September 11, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 15:2: And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”  Thanks be to God: Jesus receives us sinners!  What the Pharisees can’t understand, we praise with all our being: the grace of God.  We live by that grace and the more of it we receive, the more we will want to conform ourselves to the image of our generous and gracious Lord.  Knowing the Lord and trusting Him come first…and the desire to imitate Him can’t help but follow!

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:  At the Jordan River, led by Joshua, Israel leaves the desert in this week’s Sunday School lesson “Entering the Promised Land.”  In Baptism, led by Christ, we leave behind the desert of sin, death, and Satan so we may enter into the promised land of heaven.  Parents might ask, “What did the Israelites create to remind them of their crossing into the Promised Land?  What do you have to remind you of your Baptism?”

TODAY we will take our monthly Door Offering for Seminarian Jacob Hercamp.  He is studying at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN.  Jacob is married and has one child.

THE FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE is “DECORATION DAY”. It will be shown this coming Friday, September 16^th, at 6:30 p.m.  A debt of honor becomes a bridge to freedom in this powerful, life-affirming winner of two Golden Globes for Best Drama and Best Actor, James Garner.  As two friends are forced to confront their own personal ghosts from the past, they will learn the true meaning of friendship and find the power of forgiveness in this unforgettable lesson in courage and love.  Join us for a great movie and a good meal in air-conditioned comfort.  There is plenty of room and plenty of food.

LUTHERAN WOMEN MISSIONARY LEAGUE ZONE RALLY:  The Fall Rally for the LWML Bloomington Zone will be held here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on September 22, 2016, at 8:30 a.m.  Our Redeemer Lutheran Church is also assisting us with this Rally.  Our speaker will be Reverend Terry Strom from Trinity Lutheran Church.  There will be an ingathering for the Home Sweet Home Mission of canned goods, boxed food items, etc.  The cost for the Rally is $12.00.  All women are invited.  Reservations can be made by contacting Luanne Huth at (309) 829-6897 by this coming Wednesday, September 14^th.

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

ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will begin on Monday, September 19^th at 7:00 p.m.  The class runs ten weeks and lasts about an hour.  This class is designed for non-members who would like to learn more about the Lutheran Church and its teachings.  It is also a good refresher course for members.  If you know of someone you would like Pastor to invite please call him at (309) 838-0306 or email him at revbci@yahoo.com.

THE LADIES MORNING BIBLE STUDY resumes this month on Tuesday, September 20^th at 9:30 a.m. at  church.  We will begin the morning with Fellowship and light refreshments.  Our study will be on Chapter 1: “The Parable of the Sower” from the new book.  If you would like to know more about our Ladies Morning Bible Study or would like to join the Study, please contact Jeannette Ross at (309) 662-4622.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S BLOOD DRIVE:  Online scheduling is now available for Good Shepherd’s Blood Drive.  The gift of life can be given on Tuesday, September 20^th, from 2-6:00 p.m. in the church basement.  Go to: redcrossblood.org and enter in your zip code, then follow the prompts.        You may also sign-up on the table in the narthex.  Thank you for helping your fellow man/woman who need this God given resource.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS:  It’s that time again for the LWML’s Project Lutheran World Relief Health Kits.  We need your help in filling the Health Kits with the following items:  36 Bars of Soap; 6 Toothbrushes; 36 Fingernail Clippers; and 18 Combs (No picks please).  Any questions please see or call Joann Hart (309) 310-9205.  Thank you for your help!

A WOMEN’S RETREAT, sponsored by LWML CID, will held at the Camp CILCA Christian Growth Center on Friday, October 7^th and Saturday, October 8^th.  More Information and Registration Forms are available on the table in the narthex.  Reservation deadline is Friday, September 30^th.

