(Please note that words in parentheses are for direction
& would not be printed.)
| The front of the bulletin can offer a word of
welcome and explanation about this service of healing & prayer.
For example: |
|
We welcome you to this special worship time, a service
of prayer for healing and wholeness. This service is for healing
of every kind, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional. As Christians,
we believe God is the source of wholeness in our lives. Therefore,
it is appropriate for us to conduct prayers for wholeness and healing.
Some of us need healing from broken relationships; some of us need
healing from psychological distress; some of us need the gift of
physical healing. None of us is exempt from needing God’s
healing presence in our lives.
A service of prayer for healing and wholeness is not a new activity
for the church. Healing services are an ancient and accepted practice.
Numerous prayers for healing are as old as the Bible itself. The
disciples, following Jesus’ example, anointed the sick and
prayed for healing, Mark 6:7, 12-13. Scripture invites us to pray
for healing. The book of James, for one, states that “If anyone
is sick, call the elders and pray for that person and anoint that
person with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14 In Biblical
times, oil was a symbol of God’s healing properties. As Christians,
we believe Jesus is the physician of our souls. We look to his healing
strength that reaches to every level of our being.
Every Sunday morning in our worship we pray for healing. We pray
for those who are ill and hospitalized. We pray for God’s
care and comfort, but we also pray for God’s healing. Today
we gather in a special service in which we shall participate in
the early church’s practice of the Laying On of Hands and
Anointing with Oil, participating in a powerful way with the healing,
wholeness-bestowing Spirit of God at work in our lives.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord God
has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted, he has sent
me to bind up the brokenhearted. Isaiah 61:1 |
| Worship Service |
| Prelude Music |
 |
(musicians) |
Welcome
|
|
Parish Nurse |
| Opening Hymn |
Children of the Heavenly Father |
Text: Caroline Berg
Tune: Swedish folk |
| Litany |
|
Health cabinet member |
| Leader: |
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, |
| Congregation: |
And his mercy endures forever. |
| Leader: |
They cried to the Lord in their trouble, |
| Congregation: |
And he delivered them from their distress. |
| Leader:: |
He sent forth his Word and healed them, |
| Congregation: |
And saved them from the grave. |
| Leader: |
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, |
Congregation: |
And loving in all his works. |
Leader: |
The Lord upholds all who fall; |
Congregation: |
He lifts up those who are bowed down. |
Leader: |
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed, |
Congregation: |
And ministers to them in their illness. |
Leader: |
The Lord is my strength and my song |
Congregation: |
And he has become my salvation. |
Leader: |
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, |
| Congregation: |
And his mercy endures forever. Amen. |
| Prayer of the Day |
|
Parish Nurse |
Leader: |
The Lord be with you. |
|
Congregation: |
And also with you. |
|
Leader: |
Let us pray… |
|
Leader: |
Touch us, tender God, with the holiness of your spirit.
Let your awesome power flow from one person to another and be felt
as inward peace. Bring forth in us the confidence to speak your
work, the awareness to recognize your healing work in our lives,
and the courage to build your kingdom of peace and wellness. Lay
your hands gently upon us, heal us and strengthen us to do your
will and sing your praises. Amen.
|
| First Lesson |
(chosen by worship planning team. Some suggested O.T. scripture:
Isaiah 61:1-3; Psalm 103:1-5; Isaiah 40:1. If there is room, it
is helpful to print the text of the lessons in the bulletin) |
Parish Nurse |
| Silence for Meditation |
|
|
| Second Lesson |
(read by PN or HC member & chosen by worship planning team Some
suggested N.T. scripture James 5: 13-16; Acts 3: 1-10; Mark 6: 7,12-13) |
|
| Hymn |
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
|
Text: George Allen
Tune: Thomas Dorsey |
| Gospel Reading |
(this text is chosen by the person giving the homily) |
| Homily |
|
Pastor |
| Sermon Hymn |
Healer of Our Every Ill |
Text & Tune: Marty Haugen |
| Prayers of Intercession |
(After each petition of the prayer) |
|
Leader: |
Lord in your mercy, |
|
Congregation: |
Hear our prayers.
