† Bulletin Announcements †

January 10, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 3:21: “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying. . .” We know why the people where baptized, but why was Jesus baptized? He didn’t need repentance or forgiveness. The answer is that Hes did it for us. The reason God sent His Son into the world is to fulfill all righteousness for us, to do what we could not do. 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. With our righteousness fulfilled in Jesus and given to us in Baptism – our hearts now overflow with thanksgiving and praise.

TODAY is our 2^nd Sunday door Offering for Seminarian Bradley Ferch and his family. Bradley is in his 4^th year of study at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN.

FROM THE OFFICE: If you do not receive the Church Newsletter by email, please pick up your copy of the January Newsletter on the table in the narthex. This is only for the month of January. Thank you!

FORT WAYNE SEMINARY COOP COLLECTION: John & Paula Hardy will be traveling to Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana again this year. Please bring in any lightly used clothing or household items that you wish to donate for the seminarians and their families. The CoOp provides these items to the seminarians and their family free of charge and really helps in making their time at the seminary more affordable. We will be packing up, and depending on weather, leaving on Friday, January 29th.

WINTER WEATHER PLAN: If bad weather is likely, the Elders will send an email reminder to the Newsletter email list the night before services reminding you to check WJBC or email to see if church is cancelled. If you do not receive the Newsletter email and want to receive cancellation emails, subscribe to the Newsletter email at: http://www.goodshepherdblm.org/about-us/contact-us/

PORTALS OF PRAYER: The January – March 2016 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.

TODAY: You are invited to the Installation Service as Senior Pastor for Reverend Jonathan P. Huehn at Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N Hershey Rd. Normal, this afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

LUTHERANS FOR LIFE FISH FRY: Pastors Joe Burns of Eureka and Bruce Scarbeary of Roanoke are sponsoring a Lutherans For Life Fish Fry. It is a dinner for up to twenty people with the proceeds going to a local Lutherans For Life Chapter. They are taking “bids” until March 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. If you would like to bid on this group outing, please place your bid and information on the sheet in the narthex.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Not What You’d Expect” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from John 2:1-11. Jesus turns water into wine and challenges our notions of what God should or shouldn’t do. 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.

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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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†  Bulletin Announcements  †

January 3, 2016

WINTER WEATHER PLAN: If bad weather is likely, the Elders will send an email reminder to the Newsletter email list the night before services reminding you to check WJBC or email to see if church is cancelled. If you do not receive the Newsletter email and want to receive cancellation emails, subscribe to the Newsletter email at: http://www.goodshepherdblm.org/about-us/contact-us/

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL we study “An Angel Visits Joseph”. Just as the angel proclaimed to Joseph that Mary would bear an infant who is the Son of God, the Savior, so God proclaimed to us in His Word that this same Jesus is our Savior from sin and death. Parents could ask, “What important message did the angel give Joseph? What important message do we hear in God’s Word?”

PORTALS OF PRAYER: The January – March 2016 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.

YOU ARE INVITED to the Installation Service as Senior Pastor for Reverend Jonathan P. Huehn at Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N Hershey Rd. Normal, NEXT SUNDAY, January 10^th at 3:00 p.m. A light supper will be served immediately following the service in the Parish Hall. An RSVP is requested for the meal by tomorrow, January 4^th. Please call the church office at (309 452-5609, Extension 2.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “What’s Running Your Life?” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Romans 6:1-11. When Christ runs your life, beauty and blessing flow to you and through you to others. 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.

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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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†  Bulletin Announcements  †

December 27, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  “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.” (Luke 2:38 ESV) Notice here how giving thanks to God leads to good works (speaking about Jesus, in this case). 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?

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the children study “The Birth of John.” Zechariah spoke God’s Word announcing that this baby, John, would give people knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of sins. God speaks through His holy Word to give us knowledge of salvation and forgiveness through Jesus, His Son. In your family discuss, “How does Jesus remind us of the work He has done for us?”

