1. Peace, to soothe our bitter woes,
God in Christ on us bestows;
Jesus bought our peace with God
with his holy, precious blood;
peace in him for sinners found
is the gospel's joyful sound.
2. Peace within the church still dwells
in our welcomes and farewells;
and through God's baptismal pow'r
peace surrounds our dying hour.
Peace be with you, full and free,
now and through eternity.
***
When God gives peace, it is not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness and harmony. This wholeness and harmony is best experienced not as individuals, but in community with others. Because of this, since the very beginning, the people of God have gathered regularly to pray together, to sing together and to hear the word of God together. This communion of saints is itself a miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit, and it is in this community that the peace of God is given.
But it does not stop when worship ends. The church gathered on Sunday morning becomes the church scattered throughout the community as we go about our daily lives. We carry that life-giving peace with us wherever we go--praying, singing, serving and sharing--filling the world with God's love and salvation.
Life-giving God, fill your churches this morning with true peace; then send us out as bearers of your peace to a world in need. Amen.
John Guthridge, '15
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grandview, Wash.
***
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United State
***
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