Pastor’s Notes June 2018

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This summer we are blessed to be having one worship service outdoors to celebrate the Lord’s goodness.  This will take place on Sunday, July 15 at 9:00 a.m.  Instead of the usual two worship services, all of God’s people will be together as a congregation.

Why the celebration?  If you are not up on Good Shepherd’s history, here is a synopsis.  Good Shepherd was started as a mission in 1993.  The congregation was chartered as a congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on February 19, 1995.  In her early history the congregation worshipped at varied locations from Wittenberg Lutheran Center on the campus of Illinois State to Eastland Suites.  By the time I arrived as the 2nd called Pastor of Good Shepherd in January of 1999, we had an office and worship space at the McLean County Farm Bureau Building.

I like to tell the continued story this way:  in the summer of 1999 the building committee representing about 150 church mice (members) asked the District Church Extension Fund for $1.8 million . . . and they said yes!  We broke ground, had a mild winter and were able to dedicate our building in August of 2000.  We have been paying on the mortgage ever since.  We have refinanced, I believe twice, and we are faithful in our on-time payments.  We had cost overruns of $200,000 that we paid off directly to the contractor – thank you Lord!  That is why we are celebrating; we have paid off half of the cost of our beautiful building.  The mortgage in July will be at $1 million.

As a congregation of the Central Illinois District, we are blessed that the district has its own Church Extension Fund that loaned us the money.  We began working with Dave Goldhammer and have worked with Dave Rohe now for a number of years.  Dave Rohe is retiring at the end of May and I thanked him personally by phone for all of his and the board’s support over the years.  The new leader of the fund will take over in June and Dave assured me of her support going forward.  We have been blessed.

But then those of you who have been at Good Shepherd from the beginning or any time past that, know of which I speak.  The blessings we have received from God’s gracious hand have been innumerable.  From having pews that we didn’t expect, paying off our pipe organ in short order and completing projects and paying for them over the years.

These are only temporary gifts that we enjoy while inhabitants of earth.  God’s greater gifts to each one of us would be:  His Son’s death and resurrection for our forgiveness and salvation.  We look forward to that heavenly mansion but until then let’s enjoy our Lord’s Blessings and celebrate them!

In Christ,

Pastor

Sermon Text for May 27, 2018: “Are You In The Witness Protection Program?”

May 27, 2018                                                                                                 Isaiah 6:1-8

Dear Friends in Christ,

Many of you know I enjoy the study of people, especially groups of people.  One such group is the mafia.  I watch all the shows on cable about Luciano, Gotti, Arcado, Gianncana, and Anastasia.  If you testify against these types of men you need to be protected and starting in 1970 the government came up with a program – The Federal Witness Protection Program.  They change your address, your occupation, your name and anything else that might identify you.  You hide from who you used to be.  You testify in court and then you clam up – to stay alive.

The Lord in our text was looking for someone just as bold.  But this job description did not include hiding from your witness.  It would include calling out a whole nation.  It would take a prophet.

How about you?  How bold are you?  Are you prepared to confront the idolaters of our nation?  Do you recognize your sinful shortcomings?  Do you want to go in hiding?

“ARE YOU IN THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM?”

The text begins, “In the year that King Uzziah died.”  2 Chronicles 26 gives us a glimpse of this king.  He ruled for 52 years.  During his reign the economy blossomed.  Unemployment and taxes were low.  Military victories happened.  Judah was experiencing good times.  “Ain’t we lucky we got ‘em – good times!”  All this though led to a lowering of moral standards.  After Uzziah died, the Assyrian threat made the future look bleak.

Any of this sound familiar?  Our economy is on the upswing.  Unemployment is low and certain taxes are declining.  But what about our moral standards?  Drugs being legalized.  Values being questioned.  Marriage being flushed down the sewer of post-modern relativism.  Safe zones being created while young people get shot in the school library.

Isaiah knew that in spite of the problems God was still in charge.  He saw the Lord sitting on His throne.  God is still on his throne.  He is directing the course of the world in His own wise way.

Isaiah’s vision was part of the Lord’s plan.  God was going to need a witness but He didn’t need a self-righteous one.  Seeing God’s majesty and hearing the worship offered by the angels Isaiah was overwhelmed by his own sinfulness.  He responded by confessing his sins and the sins of his nation.

In our culture most of us see ourselves as individuals but Isaiah’s confession reflects the more scriptural view of society.  We belong to one another.  Each of us contributes to the whole.  We retain individual responsibility for the direction of our own lives, but we also share jointly in the responsibility for the direction our society takes.

God provided the cleansing for Isaiah.  His unclean lips were atoned for and his guilt taken away.  He was ready to enter the Lord’s witness protection program.

Before our commission we too stand before the Lord with unclean lips and hearts and actions.  Isaiah felt he would die from his encounter with the Lord.  Do your sins ever do that to you?  We come face to face with our guilt and know there is no way to pay the penalty?  And we don’t have to.  Through Jesus God provides our forgiveness.  He baptizes us through the Holy Spirit.  Through the Word of the Gospel, which tells us everything Christ has done, we are cleansed from our unclean lips.  Through faith created by the Spirit working through Word and Sacrament, we trust that forgiveness and salvation.  Now – can I get a witness?!

The Lord got one.  He became the most quoted Old Testament writer in the New Testament.  He declared God’s judgment and the promise of his salvation – the coming Savior.  To hear and respond to this message is what Isaiah’s world needed.  His assignment would not be easy.  He would name names.  He would confront.  After a while, people would cross the street when they saw him coming.  Eventually, if tradition tells the truth, his own people would saw him in half.

