Do Not Be Afraid

Its so easy for us to fall into a sense of fear. The world around us, magnified by the media seems to be a very frightening place with danger at every turn. We fear for our safety, we fear for our children, we fear for our security, we fear the health issues that lurk around every corner, we fear people who are different from us.

As Christians in an ever more secular environment we tend to be fearful as well. We feel like we are losing something we once had. We see our political and social power waning. We feel like our voices are being drowned out, that we are being pushed to the sidelines. The changes in our world, and in our country, make us fearful.

This Sunday we will worship with our friends and neighbours from Ebenezer Reformed Church and we will consider our fears in the light of Jesus words in Matthew 10 "don't be afraid". Jesus urges us not to be afraid, points out that we are of value even to the point that the hairs on our heads are numbered.

As we look forward to Canada Day, celebrating Canada's 150th birthday, Jesus tells us not to be afraid, not to hide from the world, not to isolate ourselves, but to pick up our crosses and follow him.

As a special treat, after this combined service, we will enjoy strawberries and  ice cream together. What could be more Canadian?