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Healing Service

On Sunday, January 27, 2019 we will be incorporating a rite of healing within our morning
worship service. The rite of healing along with other rites such as the funeral rite, marriage

rite, baptismal rite and affirmation of baptism rite, are long standing parts of the church’s
ministry and have its foundation in the prayer of the worshipping community. The anointing

and laying on of the hands (similar to baptisms and at affirmation of baptisms) done within
the service is by invitation—participation is not required. In addition to the anointing and lay-

ing on of the hands we will be offering you an opportunity to light a candle and offer a mo-
ment of silent prayer on behalf of the people you care and have concerns for who are in need

of healing. We will have a letter and memento, which you may give to the person you were
praying for so that they are aware that you remembered them in prayer.

The church’s ministry of healing emphasizes caring for the sick in the widest possible under-

standing of the term. Every human person stands in need of healing in some dimension of
life. Healing is a gift that need not be limited to those seeking remedy from a specific injury

or illness. The congregation at worship may embrace the gift of healing as it applies to vari-
ous needs—for example, physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational—that may be present

among those gathered. Healing is directly related to various forms of suffering and the hu-
man need for reconciliation and restoration.

We must understand that the liturgical ministry of healing is

grounded in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,
the Word of God, whose presence we experience tangibly in

baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Within the rite of healing,
the church does not replace the gifts of God that come

through the medical, psychiatric, social service and scientific
community, nor does it promise a cure. Rather, the church

offers and celebrates gifts such as God’s presence with

strength and comfort, God’s promise of wholeness, hope and
peace, and God’s love embodied in the community of those

gathered together in worship.

Please plan on joining us!!

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