Month: March 2016

Bulletin Announcements

†   March 27, 2016   †

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 24:6-7:  “He is not here, but has risen.  Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.”   So Jesus is risen….but is that Good News?  What if He is mad at us for betraying Him, for running away at Gethsemane, for not believing He would rise?  The Good News is not just that Jesus is risen, but that He is risen to bless us: there is no need to be alarmed.  He still calls us His friends and brothers and means to bring us through death to resurrection as well.  The Lord is risen, He is risen indeed!

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 IN SUNDAY SCHOOL classes learn about “Jesus Feeds Five Thousand”  They learned that in His love, God promises to care for all our physical and spiritual needs and gives us the greatest treasure—His Son and the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation.  As a family discuss, “In what ways has God provided for both your physical and spiritual needs?”

NEXT SUNDAY:  We pray you will here next Sunday, April 3rd, to support our seminary student Brad Ferch, who will be preaching and conducting Adult Bible Class.  Brad will be here with his wife and two daughters.  Brad is in his fourth year of study at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne IN.  We have moved our monthly door Offering up a week because of Brad’s visit.

FROM THE OFFICE:  It is once again time to update the Church Directory.  Please check the sheets on the table in the narthex.  Provide any new information by noting directly on these sheets.  There are two listings: 1) Church Directory; 2) Phone Book Listing of Individual Members.  The Phone Book Listing contains your cell phone, home phone, work phone, household e-mail and personal e-mail.  If any of these are missing and you want them to be included in the Directory, please provide that information.  If any are listed and you would prefer not, please note that also.  Contact Janet in the church office with any questions.

LUTHERAN WITNESS:  It’s time again to renew our subscriptions to the Lutheran Witness.  This year’s cost is $15.96.  If you are not receiving this and would like to do so, please contact Janet in the church office at (309) 662-8905; email at: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or even in person.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April-June 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

TO ALL THRIVENT MEMBERS:  Your Choice Dollars for 2015 will expire March 31, 2016. If you haven’t already done so, please contact Thrivent either by e-mail or by phone and direct your choice dollars before the end of March.

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS for the American Passion Play are available for this coming Saturday April 2nd.  Please contact Fern and Theron Noth at (309)473-3222; email: tfnoth@gmail.com or Carol Schroeder at (309)452-2872; email: Gordoncarol304@gmail.com. Performances are at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts and begin at 1:00 pm.

OUTREACH:  Good Shepherd is blessed once again this year to be providing a meal for International Students at Illinois State University.  The date of the meal is Friday, April 15th and it begins at 6:15 p.m.  Two sign-ups are available in the narthex.  One is your participation at the meal and the other is for food items that you can bring.  Thank you for your help in this outreach.

THE WALK FOR LIFE for the Pregnancy Resource Center is Saturday, April 23rd, at 9:00 a.m. at Christ Church in Normal.  If you would like to walk, Pastor has the material in his office.  Also, Pastor and family will once again participate in the Walk.  If you would like to sponsor them with a cash donation, please speak with Pastor.  Thank you.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Good Shepherd will host a Blood Drive on Monday, May 2nd from 2-6:00 p.m.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Blessed Are Believers” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from John 20:19-31.  By faith in Jesus, you are blessed-even as your struggles continue.  The speaker is Reverend Gregory Seltz.  Hear what they said.  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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Bulletin Announcements

†   March 20, 2016  †

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 22: 11: “Tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’”  Did Jesus really need this man’s Upper Room?  If the man had refused to let Jesus use it would the work of salvation have been derailed?  Of course not.  But what an honor for the man who owned this room! Likewise with us – the Lord needs none of us, but what an honor for God to choose to use our generosity in the work of His Church.

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”.

IN TODAY’S SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, “Jesus Is Anointed,” the children learn how in faith, a sinful woman lovingly anointed Jesus.  They also learned how in faith we grasp God’s free mercy, receive the forgiveness of sins, and respond with acts of love and praise.  As a family, consider ways that you might respond to God’s mercy.  Ask your children, “What sins will God forgive?”

HOLY WEEK IS UPON US:  Maundy Thursday Worship with Holy Communion begins at 7:00 p.m.  The message from Job: “On Earth Is Not His Equal”.  Good Friday we have a brief “Tre Ore” worship at noon.  That evening is the thought-provoking and spirit inspiring Tenebrae (Service of Darkness) Worship.  As the Lord goes to the cross for you and me.  Our Lenten Messages from Job continue with “Tearing Down The Spite House”.  Holy Communion will be celebrated.  Next Sunday, March 27th, is Easter Sunday.  Worship begins at 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  An Easter Breakfast follows the early service and then Adult Bible Study and Sunday School at their regular time of 9:15 a.m.  The Easter Communion Service culminates in the Blessed Easter Message from the Book of Job: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”.

EASTER LILIES may be purchased for $9.00. They will be placed on the altar on Easter Sunday and may be picked up following the late service on Easter.  The sign-up sheet is on the table in the narthex.  Please make checks payable to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and also indicate on the memo line on your check: Easter Lily.  Any questions contact Jackie Kwasny (309) 662-4995.

LUTHERAN WITNESS:  It’s time again to renew our subscriptions to the Lutheran Witness.  This year’s cost is $15.96.  If you are not receiving this and would like to do so, please contact Janet in the church office at (309) 662-8905; email at: goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or even in person.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April-June 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the bookrack located in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

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.

TO ALL THRIVENT MEMBERS:  Your Choice Dollars for 2015 will expire March 31, 2016. If you haven’t already done so, please contact Thrivent either by e-mail or by phone and direct your choice dollars before the end of March.

