Confession | Easter Sunday | Year C | March 27th, 2016

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Confession

Easter Sunday (Year C)

March 27th, 2016

Call to Confession

    Even the obstacle of death has been removed between us and God.
    If death no longer stands in our way,
    we can be sure that our sin does not either.
    Let us confess our sins
    that they may be washed away by the mercy of our risen Lord.

Prayer of Confession

    Risen Lord,
    we have seen the empty tomb,                                 
        and yet we sometimes act as if we have seen nothing.
    Why must we continue in fear?
    Why must we be afraid of death even after its defeat?
    Yes, this is a glorious day of mirth and song,
        but forgive us when we are quick to forget its Good News.
    Help us be a people of resurrection not just on this day but all days.
    Fill our hearts with your resurrection promise of life
        that we might turn from sin and be renewed.
    Eliminate from us the fear of sin
        that we might tell this glad story - 
        that Christ is risen, he is risen, indeed!
    This we pray in the name of your Risen Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

    Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
    hear the good news of the Gospel:
    the tomb is empty!  Our Lord and Savior has risen from the grave!
    That which has been dead is alive!
    No barrier, none whatsoever, can keep us from the love of God!
    I announce to you this day that our sins are forgiven!
    Alleluia!  Amen!

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Stephen Fearing

Stephen was born in 1988 in Cookeville, TN, where his parents met whilst attending Tennessee Tech. Shortly after, they moved to Dalton, Georgia where they put down roots and joined First Presbyterian Church, the faith family that taught Stephen that he was first and foremost a beloved child of God. It was this community that taught Stephen that it was OK to have questions and doubts and that nothing he could do could every possibly separate him from the love of God. In 1995, his sister, Sarah Kate, joined the family and Stephen began his journey as a life-long musician. Since then, he has found a love of music and has found this gift particularly fitting for his call to ministry. Among the instruments that he enjoys are piano, trumpet, guitar, and handbells. Stephen has always had a love of singing and congregation song. An avid member of the marching band, Stephen was the drum major of his high school's marching band. In 2006, Stephen began his tenure at Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where he majored in Religion and minored in History. While attending PC, Stephen continued to explore his love of music by participating in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Jazz Trio, as well as playing in the PC Handbell ensemble and playing mandolin and banjo PC's very own bluegrass/rock group, Hosegrass, of which Stephen was a founding member (Hosegrass even released their own CD!). In 2010, Stephen moved from Clinton to Atlanta to attend Columbia Theological Seminary to pursue God's call on his life to be a pastor in the PC(USA). During this time, Stephen worked at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, Central Presbyterian Church, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. For three years, Stephen served as the Choir Director of Columbia Theological Seminary's choir and also served as the Interim Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Stephen graduated from Columbia with a Masters of Divinity and a Masters of Arts in Practical Theology with an emphasis in liturgy, music, and worship. In July of 2014, Stephen was installed an ordained as Teaching Elder at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church in Shelter Island, NY. Later that year, Stephen married the love of his life, Tricia, and they share their home on Shelter Island with their Golden Doodle, Elsie, and their calico cat, Audrey. In addition to his work with the people who are Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, Stephen currently serves as a commission from Long Island Presbytery to the Synod of the Northeast and, beginning in January of 2016, will moderate the Synod's missions team.