YOU ARE INVITED:  On Saturday, October 15^th, Christ Lutheran Church of Normal is hosting Dr. Paul Maier, Lutheran author, theologian and college professor.  Our Sunday Adult Bible Class is currently studying one of Dr. Maier’s presentations.  On the 15^th, he will speak on “Defending the Faith” and “Christianity and The Competition”.  The cost is $15.00 and includes lunch.  Please call (309) 452-5609 or email: clcms@frontier.com to make your reservation.  The deadline to sign-up is Friday, October 7^th.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Be Careful Who Sings Your Praises” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 16:1-15.  God invites us to take all that He gives us and then put it to work for others.  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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September 4, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 14:33: “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”  None of what we have is ours – it all belongs to God.  That is the foundation of Christian stewardship.  What we have been given is to be used for God’s purposes according to our callings in home, Church, and society.  As we learn to leave generously in these callings, we renounce our ownership of our wealth.  It’s not “ours,” it’s His; God owns, we manage for the furtherance of His goals.

NEXT SUNDAY, September 11^th, will be our Christian Education Rally Sunday with a special order of Worship.  We will also install Sunday School Teachers and Officers.  May God Bless our involvement in the Christian Education programs offered at Good Shepherd.  Also, next Sunday, will be the beginning of our monthly Door Offering for our seminary student.  This year it will be Mr. Jacob Hercamp.  Jacob is married and they recently had their first child.  He is studying at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN.

THE LWML will meet this coming Tuesday, September 6^th at 9:00 a.m.

FROM THE OFFICE:  As of this past Tuesday, August 30^th, Pastor, Toni, Karson, and Holden will no longer have their land line phone (309) 821-0512.  Pastor can be reached on his cell phone (309) 838-0306 or at church (309) 662-8905.  If he is unavailable, please be sure to leave a message and he will get back to you.  You can also text Pastor if you have something that doesn’t need a response (he’s trying to go to his grave having not texted!)  For an emergency contact or text response you can reach Toni (309) 530-8666. Pastor’s e-mail: revbci@yahoo.com is another point of contact and he does respond to those!  A moment of silence as we leave this piece of Americana behind – “Sarah, get me Sheriff Taylor.”

GOOD SHEPHERD’S BLOOD DRIVE:  Online scheduling is now available for Good Shepherd’s Blood Drive.  The gift of life can be given on Tuesday, September 20^th, from 2-6:00 p.m. in the church basement.  Go to: redcrossblood.org and enter in your zip code, then follow the prompts.        You may also sign-up on the table in the narthex.  Thank you for helping your fellow man/woman who need this God given resource.

FROM THE OFFICE:  If your son or daughter is going away to college or they no longer live at home, please fill out an Information Sheet located on the table in the narthex.  As their church home, we like to stay in contact during these important years by sending them Pastor’s Sermon and the monthly Church Newsletter.  Please return the form to Sandy in the church office when completed.  We lift our young people up in prayer as their spiritual journey continues.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS:  It’s that time again for the LWML’s Project Lutheran World Relief Health Kits.  We need your help in filling the Health Kits with the following items:  36 Bars of Soap; 6 Toothbrushes; 36 Fingernail Clippers; and 18 Combs (No picks please).  Any questions please see or call Joann Hart (309) 310-9205.  Thank you for your help!

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.

TODAY is the annual Camp CILCA Chicken Fry and Auction!   The day begins with worship at 10:30 a.m.  Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with the live Auction beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Auction items include quilts, gift baskets, homemade fudge, gift cards, and a picnic table hand-decorated by the 2016 High School Week campers and counselors.  Thirty plus campsites are available for tents, trailers, and RV’s.  Join other Camp CILCA supporters for a weekend of camping and fellowship.  If you would like to donate an item for auction, please contact the Camp office at (217) 487-7497.

A WOMEN’S RETREAT, sponsored by LWML CID, will held at the Camp CILCA Christian Growth Center on Friday, October 7^th and Saturday, October 8^th.  More Information and Registration Forms are available on the table in the narthex.  Reservation deadline is Friday, September 30^th.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “There’s No Other Friend Like Jesus” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 15:1-10.  We befriend, love, and show care for other people because Jesus loved, befriended, and saved 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 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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