THOUGHTS ON STEWARDSHIP: Matthew 4:20 – “Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Discipleship cost Peter and Andrew everything they had. They left their trade, their hometown and their families, and they followed Jesus. God has called us to the same discipleship and the same devotion, though the exact details of how that is lived out will vary. The important thing is that we know that all we have is the Lord’s to be used for His purpose, and we are His disciples, ready to follow where He leads.
FAITH IN ACTION OF BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL: One ride, one visit, one Senior at a time. Need a ride? Want to volunteer? Need more information? Call (309) 827-7780; or email: office@bnfia.org or contact Barry Hamlin at (309) 750-9424.
THE ADULT BIBLE CLASS meets in the basement at 9:15 a.m. and is studying a DVD-based Study entitled: “Joseph: Carpenter of Steel!” Come learn about this important person in the Christmas Story.
OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL meets at 9:15 a.m. in the Choir Room which is located on the 2nd level (the west side).
NEXT SUNDAY, February 2nd, because of Pastor’s absence there will be no Holy Communion in either worship service.
PASTOR’S SCHEDULE: It’s time to play where are Pastor and Toni? They leave today on their southern adventure and Lord willing Pastor will be back in the office on Monday, February 3rd. We appreciate your prayers for safe travel and good weather.
GOOD SHEPHERD IS CHANGING WORSHIP AND BIBLE CLASS/SUNDAY SCHOOL TIME on Sunday, March 1st. Worship will be at 9:00 a.m., with Holy Communion each week and Bible Class/Sunday School will be at 10:15 a.m. Please keep this change in your prayers as we make this transition.
CAN YOU HELP: John and Paula Hardy are planning their annual trip to Ft Wayne, IN. It will be sometime after the holidays, hopefully mid-February. The Seminary needs clothes for men, women, and children. They also accept shoes, coats, and kitchen supplies. Please be sure all donated items are clean and in good repair. Please bring your donations to the church. There is a closet located in the hall upstairs where items are collected, and packed for our trip. If you need help finding it just contact John (309) 310-7917. Thank you!
FROM THE OFFICE: The congregation received a letter from Reverend Michael Kearney. It is on the table in the narthex. Reverend Kearney is a former member of Good Shepherd and one of the many seminarians we have supported. He is now a Chaplain in the Army and will be deployed to Afghanistan in the near future. Please keep Reverend Kearney, his wife and their growing family in your prayers.
FROM THE OFFICE: The church received a brochure on the Summer Offerings in 2020 at Camp CILCA. Camp CILCA is the camp of our Central Illinois District and you may peruse the brochure located on the table in the narthex.
THE LUTHERAN HOUR: “Gold Without Glitter” is the topic for next Sunday. The sermon text will be from Genesis 42. (New Series) Without the fire of the refiner’s forge, there can be too glittering gold. And so it is with us. You are more precious to God than gold. But, like gold, you and I need refining The speaker will be Reverend Dr. Michael Zeigler. 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.
INFORMATION REQUESTED: Please notify the church office if someone in the congregation or any family or friends are ill or hospitalized.
PRAYER CIRCLE: 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.