Felix, Festus & Agrippa

Introduction

Good morning!

I invite you to join me in the book of Acts, as we continue our slow and steady read-through of this action-packed book together.

It’s the final stretch, as we near the end of the book, we’ll pick up where we left off last week at the end of chapter 24, and cover the majority of chapter 25 today.

The Romans are basically just trying to figure out what to do with Paul, at this point.

Recap

Over the last few weeks we’ve seen Paul return from his missionary journeys to Jerusalem, where he met with other Christians and worshipped at the temple, but was driven out, forcefully, by Jews who were upset with what he was teaching. Or, at least, by what they thought he was teaching, or claimed he was teaching.

They were so upset, they wanted to kill Paul, and stirred up such a commotion that the Roman government stepped in, thereby saving Paul’s life, but also then resulting in what will be years of captivity; of being held in Roman custody.

Which got off to a really rough start, didn’t it? But it has improved! When we last left him last week, Paul was in relatively good shape.

The Setting

Last week, we saw Paul standing trial before the Roman governor, Felix, in Caesarea.

They’re no longer in Jerusalem, which forces the leadership in Jerusalem to sort of regroup and then reach out against Paul, in a formal government setting, to press their charges.

The Charges

The high priest Ananias, along with some elders and a skilled lawyer named Tertullus, arrive to present their case against Paul. Tertullus opens with flattery toward Felix and then accuses Paul of being a troublemaker, a ringleader of the Nazarene sect, and someone who tried to desecrate the temple. They claim Paul stirs up riots among Jews across the Roman Empire.

When Paul is given a chance to respond, he confidently and respectfully defends himself. He points out that he’s only been in Jerusalem for twelve days, hardly enough time to incite rebellion, and that no one found him arguing in the temple or stirring up crowds.

He admits he follows "the Way," a term which aligns himself with Christianity, but by which he insists he is also in line with the Jewish belief in the Law and Prophets. That following “the way” of Jesus is the same as following “the way” of God in Hebrew scripture.

Paul also highlights his hope in the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked, which aligns with mainstream Jewish beliefs. He explains that his purpose in Jerusalem was to bring alms to his people and that his accusers from Asia, who claimed he caused trouble, are conspicuously absent.

Felix, familiar with “the Way,” delays his judgment, saying he’ll decide the matter when the Roman commander Lysias arrives. (Remember him?) In the meantime, Paul is kept in custody but with certain freedoms, allowing his friends to care for him.

As we read in chapter 24, verse 22,

Acts 24:22–23 LSB

22 But Felix, having a more accurate knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some rest, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

Felix & Drusilla

Reading on, to verse 24:

Acts 24:24–27 (LSB)

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and summoned Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.

So, Felix is here now, with his own wife, who happens to be Jewish, wanting to speak to their prisoner, perhaps he’s interested in seeing what her opinion is of Paul, or of Christianity. We know he’s interested in “The Way.”

Notice how he just “summons” Paul, like he’s just there on-demand. It’s a rather dehumanizing existence, if you ask me.

No matter how demeaning the circumstances, Paul takes full advantage of this opportunity to speak about faith in Christ Jesus. Verse 25 actually lists some specific topics that came up, and it turns out it’s all a bit too much for Felix to handle, poor guy:

25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you.”

Judgment

I don’t want to spend too long on this one verse, but it’s the one that really stands out to me this morning. If I had to guess, I would think that it’s that last topic that really scared Felix. I would expect that hearing about righteousness and self-control might be uncomfortable, or convicting, though not exactly scary. The thought of having to stand before our creator and face judgment, and what God’s judgment means for the whole world, creation itself, well…that can be an overwhelming and frightening concept to think about!

Jesus said, in Matthew 12:6

Matthew 12:36 LSB

36 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.

2 Corinthians 5:10 LSB

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

This is a truth which should give us pause, and reason to reflect and heed our conscience. Not to dig up guilt for sin we’ve already repented from, but to give us a sense of appreciation for the holiness of God, and how amazing his mercy is over us.

It has been noted that perhaps Felix felt the weight of his own immorality, having been called into question publicly since he took his wife, Drusilla, from her first husband Azizus.

If you’ve lived long enough to seriously consider your own moral shortcomings, then perhaps you can relate, I know I can, to the feeling of dread that comes with the threat of divine judgment. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and so to some extent fear is a healthy response to the reality of grave consequences. Of impending judgment.

Clarity into such truths often comes at inconvenient times, though, doesn’t it? And if you are willing to be sensitive enough to your conscience to the prodding of conviction, then you will face the inconvenient discomfort that Felix did.

Profit

And so, because it was inconvenient to face this frightening truth, Felix did what he could to avoid what Paul was preaching, and yet still somehow thought maybe he could profit off the situation, as we read in the next verse!

