The Feast of
Victory

The Biblical Roots of the Liturgy
a 5 week Lenten Study for
Golden Ridge Lutheran
Congregational-Lutheran United
Session 1
What does it mean to be a "liturgical" church?
March 8, 2006

Scripture: Acts 2:42 "The First Converts"
	
	They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, 
to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

These four things formed the basis
of what the earliest converts to Christianity understood
their new faith to be about…

What do we understand our faith to be about? 

We have to start with some BIG questions…

	We confess that we "…believe in the Holy Catholic Church"
	What does that mean to you?
	
What do you think of when you think of the word "Church"?

	Why do you come to church on Sunday morning?

	Key Question: What is it that we are doing on Sunday morning?

A partial definition of "the Church"
(from World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission, The Nature and Purpose of the Church)

" The Church is not the sum of individual believers in communion with God."
"It is not primarily a communion of believers with each other."
"It is their common partaking in God's own life whose innermost being is communion." (p.10)

Huh? 
The Church as "common partaking" (or participation) in God's life?

How does that work?
It is related to the Triune nature of God
and Christ's work of bringing us into that relationship…

So, back to our Key Question: What is it that we are doing in worship?

So what is "liturgy"?
	
	What associations do you have with this word?

	

LITURGY means "work of the people"
It is the order of words, songs, and prayers that we use to guide our worship.
Through these words, songs, and prayers,
we are invited into relationship with God
and become a part of God's work in the world.

Notice: The whole service is given the title "Holy Communion"
Everything we do on Sunday morning relates to the table!

This is why "the Church" doesn't cease to exist once we leave on Sunday!

Together, we are all "the Church" in the world, participating in God's
	love for that world…

All of this begins with worship, and the mystery that we encounter there.

What are the four main aspects of worship?

Why do we have these four sections?
A look into early Church history…

	The earliest "believers" were Jews…
	
The "new" development among the Christ-followers was the meal he instituted.
	
These followers would go to synagogue to hear from the Scriptures (just OT then)
		and then gather at each others' houses for the meal.

	As Christianity became separated from Judaism, Christian worship incorporated
		both elements , Word and Meal

	Naturally, a way to gather people and send them forth developed, giving us the basic
		structure: Gather, Word, Meal, Send.
So, why do we use the words and songs that we use?
(and can we use others?)
We'll be looking at each section (Gather, Word, Meal, Send)
over the next four weeks…

Conclusion: What happens in worship?
From the ELCA website:
Our experience of worship is similar to the experience of the two disciples on the 
road to Emmaus. 

The risen Jesus breaks open the word for us, and then is made known in the breaking of bread (Luke 24:13-25).

With Easter faith, we confess that Christ appears to us as the scriptures are read and the eucharist is celebrated. (See also Luke 24:27, 30-31a.)

Important things to remember about being a "liturgical" church:†
Being liturgical is not rigid formalism (though a sense of style, grace and good
	order do communicate the importance of the worship event).

It is also not rubrical legalism (i.e. we have to do it this way) or necessarily doing 
it "by the book" (though it is important to understand the reasons behind 
the choices that have been made).

It is participation in the life of God in the world!
Session 2
As We Gather…
March 15, 2006

Scripture: Isaiah 25:6-9 "The Feast on the Mountain"
	
	On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear. 
And he will destroy on this mountain 
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations; 
he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, 
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, 
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day, 
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. 
This is the Lord for whom we have waited; 
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

A Walk Through the Sunday Morning Liturgy: GATHER

Joel 2:15-16
	Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people.
	Sanctify the congregation; assemble the aged; gather the children, even infants at the 
		breast.
	Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her canopy.
Matthew 18:20
	‘…For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’

The Confession and Forgiveness:

We gather in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
	(This is central…this is the context of our worship…remember our
 LBW p.56		   definition of worship as ‘participation in the life of God’ ?)

“If we say…………..”

