Bulletin Announcements

April 15, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.”  There is the essence of our sanctification: becoming like our Lord.  As St. John notes, this will only be completed in the Resurrection.  But until then we are called to trust His grace and to grow into His image more and more.

NEED A RIDE? If you are unable to drive to church, we have an option that is available.  Please speak with Pastor who has the details.  Thank you.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the MAY NEWSLETTER.  Janet Evans is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or you may call her at (309) 838-1552.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Good Shepherd is once again privileged to serve a “Talk Time Meal” to International Students on the campus of Illinois State University.  We will do this on this coming Friday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m.  To sign-up to prepare and serve the meal look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex.

FROM THE OFFICE:  If you would like to send a card to our Custodian, Roman Lenart, following his knee replacement surgery, his address is:  305 Carl Dr., Bloomington IL 61704.

FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Because we no longer have the Soccer Club our lawn mowing budgeted for 2018 is $500.00 short of the bid the Board of Trustees have been working on.  If you would like to contribute to this, mark your contribution accordingly and thank you!

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and Toni will once again participate in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” this coming Saturday, April 21st.  The Walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal.  If you would like to pledge a dollar amount to their walk or if you would like to walk please speak with Pastor.  Thank you!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  We have a big weekend planned this summer so please get these dates on your calendar.  Saturday, July 14th, we will host a Red Cross Blood Drive with breakfast served.  Sunday, July 15th, we will have one worship service outside under a tent at 9:00 a.m. to celebrate and thank God for having paid half of the cost of our building.  Sunday School and Bible Class will convene inside at 10:15 a.m.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Payer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 we have two separate sign-ups: Donut Pick-up and Coffee Set-up.  We would like to encourage you to sign-up for one or the other.  You may also sign-up for both if you wish.  The sign-up is by the door by the north stairwell.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “What’s In a Name?” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Acts 1:42.  We live in a disposable age.  If something wears out, breaks down or is lost, we replace it.  But who or what can replace Jesus?  Who else can sae us?  Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus is the speaker.  Hear his 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.

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.

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 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

April 8, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 20:19 – “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.’ ”  The peace we have in Jesus is what makes a life of good works possible.  Since we know that it is Jesus who saved us, and not our works, we are now free to do good works not out of self-interest, but for the right reasons: out of thanksgiving toward God and love for our neighbors.

NEED A RIDE? If you are unable to drive to church, we have an option that is available.  Please speak with Pastor who has the details.  Thank you.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

TODAY is our Offering for Seminarian Brent Keller.  Mr. Keller and his family will with us on Sunday, April 29th.  He will preach and conduct Bible Class on that day.

APRIL FAMILY MOVE NIGHT:  “The Stray” tells the true story of a dog who saves a struggling family in more ways than one.  “Pluto” comes out of nowhere and quickly makes himself at home with the Davis Family, who are on the brink of falling apart.  In just a short time, Pluto the “wonder dog” manages to save a lost toddler, bring comfort and companionship to a hurting nine-year-old boy, helps to restore a marriage and repair a broken father-son relationship. Pluto is not only a guard dog – he’s a guardian angel.  Join us this coming Friday, April 13th, for another great movie, fine food and wonderful fellowship.

FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Because we no longer have the Soccer Club our lawn mowing budgeted for 2018 is $500.00 short of the bid the Board of Trustees have been working on.  If you would like to contribute to this, mark your contribution accordingly and thank you!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Good Shepherd is once again privileged to serve a “Talk Time Meal” to International Students on the campus of Illinois State University.  We will do this on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m.  To sign-up to prepare and serve the meal look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex.

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and Toni will once again participate in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” on Saturday, April 21st.  The Walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal.  If you would like to pledge a dollar amount to their walk or if you would like to walk please speak with Pastor.  Thank you!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  We have a big weekend planned this summer so please get these dates on your calendar.  Saturday, July 14th, we will host a Red Cross Blood Drive with breakfast served.  Sunday, July 15th, we will have one worship service outside under a tent at 9:00 a.m. to celebrate and thank God for having paid half of the cost of our building.  Sunday School and Bible Class will convene inside at 10:15 a.m.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Payer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 we have two separate sign-ups: Donut Pick-up and Coffee Set-up.  We would like to encourage you to sign-up for one or the other.  You may also sign-up for both if you wish.  The sign-up is by the door by the north stairwell.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Peace To You” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Luke 24:36-49  Christians often say, “The Lord be with you”.  What does that look like?  And how do you know Jesus is indeed with you?  Jesus’ visit to His first disciples shows us the how and what of confidence in Christ.  Reverend Dr. Dale A. Meyer is the speaker.  Hear his 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.

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.

