Bulletin Announcements

February 24, 2019

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 6:30-31 – “Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”  Is it really possible to live like this?  Would it really work to be so open-handed and generous?  Our conscience often reminds us of our failures, and the Lord knows our frailty, that’s for sure!  But a life of faith is a life lived in imitation of Jesus.  And every follower of Jesus knows that yes, indeed, it is better to give than to receive.

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.

LWML: We will not have our February meeting this coming Tuesday, February 26th,  but we definitely will have our regular meeting on Tuesday, March 26th.

LENT BEGINS:  Lent is starting later this year.  Ash Wednesday Worship with Holy Communion will be on March 6th, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  We we will continue our tradition of the Imposition of Ashes.  This is voluntary and if you have any questions, please speak with Pastor.

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.

TODAY:  You are invited to Wittenberg Lutheran Center, 201 S Main St., Normal, who will open their doors to the public and our neighboring circuit congregations with a potluck dinner following our Sunday morning worship service TODAY, February 24, 2019.  Our ministry co-op with Christ Lutheran Church is helping to supply the tasty casseroles, side dishes and desserts.  The event will also serve as an Open House so that our visitors can tour the facility and get a sense of our place in the kingdom of God.  Luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. after the morning services.  Please provide a courtesy phone call or message to Pastor Jensen as to let him know that you plan to attend.  Phone#  (309) 452-5971.

TODAY:  You are invited to an Open House Reception honoring Pastor Tom Wirsing.  Pastor Wirsing is retiring after 40 years in ministry, with 25 of those years serving at Trinity Lutheran, Bloomington.  The Open House will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 801 S Madison St, Bloomington, IL TODAY Sunday, February 24, from 2-4:00 pm.   There is also an opportunity to share memories or well wishes electronically.  Please visit the Celebrate PW website by going to: trinluth.org and click on the Celebrate PW photo.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 6:1-20. +There is a spiritual hunger beyond food that is expressed in food.  Jesus provides for both.  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 Feb 17, 2019 – The Greatest Victory

February 20, 2019                                                        Text:  1 Corinthians 15:12-20

Dear Friends in Christ,

            Years ago George A. Buttrick wrote:  “When he does die, the undertaker strives to make it appear that he has not died:  he dresses him in a (suit), and lays him in a narrow box as if he were asleep, even though a man does not usually sleep in a (suit) in a narrow box.  There is a funeral, for, unfortunately for our evasions, the man has died:  ‘Too bad about So-and-so.  But let’s not think about it!’  So we run to our familiar hiding place in the sensate world.  And the cynic calls religion an ‘escape!’” . . .

            That is our starting point for this morning.  We are going to die.  The fact is we are dying.  A sportscaster on ESPN used to say of an injured player, “He is day-to-day but aren’t we all.”  We are.  We don’t know when it’s coming just that it is coming and we can’t escape it.  That we would be a fearful statement if it weren’t for what Christ has done for us.  He is resurrected.  He has been raised.  He is alive.  He has given us who will fall asleep in Christ . . .

“THE GREATEST VICTORY”

            What is your greatest victory?  What makes your top 5?  Family?  Work?  A game?  I’ve been blessed to make game winning free throws with no time on the clock, a game-winning shot that got us into the district championship against Greg Sheley and his Lincoln Jr. High teammates; I’ve had the pleasure of watching victories by Karson and Holden, but “The Greatest Victory” is not a movie title or TV show it is what Christ Jesus has done for you and for me.  Why do we need “The Greatest Victory?”  Listen carefully to this:

            “The world today is trying to get into the Church in a way different from that of former times.  The radio is a most wonderful invention, and by it the pure Gospel is brought to thousands who otherwise would not hear it; but by the same means false teachers are admitted into the homes of many who otherwise would not hear them.  The automobile and good roads have shortened distances and made travel more convenient; however, the automobile is not only used to bring people to churches, but also to take them away from it.  The moving picture is a most valuable educational means; but it is largely used in the service of sin…The rapid growth of our cities is making it possible for our Church to reach more people than ever…but at the same time it is, for various reasons making the work of the church more difficult and is destroying home life.  The elimination of much hard work by labor-saving devices is not conducive towards emphasizing the dignity of toil and has a tendency to make people think that hard work in unworthy of a gentleman or lady.

