There is a moment towards the end of the Holy Eucharist service in the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer where

The Bishop when present, or the Priest, may bless the people.

For special services – the Thanksgiving for a Child, for example – a scripted Blessing is prescribed. The Book of Occasional Services offers some lovely seasonal examples, and Enriching Our Worship curates some more.

But for ordinary Sundays in the Book of Common Prayer, permission is given but no specific instruction as to how one might word the blessing.

The 1549 Book of Common Prayer prescribed the blessing,

The peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you alway.

This is the blessing of my childhood, and the one to which I most comfortably revert.

Nevertheless, I am moved to try something new. Each week, until Advent 2017, I will post a blessing based in the Scriptures of the Sunday to come. I’d love to hear from you, if you use them, especially how they are received by your people and by your own spirit.

A Blessing for August 28, 2017: Year C, the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17)

Readings: Jeremiah 2:4-13, Psalm 81:1, 10-16 OR Sirach 10:12-18 or Proverbs 25:6-7, Psalm 112, Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, Luke 14:1, 7-14

May you have confidence to say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”

May you hear God’s Word calling you, “Friend.”

May your heart in all humility, by the daily visitation of God’s Holy Spirit, be lifted up to glory.

Amen.

(Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 118:6; Luke 14:10)