Bulletin Announcements

April 22, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.”  What does it mean to know the Lord?  It starts with being known by the Lord: He claims us as His own and calls us by name. Then, once we are His, we learn to know Him…and in knowing Him we learn to imitate Him. And that is how the Christian life of good works and generosity grows from the Lord’s grace.

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 MAY 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.

NEXT SUNDAY: Next Sunday, April 29th, we are privileged to have with us the seminary student we have been supporting this school year.  Brent Keller will be here with his family to preach and conduct Bible Class.  Because of his presence we will have our May door offering next Sunday instead.  Keep Brent in your prayers as he receives his call this week.  Also, be reminded that this is  the 5th Sunday so Holy Communion will be celebrated in both worship services.

FROM THE OFFICE:  If you would like to send a card to our Custodian, Roman Lenart, following his knee replacement surgery, his address is:  305 Carl Dr., Bloomington IL 61704.

FROM THE OFFICE:  Please note that the address for Jack & Ruth Gooding has changed to: Evergreen Place, 801 Gregory, Apt. 210, Normal, IL 61761

FROM THE OFFICE:     The new Church Directory is available on the table in the narthex.  Please pick up your copy today.

FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Because we no longer have the Soccer Club our lawn mowing budgeted for 2018 is $500.00 short of the bid the Board of Trustees have been working on.  If you would like to contribute to this, mark your contribution accordingly and thank you!

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.  Saturday, July 14th, we will host a Red Cross Blood Drive from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with breakfast served.  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.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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 Answer to Unhappiness” What do you really want? What does your heart yearn for most? A blogger recently asked her readers the question: “If you could say in one word what you want more of in life, what would that be?” Can you guess the number one answer? It was happiness. (Acts 8:26-40)  The speaker is Rev. Michael Newman.  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

April 15, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”  There is the essence of our sanctification: becoming like our Lord.  As St. John notes, this will only be completed in the Resurrection.  But until then we are called to trust His grace and to grow into His image more and more.

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.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MAY 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.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Good Shepherd is once again privileged to serve a “Talk Time Meal” to International Students on the campus of Illinois State University.  We will do this on this coming Friday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m.  To sign-up to prepare and serve the meal look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex.

FROM THE OFFICE:  If you would like to send a card to our Custodian, Roman Lenart, following his knee replacement surgery, his address is:  305 Carl Dr., Bloomington IL 61704.

FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Because we no longer have the Soccer Club our lawn mowing budgeted for 2018 is $500.00 short of the bid the Board of Trustees have been working on.  If you would like to contribute to this, mark your contribution accordingly and thank you!

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and Toni will once again participate in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” this coming Saturday, April 21st.  The Walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal.  If you would like to pledge a dollar amount to their walk or if you would like to walk please speak with Pastor.  Thank you!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  We have a big weekend planned this summer so please get these dates on your calendar.  Saturday, July 14th, we will host a Red Cross Blood Drive with breakfast served.  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.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Payer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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:  “What’s In a Name?” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Acts 1:42.  We live in a disposable age.  If something wears out, breaks down or is lost, we replace it.  But who or what can replace Jesus?  Who else can sae us?  Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus is the speaker.  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

April 8, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 20:19 – “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.’ ”  The peace we have in Jesus is what makes a life of good works possible.  Since we know that it is Jesus who saved us, and not our works, we are now free to do good works not out of self-interest, but for the right reasons: out of thanksgiving toward God and love for our neighbors.

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 our Offering for Seminarian Brent Keller.  Mr. Keller and his family will with us on Sunday, April 29th.  He will preach and conduct Bible Class on that day.

APRIL FAMILY MOVE NIGHT:  “The Stray” tells the true story of a dog who saves a struggling family in more ways than one.  “Pluto” comes out of nowhere and quickly makes himself at home with the Davis Family, who are on the brink of falling apart.  In just a short time, Pluto the “wonder dog” manages to save a lost toddler, bring comfort and companionship to a hurting nine-year-old boy, helps to restore a marriage and repair a broken father-son relationship. Pluto is not only a guard dog – he’s a guardian angel.  Join us this coming Friday, April 13th, for another great movie, fine food and wonderful fellowship.

FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Because we no longer have the Soccer Club our lawn mowing budgeted for 2018 is $500.00 short of the bid the Board of Trustees have been working on.  If you would like to contribute to this, mark your contribution accordingly and thank you!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Good Shepherd is once again privileged to serve a “Talk Time Meal” to International Students on the campus of Illinois State University.  We will do this on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m.  To sign-up to prepare and serve the meal look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex.

