January 29, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  1 Corinthians 1:18:  “Where is the one who is wise?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”  God’s ways are certainly not the world’s ways – including the way God tells us to manage the resources He’s given to us.  The world says “hold on, hold back, and gather up.”  Jesus says to store up treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where no thief breaks in to steal.  Whose way do you think is best?  What is wiser: the wisdom of the financial gurus or the foolishness of God?

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS will be studying “Here We Stand: A Lutherans For Life Bible Study” this morning in the basement of the church at 9:15 a.m.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, students learn the story “Jesus Calls Matthew.”  We sinners rejoice, for we, too, have been called from our own pigsty of sin to dine with Jesus around His table and to be a friend of the friend of sinners.  Consider discussing, “How did Jesus call Matthew to be one of His followers?  How and why does Jesus call us to follow Him?”

TODAY:  The Church Council has scheduled a Voter’s Meeting to follow the 10:30 worship service today.  We will meet in the sanctuary to discuss and decide on options for our roof/brick and the leaking problem that comes with a heavy rain.

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will begin on Monday, February 6^th at 7:00 p.m.  The class runs eight weeks and lasts about an hour.  This class is designed for non-members who would like to learn more about the Lutheran Church and its teachings.  It is also a good refresher course for members.  If you know of someone you would like Pastor to invite please call him at (309) 838-0306 or email him at revbci@yahoo.com.

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES:  Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex.  We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Nothing But Jesus!” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 1 Corinthians 2:1-16.  Amid life’s commotion and clamor, what will give us peace?  Nothing but Jesus!  Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker.  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.

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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January 22, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 4:20:  “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”  Discipleship cost Peter and Andrew everything they had: they left their trade, their hometown, their families and they followed Jesus.  God has called us to the same discipleship – the same devotion, though the exact details of how that is lived out will vary.  The important thing is this: that we know that all we have is the Lord’s, to be used for His purpose, that we are His disciples, ready to follow where He leads.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS will be studying “Here We Stand: A Lutherans For Life Bible Study” this morning in the basement of the church at 9:15 a.m.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  “Jesus Heals a Man Who Is Paralyzed” is the lesson for today. The miracle of healing the paralytic confirms that Jesus, the Son of Man, has authority on earth to forgive sins, and it confirms what the Son of Man chiefly came to do: deliver us and all believers from sin, death, and the power of the devil.  Consider discussing, “In addition to healing the paralyzed man, what else does Jesus tell him?  How has Jesus healed us from our sickness of sin?”

TODAY in conjunction with Sanctity of Human Life we will have a door Offering for Lutherans For Life.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the FEBRUARY 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 or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.

NEXT SUNDAY, January 29^th, is a fifth Sunday so Holy Communion will be celebrated in both worship services.

VOTER’S MEETING:  Next Sunday, January 29^th, the Church Council has scheduled a Voter’s Meeting to follow the 10:30 worship service.  We will meet in the sanctuary to discuss and decide on options for our roof/brick and the leaking problem that comes with a heavy rain.

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will begin on Monday, February 6^th at 7:00 p.m.  The class runs eight weeks and lasts about an hour.  This class is designed for non-members who would like to learn more about the Lutheran Church and its teachings.  It is also a good refresher course for members.  If you know of someone you would like Pastor to invite please call him at (309) 838-0306 or email him at revbci@yahoo.com.

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES:  Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex.  We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Our Foolishness, His Faithfulness” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31.  Many consider Christ’s cross to be just so much foolishness.  That is the worst foolishness of all.  Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus is the speaker.  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.

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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January 15, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 1:29: The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  The Israelites of old offered a lamb to God at Passover so that death might pass over them and do no harm.  Over those long centuries of sacrifice, did they understand that this was actually God’s gift?  That God would be the true Giver of the Lamb?  Truly, we can never out give God: for all that we have is His.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meeting at 9:15 a.m. this morning will study “The First Rosa – Teacher, Confessor, Church Planter”.  It tells the story of LCMS member Rosa Young and her work to bring the Gospel to different parts of the church in the southern part of the United States.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, the lesson is “Jesus Heals Many.”  Through many miracles, Jesus shows us His power over sin.  Ask your children to tell you, “Who did Jesus heal?  What were some of the sicknesses the people had?”  Talk about sin—yours, theirs, and the world’s—and how Satan holds the world in bondage, causing sickness and death.  Assure them that Jesus is the Holy One of God, who defeats Satan and frees us from his hold, granting us eternal life in paradise. Emphasize that Jesus has power over sin and sickness, saving the lost by His death and resurrection.

POINSETTIA PICK UP: You may pick up your poinsettias TODAY following the 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. worship services. There are plastic covers on the coat rack at the north end of the narthex which you may use to protect them.  Thank you for your participation in decorating our Church for the Christmas season.

THIRD FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT IS BACK!  This coming Friday, January 20^th at 6:30 p.m. we will show the movie “THE FINAL SEASON”.  It is a true story of an underdog coach and the team that must defend their legacy against insurmountable odds.  The high school baseball team in Norway, Iowa is led by legendary Coach Jim Van Scoyoc.  When talk of a school merger gets serious it threatens to rob them of their 20^th State Championship.  “The Final Season” will inspire and entertain everyone.  Join us for a great movie, good food and great fellowship.

