LENT IS FAST APPROACHING. Ash Wednesday will be Wednesday evening, February 14th, at 7:00 p.m. This year the NALC congregations in the area will again be doing a Lenten round robin of the pastors. The theme for the Lenten round robin will be: Citizenship Has Its Privileges, and will look at some of the saints and martyrs of the Bible. Plan to come and worship the Lord as we hear about His faithfulness to keep His people in His care, even through persecution and death. The Lord is faithful, come and worship Him! Lenten light suppers are up-in-the air at this point. If you would like to participate in Lenten suppers please sign up on the sheet in the narthex, and also indicate if you are willing to host one or more of the meals; hosting would include announcing what food to ask people to bring, setting up and cleaning up. The Lenten services will be at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday evening.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY We will be making sub sandwiches for Super Bowl Sunday again this year to support the outreach ministry of the congregation. Order forms are in the narthex. Please fill out a form for each person who would like a sandwich. Enjoy! Donations accepted!

LADIES MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 10TH, AND JOIN US FOR SEASIDE ESCAPE! This year’s women’s retreat is SeaSide Escape where women bask in God’s presence. This beach-themed retreat includes Bible study based on the stories of Sarah and Hagar, uplifting worship, a time for Christian service, and relationship-building activities to help us discover the depth of God’s love, strength, and compassion. Registration begin Sunday, January 28th and is $10 for materials, lunch and snacks. For more information or to volunteer to help, email nblc.womens.retreat@gmail.com.

C-U AT HOME The local ministry to the homeless, CU at Home, needs help with volunteers to help out at the Phoenix during this cold weather. They have been open every day from 8 am to 8 pm as a warming center during the day after the overnight shelters close. If you can help out, even for an hour, they would appreciate the help. The plan is to stay open throughout the day and evening through Friday, when the temps are supposed to go up. For more information call 217-819-4569 .

MEN’S REPAIR MINISTRY M25:40 New Beginnings Lutheran Church is developing a Home Repair Team that handles basic repairs and small projects for people in God’s Family who have a need. We can use all levels of skill or come and learn a new one. If you are interested in helping please contact Rich Gegg richardgegg@yahoo.com or
217-621-4288. WE ARE LOOKING FOR “TASKS TO DO”. Please fill out a card and place it in the box in the narthex.

SOCIAL OUTREACH COMMITTEE Looking for Social outreach committee members – if you are interested in helping with planning the Candlewood summer lunches, the Walk for Water, Helping Hands or Sunday’s Movie and Lunch dates then join us on the Social Outreach Committee! We are looking for a “few good men and women” that would like to work on these projects. If interested contact Cheryl Heinold or Marilyn Feigl.

JUST A REMINDER that voting members of the congregation are confirmed members who have communed and made a financial contribution of record during the current or preceding calendar year. Members of this congregation who have satisfied these basic standards shall have the privilege of voice and vote at every regular and special meeting of the congregation.

ATTENDANCE for Sunday, January 14th was 73 and total offering was $1,401.00.