Theme: The power of God's name

Exegetical Note
The famous tripartite blessing in this passage is presented as a liturgical way to put God's name on Israel, which to the ancient mind meant to bestow upon them the full force of God's very being, saving presence, and sustaining providence.

Call to Worship
(based on Psalm 67)
Leader: May God's grace and blessing be upon us!
People: MAY GOD'S FACE SHINE UPON US!
Leader: May God's ways be known upon the earth!
People: MAY GOD'S SAVING POWER BE SEEN BY ALL NATIONS! 

Collect
Gracious and blessed God, you have made your face to shine and your countenance to glow upon all the people of the earth. Help us who bear your name and the name of the Christ feel the power of those names: that, thus renewed by your mighty p…