November 27, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 21:3:   “If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.””  Just a colt and her foal.  How significant could they be?  Could they really be used by the Lord for some great, heavenly purpose?  This is one facet of stewardship we often forget: the blessing it is to us to be of service in the Lord’s kingdom.  What honor the Lord bestows upon us by using our gifts for His goals!

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 explored the story “God Forgives David.”  Just as God accepted and forgave King David and other great saints who committed grave sins, so He accepts and forgives us, all for the sake of Christ.  Parents could ask, “Who reminds you of your sins?  Who tells you about forgiveness?

TODAY:  You are invited to join the Evangelism/Stewardship Board as we decorate the church for the Advent/Christmas Season today after the 10:30 worship.  We will order pizza and be merry!

TODAY:  Advent Devotion Booklets are available on the table in the narthex.  Pick up your copy today.  Reflect on your own Christmas memories while you take an Advent journey with the Gospel writer Luke as he shares the story of the Savior’s birth.

MIDWEEK ADVENT WORSHIP:  The first of our three Advent Worship Services is this Wednesday, November 30th, at 7:00 p.m.  The theme for our Advent/Christmas messages is “Family Life”.  This week’s sermon is “Two Families”.  A meal is served at 5:30 p.m. and you may sign-up in the narthex to bring food.  The free-will Offering will go to Mr. Jeremy Hercamp, the seminary student at Concordia Theological Seminary who we support.

SPECIAL WORSHIP AND BIBLE CLASS:  Please join us for worship and Bible Class on Sunday, December 18^th, as we have two special things planned for that day.  Both the 8:00 and 10:30 worship will be “A Service of Lessons and Carols” led by our Choir.  There will be no Holy Communion in either service.  Because of this, we will have Holy Communion in both worship services on Sunday, December 11^th.  Also that morning Karson Lueck will lead the Bible Class.  Karson will present part two of his topic, “The Church and Millenials”.  We encourage all adults and young people to be part of this timely and interesting study.

THE LADIES MORNING BIBLE STUDY will be meeting at the home of Diane Benjamin on Tuesday, December 13^th at 9:30 a.m.

MARK YOU CALENDARS:  Please be sure to mark your calendars that Good Shepherd will just have one Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.  The Sunday School and Adult Bible Class will not meet that morning.

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.

YOU ARE INVITED:  Christ Lutheran Church in Normal invites you to take a free guided 20 minute walking tour and experience “The Journey” that Mary and Joseph took so many years ago.  This tour features indoor and outdoor scenes with live drama, animals and singing.  “Journeys begin inside every 10 minutes between 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 11^th.  Free cookies and hot chocolate will be available.  Meals are also available for purchase between 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.  For more information please call the church at (309) 452-5609.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Wait Until He Comes!” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Isaiah 11:1-10.  A broken world waits, yearns, and hopes for restoration.  Jesus has already done everything to make that restoration a reality.  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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November 20, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Colossians 1:18:  “And He is the head of the body, the church.”  We are part of the Body of Christ; He is our Head.  Where He goes, we follow.  His thoughts direct our actions.  This is how the people of God learn how to give, and why they give: Because Jesus gives, indeed He gives all He has.

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 account “David Becomes King.”  Just as David reigned over Israel, so the God-man, Jesus, our David, reigns over the kingdom of grace, of which we are citizens.  Consider asking, “How was King David different from King Saul?  How does Jesus serve as our King?”

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

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP with Holy Communion will take place at 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday, November 23^rd.

“DECK THE HALLS”:  The Evangelism/Stewardship Board is hosting Christmas Decorating of the Church next Sunday, November 27^th, following the 10:30 worship service.  We will order pizza and enjoy fun and fellowship as we prepare for the birth of the Savior.

ADVENT SUPPER SIGN-UP:  Sign-ups are now available for the Advent Suppers that will be before our Advent Worship Services.  The dates will be November 30^th, December 7^th and December 14^th.  Each night we will have a free-will offering at the meal designated to help a person or mission we support.

MARK YOU CALENDARS:  Please be sure to mark your calendars that Good Shepherd will just have one Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.  The Sunday School and Adult Bible Class will not meet that morning.

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.

FUND-RAISER FOR WITTENBERG LUTHERAN CENTER:  Give the cook a break before Thanksgiving!  Plan to arrange your dietary calendar around this coming Tuesday NOVEMBER 22^nd and the delightful menu offered by Rosati’s Authentic Chicago Pizza in Normal!  A portion of all their proceeds for the entire day will be designated for the Campus Ministry and students at Wittenberg.  Whether you dine-in, carry-out, or have your food delivered, mention the name “Wittenberg Lutheran Center” when ordering and Wittenber will receive a percentage of your total bill.  They have a full menu of pizza, pasta, calzones, salads, and tasty deserts.  Rosati’s is located at 1720 Bradford Lane (off Raab Rd.), Suite A, in Normal.  For fast, friendly delivery or carry out, call 309-888-4949.  Thank you!

