†   Bulletin Announcements   †

May 3, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 15:2 : “Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”  God is interested in the fruit that we bear in good works, and He even prunes us so that we may bring forth more fruit. Trusting in our Lord’s work for us, being grafted by grace into His vine, we desire to be more like Him, to grow into His image.  That’s growth in fruit bearing…and it always comes with some pruning.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck, is studying “Luther’s Small Catechism”.  The class meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  The story of “Paul and Timothy” serves as the focus of Sunday School today.  Just as many in Paul’s day thought, we think we must do something to be saved.  Yet the answer is always Jesus, Jesus, only Jesus, whose resurrection from the dead sealed our salvation and absolved the world.  Questions for discussion include “How are you like Timothy?” and “How are we saved from our sin?”

TODAY:  The Holy Baptism of Cooper Rex Mosier takes place in our 10:30 worship service.  Cooper is the son of Randy and Beth Mosier.  The witnesses for Cooper’s baptism will be Jake and Barbie Langhoff.

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the “Walk For Life” for Pastor and his family.  Over $50,000.00 was raised for the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

ATTENTION:  The 20^th Church Anniversary Committee needs photos from 2005-2015 to be used in a power point presentation during our Anniversary week-end.  Please let us know if you have any photos to share such as from Sunday School, Bible Class, Church Meetings, worship services, picnics, etc.  Please contact Marvin Huth at (309) 829-6897 if you have any photos to share or questions.  Thank you!      The 20^th Church Anniversary Committee

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:  The members of Good Shepherd are invited to our sister congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church, this afternoon as they install their new Pastor.  Reverend Billy Newell will become their new Assistant Pastor in the 2:30 p.m. worship service.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Relentless Compassion” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Acts 10:34-38.  God’s love excludes no one.  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.

† † † † † †

 

† Bulletin Announcements†

April 26, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 10:14:  “I am the good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me.”  What does it mean to know the Lord?  It starts with being known by the Lord: He claims us as His own and calls us by name.  Then, once we are His, we learn to know Him…and in knowing Him we learn to imitate Him.  And that is how the Christian life of good works and generosity grows from the Lord’s grace

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck, is studying “Luther’s Small Catechism”.  The class meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL students learn the story of “Paul’s First Missionary Journey.”  Just as God sent Paul and Barnabas to spread the Gospel, so today He sends pastors to preach the Gospel, baptize, and feed Jesus’ body and blood to His children, against whom the gates of hell cannot prevail.  Consider discussing, “Who gave Paul directions on where to travel?  What was Paul’s message?”

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located 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.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S 20^TH ANNIVERSARY:  Have you noticed the banner in the narthex for Good Shepherd’s 20^th Anniversary: (Great Is Thy Faithfulness)?  A great big Thank you goes out to Joyce Schneider and Paula Hardy for making the banner.  We also want to report we have collected a little over $3,800.00 since we had our first collection in March.  Our next dates for collection for the Organ Repair are: Sunday, May 24^th and Sunday, May 31^st.  Thank you to all for your participation.  The 20^th Church Anniversary Committee

THE LUTHERANS FOR LIFE OF ILLINOIS 2015 STATE CONFERENCE will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln, IL this coming Saturday, May 2^nd from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The Conference theme is “Because Life Matters” taken from Job 33:4.  Our keynote speaker will be Reverend Dr. Jim Lamb, Executive Director of Lutherans For Life.  Other speakers include Sara Hintz and Lori Trinche.  No pre-registration or fee required.  Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and rolls.  Please bring donations of diapers, diaper wipes, and newborn baby items which will be given to the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center of Lincoln, IL.  A continental breakfast, mid-morning snack, and lunch will be prepared and served by the Zion Lutheran Ladies Aid (a free-will Offering would be appreciated).  The Conference Offering will be going to “Owen’s Mission” (a Special Project providing a set of “Touch of Life” fetal models to Lutheran schools).  Please e-mail: lakamps@gmail.com with questions.  Everyone is welcome to come and be educated on life issues and enjoy fellowship with other life-affirming folks.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “You Can Live a Meaningful Life” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 15:1-8.  A life that is meaningful is one that is connected to Jesus.  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.

† † † † † †

 

† Bulletin Announcements †

April 19, 2015

 THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  1 John 3:2:  “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”  There is the essence of our sanctification: becoming like our Lord.  As St. John notes, this will only be completed in the Resurrection

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck, is studying “Luther’s Small Catechism”.  The class meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the children will study “The Conversion of Paul” and learn that as God did with Paul, so God does with us.  Through the Law we are crushed by the weight of our sin and are helpless.  As God revived Paul through Ananias (Acts 9:1–31), He revives us through our pastors with the proclamation of His Word and the administration of His Sacraments granting forgiveness, life, and salvation to all who believe.  Talk to your children about how the Sacraments and God’s Word revive you so that you may live as God’s child.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MAY 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.

