December 30, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 2:38 – “And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of Him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.”  Notice here how giving thanks to God leads to good works.  Thankfulness toward God for all He has done for us is the foundation of a Christian life lived in godliness.  For if we know all that the Lord has done for us, how can we not strive to honor Him with what we think, say, and do?

TODAY:  Thank you to Mr. Tim Fredstrom of Christ Lutheran Church in Normal for serving as our organist today.

THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE:  Our New Year’s Worship with Holy Communion is tomorrow evening at 7:00 p.m.

NEXT SUNDAY:  One week from today (January 6^th) is Epiphany.  We will have the Installation of 2019 Officers and Board Members and Holy Communion will also be in both worship services.

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.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2^nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

FROM THE OFFICE:  The congregation received a Christmas letter from the Reverend Jacob Hercamp family.  Jacob was the seminarian we supported last school year.  It is posted outside the church office.

IF YOU ORDERED A POINSETTIA you may take your poinsettia home NEXT SUNDAY, January 6th, following the 10:30 a.m. worship service.  Thank you!

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-January. 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!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January – March 2019 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 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 is by the door by the north stairwell.

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:  “The Word Turned Toward” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 1:1-18.  People use their words to build bonds of trust with people they love.  In Jesus, God does the same-He turns His Word toward us.  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.

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December 23, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 1:45 – “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”  The Lord always fulfills what He promises. We can be certain of that, and He has proven it over and over again.  This faith in the Lord’s own faithfulness is what gives us the courage to follow the Lord’s commands in the face of the world’s anger and resistance.  The same faithfulness in God gave Mary the courage to carry on in her seemingly embarrassed circumstances.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2^nd 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.

THIS WEEK’S WORSHIP SCHEDULE:  Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship with Holy Communion is tomorrow evening at 6:00 p.m.  Christmas Day Worship with Holy Communion is Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m.

PASTOR’S SCHEDULE:  Pastor, Toni, Karson and Holden will be out of town after Christmas enjoying a few days away in Nashville, TN.  Lord willing they will be back next Sunday!

NEXT SUNDAY, December 30^th, is a 5^th Sunday so we will celebrate Holy Communion in both worship services.  Two weeks from today (January 6^th) is Epiphany.  We will have the Installation of 2019 Officers and Board Members and Holy Communion will also be in both worship services.

THE ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS,  “The Coming King”, is available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today!

FROM THE OFFICE:  The congregation received a Christmas letter from the Reverend Jacob Hercamp family.  Jacob was the seminarian we supported last school year.  It is posted outside the church office.

IF YOU ORDERED A POINSETTIA:  You may take your poinsettia home following the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 6, 2019.  Thank you!

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-January. 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!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January – March 2019 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 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 is by the door by the north stairwell.

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:  “A Long Good-Bye” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 2:27-32.  As the year comes to a close, we likely have regrets and quilt.  We can beat ourselves up over work left undone, but Jesus Christ has assured us that He is your hope.  His grace is more than sufficient to take us into another year and give us peace.  The 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.

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.

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December 16, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Phil. 4:5b-6 – “The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”  Wouldn’t you like to be free from worry and anxiety?  Isn’t it worry and anxiety that often keep us from living the generous life God has called us to?  St. Paul contrasts anxiety with prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving in making our requests known to God.  In other words, when you are tempted to anxiety and worry, pray to the Lord with a thankful heart and pour out your supplications before Him.

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.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2^nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP:  Enjoy a respite from your busy lives as we gather for Advent Worship on Wednesday, December 19^th at 7:00 p.m.  Our service theme: “Who Is Jesus?”   The message this week:  “Jesus Is The Son of Solomon”.  A cornucopia of physical sustenance will be available in the church basement at 5:30 p.m.  Sign-up to bring food items is on the table in the narthex.  The free-will Offering will be given to Lutherans For Life.

THE ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS,  “The Coming King”, is available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today!

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 19^th.  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!

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-January. 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!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January – March 2019 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 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 is by the door by the north stairwell.

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:  “The King’s Strength” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 1:26-56.  A true king’s strength is seen, not in vaults and arsenals, but in the loyalty of his people.  We celebrate the birth of the King who won the victory, not by taxing His subjects and killing His enemies, but by serving, loving and dying for them.  By His resurrection, He destroyed the power of sin and lends us strength to become His royal subjects.  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.

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December 9, 2018

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.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2^nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 3:4 – “As it is written in the Book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’ ”  God makes long-range plans: Isaiah lived more than 700 years before St. John the Baptist preached by the Jordan River.  Obviously, God sees farther into the future than we do.  That’s yet another reason to trust Him when it comes to how He tells us to live our lives.  He knows what’s coming, and we don’t.

TODAY is our 2^nd Sunday door Offering for our Seminarian Mr. Joseph Schlie.  This week’s meal Offering will also go to Mr. Schlie.  Joseph and his wife Kristen are with child to be born next year, please keep them in your prayers.

OUR ADVENT SERVICE under the theme: “Who Is Jesus?” continues this week at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.  The message: “Jesus Is The Son of Abraham”.  A meal is served at 5:30 p.m. in the cozy surroundings of your church basement.  To sign-up to bring a delectable food item please do so on the table in the narthex.

THE ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS,  “The Coming King”, is available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today!

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 19^th.  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!

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-January. 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 to Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N. Hershey Road in Normal, TODAY 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:  “In Anxious Times – Rejoice!” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Philippians 4:4-7.  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  With anxiety on the rise, the Apostle Paul’s call to “rejoice always” seems all but unobtainable.  While there are many helpful ways to cope with society’s increasing anxiety, Paul points us to a frequently overlooked source of joy and peace, God’s grace in Christ.  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.

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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 2^nd 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 19^th.  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 9^th, 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.

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November 25, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Isaiah 51:6 – “For the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment.”  The things of this earth that hold our attention, that cause us worry, that tempt us away from the Lord: they are all passing away.  They will vanish like a garment.  They are not for us to worry over, but rather to use for the Lord’s purposes.  The things of this world are not ends in and of themselves, but only means to be used wisely by the children of the Kingdom that has no end.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2^nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

THE EVANGELISM/STEWARDSHIP BOARD is sponsoring a “Decorate the Church for Advent/Christmas” gathering after the 10:30 Worship Service NEXT SUNDAY, December 2^nd.  The Board will provide lunch, you provide muscle and jolliness!

GOOD SHEPHERD’S MIDWEEK ADVENT SERVICES will be on Wednesday’s at 7:00 p.m. on December 5^th, 12^th, and 19^th.  We will serve a meal from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. each evening.  The sign-up for the meals is on the table in the narthex.  The free-will offering on December 5^th will go to Wittenberg Lutheran Center.

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 BABY FOLD SHARING TREE is up in the narthex.  Please have your un-wrapped items to church by NEXT SUNDAY, December 2^nd.  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!

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 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 is by the door by the north stairwell.

YOU ARE INVITED to Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N. Hershey Road in Normal, on Sunday, December 9^th 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:  “Reality Therapy” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Ruth 1-2.  The Book of Ruth deals with unimportant people and unimportant matters, but deals with them in such a way as to show that God is active in ordinary lives—like yours and mine.  Ruth’s story became an important part of the story of Jesus.  Listening to God’s work in her life can rescue us from dead-end delusions and bring us into what is most real—a Jesus-centered reality.  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.

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.

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.

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.

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