Schedules for April 2019

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
Apr 7Barry Hamlin, Jeff Piper, Lucas PiperRandy ReinhardtBrian Dirks, Mike Huth
Apr 14
Palm Sunday		Gene Fuller, Gerald Semelka, Richard RossPaul GerikeGreg McNeely, Randy Reinhardt, Theron Noth
Apr 18
Maundy Thursday		7PMPaul GerikeBary Hamlin, Bob Love, Nathan Kluender
Apr 19
Good Friday		7PMPaul GerikeBarry Hamlin, Bob Love, Nathan Kluender
Apr 21
Easter Sunday		Jeff Piper, Lucas Piper, Nick Hitch
**NOTE** 7AM 		Craig CulpBrian Dirks, Mike Field, Mike Huth
Apr 28Daryle Schempp, Steve ParryRandy ReinhardtGreg McNeely, Theron Noth

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00
10:30
Apr 7Clayton PiperPastor/Elder
Apr 14Tanner HitchMatt Williamson
Apr 187PMJustin McNeely
Apr 197PMLuke Piper
Apr 21Chloe HitchJessica Isaac
Apr 28Pastor/ElderWill McNeely

Stewardship Corner April 2019

“Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.  Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.  Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.  Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out” (Deut 28:3-6).

This is God’s promise to the Israelites as they stood beyond the Jordan outside of the Promised Land.  He promises blessing to His people.  He will make them prosper, whether they are in the city or the field.  He will make their fruit of their work to prosper, whether from the ground or their wombs, their flocks or their herds.  He will make them to prosper in all things, whether upon their coming in or their going out.

But there’s a catch.  He would do this for Israel only “if you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut 28:2b).  If they did that, He would cause that “all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you” (Deut 28:2a).

If they didn’t obey the voice of the Lord, if they didn’t keep the commandments of the Lord and walk in His ways (Deut 28:9), they would be met with curse and woe.  The blessings would be replaced with curses.  Everything that the Lord promised to prosper and bless would be cursed and fail.

Thanks be to God that our Lord Jesus Christ has come into our flesh, fulfilled the law for us – in our place and for our benefit; died for us – in our place and for our benefit; and is risen from the dead for us – in our place and for our benefit.

By this we have justification before God.  We are forgiven, clean, holy, and righteous. The blessing of God is promised to us in Christ Jesus.  It depends upon His work and not ours.

All this is ours in Holy Baptism.  For in Holy Baptism, God claims us as His own, makes us His children, His heirs, His holy people.  And so it is that the work of our hands and its fruit is holy because we are holy in Christ.  It is pressed into His service, and thereby it becomes a blessing to us and to our neighbor.

For this great gift, our reception of the blessings of God because of Christ Jesus our Lord, it is our duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him.  This is not in order to receive blessings but because in Christ we already have.

It is with this in mind that we sit down on the first day of the week and set aside as He has prospered us to give to His church for His work of blessing in our midst (1 Cor 16:2).

Celebrating April 2019

April Birthdays

Nancy Fuller 4/2
Dorothy Herberts 4/4
Craig Culp 4/6
Sarah Lange 4/7
Matt Williamson 4/7
Carol Schroeder 4/7
Carly Benjamin 4/12
Drew Kemp 4/12
Gerry Semelka 4/13
Garett Sheley 4/14
Summer Sheley 4/14
Harriet Campbell 4/20
Angelina Isaac 4/21
Marvin Huth 4/22
Ethan Bliese 4/25
Daryle Schempp 4/27

April Baptisms

Fern Noth 4/1
Herb Renken 4/3
Justin McNeely 4/6
Mary Anne Kirchner 4/9
Toni Lueck 4/11
Michael Anderson 4/13
Nancy Thomas 4/16
Garett Sheley 4/18
Audrie King 4/25
Bob Bier 4/30

Pastor’s Notes April 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

            Back in the 19th century there was a tightrope walker named Charles Blondin.  He would cross the Niagara Falls Gorge 160 feet above the water.  He did it blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow and even on stilts! 

