Bulletin Announcements – May 3, 2015

†   Bulletin Announcements   †

May 3, 2015

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 15:2 : “Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”  God is interested in the fruit that we bear in good works, and He even prunes us so that we may bring forth more fruit. Trusting in our Lord’s work for us, being grafted by grace into His vine, we desire to be more like Him, to grow into His image.  That’s growth in fruit bearing…and it always comes with some pruning.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, led by Pastor Lueck, is studying “Luther’s Small Catechism”.  The class meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  The story of “Paul and Timothy” serves as the focus of Sunday School today.  Just as many in Paul’s day thought, we think we must do something to be saved.  Yet the answer is always Jesus, Jesus, only Jesus, whose resurrection from the dead sealed our salvation and absolved the world.  Questions for discussion include “How are you like Timothy?” and “How are we saved from our sin?”

TODAY:  The Holy Baptism of Cooper Rex Mosier takes place in our 10:30 worship service.  Cooper is the son of Randy and Beth Mosier.  The witnesses for Cooper’s baptism will be Jake and Barbie Langhoff.

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to the “Walk For Life” for Pastor and his family.  Over $50,000.00 was raised for the Crisis Pregnancy Center.

ATTENTION:  The 20th Church Anniversary Committee needs photos from 2005-2015 to be used in a power point presentation during our Anniversary week-end.  Please let us know if you have any photos to share such as from Sunday School, Bible Class, Church Meetings, worship services, picnics, etc.  Please contact Marvin Huth at (309) 829-6897 if you have any photos to share or questions.  Thank you!      The 20th Church Anniversary Committee

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.

YOU ARE INVITED:  The members of Good Shepherd are invited to our sister congregation, Trinity Lutheran Church, this afternoon as they install their new Pastor.  Reverend Billy Newell will become their new Assistant Pastor in the 2:30 p.m. worship service.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Relentless Compassion” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Acts 10:34-38.  God’s love excludes no one.  The speaker will be 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.

† † † † † †

Stewardship Corner May 2015

We pray in the Lord’s Prayer for daily bread. The Small Catechism teaches that “Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.” This is a pretty comprehensive list of what God provides for our daily bread. But all of this, eventually, and finally, will be taken away from us—not because God is punishing us, but because this is not the goal of life. There is more to life than these things. In fact, we will truly live when all these things are taken away, and we no longer need to pray for daily bread.

For God our Father in heaven is calling us home to Himself. We are just sojourners here. We are on a journey in the wilderness of this world toward our true home, the land of promise, in heaven. Everything that we have in this world and this life will be left behind.

But as much as we long for heaven, as much as we eagerly await that time when our Lord will take us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven, we still struggle with letting go of what we have in this world. We still suffer the temptation to hold on to this life and this world and the things of this life and this world. But this is not our true home. And as good as this life is, and it is often by God’s grace very good, the life to come in His kingdom far exceeds it.

And giving, stewardship, is a practice that teaches us to look to, long for, and trust in the eternal realities rather than the earthly. It teaches us to loosen our hold and let go of those things that keep us earthly minded, so that we may look what our Father in heaven has in store for us for all eternity. It teaches us to concentrate on what God has done, is doing, and will do for us instead of the constant work-a-day world and noise that we have here. It teaches us to long for that better country, the heavenly one. For God is not ashamed to be called our God. And He has prepared for us a city, His city, not made with hands.

Thus we give generously to the church, to our family, to those in society. We release our grasp on what would keep our focus on the here and now, so that we would be free to receive and rejoice in what our future shall be in heaven. We invest where moth and rust will not destroy. We put our treasures so that our hearts will follow them (Matt 6:21; Luke 12:34). For we are only of any earthly good, when we are truly heavenly minded. Make this your practice for your own good eternally and your neighbors’ good temporally.

