On Social Justice Sunday, Rev. Jason Coker opened up the service with a special invocation that resonated with many in the congregation. This powerful message speaks to the strength of community and calls us to action to protect our neighbors against injustice.
God of liberation and justice,
you have created us,
every one of us,
in your good image
and knitted us together as neighbors.
Grant us this day grace to wrestle and contend,
and to make no peace
with powers and rulers
of wickedness in high places
But to wrestle not with flesh and blood.
When immigrants among us live in fear,
grant us the courage to welcome and protect.
When LGBTQ+ people are threatened and vilified,
make us fierce in our solidarity and celebration.
When systems of policing deploy fear and violence,
make our voices loud for accountability.
And when our neighbors face hunger and eviction,
equip us with the resources to lead
with food and shelter,
But also equip us with an imagination,
for building and growing and voting
for the kinds of a communities
in which everyone has enough.
Lend us, O God, the wisdom to listen,
the courage to speak,
the strength to organize,
and the will to show up for one another;
until our prayers become action,
our liturgy becomes solidarity,
and your liberating love
pitches its tent,
in this barren wilderness,
and dwells among us,
now and forevermore,
Amen.
P.S. During our Social Justice Sunday service we watched a video that outlined how our Justice Works team and Food Pantry have been showing up for our community in big ways. Click here to watch!