May 29, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Galatians 1:6: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.”  The Bible uses the image of “turning” to another gospel, or to another god, to show us the seriousness of sin.  When we are tempted to follow some sinful course of action, we are being told to turn our backs on God.  But the Lord calls upon us to turn away from sin and turn toward Him – where we will find a Father’s smiling face and loving embrace.  In our stewardship, let us not turn toward greed in fear, but toward our Lord in humility and faith.

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”.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR TODAY focuses on the story of “Jesus and the Little Children.”  In our sin, we are like small children: helpless, dependent, and needy.  So Jesus came to bestow His love and eternal gifts upon us.  Parents could discuss, “How did Jesus show His compassion on these little children?  How does Jesus shower His compassion on us?”

FROM THE OFFICE:  Tomorrow, May 30^th, is Memorial Day and the church office will be closed.  Thank you.

ATTENTION YOUTH:  You are invited to join us for a new Bible Study beginning next Sunday, June 5^th, at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room.  The title is: “Real Deal – It’s A Big Deal”.  Faith Related Issues such as Faith Challenges, Worship, Other Religions, and Religious Rights, etc.  If you have any questions please see or call Mary Anne Kirchner at (309) 532-2582.  

ON SUNDAY, June 12^th, we will have door Offering for the Hilbert Family.  The Hilbert’s are missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators in Botswana.  When they arrived there recently the house they are staying in was not furnished and even the kitchen cabinets had been taken.  The gifts will go toward helping them acquire the things that they need for their home as they do their mission work in Africa.

TUITION ASSISTANCE:  Anyone that would like to apply for Tuition Assistance may do so by filling out the Application Form which are located on the bookcase in the church office.  When completed, please return to the church office.  Applications are due by Sunday, August 7, 2016.  Thank you.                        The Board of Christian Education

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:  The Living Alternatives Pregnancy Center is having a Volunteer Opportunity Open House on Thursday, June 9^th.  The times are: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  The Center is located at 303 Landmark Drive, Suite 1B in Normal.  Last month’s Walk For Life had 149 walkers (including Pastor & Toni) and raised $46,000.00.  God bless you all.

FROM THE OFFICE:  As of Tuesday, May 31^st at 11:30 a.m., Laura Kessler will no longer be known as Laura.  Laura will appear in court that day to have her name legally changed to Kyryth.  Please pronounce it “Kir-ith.”   If you would like to know why she made this decision, please feel free to ask her.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Christ’s Good News” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Galatians 1:11-24.  What is the Gospel?  It’s Good News of God’s forgiving love for us, in Jesus Christ.  The speaker is 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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May 22, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  From the Service of the Sacrament: “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Sabaoth adored.”  Three times the angels in Isaiah 6 cry out: “Holy, Holy, Holy!” which is an indication of the threeness in the one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This is the Name we are baptized into.  We have been made a part of God’s family.  And so we are now called to live lives that are in harmony with our new family: we are to be godly, to live in God’s image.  As God is loving, and kind, and generous – so are we called to be.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS:  Today we will have a special Adult/High School Bible Class.  Karson Lueck will be talking about the Christian faith from his generation’s perspective.  He will talk about what he has observed from college, friends, and young people.  Join us at 9:15 a.m. in the basement of the church.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, the children learn, “Jesus Heals Ten Lepers.”  Jesus forgives and heals us from the sickness of sin and death.  Discuss, “What does it mean to be healed of our sin-sickness?  How do we thank God for His grace?”

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the JUNE 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, May 29^th, is a fifth Sunday so Holy Communion will be celebrated in both worship services.

FROM THE OFFICE:  Sandy will be out of the church office this coming Thursday, May 26^th, and Friday, May 27^th.  Please have any announcements you would like published in the bulletin for Sunday, May 29^th to her by Monday morning, May 23^rd as that is the day she will be copying the bulletin for Sunday, May 29^th.  Thank you!

ATTENTION YOUTH AND POST-CONFIRMATION YOUTH:  You are invited to join us for a new Bible Study beginning on Sunday, June 5^th, at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room.  The title is: “Real Deal – It’s A Big Deal”.  Faith Related Issues such as Faith Challenges, Worship, Other Religions, and Religious Rights, etc.  If you have any questions please see or call Mary Anne Kirchner at (309) 532-2582.  

