James 2:15-17 ESV — If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

John 7:37-39 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Galatians 6:9 Don't give up

Mark 5:36 …don’t be afraid, just believe

Matthew 12:30 NIV — “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

Mark 1:15. NIV and saying, “The time has come, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

John 14:27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

John 15:12 ESV — “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 14:27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Matthew 12:30 NIV — “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

John 15:12 ESV — “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

John 14:27. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Let’s pray…

Jesus said, “Repent and believe in the good news; the kingdom of God is in our midst, its within us.”

Let’s nurture your presence within us, seeking wisdom and courage;

Let’s not fear having the power and audacity to imagine better versions of ourselves and our community:

People who love you with all our Heart, and mind, and soul;

People who love one another as Jesus loves us; and

People who love ourselves with no conditions.

Let’s pray for those who persecute us;

Let’s pray for those living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions;

may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.

Amen.