(suggested prayers - each petition may be read by a different worship
leader. The words can be printed, if room, otherwise just print the
above direction) |
Leader: |
Let us pray for all who suffer.
(pause for silent prayer)
Merciful Lord, you sent your Son to be our peace. Help all who suffer
pain or grief to find strength and peace, so that their trust in your
promises may be renewed; |
Leader: |
Lord in your mercy, |
|
Congregation: |
Hear our prayers. |
|
Leader: |
Let us pray for recovery from sickness.
(pause for silent prayer) |
Leader: |
Oh God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of
sufferers: mercifully hear our prayers and grant to your children,
the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health
and our sorrow into joy; |
Leader: |
Lord in your mercy, |
|
Congregation: |
Hear our prayers. |
|
Leader: |
Let us pray for those who minister in healing.
(pause for silent prayer)
Almighty God, source of human knowledge and skill: Guide physicians
and nurses and all those you have called to practice the arts of healing.
Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that, by their ministries,
the health of all people may be promoted and your creation may be
glorified; |
Leader: |
Lord in your mercy, |
|
Congregation: |
Hear our prayers. |
|
Leader: |
Let us pray for the ministry of family and friends.
(pause for silent prayer)
Loving God, our creator and redeemer: Give strength and gentleness,
patience and faithfulness to family members and friends. Let their
hope be in you, and by their ministry of love let your love be known.
Guide them that decisions are made with love, mercy and reverence
for your gift of life; |
Leader: |
Lord in your mercy, |
|
Congregation: |
Hear our prayers. |
|
Leader: |
Let us pray for those who desire our prayers.
(pause for silent prayer)
Blessed Lord, we ask your loving care and protection for those who
are sick in body, mind, or spirit and who desire our prayers….
(at this point specific names may be listed) Take from them all fears
and help them put their trust in you, that they may feel your strong
arms around them. Touch them with your renewing love, that they may
know wholeness in you and glorify your name; |
Leader: |
Lord in your mercy, |
|
Congregation: |
Hear our prayers. |
|
| Laying on of Hands and Anointing |
If you wish, you are invited to come forward to one
of the prayer stations at the altar rail, kneeling if possible, and
receive laying on of hands, anointing and prayer. (Specific prayer
requests for oneself and/or for others may be offered at this time.
You may use the prayer request cards) |
| Taize Music |
During the prayers for healing you are invited to join
in singing the Taize chants (printed on the insert) for prayerful
meditation. We will sing each song several times. Let the song leaders
guide you. |
| Blessing Prayer for Healing |
Holding your hands over your own heart, remembering the power of
God’s love within you; receive this blessing: |
Parish Nurse |
Leader: |
May you desire to be healed.
May what is wounded in your life be restored to good health.
May you be receptive to the ways in which healing needs to happen.
May you take good care of yourself.
May you extend compassion to all that hurts within your body, mind,
spirit.
May you be patient with the time it takes to heal.
May you be aware of the wonders of your body, mind, and spirit and
their
amazing capacity to heal.
May the skills of all those who are caring for you be used to the
best of their
ability in returning you to good health.
May you be open to receive from those who extend kindness, care and
compassion to you.
May you rest peacefully under the sheltering wings of divine love,
trusting in
God’s gracious presence.
May you find little moments of beauty and joy to sustain you.
May you keep hope in your heart. AMEN. |
| Lord’s Prayer |
|
|
Leader: |
Lord, remember us in your Kingdom, and teach us to pray |
Congregation: |
Our Father.. (use the version familiar to your congregation)
|
| Benediction |
|
Pastor |
Leader: |
The blessing of God’s eternal love, the courage
to follow the way of the cross, and the guidance of the Spirit in
the desert places of our world, be among you and remain with you forever.
|
Congregation: |
Amen. |
|
| Closing Hymn |
Go My Children, With My Blessing |
Text: Jaroslav Vajda
Tune: Welsh |
| |
(parish nurse and pastor/s leave during final verse
of closing hymn and greet people as they leave the sanctuary/chapel) |
| Postlude |
|
(musicians) |
