This week is the perfect time to join in our worship online. We simplified our online service and made it even easier to participate, and viewing does not require a Facebook account! Join the video stream on Facebook Live (www.facebook.com/coldspringchurch) or, if you don’t have internet access, use our New call in number: +1 (929) 205-6099. Enter Meeting ID: 875 2479 7260. Password: 278951.
Happy Mother’s Day
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate! – Proverbs 31:31
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From Fragile To Antifragile Faith
Cape May County, like every other region of the country, seeks a holy grail of achieving both population safety and economic health and a return to normal. Our neighbors across the street and friends across the pews can struggle with their faith. Robust individuals and businesses resist the pandemic’s worst consequences, and resilient ones try to bend but not break under the severe stress. But fragile populations and organizations weaken and too often, tragically break.
We may feel fragile. Our faith may appear fragile. While fragile systems break, the opposite of fragile, antifragile systems benefit from shocks and thrive and grow when exposed to volatility, stressors, and uncertainty. This week, Pastor Kevin’s message from Acts 7:55-60 invites us into a new reality, from fragile to antifragile faith as we look at disciple Stephen whose faith first appeared to be robust, but once arrested and tested, resilient was all that was hoped for, a return to normal. But to his persecutors like Saul (aka Paul), Stephen’s faith appeared fragile as he was crushed to death under the stones of hatred and fear. Find out how a fragile faith can be transformed into an antifragile faith. everybody’s story is different. Stephen. Saul. You, me. Everyone.
God is not a routine. Jesus is not a cliché. Faith is not a franchise. Years later, Paul (formerly Saul) wrote, “There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next (Romans 5:3-5).
Let’s discover what Go is doing next. We can engage our pandemic world, and our search for safety and prosperity, with a faith in Christ that goes beyond robustness or resilience to an antifragile faith: growth in stress. See how our lives can be strengthened and create a new reality, full of hope.
Last Week’s Service May 3, 2020
Worship Guide (v1) for May 10, 2020
Notes to Share for May 10, 2020