            During one of his stunts he asked the crowd if they thought he could carry a man across.  They thought he could.  He then asked, “Which one of you will climb on my shoulders?”  Silence.

           Finally someone came forward.  It was Blondin’s manager who had known him for years.  Blondin told the manager, “You must not trust your own feelings, but mine.  You will feel like turning when we don’t need to.  If your trust your feelings we will fall.  You must become a part of me.”  The two men made it across safely.

            How would you handle that?  I get a little nervous just looking down from our church balcony.  No thanks!  But you and I do put our life in someone hands, don’t we?  Christ Jesus has already performed a death-defying act by overcoming death through His resurrection.  He navigates the tightrope for us and lands us on the other side – heaven.

            Like the manager was told there are times we want to turn our own way.  In our Christian faith we are part of Christ.  He has made us this way through our Baptism.  We feed on Him in the Holy Supper.  He carries us.

            How do you like the view from a top the Savior’s shoulders?  Don’t look down.  Trust.  He’s got you!

In Christ,

Pastor

Bulletin Announcements

March 31, 2019

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 15:12 – “And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’   And he divided his property between them.”   This prodigal son only sees the father as a source of wealth.   Give me my inheritance now!  Which is to say, you are better off dead in my eyes.  This is the sin at the heart of all greed – valuing things over people.  This parable calls us to come to our senses to see God as the loving Giver of all good, the true Father to be valued above and beyond all the things of this world.

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.

GOOD SHEPHERD is a Polling Place this coming Tuesday, April 2nd.  We are also hosting the Pastors of the South Circuit that day.

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP:   We progress in Lent this week on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 7:00 p.m. with the sermon: “Mine!” from the Book of Exodus.  The Boards of Education and Trustees will be mining their skills together to present an Italiano Feast – Si! Si! at 5:30 p.m. in the church basement.  Bethesda Lutheran will be the recipients of your free-will Offering.

NEXT SUNDAY, April 7th, our Seminary Student and family will be here.  Joseph, Kristen, and Fern Schlie are coming to Good Shepherd.  Joseph will preach and conduct Adult Bible Class.  We will have our monthly door Offering that day for the Schlie’s.

EASTER LILIES:  If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the altar on Easter Sunday, there is sign-up sheet  on the table in the narthex.  Lilies are $10.00 each.   Cash or checks made payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.   Please indicate on the memo line: “Easter Lily”.  You may pick up your Easter Lily following the late service on Easter Sunday.  If you have any questions, please see or contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995.  Thank you.

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

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and Toni make their annual trek in the Living Alternatives – Pregnancy Resource Center’s Annual “Walk For Life”.  The walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal on Saturday, April 13th, beginning at 9:00 a.m.  If you would like to walk, please see Pastor who has the forms. Also, please speak with Pastor if you would like to support the Lueck’s.  Thank you.

THE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS, “People Of The Passion” are available on the table in the narthex.  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.

PASSOVER SEDER:  You are invited to a “Passover Seeder” at Wittenberg Lutheran Center, 201 S Main St., Normal this coming Saturday, April 6, 2019 from 2-4:30 p.m.  Passover is the observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.  A time of family gatherings and lavish meal called “seders”, the story of Passover is re-told.  With its special foods, songs, and customs, the Seder Meal is an important tradition of the Passover.  Through the re-telling of the Passover account, Y’shua (Jesus) communicates His saving grace.  Please R.S.V.P. with how many adults and how many children under the age of 12 who will be attending by TOMORROW, Monday, April 1st.  You may call (309) 452-5971 or email at: wittenbergLCMS@gmail.com.  A free-will Offering will be taken to aid the ministries of Lutherans in Africa.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “The Darkness Has Not Overcome It” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 12:37-50.  Jesus calls us to hate life in this world, not because He wants hateful people.  Rather, He wants us to more deeply love true life.  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.

