When you do a side by side comparison of Lake Winnebago and the Sea of Galilee you'll notice that Lake Winnebago, although it has a very similar shape, is actually bigger and much more shallow. Both lakes can be very dangerous with storms, but the Sea of Galilee (Lake Gennesaret), has much more violent storms coming off the Mediterranean Sea. I often like to look out over the "Sea of Winnebago" and imagine following Jesus around it... much like Jesus' first disciples did around the Sea of Galilee. What would it have been like... to have Jesus call me from the lakeshore, to teach me how to fish, to hear His amazing and authoritative words echoing off the waters from a small boat not far from shore, to watch Him walk on water or calm the wind and waves? What would it have been like... to listen to His message of repentance - to understand that sorrow for sin is more than just that I got caught or I feel bad about what I've done... but a sorrow for sin that I've disobeyed, disappointed, and had my own hand in delivering my Lord Jesus to the cross because of my sins.?. That true repentance is turning away from sin, and seeking God's help and strength to do it. What would it have been like... to walk with Jesus and listen to His gentle words speaking of God's mercy for the sinner and seeing His sacrificial love in shedding His own innocent blood for even someone like me.?. To hear His promise of heaven to the believer, and to be reminded that the death of a Christians is the beginning of eternal life with Christ. What would it be like... if today, as I have opportunity to cast my eyes over the Sea of Winnebago, that I paused for a moment to remember that I am a disciple of Jesus.?. I am one of the fortunate ones who knows the Son of God. I get the opportunity to walk with Jesus every day as I continue in His Word. At my fingertips is His warning of my sin and wisdom to avoid it, and at the same time His grace in forgiveness through Word and Sacrament! In my own home, Jesus comes through the reading of His Word and through the devotions with my family at dinner and prayer time! Though I imagine what it would have been like to be right there with Jesus and the disciples, I don't have to imagine how Jesus is right here with me. He calls me. He teaches me. He speaks to my life. He calms my storms. He gives me peace in the midst of my guilt. And He continues to walk with me around the Sea of Winnebago... What a joy and blessing it is to follow Him! +++ -Today we'll follow Jesus some more around the Sea of Galilee in hearing the comforting Chapter To Remember of His feeding of the 5000+. We will also be gathering at our Savior's Table as a Christian family for the Lord's Supper. I hope you can make it! -The bulletin is attached for this morning's service... REMEMBER: 9am Sunday School / Bible Class (starting pastor's course: "We are His Workmanship") 10am Worship Service with Holy Communion -THANK YOU to all who were able to come help or stop by yesterday at the Fondue Fest. Everything we had, I believe, was handed out to some of the estimated 10,000 people who walked Main Street. And we estimated we probably painted around 500 children's faces! What fun! Thank you Lord for a beautiful day and bless our labors according to Your will! -Other announcements for this week are in today's attached bulletin or on your church calendar. See you soon! In His service, Pastor Neal Lake Winnebago is a 137,700-acre (55,700 ha; 215.2 sq mi)[1] freshwater lake in eastern Wisconsin, United States. It is the largest lake entirely within the state,[2] covering an area of about 30 by 10 miles (48 by 16 km), with 88 miles (142 km) of shoreline, an average depth of 15.5 feet (4.7 m) and a maximum depth of 21 feet (6.4 m).[1] It has many shallow reefs along the west shore, and a drop-off type shoreline on the east.[1] There are several islands along the west shore. Lake Winnebago has two primary tributaries, the Wolf River and the Fox River. It is drained by the Fox River which flows north towards Green Bay and serves as part of the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway. Lake Winnebago is part of a larger system of lakes in Wisconsin known as the Winnebago Pool. The Sea of Galilee, also Kinneret, Lake of Gennesaret, or Lake Tiberias, is the largest freshwater lake in Israel, and it is approximately 53 km (33 mi) in circumference, about 21 km (13 mi) long, and 13 km (8.1 mi) wide. The lake has a total area of 166.7 km2 (64.4 sq mi) at its fullest, and a maximum depth of approximately 43 m (141 feet).[3] At levels between 215 metres (705 ft) and 209 metres (686 ft) below sea level,[4] it is the lowest freshwater lake on Earth and the second-lowest lake overall (after the Dead Sea, a saltwater lake).[5] The lake is fed partly by underground springs although its main source is the Jordan River which flows through it from north to south. -- Neal RadichelPastor, Luther MemorialFond Du Lac, WI "But these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." -John 20:31 (NAS) www.fdllutheran.comwww.CLCLutheran.com www.LutheranMissions.com www.WhatDoesTheBibleSay.Org