Gracious Lord, God of all, Guide for the lost, Light for those in darkness. Our eyes turn to you, hear our prayers. May the sun of your glory shine forth, giving life and light to all, from the East to the West, and from the North to the South. Let the morning rays of your eternal spring awaken us who await your coming.

 

O Jesus Christ, Light from the Light, dwell within us, who have come together to worship your holy and precious name. Let your life-giving radiance kindle within us a deeper love for one another. May your brilliant light stir us to ever more flourishing unity. Like diverse flowers in the garden of your Kingdom, may your divine brilliance cause us to bloom in harmony. And so, all as one, may we always joyfully praise and glorify you, and the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and always and unto the ages of ages. Amen.  (Adapted from St Gregory of Narek)

 

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

 

 

 

 

In Ephesians 4:4 the Apostle Paul highlights the profound unity that binds the Church worldwide. This unity is rooted in the one Spirit and the one hope that connect all Christians in their faith. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit ignited the global mission of the Church. This same Spirit empowers us and nurtures our collective mission today, fostering a universal Church that transcends national and cultural boundaries. Our shared hope in salvation through Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of this unity, drawing together diverse peoples into one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. As Christians, we are defined by this singular hope and the one Spirit through whom we are baptized and renewed. Our task is to ensure that this unity is not just a concept but a lived reality, reinforcing our shared mission and love for one another.

 

 

In what ways can we, as a church or community, embrace the challenge of our one calling, while maintaining our unique identity and traditions?

 

 

One of three glorified persons equal in power and awe, who descended from on high to here below, who was indeed by nature indistinguishable from those below, without relinquishing the throne of glory, without leaving the watchful gaze of the parent of love, merely entering the vessel of the virgin womb purely and coming out joined with a body inseparable in essence, without any flaw in his humanity and lacking nothing in divinity, one and only Son of the only Father and the first born of the Mother of God, Virgin Bearer of the Lord, creator becoming a true man as originally created, not in the fallen state of mortals, but new and splendid with the sublime glory of kings, not seen in the ages or existing in time. The first born, as the Psalmist said, higher than all the kings of earth, formed from an incorruptible combination like us in body, in the manner of the soul with body, and as gold with fire, or to put it more plainly, light in air, neither transformed nor separated. 

 

 

 

We are many yet we are one

We are separate yet bound in His love

and together we are all His hands and His feet

bringing mercy and peace to this world

We are many but one

 

We have fallen but we are forgiven

Broken and scattered but being made whole

by our redeemer, one Lord and Redeemer

One Shepherd who gathers us all

Gathers us all

 

We are many yet we are one

We are separate yet bound in His love

and together we are all His hands and His feet

bringing mercy and peace to this world

We are many but one

 

We are different

As morning and evening

Each of us living as we have been called

All of us seeking

Each of us reaching to

A Shepherd who gathers us all

Gathers us all

 

We are many yet we are one

We are separate yet bound in His love

and together we are all His hands and His feet

bringing mercy and peace to this world

We are many but one

 

We are brothers and sisters in spirit

Found in all nations that are near to the Lord

Each one belonging, together now longing for

The Shepherd who gathers us all

Who gathers us all

 

We are many yet we are one

We are separate yet bound in His love

and together we are all His hands and His feet

bringing mercy and peace to this world

We are many and one

We are one

 

 

Jesus Christ,

you have brought us together in all our diversity as your family and church.

In the face so many situations on earth where hope has given way to despair and wounded hearts,

renew our hope in the Holy Spirit’s work of changing the world.

Move us to spread this hope to everyone everywhere.

You are the true Light, who casts out the darkness of sin,

and shines into our hearts the joy and hope of your eternal love. Amen.