Bulletin Announcements June 16, 2019

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

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.

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE TO SIGN-UP FOR THE PICTURE DIRECTORY:  This would be an update to the whole Church Directory we did a few years back and will include our new members.  We are only 3 families/individuals away from having the required number to proceed.  There is no obligation to purchase; you receive a free 8 x 10 and an updated book.  Depending on scheduling this will occur the first part of August.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the JULY NEWSLETTER.   Any announcements you want you would like to have in the Newsletter should be submitted via mail, hand-delivered, via email to goodshepherdblm@frontier.com, or you may call (309) 662-8905 or (309) 838-1552.  Thank you!

NATIONAL MISSIONS OFFERING:  The total for our door Offering for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod National Offering was $378.00.  This Offering will be used for the Missions of the Church.  Our delegates will take this to the National Convention in Tampa, Florida next month.  Thank you and please keep our Synod in your prayers.

CORNBELTERS GAME:  Our Second Annual Good Shepherd Night for a CornBelters game at the Corn Crib will be on Sunday, July 14th.   Game time is 6:35 p.m. and the per ticket price is $10.00.  We will reserve a block of seats.  Tickets will be held in your name and will be bought at the stadium box office the day of the game.  Please let Randy Reinhardt know either in person or by email at randyreinhardt1@gmail.com how many can attend.

OUR ANNUAL GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN BLOOD DRIVE will take place on Saturday, July 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  We will be serving a breakfast as part of the Drive.  You may sign-up to be a donor either on the table in the narthex or at: www.redcrossblood.org.  Just find our Blood Drive and get those corpuscles lined up online.  God Bless as we give this gift of life.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The July – September 2019 Portals of Prayer are available on the the book rack in the narthex.  Large print also available.  Pick up your free copy today.

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 LUTHERAN HOUR:  “What Does God Love, and Hate?” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Exodus 20:5-6.  God’s Values – Ten Commandments.  The speaker is 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.

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.

Sermon Text 6.9.2019 — Who Can Counsel You Best?

June 9, 2019 – Pentecost Text: John 14:23-31
Dear Friends in Christ,
Who do you go to for counsel? As you know I am pretty self-assured person,
but there are areas of life I need some advice. When I bought my first car I talked
with my parents who had the experience and then I took them along. It was high-
pressure, with the salesman blocking our path to the door and my dad got a
headache but thanks to my parents the deal was pretty good. Two years ago we
leased a vehicle for the first time. I had lunch with a college friend who counseled
me on how to go about it. He is also on the ready when we turn it in next year.
Parents and friends are just some of the people who counsel us. You may
also seek out a Pastor or therapist or boss or coach or teacher. How many times do
you seek the help of the ultimate Counselor – the Holy Spirit? We don’t always
understand His work. He appears in Scripture as a dove and tongues of fire and a
loud, rushing wind and a quiet whisper. Will the real Holy Spirit please stand up?
Our text gives us help. The Greek word is paraklaytos, which literally means
“one who is called to and stands by one’s side.” In our text it is translated as
“helper.” I like the NIV translation, which is “Counselor.” It is Pentecost and we
ask…
“WHO CAN COUNSEL YOU BEST?”
What does a good counselor do? They listen and sometimes like with Nathan
and King David they confront us. We have all been counseled to repent, to make
right a wrong and to own up to our problems. This is also the work of the Holy
Spirit. He uses the Word of God to let us know about our secret and not-so-secret sins. This is not an easy job for our Counselor. We can be hardheaded and we don’t
want to acknowledge our guilt and our weaknesses.
Pastor Eldon Weisheit tells of the time he was doing a children’s sermon and
he help up words like “short”, “tall”, “smart”, “popular”, “handsome.” He then asked
the children to raise their hands if they thought these words applied to them. Most
raised their hands on at least a couple of them. Then he held up the word “sinner”
and waited . . . and waited . . . and waited, until finally one youngster in the front row
took hold of his little brother’s hand and lifted it high in the air.
Aren’t we like that little shaver? Ready to lift someone else’s arm up as a
sinful person? Do you ever think the problem might be you? The best counselors in
our life confront us with the truth in love. They are honest but compassionate. This
is the Holy Spirit. He is concerned about our welfare and He does not want us hiding
from the sin that harms us.
The Holy Spirit does not just convict of us of our sin – thank God. This is not
His most important job. His main priority is to comfort us with the Gospel, the Good
News of our forgiveness in Christ.
The Spirit convicts us to lead us to repentance. We all know what that looks
like, don’t we? We are told we should apologize or tell someone we are sorry. We
might do it a little hesitantly, but we do it and prayerfully feel better after. Our
Counselor reminds us we are poor, miserable sinners but this leads us to the great
joy that God still loves us and we are His children. How wonderful that is.
Daily the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures. Daily we are
reminded of the promises of our Baptism. Daily he reminds us of Christ’s
death on the cross so that we can be forgiven. We then can pass that forgiveness on to others.
Someone close to us can hear it from our lips, a wife or husband, son or daughter,
brother or sister or Christian friend.
There was an older Pastor who grew up on a large vegetable farm in Ohio.
All the family worked there, aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins. They had a
beautiful tradition that kept division at a minimum. Each Communion Sunday
before going to worship they would hold hands around their large kitchen table and
starting with the oldest down to the youngest they would ask forgiveness for any
hurtful words or sinful actions committed during the week. Then each would say, “I
forgive you in Jesus’ name.” Then it was on to church to receive with great joy the
body and blood of their Savior and to sit at the feet of their divine Counselor, the
Holy Spirit.
Who Can Counsel You Best? While you may get wonderful advice from a
trusted confidante, it is still coming from an imperfect human being. Also, our
human counselors may not always be available. The Holy Spirit is there for us at all
times. Call on Him to lead you. Call on Him for direction. Call on Him for that
problem that weighs on your mind. He will provide the answer as He makes you
spiritually aware of where you need to be or what you need to do.
Our Divine Counselor works powerfully in our lives to become the holy
people that the Holy Spirit calls us to be.
Amen.