            “We are living in a restless and restive age.  Life today is much more strenuous and nerve-wracking.  People, especially the young, are impatient of control and hard to keep in check.”

            Those words were penned by Lutheran Professor Dr. John H.C. Fritz and penned in 1932.  Eighty-seven years ago!  So, what’s new?  Nothing.  Your parents and grandparents lived in a restless and nerve-wracking time.  Everyone does this side of the grave.  O death, where is your victory?

            Everything hinges on the resurrection.  That is Paul’s argument in our text.  People can argue and debate Jesus and His words all they want but the Resurrection confronts the world with the greatest, most colossal event ever.  Complete victory over the grave.  Your eternal life rests on it!  My eternal life rests on it!

            If He was not raised from the dead we are to be pitied.  But we are here because we are resurrection people.  We proclaim the greatest victory every Lord’s Day.  We celebrate the greatest event that ever came to this earth:  Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection to overcome sin, death, and hell for those who believe.  And Paul instantly drags us from the roots we drive into this world, drags us past the headstones and states the case without question:  “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (v. 20)

            I still like the words of Alexander MacLaren here:  “I believe in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, (among) other reasons, because I do not understand how it was possible for the Church to exist for a week after the crucifixion, unless Jesus Christ rose again.  Why was it that they did not all scatter?  Why was it the spirit of despondency and the tendency to separation, which were beginning to creep over them…did not happen?  How came it that these people, with their Master taken away from the midst of them, and the bond of union between them removed, and all their hopes crushed did not say:  ‘We have made a mistake, let us go back to…our fishing again, and try and forget our bright allusions’?  That is what John the Baptist’s followers did when he died.  Why did not Christ’s followers do the same?  Because Christ rose again and re-knit them together.”

            Christ has done that for us – re-knit us together.  The broken pieces of our life re-assembled.  The defeats conquered.  “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:56-57)  Because He lives we will live.  Enjoy . . .  The Greatest Victory!

                        Amen.   

Bulletin Announcements

February 17, 2019

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 6:20-21 – “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.”  The Beatitudes are largely about emptiness. If you are poor, your pockets are empty.  If you are hungry, your stomach is empty.  If you are mourning, there’s an emptiness in your heart that used to be filled with the presence of a loved one.  Jesus assures us in each case that the Lord will fill our emptiness.  That assurance gives us peace and courage to follow the Lord faithfully.

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 welcome to our church family this morning, Mr. Dale Dunavan.  Dale is joining by Profession Of Faith having grown up in the LC-MS in Springfield.  Dale works for Small System Solutions.  He lives at 1219 Longford Lane in Bloomington.  Phone is (630) 878-9856 and his e-mail is: info@smallsyssolutions.com.  Dale enjoys computers, indoor gardening, coffee and pizza.  Please take a moment to say hello.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the March Newsletter.   Any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted via email to goodshepherdblm@ frontier.com, via mail, hand-delivered, or you may call (309) 662-8905 or (309) 838-1552.  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:  Wittenberg Lutheran Center, 201 S Main St., Normal, will open their doors to the public and our neighboring circuit congregations with a potluck dinner following our Sunday morning worship service NEXT SUNDAY, February 24, 2019.  Our ministry co-op with Christ Lutheran Church is helping to supply the tasty casseroles, side dishes and desserts.  The event will also serve as an Open House so that our visitors can tour the facility and get a sense of our place in the kingdom of God.  Luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. after the morning services.  Please provide a courtesy phone call or message to Pastor Jensen as to let him know that you plan to attend.  Phone#  (309) 452-5971.