Can our world – get your witness?  Hiding behind a new identity is not an option.  You are a Christian – a follower of the Savior, clothed in His righteousness.  Will you love and chastise?  Confront and forgive?  The idolatry is so immense and the task difficult but remember the Lord is in charge of your protection.  He may not be asking you to preach like Peter in our Acts reading this morning, but He is encouraging your witness.  He asks you to scatter seed in your speaking of the Good News.  The Word will create the faith.  Jesus is on stage even as the Holy Spirit is behind the scenes making it happen.  He’s in the rafters, putting the spotlight on Jesus.

May we too – in our lives and conversations – remain focused on Christ, proclaiming the simple, beautiful news of His birth, death, and resurrection.

Here am I, send me, send me!

Amen.

 

Bulletin Announcements

May 27, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 3:6 – “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”  In Holy Baptism we receive a new birth: spirit from Spirit.  With that rebirth we receive new desires, new lives, new purposes. To the (fleshly) world, Christian generosity makes no sense: the total minus a percentage is less than the original total.  But Spirit-reborn Christians know that God’s math works differently (as we might expect from the Trinity!): a blessing received from God becomes more of a blessing when it is used in generosity to bless others.

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. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

IN OUR PRAYERS TODAY:  Our graduates from both college and high school.  God’s blessings on your future endeavors and your faith walk in the Lord.

YOU ARE INVITED:  On behalf of Holden Lueck, 2018 Normal West graduate, the congregation is invited to his graduation party TODAY, May 27th from 2-5:00 p.m. at the GE Clubhouse located at 1750 GE Road in Bloomington.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIP GIFT:  If you would like to donate you can pick up an envelope located on the table in the narthex.

GROUP OUTING FOR BASEBALL GAME:  Good Shepherd is planning a group outing at a Normal CornBelters game on Sunday, June 10th. Game time is 6:05 p.m.  Tickets are $10.00 per person and will include a reserved box seat and a concession voucher that can be used for a hot dog, small drink and bag of chips.  Good Shepherd’s own Katey Parry will sing the national anthem and Pastor Lueck will throw out a first pitch.  For more information or to buy tickets, contact Randy Reinhardt at (309) 826-0448 or randyreinhardt1@gmail.com

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  The weekend of July 14th and 15th this summer will be a big weekend at Good Shepherd.  On Saturday the 14th, Good Shepherd is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  A breakfast will be served in the canteen after your donation.  Then on Sunday the 15th, the Lord’s Day begins with a congregational breakfast in the basement (start time not yet set).  We will have one worship service with Holy Communion at 9:00 a.m. on the north lawn under a tent as we give thanks to our gracious Lord for blessing us with having half our mortgage paid off.  Bible Class and Sunday School will follow back inside.  We give the gift of life as the Lord has given us life!  

MARK YOU CALENDAR:  The date for our Annual Church Picnic has been set!  It will be held on Sunday, August 19th.  More information to follow.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “The Battleground of Time” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Mark 2:23-3:6.  Military personnel know what it means to be on the front line in combat.  Next Sunday’s message is about a battleground where we’re between opposing forces and could easily lose our life, the Battleground of Time. The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Dale Meyer.  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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Bulletin Announcements

May 20, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Acts 2:1 – “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.”  Pentecost was the Old Testament harvest festival: a time of thanksgiving, bounty, and the giving of gifts.  How appropriate that in the New Testament it takes on the meaning of a new harvest: the ripe fields of the nations, bringing in the elect of every tribe and tongue to sing the Lord’s praise.  Every farmer knows that it is God who gives the increase and that the harvest calls for thanksgiving.

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. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the JUNE NEWSLETTER.  Janet Evans is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or you may call her at (309) 838-1552.

YOU ARE INVITED:  On behalf of Holden Lueck, 2018 Normal West graduate, the congregation is invited to his graduation party NEXT SUNDAY, May 27th from 2-5:00 p.m. at the GE Clubhouse located at 1750 GE Road in Bloomington.

CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIP GIFT:  If you would like to donate you can pick up an envelope located on the table in the narthex.

GROUP OUTING FOR BASEBALL GAME:  Good Shepherd is planning a group outing at a Normal CornBelters game on Sunday, June 10th. Game time is 6:05 p.m.  Tickets are $10.00 per person and will include a reserved box seat and a concession voucher that can be used for a hot dog, small drink and bag of chips.  Good Shepherd’s own Katey Parry will sing the national anthem and Pastor Lueck will throw out a first pitch.  For more information or to buy tickets, contact Randy Reinhardt at (309) 826-0448 or randyreinhardt1@gmail.com

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  We have a big weekend planned this summer so please get these dates on your calendar.  On Saturday, July 14th, we will host a Red Cross Blood Drive from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with breakfast served.  On Sunday, July 15th, we will have one worship service outside under a tent at 9:00 a.m. to celebrate and thank God for having paid half of the cost of our building.  Sunday School and Bible Class will convene inside at 10:15 a.m.

MARK YOU CALENDAR:  The date for our Annual Church Picnic has been set!  It will be held on Sunday, August 19th.  More information to follow.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Impossible” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Acts 2:22-24.  Can death hold us?  Experience says, “Yes”!  The Apostle Peter says, “No”.  Next Sunday’s sermon talks about making possible that which can’t happen. 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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