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Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
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August 13, 2017
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Questions for
Reflection
Think about a time in your life where you took a significant risk. What were you feeling? What made it possible to take that risk?
Think about an experience of failure (the bigger the better). What did you lose? Was there anything gained?
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Risk and Faith
The Rev. Hardy Kim, preaching
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It's been wonderful to begin worshipping in your midst, to experience your positive energy and openness. It's also been great to get to start hearing your stories---especially some of the stories from the youth, who shared with us about their Caravan experience.
In those great stories we heard last week, what impressed me the most was that some of our young leaders spoke proudly about difficulties and disappointments they faced. They were not ashamed of their times of hardship, but instead were able to find meaning and even God's grace in them.
Do we all have this ability? Do we each possess the kind of faithfulness that can experience God's presence and providence in the pain that is so often a part of our daily lives?
I hope you will join us for worship as we explore this possibility, and look to stories about people taking risks as exercises in faithfulness.
Peace,
Hardy
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Theme for the Day
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Does it mean that we are never afraid, never doubtful, never anxious? Does it mean that, because we believe, we are always sure? Not if we understand the Bible correctly. --Allan Aubrey Boesak, Dare We Speak of Hope
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Scripture Passage
Immediately he 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, he 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 him 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." He 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?" When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
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