The Calvary Temple Christian Center held a vigil to support the victims in this weekend's mass shootings in Ohio and Texas that left at least 29 people dead.

Bishop John Thompson was joined in the service by state and local leaders. He urged the community to come together and take a stand against gun violence.

"If we do not, then God will judge our nation. So I pray that the Lord will have mercy upon us and the Lord will cause us to start to pray concerning that end," Thompson said.

Those who attended the service said the message was sobering, while state and local leaders said faith communities play a crucial role in setting the tone for healing.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said words alone will never be enough to counter this much violence.

"This coming together as a community will help us heal but we need to honor those victims and their families with action, common-sense reforms that stop this epidemic of gun violence," Blumenthal said.