God's Greeting worship ideas
As we begin worship, it is fitting to begin with words from the Bible that voice God's greeting to us as a gathered community. God is present in the space before we are. God comes to us first. The words of God's greeting form part of the conversation in worship between God and his people.
What is God's greeting?
God's greeting is part of the opening sequence in a worship service. The pieces of this opening sequence can include:
God's greeting, because it is God's words, frequently comes directly from the Bible. The pastor speaks the words of God over the congregation and the congregation receives them in the greeting. Some pastors raise their hands during the greeting and some congregational members bow their heads and/or open their hands as a gesture of receiving the word of greeting from God.
Where can I find God's greeting in the Bible?
- Isaiah 40:10–11, God will feed his flock like a shepherd
- Isaiah 41:9–10, God says, "Do not fear, for I am with you"
- Isaiah 42:6–8, "I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness"
- Isaiah 43:1–3, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you"
- Isaiah 49:15–16, God will not forget us
- Isaiah 54:7–8, God says, "With everlasting love I will have compassion on you"
- Zephaniah 3:17, the Lord , your God, is in your midst
- 2 Corinthians 13:13, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
- Galatians 1:3–5, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
- Philippians 1:2, "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"
- 2 Timothy 1:2, "Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord"
- 2 Peter 1:2, "May grace and peace be yours in abundance"
- 2 John 3, grace, mercy, and peace will be with us
- Jude 1:1b –2, "May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance"
- Revelation 1:4b –5, "Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come"