May 6, 2018
THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: 1 John 5:3 – “For this is the love of God, that we keep His Commandments. And His Commandments are not burdensome.” God’s commandments are not burdensome, but that’s only true for Christians precisely because we know that we are not saved by our keeping of the Law. We are saved by grace. Therefore we are set free by grace to walk in newness of life, to grow in faithfulness, and rejoice in the Law of the Lord: for the love of God is that we keep His Commandments.
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.
ASCENSION DAY WORSHIP with Holy Communion is this coming Thursday, May 10th, at 7:00 p.m.
ADULT INSTRUCTION CLASS will begin on Monday, May 14th, at 7:00 p.m. The class will run on Mondays through the end of June (taking off on Memorial Day) and lasts about an hour each evening. This class is designed for non-members who would like to learn more about the Lutheran Church and its teachings. It is also a good refresher course for members. If you know of someone you would like Pastor to invite please call him at (309) 838-0306 or e-mail him at: revbci@yahoo.com.
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES: World-famous atheist Dr. Sol Harkens (Kevin Sorbo) delights in debating and defeating Christians, but is emotionally empty. Isolated from Katy (Sam Sorbo), the wife he divorced following the harrowing loss of their first son, and a lousy part-time dad to their two younger boys, his self-destruction culminates in a car crash that leaves him clinically dead for four minutes. The four-word message from that experience challenges his convictions, sending him into a panicked tailspin. Reluctantly leaning on his family’s forgiveness, love and faith, Sol struggles to find meaning and purpose in the words “LET THERE BE LIGHT”. Join us Friday, May 18, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. for a great movie, good food and fine fellowship.
THANK YOU to everybody who supported Pastor and Toni in the Pregnancy Center’s “Walk For Life” on April 21st. The “walk” raised $54,580.00 for the work at the Center.
FROM THE OFFICE: Please note that the address for Jack & Ruth Gooding has changed to: Evergreen Place, 801 Gregory, Apt. 210, Normal, IL 61761.
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.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIP GIFT: If you would like to donate you can pick up an envelope located on the table in the narthex.
GROUP OUTING FOR BASEBALL GAME: Good Shepherd is planning a group outing at a Normal CornBelters game on Sunday, June 10th. Game time is 6:05 p.m. Tickets are $10.00 per person and will include a reserved box seat and a concession voucher that can be used for a hot dog, small drink and bag of chips. Good Shepherd’s own Katey Parry will sing the national anthem and Pastor Lueck will throw out a first pitch. For more information or to buy tickets, contact Randy Reinhardt at (309) 826-0448 or randyreinhardt1@gmail.com
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 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 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.
MARK YOU CALENDAR: The date for our Annual Church Picnic has been set! It will be held on Sunday, August 19th. More information to follow.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Keep Them” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from John 17:14-17. There are times Christians might readily wish the Lord would airlift them out of this world. Because we have some work to do, the Lord Jesus prays we be kept safe. So, how’s that working for you? The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Ken Klaus. 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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