TUITION ASSISTANCE:  Anyone that would like to apply for Tuition Assistance may do so by filling out the Application Form which are located on the bookcase in the church office.  When completed, please return to the church office.  Applications are due by Sunday, August 7, 2016.  Thank you.   The Board of Christian Education

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:  “Identity Theft” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Galatians 1:5-8.  Nobody likes to have their identity stolen, and that includes the Lord who said, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”  The speaker is 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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May 15, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Acts 2:1:  “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.”  Notice that Pentecost is actually an Old Testament festival: it happens around the time when the wheat and oats are ready to be brought in.  In the New Testament this becomes a picture and foreshadowing of the great harvest of humankind that God means to bring in through the preaching of His Word.  God gives the seed, and God brings about the harvest – through the work of His Church.

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:  In our sin, we are lost from God and doomed to die, but God, in His love, sought and found us and keeps us with Him forever.  Today’s Bible story is, “Jesus Seeks the Lost” as recorded by St. Luke (Luke 15).  Talk about, “How does God the Holy Spirit work through the the Word and the Sacraments?”

LADIES MORNING BIBLE STUDY: Our next meeting will be this coming Tuesday, May 17^th, at 9:30 a.m.  This will be our last meeting before we take a break for summer.  We will meet for Breakfast at the CJ’s Restaurant 2901 E Empire St, Bloomington, IL 61704.  Please let Jeannette Ross know if you would be able to join us.  Her phone# is (309) 662-4622; Email is: jross42@comcast.net.  Thank you!

NEXT SUNDAY, May 22^nd, we will have a special Adult/High School Bible Class.  Karson Lueck will be talking about the Christian faith from his generation’s perspective.  He will talk about what he has observed from college, friends, and young people.  Join us at 9:15 a.m. in the basement of the church.

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

FROM THE OFFICE:  Sandy will be out of the church office on Thursday, May 26^th, and Friday, May 27^th.  Please have any announcements you would like published in the bulletin for Sunday, May 29^th to her by Monday morning, May 23^rd as that is the day she will be copying the bulletin for Sunday, May 29^th.  Thank you!

ATTENTION YOUTH AND POST-CONFIRMATION YOUTH:  You are invited to join us for a new Bible Study beginning on Sunday, June 5^th, at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room.  The title is: “Real Deal – It’s A Big Deal”.  Faith Related Issues such as Faith Challenges, Worship, Other Religions, and Religious Rights, etc.  If you have any questions please see or call Mary Anne Kirchner at (309) 532-2582.  

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:  “Here’s a New, Lasting Identity” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 8:48-58.  The Bread of Life, Living Water, Good Shepherd: Jesus’ statements leave no doubt as to who He is, for you.  The speaker is 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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May 8, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Acts 1:16: “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.” Judas sold out our Lord for 30 pieces of silver – that is, he sold out his friend, and Master, and teacher for the sake of greed.  That is a sharp reminder for us to search our own hearts for greed and to pray that the Lord would help us to turn away from greed before it consumes 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’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON IS “Jesus Raises Lazarus.”  In resurrecting Lazarus, Jesus demonstrated that He can indeed raise all who believe in Him for salvation.  True life is eternal life with Jesus.  Consider asking, “Where do we see and experience the effects of sin in our lives?  What does Jesus promise to all who believe in Him as Savior?”

TODAY will be our final door Offering for Seminarian Brad Ferch and his family.  Brad received his Divine Call into the ministry recently.  He will serve God’s people at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa.  A recent thank-you from the Ferch family is posted outside the church office.  We will receive a new adopted seminary student in the fall.

FROM THE OFFICE:  There are more copies of the Church Directory on the table in the narthex.  Please help yourself to a copy.  If you picked up a copy previously, please note that there have been three changes that you should know about. 1) Lorene Backsmeier has a new Apartment #, it is: Apt. 1212.  2) Gerald Semelka has a new cell phone#, it is: (309) 825-6607; and email is: jerrysemelka@yahoo.com.; 3) Helen Jensen’s email address is: utex96@gmail.com.

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Red Cross Blood Drive.  Everyone’s help was appreciated and we were able to save lives through these blood donations.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April-June 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack 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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Jesus Gives Us the Help We Need” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 14:23-31.  Jesus doesn’t want you to be in the dark about how much He loves you.  The speaker is 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 phone 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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May 1, 2016

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”.