Sermon Text Mar 24, 2019 — Called to be a Watchman

March 24, 2019                                                                             Text:  Ezekiel 33:7-20

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Do you realize what you just sang?  I hope and pray when we sing we also concentrate on the words.  You just sang in stanza 3 “Assist my soul, too apt to stray, A stricter watch to keep.”  You just asked God to help keep watch over your spiritual condition.  If you were God, how would you answer that prayer?  Send a memo?  Weekly e-mails?  Have a drone deliver a warning?  Why the warnings?  Because you just confessed you would rather have it your way than God’s way.

            Because you are also a baptized child of God, your new nature desires to live a God-pleasing life.  You want to be told when you’ve wandered from the truth.  So, you’ve asked God to help you.  I am standing here to tell you that God has answered your prayer.  I, as your Pastor, have been . . .

“CALLED TO BE A WATCHMAN”

            God called Ezekiel to be a watchman.  Not a watchman perched on the city walls looking for an invader.  Ezekiel was called to be a watchman over the spiritual condition of God’s people.  “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel.  Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.  If I say to the wicked, O wicked One, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.” (v. 7-8)

            I, like every Pastor you have ever had, also have a call to speak God’s warning.  I have been called to pull you back when you turn sports or patriotism or money into idols.  If I see you steal or live unfaithfully.  If your words or posts go beyond the 8th commandment or when you despair and see no way out of the mess you have made.  I remind you that God gets no pleasure seeing you in this condition.

            I have also been called to remind you that you can’t do enough good or procure enough credit on the good deeds side of your ledger to get out of your mess.  You can’t make up for the wrong you did to a neighbor or a friend or a family member.  If you listen to my words of admonition and repent and receive Christ’s forgiveness and then live His words then my job as a watchman can be an answer to prayer.

            But that is not always easy in this moral cesspool we live in.  When we are shown our faults, even by the Pastor and God’s words, our sinful nature thinks, “Does Pastor think he’s better than me!”  Then some leave the church because they make it personal.  God addressed Ezekiel as “son of man.”  I’m mortal too.  A few years back I said from this pulpit that I had done and am capable of doing some horrible things.  Someone who was there that day said that bothered them.  They just couldn’t believe that about me.  Believe it.  I don’t stand up here Sunday after Sunday as the Holier-Than-Thou guy.  I don’t preach law to put you in your place.  The warnings I preach are not my own, they are God’s.  I’m the messenger.  Furthermore, if I don’t call you out when you need it, then the Lord is holding me accountable for your fate.

            I am also called to point you to a way out of your predicament.  “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live,” says the Lord in our text (v. 11).  I am called not just to have you turn from bad behavior but to turn to someone.  Another “son of man” and that is Jesus. 

            Jesus came in mortal flesh and He too was tempted by the same things that capture us.  They did not capture Him.  He overcame them and through His obedience to the Father He kept the Law perfectly for us.  That righteousness has been credited to you.  As we make our way to Calvary we know what we will find at the top of the hill – A Savior dying for us.  As a baptized child of God you have the power through the Holy Spirit to walk away from your bad behavior and bad choices and bad attitude and I am here to help.  I know you fail.  I fail.  But each week we gather here to be picked up again through God’s Word and God’s Sacrament.  This is why we don’t walk away from the church.  The watchman cannot do his job if the subjects are sitting at home, or having brunch, or at a ball field. 

            The American Heart Association in their materials and commercials would like us all to know the warning signs of a heart attack.  Why do they do this?  So if we see these signs we can do something about them.  In a similar way, then, I serve as a watchman, called to be alert to the signs of spiritual danger in this congregation.  To sound the warning from this pulpit or in my office or at your home.  Then to let you know that something can be done about it through Jesus, the Great Physician of our soul. 

            I pray that with God’s power, I will continue to be that blessing to you.  Called to be a watchman.

                                                Amen.