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and Toni will once again participate in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” on Saturday, April 21st.  The Walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal.  If you would like to pledge a dollar amount to their walk or if you would like to walk please speak with Pastor.  Thank you!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  We have a big weekend planned this summer so please get these dates on your calendar.  Saturday, July 14th, we will host a Red Cross Blood Drive with breakfast served.  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.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Payer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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:  “Peace To You” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 24:36-49  Christians often say, “The Lord be with you”.  What does that look like?  And how do you know Jesus is indeed with you?  Jesus’ visit to His first disciples shows us the how and what of confidence in Christ.  Reverend Dr. Dale A. Meyer is the speaker.  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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Sermon Text for Easter Sunday.

April 1, 2018 – Easter                                                           Text:  Romans 6:1-9

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

“The Gospel in Seven Words.”  That has been our theme this Lenten season.  If you have been with us on Wednesday evenings, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday you know that each week we try to get the Gospel down to seven words.  Brevity is something needed in our attention span starved world.  People who don’t know the Gospel, or who have walked away from the church, especially friends and family of yours, need to hear the Good News about what this day is all about.

We have talked these last seven weeks about confessing, captivity and freedom, death and life, isolation and community.  In Holy Week we have focused on Jesus feeding our hungry soul and how His death has overcome our death.  Today, our goal is once again to witness to the Gospel in seven words.

When this journey began on Ash Wednesday, one of our congregation members came out of church and mentioned to me that I was already proclaiming the gospel in brief.  I do it each time I step in this pulpit.  I have been doing it for 26 ½ years, the length of my ministry.  You heard it again today.  Do you know what it is?  . . . “Jesus died, so we might live.”  I know that’s six words; so to keep with our target of seven words, let’s make it this on Easter morning . . .

“JESUS DIED AND ROSE, SO WE LIVE”

The first part states that Jesus died.  He did.  I was there.  You were there.  Not physically mind you, but a part of us was there.  Our bad language was there.  Our worrying was there.  Our questionable choices were there.  Our idols of success and money and “look what I have done world” before our relationship with God were there.  Our Sunday morning decisions about being in God’s House were there.  Our horrible thoughts about others were there.  Our lack of trust in our Savior was there.  It was all piled on Him.  He was crushed for our iniquities.  He went through hell to save us from hell.  “Surely He was the Son of God.”

The second part of our seven word gospel we celebrate today.  Jesus rose.  What a glorious declaration.  Jesus’ resurrection was the fulfillment of God’s Word throughout the ages.  It was the core of God’s meticulously crafted plan of salvation.  Jesus had promised he would rise from the dead, and when he did, he proved his divinity.  He vindicated everything he had ever said or done.  Because Jesus rose we can trust everything he said throughout his life and ministry.

Because Jesus died and because Jesus rose, we can declare with confidence that “we live.”  None of us can outwit or outsmart or outlast death.  The slow and steady march of life is always leading us another step closer to the grave.

And yet, the resurrection of Jesus shows that death is no longer in charge.  Because of Jesus, death is no longer our master.  We will still die, unless Jesus returns, but death is no longer the end of our story.  Through faith in Christ, and through the promise God makes to us in our baptism, we will live even after death.

Do you get it?  Because of Easter, we need not live in shame.  Because of Easter we need not work so hard to serve ourselves.  Because of Easter we can forgive those who have sinned against us, for Christ has forgiven our sin against him.  It’s called new life, and it’s what God gives you and me here again this day.

Her father was an atheist who concluded God did not exist.  In college weighed down with her parent’s divorce and an absentee father she tried to cope with one-night stands, binge drinking, and recreational drugs.  But at night, when the lights were out, she asked the question that every human being asks at one time, “Is there something more to life?”

During her sophomore year, her father read the Bible to see if Jesus professed positive things and through this he came to faith.  His newfound faith threatened her.  Outwardly, she mocked him.  Inwardly, it launched her on a quest to discover the meaning of life.

She took a class on non-Western religions and then interviewed classmates about their belief systems around a keg smoking joints.  One day she passed a bookstore and saw a book by Billy Graham.  She tucked it into her beach bag, grabbed a six-pack and went to the dunes of Lake Michigan to party with friends.  As she read on the beach and looked around at God’s creation she thought, “maybe God does exist and created me for a purpose.”

She then read the Bible and she couldn’t get enough.  It introduced her to God’s love through Christ and His ability to provide each of us an abundant life full of significance.  She was transformed from tending bar on the weekends to marrying a Pastor who tells people every Sunday about the living water, the life we have because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Who do you know who is lying in bed thinking, “Is there something more to life?”  Maybe you found yourself in this true story.  Whatever brought you to worship this day, I want you to find the peace and joy that God offers in light of Jesus’ resurrection.  I want you to believe, and to confess, this incredibly good news of the gospel.  This morning, we again make it simple.  Just seven words that change our lives forever.

Jesus died and rose, so we live.                Amen.