Elder, Usher, and Acolyte schedules for May 2015

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
May 3Daryle Schempp, Jeff Piper, John Hardy, Matthew HollandMike FieldHolden Lueck,
Theron Noth
May 10Gerald Semelka, Mike FieldNathan KluenderBrian Dirks, Bud Kessler, Curt Kessler
May 14Ascension 7PMJohn HardyGene Fuller, Karson Lueck, Richard Ross
May 17Joshua Parry, Matthew Holland, Paul Gerike, Steve ParryBarry HamlinMike Huth,
Ryan Kleibboeker
May 24Charles Nottingham,
Nathan Kluender		Craig CulpGreg McNeely, Marvin Huth, Nick Henson
May 31Daryle Schempp, Gerald Semelka, Jeff Piper, John HardyCurt KesslerBud Kessler, Holden Lueck, Theron Noth

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
May 3Katey ParryPastor/Elder
May 10Pastor/ElderWill Dowell
May 17J.T. PiperPastor/Elder
May 24Anna HollandJustin McNeely
May 31J.T. PiperWilliam McNeely

Celebrating May 2015

Birthdays

3-May Anna Holland
5-May Lorene Backsmeier
5-May Cory Fortney
6-May Mike Brewer
8-May Christian Dowell
8-May Lucas Piper
10-May William Dowell
11-May Jessie Brown
11-May Lindsay Orr
12-May Kerry Warren
16-May Benjamin Holland
19-May Nicki Cloyd
19-May Terry Trost
21-May Pat McQuown
26-May Joyce Schneider
26-May Mandy Kluender

Baptismal Birthdays

1-May Catherine Cloyd
1-May Carly Benjamin
1-May Marvin Lester
3-May Jamie Nord
5-May Marlene Hitch
11-May Isaac Scott
15-May Daryle Schempp
18-May Drew Kemp
22-May Lorene Backsmeier
22-May Marvin Huth
26-May Stephen Parry
29-May Lucas Piper
31-May Sandra Williams

Pastor’s Notes – May 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Something that I have always noticed in life is how you can be in an empty space and within an hour or less that space can be completely changed because it is filled with people.  On Easter Sunday, this was the case.  The Sanctuary was beautifully prepared for worship, but when I first arrived, no one was in there.  Within the hour, young and old, were belting out, “Christ has triumphed!  He is living!”  It was a blessing to once again worship together.

I have seen this in other areas of my life, especially as it involves sports.  Stadiums and gyms and ball fields are devoid of people during warm-ups, and before you know it, the place can be rocking with noise and excitement.  Then it’s over, and the space returns to its serene self.

The events of Jesus’ life took on a similar tone.  A courtyard and court that normally might be quiet was filled with people.  You had the followers of Jesus, but the ones wanting to crucify Him outnumbered them.  Then that area became silent again as they took the Savior to Golgotha.  This was now the place of activity.  Jeers and hissing as He hung on the cross.  Soldiers cursing and betting.  Family members wailing and crying.  Then the death of Jesus, the powerful noise of the earthquake and silence again.  The peace surrounding the tomb was interrupted by the appearance of the women and the exchange with the angels.  “He is not here.  He has risen.”  This is a noise that reverberated throughout the world.  Jesus coming back to life can be heard by every tribe and nation.

That is why we return to worship again and again.  To sing His praises.  To hear His Word.  To partake of His Sacraments.  The still, small voice of Christ our Savior speaks to us.  He speaks in the silence of our sin.  He counsels in the quietness of quest for worldly success.  He admonishes when the audio of our actions pushes us away from the Lord.  He pronounces loud and clear, “I love you, I forgive you, and I will never leave you.”

Hold on to this thought whether in a quiet place by yourself or surrounded by thousands.  Christ is there and that, my friend, makes an audible difference!

