Welcome to this time and place of worship. God bless you in your coming, and as you go forth, may God bless you in your going.

A short while ago we heard the first notes of the organ prelude as this worship hour began. That was the signal for us to close the curtain upon the week that is past, upon all its cares and burdens, its frustrations and its failures.

A short while from now we shall hear the notes of the organ postlude as this hour comes to its close. That will signal the opening of the curtain upon the week that is to be - that we may move into it with assurance, that we are forgiven the sins of yesterday, that we are at peace with God through Christ, that we are walking with him.

So then may this hour be for each of us an ending and a beginning - as a curtain closes and a curtain opens - as yesterday is put away and tomorrow opens up before us with all its hope and another chance at living.