Month: October 2016

Bulletin Announcements

October 30, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Revelation 14:6:  “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth.”  During the Reformation this text was used to refer to Luther’s ministry and the Lutheran message: we have an eternal Gospel to proclaim.  Christ has freed us from our sins without any works on our part!  We are saved by grace alone!  And ironically enough, Luther said this should make him the “apostle of works:” because once we are freed by grace, we are truly free to serve God in works that flow from thankfulness and praise.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, meeting in the basement at 9:15 a.m. continues a DVD based study: “Jesus – Legend or Lord?”  The class features LC-MS Author and Scholar Dr. Paul Maier discussing History and Archaeology and how it all fits with the Holy Scriptures.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL:  “Saul Becomes King” is the Sunday School lesson for today. Students learn that though God lets us have our own way at times, His is the way of forgiving and saving, which He did for His people of old and for us today.  Consider asking, “How did God care for the children of Israel even though their desires were sinful?  How does God show His care for us even though we are sinful?”

THE ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will continue Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.

NEXT SUNDAY, November 6th, we will have a special order of worship as we celebrate All Saints’ Sunday.  We will remember those members of Good Shepherd who died in the Lord this past year and are blessed in eternity right now.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS NEXT SUNDAY:  In order to ensure your family arrival for worship please “fall back one hour” when setting your clock before going off to la-la land next Saturday evening.

NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES:  Please note the activity the next two Tuesdays around the building.  This Tuesday, November 1st, Pastor will be hosting the Circuit Pastor’s in the morning.  The following Tuesday, November 8th, Good Shepherd will be a Polling Place for the General Election.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S ANNUAL VOTER’S MEETING is on Sunday, November 13th.  Following the 10:30 Worship Service there will be a Potluck Dinner followed by the Voter’s Meeting.  The church will provide the meat and drink for the Potluck Dinner.  Members please bring Side Dishes/Desserts.  On the table in the narthex are copies of the 2017 Budget for your review before the upcoming Meeting.  Pick up your copy today.

FOOD COLLECTION:  We continue our Collection of Food for Home Sweet Home Mission.  The last few years we have moved up our Collection because we now serve a meal there.  The meal will be this coming Saturday, November 5th.  The time will be from 2-6:00 p.m.  Please have any donations in by Thursday, November 3rd, so they can be packed and ready to go.  If interested in helping please speak with Pastor or a member of the Evangelism/Stewardship Board.  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.

FREE TICKETS:  We have free tickets in the church office for the ISU Women’s Volleyball Game next Saturday, November 5th, at 7:00 p.m. against Evansville.

YOU ARE INVITED to Christ Lutheran Church in Normal for their Fall Craft & Bake Sale this coming Saturday, November 5th.  Coffee & Sweets from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Menu includes: Brats, German Potato Salad, Sauer Kraut, Hot Dogs, Chicken Noodle Soup and Root Beer Floats.  Bring your family and friends to shop, eat and enjoy!  Any questions please call Dorene Boettcher at (309) 662-1259.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Do You Want This Blessing?” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Matthew 5:1-12.  Jesus came to bless you; He takes the initiative to reach out to broken lives with His love and help.  Reverend Dr. Gregory Seltz is the speaker.  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 November 2016

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
Nov 6Daryle Schempp, Jeff Piper, John Hardy, Nathan KluenderCraig CulpMike Huth, Ryan Kleiboeker
Nov 13Gerald Semelka, Steve ParryJohn HardyBrian Dirks, Greg McNeely, Theron Noth
Nov 20Ben Holland, Craig Culp, Gene Fuller, Richard RossRandy ReinhardtBryan Reichert, Holden Lueck
Nov 23Thanksgiving Eve
7PM		Nathan KluenderJoshua Parry, Mike Field, Paul Gerike
Nov 27Daryle Schempp, Jeff PiperMike FieldBud Kessler, Marvin Huth, Will Dowell
Nov 30Midweek Advent
7PM		Mike Fieldas available

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Nov 6Chloe HitchPastor/Elder
Nov 13Pastor/ElderWilliam McNeely
Nov 20Summer SheleyPastor/Elder
Nov 23Thanksgiving Eve
7PM		Justin McNeely
Nov 27Pastor/ElderChristian Dowell

Stewardship Corner November 2016

“O give thanks to the Lord for He is good.  His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1).  The love of the Lord does endure forever because the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, is risen from the dead, lives and reigns for all eternity.  He was crucified for our transgressions, but He is raised and lives forever for our justification. We are acceptable to God in Christ Jesus.

This is indeed something for which we give thanks.  We give thanks in our prayers. We give thanks in the hymns we sing in church.  We give thanks by talking about it with our friends and neighbors and teaching it to our children and grandchildren. And we give thanks by giving to the church a generous, first-fruits portion of the income He provides us.

Giving is giving thanks.  It is one of the concrete ways in which we thank God for all He has done for us.  This includes not just what He has done for us here in time, but what He does for us for all eternity.  He provides for all that we need in both body and soul.  He is more ready to give than we are able either to receive or even ask.  That is who He is.  That is His character.  He is good and His love endures forever.

Let us then give thanks in all these ways, not in one way or the other.  But rather in all things, everything that we do and say, whether it be in word or deed, in prayer and praise, in teaching and giving, let us give thanks to God for He is good.

