Month: July 2016

Bulletin Announcements

July 10, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 10:25: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  There is nothing right about this question.  What shall I do to inherit?  What can you do to inherit the throne of England?  You can’t do anything to gain those things: an inheritance comes by family ties, not deeds.  Our deeds follow and result from our family ties: the Father calls us His own children.  So we inherit eternal life by grace, and seek to live out our new calling as the Father’s children with our good works.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM: MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD:  This summer we will be learning about new countries, cultures and foods from around the world, as we learn about Baptism, the Lord’s Prayer, Confession and Communion.  Today’s lesson will focus on “Jesus Teaching the Disciples to Pray”.  Please join us in the church basement in the Youth Area at 9:15 a.m.

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”.

OUR LUTHERAN CHURCH-MISSOURI SYNOD is meeting in Convention this weekend and later into the week in Milwaukee.  Good Shepherd’s Steve Parry is the Circuit Lay Delegate.  If you would like to keep up with the business of your church body you may follow the Convention at: lcms.org.

TUITION ASSISTANCE:  Anyone that would like to apply for Tuition Assistance may do so by filling out the Application Form which are located on the bookcase in the church office.  When completed, please return to the church office.  Applications are due by Sunday, August 7, 2016.  Thank you. The Board of Christian Education

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE:  Good Shepherd’s next Red Cross Blood Drive is Tuesday, September 20, 2016.  To be eligible please give your next donation by Monday, July 25th.  Thank you.

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.

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

YOU ARE INVITED to Luther Oaks Healthcare Pavilion Grand Opening this coming Tuesday, July 12, 2016.  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 4:00 pm.  Reception to follow from 5-7:00 p.m.  Luther Oaks is located at 601 Lutz Road in Bloomington.  Space is limited.  To reserve your place, please call (309) 557-8000 by Tuesday, July 5th.

POSITION OPEN:  Shining Lights Preschool at Christ Lutheran in Normal is seeking a 3’s teacher for the 2016-2017 school year.  Please submit an electronic resume and cover letter to Shannon at ashiningstart@frontier.com.  Thank you.

CAMP CILCA is looking for donations to auction off at the 2016 Chicken Fry and Auction on Sunday, September 4, 2016.  If you would like to donate an item for auction, please contact the Camp office at (217)487-7497.  Thank you in advance for your continued support!

SPECIAL SEMINAR:  Dr. Paul L. Maier will present a special seminar on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church, Normal, IL.  The seminar will cover two topics, “Defending the Faith” and “Christianity and the Competition”.  Save the date.  More information to follow.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “The One Thing You Really Need” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 10:38-42.  The story of Mary and Martha is not so much about Mary or Martha or us.  It’s really about Jesus.  The speaker is 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.

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Elder, Usher, and Acolyte Schedules for July 2016

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
July 3Jeff Piper, John Hardy, Mike Field, Paul GerikeBarry HamlinRyan Kleiboeker, Theron Noth
July 10Joshua Parry, Nathan KluenderCurt KesslerBud Kessler, Greg McNeely, Karson Lueck
July 17Ben Holland, Daryle Schempp, Gerald Semelka, Steve ParryCraig CulpBryan Reichert, Holden Lueck
July 24Charles Nottingham, Craig CulpJohn HardyBrian Dirks, Marvin Huth, Mike Huth
July 31Gene Fuller, Jeff Piper, John Hardy, Richard RossRandy ReinhardtGreg McNeely, Ryan Kleiboeker, Theron Noth

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
July 3J.T. PiperPastor/Elder
July 10Pastor/ElderChristian Dowell
July 17Chloe HitchPastor/Elder
July 24Pastor/ElderWilliam McNeely
July 31Garett SheleyJessica Isaac

Celebrating July 2016

Birthdays:

7/4 Joann Nottingham
7/10 Bob Love
7/14 Nick Henson
7/22 Joann Hart
7/24 Katey Parry
7/25 Andrew Benjamin
7/25 Stephanie Schempp
7/27 David McEleney

Baptismal Birthdays:

7/8 Isabella Kessler
7/11 Richard Ross
7/13 Kathy Hitch
7/14 Bryan Reichert
7/16 Jennifer Cloyd
7/20 Ruth Gerike
7/24 Finley Mosier
7/28 Eugene Fuller
7/31 Erin Dirks

Pastor’s Notes July 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I love irony and how God has a sense of humor about things.  This is especially true as we hear the rich and famous say one thing and live another way.  People in Hollywood are especially good at this as well as liberal professors on our college campuses. 

