Celebrating June 2016

Birthdays

6/2 Paula Hardy
6/6 Brad Gerike
6/7 Diane Benjamin
6/7 Deborah Huber
6/7 Eric Orr
6/8 Mike Field
6/11 Kent Warren
6/13 Penny Culp
6/13 Chris Parker
6/14 William McNeely
6/14 Richard Ross
6/15 Ruth Gerike
6/16 Marlene Hitch
6/18 Isabella Kessler
6/21 Erin Dirks
6/23 Eugene Fuller
6/24 Kathy Hitch
6/26 Tammy Brewer
6/29 Steve Davis
6/29 Martha Prescher
6/30 Bryan Reichert

Baptismal Birthdays

6/1 Craig Culp
6/1 Christian Dowell
6/1 Dorothy Herberts
6/2 Harriet Campbell
6/3 William Dowell
6/7 Brad Gerike
6/17 Casey Scott
6/19 Diane Benjamin
6/20 Gerald Semelka
6/21 Erica Kearney

Pastor’s Notes June 2016

The 42 martyrs of Ammoria were all commanders in the army of the Byzantine emperor Theophilus.  When Ammoria, located in modern-day Turkey, fell to invading Arab armies in 838, the Muslims killed or sold many of the Christians in the city.  However, they took 42 Christian commanders as hostages to Samarra (now Iraq) and threw them in prison, where they remained for seven years.

The Muslim leaders told their prisoners, “Mohammed is the true prophet and not Christ.”  The commanders replied, “If there were two men debating about a field and the one said, ‘This field is mine’ and the other, ‘It is not, it is mine,’ and nearby one of them had many witnesses saying it is his field and the other had no witnesses, but only himself, what would you say – whose field is it?”

The Muslims answered, “Indeed, to him who had many witnesses!”  “You have judged correctly,” the commanders said, “That is the way with Christ and Mohammed.  Christ has many witnesses:  the Prophets of old, John the Forerunner, the disciples, the women, all who recognized Him and who witness to and about Him (Christ), but Mohammed witnesses only to himself that he is a prophet and does not have even one witness.”

Ashamed, the Muslims said, “Our faith is better than the Christian faith as proved by this:  God gave us the victory over you and gave us the best land in the world and a kingdom much greater than Christianity.”

In reply, the commanders said, “If it were so, then the idolatry of the Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans and the fire-worship of the Persians would be the true faith for, at one time, all of these people conquered the others and ruled over them.  It is evident that your victory, power and wealth do not prove the truth of your faith.  We know that God, at times, gives victory to Christians and, at other times, allows torture and suffering so as to correct them and to bring them to repentance and purification of their sins.”

For seven years, these 42 commanders were tortured to embrace the Islamic faith, but they never did.  They were finally beheaded in the year 845, and their bodies were thrown into the Euphrates River.

What a witness and an understanding of the theology of the cross.  We pray for the Christian martyrs around the world who are suffering for the faith.  Give them strength and a reminder of Your presence Lord as they sacrifice to further the Kingdom of God.

In Christ,

Pastor

Bulletin Announcements

June 5, 2016

ATTENTION YOUTH:  You are invited to join us for a new Bible Study beginning TODAY at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room.  The title is: “Real Deal – It’s A Big Deal”.  Faith Related Issues such as Faith Challenges, Worship, Other Religions, and Religious Rights, etc.  If you have any questions please see or call Mary Anne Kirchner at (309) 532-2582.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

TODAY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON IS “Daniel in the Lions’ Den”.  Daniel called upon the one true God, who heard Daniel’s prayer and protected him in the lions’ den.  God hears our prayers and protects us from sin, death, and the devil.  Discuss with your children, “When are you tempted to not trust God?” “How does God answer our prayers today?”

NEXT SUNDAY, June 12th, we will have door Offering for the Hilbert Family.  The Hilbert’s are missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators in Botswana.  When they arrived there recently the house they are staying in was not furnished and even the kitchen cabinets had been taken.  The gifts will go toward helping them acquire the things that they need for their home as they do their mission work in Africa.

