God of love and grace,
Before there was anything else,
there was love,
perfect and pure.
It was a love so full
that it manifested itself
in the creation of the infinite universe
in all of its beauty and diversity.
We rejoice today with those
who shed tears of joy
when, against all odds,
love won.
Our joy, though, is not yet complete,
as we grieve today with those
who shed tears of sorrow
when, as churches burned,
hate seemed to overcome.
But even now, as we stand
between the forces of hate
and the forces of love,
we will not despair,
for we know which side
you are on.
Amen