 

I have two stories that drive home the point.  Paul McCartney is a well-known environmental advocate.  Back in 2005 the sponsor of his tour was Lexus because they make “environmentally responsible” cars.  The tour was great for both and in 2008 they gave McCartney a $150,000 gas/electric hybrid.  One problem:  Lexus chartered a cargo plane to send the car from Japan, where it was built, to England where McCartney lived.  The carbon emissions from that single flight equal 300 around-the-world trips in the car it carried.  McCartney can never drive the car enough to make up for the pollution its delivery created.  Ironic, isn’t it? 

 

The other one involves a Princeton psychologist who argued that short, simple words make writers seem smarter than long words do.  The ironic name of the study:  “Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity.”   

 

Man has never needed much help to look foolish.  Oh, how God must laugh at His creation and the funny things we do.  God loves irony as well.  A King riding on a donkey?  A shepherd boy taking down a giant?  A family of eight riding out a storm in a large watercraft with a number of animals?  A man riding a chariot off to heaven?  We love that God does things in ways we would not expect.  He has done that in your life, hasn’t He?  A Savior from sin?  Yes.  The just dying for the un-just?  It happened.  A perfect man giving His life for those far short of perfection?  Check.   

 

The irony of it all.  The Lord of Life having a good laugh…and we smile. 

 

 

In Christ, 

 

Pastor 

Bulletin Announcements

July 3, 2016

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM: MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD:  This summer we will be learning about new countries, cultures and foods from around the world, as we learn about Baptism, the Lord’s Prayer, Confession and Communion.  Today’s lesson will focus on “Philip and the Ethiopian”.  Please join us in the church basement in the Youth Area at 9:15 a.m.

CAN YOU HELP?  We need a Sunday School Teacher for NEXT SUNDAY, July 10th.  Please contact Paula Hardy if you can help out.  Her cell phone# is (309) 829-8432; work phone# is (309) 821-2671.  Thank you.

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”.

 TUITION ASSISTANCE:  Anyone that would like to apply for Tuition Assistance may do so by filling out the Application Form which are located on the bookcase in the church office.  When completed, please return to the church office.  Applications are due by Sunday, August 7, 2016.  Thank you.    The Board of Christian Education

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.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE:  Good Shepherd’s next Red Cross Blood Drive is Tuesday, September 20, 2016.  To be eligible please give your next donation by Monday, July 25th.  Thank you.

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

YOU ARE INVITED to Luther Oaks Healthcare Pavilion Grand Opening on Tuesday, July 12, 2016.  Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 4:00 pm.  Reception to follow from 5-7:00 p.m.  Luther Oaks is located at 601 Lutz Road in Bloomington.  Space is limited.  To reserve your place, please call (309) 557-8000 by Tuesday, July 5th.

POSITION OPEN:  Shining Lights Preschool at Christ Lutheran in Normal is seeking a 3’s teacher for the 2016-2017 school year.  Please submit an electronic resume and cover letter to Shannon at ashiningstart@frontier.com.  Thank you.

FRESH PEACHES:  The Youth of Trinity Lutheran Church in Roanoke are selling Southern Illinois Peaches.  The cost is: $30.00 for a half bushel; $60.00 for a bushel.  Orders need to be in by Sunday, July 24, 2016.  Please call (309) 923-7647 or (309) 923-5251 for more information.

CAMP CILCA is looking for donations to auction off at the 2016 Chicken Fry and Auction on Sunday, September 4, 2016.  If you would like to donate an item for auction, please contact the Camp office at (217)487-7497.  Thank you in advance for your continued support!

SPECIAL SEMINAR:  Dr. Paul L. Maier will present a special seminar on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at Christ Lutheran Church, Normal, IL.  The seminar will cover two topics, “Defending the Faith” and “Christianity and the Competition”.  Save the date.  More information to follow.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Extreme Neighborliness” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 10:25-37.  Through His love and sacrifice, Jesus is the extreme neighbor to you and all people.  The speaker is 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.

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