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Healing Service

On Sunday, January 26, 2020 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 min-
istry 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 laying
on of the hands we will be offering you an opportunity to light a candle and offer a moment of

silent prayer on behalf of the people you care and have concerns for who are in need of heal-
ing. 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 various

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 human

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 commu-

nity, 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 to-
gether in worship.

Please plan on joining us!!

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