October 23, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  2 Timothy 4:6:  “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering. . .”  As St. Paul nears the end of his life he continues to view it as something to be spent in sacrifice toward God – just as he had told the Romans (12:1)  to be “living sacrifices.”  And why does St. Paul do this?  Because he knows that His Lord has already won for him the crown of life.  Jesus’ sacrifice that purchased our salvation leads us to imitate His sacrifice in our living for Him.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, meeting in the basement at 9:15 a.m. continues a DVD based study: “Jesus – Legend or Lord?”  The class features LC-MS Author and Scholar Dr. Paul Maier discussing History and Archaeology and how it all fits with the Holy Scriptures.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL students study the life of Samuel today.  They learn how God calls His people to repentance through preachers such as Samuel; that He might forgive us for the sake of Christ.  Parents might ask, “How did God use Samuel to speak to His people?  How does God use our pastor to speak His Word today?”

THE ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will continue Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER.  Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.

NEXT SUNDAY, October 30^th, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday and will have Holy Communion in both worship services.

THANK YOU for the wonderful Sunday two weeks ago for Pastor Appreciation.  The cards, gifts, and your uplifting words are such a blessing.  As we approach the end of our 17^th year together, we give praise and glory to our Lord for your love and support as we work together to further God’s Kingdom.  In Christ’s love, Pastor, Toni, Karson and Holden

WORSHIP SCHEDULE:  A gentle reminder as you make plans for Christmas (it falls on a Sunday this year) the Board of Elders made the decision to hold one service at 9:00 a.m. that day with no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class.  Thank you.

FOOD COLLECTION:  We continue our Collection of Food for Home Sweet Home Mission.  The last few years we have moved up our Collection because we now serve a meal there.  The meal will be on Saturday, November 5^th.  The time will be from 2-6:00 p.m.  Please have any donations in by Thursday, November 3^rd, so they can be packed and ready to go.  If interested in helping please speak with Pastor or a member of the Evangelism/Stewardship Board.  Thank you.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The October – December 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today!

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell.  We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee.  If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled.  We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

FROM THE OFFICE:  There is a young ladies yellow dress with rose colored flowers in a “Banana Republic” shopping bag located on the coat rack in the narthex. If it is yours or you know who it may belong to please pick up and take it home with you.  Thank you.

YOU ARE INVITED to Christ Lutheran Church in Normal for their Fall Craft & Bake Sale on Saturday, November 5^th.  Coffee & Sweets from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Menu includes: Brats, German Potato Salad, Sauer Kraut, Hot Dogs, Chicken Noodle Soup and Root Beer Floats.  Bring your family and friends to shop, eat and enjoy!  Any questions please call Dorene Boettcher at (309) 662-1259.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “The Best Bequest” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 12:19-21.  A legacy of faith is the best bequest, giving the gift of Jesus to those who come after you.  Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus 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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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October 16, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Genesis 32:26:  But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”  The great Lutheran musician J.S. Bach composed a beautiful motet using this verse: it is the cry of true faith, much the same as Peter’s words, “Lord to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.” True faith clings to the Lord no matter the struggle, no matter the “hard sayings” that the Lord speaks.  True faith knows that God means to bless us always.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, meeting in the basement at 9:15 a.m. continues a DVD based study: “Jesus – Legend or Lord?”  The class features LC-MS Author and Scholar Dr. Paul Maier discussing History and Archaeology and how it all fits with the Holy Scriptures.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL students learn how God used Ruth to accomplish His purposes for our salvation.  Through her family God brought forth His Son, the Savior of all people including Jews and Gentiles, men and women.  Parents could ask, “How did Ruth demonstrate her trust in God?  How does God help us to trust in Him?”

THE ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will continue Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER.  Mandy Kluender is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at mgkluender@hotmail.com or you may call her at (309) 838-9868.

THANK YOU for the wonderful Sunday last week for Pastor Appreciation.  The cards, gifts, and your uplifting words are such a blessing.  As we approach the end of our 17^th year together, we give praise and glory to our Lord for your love and support as we work together to further God’s Kingdom.   In Christ’s love, Pastor, Toni, Karson and Holden

WORSHIP SCHEDULE:  A gentle reminder as you make plans for Christmas (it falls on a Sunday this year) the Board of Elders made the decision to hold one service at 9:00 a.m. that day with no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class.  Thank you.

FOOD COLLECTION:  We continue our Collection of Food for Home Sweet Home Mission.  The last few years we have moved up our Collection because we now serve a meal there.  The meal will be on Saturday, November 5^th.  The time will be from 2-6:00 p.m.  Please have any donations in by Thursday, November 3^rd, so they can be packed and ready to go.  If interested in helping please speak with Pastor or a member of the Evangelism/Stewardship Board.  Thank you.

