Living a Life above Fear

Last Fall, I was at a retreat with our Bishop, where he described the time we are living in as a time of Divergence, a time when people, groups, political parties and tribes find themselves moving away from one another. All of history is a cyclical flow of  convergence and divergence. 

The problem that often comes in times of divergence is that the level of people’s stress rises. This is where we find ourselves today: a time of divergence where many of us feel like we are living through deep, often over-whelming, stress.  

This week God has given us, through the gospel of Luke, a path to take in divergent times––times of stress. I invite you to watch the video and read through our scripture for this Sunday (printed below) and pray for our worship services.

Also, don’t forget that this Sunday is Hawaiian shirt (or summer shirt) Sunday!!!  Don’t forget to celebrate the Dog Days of August with the joyful colors of Hawaii.  

THIS IS A GREAT SUNDAY TO INVITE A FRIEND!!!

Luke 12:32-40

Luke 12:32    “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.

Luke 12:33    “Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. ³⁴ Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Luke 12:35    “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. ³⁷ The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! ³⁸ He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn.^a But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready.

Luke 12:39    “Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. ⁴⁰ You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”