Our services and many of our meetings end with a blessing (or benediction). The words are so familiar that we can find our minds wandering even as we speak them, but this is a powerful thing that we are doing. We are reminding each other that as we part, we do not leave alone - we go in the company and the strength of the risen Christ.
The benediction we say in our services comes from 2 Corinthians 13 but there is another ancient blessing in the Scriptures which is much older - the blessing God gave to Aaron and the priests to say over the people of Israel:
‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.’ (Numbers 6:24-26)
May you hear and receive those words for yourself today (and have the privilege of speaking them over someone else too).