TUITION ASSISTANCE:  Anyone that would like to apply for Tuition Assistance may do so by filling out the Application Form which are located on the bookcase in the church office.  When completed, please return to the church office.  Applications are due by Sunday, August 7, 2016.  Thank you.                        The Board of Christian Education

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.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:  The Living Alternatives Pregnancy Center is having a Volunteer Opportunity Open House on Thursday, June 9th.  The times are: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  The Center is located at 303 Landmark Drive, Suite 1B in Normal.  Last month’s Walk For Life had 149 walkers (including Pastor & Toni) and raised $46,000.00.  God bless you all.

FROM THE OFFICE:  As of Tuesday, May 31st at 11:30 a.m., Laura Kessler will no longer be known as Laura.  Laura will appear in court that day to have her name legally changed to Kyryth.  Please pronounce it “Kir-ith.”   If you would like to know why she made this decision, please feel free to ask her.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Not By Your Works” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Galatians 2:15-21; 3:10-14.  God’s grace is real and it can change everything, even in our world today  The speaker is Reverend Gregory Seltz.  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.

†  †  †  †  †  †

Bulletin Announcements

May 29, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Galatians 1:6: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.”  The Bible uses the image of “turning” to another gospel, or to another god, to show us the seriousness of sin.  When we are tempted to follow some sinful course of action, we are being told to turn our backs on God.  But the Lord calls upon us to turn away from sin and turn toward Him – where we will find a Father’s smiling face and loving embrace.  In our stewardship, let us not turn toward greed in fear, but toward our Lord in humility and faith.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck and meeting in the church basement at 9:15 a.m. is studying “Lutheran Doctrine and Practice Today”.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR TODAY focuses on the story of “Jesus and the Little Children.”  In our sin, we are like small children: helpless, dependent, and needy.  So Jesus came to bestow His love and eternal gifts upon us.  Parents could discuss, “How did Jesus show His compassion on these little children?  How does Jesus shower His compassion on us?”

FROM THE OFFICE:  Tomorrow, May 30th, is Memorial Day and the church office will be closed.  Thank you.

ATTENTION YOUTH:  You are invited to join us for a new Bible Study beginning next Sunday, June 5th, at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room.  The title is: “Real Deal – It’s A Big Deal”.  Faith Related Issues such as Faith Challenges, Worship, Other Religions, and Religious Rights, etc.  If you have any questions please see or call Mary Anne Kirchner at (309) 532-2582.  

ON SUNDAY, June 12th, we will have door Offering for the Hilbert Family.  The Hilbert’s are missionaries with Lutheran Bible Translators in Botswana.  When they arrived there recently the house they are staying in was not furnished and even the kitchen cabinets had been taken.  The gifts will go toward helping them acquire the things that they need for their home as they do their mission work in Africa.

TUITION ASSISTANCE:  Anyone that would like to apply for Tuition Assistance may do so by filling out the Application Form which are located on the bookcase in the church office.  When completed, please return to the church office.  Applications are due by Sunday, August 7, 2016.  Thank you.                        The Board of Christian Education

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY:  The Living Alternatives Pregnancy Center is having a Volunteer Opportunity Open House on Thursday, June 9th.  The times are: 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  The Center is located at 303 Landmark Drive, Suite 1B in Normal.  Last month’s Walk For Life had 149 walkers (including Pastor & Toni) and raised $46,000.00.  God bless you all.

FROM THE OFFICE:  As of Tuesday, May 31st at 11:30 a.m., Laura Kessler will no longer be known as Laura.  Laura will appear in court that day to have her name legally changed to Kyryth.  Please pronounce it “Kir-ith.”   If you would like to know why she made this decision, please feel free to ask her.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Christ’s Good News” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Galatians 1:11-24.  What is the Gospel?  It’s Good News of God’s forgiving love for us, in Jesus Christ.  The speaker is Reverend Gregory Seltz.  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.

