Bulletin Announcements – January 04, 2015

 

WELCOME TO ALL OUR VISITORS:  We are glad you could join us for worship today.  If you are a first-time visitor, please sign our guestbook and pick up a Church Handbook.  If you desire more information about Good Shepherd, please note it on the pew sheet.  May the Lord bless you this day and in Christ’s name we invite you to return.

WE BELIEVE CHILDREN BELONG IN WORSHIP:  However, if you or your child needs a break, we have a staffed Nursery at all our services.  Please see an Usher who can direct you to it.

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.

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  1 Kings 3:4:  “And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place. Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.”  Now that’s a big sacrifice! But of course Solomon offered sacrifices in proportion to his wealth – the Lord had blessed him greatly, so his sacrifices were correspondingly large.  Jesus also praised the widow’s mite, a small amount of money, but a great sacrifice in proportion to her means.

ANNUAL TRIP TO FORT WAYNE, IN:  John & Paula Hardy will be making their annual trip to Fort Wayne, IN.  Please bring to the church any slightly used adult and/or children’s clothing and any household items such as small appliances, kitchen items, etc. and place in the box located in the narthex.  We will be loading the items on Friday, January 30th and will be leaving for Fort Wayne on Saturday, January 31st.  Please see or call (309) 310-7917 John or Paula if you have any questions.  Thank you.

THANK YOU:  We appreciate the kind words and cards regarding the passing of our Dad & Grandpa, Bob McNeely.  Your kindness and sympathy during this time has been appreciated as we are reminded of the great people here at Good Shepherd.  God’s blessings to you all.     Greg, Jeanette, Eli,  Will and Justin McNeely

THE LWML would like to thank everyone in the church who either purchased supplies or helped put together the quilts and health kits this year.  We sent 37 quilts and 65 health kits.  Thanks again!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January – March 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Please pick up your free copy today.  Large print also available.

FROM THE OFFICE:  Good Shepherd has received a recent correspondence from both the Suggitt Family (at the Seminary in Ft. Wayne) and the Hilbert Family (LBT Missionaries).  These have been posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

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:  “Are You Qualified?” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Romans 6:1-11.  God qualifies us for eternal life through our baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection.  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.

INFORMATION REQUESTED:  Please notify the church office if someone in the congregation or any family or friends are ill or hospitalized.

FROM THE CHURCH OFFICE:  If you miss church, please be reminded that copies of the previous week’s sermon are available on the table in the narthex.  Also, the sermon will be available on our web site at www.goodshepherdblm.org.  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating this Month

Birthdays:

Carin Henson                  1/1

Jason Scott                     1/1

Nicholas Hitch                 1/2

Pat Orr                             1/3

Curt “Bud” Kessler, Jr      1/4

Donald Gronert                1/6

Mary McEleney               1/6

Cathy Cloyd                     1/9

Robert Hanner                 1/9

Jake Scott                       1/12

Heather Brown                1/17

Nancy Thomas                        1/19

Gregory McNeely            1/20

Beth Mosier                     1/20

Linda Dirks                      1/28

Jill Holland                       1/31

 

Baptismal Birthdays:

E. F. Bud Barnett             1/1

Lillian Barnett                  1/1

Charles Nottingham        1/1

Shirley Potter                   1/1

Chloe Hitch                      1/2

Jacqueline Kwasny         1/11

Curt “Bud” Kessler, Jr      1/21

Bulletin Announcements Dec 28 2014

 

WELCOME TO ALL OUR VISITORS:  We are glad you could join us for worship today.  If you are a first-time visitor, please sign our guestbook and pick up a Church Handbook.  If you desire more information about Good Shepherd, please note it on the pew sheet.  May the Lord bless you this day and in Christ’s name we invite you to return.

WE BELIEVE CHILDREN BELONG IN WORSHIP:  However, if you or your child needs a break, we have a staffed Nursery at all our services.  Please see an Usher who can direct you to it.

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:  On this First Sunday after Christmas, the Sunday School lesson focuses on “The Presentation of Jesus.”  In the Divine Service, we join with Simeon and Anna, the angels and archangels, and the great cloud of witnesses in heaven and on earth hailing Christ as the fulfiller of the Law.  Parents might ask, “Where do we sing our praises to God?  How has Christ fulfilled the Law for us?”

