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Fear as Frenemy





Jesus is famous for having walked on water. And I have long loved Matthew's telling of the story, in which Peter steps out on the water to meet him. [Matthew 14:22-33]


And there is a third protagonist in the story as well: fear. When the disciples first see Jesus walking on the water, they think they are seeing a ghost and are terrified. Peter, in the first flush of his passionate faith, easily walks on the water. But he is suddenly struck by fear and starts to sink.


This Sunday I want to propose that fear and call go together. Fear is at once friend and foe, a 'frenemy' to use a recently coined term. And the world would benefit from our becoming good frenemies to our fears as well, at once embracing them and setting them aside.


Two Sundays ago I suggested that we have been called by Jesus and sent out into the world to help build the beloved community. I asked what gets in the way of that, and fear is high on that list. Last Sunday Rev. Dr. Amanda Adams Riley guided us through an experience of prayer, suggesting that there are three basic prayers: Help! Thanks! and Wow!


Join us this Sunday as encourage each other not to let fear stop us from answering the call, as together we pray for the Lord's help.


Courage,

Rev. Jonathan

 
 
 

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(310) 929-0547

Location:
429 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731
Mailing Address:
PO Box 5257, San Pedro, CA 90733

What We mean when We say All Are Welcome:

At The Garden Church we intentionally welcome all. We do this without requiring adherence to any religious belief or creed. We foster a climate of purposeful inclusion, an environment where all can feel safe, valued, cared for, and given an opportunity to form meaningful connections with the Divine and each other. We cherish the diversity of humanity, a diversity which includes differences in sex, age, race, ethnicity, and national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, financial means, education, and political perspective. 

 

We are also a member Congregation of the Pacific Coast Association of the Swedenborgian Church of North America

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