We welcome the reign of Christ, the renewal where there are no divisions among peoples of the earth. God is all and in all.

May we be willing to put on the armor of light.

Oh, Love that surrounds us, may we each work for peace in the world, in our nation, cities, and communities. It starts with us. May we find ways to protect the weak, the hungry, and those who live in fear for their lives.

May we be willing to put on the armor of courage.

Oh, Love that surrounds us, we love our church community with its heart for our island, for the openness we find here, for the willingness to open its heart to each other and to neighbors. We give thanks for our priests, Berto and Hugh, for the insights they bring to us, as they discover them themselves.

May we be willing to put on the armor thankfulness.

Oh, Love that surrounds us, let us not lose hope in the face of the state of our nation and the world. May we rise each day with the desire and intention to make a difference that will spread out beyond our corner of the earth.

May we be willing to put on the armor of steadfastness.

Oh, Love that surrounds us, we hold in our hearts those who suffer from injustice, prejudice, poverty, lack of housing and food, and imprisonment. May we find tangible ways to help. We also think of friends and family who are ill and pray for their physical and emotional strength. We remember all of these now (pause to name silently or aloud)… and also those on our parish prayer list… Rick…Tamara… Bill & Jane… Heather… Jan… Cheryl… Ian… James… Dick…  Renee… John … Craig… Nick… and for those for whom no one prays.

May we be willing to put on the armor of compassion.

Oh, Love that surrounds us, we think of those who have died and those who mourn. We pray that those who grieve will be kind to themselves and patient with the process.

May we be willing to put on the armor of acceptance.