December 25, 2016
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: John 1:5: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Through all of our hardships, all of our sorrows, all of our pains and loneliness: Jesus’ light shines in the darkness, and we are not overcome. In the face of our sin, in the midst of our pettiness, against all our pride: Jesus’ light shines and illuminates our hearts, and changes us, day by day, into a greater reflection of His likeness.
PASTOR’S SCHEDULE: Pastor will be on vacation this week in various pursuits – Christmas in Wisconsin; helping at the State Farm Holiday Basketball Classic and sleeping! In an emergency he can be reached on his cell at (309) 838-0306.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE: New Year’s Eve Worship with Holy Communion will take place at 7:00 p.m. Next Sunday, New Year’s Day, we will hold our regular worship services at 8:00 a.m. and at 10:30 a.m. along with Sunday School and Adult Bible Class. Holy Communion will be celebrated in the 8:00 a.m. service.
2017 OFFERING ENVELOPES: Your 2017 Offering Envelopes are available on the cart that is located in the narthex. We encourage everyone to pick up your envelopes!
PORTALS OF PRAYER: The January—March 2017 Portals of Prayer are available on the book rack 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.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Right On Time, Just When We Need His Grace” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Galatians 4:4-7. It’s the right time to repent, turn to God, ask for His help, and trust in the risen Savior, Jesus Christ. 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 cell phone# is (309) 532-2582. The Prayer Request box is on the table in the narthex for any written requests.