It is easy to be overwhelmed and disheartened by the challenges facing the church and our world. We may even feel ill-equipped or powerless to make much of difference. The earliest Christians surely knew what this was like. This week we begin a seven-week series focusing on Paul’s letter to the first Christians living in Ephesus. Ephesians is a wonderful letter in which Paul encourages the early church to not lose heart, to remain focused on Christ, and to lean into their giftedness as the body of Christ. In this week’s reading Paul prays for the Church, reminding us that the power of God that raised Christ from the dead is working among us. Knowing that gives us hope to face the future with hope and confidence.