February 21 (First Sunday of Lent)

Fear. It's an amazing force in our lives. I've become convinced that most of our problems as church are motivated by fear. It certainly seems to be a factor in much of the recent dialogue around Jay Bakker and Revolution Church, Brian McLaren's new book, and Doug Pagitt's dialogue with Chris Rosebrough. This subject of fear combined with our church going through 40 Days of the Jesus Creed for Lent has led to this liturgy, focusing on how fear keeps us from the love we are supposed to have for God and each other.

From The Depths (Sojourn Music)

Reign In Us (Starfield)

Confession

God of grace,

You give us the choice
to reject fear,
or to be defined by it.

We confess that much of our lives,
individually and as a community,
is motivated by fear.

We are afraid of others' opinions,
instead of
abandoning ourselves to love.

We are afraid of different beliefs,
instead of
trying to understand
and learn from others.

We are afraid of wrong behavior,
instead of
embracing people as Jesus did.

We are even afraid of you,
instead of
believing that you are even better
than we could imagine.

Forgive us for choosing fear,
and help us
as we commit to live in
the great commandment of love
for you and others.

Amen

Assurance of Pardon

We choose to believe
the love that God has in us.
Simply, if we live in love,
we live in God,
and God lives in us.

There can't be any fear in love,
because love drives out fear.
If we are afraid of anything,
we don't know God's love well enough.
We love because Jesus loved us first,
and his commandment is clear:

"Love God and love each other!"

(adapted from I John 4)

All Of My Days (Hillsong)

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Post-sermon response: You Are God Alone