex.
FROM THE OFFICE: Georgia Boriack’s new address is: Georgia Boriack – Resident, Sunrise Assisted Living, 4300 George Mason Blvd., Suite 103, Fairfax VA 22030.
CAN YOU HELP: John and Paula Hardy are planning their annual trip to Ft Wayne, IN. It will be sometime after the holidays, hopefully mid-February. The Seminary needs clothes for men, women, and children. They also accept shoes, coats, and kitchen supplies. Please be sure all donated items are clean and in good repair. Please bring your donations to the church. There is a closet located in the hall upstairs where items are collected, and packed for our trip. If you need help finding it just contact John (309) 310-7917. Thank you!
YOU ARE INVITED: Celebrate 70 years of outdoor adventure at Camp CILCA’s 3rd Annual Banquet on Sunday, January 26th from 5-8:00 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Springfield. The evening includes a live brass ensemble and dinner from Nelson’s Catering, guest speaker will be Reverand Jonathan Fisk, and a look at CILCA’s future. Tickets are $40.00 and must be reserved by Thursday, January 23rd by contacting the Camp Office at (217) 487-7497 or email to: camp@cilca.org.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Unforgettable” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Genesis 40:1-23 (New Series) We might forget names and faces, dates and places, but God remembers those who are His through faith in Christ. To God, they are unforgettable. As we remember Jesus in faith, even more so does God remember us. The guest speaker will be Dr. Dean Nadasdy. 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.
INFORMATION REQUESTED: Please notify the church office if someone in the congregation or any family or friends are ill or hospitalized.
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.