Bulletin Announcements

September 10, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 18:4 – “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” What does it mean to have childlike faith?  Certainly Jesus does not want us to have a faith that is childish: we are not called to ignorance or silliness.  Rather, we are called to trust the way a child trusts: with complete confidence in the Father.  We show that confidence in our lives when we follow His directives for our life: Father knows best, so we’ll take His advice!

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 HIGH SCHOOL—COLLEGE—AND ADULT BIBLE STUDY will be led by Pastor Weseloh in the basement of the church at 9:15 a.m.

THANK YOU to Reverend Mel Weseloh from Minier for conducting worship and Bible Class this morning.  Pastor Weseloh is celebrating this year 60 years in the ministry.  God’s blessings to you and your work in the Lord’s Kingdom.

TODAY:  Pastor, Toni, and Holden are at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Littlefield, Texas this morning.  This was the 1st church that Pastor served from 1991—1995.  They are celebrating 100 years as a congregation and Pastor is privileged to be serving in their anniversary worship service.  Pastor will return to the office on Monday afternoon.

THANK YOU:  The members of Good Shepherd, Pastor Lueck and the Office Staff would like to thank Mandy Kluender for her dedicated service these past seven years serving as the Newsletter Editor.  Janet Evans will now serve as our Newsletter Editor.  Beginning this month, any Newsletter Announcements or Activities you would like published in the Newsletter should now be sent to the church’s email at: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or put a hard copy in Janet’s mailbox in the office.  Thank you!  NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the OCTOBER NEWSLETTER.

OUR DOOR OFFERING LAST SUNDAY for Hurricane Harvey Relief was $1,586.20.

OUR RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE is scheduled for this coming Friday, September 15th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  We are going to have a football tailgate theme – “Make The Right Play. Give Blood”.  The easiest way to sign-up is to go to redcrossblood.org, put in our zip code (61704) and follow the prompts.  We also have a sign-up at church and have materials to share with your workplace and friends.

THE MOVIE, “Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World” which many of us enjoyed in the theater is now coming to television.  It will be shown on PBS this coming Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 7:00 p.m.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT:  Our next movie night will be Friday, SEPTEMBER 15th!  The feature presentation will be the hilarious cowboy comedy “SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF”.  The movie is open to all members of Good Shepherd and the community.  Invite your neighbors to come and enjoy the movie, food and fellowship!  Come early and give blood at the Red Cross Blood Drive and stay for the movie.  On his way to Australia, frontier opportunist, Jason McCullough (Garner) stumbles into a small gold-rush town and decides to earn a little extra pocket money by accepting a temporary assignment as their sheriff.  Happily applying himself to his new position, McCullough manages to turn the town derelict (Elam) into his deputy, outsmart the dreaded Danby clan (led by Brennan in a hilarious comic performance), and fend off the lusty advances of the mayor’s daughter (Hackett) – all without breaking a sweat or dirtying his shiny black boots!  Take a break from the hustle and bustle, come and relax and enjoy a funny Cowboy Comedy Movie!

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS:  It’s that time again for the LWML’s Project Lutheran World Relief School Kits.  We need your help filling the School Kits with the following items for each School Bag:  4 Notebooks; 1 Ruler; 1 Pencil Sharpener; 1 Scissor; 5 Pencils; 5 Pens; 1 Box of Crayons; 1 Eraser; 1 Book Bag.  If you have any questions, please see or contact Joann Hart (309) 310-9205.  Thank you for your help!

COME ONE, COME ALL!  You are invited to Christ Lutheran Church at 311 N. Hershey Rd., in Normal on Sunday, September 24, 2017 from 3-5:00 p.m. for a Reformation Walk.  The 50 minute tours start at 3:00 p.m. and are free.  Complimentary refreshments will be provided.  For more information please call the church office at (309) 452-5609.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Unleash the Power of Forgiveness In Your Life” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Matthew 18:21-35.  Life with God is not about keeping score; it’s about living for others in the grace Jesus earned for us.  Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker.  Hear this Sunday’s 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.

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.

†  †  †  †  †  †

Bulletin Announcements

September 3, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 16:26 – “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?”  He who dies with the most toys….is dead.  But the one who trusts in the Lord, even though he dies, yet shall he live.  We live out our trust in the Lord by faithfully fulfilling the roles God has given us to play in home, church, and society as loving, generous people.  Those who don’t know the Lord are afraid to be generous because they think that what they give away is lost to them.  But we who know the Lord know that the things of this world become true blessings when they are used for God’s Kingdom.

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:  In conjunction with our brothers and sisters in the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) we will have a Special Door Offering today to support those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Our gifts will go to the Synod as they work in that area.  I know we are all praying and we ask the Lord to guide.

OUR RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE is now scheduled for Friday, September 15th from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.  We are going to have a football tailgate theme – “Make The Right Play. Give Blood”.  The easiest way to sign-up is to go to redcrossblood.org, put in our zip code (61704) and follow the prompts.  We also have a sign-up at church and will have materials to share with your workplace and friends.

