Once, from a European shore, strong nations reached around the earth, to bid for slaves with bales of cloth, and plunder, conquer and explore. Recall how some, upon that tide, with faith and failings like our own, set out to make the gospel known, that Christ for all the world had died. Remember how, from tangled strands of terror, honor, greed and love, a single world God's Spirit wove from earth's long-separated lands, and as our fractured world must face the pain and hope of being one, give thanks, that Christ is named and known in every culture, every place. While many idolize or crave their nation's glory, might or gain, and hoarded wealth, unheeded pain, divide, dishonor and enslave, we answer to the Spirit's call, by faith to heal, resist, abate oppression, poverty and hate, and break each new dividing wall. Christ, open every heart and mind to show what still your Church can be: a source of hope and unity, a prototype for humankind. Help us to honor, heed and serve the global friends your love has made. Give us a hope that does not fade, to build a world of peace and love.