NEW YEAR’S EVE WORSHIP: This Thursday, December 31^st, will be our New Year’s Eve Worship with Holy Communion beginning at 7:00 p.m. The sermon is titled: “The Sure Thing of Jesus”. Following worship it has been tradition to have members join together in dinner at a local restaurant. This year that will take place at CJ’s at 8:00 p.m. If you would like to join, and all are welcome, please sign-up on the table in the narthex.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS: One week from today, January 3^rd, when we celebrate Epiphany we will also install all those who were duly elected to serve Good Shepherd in the year of our Lord 2016. We will have Installation in both of our worship services that morning.

WINTER WEATHER PLAN: If bad weather is likely, the Elders will send an email reminder to the Newsletter email list the night before services reminding you to check WJBC or email to see if church is cancelled. If you do not receive the Newsletter email and want to receive cancellation emails, subscribe to the Newsletter email at: http://www.goodshepherdblm.org/about-us/contact-us/

PORTALS OF PRAYER: The January – March 2016 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: “Life In Context” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Ephesians 1:3-14. Life is not up for grabs or out of control. Find real life in the context of Christ’s cross and resurrection. 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.

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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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†  Bulletin Announcements  †

December 20, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  “And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45 ESV) 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: just as it gave Mary the courage to carry on in her seemingly embarrassed circumstances.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, the children learn the account “Mary Visits Elizabeth.” In the presence of the Son of God growing within Mary’s womb, John the Baptist leapt inside Elizabeth’s womb. God fills us with Himself in Word and Sacrament and we, like Mary, offer our praise and worship. Consider asking, “How or when does God fill us with His presence today?”

PORTALS OF PRAYER: The January – March 2016 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.

POSITION AVAILABLE: Christ Lutheran Church at 311 N. Hershey Road in Normal is seeking to hire an Office Manager. The list of Qualifications is posted on the bulletin board. You may submit a letter of interest and resume to Christ Lutheran Church, Attention: Employment Committee; or email to: clcms@frontier.com. For additional details see http://christlutherannormal.org.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “No Regrets” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from 1 Timothy 1:16. Jesus invites you to leave your burden of regret at the foot of His cross. The speaker will be Reverend Ken Klaus. 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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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†   Bulletin Announcements   †

December 13, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  “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.” (Philippians 4:5-6 ESV). 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.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the children will hear the message “The Birth of Jesus Foretold.” God favored Mary, choosing her to be the mother of Jesus. God favors us because of Jesus Christ, choosing us to be His children! Ask your children, “How did God show Mary, and us, His unmerited grace and favor?”

MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICE: Our Choir – “A Service of Lessons and Carols”, will lead our third and final Advent Service. Please come and support these men and women who have given of their time and God-given talent to praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Service begins at 7:00 p.m. Our Advent meal will start at 5:30 p.m. You may sign-up to bring food in the narthex. This week the free-will Offering will go to Wittenberg Lutheran Student Center at Illinois State.

POINSETTIAS: If you would like to contribute toward the purchase of a poinsettia for the church altar at Christmas, the cost is $8.00. There is a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex and also an envelope to put your money or check in. Please indicate on the memo line of your check: Poinsettia. We will need to have your order by this coming Wednesday, December 16^th. You may pick up your poinsettia on Sunday, January 3, 2016. Thank you.

PORTALS OF PRAYER: The January – March 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today.

HELP US CELEBRATE: In honor of her 100^th birthday this coming Thursday, December 17^th, Pauline Hanner and her family would appreciate a card or note be sent to her. She is a charter member of Good Shepherd and has gladly served her church and community all her life. You may send your card to: Pauline Hanner, Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka, 610 W Cruger, PO Box 128, Eureka IL 61530.

CHOIR PRACTICE: Choir is meeting every Wednesday from 7-8:00 p.m. and we always need more voices. If you would like to learn more about choir, contact Steve Parry at drparry68@outlook.com or (309) 533-5200. Come make a joyful noise until the Lord!

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.

