In this series of posts we discuss the format and vibe of our gathered Sunday worship at Foundation Church.

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Benediction

We close out our gathering with a benediction. Benediction literally means a good word. It is God’s final word to us as his gathered people, his blessing conferred upon them. It’s the last thing that rings in our ears as we finish church.

A classic benediction comes from Numbers 6 and it is still used today:

The Lord bless you and keep you;

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.

(Numbers 6:24-26)

Paul frequently signed off his letters with benediction – conferring grace and blessing upon the churches:

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

(Philippians 4:23)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

(2 Cor 13:14)

Sometimes the Benediction will be followed by a Doxology:

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

(Revelation 1:5-6)

So we start every worship service hearing God’s call to worship him and close every service with God’s word of blessing upon us.

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Foundation Church meets every Sunday 10:30am at Belmont Tower, Belfast, BT4 3FG.