Numbers Bible Sketch

Our heavenly Father’s blessings of a beginning

Sending us forward in protection, mercy, grace, atonement and peace in Jesus

The Benediction, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 ESV Bible verse hand lettering with sketch of how to make the sign of the cross hand gesture—the oldest symbol of Christianity.

A pastoral blessing

1. is like the shining of the sun bringing joy and brightness,
2. gives peace and security in the wake of life’s tragedy and natural disasters,
3. verbally declares a wishing of God’s wishes,
4. calls Christians to love and bless others even in the midst of horrifying situations, 
5. reminds us of who we are as God’s children in the midst of chaos and adversity, 
6. includes a hand gesture to visualize the blessing’s effectiveness in God’s peacemaking on the cross
7. is spoken Word which forgives and strengthens

(reference and more about the benediction)

Explore to listen, watch, sing along

• The Lord Bless You And Keep You - Lutkin - performed live by Octarium
• The Lord Bless You and Keep You - Nidarosdomens Guttekor
• The Lord Bless You and Keep You - HSU Music High school a capella group Half-Step Up

Printable blessings sign of the cross art is available at FreshRetroGallery, Etsy. Learn how to make cards on the computer: tutorial and inspiration for making artistic notes.

Check out The Lutheran Study Bible with extra helpful study resources and prayers.

Leviticus Bible Sketch

Our Creator is holy

“What does it mean to be holy? … What does God require of us to be considered holy?” (find out what Pastor Mark Schlamann says by clicking here)

Sketch of praying hands under the cross of Christ Jesus, His shed blood, the Holy Spirit’s gift of faith given in the water of Baptism and the Word. “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:2b ESV

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

“…we are part of His family—we are His own children…” (listen or read more from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Two Rivers, WI)

Sketchbook doodle symbolizing the gifts of being washed, cleansed and loved by the our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The powerful light of God lives in, flows through and shines from all believers throughout the universal Christian Church.

We pray

Dear Father God,
Thank You for giving us saving faith that is ours through the

• working of the Holy Spirit and
• what Christ Jesus has done to fulfill the law

Turn us to your Word to

• show us our sin
• increase our understanding of the gospel
• transform us by the renewal of our minds that by testing we may discern
  • what is Your will
  • what is good and acceptable and perfect
• guide us to humbly live in the holiness of your merciful Truth
• encourage and strengthen us to accomplish things You provide for us to do
• increase reflection that leads us to repent of our wrongdoings
• make us certain of Your presence
• share divine love You stir within us
• motivate us to pray
• move us to be generous
• teach us to gently build others up with encouragement and kindness
• develop our leadership and creative skills which would point others to You
• light our way to care for others with
  • patience
  • forgiveness
  • compassion
• complete our joy in believing and trusting Your gracious invitation that has no end

Give us desire to receive Your gifts. Open our ears, hearts and mouths to receive your honest, holy goodness in worship and The Lord’s Supper. Amen.

The written Word of God

Check out this Bible with helpful extra notes and references: The Lutheran Study Bible