Bulletin Announcements March 1, 2020
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Matt. 4:7 – Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” Jesus defeats Satan in our place – not by using His power as God but by His perfect obedience in His perfect humanity. Jesus defeats Satan – not by miracles but by quoting the Scriptures and living according to it. This should cause us great joy for two reasons. First, because we see Jesus win the victory for us. Second, because here Jesus shows us how to stand in that victory – on the Word of God alone.
FAITH IN ACTION OF BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL: One ride, one visit, one Senior at a time. Need a ride? Want to volunteer? Need more information? Call (309) 827-7780; or email: office@bnfia.org or contact Barry Hamlin at (309) 750-9424.
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS is doing a study in conjunction with our Lenten theme. We will take an in-depth look at “The Seven (Deadly?) Sins”. The class, led by Pastor Lueck, meets in the basement today at 9:15 a.m.
OUR LENTEN WORSHIP continues this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. under the theme: “The Seven (Deadly) Sins”. You thought all they could do was read the Old Testament Lesson and distribute Holy Communion . . .au contraire! Before Lenten Worship come to the church basement at 5:30 p.m. and be dazzled by the culinary creations from your Bord of Elders. The free-will Offering will be given to the Hilbert family and their work with Lutheran Bible Translators.
NEXT SUNDAY, March 8th, there are two items to note: 1) We will have our monthly Offering for Seminary Student Aaron Wendorff. 2) Please “Spring Forward” with that alarm clock on Saturday night as we move into Daylight Saving Time.
THE LENTEN DEVOTIONS BOOKLETS Titled: “DELIVER US: JESUS SETS US FREE” is available on the table in the narthex. Pick up your copy today.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: We have two separate sign-ups: Donut Pick-up and Coffee Set-up. We would like to encourage you to sign-up for one or the other. You may also sign-up for both if you wish. The sign-up sheet is by the door by the north stairwell.
THE CENTRAL ILLINOIS LUTHERAN LAYMAN’S LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING is this coming Saturday, March 7th at Christ Lutheran Church, Normal. The Convention opens at 9:00 a.m. The Reverend Gregory Seltz, head of the Synod’s Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty in Washington D.C. will speak at 1:00 p.m. If you can’t come for the morning session, come to hear Reverend Gregory Seltz at 1:00 p.m. Registration materials are located on the table in the narthex.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Upon Further Review“ topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Exodus 5. God’s forgiving love for us in Christ cancels the continuous playback of our regrets. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Michael Zeigler. Hear his 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.
FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE: If you miss church, please be reminded that copies of the previous week’s sermon are available on the table in the narthex. Also, the sermon will be available on our web site at www.goodshepherdblm.org. Thank you.
INFORMATION REQUESTED: Please notify the church office if someone in the congregation or any family or friends are ill or hospitalized.
PRAYER CIRCLE: 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.
Stewardship Corner March 2020
We are at the beginning of Lent. During the Lenten season, the church calls to our attention the sufficiency of what God gives. It points to the sufficiency of God’s grace in the atoning work of Jesus. It shows us the sufficiency of faith in Jesus’ work for us. It makes known the sufficiency of God’s Word in faith and life.
But Lent doesn’t just remind us of the sufficiency of God’s spiritual gifts, the gifts that pertain to our redemption and salvation. Lent also reminds us of the sufficiency of the physical, temporal gifts of God, those that pertain to this body and life. In other words, it reminds us of the importance of godly contentment and of outward discipline and training of the body.
This outward training of the body teaches us not to give in to every desire of our flesh but to learn to say no to them. And it does this in such a way that if you fail, it is no sin. It is a way to practice without putting yourself into a compromising situation.
The easiest example of this is fasting. When you fast, you are practicing saying no to the desires of your body. But if you fail in this, if you break your fast, you have not sinned. You have, though, learned something about how your flesh works, how difficult it is to fight against it, and how you need help from above in order to do it.
