Pastor’s Notes September 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

          Recently, they concluded the most famous bike race in our world – the Tour de France.  It has been an ongoing competition since 1903.  It spans 23 days as they travel the roads of France and crown a champion in Paris.

          There are two men who have an interesting job during these 23 days.  Their job is to whitewash or camouflage obscene or political messages so that they do not show up on the television coverage.  They are known as the Tour’s “Erasers” who wake up early each morning, get in a white van with a bucket of paint and some rollers and get to work.  One of the men commented on why they must continue to do this year after year and day after day, “You can’t stop human stupidity.”

          Our sinful messages, actions, talk etc. also need to be whitewashed.  We need it year after year and day after day.  Our soul needs a good daily cleansing.  Instead of whitewash, we need the blood of Jesus.  Jesus has covered our bad behavior with his righteousness.  His perfect life substituted for our far from perfect life.

          Like those at the Tour de France what do we want the world to see?  Prayerfully a forgiven sinner who from baptism on has been cleansed.  The picture we give to those around us is that Jesus took our obscene life and made a beautiful mural.  One that shows His love and grace and mercy.  One that shadows an eternity with Him. 

          Enjoy the ride!

In Christ,

Pastor

Bulletin Announcements September 1, 2019

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 14:11 – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”   The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  That’s called humility.  The Lord is God, and we are not.  With that in mind, how could we not seek to follow His Word in all aspects of life? He knows what He is talking about; we don’t.  If you believe that, then striking out on a path of faithfulness in the realm of stewardship is a lot easier. It just makes sense.

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.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

NEXT SUNDAY, September 8th, we will have a door Offering for our new Seminary student.  Aaron Wendorff will be the student we support for the 2019-2020 school year.  Aaron is married and has two daughters.  He is from Minnesota and Nebraska.  He is in his fourth and final year at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.

FROM THE OFFICE:  The church now has a new email address.  Our new email address is: office@goodshepherdblm.org.

SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY will begin NEXT SUNDAY, September 8th at 5:00 p.m.  The class is studying “Lutheranism 101: Worship”.  If you have not been a part of this class but would like to join please talk with Group Leader, Steve Parry or Pastor Lueck.

THANK YOU: The LWML would like to thank everyone for the donations of school supplies.  We have enough to fill 75 school kits!  We now need boxes to ship the school kits and 25-30 quilts to the Lutheran World Relief warehouse.  Paper boxes are ideal but if you have anything similar in size, we would much appreciate the donation. Thank you!

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES is on September 20th at 6:30 p.m.  From Cary Soloman and Church Konzelman, the writers/co-producers of “God’s Not Dead”, comes a film that speaks to one of the most polarizing topics of our time.  “Unplanned” brings us an eye-opening look inside the abortion industry through one woman’s inspiring true story of transformation.  All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women.  She believed in a woman’s right to choose, and as one of the youngest Planned Parenthood Clinic Directors in the nation, she was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions.  Until the day she saw something that changed everything, leading Abby Johnson to join her former enemies at “40 Days For Life”, and become one of the most ardent pro-life advocates in America.  Join us for a very good, intense and thought provoking movie.  There will be plenty of food and wonderful fellowship. 

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2019 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 ANNUAL FUNDRAISING LIFE BANQUET FOR “LIVING ALTERNATIVES: PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER” is Thursday, September 12th at 6:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.  Contact the Center at (309) 454-5433 to make your reservation.  The guest speaker is Mr. Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family.

THE WHIPPOORWILL CHALLENGE GOLF SCRAMBLE to benefit Camp CILCA is set to tee off on Friday, September 27th at 1:00 p.m.  The venue is Hickory Point Golf Course in Forsyth, IL.  Cost of $60.00 covers golf cart, and dinner.  Make checks payable to “CID Gold Fundraiser” and give to Pastor Lueck.  Entry deadline is Sunday, September 15th.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Play Your Art” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Genesis 2.  We each have a part to play on God’s stage-with a script, without a tryout, with freedom and responsibility.  How will you play your part?  Reverend Dr. Michael Zeigler and his guest, Dr. Charles Arand, discuss our place in God’s creation and our role in caring for it  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.

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.