What do you fear? Week One

Affirmation of Faith
What do you fear?
We have seen the valley.
We have seen a sky without stars.
We have seen the longest night,
and still we believe.
We believe in a with-us God.
We believe in the hope of tomorrow.
We believe that good news is louder than fear.
We believe this good news is for all people.
So even when our knees shake,
even when our voice trembles,
even when fear is all around us,
we will hold onto that good news.
We will reach for each other.
We will look for God in our midst.
We will sing songs of joy.
We will proclaim:
Unto us, love is born.
We have seen the longest night,
and we have seen unimaginable love.
So still, we believe.
Amen.

Scripture – just click on the link below
Luke 1:5-13 and Lamentations 3:55-57 as in NRIV

Commentary on Luke 1:5-13; Lamentations 3:55-57 |
by Rev. Dr. Boyung Lee
Advent gives us room to sit with fear—
not to banish it, but to listen.
What are we afraid to hope for?
What have we stopped praying for?
Where has fear caused us to shrink back?
Zechariah’s fear doesn’t disqualify him.
It marks the beginning of transformation.
Even in his silence, he becomes part of the
unfolding story—
his life bearing witness to a God who hears,
disrupts, and enters fearful places with grace.
“In the time of Herod…”
the world was loud with empire’s threats,
echoing with grief and longing.
And still—God broke in.
In the time of fear,
God heard a prayer.
And responded with presence.
This Advent, perhaps the question is not how we
rid ourselves of fear.
Perhaps the deeper invitation is this:
Can we name our fear honestly—
and still believe God is near?

Benediction
In a fearful world,
may you look for God’s spirit.
May you reach for each other’s hands.
May you choose courage whenever you can.
And in all things, may you remember
that good news is louder than fear.
In the name of the one who calls,
the one who sends,
and the one who journeys with—
go in peace and
be not afraid.
Amen.