BIBLE TIME
1 John 1:8-9

The Pastoral Greeting:

Someone read 2 Corinthians 13:13

  LBW p.57

What do you think "communion" means here?

Communion of the Holy Spirit = Community!
	Community with God and with others!
		(indeed, in the gathered community, these are the same)

Vital and Faithful Congregations:
	“Make planned and concerted efforts to show hospitality to the stranger…”
						-From “Beyond the Worship Wars,” Alban Institute, 2001.
	
	We understand that all people have a place at the table.
	This is a WELCOME

"Kyrie" is the Greek word for "Lord"

This part of the service is called "Kyrie"
because of the refrain, "Lord, have mercy..."

The "Kyrie"

LBW p.57

(In fact, this is how people usually approach Jesus when they are in NEED of something)

Luke 17:13	

What are we in need of??
(i.e. what are you in need of when you come on Sunday morning?)

We prepare ourselves for Holy Communion by praying for the things we need…

	"For the ________ from above, and for our ___________, let us pray to the Lord."

Other things we pray for in the Kyrie:
	
	Peace of the whole world, wellbeing of the Church of God, unity of all…
	
	This holy house, all who worship here…

These are things that we receive (in part) at communion!

What is it that feeds you on Sunday morning? (what needs are met?)

The Hymn of Praise ("This is the Feast")

So what IS praise to begin with?

  LBW p.60

What are the gifts that you thank God for?

What are the gifts that we are thanking God for in this hymn of praise?

Let’s look at what we actually sing on Sunday morning…

This is the ___________ of ____________ for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
                                                       
Worthy is Christ, the ___________ who was slain, whose ____________ set us 

__________ to be people of God…

…For the ___________ who was slain has begun his __________.	

So, why all this talk about a lamb?  We'll find out together…

Excerpts of Exodus 12
The First Passover Instituted
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt:…Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household…Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 
	They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs…This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 
	This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance…You shall observe the festival of unleavened bread, for on this very day I brought your companies out of the land of Egypt…

Summary with words taken from “This is the Feast…”
We believe that Holy Communion is a feast or a meal in which we celebrate, give thanks, and praise God for Christ’s victory over death. Because of that victory over death, we say that Christ is our King and now begins his reign.  Just like in the Old Testament, something was sacrificed to pay for sins. We call Christ the lamb of God because, much like the Passover story we just heard, Christ's blood means that God passes over our sins. We are forgiven because of Christ, and we are free from our sins and everything else that keeps us from acting out God’s love in the world.
We are freed FOR good works…not just freed FROM our sins! (Luther said this!)
Do you feel freed after communion? 
Is it a celebrative feeling, like a feast of victory?
Session 3
As We Hear the Word…
March 22, 2006

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:11-15 "Instructions to Timothy"

These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice; devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.

A Walk Through the Sunday Morning Liturgy: HEAR

Matthew 4:1-4
	“…One does not live by bread alone, but by every _________ that comes from
		the mouth of God…”

John 1:1-5

Is this a sort of summary
of Christian worship?

	“In the beginning was the ________ …”

Colossians 3:16
	“Let the ________ of Christ dwell in you richly…
		…________ and admonish one another in all wisdom,
			and with gratitude in your hearts, sing ________ to God.”

1 Timothy 4:13 (see above)

2 Timothy 4:1-5
	What is it that strikes you about this passage?

So, why do we need to HEAR?
Our time reading from the Bible is a time to listen to God's story again, to learn how much
we are loved and what God's will is for our lives.

We are sustained and fed by the Word & the Sacraments
 
The sermon helps us see where God is at in our daily lives. 
In both the readings and the sermon, we hear how God's story becomes our story.
(Remember how the Israelites were to keep telling the story of the Exodus?)

OK, now time to turn to the liturgy (remember: “liturgy” = “work of the people!”)

The Prayer of the Day

This reinforces the theme of the day,
and is related to the Bible readings.

