or 「sanctify」an hour, or a week?
It means rather, in the first place, to do something on that day which is a holy work, which is owing only to God, namely, that above all other things one preaches God’s Word purely and holily. And likewise, that the others hear and learn God’s Word and help to see to it that it is purely preached and kept. This is what it means rightly to observe the day of rest and to 「consecrate」 or 「sanctify」 the place or the church: as we, praise God, are consecrating this house! Yes, this preaching of the Word is the aspergillum, which all of us together should grasp and with it bless and sanctify ourselves and others.
Secondly, it means that we receive the Word of God, which we have heard in our hearts and with which we have thus been sprinkled, in order that it may bring forth power and fruit in us, and that we may publicly confess it and intend to hold on to it through life and through death.
Thirdly, it means that when we have heard God’s Word we also lift up to God our common, united incense, that is, that we call upon him and pray to him together (which we know is certainly pleasing and acceptable to him, particularly in common assembly), and also praise and thank God together with joy for all his benefits, temporal and eternal, and all the wonderful works he does in his church.
Thus everything that is done in such an assembly of the whole congregation or church is nothing but holy, godly business and work and is a holy sabbath, in order both that God may be rightly and holily served and all men be helped. (AE 51:342-43)