Worship Service
Sunday,
January 22, 2012
11:00 am
Sermon
"Stop Putting a Question Mark
Where God Has Put a Period"
Scripture
Matthew 14:22-31
Matthew 17:17-20
Forever, I will sing of your love, Your love of rainbow voices, of all people the whole world over.
From Our Pastor...
Unfortunately, many people come from religious backgrounds
in which fee
lings of guilt and shame served as primary motivators.
Often these feelings are internalized and have a profound negative affect on people's
emotional and spiritual lives. This can be especially true for gender
and sexual minorities.
I recently read an article by Karen A. McClintock addressing religious-induced shame and calling us all to work to overcome this shame by creating worshipping communities of joy and grace. I was moved by her words and want to share them with you. Please click here to read the article. I hope it will bring you a sense of grace.
Peace,
Ron
Scripture
Matthew 14:22-31
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, Jesus went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, "Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid."
Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Matthew 17:17-20
Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and the boy was cured instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."