LIFE SUNDAY:  One week from today, January 22nd, will be Life Sunday.  We will have a special Order of Worship that day and also take a door Offering for “Lutherans For Life”.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the FEBRUARY 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 or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.

VOTER’S MEETING:  On Sunday, January 29^th, the Church Council has scheduled a Voter’s Meeting to follow the 10:30 worship service.  We will meet in the sanctuary to discuss and decide on options for our roof/brick and the leaking problem that comes with a heavy rain.

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES:  Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex.  We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Word of the Cross – Power For Life” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 1 Corinthians 1:10-18.  To the world, Jesus seemed to be a loser.  He suffered what all would consider defeat in order to win a new life for you.  Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker.  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.

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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January 8, 2017

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.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meeting at 9:15 a.m. this morning will study “The First Rosa – Teacher, Confessor, Church Planter”.  It tells the story of LCMS member Rosa Young and her work to bring the Gospel to different parts of the church in the southern part of the United States.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, the lesson is, “Jesus Calls Disciples.”  Jesus preached, taught, and healed, and He called His first disciples to do the same.  The children learn that Jesus chose ordinary, sinful men to follow Him and be His disciples.  In Baptism, Jesus chooses us to be His children. Underscore that in Jesus’ forgiveness we find peace and favor with God, whose Word testifies repeatedly and consistently that Jesus is His Son and our Savior.  Ask your children, “Through whom does Jesus continue His saving work where His Word is preached and His Sacraments are administered today?”

TODAY is our monthly door Offering for our Seminary Student Jeremy Hercamp.  Jeremy is a student at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN and is completing his studies this winter/spring and will receive a call into the pastoral ministry in April.  We will also have Jeremy preach and conduct Adult Bible Class sometime in spring.  A Christmas letter from the Hercamp’s is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

POINSETTIA PICK UP: You may pick up your poinsettias TODAY following the 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. worship services. There are plastic covers on the coat rack at the north end of the narthex which you may use to protect them.  Thank you for your participation in decorating our Church for the Christmas season.

THIRD FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT IS BACK!  On Friday, January 20^th at 6:30 p.m. we will show the movie “THE FINAL SEASON”.  It is a true story of an underdog coach and the team that must defend their legacy against insurmountable odds.  The high school baseball team in Norway, Iowa is led by legendary Coach Jim Van Scoyoc.  When talk of a school merger gets serious it threatens to rob them of their 20^th State Championship.  “The Final Season” will inspire and entertain everyone.  Join us for a great movie, good food and great fellowship.

LIFE SUNDAY:  Two weeks from today, January 22nd, will be Life Sunday.  We will have a special Order of Worship that day and also take a door Offering for “Lutherans For Life”.

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES:  Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex.  We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Looking for God?  Look to the Lamb” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 1:29-42.  Jesus’ love, suffering, sacrifice, and triumph are all expressed in that most precious of titles: The Lamb of God.  Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker.  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.

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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January 1, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 2:21:  “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”  There it is: the shortest Gospel lesson of the whole Church Year.  It is for the festival of the Circumcision and Name of Jesus.  What more do you need to know than the Name of Jesus?  The Lord Saves.  That’s who Jesus is: the Lord who saves us sinners.  That simple Gospel message is the foundation of our faith and the strength to live out our faith in action.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meeting at 9:15 a.m. this morning will watch the DVD “The First Rosa – Teacher, Confessor, Church Planter”.  It tells the story of LCMS member Rosa Young and her work to bring the Gospel to different parts of the church in the southern part of the United States.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  “Jesus Is Rejected at Nazareth” is the Sunday School lesson for today.  In Nazareth, throughout His ministry, and even today, Jesus is rejected by people who do not have faith in Him.  God’s Word clearly shows that Jesus is God’s Son, and in faith, we believe.  With your family, discuss, “How does sin blind our eyes to the Savior and cause us to suffer from sin’s effects with sickness, trouble, and even physical death?”

NEXT SUNDAY, January 8^th, will be our monthly door Offering for our Seminary Student Jeremy Hercamp.  Sunday, January 22^nd, will be Life Sunday with a special Order of Worship.  We will also have a door Offering that day for “Lutherans For Life”.

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES:  Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex.  We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “God’s Real Promise of Righteousness and Justice” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Isaiah 42:1-9.  Jesus brings us righteousness and justice to restore bruised reeds and reignite faintly burning wicks.  Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker. 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.

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 25, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 1:5:  “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  Through all of our hardships, all of our sorrows, all of our pains and loneliness: Jesus’ light shines in the darkness, and we are not overcome.  In the face of our sin, in the midst of our pettiness, against all our pride: Jesus’ light shines and illuminates our hearts, and changes us, day by day, into a greater reflection of His likeness.

PASTOR’S SCHEDULE:  Pastor will be on vacation this week in various pursuits – Christmas in Wisconsin; helping at the State Farm Holiday Basketball Classic and sleeping!  In an emergency he can be reached on his cell at (309) 838-0306.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE:  New Year’s Eve Worship with Holy Communion will take place at 7:00 p.m.  Next Sunday, New Year’s Day, we will hold our regular worship services at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. along with Sunday School and Adult Bible Class.  Holy Communion will be celebrated in the 8:00 a.m. service.

2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES:  Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex.  We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Right On Time, Just When We Need His Grace” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Galatians 4:4-7.  It’s the right time to repent, turn to God, ask for His help, and trust in the risen Savior, Jesus Christ.  Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker.  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.

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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