Do Not Be Afraid

Whew! What a day yesterday was. The two sermons were designed to emphasize the topic of Fear on Sunday morning and Peace Sunday night during the candlelight service. To aid in communicating we pulled out all the stops and employed lighting, decorations, video, drama (that angel really did look frightening with his wig :-), music (were you shocked to hear Buffalo Springfield play during the slide show?), power-point, candles, cardboard testimonies, and two choirs (adult and children). David Layman did his usual fantastic job of making it all come together (where would we be without him?).

One person asked for a copy of the contrast between being controlled by one's Faith or one's Fears that I read during Candlelight. Here it is, and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Fear is destructive; Faith is constructive

Fear causes doubt; Faith brings confidence

Fear leads to reactive decisions; Faith leads to redemptive decisions

Fear pulls one inward; Faith leads one outward

Fear makes us protective; Faith makes us bold

Fear can freeze us; Faith activates us

Fear says "You can't"; Faith says "God can"

Fear says "Satan is strong"; Faith says "God is stronger"

Fear creates panic; Faith creates love

Fear makes us weak; Faith makes us strong

Fear makes us anxious; Faith makes us courageous

Fear brings disorder; Faith brings peace