A Service of Healing - Wednesday, May 6, 2020
A SERVICE OF HEALING
Taken and adapted from the Princeton-Penn Medicine Religious Ministries Service of Healing, the Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church and the New Zealand Prayer Book
You are invited to find a quiet place in your home and light a candle
as a reminder that Jesus, the Light of the World, is present among us.
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP
I sought the Lord and the Lord answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
This poor soul cried and was heard by the Lord
and was saved from every trouble.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Thanks be to God!
PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS
Stir up your power, Faithful God, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from that which hinders our faith and obstructs your mercy so that we may receive you in joy and serve you always, willingly bearing your redeeming love to all the world. Have mercy on us. Be gracious to us. As you continue to teach us of your hopes, your dreams, and your love for us, help us to see ourselves as you see us, as your beloveds. Open our hearts to receive your mercy and grace.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Out of our lives laced with sorrows and mistakes, God is able to weave a tapestry of grace, forgiveness, and healing. God has sent redemption for all. At all times, and for every grace, we give thanks to God.
OPENING PRAYER
God of the present moment, God who in Jesus stills the storm and soothes the frantic heart; bring hope and courage to us as we wait in uncertainty. Bring us hope that you will make us the equal of whatever may lie ahead. Give us courage to endure what cannot be avoided, for your will is health and wholeness; you are God, and we need you. Amen.
SCRIPTURE Psalm 42
PRAYER PRACTICE Psalm 42 Lectio Divina
As a deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God!
I thirst for God,
for the living God.
I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?”
I cannot eat; I weep day and night.
All day long they say to me, “Where is your God?”
I will remember and weep.
For I was once walking along with the great throng to the temple of God,
shouting and giving thanks along with the crowd as we celebrated the holy festival.
Why are you depressed, O my soul?
Why are you upset?
Wait for God!
For I will again give thanks
to my God for his saving intervention.
I am depressed,
so I will pray to you while in the region of the upper Jordan,
from Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
One deep stream calls out to another at the sound of your waterfalls;
all your billows and waves overwhelm me.
By day the LORD decrees his loyal love,
and by night he gives me a song,
a prayer to the God of my life.
I will pray to God, my high ridge:
“Why do you ignore me?
Why must I walk around mourning
because my enemies oppress me?”
My enemies’ taunts cut me to the bone,
as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
Why are you depressed, O my soul?
Why are you upset?
Wait for God!
For I will again give thanks
to my God for his saving intervention.
HOMILY: Praying the Psalms
PRAYERS FOR HEALING AND WHOLENESS:
L: Like the first disciples before the coming of God’s power at Pentecost, we wait in faith, and pray.
Be with us, Holy Spirit; nothing can separate us from your love. (Chime)
Be with us as of old, fill us with your power, direct all our thoughts to your goodness. (Chime)
Be present, Holy Spirit; bring faith and healing and peace. (Chime)
Silence
L: The Lord is here. God’s Spirit is with us.
Almighty God, we pray that all those on our congregation’s prayer lists,
all those impacted by the coronavirus,
and those whom we name before you, may be comforted in their suffering and made whole.
When they are afraid, give them courage; when we are afraid, give us courage; when they feel weak, grant them your strength; when we feel weak, grant us your strength; when they are afflicted, afford them patience; when we are afflicted, afford us patience; when they are lost, offer them hope; when we are lost, offer us hope; when they are alone, assure them of your presence;
when we are alone, assure us of your presence; when death comes, open your arms to receive them;
when death comes, open your arms to receive us. In the name of Jesus, Healer of Our Every Ill, we pray.
Amen.
May the power of God's indwelling presence heal you of all illnesses— of body, mind, spirit, and relationships— that you may serve God with a loving heart. Amen.
BLESSING
Gracious God, you have given us much today; grant us also a thankful spirit. Into your hands we commend ourselves and those we love. Be with us still, and when we take our rest renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
In darkness and in light, in trouble and in joy, help us, heavenly Father, to trust your love, to serve your purpose, and to praise your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