CHURCH DIRECTORY:  The April 2015 edition of the Church Member Directory is available on the table in the narthex.  Please pick up your copy today.

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and family will be walking again in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” this coming Saturday, April 25^th at Christ Church in Normal.  If you would like to sponsor them with a pledge or walk yourself please speak with Pastor.  Thank you.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located 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.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S 20^TH ANNIVERSARY:  Have you noticed the banner in the narthex for Good Shepherd’s 20^th Anniversary: (Great Is Thy Faithfulness)?  A great big Thank you goes out to Joyce Schneider and Paula Hardy for making the banner.  We also want to report we have collected a little over $3,800.00 since we had our first collection in March.  Our next dates for collection for the Organ Repair are:  Sunday, May 24^th and Sunday, May 31^st.  Thank you to all for your participation.  The 20^th Church Anniversary Committee

THE LUTHERANS FOR LIFE OF ILLINOIS 2015 STATE CONFERENCE will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Lincoln, IL on Saturday, May 2^nd from 9:00 a.m. to noon.  The Conference theme is “Because Life Matters” taken from Job 33:4.  Our keynote speaker will be Reverend Dr. Jim Lamb, Executive Director of Lutherans For Life.  Other speakers include Sara Hintz and Lori Trinche.  No pre-registration or fee required.  Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for coffee and rolls.  Please bring donations of diapers, diaper wipes, and newborn baby items which will be given to the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center of Lincoln, IL.  A continental breakfast, mid-morning snack, and lunch will be prepared and served by the Zion Lutheran Ladies Aid (a free-will Offering would be appreciated).  The Conference Offering will be going to “Owen’s Mission” (a Special Project providing a set of “Touch of Life” fetal models to Lutheran schools).  Please e-mail: lakamps@gmail.com with questions.  Everyone is welcome to come and be educated on life issues and enjoy fellowship with other life-affirming folks.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Open-minded and Accepting” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Acts 4:12.  Tolerance and open-mindedness are values much touted, but truth is even better.  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.

† † † † † †

† Bulletin Announcements †

April 12, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 20:19:  “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.””  The peace we have in Jesus is what makes a life of good works possible.  Since we know that it is Jesus who saved us, and not our works, we are now free to do good works not out of self-interest, but for the right reasons: out of thanksgiving toward God and love for our neighbors.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck, is studying “Luther’s Small Catechism”.  The class meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL we study “Jesus Reinstates Peter.”  We are all like Peter in our words and actions, denying our Lord and weeping bitterly over what we have done.  We are in need of the same comfort that Peter received—the comfort of sins forgiven and the assurance that even though we are faithless, Jesus will remain faithful.  You might discuss, “How did Peter express his sorrow and repentance?  What specific directions did Jesus give to Peter?”

TODAY is our 2^nd Sunday door Offering for both Reverend Michael Kearney and Seminarian Chris Suggitt.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MAY 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.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  The sign-up for the International House Dinner at Illinois State is now available on the table in the narthex.  The date is Friday, April 17^th at 6:00 p.m.  We need volunteers to make and bring food and if you can, come to the meal.  Please sign-up for that as well.  This is a congregational outreach.  We pray you can be a part of this as we get to know young people from all over the world.

CHURCH DIRECTORY:  The April 2015 edition of the Church Member Directory is available on the table in the narthex.  Please pick up your copy today.

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and family will be walking again in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” on Saturday, April 25^th at Christ Church in Normal.  If you would like to sponsor them with a pledge or walk yourself please speak with Pastor.  Thank you.

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.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

YOU ARE INVITED:  Members of Good Shepherd are invited to a farewell reception for Reverend Chris Nitzel and family TODAY at Trinity Lutheran School from 2-4:00 p.m.  Reverend Nitzel is an Assistant Pastor at Trinity who has taken a call to Iowa.

TICKETS AVAILABLE:  Good Shepherd has been blessed with free tickets to the collegiate baseball game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.  The game is this coming Tuesday, April 14^th at 4:30 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field.  The free tickets are available for your pick-up in the church office next to the mailboxes.  Enjoy!

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “It’s Not Over ‘til Jesus Says It’s Over” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 24:36-49.  Our risen Savior enables us to hold on when troubled times tempt us to bail out.  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.

† † † † † †

† Bulletin Announcements †

April 5, 2015

He Is Risen . . .