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 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

– Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 – 

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  John 20:1 – “Now on the first day of the week …”  All is made new by the Resurrection of Jesus!  Even the day of worship has transitioned from the Old Testament’s Saturday Sabbath to the Lord’s Day of the New Testament.  For the Lord has made all things new: He has begun a new week for a new creation in rising from the dead as the New Adam. We are also made new in Him – a new heart, a new life, new desires, a new outlook toward God: all this comes from our Risen Lord’s grace.

NEED A RIDE? If you are unable to drive to church, we have an option that is available.  Please speak with Pastor who has the details.  Thank you.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

FROM THE OFFICE:  It is time again to renew our Lutheran Witness subscriptions.  If anyone is not currently receiving Lutheran Witness and would like to do so, please contact the church office.  There are 11 monthly magazines for an annual fee of $15.96.  Please renew by TODAY!  Thank you.

FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Because we no longer have the Soccer Club our lawn mowing budgeted for 2018 is $500.00 short of the bid the Board of Trustees have been working on.  If you would like to contribute to this, mark your contribution accordingly and thank you!

APRIL FAMILY MOVE NIGHT:  “The Stray” tells the true story of a dog who saves a struggling family in more ways than one.  “Pluto” comes out of nowhere and quickly makes himself at home with the Davis Family, who are on the brink of falling apart.  In just a short time, Pluto the “wonder dog” manages to save a lost toddler, bring comfort and companionship to a hurting nine-year-old boy, helps to restore a marriage and repair a broken father-son relationship. Pluto is not only a guard dog – he’s a guardian angel.  Join us Friday, April 13th, for another great movie, fine food and wonderful fellowship.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Good Shepherd is once again privileged to serve a “Talk Time Meal” to International Students on the campus of Illinois State University.  We will do this on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m.  To sign-up to prepare and serve the meal look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex.

“WALK FOR LIFE”:  Pastor and Toni will once again participate in the Pregnancy Resource Center’s “Walk For Life” on Saturday, April 21st.  The Walk will be held at Christ Church, PCA in Normal.  If you would like to pledge a dollar amount to their walk or if you would like to walk please speak with Pastor.  Thank you!

OUR CHURCH DIRECTORY:  It’s time once again to update everyone’s address, phone numbers, email, etc.  Please check the reports on the table in the narthex and make any changes necessary to the listing.  Thanks!

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR for a Special Service scheduled this summer.  On Sunday, July 15th, we will have one worship service at 9:00 a.m. outside on our north lawn, under a tent, to give thanks to God for having paid off half the cost to build our church!  What a blessed milestone.  We have a few other things planned that weekend and we will get those details to you as they become available.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Payer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

FELLOWSHIP HOSTS:  In order to get more people involved in our Coffee/Donut Fellowship for 2018 we have two separate sign-ups: Donut Pick-up and Coffee Set-up.  We would like to encourage you to sign-up for one or the other.  You may also sign-up for both if you wish.  The sign-up is by the door by the north stairwell.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “It’s Really Real” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from 1 John 1:1-3  Here’s the deal.  If Jesus actually rose from the dead, it would be wise to believe in Him because there will be salvation in no one else.  If He didn’t rise, we’re all toast.  Hear why you can be confident Jesus’ resurrection is really real.  Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus is the speaker.  Hear his 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.

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 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 25, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Zechariah 9:9 – “Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  No king ever rode to war like this. But no king had ever come to wage battle by dying. In His Passion, our Lord Jesus gives everything He has and is; He does this to bring us from death to life and to make us His own people.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

EASTER LILIES:  If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the altar for Easter Sunday, there is signup sheet on the table in the narthex.  Lilies are $10.00 each. You may pick them up after late service on Easter Sunday.  Cash or checks made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  On the memo line write “Easter Lily”. Contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 if you have any questions.

OUR HOLY WEEK WORSHIP SCHEDULE IS AS FOLLOWS:  Maundy Thursday Worship w/Holy Communion at 7:00 p.m.  We continue our “Gospel In Seven Words” Lenten theme throughout Holy Week.  The Message: “Jesus Comes to Feed My Hungry Soul”.  Good Friday is our brief Tre Ore Service at noon.  The evening Tenebrae Worship w/Holy Communion that is especially meaningful will have the sermon, “Jesus Is Lord, Even Over My Death”.  On Easter Sunday, both the 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Worship Services celebrate Holy Communion.  The Easter message is: “Jesus Christ Rose, So We Might Live”.  Sunday School and the Adult Bible Class is 9:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.  Easter Breakfast served from 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

EASTER SUNDAY:  One week from today is Easter Sunday (April 1st).  In our 7:00 a.m. worship service the beginning of our worship will begin in the lower parking lot as we dedicate our new Church Sign.  For those unable to traverse the incline we have made arrangements for transportation up and down the hill.  Please speak with Pastor if you need this assistance.  Thank God for our Church family as we keep everyone involved.

