Author: GoodShepherdBLM

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the children will study the efforts Abraham made to ensure that his son Isaac would marry a person who loved God in the account of “Isaac and Rebekah.”  As a family discuss, “Why is it important to marry someone who shares your Christian faith?  What are the blessings of sharing your beliefs with your spouse?”

 THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:    Matthew 25:30:  “And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness.”  Why did the worthless servant act the way he did?  Because of what he believed about the Master.  He didn’t trust or love the Master – and so he did not demonstrate love and trust in his actions, but rather hate and mistrust.  It’s the same with us, but in reverse: since we know our Lord God to be faithful and kind, we desire to serve Him and render faithful service with what He has given us.

 2014 COMMITMENT CARD:  Your 2014 Commitment Card is available for pick-up in the narthex.  Today, November 16^th, the new Commitment Cards will be handed out and Stewardship Sunday will be on November 23^rd.

 TODAY is Good Shepherd’s Annual Voter’s Meeting following the 10:30 Worship Service.  We will have a potluck meal.  The church is providing the meat and drink.  Please bring a side dish or dessert.  The 2015 Budget proposal and the list of candidates for church offices are located in the narthex.

 TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the DECEMBER NEWSLETTER.  Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com.

 THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP:  Before Thanksgiving Thursday and Black Friday join us for Worship Wednesday under the theme: “The Good Life” as we praise our Lord and Savior for His many blessings.  This Thanksgiving Eve Communion Service will begin at 7:00 p.m. on November 26^th.

 “THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD TO COME”:  The Evangelism/Stewardship Committee invites everyone to be a part of decorating the church for Advent/Christmas.  We will gather in peace and joy to prepare for “the Light of the world to come”.  On Sunday, November 30^th, following the 10:30 worship will be the time for this festive fellowship event.  We will enjoy that time honored Christmas traditional meal – pizza – provided by the congregation.  Do not be “asleep on the hay” but “let every heart prepare Him room” as we look forward to seeing you on the 30^th.

CHRISTMAS 2014 ADOPT A FAMILY:  This year we have adopted a family of 4 for Christmas.  We have placed their requests on the tree in the narthex.  Choose an item or items to purchase and return these purchases, unwrapped, by Sunday, November 30th.  We have put a box next to the tree for those who would like to make a monetary donation.  Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and put “Adopt a Family” in the memo line.  Katie Kleiboeker and Toni Lueck will purchase items with these funds.  Please take this opportunity to share your blessings with a family in need.

 FROM THE OFFICE:  We have a 2015 Large Print Scripture Text Calendar available for anyone who wants it.  See Pastor Lueck.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  If you would like a copy of your 2014 Financial Statement please see or call Joyce Schneider.

 ENERGY NEEDS ENVELOPES are still available on the table in the narthex.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Clean And Thankful” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 17:11-19.  Thanksgiving is not just a made-up holiday, it’s an attitude that is the key to life.  The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear this Sunday’s 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.

 This year we have adopted a family of 4 for Christmas. We have placed their requests on the tree in the narthex. Choose an item or items to purchase and return these purchases, unwrapped, by Sunday, November 30th. We have put a box next to the tree for those who would like to make a monetary donation. Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and put “Adopt a Family” in the memo line. Katie Kleiboeker and Toni Lueck will purchase items with these funds. Please take this opportunity to share your blessings with a family in need.

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 25:4: “….but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.”  Why did they take flasks of oil with them?  Because they listened to the Bridegroom’s words and believed them.  Our actions always start with and flow from our beliefs.  What do your actions in the realm of stewardship say about what you believe?

TODAY is our 2^nd Sunday door offering for Reverend Michael Kearney and Seminarian Chris Suggitt.  We received a letter from Chris and his family and it is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

2014 COMMITMENT CARD:  Your 2014 Commitment Card is available for pick-up in the narthex.  Next Sunday, November 16^th, the new Commitment Cards will be handed out and Stewardship Sunday will be on November 23^rd.

 FOOD COLLECTION:  Our Food Collection for Home Sweet Home Mission will continue through this coming Saturday, November 15^th.  On that day we will deliver the food and serve a meal at the Mission.

 NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the DECEMBER NEWSLETTER.  Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com.