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “The Perfect Christmas” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Galatians 4:4-5.  The first Christmas was anything but perfect.  Then again, if everything had been just as it should be, we wouldn’t have needed a Savior.  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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November 13, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Luke 21:6:  “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”  Everything in this world is headed for the graveyard – but some things are also destined to rise from the grave.  On that Day of Resurrection as we look back on our earthly life, what will we see?  What will have really mattered?  This is a good question to ask ourselves in this season of the Church Year that focuses on the Last Things.

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS:  John Hardy, a member of our congregation, will lead the Adult Bible Class in the basement at 9:15 a.m.  John has been working with Laborers For Christ and he will share his experiences.

TODAY IN SUNDAY SCHOOL students study the story of “David and Jonathan”.  Just as David’s and Jonathan’s brotherly love for each other reflected the love of God within their hearts, so, too, our love for others is the reflection of God’s love given to us through Christ.  Parents could ask, “How did David and Jonathan demonstrate their love and care for each other?  How does God demonstrate His love and care for us?”

TODAY:  Thank you to Reverend David Ehlers from Our Redeemer Lutheran in Bloomington for being with us today.  We pray the Lord’s Blessings upon Pastor Ehlers and his work for the Lord.  Pastor, Toni, and Holden are visiting Karson at college this weekend and worshipping with him.

TODAY will be our monthly Door Offering for Seminary student Jeremy Hercamp.  Jeremy is a student at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN.

TODAY IS GOOD SHEPHERD’S ANNUAL VOTER’S MEETING:  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.

COMMITMENT ENVELOPES:  If you did not pick up your 2016 Commitment Envelope you can find it on the table in the narthex.  Today the Stewardship/Evangelism Board will hand out the 2017 Commitment Cards.  Please fill out and bring them back for “Stewardship Sunday”, next Sunday, November 20^th.

GOOD SHEPHERD FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT is this coming Friday, November 18^th, at 6:30 p.m.  We will be showing the movie, “COURAGEOUS, Honor Begins at Home”.  It is a powerful, entertaining and life-changing movie about law enforcement officers facing a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: “fatherhood”.  Join us for a good movie, good food and great fellowship.

NEXT SUNDAY is the deadline for items to be submitted for the DECEMBER 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.

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP with Holy Communion will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23^rd.

“DECK THE HALLS”:  The Evangelism/Stewardship Board is hosting Christmas Decorating of the Church on Sunday, November 27^th, following the 10:30 worship service.  We will order pizza and enjoy fun and fellowship as we prepare for the birth of the Savior.

ADVENT SUPPER SIGN-UP:  Sign-ups are now available for the Advent Suppers that will be before our Advent Worship Services.  The dates will be November 30^th, December 7^th and December 14^th.  Each night we will have a different free-will Offering at the meal to help a person or Mission we support.

MARK YOU CALENDARS:  Please be sure to mark your calendars that Good Shepherd will just have one Worship Service at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas Day.  The Sunday School and Adult Bible Class will not meet that morning.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “In Christ, Deliverance Is Sure” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Colossians 1:13-20.  Jesus breaks through into our dark world to bring us light and hope from above.  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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November 6, 2016

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 5:6:  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” You only hunger and thirst for what you don’t have. Jesus has come to fill us up with righteousness – His own righteousness.  He is the self-giving Lord whose sacrifice inspires us to be givers, too.

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:  The lesson for today is the well-known story of “David and Goliath.” As David slew the giant Goliath, so Jesus, our David, slew the jeering giants of sin, Satan, and death with the weapon of His own death.  Discuss, “How could David approach his battle with Goliath confidently?  How can we face the ‘Goliaths’ in our life with confidence?”

TODAY:  You may pick up today in the narthex your 2016 Commitment Envelope.  Next Sunday, November 13^th, we will hand out the Commitment Cards for 2017.  The following Sunday, November 20^th, will be “Stewardship Sunday” and we will place our Commitments into the Lord’s hands.

NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES:  Please note that on this coming Tuesday, November 8th, Good Shepherd will be a Polling Place for the General Election.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S ANNUAL VOTER’S MEETING is NEXT Sunday, November 13^th.   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 and the slate of candidates for your review before the upcoming Meeting.  Pick up your copies today.

THANKSGIVING EVE WORSHIP with Holy Communion will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23^rd.

“DECK THE HALLS”:  The Evangelism/Stewardship Board is hosting Christmas Decorating of the Church on Sunday, November 27^th, following the 10:30 worship service.  We will order pizza and enjoy fun and fellowship as we prepare for the birth of the Savior.

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.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “The Day of Hope Is Coming!” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Malachi 4:1-6.  There is hope when God acts in the midst of our helplessness.  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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