Bulletin Announcements June 9, 2019

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.

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.

TODAY We are going to take a door Offering for the Missions of our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.  Our pastoral delegate Reverend Bruce Scarbeary will take this gift to the LCMS Convention in Tampa, Florida next month.

OUR ANNUAL GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN BLOOD DRIVE will take place on Saturday, July 20th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  We will be serving a breakfast as part of the Drive.  You may sign-up to be a donor either on the table in the narthex or at: www.redcrossblood.org.  Just find our Blood Drive and get those corpuscles lined up online.  God Bless as we give this gift of life.

NEW MEMBERS, FAMILIES/INDIVIDUALS:  When we did our Picture Directory a few years back we obtained an option to update the Directory.  We have a sign-up sheet in the narthex for new members, families/individuals wanting a picture or anyone else interested.  For Lifetouch to come out we need 15 individuals/families to sign-up.  We will have this available through May and see if we meet the number.  Thank you.

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.

YOU ARE INVITED to attend a Retirement Open House honoring Band Director Judy Vasel on this coming Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 2-4:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran School 1102 W. Hamilton Rd., Bloomington, IL. 

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Getting to Know Jesus” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Philippians 3:8.  There’s a big difference between knowing about someone and really knowing them.  Pastor Paul Schult introduces us to a different way of getting to know Jesus.  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.

Bulletin Announcements June 2, 2019

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, 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 turn away from greed before it consumes 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.

HELP IS NEEDED:  TODAY, between worship services, your help is needed to load the RV to deliver donated items to Fort Wayne, IN.  As they say, “many hands make light work”, so your help would be greatly appreciated.  This is also the last day to bring items to church for delivery to Ft. Wayne.  Thank you!  John & Paula Hardy

NEXT SUNDAY, June 9th, is Pentecost Sunday.  We will have a Special Order of Worship and celebrate Holy Communion in both Worship Services.  Also, we are going to take a door Offering next Sunday for the Missions of our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.  Our pastoral delegate Reverend Bruce Scarbeary will take this gift to the LCMS Convention in Tampa, Florida next month.

NEW MEMBERS, FAMILIES/INDIVIDUALS:  When we did our Picture Directory a few years back we obtained an option to update the Directory.  We have a sign-up sheet in the narthex for new members, families/individuals wanting a picture or anyone else interested.  For Lifetouch to come out we need 15 individuals/families to sign-up.  We will have this available through May and see if we meet the number.  Thank you.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Please get these two dates on your summer calendar:  Good Shepherd Blood Drive on Saturday, July 20th and also the Annual Good Shepherd Picnic will be on Sunday, August 25th at Tipton Trails Park.

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.

25TH ANNIVERSARY OF REVEREND FRANK ZIMMERMAN:  Next Sunday, June 9th, Zion Lutheran in Danvers and Good Shepherd Lutheran in Minier will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Reverend Frank Zimmerman’s Ordination and Installation at these two parishes.  Reverend Mark Miller, CID President will preach at both morning worship services.  A luncheon and program follow in Minier at noon.

YOU ARE INVITED to attend a Retirement Open House honoring Band Director Judy Vasel on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 2-4:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran School 1102 W. Hamilton Rd., Bloomington, IL. 

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “My Spirit Makes My People” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Ezequiel 37:1-14.  God sends His spirit upon both the selfish and group-ish to make His people.  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.

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.