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.
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Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules September 2017
Elder and Usher Schedule
| Sept 3 | Daryle Schempp, Gene Fuller, Richard Ross, Nathan Kluender | Mike Field | Greg McNeely, Mike Huth |
| Sept 10 | Gerald Semelka, Craig Culp | Paul Gerike | Brian Dirks, Bud Kessler, Curt Kessler |
| Sept 17 | Joshua Parry, Mike Field, Nathan Kluender, Steve Parry | Barry Hamlin | Greg McNeely, Theron Noth |
| Sept 24 | Daryle Schempp, Paul Gerike | Curt Kessler | Brian Dirks, Bud Kessler, Mike Huth |
Acolyte Schedule
| Sept 3 | Garett Sheley | Pastor/Elder |
| Sept 10 | Pastor/Elder | Matt Williamson |
| Sept 17 | Lucas Piper | Pastor/Elder |
| Sept 24 | Pastor/Elder | Justin 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.
Celebrating September 2017
September Birthdays
9/4 Joan Renken
9/5 Nathan Kluender
9/6 Randy Reinhardt
9/9 Pastor Lueck
9/10 David Marlow
9/16 Andrea (Reichert) Brown
9/20 Janet Evans
9/22 Jeff Piper
9/26 William Huber
9/26 Cleo Korte
9/27 Ronald Kwasny
9/28 Karah Kemp-Golden
Baptismal Birthdays
9/2 Kathleen Parry
9/3 Joann Nottingham
9/6 Jeannette Ross
9/8 Oliver Mosier
9/10 Joann Hart
9/10 Becky Love
9/12 Jessica Isaac
9/14 Emilia Schempp
9/17 Karah Kemp-Golden
9/18 Bryan Benjamin
9/18 Mary Ward
9/20 Clayton Piper
9/25 Michael Huth
9/30 Randy Reinhardt
Pastor’s Notes September 2017
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In reviewing history, we find some amazing statements made by respected and knowledgeable people. Charles Duvelle, Director of the US Patent Office in 1899, said, “Everything that can be invented has been invented.” In the days of silent movies, H.M. Warner, Chairman of Warner Brothers Pictures, said, “Who wants to hear actors talk?” Gary Cooper said, “Gone With The Wind” is going to be the biggest flop in Hollywood history. I’m just glad that it will be Clark Gable who’s falling flat on his face and not me.”
Jesus made many amazing statements, too, such as these:
“Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matt. 10:39)
“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill Him. And after three days He will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34)
“Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.” (Luke 4:24)
“I must preach the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” (Luke 4:43)
“It is finished.” (John 19:30)
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold from any, it is withheld.” (John 20:22b-23)
All these statements made by Jesus proved to be true and are still true today. We can trust the words spoken by our Savior.
In Christ,
Pastor