God – we gather in your presence.
Father – we long for more of you.
Jesus – we place you at the center.
Holy Spirit – come and fill our time together.
Help us to be fully present here,
to your word, to one another,
and to the world you love.
Amen.

Join Anderson by standing and reciting alongside.

The text of lectionary passage for you to read aloud as you remain standing.

Romans 5: 1-8

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Take some time to listen to the Spirit and respond in prayer, however you feel led.

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As you go,
May the peace of Christ go with you,
Wherever he may send you,
May he guide you through the wilderness,
Protect you through the storms,
May he bring you home rejoicing,
At the wonders he has shown you,
May he bring you home rejoicing,
Once again into our doors.