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 2:39:  “And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord. . .”  The Law of God is good.  Of course, it always shows us our sins: but that is good, too!  We need to be driven back to the forgiveness of Christ.  But the Law also shows us the truly blessed way to live – as Mary and Joseph found their joy in a godly life, so should we see the Law as a guide for Christian living, as the roadmap for saying thank you to the Lord for all His grace and mercy to us.

WORSHIP SCHEDULE:  Join us this Wednesday, December 31st at 7:00 p.m. for our New Year’s Eve Worship Service with Holy Communion celebrated.

THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD:  One week from today (January 4, 2015) we will celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord.  On that date we will have the Installation of Officers, those duly elected to serve in 2015, in both worship services.  Come be installed, we promise it is painless!

IN OUR PRAYERS:  Dave Orr continues his rehabilitation in Chicago.  His liver transplant has been pushed back to the end of January if he recovers and is ready.  If you would like to send a card to Dave and Pat here is the address:  Dave & Pat Orr, c/o Lindsey Orr, 940 N Damen #2F, Chicago IL 60622.  We continue our prayers for all of them.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The January – March 2015 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Please pick up your free copy today.  Large print also available.

THANK YOU:  We appreciate the kind words and cards regarding the passing of our Dad & Grandpa, Bob McNeely.  Your kindness and sympathy during this time has been appreciated as we are reminded of the great people here at Good Shepherd.  God’s blessings to you all.          Greg, Jeanette, Eli,  Will and Justin McNeely

THE LWML would like to thank everyone in the church who either purchased supplies or helped put together the quilts and health kits this year.  We sent 37 quilts and 65 health kits.  Thanks again!

FROM THE OFFICE:  Good Shepherd has received a recent correspondence from both the Suggitt Family (at the Seminary in Ft. Wayne) and the Hilbert Family (LBT Missionaries).  These have been posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

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.

ANNUAL TRIP TO FORT WAYNE, IN:  John & Paula Hardy will be making their annual trip to Fort Wayne, IN.  Please bring to the church any slightly used adult and/or children’s clothing and any household items such as small appliances, kitchen items, etc. and place in the box located in the narthex.  The trip date has yet to be finalized but will take place in either January or February.  Please see or call (309) 310-7917 John or Paula if you have any questions.  Thank you.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Gospel Power for Personal Patience” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 2:40-52.  Jesus teaches us to be patient and wait with hope in God’s promises.  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.

 

 

 

 

“Everybody Counts” — Luke 2: 1-5 (12-25-14, 9am Service)

Dec. 25, 2014 – Christmas Text: Luke 2:1-5

Dear Friends in Christ,

The great census in those days of Caesar Augustus that, humanly speaking, set in motion the Christmas story is plenty familiar to us today in the United States and Canada. Every ten years in the U.S. or five years in Canada, the government sends out forms in the mail and then follows them up with energetic, real-live human census takers – 585,000 of them in the last U.S. census. As with that famous Roman census, the goal was that “all the world would be registered,” that not a single soul would be missed. A census taker today could in one day knock on the doors of million-dollar houses and run-down apartments. Every person, literally, counted.
The Roman census was so that Caesar could extract taxes from every citizen. He wanted no one missed so that not a denarius would be missed for the imperial treasury. There was to be an accounting from every person. Our census is actually for a different purpose: so that no one citizen misses out on the benefits of citizenship. Every district is to be fairly represented in Congress, and every qualifying resident is to be noted for government programs. Every body counts.
Today is Christmas and we are so blessed with the coming of a Savior. Because of what that baby would someday do on a Calvary hill, we can exclaim with the angels and the whole host of heaven . . .
“EVERY BODY COUNTS”
Christmas reminds us that every single person, every soul, counts before God. Every single human being in this sanctuary right now – and every other human being who’s ever lived or ever will – will one day be called to give an account. God’s registration misses no one. Everyone will one day stand before God for final judgment. But God, in fact, set in motion the events of the first Christmas not to tax us, but to see that no one be missed with the blessings of citizenship in his kingdom. God knows each of us, each of you, by name. He calls you again this Christmas to himself. You count. Every body counts.
The census of Caesar Augustus counted millions. The census today counts hundreds of millions. But it really is the One that counts. Yes, it’s the One that counts, because God sees every single one of us through that One, the One who was first counted in that first census, a poor and easily overlooked baby boy just born in the little town of Bethlehem. He is the One for whose sake we count with God.
When Paul in Romans talks about Abraham believing in God “and it was counted to him as righteousness,” we are part of that. We too have been counted righteous. Scripture also says, “blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Rom. 4:8)
Whoever you are, therefore, and whatever your circumstance in life, this gift of the Savior is “for you.” You count. It has your name on it. Whether you are rich or poor, Jesus is your true treasure. Whether you’re young or old, he is the only one whose days are without number. Whether you are overwhelmed by loneliness or caught up in the crowd, He is the One who is your true friend and companion. You could not be any more important to Him.

