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May 12, 2009 >> 10:47:37 AM

So long, Farewell

The sermon is finally over, the last hymn has been sung and you are thinking about whether you'll beat the other church in town to the restaurant , and then the preacher stands up and starts talking again.  This final statement is called a benediction (from Latin - literally good speaking).  It is intended to be something between a closing prayer and a blessing on the congregation. 

Closing worship services with a benediction goes back to a command God gave to the Levite priests in Numbers 6:22-27. Most of the Epistles also include a benediction (2nd Corinthians 3:14, Galatians 6:18, Ephesians 6:23, Philippians 4:19-20,  1 Thessalonians 4:23-24, Hebrews 13:20-21, Jude 24-25,).  Many pastors use one of these blessing for their benediction, but they are free to also tie it into the message they just preached, or to use it to address their particular congregation.

The benediction falls under the Sending category in the 4-fold order of worship (Gather, Word, Table, Sending). The benediction prepares the congregation to carry the message back to the world.  Often the pastor will raise their arms over the congregation or make the sign of the cross over them.

So as we end this year I will leave you with my favorite benediction

"May the Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit". Amen

(adapted from Numbers 6:22-26)

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(image taken from http://www.rca.org/view.image?Id=4529)

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