31^st July 2013

 

Greeting.

A Call to Worship can be described as a statement that shines the searchlight of God's holiness on to our lives, it is a statement that leads us into an awareness of the presence of God. In public worship, The Greeting or salutation should not be confused with the Call to Worship although in practise they can sometimes tend to merge.

 

Because we are personal, social creatures it is appropriate to recognise that there is an "I", as well as the "Thou" part to worship. This is not to make ourselves the object of worship, rather, an opening greeting is more an important acknowledgement of each other and an indication that worship is about to begin.

From the earliest of times the Old Testament word "Shalom" was a mighty blessing. The root verb of Shalom means to be complete, perfect, and full. Welcoming or separating from friends was more than a casual "hello" or "goodbye." Greetings and blessings were exchanged conveying Shalom, confirming the deep reality of a shared fellowship. Gen 24: 60, Gen 31:28. Proverbs 18:21 tells us there is life or death in the power of the tongue. This means when we use the word Peace or Shalom we are speaking into someone's life all the wonderful things that Shalom means.

In the Reformed Church a representative of the Congregation publicly greets the officiating minister. The minister then, believing that God, through the Scripture addresses his people often presents one of the greetings from Paul's Epistles. eg, Galatians 1:3.

In the Uniting Church, the Minister often uses the greeting of the risen Christ from John's gospel, "Peace be with you" or "The peace of the Lord be with you."

A helpful practise adopted by some churches today arranges for an Elder to publicly welcome the Congregation a few minutes before the service begins. This welcome informs people that worship is about to begin and invites them to stop chatting and to wait quietly. People are encouraged to switch off mobile phones and it may involve a brief acknowledgement of aboriginal heritage, a "Welcome to Country."

An informal invitation for worshippers to greet each other by passing the "Peace" has also become popular. This may be more appropriate after prayers of Confession and as part of our Thanksgiving in light of the fact that our relationships are not always healthy and may need to be put right first. As a "blessing prayer" for each other, the passing of the peace does bring a sense bonding to the Congregation.

Benediction

Having had fellowship with God by offering praise and prayer, listening to his Word, receiving the sacrament as a support to his Word, God sends his people away with his blessing and promise of peace to go into the world.
The Aaronic Benediction puts God's name upon Aaron and his sons. Numbers 6:22-27.The New Testament parallel is the apostolic benediction of 2 Corinthians 13:14 which places emphasis on the Trinity. While today people are writing creative new benedictions we need to be careful not to surrender the rich benedictions of Scripture for nice sounding poetry. Other passages include Eph. 3: 20-21, Heb.13:20-21 Jude 24-25.

This is the grand AMEN to the Service. It is more than a dismissal. It involves assurance, commitment and service. As we leave to face again the challenge of daily living in a world to which we do not really belong, a world in which we are called to serve and witness, God's presence goes with us. Benedictions need not be confined to public worship. It may be a great way to bid a friend farewell on an overseas holiday, a way of sharing a "near death moment", a child leaves for schooling or when an adult marries or leaves home. This is not merely a matter of general affirmation or of creating fuzzy feelings. When we pray or grant peace on another in the name of Christ, we can do so believing that a real gift or presence is bestowed.

Reformed worship emphasised the fact that all worship of God must be spiritual. Ritualism and symbolism was not encouraged. In any case external acts were to give aid and assistance to heart felt worship. While the Established Church often uses the sign of the cross at the time of Greeting or Benediction, the raised arms and open hands of the person praying a Greeting or Benediction can convey a special sense of something important taking place. Done simply and without fuss this can be a way of conveying God's care that reaches beyond exhibitionism or drawing attention to one's self.

E. A. (Ted) Curnow July 2013

Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding

abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power at work in us,
Unto him be Glory in the Church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Grant O Lord that what has been said with our lips
we may believe in our hearts,
and that what we believe in our hearts
we may practice in our lives.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord . Amen.

As you have freely received, freely give.
Go now with God's blessing into the world
to praise and to serve,
for greater is he who is in you
than he who is in the world. Amen.

The love of the faithful Creator,
the peace of the wounded healer,
the joy of the challenging Spirit,
the hope of the three in one,
surround and encourage you today,
tonight, and for ever. Amen.
Shirley and Albert. Leighmoor U.C.

God who is with us,
send us out to live as bearers of your Spirit
to act justly,
love tenderly,
and walk humbly with you
in all the affairs of our ordinary lives.
May all that is unforgiven in us be released,
our fears yield to trust,
and what is as yet unlived in us unfold
into a future filled with the surprises of your spirit. Amen.
A Celebration of the Life of Robin Pryor.2013.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with us all, today and always. Amen.

Risen, reigning Christ,
in you past, present and future
are brought together in one great hope.
Renew our faith in you,
so that the past may not hinder us,
nor the present overwhelm us,
nor the future frighten us.
You have brought us this far;
continue to lead us
until our hope is fulfilled
and we join all God's people
in never-ending praise;
for your name's sake. Amen
Uniting in Worship 2. U. C. Press 2005