“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be take of the entire world…So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people (see every body counts). Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:1,4,10a,11)
Amen.

“Adopted Into God’s Family” — Galatians 4: 4-7 (12-28-14, 1030am Service)

 

December 28, 2014 Text: Galatians 4:4-7

Dear Friends in Christ,

“You can pick your friends but you are stuck with your family.” An appropriate quote don’t you think right after Christmas? We are born into families. We don’t pick our parents or other relatives. We’re stuck in that family. While many happy family moments occur, we also can be hurt in families. Dysfunctional families can damage the members within them in ways that are not pretty.
But let’s think bigger than our immediate families. We are all born into the human race. We are stuck with the human family. It is a dysfunctional family and does things to us that are not pretty. Let’s look at Paul’s list of the works of the flesh: “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealously, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” (Gal. 5:19-21) We will focus on three from that list.
First – sexuality. God’s gift of sexuality is to be celebrated in the husband/wife relationship. But we misuse the gift by not having sexual relations as husband/wife or by going outside the husband/wife relationship. It can be misused in the family. It is also abused in the human family with the things in the media, prostitution, homosexuality, sex-slave trafficking. “This is the family we are stuck with.”
Second – anger, enmity, and divisions. Anger from hitting four red lights in a row, using words on social media when impatient or not thinking clearly that damage relationships. Then we have school shootings, domestic violence, terrorism, and war. “This is the family we are stuck with.”
Third – drunkenness. One in six Americans has a drinking problem. The rates are even worse among the poor. Seventy percent of children in foster care show the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure.
This is the family we are born into. We are stuck in this family. But, it is not the only family. Jesus opens the door to a different family home.
“ADOPTED INTO GOD’S FAMILY”
In God’s time, he decided when the time had come to fulfill his promises in Genesis 3 and Isaiah 9. Jesus is born of a woman. He is born one of us. In that manger was a human being with arms, legs, fingers, toes, and baby fat! Joseph and Mary could caress his cheek and hold him close. But, he is born into the human family.
Under the law. The law accuses and punishes. The death declared in the Garden of Eden is physical and spiritual. But, Jesus in unique. The law can’t convict him. No punishment is due him. Remember the words of God the Father to His Son at the Transfiguration: “with him I am well pleased.” This shows that Jesus had done nothing wrong.
To redeem us. Jesus, now with grown-up hands and feet is hung on a cross. He takes the punishment for us. He goes through the punishment of separation from his Father, a spiritual death, with “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?” It’s the same for his physical death. His heart stops beating; his arms and legs go limp. He is buried. He takes the condemnation of the law we were under onto himself so that we could be adopted into a new family. It is the greatest Christmas present ever.
We are adopted. Remember the quote at the beginning “you can pick your friends.” God has chosen us. He has chosen you and you and you and you. I can say confidently to all of us, “We may be born into the human family, but because of Jesus we are adopted into God’s family.”
It is Christmas every day because the Holy Spirit has been sent into our hearts. He leads us to say, “Abba Father.” Think of what it is like to be in God’s family with the gift of the Holy Spirit present in the life of the church. Think of just one example: how the Lord’s Prayer ties us all together. Pray it with your family. Pray it with strangers at a nursing home. Pray it with tribes in the far reaches of our world.
I know of a Pastor who is adopting two children from overseas. The family has to live for six weeks in that country to complete the adoptions. The congregation where the Pastor has been for one year has been very supportive. They have given him time away and helped with fundraisers. The Pastor and his wife and their two children have flown overseas to adopt the children. The children to be adopted were at an orphanage. One has scoliosis and is in a wheelchair. Within a couple of visits that child was starting to say “papa.” And, where is the adoption taking place? Ukraine. In the midst of the anger and violence are compassion, kindness, and patience. This is what the family of God looks like when adopted by our Abba Father because of the Christmas gift named Jesus, and the Holy Spirit forming his fruit in us brothers and sisters.
We may be born into the human family, but when you are adopted into God’s family, it’s Christmas every day. Amen.