Month: October 2016

Bulletin Announcements

October 16, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Genesis 32:26:  But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”  The great Lutheran musician J.S. Bach composed a beautiful motet using this verse: it is the cry of true faith, much the same as Peter’s words, “Lord to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.” True faith clings to the Lord no matter the struggle, no matter the “hard sayings” that the Lord speaks.  True faith knows that God means to bless us always.

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 learn how God used Ruth to accomplish His purposes for our salvation.  Through her family God brought forth His Son, the Savior of all people including Jews and Gentiles, men and women.  Parents could ask, “How did Ruth demonstrate her trust in God?  How does God help us to trust in Him?”

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

NEXT SUNDAY 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.

THANK YOU for the wonderful Sunday last week 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.

OCTOBER’S FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE is this coming Friday, October 21ST at 6:30 p.m.  Catch the movie that flew over the fence and into the hearts of millions of cheering fans!  It’s Disney’s “ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD”, the feel-good film about a young boy praying for a father – and a struggling baseball team praying for a pennant.  Danny Glover plays George Knox, the frustrated coach of the California Angels, a ragtag team of major-league misfits who are down on their luck.  But things begin to look up when 11-year-old Roger, their biggest fan, starts giving Knox some winning tips from a real live angel named Al (Christopher Lloyd).  The team miraculously climbs back into the pennant race…all the while learning to believe in themselves.  Join us for a great family movie, good food and fellowship.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Running the Race of Faith” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 2 Timothy 4:6-8.  Because Christ has already won the victory for us, our race of faith is worth the struggle of the run.  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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Bulletin Announcements

October 9, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 17:19:  And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”  Only one of the ten lepers cleansed returns to give thanks to Jesus.  Why is that?  Surely the rest were indeed thankful to be freed from such a terrible disease.  But only the Samaritan leper had faith: and his faith turned into action, as all true faith does.  Our generosity to God’s work in the Church is likewise our faith in action.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS, meeting in the basement at 9:15 a.m. continues a DVD based study: “Jesus – Legend of 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:  Samson is the subject of this week’s Sunday School lesson. Students learn that Jesus repeats and completes Samson’s deeds of deliverance for us and for our salvation.  When we are weak, He is strong!  Consider asking, “What was the true source of Samson’s strength?  Who is the source of our strength?”

TODAY is our monthly door Offering for our Seminary Student Jeremy Hercamp.  The Hercamps sent a recent letter and it is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

PASTOR APPRECIATION SUNDAY:  Today we will celebrate Pastor Appreciation Sunday.  This year is the 25th Anniversary of Pastor Lueck’s Ordination.  A potluck dinner is scheduled following the 10:30 worship service.  There are sign-up sheets on the table in the narthex. Please put your name, how many will be attending and what you will be bringing to share.

FOOD COLLECTION:  Beginning today we will begin 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.

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

OCTOBER’S FRIDAY NIGHT MOVIE will be on Friday, October 21ST at 6:30 p.m.  Catch the movie that flew over the fence and into the hearts of millions of cheering fans!  It’s Disney’s “ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD”, the feel-good film about a young boy praying for a father – and a struggling baseball team praying for a pennant.  Danny Glover plays George Knox, the frustrated coach of the California Angels, a ragtag team of major-league misfits who are down on their luck.  But things begin to look up when 11-year-old Roger, their biggest fan, starts giving Knox some winning tips from a real live angel named Al (Christopher Lloyd).  The team miraculously climbs back into the pennant race…all the while learning to believe in themselves.  Join us for a great family movie, good food and fellowship.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Know This Word – Your Life Depends On It” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 2 Timothy 3:16.  The Bible provides a strategy for survival in an uncertain world.  It can break hearts of stone and replace them with living hearts open to God’s truth.  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 for October 2016

Elder and Usher Schedule

Date
8:00
Elder
10:30
Oct 2Ben Holland, Joshua Parry, Mike Field, Paul GerikeNathan KluenderGreg McNeely, Holden Lueck
Oct 9Daryle Schempp,
Nathan Kluender		Curt KesslerMike Huth, Ryan Kleiboeker, Theron Noth
Oct 16Craig Culp, Gerald Semelka, Jeff Piper, Steve ParryBarry HamlinBryan Reichert, Brian Dirks
Oct 23Gene Fuller, Richard RossPaul GerikeGreg McNeely, Holden Lueck, Will Dowell
Oct 30Ben Holland, Joshua Parry, Mike Field, Paul GerikeCurt KesslerBud Kessler, Marvin Huth

Acolyte Schedule

Date
8:00 AM
10:30 AM
Oct 2Lucas PiperPastor/Elder
Oct 9Pastor/ElderJustin McNeely
Oct 16Garett SheleyPastor/Elder
Oct 23Pastor/ElderChristian Dowell
Oct 30J.T. PiperWilliam McNeely