FROM THE OFFICE:  It is time again to renew our Lutheran Witness subscriptions.  If anyone is not currently receiving Lutheran Witness and would like to do so, please contact the church office.  There are 11 monthly magazines for an annual fee of $15.96.  Please renew by next Sunday, April 1st.  Thank you.

CAMERA MALFUNCTION:  Curt and Kyryth Kessler are experiencing technical difficulties with the Sanctuary camera used to record the weekly service and sermon for your viewing. For two weeks in a row, the camera failed to record and we are working to discover and correct the problem.    We greatly apologize for the inconvenience to all of you who look forward to the weekly viewing of the service and sermon.  Please be assured our priority is to get this fixed as soon as we can!  In His Service, Curt and Kyryth (Kat) Kessler

FROM OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  Because we no longer have the Soccer Club our lawn mowing budgeted for 2018 is $500.00 short of the bid the Board of Trustees have been working on.  If you would like to contribute to this, mark your contribution accordingly and thank you!

APRIL FAMILY MOVE NIGHT:  “The Stray” tells the true story of a dog who saves a struggling family in more ways than one.  “Pluto” comes out of nowhere and quickly makes himself at home with the Davis Family, who are on the brink of falling apart.  In just a short time, Pluto the “wonder dog” manages to save a lost toddler, bring comfort and companionship to a hurting nine-year-old boy, helps to restore a marriage and repair a broken father-son relationship. Pluto is not only a guard dog – he’s a guardian angel.  Join us Friday, April 13th, for another great movie, fine food and wonderful fellowship.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:  Good Shepherd is once again privileged to serve a “Talk Time Meal” to International Students on the campus of Illinois State University.  We will do this on Friday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m.  To sign-up to prepare and serve the meal look for the sign-up  sheet in the narthex.

OUR CHURCH DIRECTORY:  It’s time once again to update everyone’s address, phone numbers, email, etc.  Please check the reports on the table in the narthex and make any changes necessary to the listing.  Thanks!

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Payer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “They Were Afraid, You Know?” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Mark 16:1-8.  It takes a lot to overcome fear, a lot of words, in fact a lifetime of words.  Let this Easter Day be a new beginning of trusting Jesus’ Words of resurrection and life!  Reverend Dr. Dale Meyers is the speaker.  Hear his 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.

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.

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 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 18, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Genesis 22:2 – “He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’ ”  It’s hard for us to even fathom a faith as strong as Abraham’s: he follows the Lord’s Word even when it seems impossibly hard.  But he does so because he knows that the Lord only means to bless.  What happened here to Abraham should be an encouragement for us: trust the Lord and keep His Word.

NEED A RIDE? If you are unable to drive to church, we have an option that is available.  Please speak with Pastor who has the details.  Thank you.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

TODAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the APRIL NEWSLETTER.  Janet Evans is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or you may call her at (309) 838-1552.

OUR MIDWEEK LENTEN WORSHIP:  The last of our Wednesday Lenten Worship Services is at 7:00 p.m. this week.  The message, “The Gospel In Your Words”.  The freewill Offering at the 5:30 p.m. dinner will help the ministry of Wittenberg Lutheran Center at Illinois State.  Sign-up to bring food items is on the table in the narthex.

EASTER LILIES:  If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the altar for Easter Sunday, there is signup sheet on the table in the narthex.  Lilies are $10.00 each. You may pick them up after late service on Easter Sunday.  Cash or checks made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  On the memo line write “Easter Lily”. Contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 if you have any questions.

EASTER SUNDAY:  Two weeks from today is Easter Sunday (April 1st).  in our 7:00 a.m. worship service the beginning of our worship will begin in the lower parking lot as we dedicate our new Church Sign.  For those unable to traverse the incline we have made arrangements for transportation up and down the hill.  Please speak with Pastor if you need this assistance.  Thank God for our Church family as we keep everyone involved.

OUR CHURCH DIRECTORY:  It’s time once again to update everyone’s address, phone numbers, email, etc.  Please check the reports on the table in the narthex and make any changes necessary to the listing.  Thanks!

FROM THE OFFICE:  It is time again to renew our Lutheran Witness subscriptions.  If anyone is not currently receiving Lutheran Witness and would like to do so, please contact the church office.  There are 11 monthly magazines for an annual fee of $15.96.  Please renew by April 1st.  Thank you.

PORTALS OF PRAYER:  The April – June Portals of Payer are available on the book rack in the narthex.  Pick up your free copy today.