Celebrating November 2016

Birthdays

11/2 Caleb Evans
11/2 Ryan Kleiboeker
11/4 Sheri Piper
11/4 Shirley Potter
11/6 Jeanette McNeely
11/7 Phoenix Kleiboeker
11/9 Holden Lueck
11/15 Curtis Kessler, Sr
11/17 Cannon Kleiboeker
11/19 Theron Noth
11/23 Joshua Parry
11/24 Gordon Schroeder

Baptismal Birthdays

11/1 Jacquelyn Semelka
11/5 Stacia Dowell
11/7 Janet Evans
11/14 Cheryl Reichert
11/16 Tammy Brewer
11/19 Ryan Kleiboeker
11/20 Thomas Anderson
11/26 Penny Culp
11/28 Holden Lueck
11/28 Joshua Parry

Pastor’s Notes November 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Have you ever had one of those days where what you had scheduled gets changed but the Lord still uses the day for His purposes?

A month or so ago I had worked ahead and gotten my work done for the week because I knew I would be going to a surgery at the end of that week. I like to have a prayer with the patient and family and many times, if time permits, I sit with a loved one during the surgery. This particular morning I got a phone call that the surgery had been postponed. What to do now? Well, I had recently received some money for my birthday and I thought that I would go to the mall over the lunch hour and do some shopping. One of the few times that I ever do this.

I made a stop or two at a few stores and as I am walking the mall I pass a small store and it looks like it is someone I know. It is! I stop and have a nice chat and catch up on what they had been doing. Now this particular person was someone who had attended our church, had a death in the family, and then I had lost sight of them. I had written them a letter after phone calls were not returned and I was praying that they were all right. I was looking for an opportunity to invite them back to church.

That day the Holy Spirit provided it. In my original plans I was not suppose to be at the mall that day. Circumstances and God’s leading put this person and me in the same place at the same time. I recognized such as I walked away from the conversation. I chuckled to myself about how the Lord had done it again. He knew that encounter was going to happen even though, when I got up that morning, it is not something I would have been expecting.

Do you notice these same God-induced instances in your life? What encounter are you praying for with a person that maybe hasn’t come to be yet? Be ready because, like me, it may come when you least expect it. The Lord has a way of doing that, doesn’t He? Take advantage of the opportunity given knowing that our Savior will provide the words and thoughts.

By the way, nothing was bought that day at the mall. Something of greater value was received.

In Christ,
Pastor

Bulletin Announcements

October 23, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  2 Timothy 4:6:  “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering. . .”  As St. Paul nears the end of his life he continues to view it as something to be spent in sacrifice toward God – just as he had told the Romans (12:1)  to be “living sacrifices.”  And why does St. Paul do this?  Because he knows that His Lord has already won for him the crown of life.  Jesus’ sacrifice that purchased our salvation leads us to imitate His sacrifice in our living for Him.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, meeting in the basement at 9:15 a.m. continues a DVD based study: “Jesus – Legend or Lord?”  The class features LC-MS Author and Scholar Dr. Paul Maier discussing History and Archaeology and how it all fits with the Holy Scriptures.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL students study the life of Samuel today.  They learn how God calls His people to repentance through preachers such as Samuel; that He might forgive us for the sake of Christ.  Parents might ask, “How did God use Samuel to speak to His people?  How does God use our pastor to speak His Word today?”

THE ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will continue Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room.

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

NEXT SUNDAY, October 30th, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday and will have Holy Communion in both worship services.

THANK YOU for the wonderful Sunday two weeks ago for Pastor Appreciation.  The cards, gifts, and your uplifting words are such a blessing.  As we approach the end of our 17th year together, we give praise and glory to our Lord for your love and support as we work together to further God’s Kingdom.  In Christ’s love, Pastor, Toni, Karson and Holden

WORSHIP SCHEDULE:  A gentle reminder as you make plans for Christmas (it falls on a Sunday this year) the Board of Elders made the decision to hold one service at 9:00 a.m. that day with no Sunday School or Adult Bible Class.  Thank you.

FOOD COLLECTION:  We continue our Collection of Food for Home Sweet Home Mission.  The last few years we have moved up our Collection because we now serve a meal there.  The meal will be on Saturday, November 5th.  The time will be from 2-6:00 p.m.  Please have any donations in by Thursday, November 3rd, so they can be packed and ready to go.  If interested in helping please speak with Pastor or a member of the Evangelism/Stewardship Board.  Thank you.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The October – December 2016 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack 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.

FROM THE OFFICE:  There is a young ladies yellow dress with rose colored flowers in a “Banana Republic” shopping bag located on the coat rack in the narthex. If it is yours or you know who it may belong to please pick up and take it home with you.  Thank you.

YOU ARE INVITED to Christ Lutheran Church in Normal for their Fall Craft & Bake Sale on Saturday, November 5th.  Coffee & Sweets from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; Lunch from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Menu includes: Brats, German Potato Salad, Sauer Kraut, Hot Dogs, Chicken Noodle Soup and Root Beer Floats.  Bring your family and friends to shop, eat and enjoy!  Any questions please call Dorene Boettcher at (309) 662-1259.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “The Best Bequest” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 12:19-21.  A legacy of faith is the best bequest, giving the gift of Jesus to those who come after you.  Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus is the speaker.  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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