March 12, 2025

“Come in” she said, “I’ll give ya shelter from the storm”

― Bob Dylan

You probably did not open this email expecting Bob Dylan quote to frame a devotional about the benediction, but because REST is the culmination of Christian  worship in general, and our worship service in particular, it seemed fitting to reference this song. If you cannot bring yourself to listen to “Shelter from the Storm” by Bob Dylan, I recommend that you at least read the lyrics. We typically imagine rest as something we are called into - just like the song implies, “It’s rough out there so come in, put up your feet and rest awhile from your troubles.” But in the context of the Christian life and worship rest is also something we are sent out with. 

Liturgical Movements
Reverence
Reconciliation
Revelation
Response
Renewal
Rest

At the end of Numbers 6, God had Moses tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people by putting “his [God’s] name on them.” Ministers have used the “Aaronic Blessing” as a Benediction ever since. Here is the most wonderful aspect of this blessing. The language about God’s face in the Aaronic Blessing is more than the memory of a grandfatherly smile - it is the blessing of God’s unfailing presence. This was the inspiration for the name of our church; “Coram Deo” means “before the face of God.”  So, on Sunday morning we are gathered by God into his presence to be known, assured, encouraged, and fed so that we would go with his presence “to the ends of the earth” in our jobs, family life, friendships, and passions. 

The Benediction is, in this sense, vitally connected to the Great Commission - we who have run to Christ as our fortress, go throughout the world in and with the rest he has provided. What a joy it is to find that Sunday morning worship travels with us throughout the week - to discover that God’s presence is not limited but encompassing, to live in the reality of grace and the Holy Spirit that will never leave or forsake us. We who have hoped in the Gospel, are also signs of hope in the Gospel to the world all around us. Let’s strive to enter that rest; let’s live Coram Deo!

Invocation: Psalm 33:6-12
Confession of Sin: Leviticus 18:4-5
Assurance of Grace Romans 10:5-11
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 49:1-6
Sermon Text: Ruth 3:1-18
Confession of Faith: John's Gospel