Celebrating August 2019

Birthdays

Georgia Boriack
Vicki Miller
Paul Gerike
Eric Schneider
Ben King Jr 		8/1
    8/3
    8/5
    8/5
    8/8
Jeannette Ross
Bryan Benjamin 		    8/9   
8/10
Clayton Piper    8/11
Emilia Schempp    8/11
Brian Dirks    8/12
Brian Hoop    8/14
Jackie Kwasny 8/15
Kristina Warren 8/16
Michael Renken 8/17
Becky Love 8/18
Kitti Miller 8/22
John Campbell 8/24
Michael Huth 8/24

Baptismal Birthdays

Deborah Huber 8/7
Andy Benhamin 8/11
Phoenix Kleiboeker 8/15
Ben King Jr 8/19
Stephanie Schempp 8/23
Paul Gerike 8/24
Eric Schneider 8/25
Jerzey Kleiboeker 8/28

Pastor’s Notes August 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

            Pull up a chair; let’s have a talk.  This has been weighing on my mind.  My heart aches.  Care and concern are the motivation.

            While it is nice this will be read by those of you involved in the church, you may even compliment it – which I appreciate – this heart-to-heart is intended for a different audience.  I will let the Holy Spirit guide the words.  I will just type.

            This is for the drifter.  Those who have drifted from the shore of God’s House.  The boats are in different positions.  Some are in a boat far out to sea.  One Sunday became another Sunday, which became another Sunday until you find yourselves in the middle of the water and can barely see the shore.  It started innocently enough and now you wonder – can I get back to shore?

            Some boats are getting away from the shore but still the distance is not insurmountable.  The recent months have found you finding a reason to stay away.  The interesting thing is that your family’s boat has always been safely in the harbor.  Do you see it happening?  How do I approach what has always been a good relationship?  Beating you over the head with the Law is no good.  Your brothers and sisters in Christ miss you.  Want to worship and fellowship with you and your family.

            Come on a visit with a shut-in some time.  They cry because they can’t be in God’s House.  Oh, how they miss that presence of the Lord in their life.  Singing hymns as a glimpse of heaven.  A short, concise and to the point Law/Gospel message.  Holy Communion with the body of believers.  Fellowship and love felt by their fellow members.  If you could experience this would the boat be on the path it is?

            The cause is hard to define.  Has something been left unsaid?  Has your life changed?  Health-wise, children-wise, activity-wise, lifestyle-wise?  What do you see?

Do we see the same frustration but find the answer hard to grasp?  The Lord is here.  The Lord is patient.  The Lord is forgiving.  The Lord sees you getting farther and farther away.  He aches.  He loves you as His child, made holy in baptism, knowing our time here on earth is brief.  He sends you signals.  He enters your thoughts.  It might be easier to ignore, but you can’t.  The pull of the Gospel is too powerful.  The Holy Spirit is too mighty.  The hole in your heart can only be satisfied one way.

             Come back.  Led by the Almighty Captain the boat makes it’s way to the shore.  You dock at 3516 White Eagle Road.  You see the sign…you see the steeple.  Welcome home!

In Christ, Pastor Lueck

Sermon Text 7.28.2019 — The Privelege of Pleading Prayer

July 28, 2019                                                                                 Text:  Genesis 18:20-33

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Have you ever had someone say to you, “You can’t talk to her like that?”  “You shouldn’t speak to him in that tone of voice?”  Maybe it was a parent admonishing you.  Perhaps a spouse who intervened.  Maybe a basketball official or baseball umpire who didn’t like your questioning of a call.  We all have probably spoken when others around us thought we shouldn’t.

            Do you think the men traveling with Abraham thought the same thing?  “You can’t talk to God like that.  Who does this Abraham think he is?  Man, we are in trouble now?”  But that doesn’t really describe Abraham at all.  He says of himself, “I who am but dust and ashes.” (v. 27b) So, then where does he come off talking to the Lord like that?  Abraham believed and understood what God wants us to understand today.  That is . . .

“THE PRIVILEGE OF PLEADING PRAYER”

            Prayer is first of all a gift.  One that we can misuse.  We might ask for something that is not taught in Scripture or is not loving toward others.  An A on an exam (though I didn’t study), permission to stay out late (though I know it’s not safe) a date with ______ (though her boyfriend won’t like that.)  We might ask for a new job (though my wife thinks it will cut down on family time), for the kids to move closer to home (though that is really what I want.) 

            The Lord is often treated like those newfangled soda machines where you can pretty much get what you want in any combination.  We make the choices – not Him.  “You better do what I want God, or I’m done with you.”

            We also misuse this gift if we never approach Him.  Too cocky in our own abilities.  Too many things to do.  We might believe God doesn’t want to hear from us.  “I don’t really deserve God’s help because look at how I have messed up my life.” 

            None of these is how Abraham understood the Lord’s invitation to pray.  He knows he has no claim on God; he is just dust and ashes.  He’s not dictating.  He’s pleading.  He is not afraid to pray and ask for more, more, more.  How can a dust and ashes human being push Almighty God and not be reprimanded by God?  Because Abraham knew this:  the prayer line is open because of God’s mercy in Jesus.

            The Lord initiated this conversation.  He had told Abraham earlier that his descendants would be blessed.  The Messiah would come from his family tree.  Christ would bless all nations by reconciling the world to God.  He would bring us back into a right relationship with our heavenly Father.

            And get this.  Abraham is talking to none other than Jesus, long before He became flesh and blood Jesus of Nazareth.  The Lord himself invites Abraham to pray.  God himself invites us to pray because of Jesus.