26 At the same time, he was also hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to summon for him quite often and converse with him.

So, for whatever reason, he had this lingering sense of maybe being able to make money, of profiting somehow from the knowledge that Paul had to offer, or from Paul offering a bribe to get free.

That keeps him returning for more conversations with Paul, despite being somewhat scared of what Paul has to say, it’s like he can’t help going back for more. Perhaps the thrill of it is part of the attraction for him, if even in a perverted sort of way. That, or his appetite for money was just greedy enough to outweigh his sense of alarm. Either way, their relationship goes on like this for years, until Felix leaves him to his successor. As we read in verse 27:

27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

“Wishing to do the Jews a favor,” it says, though I’m sure he did himself a favor to stay in the public’s good graces while he stepped down from power. It really seems like he just kept him around as a prisoner because it was convenient, both personally and socially.

What became of Felix and his wife, and those two years of conversations, who knows? Only God, I suppose. All that time, Paul just kept showing up, willing to talk about what he believed, no matter what the consequences, no matter what the circumstances, no matter what motives others may have.

Porcius Festus

Chapter 25 picks up three days later:

Acts 25:1–12 (LSB)

1 Festus then, having arrived in the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

So, he’s only been at his new job for three days, and already he's dealing with this issue in Jerusalem. They beg him to bring Paul to Jerusalem so they can ambush and kill him!

2 And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul, and they were pleading with him,

3 requesting a favor against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (while they set an ambush to kill him on the way).

It’s almost like they’re trying to take advantage of the new guy, during the changing of the guard, before he really knows any better. They try to rope him into their conspiracy.

But Festus does apparently know better than to agree to such a thing, and instead offers to have some of them go back with him to Caesarea and bring charges against Paul (again).

4 Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly.

5 “Therefore,” he said, “let the influential men among you go down there with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them accuse him.”

So, basically, even though they aren’t quite given what they asked for, they are given an opportunity to attempt again what they already did once, but this time for the new governor.

6 And after he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on the judgment seat and ordered Paul to be brought.

7 And after Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him which they could not prove,

8 while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no sin either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”

So, they get there, and accuse Paul of all the worst things they can think of, and he just denies them, and it’s his word against theirs, but they can’t really prove any of the accusations they’re making.

9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and to be tried before me on these matters?”

Again with the Roman governor trying to gain favor with the Jews, when it’s clearly in his own self-interest to do so, and also wanting to get rid of Paul, to let him be someone else’s problem. He asks Paul if he’s willing to go back to Jerusalem, and stand trial there!

Does that sound like a good idea? Well, It doesn’t sound like that would end well for Paul, and he resists this suggestion. That’s basically where the highest concentration of people who want Paul dead is, it’s the worst place for him to be right now.

Since it’s technically the Romans who have had him in custody for so long, isn’t it really the Roman court system that should be handling his case? In verse ten, Paul says he’s right where he ought to be:

10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know.

11 “If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

Rather than escalating things towards Jerusalem, Paul suggests they escalate things towards Rome! After all, that is Paul’s next objective on his mission! He knows he’s done in Jerusalem, and he knows the Lord has called him to share the gospel in Rome.

Appealing to Caesar was one way to get there. Festus acquiesces to this request, somewhat reluctantly, or hesitantly, though without protest, as we read in verse 12:

12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

A somewhat foreboding response, though he doesn’t go anywhere immediately. Instead, we’re introduced to a new couple of Characters on the scene. Several days go by, King Agrippa and Bernice arrive, and once briefed, Agrippa says he wants to hear from Paul personally.

Festus & Agrippa

Verse 13 moves the narrative forward a few days, and this king kind of shows up out of nowhere:

Acts 25:13–22 (LSB)

13 Now when several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.

Who is Agrippa?

So, hold up, who is this King Agrippa guy?

This is one of the Herods, Herod Agrippa II, son of Agrippa I, who martyred James the son of Zebedee and would have done the same to Peter if he could have. He’s the great-grandson of Herod the Great, if that gives you any perspective.

Herod is with his sister (not wife) Bernice. She’s the oldest daughter of Agrippa I, and was married then widowed twice before attaching herself to her brother. They were alleged to have an incestuous relationship, and either way she was frequently presented as Herod’s queen on official occasions. So, definitely a weird relationship there.

Being that Caesarea has a new governor in town, they want to pay their respects to Festus, welcome him to his new position, and apparently get the scoop on this high profile case that Festus inherited.

Herod had more involvement with the Jewish religious practices and the temple itself, having some responsibility for the temple and appointing the Jewish high priest. So, he would have had an interest in the charges being brought against Paul, and it makes sense that he would have been brought into this controversial matter.