CAMP CILCA:  Brochures for Camp CILCA Summer 2018 are on the table in the narthex.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Pastor Lueck for the shut-in visits, the questions to Charlie regarding my condition and progress, the wonderful get well cards we received, the beautiful shawl Shirley Potter made for me during my recovery, the flowers and gifts from family and six grandchildren, the important documents and other things Craig and Penny have taken care of in my absence, and my loving husband who is with me every day helping me get through this critical time.  Thanks to all of you and God bless you!  Joann Nottingham

THE MOVIE: “TORTURED FOR CHRIST”:  The congregation has another opportunity to attend a film like last summer’s Martin Luther movie.  This one is entitled “Tortured For Christ” and is the story of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand from Romania and his story under Communist rule following World War II.  (Pastor has read two books about both Pastor Wurrmbrand and his wife if you have any questions.)  The showing is TOMORROW, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at the AMC Starplex in Normal.  Tickets can be purchased online at:   www.torturedforchrist.com.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “And They Crucified Him” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Mark 14:24a.  It takes a lot to overcome fear, a lot of words, in fact a lifetime of words.  Let this Easter Day be a new beginning of trusting Jesus’ words of resurrection and life!  Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus is the speaker.  Hear his 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.

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.

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 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 11, 2018

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Even the good we do in this world is a gift from God, prepared beforehand for us to do. And this too is a gift! For isn’t doing good also a good thing for the one who does it? So from first to last, from the Lord’s free salvation given to us to the good works He’s prepared for us to walk in, it is all a gift of God’s grace.

NEED A RIDE? If you are unable to drive to church, we have an option that is available.  Please speak with Pastor who has the details.  Thank you.

OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation we continue studies on that time period.  We are studying “A Man Named Martin”, a video-based study on the reformer Martin Luther.

TODAY is our monthly door Offering for Seminarian Michael Brent Keller.  You have seen both his names these last few months but we learned this week he likes to go by Brent.  Seminarian Keller and his family will be here on Sunday, April 29th, when he will preach and conduct Adult Bible Class.  Also, we have received a Thank you note from Seminarian Brent and his family and it is posted on the bulletin board outside the church office.

TODAY:  The Sunday Evening Small Group Bible Study is beginning a new study today, March 11th, at 5:00 p.m.  “Lutheranism 101: Worship” will be our learning experience.  We invite everyone to this class as we expand our knowledge together.

OUR MIDWEEK LENTEN SERVICE 5 gathers in the Lord’s House this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.  The message: “Isolation and Community” under our Lenten theme, “The Gospel In Seven Words”.  The Boards of Education and Trustees will be providing the Italian Cena (dinner) at 5:30 p.m.  There will be no II Conto (the check) but the freewill Offering will go to Laborers For Christ.  Chi mangia bene, vive bene (Who eats well, lives well).

THE LADIES MORNING BIBLE STUDY will meet on this Tuesday, March 13th at 9:30 a.m.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the APRIL NEWSLETTER.  Janet Evans is our Editor for the church newsletter and any announcements you want to be published in the Newsletter should be submitted to her at goodshepherdblm@frontier.com or you may call her at (309) 838-1552.

EASTER LILIES:  If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily for the altar for Easter Sunday, there is signup sheet on the table in the narthex.  Lilies are $10.00 each. You may pick them up after late service on Easter Sunday.  Cash or checks made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.  On the memo line write “Easter Lily”. Contact Jackie Kwasny at (309) 662-4995 if you have any questions.

CAMP CILCA:  Brochures for Camp CILCA Summer 2018 are on the table in the narthex.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Pastor Lueck for the shut-in visits, the questions to Charlie regarding my condition and progress, the wonderful get well cards we received, the beautiful shawl Shirley Potter made for me during my recovery, the flowers and gifts from family and six grandchildren, the important documents and other things Craig and Penny have taken care of in my absence, and my loving husband who is with me every day helping me get through this critical time.  Thanks to all of you and God bless you!                   Joann Nottingham

THE MOVIE: “TORTURED FOR CHRIST”:  The congregation has another opportunity to attend a film like last summer’s Martin Luther movie.  This one is entitled “Tortured For Christ” and is the story of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand from Romania and his story under Communist rule following World War II.  (Pastor has read two books about both Pastor Wurrmbrand and his wife if you have any questions.)  The showing is Monday, March 19th at 7:30 p.m. at the AMC Starplex in Normal.  Tickets can be purchased online at: www.torturedforchrist.com.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Thrown Into the Arms of God” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Mark 10:32-45.  The desire to advance your own interests can alienate you from others and God.  Serving others without thought of reward is God’s way forward for followers of Jesus. Reverend Dr. Dale Meyer is the speaker.  Hear his 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.

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.

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 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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