+ Bulletin Announcements +

January 18, 2015

 THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  1 Corinthians 6:19-20:  “You are not your own, {20} for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”  God owns everything, including our very selves.  We were made to serve Him and glorify Him and will never truly be happy or find our fulfillment until we learn that lesson.  Jesus has redeemed us and brought us back into the Kingdom of the Father – and that has set us free to serve Him in joy, generosity, liberty, and faith.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the FEBRUARY 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.

20^th CHURCH ANNIVERSARY CONTAINERS:  If you have not yet picked up your 20^th Church Anniversary Container, please do so following the worship services today.  They are located in the narthex.  As you know, the money is going for updates and repairs of the church organ.  We are collecting these funds until July, 2015.  Any questions please feel free to see or call Marvin Huth (309) 829-6897.

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 30^th and will be leaving for Fort Wayne on Saturday, January 31^st.  Please see or call (309) 310-7917 John or Paula if you have any questions.  Thank you.

OFFERING ENVELOPES:  If you have not done so, please pick up your 2015 Offering Envelopes located on the table in the narthex.  Thank you.

THANK YOU:  The Kessler family would like to THANK EVERYONE who has come forward to bring us meals, prayers, visits, special gifts, and all the blessings that come with this.  We are all overwhelmed by the love shown to us by everyone in our church family.  The Sunday School ornament hangs right where Laura can see it and she cherishes the cards and other good wishes.  Laura remains under ‘house arrest’ as her white blood cell counts are very low, however, visitors are welcome!  In another week, she will begin the next and perhaps hardest chemo challenge which will last for 12 weeks before her surgery can be scheduled. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she continues to fight back against cancer. God’s blessings to all of you.  Laura, Curt, Bud and Isa Kessler, Bud Barnett

THANK YOU for all the cards, thoughts and prayers throughout Dave’s illness and his passing.  Your acts of kindness were so comforting and we truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.  God’s blessing to all of you.            The David Orr Family

FROM THE OFFICE:  We have free tickets in the church office for the ISU Redbirds Women’s Basketball Game TODAY, January 18^th, at 2:00 p.m. against Indiana State.  Please help yourself.

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:  “Just The Facts” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Isaiah 5:20-21.  God’s truth, as revealed in the Bible, remains true regardless of whether anyone believes it or not.  The speaker will be 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.

+ Bulletin Announcements +

January 11, 2015

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THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Mark 1:7:  And John preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.”  John is right: Jesus is immensely greater than any of us, yet behold how He came to serve!  That is the upside down, outlandish grace of God: the innocent Jesus takes our sinner’s place.  This is the greatest act of giving the world has ever known or will know: the Father gives His Son to die in the place of sinners.

TODAY is our 2^nd Sunday door offering for Seminarian Chris Suggitt and Reverend Michael Kearney.

OFFERING ENVELOPES:  If you have not done so, please pick up your 2015 Offering Envelopes located on the table in the narthex.  Thank you.

QUILT SEWING:  Due to the weather Quilt Sewing was cancelled this past Thursday.  We will meet this coming Thursday, January 15^th from 1-4:00 p.m.

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 30^th and will be leaving for Fort Wayne on Saturday, January 31^st.  Please see or call (309) 310-7917 John or Paula if you have any questions.  Thank you.

THANK YOU:  The Kessler family would like to THANK EVERYONE who has come forward to bring us meals, prayers, visits, special gifts, and all the blessings that come with this.  We are all overwhelmed by the love shown to us by everyone in our church family.  The Sunday School ornament hangs right where Laura can see it and she cherishes the cards and other good wishes.  Laura remains under ‘house arrest’ as her white blood cell counts are very low, however, visitors are welcome!  In another week, she will begin the next and perhaps hardest chemo challenge which will last for 12 weeks before her surgery can be scheduled. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she continues to fight back against cancer. God’s blessings to all of you.  Laura, Curt, Bud and Isa Kessler, Bud Barnett

THANK YOU for all the cards, thoughts and prayers throughout Dave’s illness and his passing.  Your acts of kindness were so comforting and we truly appreciate your thoughtfulness.  God’s blessing to all of you.  The David Orr Family

FROM THE OFFICE:  We have free tickets in the church office for the ISU Redbirds Women’s Basketball Game for next Sunday, January 18^th at 2:00 p.m. against Indiana State.  Please help yourself.

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:  “The Antidote” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 1:43-51.  Jesus is the antidote for our cynicism and doubt.  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.

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 31^st.  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.