951

Now Go in Peace

Scripture References

Confessions and Statements of Faith References

Further Reflections on Confessions and Statements of Faith References

To leave the security of worship and enter the world for service requires firm confidence in the faithful promises of God to be with us, to care for us and bless us. Our deepest assurance comes from the comfort we have that “I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 1, Question and Answer 1). Because I belong to him, “he will provide whatever I need for body and soul, and will turn to my good whatever adversity he sends upon me in this sad world. God is able to do this because he is almighty God and desires to do this because he is a faithful Father” (Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 9, Question and Answer 26). We have the assurance that “our Lord speaks to us now through the inspired Scriptures. Christ is with us day by day” (Our Song of Hope, Stanza 1). How rich it is to carry such assurance of his blessing with us as we leave the service of worship!

951

Now Go in Peace

Blessing/Benediction

Grace and peace to you
from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age,
according to the will of our God and Father,
to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
—Galatians 1:2-5, NIV
— Worship Sourcebook Edition Two

May God himself, the God of peace,
sanctify you through and through.
May your whole spirit, soul and body
be kept blameless
at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
—1 Thessalonians 5:23, NIV
— Worship Sourcebook Edition Two

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with all of you. Amen.
—from 2 Corinthians 13:13, NRSV
— Worship Sourcebook Edition Two

Additional Prayers

A Prayer of Acclamation
 
Triune God, your blessing has been upon us always, and now rests on us as we prepare to depart. Surely you are good to us beyond all we can think or imagine. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
951

Now Go in Peace

Tune Information

Name
JUNKANOO
Key
G Major

Recordings

Musical Suggestion

The trinitarian text makes for a joyful parting blessing to a worship service. The tune's Caribbean flavor is evident especially in the syncopation that is found in each phrase.
 
Rounds are best sung unaccompanied, with the harmony emerging as each part is added. Sing it first all together, and, if need be, provide a bit of support with guitar or keyboard (using block chords only).
 
Probably the best way to learn this song is to teach it first to the church school children or youth choir and have them teach it to the congregation. Once the song is moving along, add some percussion instruments.
(from Reformed Worship, Issue 55)
— Emily Brink
951

Now Go in Peace

Composer Information

A native of the Dominican Republic, Jorge Lockward is Global Praise Program Coordinator for the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. He served on the editorial board of Mil Voces Para Celebrar, a Methodist hymnal (Abdington Press, 1996). Lockward is also the conductor-in-resident of Cántico Nuevo (New Song), a music, arts, and liturgy ecumenical project in New York City, and he leads numerous worship and music workshops throughout the country.

Albert Chung (b. August 22, 1986) is from South Pasadena, CA; he has an undergraduate degree in music education from UCLA and served as a band director at South Pasadena High School. His involvement in various church ministries around Southern California led him to study at Princeton Theological Seminary for his M.Div. degree (anticipated in 2014); his interest in music composition is aimed at providing accessible contemporary settings for congregational song.  
— Emily Brink

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