For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. l Corinthians 2:2, RSV

Lord our God, Father of us all, bless our community in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ. May your Spirit carry out what we are powerless to do, so that we experience strength and joy, something from eternity, and can face life with all its evil, pain, and suffering. For you have drawn us to yourself, and in spirit, soul, and body we belong to another world, higher than this earthly and passing one. We want to remain true to this higher world, that your praise may come from one heart and from one voice, that the name of Jesus Christ may shine in us and show us the way to all that is true and eternal. Amen.