 

LBW p.62    

Notice that the Prayer of the Day always ends with:
		“…through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord…”
					
Have someone read Colossians 3:17		

Now it is time to hear from the Bible	

First Reading: Hebrew Scriptures (Acts during Easter)
Psalm (remember Colossians 3:16)
Second Reading: New Testament Epistles
What is our response after each one?
(remember Colossians 3:17)

	

LBW p.62    	

And now…the Gospel (remember: “gospel” = “good news!”)	

	
Why do we stand for the gospel?
	Is it true that some parts of Scripture are more “important” than 
		others?
LBW p.62    	

What we sing:

	“Alleluia! Lord to whom shall we go?” : READ John 6:68

	“Return to the Lord your God…” (Lent): READ Joel 2:13	

The Sermon
	What is it that you look for in a sermon?

	What is it that helps you feel fed by the Word of God during the sermon?

The Hymns and Spiritual Songs…

Why do we sing?

What are some of your favorite hymns? Why?

Let’s look again at Acts 2:42 (this was our Scripture on week 1)

	“They devoted themselves to the _______________ and _______________,
	to the ________________ and the _______________.

REMEMBER:
These four things are what the earliest believers thought were essential to being the Church.
They are still the center of what Christians DO,
especially when they gather together for worship.

The first item on their list was: THE  APOSTLES’ TEACHING
NOW, after the Sermon, what’s next in the service?

LBW p.64-65

These creeds were understood as short statements of what Christians believed.
Often, they  were used to show how Christians believed differently
than other groups that were out there.

They are grounded in the APOSTLES’ TEACHING.

FOLLOWING THE APOSTLES’ TEACHING
IS PART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CHRISTIAN!

What is next in the service? Let’s look back to Acts 2:42…

The fourth item on the earliest believers’ list was PRAYERS

Have someone read 1 Timothy 2:1-2

LBW p.65

As Christians, we are committed to praying for one another and for the whole world.
Remember the things we prayed for in the Kyrie? 
Now is our chance to pray for specific needs.

Why do you think this is one of the 4 most important parts of being the Church?

List a few people that you would like to pray for:

After lifting up all of our concerns for both ourselves and others, what do we TRUST in?

(At the end of the prayers)
P: “…Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your ________,
	through Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER AND THE WORLD
IS PART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CHRISTIAN!

Session 4
As We Share in the Meal…
March 29, 2006

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 "The Institution of the Lord's Supper"

For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

A Walk Through the Sunday Morning Liturgy: MEAL

Let’s look again at Acts 2:42 (our Scripture reading from week 1)

	“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
	to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Last week, we discussed the place of
the apostle’s teaching (Creed) & the prayers
in our worship.

This week, we will discuss the place of
fellowship & the breaking of bread.

First, we’ll discuss the place of FELLOWSHIP
For discussion: 
Why do we do the sharing of the peace?

Someone read Matthew 5:23-34

Had you ever heard this read before?
This sends the message that peace among the fellowship is important to God!

This is (part of) the reason why we share the peace on Sunday morning!

Let’s look at a few other verses that have something to say about peace…

   John 14:27			

In the gospel of John, Jesus says, “________ I leave with you, Ephesians 4:1-3 my __________ I give to you…” We now share Jesus’ peace

with one another, as Paul tells us in Ephesians, so that we can live with all h_________ and g___________, with p_________, bearing with one another in l_______, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond ofp_________.

Living together in unity and peace allows us to enjoy each others’ company
and to get a glimpse of God’s love through our interaction with one another!
This is why we gather for coffee after worship and why we have “just for fun” events!
Because…

BEING A PART OF A LOVING COMMUNITY
IS PART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CHRISTIAN!

(Remember participation in God's life)

Ready to be loving?
Read Romans 16:16!