OCTOBER’S FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE is this coming Friday, October 21^ST at 6:30 p.m.  Catch the movie that flew over the fence and into the hearts of millions of cheering fans!  It’s Disney’s “ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD”, the feel-good film about a young boy praying for a father – and a struggling baseball team praying for a pennant.  Danny Glover plays George Knox, the frustrated coach of the California Angels, a ragtag team of major-league misfits who are down on their luck.  But things begin to look up when 11-year-old Roger, their biggest fan, starts giving Knox some winning tips from a real live angel named Al (Christopher Lloyd).  The team miraculously climbs back into the pennant race…all the while learning to believe in themselves.  Join us for a great family movie, good food and fellowship.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The October – December 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today!

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell.  We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee.  If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled.  We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

FROM THE OFFICE:  There is a young ladies yellow dress with rose colored flowers in a “Banana Republic” shopping bag located on the coat rack in the narthex. If it is yours or you know who it may belong to, please pick up and take it home with you.  Thank you.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Running the Race of Faith” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 2 Timothy 4:6-8.  Because Christ has already won the victory for us, our race of faith is worth the struggle of the run.  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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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October 9, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 17:19:  And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”  Only one of the ten lepers cleansed returns to give thanks to Jesus.  Why is that?  Surely the rest were indeed thankful to be freed from such a terrible disease.  But only the Samaritan leper had faith: and his faith turned into action, as all true faith does.  Our generosity to God’s work in the Church is likewise our faith in action.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, meeting in the basement at 9:15 a.m. continues a DVD based study: “Jesus – Legend of Lord?”  The class features LC-MS Author and Scholar Dr. Paul Maier discussing History and Archaeology and how it all fits with the Holy Scriptures.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  Samson is the subject of this week’s Sunday School lesson. Students learn that Jesus repeats and completes Samson’s deeds of deliverance for us and for our salvation.  When we are weak, He is strong!  Consider asking, “What was the true source of Samson’s strength?  Who is the source of our strength?”

TODAY is our monthly door Offering for our Seminary Student Jeremy Hercamp.  The Hercamps sent a recent letter and it is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

PASTOR APPRECIATION SUNDAY:  Today we will celebrate Pastor Appreciation Sunday.  This year is the 25^th Anniversary of Pastor Lueck’s Ordination.  A potluck dinner is scheduled following the 10:30 worship service.  There are sign-up sheets on the table in the narthex. Please put your name, how many will be attending and what you will be bringing to share.

FOOD COLLECTION:  Beginning today we will begin our Collection of Food for Home Sweet Home Mission.  The last few years we have moved up our Collection because we now serve a meal there.  The meal will be on Saturday, November 5^th.  The time will be from 2-6:00 p.m.  Please have any donations in by Thursday, November 3^rd, so they can be packed and ready to go.  If interested in helping please speak with Pastor or a member of the Evangelism/Stewardship Board.  Thank you.

THE ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will resume Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.

OCTOBER’S FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE will be on Friday, October 21^ST at 6:30 p.m.  Catch the movie that flew over the fence and into the hearts of millions of cheering fans!  It’s Disney’s “ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD”, the feel-good film about a young boy praying for a father – and a struggling baseball team praying for a pennant.  Danny Glover plays George Knox, the frustrated coach of the California Angels, a ragtag team of major-league misfits who are down on their luck.  But things begin to look up when 11-year-old Roger, their biggest fan, starts giving Knox some winning tips from a real live angel named Al (Christopher Lloyd).  The team miraculously climbs back into the pennant race…all the while learning to believe in themselves.  Join us for a great family movie, good food and fellowship.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The October – December 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today!

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  The sign-up for help with coffee/doughnuts is posted on the wall by the north stairwell.  We need an individual/family to sign-up each week to pick up the donuts and make the coffee.  If no one is signed up by Friday of each week, the order will be cancelled.  We thank everybody who continues to help with this part of our church fellowship.

FROM THE OFFICE:  There is a young ladies yellow dress with rose colored flowers in a “Banana Republic” shopping bag located on the coat rack in the narthex. If it is yours or you know who it may belong to please pick up and take it home with you.  Thank you.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Know This Word – Your Life Depends On It” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 2 Timothy 3:16.  The Bible provides a strategy for survival in an uncertain world.  It can break hearts of stone and replace them with living hearts open to God’s truth.  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 home # is (309) 661-6522; 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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