Sermon and Announcements November 5, 2023

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

November 5, 2023

Luke 5:1-11

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,^[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. ² He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

⁴ When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

⁵ Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

⁶ When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. ⁷ So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

 

Come Follow Me

Luke 5:1-11

Today we officially welcomed Bob into the Cerro Gordo Church of the Brethren family, much like we did with Dorthea, Bill, Bob, Ruth and Martha a few months back. While each one was already a part of God’s church family, they had not been officially part of this congregation’s fellowship.

 

God has called each and every one of us to be a part of the work he is continuing to do wherever we might be throughout our lives. The role God is calling us to do may change but the overall mission remains the same. God wants us to be his witnesses. When Jesus was just beginning the ministry that God the Father was calling him to do, he knew he would need help. That is a part of what life on earth is all about. No one person is expected to do all things by themselves. Whether it has to do with sharing the word of God and the salvation he has made available to everyone or simply living life with all of it’s ups and downs.

 

In the Garden of Eden God had Adam look for an appropriate help mate. When none could be found from all the animals God had created, he created woman because God knew the importance of supporting one another no matter what we do or what we face in life.

 

As Jesus began his ministry, he knew that others would be necessary, not only during his earthly ministry, but long after his time on earth was over. The importance of being there in work and play, in good times and difficult times is still an essential part of God’s plan for us. When Jesus called his first disciple, it was because God had made even Jesus need support and at times reassurance during his time here on earth. There have been those who claim they do not need anyone but themselves, but even the most independent person knows in their heart how important it is to have others at key points in their lives. That is why in the ministry Jesus had and the one each one of us has, it is important to have others to bounce things off of. Others that help us stay focused.

 

God wants us to be part of a church family. I pray most all of you has a family that loves you and supports you, just as you love them and support them. Not everyone has a family that is close by or a family that offers support in those good and bad times. God has created the church for just those situations. The Lord gives the church this encouragement.

James 1:27 – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

 

One of the most important roles the church has is to be there for one another. Let’s face it, none of us are going to get it right all the time. We may be, at times, pulled many different directions. But being part of a supportive, loving church family is what God’s desire if for each one of us. May we continue to work hard to fulfill that call on each one of us here at the Cerro Gordo church of the Brethren. May we find ways to love and support each other, even when we do not agree on everything.

 

Jesus knew that even though he was God, he would need the help of others to share the message of hope and redemption God the Father had given him to share. God still wants and needs our help. May each one of us continue to answer the call, just like Simon Peter did when Jesus first reached out to him. While our role in God’s church may change over time, there will still continue to be things each one of us can do. We simply must be willing to say yes, yes I will do that, knowing God will honor and bless you, a faithful and important part of his family.

Pastor Larry

Announcements:

Sunday School 9:00

Tuesdays 9:30 Bible Study

November 8 Board meeting—6:15 Exec Comm; 7:00 Commissions; 7:30 Board

November 10,11 Oakley Brick Revival 6:30 pm

November 12 Council meeting after worship

November 18 LaPlace CoB soup, sandwich supper 4-6 pm

 

College Care Package snacks are needed by November 12. We have 10 students so far.

 

Needed: Volunteers for Children’s Bible story in nursery during worship. Please sign up in back.

Children’s message volunteers. Sign up in back.

 

Pastor Larry Traxler- (217) 454-2362

Donation Box: The Lord’s Storehouse

First Sundays: Food Bank donations—TLS needs cold cereals and canned goods.

Keep in Your Prayers

Ava (Traxlers’ great-niece); Carolyn Hirsch; Nora Hanaver; Jonah Martina; Jan Bower; Larry Traxler; Randy and Michelle West; Mike Gentry; Wilma Cable; Eli Brunner; Nancy Fansler; Doug Larrick; Ron & Kathleen Petersen; Debbie Leibrock; Dorthea Wood; Tina Wilhelm; Mike and Carol Seidenstricker;  Adiline Young; Kim Lehmann; Doug Fansler; Mayo & Darlene Hanaver; Stacie Warren; Nancy Gorrell; many unspoken requests; victims of disasters; victims of shootings; shut-ins; the Nigerian church; Haitian Brethren; Ukraine; Moracco; Israel and Hamas war

Military and Other Services and their families

Brethren Volunteer Service workers; Disaster project workers

District Prayer Calendar: Pray for the Highland Avenue congregation in Elgin.