 ANNUAL VOTER’S MEETING:  Good Shepherd’s Annual Voter’s Meeting is next week on Sunday, November 16^th, following the 10:30 Worship Service.  We will have a potluck meal.  The church is providing the meat and drink.  Please bring a side dish or dessert.  The 2015 Budget proposal and the list of candidates for church offices are located in the narthex.

 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:  If you would like a copy of your 2014 Financial Statement please see Joyce Schneider.

 ENERGY NEEDS ENVELOPES are still available on the table in the narthex.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell.  We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee.  If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled.  We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

 CAN YOU HELP:  Greetings to all of you, my dear Church family.  I wish to thank each and every one of you for ALL you have done for my family and me: meals, prayers, other help.  I am overwhelmed by the love shown to me by so many people.  This has been the hardest challenge so far for us and we pray that our Lord will heal and restore me to my family.  Stage IV and secondary cancer is no joke and when I have to sleep, I am left with no choice – go in and lie down or fall down!  Which leads me to my point.  I have had to learn to ask for some help.  So here is my humble request: would any of you have some easy slow cooker recipes you would be willing to share with me?  I am collecting some recipes but would sure love to have some of yours. If anyone has slow cooked a roast or a ham or chicken in one, please let me know how for how long you’ve cooked it.  Please email any recipes or instructions to me at: dogdiva2@comcast.net.  Thank you again for everything! Love in Christ, Laura Kessler.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “S.O.S. …Call Upon Jesus” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11.  God’s SOS brings real lasting hope and rescue, an SOS that shows us our Savior.  The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear this Sunday’s 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.

Today Because of the harsh winter we had we have blown by the money budgeted for heat/gas for fiscal year 2014 and still have a few month’s to pay for.  The Church Council voted to include “Energy Needs” envelopes in today’s bulletin.  If you can give above and beyond your regular offering for this expense it would be appreciated.  We thank the Lord for His many blessings as we work together for His Kingdom.  (And pray for a warmer winter!)

Next Sunday Two things are happening next Sunday morning, November 2nd.  In order to ensure your timely arrival for worship please “fall back” when setting your clock before going off to la-la land on Saturday evening.  The second is that we will be celebrating All Saints’ Day in worship.  We will remember those who have gone before us and are now breathing heavenly air.  Clock and worship, easy to remember, isn’t it?

Annual Voter’s Meeting  Mark your calendars for Good Shepherd’s Annual Voter’s Meeting on Sunday, November 16th following the 10:30 worship service.  More details to follow.

Portals of Prayer  The October – December Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack located in the narthex.  Large print also available.  Pick up your free copy today.

Food Collection  We are collecting food for the Home Sweet Home Mission.  The box is located in the narthex.  We will do this through Saturday, November 15th, when we deliver the food and serve a meal at the Mission.

Thank you  The church has received a “Thank you” note from Seminarian Chris Suggitt thanking the congregation for your continued support.  The letter is posted on the bulletin board outside of the church office.

Fellowship Hosts  The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell.  We need an individual/family to sign up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee.  If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled.  We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

Can You Help:  Greetings to all of you, my dear Church family.  I wish to thank each and every one of you for ALL you have done for my family and me:  meals, prayers, other help.  I am overwhelmed by the love shown to me by so many people.  This has been the hardest challenge so far for us and we pray that our Lord will heal and restore me to my family.  Stave IV and secondary cancer is no joke and when I have to sleep, I am left with no choice – go in and lie down or fall down!  Which leads me to my point.  I have had to learn to ask for some help.  So here is my humble request: would any of you have some easy slow cooker recipes you would be willing to share with me?  I am collecting some recipes but would sure love to have some of yours.  If anyone has slow cooked a roast or a ham or chicken in one, please let me know for how long you’ve cooked it.  Please email any recipes or instructions to me at: dogdiva2@comcast.net.  Thank you again for everything!  Love in Christ, Laura Kessler.

The Lutheran Hour  Keep it Simple and Straightforward is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Romans 3:22-25.  The Bible’s message is simple and straightforward: the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.  The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720 AM) at 6am; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3pm.  Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7am and 7pm.  Tune in!  You can listen to the Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org