  
The OFFERING follows the passing of the peace…
For discussion: 
	What is the purpose of the offering?
	What do you feel when the plate is passed? Do you feel like you are giving a part of yourself to God’s mission?			
What is the purpose of the building, the pastor, etc.?
		Do you feel like the church always has its hand out?
	This is a broader discussion about STEWARDSHIP (Holistic Stewardship)

What is it that we offer up to God? (From the prayer on LBW p.67)
	“Merciful Father…we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us –
	our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love.  Receive them
	for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

“Let the Vineyards…” FULL of Biblical imagery – not based off one verse alone.
Fruitful vineyard – All through OT, fruitful vineyards = sign of blessing
Cup overflows – Psalm 23 (& elsewhere)
Seeds sown – Synoptic gospels have this key parable
“Bread of Life” – Gospel of John’s title for Jesus
The meal as a “foretaste of the feast to come…”
	Like a preview of the great Messianic Banquet…
		Look at Revelation 19:7-9 – The Marriage Feast of the Lamb

Now, to the TABLE…
Our Celebration begins with the GREAT THANKSGIVING
	“Eucharist” (pronounced ‘yoo-car-ist’) means “give thanks” in Greek
		The root word is “charis” which means “grace” in Greek.

Look at Psalm 136 – Thanking God for everything God has done
				(it would take many more verses than this…)
	Look at Didache 9-10 (the oldest record we have of Christian liturgy).

The Pastor starts singing?!?!?!?!?
I’m singing (and later speaking) the story of how Jesus lived, died, & rose!

Then, WE ALL sing praise and thanksgiving together! (Holy, Holy, Holy).
Someone read Revelation 4:8 (this is even taken from Isaiah 6:3)

We are singing with the angels
who sit at the throne of the Lamb!

The rest of the song comes from Matthew 21:9 ("Palm" Sunday)

The Eucharistic Prayers:
"Christ Has Died, Christ Is Risen, Christ Will Come Again!"
	This is the central statement of our faith.
		It is our earliest and most basic creed…
			This is the mystery we proclaim and celebrate.

The Words of Institution, The Lord's Prayer, The "Lamb of God."

These are in the context of the
old covenant – the Passover meal!

	"Words of Institution" -  Mt. 26:26-28, Mk. 14:22-25, Lk. 22:17-20
				      1 Corinthians 11:23-36
	The Lord's Prayer – Mt. 6:9-13, Lk. 11:1-4
	The "Lamb of God" – Jn. 1:29

Brief "Covenant" Bible Study Jeremiah 31:31-34
	In verse 31, God says:
“The days are surely coming when I will make a new ___________________

A COVENANT is like a contract.
Each side makes promises to the other.

		with the house of Israel.”

What was wrong with the covenant that God had made with Israel before? (Verse 32)
		It was a covenant “that they ______________ .” 

	What will be so different about the new covenant? (Verse 33)
		I will put my __________ within them, and I will write it on their ___________.
		and I will be their _________ and they shall be my ____________.

	Besides knowing God, what is the best part of the new covenant? (Verse 34)

Another word for COVENANT is TESTAMENT.
Now you know why we have an 
OLD and a NEW TESTAMENT!

God says: “I will ____________ their _______________, and remember their___________ no more."

For Discussion:
Do you remember your first communion, or have other memories of communing as a child?	
Christ comes to us in this meal…do you encounter a sense of mystery at the table?
		What emotions do you typically feel when you come forward?
			Is there a change? What emotions do you feel as you walk away?

BREAKING BREAD TOGETHER
IS PART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CHRISTIAN!

Some quotes to ponder:

The meal is “a means by which the Holy Spirit 
can awaken or confirm faith in an individual.”

Bangert, Mark P.. “Holy Communion: Taste and See.” Inside Out. Ed. Thomas H. Schattauer. Minneapolis: 
Fortress Press, 1999. Quote taken from page 81.

“The church needs the sacrament 
[as] the means by which 
the church’s fellowship is established 
and its mission 
as the baptized people of God 
is nourished and sustained” 
The Use of the Means of Grace, page 39.