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 20:1:  “Now on the first day of the week. . .”  All is made new by the Resurrection of Jesus!  Even the day of worship has transitioned from the Old Testament’s Saturday Sabbath to the Lord’s Day of the New Testament.  For the Lord has made all things new: He has begun a new week for a new creation in rising from the dead as the New Adam.  We are also made new in Him – a new heart, a new life, new desires, a new outlook toward God: all this comes from our Risen Lord’s grace.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck, will be studying during Lent: “Singing With The Exiles”, based on the Book of Isaiah.  This Bible Study corresponds with today’s Easter message.  The class is at 9:15 a.m. in the church basement.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  “Jesus Dies and Lives Again” serves as the lesson focus for Sunday School this Easter Sunday.  Good Friday is both the worst of days, revealing the gravity of our sin and God’s wrath, and the best of days, forever portraying God’s love for us in the crucifixion and resurrection of His Son.  Parents could ask, “What makes Good Friday so good? Why is Easter so important for a Christian?”

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  The sign-up for the International House Dinner at Illinois State is now available on the table in the narthex.  The date is Friday, April 17^th at 6:00 p.m.  We need volunteers to make and bring food and if you can, come to the meal.  Please sign-up for that as well.  This is a congregational outreach.  We pray you can be a part of this as we get to know young people from all over the world.

CHURCH DIRECTORY:  The April 2015 edition of the Church Member Directory is available on the table in the narthex.  Please pick up your copy today.

COMPLIMENTARY AMERICAN PASSION PLAY TICKETS for the this coming Saturday, April 11^th performance at 2:00 p.m. are available.  Please contact Carol Schroeder at gordoncarol304@gmail.com or Fern and Theron Noth at tfnoth@gmail.com.

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and family will be walking again in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” on Saturday, April 25^th at Christ Church in Normal.  If you would like to sponsor them with a pledge or walk yourself please speak with Pastor.  Thank you.

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.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

THE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER is having a Confidential Week-end Retreat for post abortive men and women on April 10^th–12^th.  For more information please see www.hopeforafuture.com/deeperstill.

TICKETS AVAILABLE:  Good Shepherd has been blessed with free tickets to the collegiate baseball game between the Illinois State Redbirds and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.  The game is Tuesday, April 14^th at 4:30 p.m. at Duffy Bass Field.  The free tickets are available for your pick-up in the church office next to the mailboxes.  Enjoy!

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “God Always Shows Up” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 20:19-38.  Jesus shows up in your life today with His gifts of forgiveness and new life.  The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Tune in!  You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.

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.

He Is Risen Indeed!

† † † † † †

† Bulletin Announcements †

March 29, 2015

 THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Zechariah 9:9:  “Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  No king ever rode to war like this. But no king had ever come to wage battle by dying.  In His Passion, our Lord Jesus gives everything He has and is to bring us from death to life: He is the king who wins by losing.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck, will be studying during Lent: “Singing With The Exiles”, based on the Book of Isaiah.  This Bible Study corresponds with the Wednesday evening Lenten messages.  The class is at 9:15 a.m. in the church basement.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL the lesson focuses on “Jesus and Zacchaeus.”  Like Zacchaeus, we are among the lost whom the Son of Man seeks and forgives.  We are called to forgive those who sin against us, no matter how Zacchaeus-like they may be in their sins.  Parents might ask, “How does Jesus seek you? How has God forgiven you?”

OUR WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR HOLY WEEK IS AS FOLLOWS:  Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy Communion at 7:00 p.m.  Good Friday we have a brief Tre Ore Service at noon and our Tenebrae Service of Darkness at 7:00 p.m.  Holy Communion will be celebrated at the evening service.  On Easter Sunday the first Worship Service is at 7:00 a.m.  Easter Breakfast follows; please see the sign-up in the narthex.  Sunday School and Adult Bible Class at 9:15 a.m. and our 2^nd Worship Service is at the normal time of 10:30 a.m.  We will have Holy Communion in both Divine Services.

PRAYER TIME IN APRIL:  It’s a good time to pray in silence and reflect on our Savior’s sacrifice on the cross.  In the month of April we will have Prayer Time at the church on Good Friday, April 3^rd, from 6- 7:00 pm  Everyone is welcome to come and pray for a few minutes before the Tenebrae service.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR and watch for the sign-up as we are blessed to serve a meal once again this year at the Illinois State International House.  The date is Friday, April 17^th at 6:00 p.m.  We will need many volunteers and we pray you can be a part of this congregational outreach.

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.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

THE PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER is having a Confidential Week-end Retreat for post abortive men and women on April 10^th–12^th.  For more information please see www.hopeforafuture.com/deeperstill.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “One Step Ahead” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Mark 16:1-8.  Your future is not a mystery.  Our risen Savior is one step ahead and He leads you to eternal life.  The speaker will be Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear this Sunday’s message on the Lutheran Hour on WGN (720) at 6:00 a.m.; WJWR (104.7 FM) and WJWR (90.3 FM) both on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  Also, if you can receive Lincoln, IL radio station WLLM (1370 AM) the program is broadcast two times on Sunday at 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.  Tune in!  You can also listen to The Lutheran Hour on your personal computer at RealAudio, www.lhm.org.

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.

†  †  †  †  †  †