Celebrating March 2019

Birthdays

Michael Anderson 3/1
John Isaac 3/1
Anita Contois 3/3
Halle Sheley 3/3
Vanessa Biddle 3/4
Steve Parry 3/4
Greg Sheley 3/6
Ruth Alvis 3/18
Jennifer Cloyd 3/25
Mary Anne Kirchner 3/29
Robert Bier 3/31

Baptismal Birthdays

Pete Hanner 3/1
Lucas Schempp 3/1
Jennifer Parry 3/3
Betty Bier 3/4
Matthew Holland 3/8
Linda Dirks 3/11
Pat Orr 3/11
Mollie Hitch 3/13
Ryan Hitch 3/13
Johana Kirchner 3/16
Ruth Alvis 3/18
LuanneHuth 3/20
Carol Schroeder 3/24
Vanessa Biddle 3/29
Carin Henson 3/31

Pastor’s Notes March 2019

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I am no actuary but I do like to work with numbers and it is official — the last four years we have had

a high percentage of bad weather — snow, ice, freezing temperatures — on the weekend.  If we take December

— February as meteorological winter that gives us 52 Sundays (5 +4+4 x 4) the last four years.  We have had

16 weather events – almost 1/3 of the time.  Add in there a Lenten Service and New Year’s Eve Service that

were cancelled and we throw our hands up — “Enough!” This year alone (2019) we have had snow/ice on 5

of the 7 Sundays as I write this.  One more tidbit — last year we had snow/ice on the last Sunday of March —

please no!

All right, come out from under your blanket.  Pull up a chair and a cup of hot chocolate and let’s talk,

Pastor to people.  I’ve not given up.  I know worship for many of you has been inconsistent because of the

weather.  There is no rhythm of seeing each other every week.  Habits can form — bad habits — but I am not

giving up on you, so please don’t give up on yourself.  For some of you life circumstances have changed which

make it more difficult to get here.  Please reach out so we can help.  We have members willing to pick you up

and get you back home.  This outreach happens every Sunday with a few of our brothers and sisters.

Believe me, I know how frustrating it can be.  I can’t plan anything because who knows what the

weather is going to be the next day.  I’ve been praying for better weather (and yes I know the joke from many

of you and my fellow Pastors — you have requested I stop – but I can’t).  This is a spiritual battle.  The devil is

wily and his schemes are non-stop so we can’t just quit our intercessions because we don’t see improvement.

I know prayer works.  Remember the winter we built our church?  The Lord provided a mild winter and little

snow and the construction people were able to work continually.  The Lord heard us then and He will hear us

now.

The Lord has not given up on you.  He loves you.  He died for you.  He wants to feed you through

Word and Sacrament.  He doesn’t want your snow shovel to be permanently in your hands.  We thank Him

that He has kept safe many who have made it to His House.  Come out of hibernation — your brothers and

sisters are excited to see you — but no one is more excited than your Savior.

In Christ,

Pastor

Sermon Text Mar 10 (1st Sunday of Lent) — The Lord is My Refuge

March 10, 2019                                                                               Text:  Psalm 91:1-13

Dear Friends in Christ,

            In 2012, Jamie Coots, a “snake-handling” Pastor in Kentucky, died of you – you guessed it – a snakebite!  Coots was the star of a National Geographic TV reality show called Snake Salvation.  He believed he had a special anointing from God that protected him from any harm from the snakes that he handled.  Why not?  Doesn’t God promise that in today’s psalm?  In verse 13, “You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.”  Isn’t God telling us in this psalm that He is our refuge and fortress?  Yes, but that doesn’t mean we become reckless.  In fact, I just saw this week a man who was mauled to death by a lion he kept as a pet.  

            Were the snake-handler and lion pet owner showing faith or were they testing the unpredictability of animals?  Did this Pastor misunderstand the promise of God?  Psalm 91 is not an invitation to “test” the Lord by seeking out danger at every opportunity.  Satan uses the words of this Psalm to test Jesus in our Gospel.  He is using them for evil as he foolishly tried to ensnare Jesus.  That is his game plan for you and I too.  We need the Word of God as he attacks us. 

“THE LORD . . . IS MY REFUGE”

            Yes, the Lord indeed promises protection in the midst of dangers.  He promises us that nothing can separate us from his love in Christ Jesus.  But nowhere in these verses do we find an invitation to put him to the test.  Jesus outsmarted Satan with a right understanding of Scripture:  “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” (Luke 4:12)

            Examine yourself.  In what ways have you tested God with your reckless behavior, rather than trusting him with a confident faith?  Let’s use our winter weather as an example.  Did you get out on the roads when it was not safe to do so?  Yes, you trusted the Lord for safe travel, but was it the smart thing to do?  Experience has taught me to stay home, the exception being Sunday mornings.  Where else do we test God?  Our behaviors can be reckless figuring we have forgiveness.  Why not spout off or not listen to our parents or twist God’s Word to fit our lifestyle.  Faith doesn’t work that way.  There would be no reason for Christ and Christianity if we all just lived the way we wanted.  Satan would be the victor and we would have no hope.