So while Agrippa and Festus hang out together, chit chatting and gossiping, the most pressing, interesting topic seems to be that of this guy Paul, the prisoner:

14 And while they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix;

15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

16 “I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges.

17 “So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on the judgment seat and ordered the man to be brought before me.

18 “When the accusers stood up, they were not bringing any charges against him for the evil deeds I was expecting,

19 but they had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man whom Paul asserted to be alive.

I think it’s interesting to notice here how Festus had come to understand the major issue was not actually, as it seemed on the surface, the “evil deeds” of insurrection and revolution, but rather whether Jesus, who had died, was now alive.

Dealing with such claims apparently wasn’t in his wheelhouse. He was expecting to deal with a violent revolutionist, or something of that sort, that’s what he knew how to do. This, this was perplexing, as he says in verse 20:

20 “And being perplexed about how to investigate such matters, I was asking whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there to be tried on these matters.

Notice how he tries to put a good spin on the suggestion to send Paul to Jerusalem for trial? Really, he says, it’s because this is an issue of theology, it’s beyond him, and belongs in the hands of the temple. That’s his reasoning. Well, at least he’s admitting to trying to pass the buck.

But, of course, Paul wouldn’t let him, he explains:

21 “But when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.”

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”

After hearing Festus tell his whole version of the story, Agrippa determines that he simply must hear from Paul himself, so they plan to make that happen the next day.

And so ends another day in captivity for Paul.

Conclusion

There isn’t always a whole lot of practical application to be drawn from passages like this, as we step slowly through the narrative. But there is value in slowing down and just trying to understand the story for what it is, and take the time to imagine what it was like for them while it was happening.

In some ways, it’s very difficult to relate to Paul’s first-century Jewish Roman context. The details of the story, and who all is involved, and why exactly Paul ends up where he ends up, it’s all thickened the plot substantially, and yet he hasn’t really made it any closer to Rome, which is where he really wants to be going.

If I were in Paul’s situation, I could imagine asking myself “how on Earth did I end up here?” or “what on Earth am I doing here?”

Have you ever asked yourself that question, or something similar, reflecting on your life during a particularly challenging situation? Or, as I think I would in Paul’s shoes, feel at times like your wheels are just spinning, and no progress is being made, like you have to keep saying the same things over and over again?

And yet Paul is a model of faithfulness regardless of his context, of just being Paul, the version of Paul God called him to be, no matter where he was or who he was with.

Faithful Anywhere

We know it wasn’t always easy for Paul, to say the least, and I know I would have been discouraged at times during a period of captivity such as he endured, and yet he demonstrated faithfulness in his ready willingness to share the truth and also to defend himself, respectfully and humbly, whenever it was necessary.

For me, this is a reminder to be faithful anywhere, anytime, with anyone. Even if it feels at times like we ourselves have lost the plot completely, we know that God has never lost sight of the big picture. We may go through seasons of not being exactly where we thought we would be, or not really understanding exactly where we are or why, and, really, it’s OK not to feel like we have our heads wrapped around the full picture, if at times we may be given just a narrow view.

No matter what, you have all the information you need to just be you, and to be the version of you God called you to be. That is, to remain faithful to God and resist temptation. Of course, sometimes we don’t have the best responses, do we? Sometimes we might relate more to Felix’s perspective and want to just ignore inconvenient truths.

Going back to 24:25, again, this verse really stood out to me, because I think it’s such a relatable response.

Acts 24:25 LSB

25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you.”

We’ve said how the gospel demands a response, and in this case Felix demonstrates several, all at once. The first is curiosity, and a desire to learn more, which itself is great, and he even brought his wife along to hear!

Unfortunately, he lacked the courage, at least initially, to face the reality of his own need for help, the reality of his depravity, if you will. He sort of realizes that Jesus is important, but can’t be bothered to really find out what it means to follow him.

He knows he isn’t right before God, which scares him, but instead of hearing the gospel as good news which brings comfort, he sees it as something that will be inconvenient for him. I think that’s really what he’s scared of, that acknowledging Jesus is going to change things for him, and he really just can’t be bothered; he doesn’t have time for it, not right now anyway.

Maybe, he feels like if he can just understand a little bit more, figure out a little bit more, he can justify himself, or God just keeps drawing him back for more conversations. Even though his motives are all wrong, and he thinks he’s going to maybe get money from Paul, he still keeps hearing more about Jesus and “the way.”

It reminds me of the magician Simon, who thought he could purchase the power of the spirit, as if he could just add it to his collection of abilities.

Remember him, back in chapter 8?

Acts 8:9–10 LSB

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astounding the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great; 10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”

Acts 8:18–19 LSB

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit had been bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Peter, of course, admonishes him, saying

Acts 8:20–23 LSB

20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you supposed you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 “Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray earnestly to the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 “For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of unrighteousness.”

