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 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, so that you may have all endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled youto share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.  He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.  He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.  For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:11-20

Gracious God, we give thanks for this time and space
to gather and recognize the power
of your presence in our lives.
In the life and ministry of Jesus Christ
your love was made manifest in ways
that transformed the people around him.
The spirit of Christ, and the message he proclaimed,
still lives and breathes in our lives
and we give thanks for this gift.
We recognize that we are required to respond
to Christ’s call to us with faith-filled action
and we give thanks that we are not alone in this pursuit.
With faith and hope, we pray. Amen

Falling into the mystery of God’s divine love transforms our hearts and soul, our vision of the world around us and our relationship with others.  God entered fully into creation transforming all creation with the essence of divinity.  Jesus was God incarnate, fully human and fully divine. A mystery beyond our understanding, which  Jesus held in balance, a mystery informing his ministry and transforming our lives.  Jesus healed, taught, led, defended, spoke out and acted against everything that keeps us from God grace and God’s life giving spirit. Paul tells us “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose”[ Romans 8:28] Through Christ we learn to “cooperate” with what God already wants to do and has begun to do.  Divine presence, and the faith, hope and love that accompany it, are a gift – you cannot control it – but still a gift that can and should be asked for. Walking the way of Jesus and living into fullness of God’s divine gift of grace requires a conversion of the heart.  Jesus lived out  God’s presence by putting his beliefs into action. Through his spiritual practice of prayer opening himself to  God’s inspiration and guidance, through living an alternative vision of life in this world,  through the sacrifice of the cross reconciling all creation in peace.