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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December 11, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Isaiah 35:4:  “Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.””  The return of our Lord at the Last Day is a cause of joy and anticipation for us believers.  We know our Lord and His love, and we look forward to His Second Advent.  Indeed, how we live our lives here and now flows from our certain hope of resurrection and eternal life.

TODAY:  Two new adult confirmands are joining our Good Shepherd family this morning.  Bill Nelson, the brother of Emily Field.  Bill enjoys sports and baking.  Ashley Nero, engaged to Bryan Reichert.  Ashley’s interests include scrapbooking, zumba, playing with her pets, social work and the Cubs!  Please welcome them to our congregation.

MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP:  The third of our three Advent Worship Services is this Wednesday, December 14^th at 7:00 p.m.  The theme for our Advent/Christmas messages is “Family Life”.  This week’s sermon is “A List!”.  A meal is served at 5:30 p.m. and you may sign-up in the narthex to bring food.  The free-will Offering will go to Bethesda Lutheran Communities.

SPECIAL WORSHIP AND BIBLE CLASS:  Please join us for worship and Bible Class next Sunday, December 18^th, as we have two special things planned for that day.  Both the 8:00 and 10:30 worship will be “A Service of Lessons and Carols” led by our Choir.  There will be no Holy Communion in either service.  Because of this, we will have Holy Communion in both worship services on Sunday, December 11^th.  Also that morning Karson Lueck will lead the Bible Class.  Karson will present part two of his topic, “The Church and Millenials”.  We encourage all adults and young people to be part of this timely and interesting study.

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!

IT’S TIME TO ORDER POINSETTIAS:  We have a sign-up sheet on the table in the narthex for poinsettias on the altar for Christmas. The cost is $8.00 each and you may sign up until Sunday, December 18th. The poinsettias will be available to be taken home after Epiphany which is on Sunday, January 8^th.  An envelope is also available with the sign-up sheet for your check or cash.  Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and list “Poinsettia” on memo line.  If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 or Luanne Huth at (309) 829-6897.

THE LUTHERAN ANNUAL:  It’s time again to order your copy of “The Lutheran Annual”, this being the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation.  The cost is $25.00.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact Janet in the church office or by phone (309) 662-8905 or email at: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com. Or even in person.

MARK YOU CALENDARS:  Please be sure to mark your calendars that Good Shepherd will just have one Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.  The Sunday School and Adult Bible Class will not meet that morning.

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:  Christ Lutheran Church in Normal invites you to take a free guided 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, animals and singing.  “Journeys begin inside every 10 minutes between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. TODAY.  Free cookies and hot chocolate will be available.  Meals are also available for purchase between 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.  For more information please call the church at (309) 452-5609.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Peace On Earth, Peace That Lasts” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Matthew 1:18-25.  What is the key to real and lasting peace on earth?  Jesus, God with us.  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 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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November 27, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 21:3:   “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.””  Just a colt and her foal.  How significant could they be?  Could they really be used by the Lord for some great, heavenly purpose?  This is one facet of stewardship we often forget: the blessing it is to us to be of service in the Lord’s kingdom.  What honor the Lord bestows upon us by using our gifts for His goals!

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, meeting in the basement at 9:15 a.m. continues a DVD based study: “Jesus – Legend or Lord?”  The class features LC-MS Author and Scholar Dr. Paul Maier discussing History and Archaeology and how it all fits with the Holy Scriptures.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL students explored the story “God Forgives David.”  Just as God accepted and forgave King David and other great saints who committed grave sins, so He accepts and forgives us, all for the sake of Christ.  Parents could ask, “Who reminds you of your sins?  Who tells you about forgiveness?

TODAY:  You are invited to join the Evangelism/Stewardship Board as we decorate the church for the Advent/Christmas Season today after the 10:30 worship.  We will order pizza and be merry!

TODAY:  Advent Devotion Booklets are available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your copy today.  Reflect on your own Christmas memories while you take an Advent journey with the Gospel writer Luke as he shares the story of the Savior’s birth.

MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP:  The first of our three Advent Worship Services is this Wednesday, November 30th, at 7:00 p.m.  The theme for our Advent/Christmas messages is “Family Life”.  This week’s sermon is “Two Families”.  A meal is served at 5:30 p.m. and you may sign-up in the narthex to bring food.  The free-will Offering will go to Mr. Jeremy Hercamp, the seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary who we support.

SPECIAL WORSHIP AND BIBLE CLASS:  Please join us for worship and Bible Class on Sunday, December 18^th, as we have two special things planned for that day.  Both the 8:00 and 10:30 worship will be “A Service of Lessons and Carols” led by our Choir.  There will be no Holy Communion in either service.  Because of this, we will have Holy Communion in both worship services on Sunday, December 11^th.  Also that morning Karson Lueck will lead the Bible Class.  Karson will present part two of his topic, “The Church and Millenials”.  We encourage all adults and young people to be part of this timely and interesting study.

THE LADIES MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at the home of Diane Benjamin on Tuesday, December 13^th at 9:30 a.m.

MARK YOU CALENDARS:  Please be sure to mark your calendars that Good Shepherd will just have one Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.  The Sunday School and Adult Bible Class will not meet that morning.

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:  Christ Lutheran Church in Normal invites you to take a free guided 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, animals and singing.  “Journeys begin inside every 10 minutes between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 11^th.  Free cookies and hot chocolate will be available.  Meals are also available for purchase between 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.  For more information please call the church at (309) 452-5609.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Wait Until He Comes!” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Isaiah 11:1-10.  A broken world waits, yearns, and hopes for restoration.  Jesus has already done everything to make that restoration a reality.  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 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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