We Receive Your Blessing

Hymn Information

First Line: We receive your blessing
Author: Grace Moes · Natasha Moes
Tune Name: WE RECEIVE YOUR BLESSING
Composer: Grace Moes · Natasha Moes
Topic: Responses: To Benediction · Elements of Worship: Charge and Blessing

Copyright Information

Text Copyright

Tune Copyright

Reprint/Projection Information

Words and Music: Permitted with a license from CCLI.com. If you do not own this license, please contact the copyright holder for permission.

Scripture References

Numbers 6:22-26
·
2 Corinthians 13:14
·
1 Thessalonians 5:16-28

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!

947

We Receive Your Blessing

Additional Prayers

A Prayer of Acclamation

Wonderful God, overflowing fountain of goodness, we receive your blessing, we receive your grace, and we live off them today and always through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

— Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.

947

We Receive Your Blessing

Tune Information

Name: WE RECEIVE YOUR BLESSING
Key: D Major

Recordings

947

We Receive Your Blessing

Hymn Story/Background

“We Receive Your Blessing” was composed as a personal response to our pastor's weekly invitation to "receive the blessing" at the end of the Sunday morning worship service. In our fellowship, we've always been encouraged to physically hold out our hands, palms up, as a symbol of receiving God's benediction. That gesture and the beautiful Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6 inspired the verse of this song, while the traditional "Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" became the lyric for the chorus. The Celtic-flavoured melody came easily, although it was my daughter Natasha (then 14 years old ) who helped shape the final version--her contribution made the tune much more enjoyable. It's an honour to find that many congregations now regularly use this song, often adding creative movement—or at least holding out their hands in grateful anticipation.

— Grace Moes

Author and Composer Information

Colleen Reinders (b.1960) and Grace Moes (b.1958) began leading worship together in 1981 under the title of Unity Music Ministries. What began in a local Christian Reformed Church in Southern Ontario, has taken them to many places across Canada and the US, helping congregations and worship teams grow in worship renewal, and participating wherever the Body gathers for worship: retreats, conferences and a variety of Christian events. As an added resource for the church, they've recorded many songs suitable for inter-generational worship, some of these their own compositions. Both women are grateful to God for His faithful guidance and provision over the years, and for the blessing of worshipping with His people along the way!

— Grace Moes