Recently, my wife and I had the opportunity to go on a six-day motorcycle that took us over 700 miles winding across Arizona roads and through some of the most beautiful places that we had ever been… simply beautiful. However, in contrast by far, Sunday morning gatherings at Sovereign Grace Church are dear to its pastors! There is no other place we would rather be on Sunday morning than gathered at “the dearest place on earth.”

Because the Church is dear to Jesus and therefore dear to its pastors, we pay close attention to every element of our liturgy (the order, priority, and content for observance). Each element of our liturgy seeks to accomplish quite simply two things: one, to exalt Jesus, and the other to build up His Church, the saints. At Sovereign Grace Church, our liturgy includes the Call to Worship, Worship/Singing, Pastoral Prayer, Brief Announcements (yes… our announcements also should serve to build the Church), the Word of God Preached, Worship in Response, and the Benediction at the end.

Ah, the Benediction! We love it. We are not canceling it! We are simply changing it. Church history will bear out that it has taken on various forms over the centuries, yet, holding on to a common goal. In his book, Benedictions, Robert Vasholz, writes, “Benedictions are pronounced by ministers at the close of worship services as an expression of hope and encouragement to God’s people to face whatever their future might hold. They are a reminder of a good and great God, Who is rich in mercy, Who is not only for them but with them in whatever trials may befall their course in life.” May our last words grant us this kind of hope and encouragement!

Your pastors gathered for several days of prayer and planning on a retreat recently. It was there that we believe that the Lord was leading us to make a change to the end of our Sunday services. While still holding onto the traditional goal of the Benediction, the change in our Benediction is this: we are now calling it our Prayer of Response. Responding to the preached word, and desiring to be led by the active presence of the Holy Spirit, one of the pastors will lead this ending time of Prayer of Response. This moment could include what God would lay upon the pastor's heart regarding the application of the preached word, a gospel call to unbelievers, a benediction text, or ministry to a specific group of saints, all for the purpose of further strengthening and commissioning the Church.

Church, you are dear to your pastors, and we are praying for you and for our Sunday gatherings. May Jesus be exalted and may you be strengthened.

The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace

Prayer of Response - A Change in Our Benediction