            How would you answer this:  “Does God always answer prayer?”  Most astute believers answer, “Yes, no, and wait.”  But did you notice I just said “prayer,” I didn’t say “Christian prayer.”  A Christian prays a certain way.

            We pray through Jesus.  We are privileged to go to the Father through the Son.  We can do this because Jesus’ death on the cross took away the sin that separated us from God.  Sin nailed to the cross and we are back together with the Father.  We are his children who bring Him our requests.  We plead for mercy in “Jesus’ name” because merciful Jesus makes our prayers acceptable to God.

            Look at the mercy shown Abraham.  Why did he care so much for that moral cesspool of Sodom?  Abraham wanted to save his nephew Lot who lived there.  Six straight times – count ‘em – God says yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.  In the bigger picture God had already answered even more wonderfully back in v. 19:  “that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

            This is our promise.  Don’t we also pray for family and personal concerns?  The Lord says yes when He showers mercy on our prayers.  Loved ones kept safe in travel.  Family comforted in loss.  Friends finding answers in their marriage.  Our children kept in the one, true faith.  God allows us to address Him in the faith He has given us in Baptism and which He strengthens at the Altar of the Lord in His Word and Holy Supper.  As fragile, pleading human beings His grace is more than sufficient for our needs.  The faith He creates in us trusts that His mercy always gives us the best.

            Does prayer change things?  Sometimes we may see this statement as manipulating God.  It isn’t . . . you realize?  The truth is closer to this:  “Prayer changes things; namely, the person praying.”

            “You can’t talk to God like that!”  Well . . . yes we can.  We can confidently stand before the all-knowing and all-powerful Lord knowing that prayer is a privilege, a gift that God gives us through His Son Jesus.  So be bold, be consistent, lean on His mercy as you exercise The Privilege of Pleading Prayer.

                                                                                                                        Amen.         

Bulletin Announcements July 28, 2019

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 11:11 – “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?”  A generous, giving spirit comes from knowing that you have a generous, giving Father.  He will care for our needs.  We are therefore free to reflect His generosity in our lives.  We can be generous in raising our children, supporting the Church, and serving our neighbor in the community. In these three areas – home, Church, and society – the Lord has called us to show His grace and generosity to those around us.

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.

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the door Offering for Seminarian Will Fredstrom two Sundays ago.  The total was around $380.00.

THANK YOU:  It was a great pleasure to be with you in Services on Sunday, July 14th.  Your encouragement and kind words were a blessing to me, and the generous door Offering you gave to support my studies are a big help as I continue at Concordia Seminary in the fall.  Please keep me and all seminarians and deaconesses preparing for church work at both of our seminaries, in your prayers.  The encouragement and support we receive from local churches means so much to us.  God bless, and I hope to be back with you very soon.  Seminarian Will Fredstrom      

SCHOOL KITS: The LWML will be making School Kits for the Lutheran World Relief again this year.  Each bag has (4) 70 sheet notebooks; (1) ruler with centimeters on one side; (1) pencil sharpener; (1) pair of blunt scissors; (5) #2 pencils; (5) ballpoint pens; (1) box 16 or 24 crayons; and (1) 2 1/2″ eraser.  Your help is much appreciated.  LWR will be sending them to places around the world that need our help.  Thank you!

FROM THE OFFICE:  We received a letter from Reverend Jacob Hercamp and family.  We supported them two years ago as part of our adopt-a-seminarian.  He is now a pastor in Missouri.  The letter is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

THANK YOU to everyone who signed up for the Picture Directory Update.  We reached our goal and have our date.  The pictures will be taken on Monday, August 19th.  More details to follow.

FROM THE OFFICE:  If your son or daughter is going away to college or they no longer live at home, please fill out an Information Sheet located on the table in the narthex.  As their church home, we like to stay in contact during these important years by sending them Pastor’s Sermon and the monthly Church Newsletter.  Please return the form to Sandy in the church office when completed.  We lift our young people up in prayer as their spiritual journey continues.

AUGUST FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: Life with Dog — After losing his wife Alice (Marilu Henner) in a mysterious bike accident, Joe Bigler (Corbin Bernsen) is left alone without FAITH to help him grieve.  That and the circumstances of Alice’s accident leave more questions than answers, and Joe begins a fast descent into the dark abyss of uncertainty.  But his salvation arrives when a Dog wanders into his garden and won’t leave despite Joe’s many attempts to rid him. Without so much as a single bark, “Dog,” as Joe has named him, shares His voice, a deep love and comfort that Joe has never experienced before.  With Dog’s love comes the discovery of God’s love, and a Faith that not only helps Joe toward the road to recovery, but also the unsolved mystery surrounding his wife’s accident, and the ability to finally grieve her passing. Join us Friday, August 16th at 6:30pm for another fine movie, great food and wonderful fellowship. See you there!

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.

CHURCH SERVICES AT THE STATE FAIR:  You don’t have to miss Church Services if you go to the State Fair on Sundays.  There will be a LC-MS Church Service at 9:00 a.m. upstairs in the Illinois Building each Sunday of the Fair.  Enter thru the south doors for easy access.

GOLF OUTING:  Christ Lutheran Church Shining Lights Preschool is having a Golf Outing on Friday, August 16th at Ironwood.  The $100.00 cost includes green fee, cart, range galls and lunch.  Shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.  For more details and how to sign-up please speak with Pastor.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Live Life, Traveling Well” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 1 Peter 1:17-25.  August Archives – God’s Word guides us along life’s journey, where Christ is the Way and heaven our destination.  We revisit a classic message.  The speaker is Dr. Gregory Seltz.  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.