From the Pastor (Salutation):

Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you)

In its Latin, Dominus vobiscum (The Lord be with you) is the ‘church’s Hello.’ It is the church’s family greeting between Pastor and People. The biblical references for ‘Dominus vobiscum’ are Ruth 2:4, II Chronicles 15:2, Matthew 28:20, Luke 1:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Et cum spiritu tuo  (And with thy Spirit) or (And also with you). The Epistles use this phrase at Galatians 6:18, Philippians 4:23, Philemon 25 and II Timothy 4:22.

Et cum spiritu tuo (and with thy Spirit) is held by some as an acknowledgement of the pastoral office of the officiant. In recent times the response is ‘and also with you,’ emphasizing the mutual relationship of pastor and people together at worship.

This salutation is an exchange of mutual love and respect. Wilhelm Loehe says: “The bonds of love and unity between pastor and people are tied anew.”

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church is a house of God where His family (pastor and people) gather for worship to receive His gifts of grace and blessing and in response, pray, praise, and give thanks.

From our family to yours, Dominus vobiscum.