WORKSHOP ON DEMOGRAPHICS AND CHURCH PLANNING:  The facts are stark – Christians make up a smaller and smaller proportion of the American population every year.  Every District of the LC-MS has experienced numerical decline in the past decade.  But every city or county is different and experiencing different challenges and opportunities.  What’s going on?  What does the future hold?  What should churches be doing to respond?  Join the Synod’s Coordinator for Stewardship, Reverend Heath Curtis, at Trinity in El Paso, IL TOMORROW, Monday, February 18, 2019 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. for a workshop exploring these issues and how our congregation should be planning for the future.  Refreshments will be served.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Not By Bread Alone” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 6:1-20. +There is a spiritual hunger beyond food that is expressed in food.  Jesus provides for both.  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 Feb 10, 2019 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany

February 10, 2019 Text: Luke 5:1-11

Dear Friends in Christ,

What are things that you find hard to do, especially on a daily basis? For me I have two and they occur within the first few moments of my day. I find it hard to get out of bed, I like my sleep and I find it hard to get out of the shower. If it were socially acceptable a half hour shower would be the norm. What do you find hard to do?

For the Apostle Peter what he found hard to do on daily basis was to not be so reactionary. He reacted to Jesus saying he was going to be betrayed by telling him it would never happen. The Lord had to tell him “he had in mind the things of men not of God.” Peter reacted to Jesus’ betrayal by cutting off the servant’s ear. Peter reacted to Jesus’ trial by denying him three times. Poor Peter. But Jesus also used this wonderful evangelist in many and various ways. He built his church upon Peter – the rock. Peter is the first called disciple. Peter gave the great sermon in Acts. Like us Peter is a dichotomy. He’s human with all the twists and turns, ups and down, sinner and saint.

Like Isaiah being called in our Old Testament Reading this morning is about the calling of the first disciples. We will weave the story through the title . . .

“PETER OUT”

Where do we derive the etymology for the phrase “Peter Out?” Most dictionaries relate it to the mining profession and its association with saltpeter – potassium nitrate. As the miners would get tired they would “peter out.”

The disciple Peter could “peter out” on Jesus at times. Remember when he tried to walk on water? As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine, once he took his eyes away from the Savior – he sank. Sometimes following Jesus was hard for Peter and the other disciples so they would “peter out,” lose their trust and lose their confidence. Is he really the Lord?

Do we ever “peter out?” Do we lose trust and confidence in Jesus our Savior? Once the waves and storms come at us do we become distracted? Do we begin to doubt God’s guidance and wisdom in our lives? During pain and loss, do we doubt whether He really cares? Our confidence wanes, we peter out.

We need a rescue. This is where the phrase “peter out” takes a turn. While Peter had his faults, he also possessed a wonderful faith. When Jesus called it was Peter, out, as he immediately joined the army of the King of Kings. He left behind his livelihood in order to follow the Messiah. Out of the boat, into the mission. But how did it happen?

Peter is in his boat fishing. Along comes Jesus and he starts giving fishing instructions. Ever do this with someone who is an expert on something? For us, it usually does not go well. But Peter knows a little bit about this guy giving the advice. This fella had changed water into wine. This interloper in the boat had healed Peter’s mother-in-law. This was no stranger. The men will listen. Jesus speaks – they obey. The catch is so great that Red Lobster and the Filet-O-Fish will be in abundance for days. There is joy, but also fear. Peter realizes whom he is in the presence of and he says, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” It could be Peter out, Peter away, but it is not. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” Peter is out of the boat and following Him.

In our sin, in the presence of God, which is always, we want to find a way out. We fear the wrath of our past and our future. But the Lord tells us not to fear. I am not angry. I did not come to condemn you. I’ll take care of your sin. I’ll make a way for you to be alive and live with me forever. The Lord allows us to have a healthy fear of Him. He tells you and I that He is nothing to be afraid of. Look, here is my Son, crucified for you. We leap out of our boat in joy.

Just like Peter and Isaiah the prophet, the Lord calls us out. He sends us to proclaim His Gospel message and to be of service to others. In the midst of our uncertainty and doubt and those times we “peter out,” we only need to remember that we are not alone in our journey. We have the Trinity the Three-In-One walking with us. The Father of all grace and mercy, The Son who redeemed us from our sins, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and keeps us in the faith. So keep walking in His strength. Keep proclaiming with His voice. Keep trusting that God is with you every step of the way. Peter Out? I don’t think so. Even the Apostle knew that. He kept the faith until the end. May we do the same as the Lord leads.

Amen.