YOU ARE INVITED to take a free 20-minute walking tour and experience “The Journey” that Mary and Joseph took so many years ago. This tour features indoor and outdoor scenes with live drama, live animals and singing. The “Journeys” begin inside every 10 minutes from 5-7:00 p.m. TODAY at Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N. Hershey Rd., in Normal. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be available. Meals are also available for purchase between 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. If you would like more information, please call Christ Lutheran Church at (309) 452-5609.

POSITION AVAILABLE: Christ Lutheran Church at 311 N. Hershey Road in Normal is seeking to hire an Office Manager. The list of Qualifications is posted on the bulletin board. You may submit a letter of interest and resume to Christ Lutheran Church, Attention: Employment Committee; or email to: clcms@frontier.com. For additional details see http://christlutherannormal.org.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “The Gift In the Manger” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Luke 2:8-12. From the manger to the cross to resurrection life, God is in the giving business for all of us to receive and believe. 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

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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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†  Bulletin Announcements  †

December 6, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: “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.’” (Luke 3:4 ESV)   God makes long range plans: Isaiah lived more than seven hundred 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.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

TODAY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON is “The Birth of John Foretold.” The children learned that God in His mercy promised to send John to prepare sinful people for the coming of the Lord. God in His Word calls us to repentance, declaring us righteous because of His Son, Jesus. In your family discussions ask, “When have you doubted God’s Word? How does God forgive and relieve our doubts?”

MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP SERVICES: The 2^nd of our three Advent Worship Services takes place this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. The message: “Advent Faith”. The meal, a free-will Offering will be given to Seminarian Bradley Ferch from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN. That meal begins at 5:30 p.m. and you can sign-up on the sheet in the narthex.

THANK YOU to everyone who helped decorate the narthex and Sanctuary for Advent/Christmas. It looks wonderful and we appreciate your help during this fellowship event.

VOTER’S DIRECTIVES: Following the directives of the voters following the recent meeting we have a sheet with Fund Balances available for pick-up on the table in the narthex. Please note the Organ Fund money will be used once the scheduled work is completed in early 2016. Also, there are Financial Statements in the church office for those interested.

 SPECIAL REQUEST – IT’S A CARD SHOWER:  In honor of her 100th birthday on December 17,2015, Pauline Hanner’s family would appreciate a card or note be sent to her. She is a charter member of Good Shepherd and has gladly served her church and community all her life.  Cards can be mailed to:   Pauline Hanner   C/O Apostolic Christian Home   610 W Cruger Ave   Eureka IL  61530

LUTHERAN ANNUAL: It’s time again to order copies of “The Lutheran Annual”. The cost is $28.00. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact Janet or Sandy in the church office by phone (309) 662-8905 or by email: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com, or even in person!

CHOIR PRACTICE: Choir is meeting every Wednesday from 7-8:00 p.m. and we always need more voices. If you would like to learn more about choir, contact Steve Parry at drparry68@outlook.com or (309) 533-5200. Come make a joyful noise until the Lord!

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.

YOU ARE INVITED to take a free 20-minute walking tour and experience “The Journey” that Mary and Joseph took so many years ago. This tour features indoor and outdoor scenes with live drama, live animals and singing. The “Journeys” begin inside every 10 minutes from 5-7:00 p.m. next Sunday, December 13^th at Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N. Hershey Rd., in Normal. Free cookies and hot chocolate will be available. Meals are also available for purchase between 4:30 and 7:00 p.m. If you would like more information, please call Christ Lutheran Church at (309) 452-5609.

POSITION AVAILABLE: Christ Lutheran Church at 311 N. Hershey Road in Normal is seeking to hire an Office Manager. The list of Qualifications is posted on the bulletin board. You may submit a letter of interest and resume to Christ Lutheran Church, Attention: Employment Committee; or email to: clcms@frontier.com. For additional details see http://christlutherannormal.org.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “The Lord Is Near” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Philippians 4:4-7. God’s message is simple and straightforward: Jesus is near-put trust in Him! 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.

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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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