IN TODAY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, “Jesus Teaches Us to Pray.”  The children learned that our heavenly Father invites us to pray and promises to hear our prayer for the sake of His Son, Jesus. Ask your children, “What things have you prayed for?  How has God answered your prayers?”

GOOD SHEPHERD BLOOD DRIVE:  The day has finally arrived.  Tomorrow, (May 2^nd), is our Blood Drive for the American Red Cross.  It will run from 2-6:00 p.m. in the basement of the church.  There are still available slots for walk-ins so if you have never given and would like to see the process which is quite simple, please stop in and give the gift of life.  Thank you to everybody who is part of this outreach to the community.

OUR ASCENSION DAY WORSHIP SERVICE is this coming Thursday, May 5^th at 7:00 p.m.  We will celebrate Holy Communion with the message: “Christ Is Lord Over Your Frustrations”.

PASTOR’S SCHEDULE:  Pastor will be out of the office this coming Thursday, May 5^th, as Pastor and Toni pickup Karson from college.  Pastor will be back in time to conduct the Ascension Day Worship Service that evening.

NEXT SUNDAY, May 8^th, will be our monthly door Offering for Seminarian Brad Ferch.  This will be our last door Offering for the Ferch family.  We will be assigned a new student for next year.  A thank you note from the Ferch’s is on the bulletin board outside the church office.

FROM THE OFFICE:  There are more copies of the Church Directory on the table in the narthex.  Please help yourself to a copy.  If you picked up a copy previously, please note that there have been two changes that you should know about. 1) Lorene Backsmeier has a new Apartment #, it is: Apt. 1212.  2) Gerald Semelka has a new cell phone#, it is: (309) 825-6607; and email is: jerrysemelka@yahoo.com.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April-June 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack 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.

2016 REGISTRATION INFORMATION:  Camp CILCA Outdoor Ministries 2016 Registration Information is available on the table in the narthex.  Camps are available for many different age groups.  The Camp is a CID LC-MS and LLL/LHM sponsored Camp.  It is located in Cantrall, IL which is northwest of Springfield, IL and west of Sherman, IL.  Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends are great for family camping.  Enjoy a Camp this summer.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Jesus Prayed For You” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 17:20-26.  Prayer begins in the heart of Jesus Christ who intercedes for you, offering prayers on your behalf to God the Father.  The speaker is 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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THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:   John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”  On their own sheep are in great danger.  They need a shepherd to guide them.  The sheep know the Shepherd’s voice – and we delight to go where He leads.  Of course, the world, the devil, and our own sinful flesh want to pull us in another direction.  Namely, they want to pull us in the direction of death.  But following the Shepherd means life.  So no matter how difficult the path is that the Shepherd points out: let us follow 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”.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR TODAY IS “The Good Samaritan.”  As a family you could discuss, “Who could we consider our neighbor?  How could we share God’s love with our neighbor?”

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.

FROM THE OFFICE:  The congregation has received a thank-you note from the Ferch family concerning their recent visit.  It is posted on the bulletin board outside of the church office.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April-June 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack 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 BLOOD DRIVE:  Your whole blood donation may help save as many as three lives.  One out of 10 people admitted to the hospital needs blood.  As I like to say: “a portion of our world has a little bit of CLueck running through their veins.  Aaaaagh!!”  This is where you and your left or right arm come in.  Our Blood Drive for the American Red Cross is Monday, May 2^nd, from 2-6:00 p.m.  You may sign-up either on the sheets in the narthex or go to: www.redcrossblood.org.  Put in the church’s zip code (61704-9103) and then follow the prompts.  Also, we have posters available for those who can put them in their workplaces.  Thank you for your help and if you have any questions, please speak with Pastor Lueck who is a long-time donor.

THE WALK FOR LIFE for the Pregnancy Resource Center is this coming Saturday, April 23^rd, at 9:00 a.m. at Christ Church in Normal.  If you would like to walk, Pastor has the material in his office.  Also, Pastor and family will once again participate in the Walk.  If you would like to sponsor them with a cash donation, please speak with Pastor.  Thank you.

FREE TICKETS:  The church has received free tickets for the ISU Men’s Baseball Game against Purdue on Tuesday, April 26^th at 6:00 p.m.  They are available on the mailbox cabinet in the church office.  Enjoy!

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “One-upmanship” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Revelation 21:1-7.  Heaven will be more beautiful than we can imagine, it will rectify our problems and satisfy our most profound longings.  The speaker is 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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