The Service of the Word and Lord’s Supper concludes with a benediction (a word of blessing from God extended to the church through the Minister) and a sending (a commission to go into the world and live out what has been heard and received from God in the service). The People answer “Amen” to the benediction and “Thanks be to God” to the sending. In some traditions, the People open their palms while the benediction is said to assume a receptive posture to God’s blessing.
Benedictions
The Grace (2 Corinthians 13:14)
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
NUMBERS 6:24–26: THE AARONIC BLESSING
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. Amen.
ROMANS 15:5–6
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Jesus Christ, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
ROMANS 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:23–24
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Amen.
PHILEMON 1:25
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
HEBREWS 13:20–21
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7
May the peace of God keep your hearts and minds in the love of God. Amen.
2 PETER 3:18
May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
PSALM 121:7–8
May the Lord watch over you and keep you from all harm; may the Lord watch over your coming in and your going out both now and forevermore. Amen.
EZEKIEL 37:27–28
May the dwelling of God be with you, and may the nations know that the Lord sanctifies us and is our sanctuary forevermore. Amen.
Sendings
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Let us go and tell the world that Christ is risen!
Thanks be to God.
Let us go forth and live as salt and light in the Lord.
Thanks be to God.