Bulletin Annoncements
August 5, 2018
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Ephesians 4:1 – “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you were called.” The callings we have from the Lord are our “vocations.” Here Paul talks about our vocation as Christian. We are called to be His people and to reflect His love, generosity, and peace within the Church.
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.
FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES will be held FRIDAY, AUGUST 17th at 6:30 p.m. “GOD’S NOT DEAD 2” is the movie that will be shown. “When high school history teacher, Grace Wesley (Melissa Joan Hart) is asked a question about Jesus in class, her reasoned response lands her in deep trouble. The ensuing epic court case could expel God from the classroom – and the public square – once and for all! “GOD’S NOT DEAD 2″ is a powerful call to action: “WHERE WILL YOU STAND? Join us for a great entertaining movie, good food and wonderful fellowship. See you Friday August 17th!
THE ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC is scheduled for Sunday, August 19th, following the 10:30 Worship Service. It will be held at Tipton Trails Park in Bloomington. There are two sign-ups on the table in the narthex. One is the number that will be attending and the other is for main dishes, side dishes and desserts. The church provides all the other items.
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. here 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!
FROM THE OFFICE: If your son or daughter is going away to college or they no longer live at home, please fill out an Information Sheet located on the table in the narthex. As their church home, we like to stay in contact during these important years by sending them Pastor’s Sermon and the monthly Church Newsletter. Please return the form to Sandy in the church office when completed. We lift our young people up in prayer as their spiritual journey continues.
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 July – September 2018 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located in the narthex.
YOU ARE INVITED: Christ Lutheran Church, 311 N Hershey in Normal is having a “Garage Sale/Bake Sale” this coming Friday, August 10th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; and Saturday, August 11th from 8:00 a.m. to noon. It will be held in the Activity Building. Proceeds to benefit Seminary Students, Missions and Projects of the LWML (Ladies Guild) of Christ Lutheran Church.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Pigeonholed” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from John 6:42. Just when you think you are getting to know Jesus, He says something which can confuse. Today the world remains confused about God’s Son, our Savior. That’s because Jesus refuses to be pigeonholed by the world’s desires or expectations. He’s God’s Son, who has come to save humankind. Anything else, or different than this, is simply unacceptable. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus. 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 August 2018
Elder and Usher Schedule
Aug 5 | Jeff Piper, Lucas Piper, Nick Hitch | Nathan Kluender | Bud Kessler, Curt Kessler, Mike Huth |
Aug 12 | Daryle Schempp, Joshua Parry | Mike Field | Bob Love, Brian Dirks, Randy Reinhardt |
Aug 19 | Craig Culp, Nathan Kluender, Steve Parry | Paul Gerike | Holden Lueck, Theron Noth |
Aug 26 | Gene Fuller, Richard Ross | Craig Culp | Bob Love, Greg McNeely, Mike Huth |
Acolyte Schedule
Aug 5 | Lucas Piper | Pastor/Elder |
Aug 12 | Pastor/Elder | Will McNeely |
Aug 19 | Chloe Hitch | Pastor/Elder |
Aug 26 | Pastor/Elder | Matt Williamson |
Stewardship Corner August 2018
When it comes to stewardship, a favorite Bible verse is the account of the widow’s mite (Luke 21:1–4). It’s a moving account. Our Lord praises the seemingly small gift of two copper coins given by a poor widow above the abundance of gifts given by the rich, saying, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them” (Luke 21:3).
And that is usually where we stop. But the text goes on. “For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on” (Luke 21:4).
“She … put in all she had to live on.” She gave everything. She held nothing back. She trusted that the Lord who made her and all creatures, who gave her everything she had, who redeemed her from her own sin, from death, and the power of the devil, who called her by the Gospel and enlightened her with His gifts of Word and Sacrament, would continue to do this. He would provide her with all that she needed for this body and life because that is the character of the God she had.
But this is not why we give small gifts. Her gift, though it appeared small, was actually large. When we are tempted to give small gifts it is precisely because we want them to be small! We don’t trust the Lord to provide for us.
We give small gifts because we lack faith in the One who created us, redeemed us, sanctifies and keeps us in the one true faith. We give small gifts because we doubt that God will really give us what we need and desire. We give small gifts because we are not content with what God has already given.
We are not slaves, children of the slave woman, under the Old Covenant (Gal. 4). We are adopted sons of the free woman. And since we are sons, we are also heirs. And heirs receive the inheritance. For everything is already ours in Christ. And thus, moved by the willing spirit of adoption, we do the will of God in financial matters far beyond all that done by those under the Old Covenant who were forced by legal demands.
So what have you decided to give? How do I decide what to give? Let the Scriptures be your guide.
We are to give proportionally to what we have received from God’s giving to us (Luke 12:48; 1 Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor. 8:12). But you have not been set free to give nothing. See that you excel in the grace of giving (2 Cor. 8:7).
We are not free to live selfishly outside the Gospel, without regard for God who gives us all good gifts, without generosity for our neighbor who needs us and our gifts, without supporting the community of faith in which we live, without care for our spiritual fathers and those who teach and help raise our children in the faith, without resources for the poor and needy – in short, we are not free to live unto ourselves, hoarding what God has given us only for us.
For love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). And the sum of the law is this: Love God and love your neighbor (Matt. 22:34-.40). We love because He first loved us. We give because He has given to us.
Luther once said, “Possessions belong in your hands, not in your heart” (LW 14:240). There is a reason your 10 fingers spread apart. With your hands you catch God’s gifts for what you need and let the rest fall through your fingers to your neighbors – your family, your friends, your community, your church.
Celebrating August 2018
Birthdays
Georgia Boriack Aug 1
Vicki Miller Aug 3
Paul Gerike Aug 5
Eric Schneider Aug 5
Benjamin King Jr Aug 8
Jeannette Ross Aug 9
Benjamin Bryan Aug 10
Clayton Piper Aug 11
Emilia Schempp Aug 11
Brian Dirks Aug 12
Jackie Kwasny Aug 15
Kristian Warren Aug 16
Becky Love Aug 18
Kitti Miller Aug 22
John Campbell Aug 24
Mike Huth Aug 24
Baptismal Birthdays
Deborah Huber Aug 7
Andy Benjamin Aug 11
Phoenix Kleiboeker Aug 15
Benjamin King Jr Aug 19
Stephanie Schempp Aug 23
Paul Gerike Aug 24
Eric Schneider Aug 25
Jerzey Kleiboeker Aug 28