            Repent.  Recognize the satanic ploys that so easily ensnare you.  Confess your sins of weakness.  Admit defeat.  But don’t walk away defeated.

            We don’t always walk away the victor.  We suffer defeats in life but we are not defeated.  In baptism we were baptized into the death and resurrection of our Lord.  We share in his victory no matter how many times our sinful behavior has ensnared us.  Living in daily repentance and faith, we can enjoy the refuge of his victory as we receive his gifts of Word and Sacrament.

            Satan and the words of this psalm tempted the Son of God for real.  But Jesus took refuge in the promise of His Heavenly Father.  He held fast to God’s promise and did not fall prey to the roaring lion and slithering snake.

            But that wasn’t the ultimate victory.  The devil left Jesus “until an opportune time.” (Lk. 4:13b)  Wasn’t the most opportune time when your Savior hung on the pinnacle of the cross?  Remember the shouting, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” (Lk. 23:37)  Oh, that would have been so easy to do.  Why die for these knuckleheads who are shouting at me?  Why die for us who make Satan-inspired decisions in our life?  Thankfully, the Savior knew He wasn’t there for himself.  He was on that cross to save you.  To save you from bad winter weather decisions.  To save you from opening your mouth when you shouldn’t have.  To save you from not listening to the God-ordained authorities who are there to guide and love you.  To save you from forming an opinion not based on the words of Jesus you have learned your whole life but on a friend or a show or some knucklehead at an awards show.  The Lord knows Satan’s tricks.  He understands the deception.  He trusted, even then on the cross, even giving up the shelter of his Heavenly Father, so that you would dwell in the shelter of the Most High forever.

            Enter this season of Lent with confidence, dear Christian, the confidence of a God who grants you refuge in the victory of His Son.  Isn’t it fitting to begin the Sundays in Lent with this glorious psalm?  The psalms are prayers.  Pray them as God’s people have always prayed them.  Pray them with confidence that through the work of Jesus you have a refuge and a fortress and a shelter.  You live in Christ’s victory.  Call upon Him in temptation and daily defeats.  His salvation is your salvation.  The refuge we all need.

                                                            Amen.    

Bulletin Announcements

March 10, 2019

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 4:8 – “And Jesus answered him, “It is written …’ ”  Isn’t it interesting that Jesus does not defeat Satan with His power as God but rather by His perfect obedience in His perfect humanity?  Jesus defeats Satan not by miracles but by quoting the Scriptures and living according to it.  This should cause us great joy for two reasons.  First, because we see Jesus win the victory for us.  Second, because here Jesus shows us how to stand in that victory – on the Word of God alone.  Let us build our lives on the sure rock of this Word!

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 our 2nd Sunday door Offering for Seminarian Joseph Schlie will be a week from today, Sunday, March 10, 2019.  Also, we received a letter from Mr. Schlie and it is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.  The Schlie’s had a girl, Fern Joahna Schlie, born on Wednesday, February 27th.

MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP:  Your Board of Elders care both about your belly but more importantly your soul.  They will feed your innards with their culinary creations at 5:30 p.m. in the basement of the church.  The free-will Offering will go to the Hilbert Family and their work with Lutheran Bible Translators.  They will allow Pastor to feed your soul during our Lenten Worship beginning at 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday, March 13th.  This week’s message under the theme: “Let My People Go’ is: “How God Changes Us.”

FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT IN MARCH will be on March 22nd at 6:30 p.m.  The title of the movie is “RISEN”.  “RISEN” is the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection as told through the eyes of a non-believer.  Clavius, a powerful Roman military tribune and his aide, Lucius are tasked with solving the mystery of what happened to Jesus in the weeks following the crucifixion in order to disprove the rumors of a risen Messiah and prevent an uprising in Jerusalem.  Join us for another great movie, good food and wonderful fellowship March 22nd at 6:30pm in the church basement.

FROM THE OFFICE:  It’s time for the Annual Renewal of Lutheran Witness.  Emails are going out to those who currently have a subscription.  If anyone who is not currently receiving the Lutheran Witness is interested, please contact either Janet or Sandy in the office before the end of March and we will gladly add your name to the list.  The cost is only $15.96 for the entire year; July 2019 through June 2020.  (The June/July issue is combined so there are 11 issues.)

THE LENTEN DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS, “People Of The Passion” are available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FROM THE OFFICE:  It’s time for the annual update of the Church Directory Listing.  On the table in the narthex there are two lists, one with only phone numbers and email addresses; and also one with home addresses included.  Please check the listings and make any changes necessary.  We hope to have a new Church Directory for you by the first Sunday in April.  Thank you for your help.

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:  “Ba-a-ah” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 10.  Strikingly, Jesus refers to His people both as “sheep” and as “gods” (Psalm 82).  How does that work? 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.