†  †  †  †  †  †

Bulletin Announcements

May 22, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  From the Service of the Sacrament: “Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Sabaoth adored.”  Three times the angels in Isaiah 6 cry out: “Holy, Holy, Holy!” which is an indication of the threeness in the one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This is the Name we are baptized into.  We have been made a part of God’s family.  And so we are now called to live lives that are in harmony with our new family: we are to be godly, to live in God’s image.  As God is loving, and kind, and generous – so are we called to be.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS:  Today we will have a special Adult/High School Bible Class.  Karson Lueck will be talking about the Christian faith from his generation’s perspective.  He will talk about what he has observed from college, friends, and young people.  Join us at 9:15 a.m. in the basement of the church.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL, the children learn, “Jesus Heals Ten Lepers.”  Jesus forgives and heals us from the sickness of sin and death.  Discuss, “What does it mean to be healed of our sin-sickness?  How do we thank God for His grace?”

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the JUNE 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, May 29th, is a fifth Sunday so Holy Communion will be celebrated in both worship services.

FROM THE OFFICE:  Sandy will be out of the church office this coming Thursday, May 26th, and Friday, May 27th.  Please have any announcements you would like published in the bulletin for Sunday, May 29th to her by Monday morning, May 23rd as that is the day she will be copying the bulletin for Sunday, May 29th.  Thank you!

ATTENTION YOUTH AND POST-CONFIRMATION YOUTH:  You are invited to join us for a new Bible Study beginning on Sunday, June 5th, at 9:15 a.m. in the Conference Room.  The title is: “Real Deal – It’s A Big Deal”.  Faith Related Issues such as Faith Challenges, Worship, Other Religions, and Religious Rights, etc.  If you have any questions please see or call Mary Anne Kirchner at (309) 532-2582.  

TUITION ASSISTANCE:  Anyone that would like to apply for Tuition Assistance may do so by filling out the Application Form which are located on the bookcase in the church office.  When completed, please return to the church office.  Applications are due by Sunday, August 7, 2016.  Thank you.   The Board of Christian Education

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Identity Theft” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Galatians 1:5-8.  Nobody likes to have their identity stolen, and that includes the Lord who said, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”  The speaker is Reverend Ken Klaus.  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.

†  †  †  †  †  †  †  †

Stewardship Corner May 2016

Do we Christians really have to tithe? Are we really under a compulsion to give? Aren’t we free? Don’t we have a freedom from the law that was purchased for us by Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection?

The problem is that our sinful flesh uses our freedom for selfishness. Christ did not die and rise so that we could give less and do less good work in the world. He died and rose to free us from the compulsion of the Law, to free us from a burden we could not bear.

We are missing the point completely if we use the freedom from the Law that Christ won by His passion, crucifixion, and resurrection to give less, or to do less of any good work. Christ set us free to live in His image of faithfulness, generosity, and kindness. We are free from the Law’s condemnation so that we can walk in the good works the Lord has prepared for us.

Our freedom is not given to indulge our sinful and selfish flesh. Our freedom was purchased and won by Christ so that we could serve our neighbors — our family, our society, our church.

As a result, much of your freedom is not a freedom from, but a freedom to and for. You are not free from serving your neighbor. You are free for service toward your neighbor—willingly and without compulsion. You are not free from giving to your church; you are freed to give to your local congregation in joy, willingly, and without compulsion.

The reason you are free to serve, the reason you are free to give is because of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sin He won for you on the cross, which He delivers to you in the Gospel and the sacraments. That is our motivation. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). And since God loves us in this way, by giving us His only-begotten Son so that we do not perish, we also love one another in this way, by giving what we have so that our neighbor does not perish.

If the God who has provided the sacrifice for your eternal salvation, the God who delivers that salvation to you in Holy Baptism, the God who continues to forgive you and show you His faithfulness, if that same God is the one who also promises to give you daily bread and take care of your earthly life, you can trust in Him, even in giving. After all, Jesus Christ is proof that God loves you and will take care of you.