¹I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ²with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with which you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. ³¹Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, ³²and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:1-6; 30-32)

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior. Amen.

In a world fraught with turmoil, the church on earth has a sacred calling. We are called to love. We are called to love one another, friends, strangers, and even enemies. We are called to proclaim peace and wholeness into a hostile and broken world. We are called give a tumultuous world what it so desperately needs – Jesus Christ.

Oftentimes when we consider the brokenness in the world, we picture distant locations teeming with a myriad of tragedy and violence. Yet, chaos looms closer. Within each of us exists similar ailments that afflicted the Ephesians. None of us are void of bitterness, anger, or any other malice.

Brokenness and hostility are not confined to distant places. The daily struggles of our lives breed fear, doubt, and isolation. We, our families, our communities, and even our congregations are in just as much need the hope given in Christ Jesus as any distant land.

Together we do the work of the one who calls and sends us. We proclaim hope to one another. Not only do we bring the Good News of peace and wholeness to all whom we encounter, but we receive that Good News from the words and actions of others.

You are the Body of Christ. Let your words and actions reflect the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Bear with one another in the love of Christ that conquers all. Pray for guidance and mercy as you build and nurture community in dissentious world.

The grace and peace of God which surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

                                                                                    In Christ,

Pastor Carla