Sermon Text for September 23, 2018.
September 23, 2018 Text: James 3:13 – 4:10
Dear Friends in Christ,
Are you a peacemaker? Our immediate reaction is “of course I am Pastor because this is what the Lord wants.” But then we let that question work a little deeper into our brains and what starts flooding out? Arguments with a spouse, fights with a friend, yelling between parent and child, and how about that passion you displayed when you got cut off in traffic?
The words of James are not easy for us to hear. God’s word, true to His promises, speaks to all of us here this morning. Is there hope in a world where confrontation is a way of life from the top on down? Can the Christian make a difference when the world is condemning every little thing on social media, taking to task the humble and exhorting the proud? This world is an enemy of God and the challenges are numerous. Let’s focus on one.
“PEACEMAKERS – SOW WHAT?”
The Word of God gives us a wonderful picture of what peace is. Verse 18 of our text, “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Never underestimate the power of a seed. We try hard to sow seeds of peace. We want to find inner peace within ourselves and outer peace around us in our families, communities, churches. We try to be like Jesus in forgiving our neighbors and lunching with sinners. We try to make peace in our families – “can’t we sit down and discuss this?” We try to make peace in our communities – “can’t we all just get along?” How many summits have been convened with countries longing for peace?
Then the push and shove of the world gets in our face. We get worked over and worn out. In our frustration we are going to let somebody have it. It leaves us vulnerable to temptation, selfish ambition, disorder. We try all the tricks the world has to offer. Yet instead of sowing seeds of peace we are left with weeds and stones.
Weeds choke our peacemaking efforts. They are pulled out and thrown into the fire. Stones of legalism, oppression, and finally death are stacked upon one another until they imprison us. All of this happens because we leave out the one needed – Jesus.
Jesus is the one and only way to the harvest of righteousness. The heavenly Father planted his Seed into the ground – the grave. God sent His one and only Son into this quarreling, fighting world to suffer for these sins of the world. He came to forgive you when you want to get in the last word. He came to redeem you when you tell somebody off without cause. He came to lift you up from the depths of the world’s criticism party. He came to wipe clean the seeds of discord you have sown.
Jesus died and was placed into the ground, in order to be raised, just as promised, to a new life. That which sprouted from the ground was forgiveness and peace, new life, eternal life.
We have been planted (buried) with Christ in Baptism. We have been sown in the peace of Christ. Raised to new life through water and the Word. Nurtured and strengthened in Word and Sacrament. Now we are able to produce a harvest of righteousness.
Now, like Jesus, we are peacemakers, filled with the Holy Spirit. We don’t respond to the ridiculous tweet because we add nothing to the discourse. We don’t take out a job frustration on a spouse or child. We hold our tongue because many times the less we say the better. We realize it is a tough, punishing world and if the Christian doesn’t make a change, who will?
Sow what? Sowing seeds of consideration, kindness, submission, good fruit, impartiality and sincerity. Isn’t this the world you want to live in? Help us Lord in our peacemaking duties as we live out our faith in You.
Amen.
Bulletin Announcements
September 30, 2018
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Mark 9:45 – “And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.” So what is causing us to sin? Lust? Greed? Fear? Better to cut it off! We need the Lord’s help to do this – and you are in the right place this Lord’s Day to receive that help through Word and Sacrament.
NEED A RIDE? If you are unable to drive to church, we have an option that is available. Please speak with Pastor who has the details. Thank you.
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 LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF: It’s that time again to think about purchasing items for Health Kits. Items needed for each kit: 1) One Bath Towel (dark color); 2) Two Bath Size Bars of Soap; 3) One Comb (Sturdy; No fine tooth comb); 4) One Metal Nail Clipper; 5) One Toothbrush. There also is a list of items needed on the table in the narthex for you to take with you if you need. If you have any questions please see or call Joann Hart (309) 310-9205. Thank you!
OCTOBER’S FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES will be held Friday, October 19th at 6:30 p.m. The movie is: “I BELIEVE WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE”. Nine year old Brian (Rowan Smyth) has a supernatural encounter with God, an experience that sends him on an adventurous quest to “find out more about what Christians believe.” He faces heavy opposition from the world around him, especially from his own father Simon (Matt Lindquist), an atheist TV newscaster. Brian finds allies in the pastor of a local church (Wilford Brimley) and a wounded U.S. Marine (Jeremy London). Brian’s pure and innocent faith brings about manifestations of God’s extraordinary power that quickly becomes Breaking News. Don’t miss out on this miracle packed adventure! Join us Friday night, October 19th at 6:30 p.m. for another great movie, good food and wonderful fellowship!
GOOD SHEPHERD’S ANNUAL VOTER’S MEETING is scheduled for Sunday, November 11, 2018, following the 10:30 worship service. Preceding the meeting will be a potluck dinner.
FELLOWSHIP HOSTS: In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 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 is by the door by the north stairwell.
PORTALS OF PRAYER: The October—December 2018 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex. Pick up your free copy today.
LOOKING FOR A GOOD CHRISTIAN MOVIE TO SEE? “Unbroken: Path To Redemption” is the story of WWII Veteran and Olympic Athlete Louis Zamperini’s struggles with alcoholism and PTSD after his return from a Japanese prison camp and his hearing of the Word of God. An inspiring movie based on a true story.
YOU ARE INVITED: The Adult and Aging Group at Trinity Lutheran in Bloomington is sponsoring a seminar entitled, “De-Cluttering”. Learn where to recycle, avoid the trash, and get your home back. It will be from 2-4:00 p.m. TODAY, September 30th.
YOU ARE INVITED: Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Eureka is having a Hog Roast NEXT SUNDAY, October 6th, from 4-7:00 p.m. Pastor has two tickets for anyone interested in going.
YOU ARE INVITED: Reverend William Weedon who served as Director of Worship for the LCMS is doing a workshop on “Thank, Praise, Serve, and Obey – Recover the Joys of Piety”. It will be held at Christ Lutheran in Normal from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 13th. The cost is $10.00 and reservations can be made by calling the church at (309) 452-5609 or by email at: clcms@frontier.com.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “God Created” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Genesis 1:27. Life is a precious gift. Guest speaker, Reverend Perry Hart, warns against our culture’s devaluation of life and calls us to see ourselves and others as precious people, created by God, redeemed by Christ. 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 CHAIN: 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.
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Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules October 2018
Elder and Usher Schedule
| Oct 7 | Jeff Piper, Lucas Piper, Paul Gerike | Craig Culp | Bob Love, Greg McNeely |
| Oct 14 | Nick Hitch, Daryle Schempp | Randy Reinhardt | Bud Kessler, Curt Kessler, Mike Huth |
| Oct 21 | Joshua Parry, Craig Culp, Nathan Kluender | Barry Hamlin | Brian Dirks, Randy Reinhardt |
| Oct 28 | Gene Fuller, Richard Ross, Mike Field | Nathan Kluender | Theron Noth, Bob Love, Greg McNeely |
Acolyte Schedule
| Oct 7 | Lucas Piper | Pastor/Elder |
| Oct 14 | Pastor/Elder | Matt Williamson |
| Oct 21 | Chloe Hitch | Pastor/Elder |
| Oct 28 | Clayton Piper | Justin McNeely |