There is another example of this. It is alms-giving. This is an increase in giving to the church and its mission during this time. We all know that our flesh finds security in money and stuff. By committing to give more to the church, you are training your flesh. You are, by this outward discipline, training yourself to be content with what God gives. You are practicing saying “no” to your desires. Again, if you fail, you have not sinned. But you’ve learned just how powerful your flesh is in leading you instead of you leading it. You’ve learned how you need help from above in being content with what God gives.
This is why St. Paul instructs young Pastor Timothy in this way:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Tim 6:6–10)
Our sufficiency is not of ourselves; it is in God. Let us learn this without sin by training our flesh this Lenten season.
Celebrating March 2020
Birthdays
| Michael Anderson | 3/1 |
| John Isaac | 3/1 |
| Halle Sheley | 3/3 |
| Vanessa Biddle | 3/4 |
| Steve Parry | 3/4 |
| Greg Sheley | 3/6 |
| Ruth Alvis | 3/18 |
| Jennifer Cloyd | 3/25 |
| Mary Anne Kirchner | 3/29 |
| Robert Bier | 3/31 |
Baptismal Birthdays
| Pete Hanner | 3/1 |
| Lucas Schempp | 3/1 |
| Jennifer Parry | 3/3 |
| Betty Bier | 3/4 |
| Matthew Holland | 3/8 |
| Linda Dirks | 3/11 |
| Pat Orr | 3/11 |
| Mollie Hitch | 3/13 |
| Ryan Hitch | 3/13 |
| Johana Kirchner | 3/16 |
| Ruth Alvis | 3/18 |
| Luanne Huth | 3/20 |
| Carol Schroeder | 3/24 |
| Vanessa Biddle | 3/29 |
| Carin Henson | 3/31 |
Pastor’s Notes March 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Any time you make a change in a church some planning has to go into it. Such is the case with our change in Worship, Bible Class, and Sunday School on Sunday mornings. Some changes in a church affect a group here or there. This type of change affects everyone who is a member and even those who are not members but worship with us occasionally. When discussing this change a list was made of everything that needs to be thought about. If you think we left something out, let us know.
Ushers – we just need one set
Acolytes – needed every service as Holy Communion will be in every worship service
Altar Guild – one service, more preparation numbers wise
Organist – one service
Heating/Cooling – can kick on later, does not need to be on as long
Fellowship Time – donut pick-up time change
Church Signage – our sign company is aware and will make the change (the one area where there is a small cost)
LCMS.org & Lutheran Annual – changing the times for people traveling who look up our worship time
Holy Communion – every worship service
Member Rides – coordinating this
The last thing on the list – How Best To Get The Word Out. This is where you can help. We can all tell our friends and relatives and people who might visit. At least in the first few months this will be important until we get into a routine.
We can also expect a time or two where people show up expecting our former worship times. Greet them and the Lord gives an opportunity to visit with them and tell them about our change.
Easter worship times will remain the same – 7:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Easter breakfast following the early service. Bible Class & Sunday School at 9:15 a.m.
I have learned in the church you can never tell people too many times. After all, don’t we hear Law/Gospel each week and the Lord knows we need the constant reminder. So, again here is the new schedule starting on Sunday, March 1st.
Worship – 9 a.m. with Holy Communion – Fellowship time to follow
Bible Class & Sunday School – 10:15 a.m. – ending at 11:15 a.m.
Thank you for the feedback we have received. Everyone seems to understand the need for the change. See you in worship – when we are all together!
In Christ,
Pastor
Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules March 2020
| Mar 1 | Nathan Kluender | Gene Fuller, Nick Hitch, Richard Ross | Tanner Hitch |
| Mar 8 | Mike Field | Brian Hoop, Craig Culp, Mike Huth | Jessica Isaac |
| Mar 15 | Paul Gerike | Greg McNeely, Theron Noth, Will McNeely | JT Piper |
| Mar 22 | Craig Culp | Brian Dirks, Karson Lueck, Steve Parry | Matt Williamson |
| Mar 29 | Karson Lueck | Barry Hamlin, Bob Love, Randy Reinhardt | Chloe Hitch or Justin McNeely |