Worship Weblog
Monday, December 19, 2005
WOWAW 25: “A first-hand experience of God’s hand on your shoulder”
In this week’s Words Of Wisdom About Worship, Rev. Michael DeVries warmly reminds us of the necessity and the gift of the benediction in worship. His words, and God’s blessing, come to us with special resonance now as we prepare to enter a new year. They also have particular poignance this month as Rev. DeVries mourns the recent loss of his wife Marianne, who passed away in the weeks since this sermon was given. We pray for God’s hand to rest firmly on the shoulder of Rev. DeVries during these weeks and in the years ahead.
I would like to suggest to you that in our week-to-week rhythm of worship, let there be at its conclusion a pastoral benediction. After all, it provides you the churchgoer a first-hand experience of God’s hand on your shoulder as you venture forth into the community and into society and into your daily tasks, being blessed as you exit. It’s truly a pastoral gift to worshipers. And when we leave the sanctuary to enter that cold, competitive world where dog eats dog, in that world from Monday to Saturday, you in your life and I in mine, we need the assurance that God is, and God is present in our lives. Not deistically absent, far away, but present with us in our journey, clasping your hand and mine.
- Michael DeVries, “The Beauty of the Benediction”
• Listen to an audio clip of this quote(mp3)
Earlier: WOWAW 24
Interdisciplinary Application • Leadership • Worshipers • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink