Author: OfficeStaff

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Exodus 17:3 – “But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?’ ”  Even the Israelites who saw miracles with their own eyes fall into unbelief and fear.  From this distance we can see how foolish their worry is.  How foolish will our worries appear from the distance of eternity? The Lord cared for them, and He will care for us.

TODAY:  We thank Will Fredstrom, a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Normal, for preaching and conducting Bible Class.  Will is in his 2^nd year of study at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and he will receive his vicarage assignment at the end of April.  He also is engaged to be married to Charlea Schueler.  Please keep Will and all these changes in his life in your prayers.

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 ADULT BIBLE CLASS will meet in the basement at 10:15 a.m. and will be led by Seminarian Will Fredstrom.

OUR LENTEN WORSHIP this Wednesday is at 7:00 p.m.    The theme of our Lenten messages is: “The Seven (Deadly?) Sins”.  The men and women of your Evangelism/Stewardship Board are looking forward to showing off the skills they have learned from the Cooking Channel.  They will present their finished products ar 5:30 p.m. in the basement of the church before our Lenten Worship.    The free-will Offering will help the Missions of our Central Illinois District—LCMS.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES is this coming Friday, March 20^th at 6:30 p.m. We will be showing the movie, YESTERDAY.  Jack Malik was just another struggling songwriter….but that was yesterday.  After a mysterious blackout, Jack discovers he is the only person on earth who remembers  The Beatles!  As he rockets to fame by passing off the Fab Four’s songs as his own, Jack risks losing Ellie – the one person who has loved him and believed in him from the start.  Before the door to his old life closes forever, Jack must decide if all he needs is love, after all.  Join us for another great movie, wonderful fellowship and some great food.

NEXT SUNDAY 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: office@goodshepherdblm.org, mail, hand-delivered, or you may call (309) 662-8905.  Thank you!

FOOD COLLECTION:  We will collect food for the Home Sweet Home Mission until Easter Sunday, April 12^th.  The newly decorated box is in the narthex.  We will continue our food collection for Thanksgiving/Christmas later in the year, but this gives us an opportunity to help out when donations are not as prevalent.

THE LENTEN DEVOTIONS BOOKLETS Titled: “DELIVER US: JESUS SETS US FREE” is available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your copy today.

MY DEVOTIONS:  The March—May 2020, My Devotions, the Daily Readings for Young Christians are available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

LUTHERAN WITNESS:  It’s time to renew your subscription to the “Lutheran Witness”.  If you are currently receiving the Lutheran Witness and wish to continue; or if you do not wish to continue; please notify the church office.  Also, if you are not currently receiving the Lutheran Witness and would like to subscribe, please notify the church office.  We must notify Lutheran Witness Circulation prior to Monday, April 20, 2020.  The cost to receive the magazine for one year is $15.96.  Please make your check payable to: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and include it with your contribution. Please indicate on the memo line: “Lutheran Witness”. Thank you.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “They Bloom Later” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Exodus 9.  A weed is a stubborn thing, pushing its way up through a crack in the sidewalk.  The human heart is a stubborn thing, insisting on going its own way.  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.

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.

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 ADULT BIBLE CLASS is doing a study in conjunction with our Lenten theme.  We will take an in-depth look at “The Seven (Deadly?) Sins”.    The class, led by Pastor Lueck, meets in the basement today at 9:15 a.m.

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  This is perhaps the most well-known and well-beloved verse in the New Testament – and for good reason.  This simple Gospel message is the foundation for our whole life, including our new life in Christ.  This new life is characterized by thankfulness and devotion to our Father, who has provided for us so lavishly in Christ.

TODAY, is our door Offering for Seminary Student Aaron Wendorff and family.

PASTOR’S SCHEDULE:  Pastor will be out of town tomorrow (Monday, March 9^th) for the burial of David McEleney.

WEDNESDAY LENTEN SERVICES will continue this week at 7:00 p.m.  The theme of our Lenten messages is: “The Seven (Deadly) Sins”.  The fine men and women of your Church Council are preparing a delectable feast, which you can partake of beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening.  The free-will Offering will go to our adopted Seminary Student Aaron Wendorff.

NEXT SUNDAY, March 15^th, Seminarian Will Fredstrom, a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Normal and attending Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will be with us to preach and conduct Bible Class.  We will also have a door Offering for Will.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES isFriday, March 20^th at 6:30p.m. We will be showing the movie, YESTERDAY.  Jack Malik was just another struggling songwriter….but that was yesterday.  After a mysterious blackout, Jack discovers he is the only person on earth who remembers  The Beatles!  As he rockets to fame by passing off the Fab Four’s songs as his own, Jack risks losing Ellie – the one person who has loved him and believed in him from the start.  Before the door to his old life closes forever, Jack must decide if all he needs is love, after all.  Join us for another great movie, wonderful fellowship and some great food.

THE LENTEN DEVOTIONS BOOKLETS Titled: “DELIVER US: JESUS SETS US FREE” is available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Gracious Confiscation” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Exodus 7-8.  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.