			

"That person is well prepared and worthy who believes these words:
'Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.'"
-Martin Luther

And Don't Forget Acts 2:42…

For Your Reference

A few final questions
using some of Luther’s thoughts

What benefits do we receive from this sacrament?
Martin Luther said that we receive salvation, forgiveness of sins and life itself.
Look back at the things we prayed for in the Kyrie.
We receive those things at the table!

What in the world is a SACRAMENT?
Sacrament means “mystery.” 
As Lutherans, we have two sacraments, 
or places where God mysteriously comes to us in a very special and holy way.
Our two sacraments are HOLY COMMUNION and HOLY BAPTISM.

What do I have to believe in order to take part in Holy Communion?
It is very simple. 
Martin Luther said that the two most important words during Holy Communion were ,
“FOR YOU.”
If you believe that these are God’s gifts FOR YOU, 
you are prepared to takeHoly Communion.
(This is why occasionally the last words before the distribution of communion are,
"These are the gifts of God, FOR YOU, the people of God.")

Why do we kneel?
When we all kneel, no one is above anyone else. 
We are showing that we all NEED these gifts that God has give to us.

For Your Reference

Excerpts From The Didache
     The Didache is also called the "Teaching of the Twelve Apostles."  It was possibly written around 65 - 80 A.D. and is supposed to be what the twelve apostles taught to the Gentiles concerning life and death, church order, fasting, baptism, prayer, etc. The Didache is not inspired, but is valuable as an early church document. 			     Translated by Charles H. Hoole. The Didache is in the public domain.

CHAPTER 9 
9:1 But concerning the Eucharist, after this fashion give ye thanks.
9:2 First, concerning the cup. We thank thee, our Father, for the holy vine, David thy Son, which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus Christ thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.
9:3 And concerning the broken bread. We thank thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.
9:4 As this broken bread was once scattered on the mountains, and after it had been brought together became one, so may thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth unto thy kingdom; for thine is the glory, and the power, through Jesus Christ, for ever.
9:5 And let none eat or drink of your Eucharist but such as have been baptized into the name of the Lord, for of a truth the Lord hath said concerning this, Give not that which is holy unto dogs.

CHAPTER 10 
10:1 But after it has been completed, so pray ye.
10:2 We thank thee, holy Father, for thy holy name, which thou hast caused to dwell in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which thou hast made known unto us through Jesus thy Son; to thee be the glory for ever.
10:3 Thou, Almighty Master, didst create all things for the sake of thy name, and hast given both meat and drink, for men to enjoy, that we might give thanks unto thee, but to us thou hast given spiritual meat and drink, and life everlasting, through thy Son.
10:4 Above all, we thank thee that thou art able to save; to thee be the glory for ever.
10:5 Remember, Lord, thy Church, to redeem it from every evil, and to perfect it in thy love, and gather it together from the four winds, even that which has been sanctified for thy kingdom which thou hast prepared for it; for thine is the kingdom and the glory for ever.
10:6 Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the Son of David. If any one is holy let him come (to the Eucharist); if any one is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.
10:7 But charge the prophets to give thanks, so far as they are willing to do so.

CHAPTER 14 
14:1 But on the Lord's day, after that ye have assembled together, break bread and give thanks, having in addition confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure.
14:2 But let not any one who hath a quarrel with his companion join with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be polluted,
14:3 for it is that which is spoken of by the Lord. In every place and time offer unto me a pure sacrifice, for I am a great King, saith the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the Gentiles.

Session 5
As We are Sent into the World…
April 5, 2006

Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27 "The Aaronic Benediction"

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, 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.
So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them."

A Walk Through the Sunday Morning Liturgy: SEND

“Thank the Lord”
	Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell everyone what he has done.
	Let all who seek the Lord rejoice, and proudly bear his name!
      LBW p.72	     He recalls is promises, and leads his people forth in joy,
				with shouts of thanksgiving! Alleluia!	