THE MOVIE, “Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World” which many of us enjoyed in the theater is now coming to television.  It will be shown on PBS on Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 7:00 p.m.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT:  Our next movie night will be Friday, SEPTEMBER 15th!  The feature presentation will be the hilarious cowboy comedy “SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF”.  The movie is open to all members of Good Shepherd and the community.  Invite your neighbors to come and enjoy the movie, food and fellowship!  Come early and give blood at the Red Cross Blood Drive and stay for the movie.  On his way to Australia, frontier opportunist, Jason McCullough (Garner) stumbles into a small gold-rush town and decides to earn a little extra pocket money by accepting a temporary assignment as their sheriff.  Happily applying himself to his new position, McCullough manages to turn the town derelict (Elam) into his deputy, outsmart the dreaded Danby clan (led by Brennan in a hilarious comic performance), and fend off the lusty advances of the mayor’s daughter (Hackett) – all without breaking a sweat or dirtying his shiny black boots!  Take a break from the hustle and bustle, come and relax and enjoy a funny Cowboy Comedy Movie!

FROM THE OFFICE:  We received a letter from former Seminarian and now Pastor Jeremy Hercamp and family.  It updates his first call into the ministry and the birth of their second child.  It is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS:  It’s that time again for the LWML’s Project Lutheran World Relief School Kits.  We need your help filling the School Kits with the following items for each School Bag:  4 Notebooks; 1 Ruler; 1 Pencil Sharpener; 1 Scissor; 5 Pencils; 5 Pens; 1 Box of Crayons; 1 Eraser; 1 Book Bag.  If you have any questions, please see or contact Joann Hart (309) 310-9205.  Thank you for your help! 

REFORMATION REVERATIONS: THE LASTING IMPACT OF MARTIN LUTHER’S REFORMS is the topic of the CID LLL Annual Retreat.  The speaker is Dr. Erik Herrmann who is Director of the Center for Reformation Research, Associate Professor of Historical Theology, and Chairman of the Department of Historical Theology.  He was also one of the Commentators for the movie “Luther: The Idea That Changed the World”.  It will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Camp CILCA, Cantrall, IL in the Christian Growth Center starting at 9:00 a.m.  Registration cost is $20.00 which includes lunch.  You will need to register by TOMORROW, Monday, September 4th by sending your information to Deloris Blessman, 24204 CR 1850N, Topeka, IL 61567 or email her at: delorisblessman@yahoo.com or call her at (309) 361-1461.  Dr. Erik Herrmann will examine the long term effects of Luther’s influence in three areas: religion, politics and society.  Don’t miss this institute!

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.

†  †  †  †  †  †

Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules September 2017

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
Sept 3Daryle Schempp, Gene Fuller, Richard Ross, Nathan KluenderMike FieldGreg McNeely, Mike Huth
Sept 10Gerald Semelka, Craig CulpPaul GerikeBrian Dirks, Bud Kessler, Curt Kessler
Sept 17Joshua Parry, Mike Field, Nathan Kluender, Steve ParryBarry HamlinGreg McNeely, Theron Noth
Sept 24Daryle Schempp, Paul GerikeCurt KesslerBrian Dirks, Bud Kessler, Mike Huth

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Sept 3Garett SheleyPastor/Elder
Sept 10Pastor/ElderMatt Williamson
Sept 17Lucas PiperPastor/Elder
Sept 24Pastor/ElderJustin McNeely

Stewardship Corner September 2017

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”  (Eccl. 9:10).

God bids us to be faithful in the tasks He calls us to do.  He calls us to be members of a family (husbands and wives; fathers and mothers; sons and daughters).  He calls us to be members of society (those who govern and those who are governed).  And He calls us to be members of His family, the Church (those who preach and teach and those who hear and learn).  Each of these callings from God places a duty on us.

As members of a family, husbands are given the duty to die for their wives as Christ gave His life for His bride, the Church; while wives are given the duty to respect their husbands and submit themselves to them as the Church does to Christ.  Fathers and mothers are to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching them the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Scriptures concerning Baptism, Confession, the Office of the Keys, and the Lord’s Supper.  Children are to honor their parents throughout their lives, and even when their parents are no longer alive, serving and obeying them, loving and cherishing them, and speaking well of them.

As members of society, God calls those who govern to bear the sword, that is, to punish those who do evil—those who live contrary to God’s will—and to reward those who do good—those whose lives are lived in conformity with God’s will.  Those who are governed are to obey their leaders as to the Lord Himself, for their leaders bear the sword of God’s temporal justice for a purpose.

As members of God’s own family, the Church, He calls those who preach and teach to do so in faithfulness to His holy Word.  To preach and teach the Law of God to convict the hearts of hearers of their sin and to encourage, admonish, and exhort them to do good works in accordance with God’s will.  They are to preach and teach the Gospel, the full forgiveness of their sins accomplished by Christ and received through faith, not by works.  They are to administer the means of grace in accordance with the Gospel and the Word of God.  They do all this for the young and old alike, for those who are near and far off. Those who hear and learn are to submit themselves to their preachers and teachers. They are to support them by their prayers and their gifts.

Each of these callings from God places a duty on us.  They make a claim on our presence, our prayers, and on our time, talents, and treasures.  So, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Eccl 9:10).  Pray for your family, for your government, and your church.  Give of yourself by means of your time, your talents, and your treasures to your family, your government, and your Church.  That is what it means to be faithful in the tasks that God has given us.  That is what it means to do it with all your might.