In Christ,

Pastor

“A Resurrection Nickname” Acts 4:32-35 (4-12-2015)

 

April 12, 2015 Text: Acts 4:32-35

Dear Friends in Christ,

People get nicknames for a variety of reasons. Some come by a physical trait like freckles or Red for hair color. Some get it for what they do like Mr. Clutch or Chief. Others get it as a shorter version of their name, Max for Maxwell or Beth for Elizabeth. The nicknames I have had revolve around my last name, Sweet Lou and Wick. What nickname do you have that maybe I don’t know about? I’d love to hear it after church.
Biblical people had nicknames. Peter was the Rock. James and John were Sons of Thunder. And we all know the nickname of the man in our Gospel – Doubting Thomas.
In our text today we come across another nickname. It is actually found in verse 36 but it relates to what is found in our reading. It is Joseph, called Barnabas. His nickname? “Son of encouragement.” He built people up. He gave of himself to others. He supported those who were alone. What a nickname. That is a nickname we could all have. We all can be encouragers.
The name Barnabas is a resurrection nickname. He becomes the encourager because of the power of Jesus’ resurrection. He encourages people because Jesus’ resurrection has brought grace to his life. But Jesus’ resurrection is not just a name changer; it’s also a life changer.
“A RESURRECTION NICKNAME”
When Jesus rose from the dead, people’s lives were changed. Peter the Rock had denied Jesus three times during his trial. No rock-solid confession that night. He is disgraced by denial. But later, Jesus alive, body glorified, meets Peter on a beach and restores him. Remember Jesus asking three times if Peter loved him? This post-resurrection meeting changed Peter. He rises to become a great apostle in the early Church. Same for Thomas. He doesn’t believe until he sees. Once that happens, everything is changed, he believes. He, too, becomes a great apostle in the Early Church. He, too, is changed by the resurrection.
We don’t know if Barnabas ever personally saw Jesus risen from the dead. But it doesn’t matter. The message of Jesus’ resurrection the apostles proclaimed was powerful and life changing too. It changed Barnabas. Jesus, the risen Lord, came to him in that message and he became Barnabas, the encourager.
The same is true for us. The message of Jesus’ resurrection changes us. Are you struggling with a sin? Jesus is risen from the dead. Your life is changed because as you repent that sin is forgiven.
Are you doubting God’s love? Jesus is risen from the dead. Doubt becomes faith strong once again, because His death was because He loves you, and the resurrection proves that was His plan.
Are you too easily angered? Jesus is risen from the dead. Relax and be calm in his peace, because He lives to take care of whatever upsets you.
Are you afraid of getting sick, losing your job, losing someone you love? Jesus is risen from the dead. He is with you always, no matter what.
Are you a complainer and jealous of what others have? Jesus is risen from the dead. Contentment comes from the Lord, who lives to grant you rich supply.
Are you trying not to think of your own death? Jesus is risen from the dead. You, too, will rise, as will everyone who confesses him as did Peter, as did Thomas.
Are you crabby and negative? Jesus is risen from the dead. He can change you to be a Barnabas.
Yes, you can become a Barnabas. Look at what he did. He had some land, some property. He sold it and gave it to the apostles so it could be distributed as people had need.
You can guess the result: the people in need were encouraged. Someone cared for them. Who else was encouraged? Those in the church who watched Barnabas do this. They saw that what they had wasn’t their own either but was the Lord’s gift to them. They gave too. Barnabas, the encourager, changed by the resurrected Jesus, helped make that happen. Do you see what the resurrection looks like? It’s the grace and power of Jesus working in people’s lives.
Here we are. We’ve heard the powerful message of God’s grace. Jesus is risen from the dead. He is at work in our lives. He is changing us. We can each be a modern-day Barnabas.
What does that look like? You have encouraged me with personal notes or e-mails. I save these and read them over in my struggling times. I know my presence or a prayer in the emergency room or hospital room or nursing home or your home has encouraged you after surgery. But in those instances, many times, you and how you are handling things have encouraged me. You know the presence of the Lord in your life and that makes all the difference. The resurrection of Jesus makes all of this possible. We encourage one another.
Through the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives we encourage each other with words that build up and by the generosity that we show. But let us remember one more nickname today – for Jesus. Jesus is given many names: Savior, Good Shepherd, Redeemer, Lord, Prince of Peace. But today we’ve heard another name for Jesus: Life Changer. Jesus’ resurrection gives grace and power to change lives into those who encourage others with words and generosity.
Jesus is risen from the dead. Jesus is the Life Changer.
Amen.