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS for the American Passion Play are available for the following times: Today, March 20th and Saturday April 2nd.  Please contact Fern and Theron Noth at (309)473-3222; email: tfnoth@gmail.com or Carol Schroeder at (309)452-2872; email: Gordoncarol304@gmail.com. Performances are at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts and begin at 1:00 pm.

YOU ARE INVITED:  Wittenberg Lutheran Center, 201 S. Main St. in Normal will host a traditional Seder (Hebrew for “order”) Meal at the chapel this coming Tuesday, March 22nd beginning at 7:00 p.m.  A representative from Apple of His Eye Ministry will lead this instructional meal.  Tickets are $5.00 to reserve a seat.  All proceeds going to Apple of His Eye Ministry.  A free-will donation will also be taken on the night of the meal.  Contact Pastor Bill on his cell phone: (217) 836-9305, or at Wittenberg (309) 452-597 to reserve a seat for this event, and/or if you would like to help with the groceries and preparations for the meal.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “An Unbeliever’s Sermon” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 24:5-6.  Reverend Ken Klaus asked several non-believing friends to help him write his Easter Sermon.  Hear what they said.  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. 

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

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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March 13, 2016, Text: Luke 20:9-20

March 13, 2016                                                                     Text:  Luke 20:9-20

 

Dear Friends in Christ,

 

As children we have big dreams.  “I wanna play in the Final Four.”  “I am going to swim in the Olympics.”  “I am going to be a doctor when I grow up.”  “Someday, I will be the President.”

Most of the time those dreams do not come true.  Life goes differently than we had planned.  The gifts and abilities that God gives us do not match our desires.  At some point, those dreams we had as kids, get shattered.  You don’t see me playing point guard for the Lakers do you?

The parable of the vineyard reminds us that the dream envisioned is not always the dream fulfilled.

“SHATTERED DREAMS – DREAMS REBUILT”

Like the tenants in the parable, we may have our own dream.  The tenants did not want to give the fruit to the owner.  They had a nice arrangement going here.  A solid future and secure employment provided by the owner who set everything up.  Of course, the owner had a right to his share.  He sent servants. He even sent his son.  But the tenants respond with hatred.  They want the inheritance and so they will have to kill the son.  They were dreaming big dreams.  Getting the son out of the way would pave the way to the goods.  They kill him.  Will that make their dream come true?

We have dreams.  Dreams for our future.  Dreams for our children.  Dreams for ourselves.  Is there a grudge you dream of letting go?  Do you dream of a day when you have no more problems with your child?  Do you lie awake at night wishing your marriage could be like it was in earlier years?  Are you dreaming of a day when your pride doesn’t always get in the way of your behavior?

This text shatters the tenants’ dreams and maybe ours.  The master comes to destroy those servants.  That will shatter their dreams!  What else could they possibly expect?  The stone crushes those upon whom it falls.  These tenants cannot have it their way.  No inheritance, no vineyard, no future.

The tenants represent in the parable the Jewish leaders.  Jesus is declaring how God will shatter their evil dreams.  The temple will be destroyed.  Jerusalem, the headquarters of the establishment, will fall as well.  The way they envisioned it – them in charge, enjoying the adoration of the people – will be no more.  Repent?  Will they turn away from their evil dreams?  No, that wasn’t in their plans.

They will cling to their dream and still try to get the inheritance – they will kill the Son, but he will be raised after three days.  The temple will be restored but it won’t be like before.  A new King is crowned, but he bleeds and suffers for the people.

All this may shatter our dreams.  As we get closer to the cross it does not allow for things to be “my” way; it does not allow dreams to be self-centered.  The cross changes the picture.

Children’s dreams do get shattered.  At some point I knew a 5’9’ white guy was not going to make it to the pinnacle of the basketball world.  Others found not enough speed in their swimming stroke.  Not enough votes even for president of the freshman chess club.  Freezing while dissecting a frog, how would they ever be a doctor?  But dreams can be transformed and rebuilt.  The dreams change to fit the gifts of each of us.  A doctor becomes a social service agency director and binds the wounds of the downtrodden.  Swimming in the Olympics becomes teaching swimming at the local Y.  President becomes leading your town against unfair taxation.  A trip to the Final Four becomes seeing your four kids that you raised marry faithful Lutheran spouses and begin their own Christian families.  In doing so, there is fulfillment.

Rather than being swept away, these shattered dreams are rebuilt.  In death there is life.  The cross was God’s plan from all eternity and it must shatter us.  It shatters our pride.  It shatters our grudges.  It transforms our children and our marriages.  The cross gives us life.  Christ has become our cornerstone.  From that stone, He builds us up to be his Church.  We are being transformed into what God dreamed us to be.

Last weekend Holden and I worked concessions for the Girls State Basketball Finals at Redbird Arena.  Saturday night was the championship game and we had the stand nearest the majority of fans.  He and I were both working the window when halftime came and a mob of humans came at us.  We just kept working.  In the midst of the chaos, and barely noticeable to us, some of his teammates came from another stand to help out.  Everyone got what they needed in about a 10-minute period.  There was no complaining.  There was work to be done and we accomplished it rather smoothly.

That is a good picture of the Lord’s Church upon which we have been built.  We get to see God’s mission and be about his work with others in mind and not ourselves, or our pride.  He allows us to bear fruit and He rebuilds our dreams.  Dreams that are God-centered and other centered, rather than self-centered.

Amen.