August 13, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 14:30: “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”  The world, really, is a scary place – natural disasters, disease, terrorism, and a hundred other things.  But where do we place our hope, our trust – our vision?  Where do we look for aid and comfort?  When Peter’s eyes were on the Lord, he had confidence.  When he turned to look at his problems and took his eyes off the Lord, he fell apart.  Sometimes God’s call to support the work of His Church with our offerings makes us nervous.  But put your eyes back on your Lord, trust Him, follow His Word, and all, really, will be well.

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 2^nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. As we celebrate the 500^th 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.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT:  “THE MUSIC MAN”, the joyful film of the 1,375-performance Broadway smash, remains an irresistible skyburst of Americana.  Robert Preston recreates his Tony-winning Broadway triumph as con artist, Harold Hill, arriving in River City, Iowa, to form a boys band, much to the disapproval…and later delight of town librarian Marian Paroo (Academy Award winner Shirley Jones).  Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford and 7-year old Ron Howard co-star.  Meredith Willson’s sassy, brassy score, is orchestrated to Oscar-winning effect by Ray Heindorf.  SHEER ENTERTAINMENT.  HOLLYWOOD’S SHOW MAGIC AT ITS BEST.   Join us for a fun evening with a great movie, good food and fellowship this coming Friday, August 18^th at 6:30pm.

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

GOOD SHEPHERD’S ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC is Sunday, August 27^th at Tipton Trails Park in Bloomington.  Start time at approximately 12:00 p.m.  Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex and on another sheet to let the Board know what you are bringing.  Thank you.

THE BLOOD DRIVE for Saturday, September 2^nd, had to be cancelled by the American Red Cross.  We are looking to reschedule a date in the next month or two.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS:  It’s that time again for the LWML’s Project Lutheran World Relief School Kits.  We need your help filling the School Kits with the following items for each School Bag:  4 Notebooks; 1 Ruler; 1 Pencil Sharpener; 1 Scissor; 5 Pencils; 5 Pens; 1 Box of Crayons; 1 Eraser; 1 Book Bag.  If you have any questions, please see or contact Joann Hart (309) 310-9205.  Thank you for your help!

DID YOU NOTICE SOMETHING NEW IN THE NORTH STAIRWELL?  The Banner hanging in the north stairwell is a gift from the Don Gronert Family.  His daughter Marsha made it while in college.  It previously hung in the Gronert’s home entry.

FROM THE OFFICE:  If your son or daughter is going away to college or they no longer live at home, please fill out an Information Sheet located on the table in the narthex.  As their church home, we like to stay in contact during these important years by sending them Pastor’s Sermon and the monthly Church Newsletter.  Please return the form to Sandy in the church office when completed.  We lift our young people up in prayer as their spiritual journey continues.

100^th ANNIVERSARY OF LLL/LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES CHURCH SERVICE: Yes, the Lutheran Layman’s League and Lutheran Hour Ministries is 100 years old.  We will celebrate this anniversary with a Church Service on Sunday, September 3, 2017 at Camp CILCA, Cantrall, IL in the indoor Chapel at 10:30 a.m.  Reverend Ken Schurb will be the speaker and the Offering will go to Camp CILCA Outdoor Ministries.  Please stay after the service for Camp CILCA’s Annual Chicken Dinner and Auction.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “God’s Dog” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Matthew 15:21-28.  Was Jesus being politically correct—or worse—when He compared a Canaanite woman to a canine?  Guest speaker is Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus.  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.

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August 6, 2017

THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP:  Matthew 14:17-18:  “They said to Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” {18} And He said, “Bring them here to Me.””  When the disciples held on to the five loaves and two fish – that’s exactly what they had.  But when they handed them over to the Lord, the multitudes are fed.  Apart from Jesus all we do and all we have is nothing – but in Jesus all we do and have is blessed to be used by the Lord for His gracious work.

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 2^nd level (the west side).

THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m.  In conjunction with the 500^th Anniversary of the Reformation we are studying about that time period with “The Word Endures: Lessons From the Lives of Powerful Politicians”.

FROM THE OFFICE:  After taking a break in July, Boards will be meeting in August.  This coming Tuesday, August 8^th, Evangelism/Stewardship meets at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Elders convening at 7:00 p.m.

QUILTING:  We will start meeting again for Quilt Sewing in August.  Due to the McLean County Fair being held the first week in August; we will meet this coming Thursday, August 10^th from 1-4:00 p.m.  Any questions please see or call Luanne Huth at (309) 829-6897.

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT:  “THE MUSIC MAN”, the joyful film of the 1,375-performance Broadway smash, remains an irresistible skyburst of Americana.  Robert Preston recreates his Tony-winning Broadway triumph as con artist, Harold Hill, arriving in River City, Iowa, to form a boys band, much to the disapproval…and later delight of town librarian Marian Paroo (Academy Award winner Shirley Jones).  Buddy Hackett, Hermione Gingold, Paul Ford and 7-year old Ron Howard co-star.  Meredith Willson’s sassy, brassy score, is orchestrated to Oscar-winning effect by Ray Heindorf.  Sheer Entertainment.  Hollywood’s Show Magic at Its Best.  Join us for a fun evening with a great movie, good food and fellowship on Friday, August 18 at 6:30 pm.

GOOD SHEPHERD’S ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC is Sunday, August 27^th at Tipton Trails Park in Bloomington.  Start time at approximately 12:00 p.m.  Please sign-up on the sheet in the narthex and on another sheet to let the Board know what you are bringing.  Thank you.

GOOD SHEPHERD PARTNERING WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS is giving you a chance to “give the gift of life”.  This Blood Drive will take place in the basement of the church on Saturday, September 2^nd from 8:00 a.m. to Noon.  The finest chefs that Good Shepherd has will be serving breakfast.  Please join your church and community in this time of food, fellowship and phlebotomy.

LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF SCHOOL KITS:  It’s that time again for the LWML’s Project Lutheran World Relief School Kits.  We need your help filling the School Kits with the following items for each School Bag:  4 Notebooks; 1 Ruler; 1 Pencil Sharpener; 1 Scissor; 5 Pencils; 5 Pens; 1 Box of Crayons; 1 Eraser; 1 Book Bag.  If you have any questions, please see or contact Joann Hart (309) 310-9205.  Thank you for your help!

DID YOU NOTICE SOMETHING NEW IN THE NORTH STAIRWELL?  The Banner hanging in the north stairwell is a gift from the Don Gronert Family.  His daughter Marsha made it while in college.  It previously hung in the Gronert’s home entry.

FROM THE OFFICE:  If your son or daughter is going away to college or they no longer live at home, please fill out an Information Sheet located on the table in the narthex.  As their church home, we like to stay in contact during these important years by sending them Pastor’s Sermon and the monthly Church Newsletter.  Please return the form to Sandy in the church office when completed.  We lift our young people up in prayer as their spiritual journey continues.

LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES:  Reminder: Don’t forget to stop by the Lutheran Hour Ministries Tent at the Illinois State Fair.  This also is sponsored by the Central Illinois District Lutheran Laymen’s League.  We give away Bibles, LHM Booklets on all topics, Children’s Bible Story Books; Coloring Books and free ice water.  There is also a free craft to make.  If you would like to volunteer, please call Deloris Blessman at (309) 361-1461 or email her at: delorisblessman@yahoo.com.  The State Fair starts this coming Friday, August 11^th – Sunday, August 20^th.

THE LUTHERAN HOUR:  “Looking For a Good Speaker” is the topic for next Sunday.  The sermon text will be from Matthew 6:9.  “Archives August” – What do the words “Our Father” teach us about our relationship with God and with each other?  Guest speaker is Dr. Dale A. Meyer.  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.

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