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.

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matt. 4:7 – Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Jesus defeats Satan in our place – not by using His power as God but by His perfect obedience in His perfect humanity.  Jesus defeats Satan – not by miracles but by quoting the Scriptures and living according to it.  This should cause us great joy for two reasons.  First, because we see Jesus win the victory for us. Second, because here Jesus shows us how to stand in that victory – on the Word of God alone.

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 ADULT BIBLE CLASS is doing a study in conjunction with our Lenten theme.  We will take an in-depth look at “The Seven (Deadly?) Sins”.    The class, led by Pastor Lueck, meets in the basement today at 9:15 a.m.

OUR LENTEN WORSHIP continues this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. under the theme: “The Seven (Deadly) Sins”.  You thought all they could do was read the Old Testament Lesson and distribute Holy Communion . . .au contraire!  Before Lenten Worship come to the church basement at 5:30 p.m. and be dazzled by the culinary creations from your Bord of Elders.  The free-will Offering will be given to the Hilbert family and their work with Lutheran Bible Translators.

NEXT SUNDAY, March 8^th, there are two items to note:  1) We will have our monthly Offering for Seminary Student Aaron Wendorff.  2) Please “Spring Forward” with that alarm clock on Saturday night as we move into Daylight Saving Time. 

THE LENTEN DEVOTIONS BOOKLETS Titled: “DELIVER US: JESUS SETS US FREE” is available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  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.

THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS LUTHERAN LAYMAN’S LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING is this coming Saturday, March 7^th at Christ Lutheran Church, Normal.  The Convention opens at 9:00 a.m.  The Reverend Gregory Seltz, head of the Synod’s Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in Washington D.C. will speak at 1:00 p.m.  If you can’t come for the morning session, come to hear Reverend Gregory Seltz at 1:00 p.m.  Registration materials are located on the table in the narthex.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Upon Further Review“ topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Exodus 5.  God’s forgiving love for us in Christ cancels the continuous playback of our regrets.  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.

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.

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  1 Cor. 3:7 – “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”  Isn’t that the truth! It’s not just true about preachers like Paul; it’s true about all of us in the Christian life.  God can do such wonderful things with our feeble efforts.  This is so very true of our gifts to the Lord’s work in the church.  From His generous giving to us, we learn to give generously. Then the Lord blesses this response to His grace in turn, and He uses our very giving to continue to bless us in the church where we hear of His gracious generosity to us.  The cycle repeats, and the Lord gives growth!

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 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.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MARCH 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!

CAN YOU HELP: John and Paula Hardy have set the date for their annual trip to Ft Wayne, IN.  The date is THIS COMING WEDNESDAY, February 19^th.  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!

GOOD SHEPHERD FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES  for February will show “THE GRACE CARD” will be shown this coming Friday, February 21^st at 6:30pm.  After police officer Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, years of bitterness and pain erode his love for his family and leave him angry with God… and everyone else.  Can Mac and his new patrol partner, Sgt. Sam Wright, somehow join forces to help one another when it’s impossible to look past their differences – especially the most obvious one?  Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal wounds by extending and receiving God’s grace.  Offer THE GRACE CARD…and never underestimate the power of god’s love.  THE GRACE CARD stars Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom and Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr.  Join us for this great movie.  There will be plenty of good food and wonderful fellowship. See you there!

“BRINGING CHRIST TO THE NATIONS AND THE NATIONS TO THE CHURCH”:  That is the mission of Lutheran Hour Ministries and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.  Visit the display in the narthex and take some booklets and any other material.  Discover LHM and find out more at:  lhm.org/lhmsunday.  Many helpful resources are available.

PLEASE READ THIS: Have you noticed that you have not seen someone in church for a while and thought about making contact but just have not got around to it?  Stop by the LHM display in the narthex today and pick-up a wooden nickel.  Take a pen or pencil and print TUIT on it.  You now have a round TUIT.  Make that contact now!

GOOD SHEPHERD IS CHANGING WORSHIP AND BIBLE CLASS/SUNDAY SCHOOL TIME on Sunday, March 1^st.  Worship will be at 9:00 a.m., with Holy Communion each week and Bible Class/Sunday School will be at 10:15 a.m.  Please keep this change in your prayers as we make this transition.

YOU ARE INVITED:  Christ Lutheran Church, Normal, is hosting the Concert Band from Concordia University, St. Paul, MN in their 10:45 a.m. worship service on Sunday, March 1, 2020.  More info can be found on the table in the narthex.

THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS LUTHERAN LAYMAN’S LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING is Saturday, March 7^th at Christ Lutheran Church, Normal.  The Convention opens at 9:00 a.m.  The Reverend Gregory Seltz is head of the Synod’s Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in Washington D.C. will speak at 1:00 p.m.  Registration materials are located on the table in the narthex.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Know-How” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Exodus 1-2.  Jesus knows our failures and our fears; He knows how to lift us up and bring us through.  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.

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.