Changing How We Understand the Very Nature of the Cosmos

"Worship in the ancient world was based on the propitiation (appeasing) of the gods-- a fear-based system," said the Rev. Phillip A. Jackson at today's 11:15 service. But we still do this! "You've got a big concert coming up and you wear your lucky t-shirt, or your lucky socks, or you have to take your lucky route. We all have our thing, and if we don't do this thing, we feel that the cosmos will get thrown off, and we'll suffer for it."

As Christians, there is no lucky pair of socks. God has overturned this relationship. In this, is Love: "Not that we love God, but that he loved us and he sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice of our sins." We no longer need to fear God. We participate in the Love that God has for us, and share that Love with others.

The readings are Acts 8:26–40; Psalm 22:24–30; 1 John 4:7–21; and John 15:1–8.