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Peace Be With You

Stories
Second Sunday of Easter - B
John 20:19-31
Constance Berg
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
"Peace be with you. Peace be with you."

Handshakes were shared around the sanctuary. Many people hugged. Some slapped a "high-five" while others started chitchatting. "Peace be with you" echoed throughout the church.

But just outside the church was another world. A world where gangs hung out. More accurately, one gang hung out in the church alley. Other gangs were chased away. It was not strange to hear gunshots in the night. It was not uncommon to hear of drive-by shootings. It was all too often that funerals included innocent victims of gang rivalry.
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