Stewardship Corner October 2016

Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.  If you believe this gospel, if you stand upon it, cling to it, you are saved.  Trust in this is the dividing line.  It defines, either positively or negatively, all men.  It separates and divides Cain from Abel, Job from his so-called friends, Abraham from Abimelech, Isaac from Ishmael, Jacob from Esau, David from Saul, Daniel from Belshazzar, Joseph from Herod, Lazarus from the rich man, and the tax collector from the Pharisee.  What defines men is not whether they are good or bad, but whether or not they believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

The problem with man is his heart.  Our hearts are fallen and predisposed to think that we can impress God.  We think that if we do all the right things God will reward us, and we will escape evil.  We think that God will be impressed with our gifts, that our prosperity and goodness is evidence that God loves us or that it should motivate God to love us.

But we know better because God has blessed us with the faith of Abel, Job, and Abraham.  We know that God’s grace in Christ saves us, not our works.

We know that God is not impressed with our giving.  He is not impressed when we give him that which is already his.  God doesn’t benefit from our giving and He doesn’t need it.  But our neighbor does need it.  And God delights in us growing more and more like Him.  He blesses us, and He invites us to bless one another with our giving: so that the Gospel may be proclaimed, so that the poor may be fed, so that all God’s work through the Church may be done.

So consider God’s priorities in comparison to your own.  And be honest.  Reevaluate where you are and where God has called you to be.  Look into your own bank statement.  Would any accountant think that the Church was your priority?  He would see a spreadsheet filled with where your money actually goes:  into house and clothing and cars, into eating out and beauty supplies and entertainment.  Indeed, much of it wasted on frivolous things.  But would he find great percentages going to the church?  Figure up the percentage.  Put it in relation to the proportion of your income.  What percentage of your income do you give for the mission of the church:  the preaching and teaching, the baptizing and communing, the help for the weak and poor brothers of Christ?  Is it even enough for a deduction when you file your income taxes?  The widow gave all she had and thought nothing of it.  She was glad to do it.  The rich man gave what to him was a meaningless, trifle amount and desired a plaque in his honor.  Why is it that the less we give the prouder we are and the more credit we expect?

All your works, even your monetary gifts, done in faith please God now for Christ’s sake.  No matter how great or small, frequent or infrequent.  They are all washed and cleansed by grace through faith on account of Christ.  Whatever you do from faith in God pleases Him for the sake of the Son.  So reevaluate your generosity in the light of the grace of Christ.  Freely  you have received, freely give.

Celebrating October 2016

Birthdays

10/1 Thomas Anderson
10/2 E.F. Bud Barnett
10/10 Stacia Dowell
10/10 Fern Noth
10/11 Barry Hamlin
10/11 Jessica Isaac
10/12 Payton Biddle
10/12 John Hardy
10/15 Travis Henson
10/15 Maria Kirchner
10/17 Jacquelyn Semelka
10/21 Shane Miller
10/23 Audrey Gronert
10/23 Chloe Hitch
10/24 Teresa Casselman
10/25 Abby Biddle
10/28 Cheryl Reichert

Baptismal Birthdays

10/2 Eli McNeely
10/2 William McNeely
10/3 Chad Lueck
10/4 Brian Dirks
10/9 William Huber
10/9 Andrea Reichert
10/13 Ryne Brewer
10/20 Cleo Korte
10/27 Steve Davis

Pastor’s Notes October 2016

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

These words of Jesus are actually used twice in the gospels.  Here in Matthew and also in Luke 14 in conjunction with the “Parable of the Wedding Feast.”

As I write this, the Lueck family has had quite the week with the accolades Holden received with a football game he played in.  The night of the game he scored two touchdowns including the game-winner on an interception.  As you can imagine his father was quite proud.  I was feeling pretty good that evening.  After the game Toni and I watched Holden on the field being interviewed by the local newspaper and TV station.  The “exaltation” was sky high.

Then came the humbleness.  Toni said that we had to collect all the sweaty, mud-caked jerseys because she was taking them home to wash them.  I collected a good amount in a garbage bag and made my way to the car.  As I walked through the mud and muck the Lord reminded me of this verse I have put before you.  The father of the star player that night was “humbled” by carrying the smelly uniforms to said vehicle.  From proud peacock to the prodigal with the pigs in a matter of minutes.  You gotta love the Lord!

Jesus was exalted with a parade through the streets of Jerusalem.  Within a matter of days he was humbled through His obedience on the cross.  He took our sweaty, dirty, stinky, filthy clothes of unrighteousness over his back and made them clean again.  When He rose on Easter Sunday His humbleness had exalted us to a life of forgiveness and an eternal field where we will be clothed in the uniform of righteousness for His name’s sake.

In Christ,

Pastor