It’s healthy to seek to understand more, but our motives matter. And God always sees our true intentions, we can be sure of that!

Proverbs 21:2 LSB

2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But Yahweh weighs the hearts.

Proverbs 16:2 LSB

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own sight, But Yahweh weighs the motives.

Jesus said:

Matthew 6:1 LSB

1 “Beware of doing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

Galatians 1:10 LSB

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a slave of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 LSB

4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.

Philippians 2:3 LSB

3 doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves,

Also, as someone who loves to learn and understand things, there is a relief in the realization that we cannot understand everything, no matter what our intentions, because we are beings with a limited capacity for understanding, compared to God.

Romans 11:33–34 LSB

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?

There are some things which may just take time to understand, and others which we may never fully grasp. There is a relief in acknowledging our own weaknesses and leaning into the Lord as our true source of strength.

Proverbs 3:5–6 LSB

5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

Psalm 37:4–6 LSB

4 Delight yourself in Yahweh; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to Yahweh, Trust in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday.

And there is comfort in knowing that even when nothing seems to make sense, when it feels like we can barely even see the road ahead, there may be opportunities right in front of us to witness and have conversations about the things we DO know, and even about topics that scare people.

Let me be clear, I don’t think we ought to try to frighten people! Just that we may have opportunities to speak truth within conversations that are uncomfortable, like the immediate consequences of one’s actions, or scary topics like God, and life, and righteousness, and sin, and death, that we all have to confront at some point.

In Romans chapter 8, Paul describes the relationship we have as Christians to the present suffering in the world around us, in light of the future glory we’ve been promised through Christ. Acknowledging the tension and pain that all of creation suffers, while holding on to a broader perspective that gives us hope.

Romans 8:16–39 (LSB)

16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

17 and if children, also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Life gets so much better in the future, Paul says, that it’s worth whatever suffering we endure now to be a part of it.

19 For the anxious longing of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope

21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.

23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

We, along with the rest of creation feel the painful effects of sin in the world, and look forward eagerly to the day of redemption. And even though we don’t need to dwell in the suffering, we do need to acknowledge it, because it is very real, if only temporary.

Continuing in Romans 8, Paul really tries to address the logistics of our sanctification here:

24 For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he already sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we eagerly wait for it.

26 And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;

27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And now, finally, one of the most hopeful, encouraging, and most quoted verses in the whole Bible:

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

This is a verse to remember when nothing in life seems to make sense. When it’s unclear why we are where we are, and who we’re with.

29 Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers;

30 and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified.

We’re just a small part of a picture in a picture, while God’s got the entire timeline under control. And as small as we are, God didn’t just create us then ignore us. He’s given us a special place in creation, and went out of his way to choose us, and save us, and there’s just no arguing with that!

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

32 He who indeed did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?

Now, finally, some encouragement for anyone who believes in Jesus, and yet may be afraid to face judgment:

33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;

34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction, or turmoil, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 Just as it is written,

“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;

We were counted as sheep for the slaughter.”

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These are some of the most important conversations we can have, whether it’s right at home with our family members or sometimes in rather unexpected situations or places.

We may never even see the ultimate fruits of our conversations, and may not personally benefit being faithful or from sharing our faith.

That is, I won’t benefit from my faith IF, like Felix, my motives are just to profit for myself, to gain wealth or power. I may be able to seize it for myself for a time, but in the end it will be humiliation. And I will, like Felix, be driven away from the truth in fear.

If instead I am, like Paul, driven by a desire to follow the way of God, to remain faithful to Him, and to help guide more people towards Christ, then I will reap the eternal rewards of heavenly treasure. And I will, like Paul, know true joy, peace, and fulfilment, regardless of my circumstances.

Going back to Matthew 6 again, which starts off with Jesus saying not to practice righteousness in front of other people to be noticed by them, otherwise you have no reward in heaven. Verse 19 says this:

Matthew 6:19–21 LSB

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What is that treasure, if not the faithful conversations and relationships we have with other people now, as we seek to follow God together?

Prayer

My prayer is that of Romans 15 13, Lord, that you would fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Give us clean hearts, and clear eyes, to know the truth, and and see the way in front of us. We thank you for your incredibly abundant grace and mercy, the unrelenting commitment you’ve shown to us despite our repeated inability to remain faithful to you. Help us to strengthen and encourage one another, not with empty platitudes but with scripture and genuine prayer for each other.

Help us to lean not on our own strength, but in all our ways to acknowledge YOU, so that we can see our path clearly. Help us to recognize and rejoice in the many gifts you have given us, not the least of which are each other. As much as our strength is in you, God, you have determined that much of our strength also is drawn from our relationships with each other, and I pray that your spirit would unify us in a powerful way as we worship you and serve each other and the world around us.