Look up Psalm 105:1-5

O give ________ to the LORD, call on his name, 
make known his                      among the peoples. 
Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wonderful works. 
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

Look up Psalm 105:42-45

For he remembered his holy ___________, and Abraham, his servant.
So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.
He gave them the lands of the nations, 
and they took possession of the wealth of the peoples,
that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!

What “holy promises” did God make to Abraham?

Look up Genesis 12:1-3

What are the promises God makes? (first part of verses 2 & 3)

What is the intended effect of those promises being fulfilled? (second part of verses 2 & 3)

For discussion:
	If we sing “tell everyone what (God) has done” …what has God done in your life?

An Exercise in Thanksgiving
Use the space below to write your responses

The song playing in the background is: “Give” by Third Day

Now, looking particularly at the things that you listed as “gifts from God”;
How can we use these gifts and blessings to BE a blessing?

As individuals, in our daily lives?

As a family?

As a church?

Let’s see what Scripture has to say about how to live this out in our daily lives:
Please open your Bibles to Romans chapter 12

What does verse 1 say is our “spiritual worship”?
	
	“…present your bodies as a ________   __________ …”

Someone read verses 4-8 aloud. If we all have different gifts to serve, what are yours?
In answering, consider this: I once heard someone say that your “calling” is where your greatest passion and the world’s greatest need meet.”
SO, what are your passions? What are your gifts?
In verses 9-21, Paul lists ways that we are called to live this out in daily life.
	Which of these speak to you as ways YOU can live out your “spiritual worship”?

	Pick one and write it here:

Service in the world is the logical outcome 
and continuation of Sunday morning worship!

Remember, we had looked at this quote last week:

“The church needs the sacrament 
[as] the means by which  the church’s fellowship is established 
and its mission as the baptized people of God 
is nourished and sustained” 
The Use of the Means of Grace, page 39.

And now, the end of the Sunday morning liturgy…

This word means
“blessing”

The Aaronic Benediction:
Numbers 6:22-27

Notice the parallel verse structure here:
	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.

Look at verse 27:
	“So shall they put my __________ on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
	(Whose name do WE bear??)

Verse 26 (and our Sunday morning benediction) end with what?
	“…and give you ___________”

WE ARE SENT IN PEACE
Look up Matthew 28:19-20

Watch out when
someone says,
“peace be with you…”
They might be
sending you out to work!

Look up Luke 7:50

Look up John 20:19-22
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you…”

We have seen Jesus here!
And now, with the power of the Holy Spirit,
Jesus sends us out,
that others might see him as well, through our lives.
Come, let us eat, for now the feast is spread.
Our Lord’s body let us take together.

Come, let us drink for now the wine is poured.
Jesus’ blood poured let us drink together.

In his presence now we meet and rest.
In the presence of the Lord we gather.

Rise, then, to spread abroad God’s mighty Word.
Jesus risen will bring in the Kingdom.

(Hymn #214 in the Lutheran Book of Worship)

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Things to Remember…
From week 1: What does it mean to be a “liturgical” church?

LITURGY means "work of the people"
It is the order of words, songs, and prayers that we use to guide our worship.

Through these words, songs, and prayers,
we are invited into relationship with God
and become a part of God's work in the world.

Christ invites us to his feast of victory.
He is the lamb that has been slain for us, that God may pass over our sins!
The victory is his, and frees us from the power of sin & death
while freeing us for good works.

From week 2: As we GATHER

From week 3: As we HEAR the Word

Just like in the story of creation from Genesis,
God continues to speak his Word (Jesus) into our lives.
Through the Bible readings and the sermon, 
We hear how God’s story becomes our story.

We come with thankful hearts and in Christ’s peace to the table.
Through his body and blood, Christ brings us into
a new covenant relationship with himself.
There, we proclaim the central mystery of the faith: 
Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!

From week 4:  As we share in the MEAL

Having been brought into the very life of God in the world
through our worship,
we are sent in peace.
Blessed to be a blessing to the world.

From week 5: As we are SENT into the world