by Leo Schuster | Lead Pastor
When asked to describe our worship service at City Church, I often say it’s a thoughtful blend of the old and the new, designed to draw us into a worshipful dialogue with God. This is especially true with what happens at the end of our service: the benediction.
Derived from two Latin words meaning “well” and “to speak,” a benediction is a well-spoken or carefully chosen word of blessing. It is far more than just a closing prayer to conclude our service; it’s a declaration of who God is and who he is for us, lifting our hearts in adoration and sending us out with hope and purpose.
Words hold tremendous power—the power to insult or inspire, to harm or heal. When a worship service ends with a benediction, it’s God who has the final word. And His word has re-creational power to overcome even the most destructive words spoken to us.
Each week in our new sermon series, Benedictions, we’ll explore one of the benedictions found in the Bible. In these beautiful, ancient expressions of worship, we’ll uncover words from God that serve as gateways to spiritual discovery and renewal. They have the power to captivate and comfort us, shaping us into healthier, more resilient versions of ourselves.
In my own experience, benedictions have also helped me find greater contentment in life by instilling in me a more thankful heart. For that reason, I think this is an ideal subject for these weeks approaching Thanksgiving. Please join us and invite others to come with you.
Benedictions begins Sunday, October 27, 10:30 AM at House of Blues.