Liturgy of Healing & Comfort

A SERVICE OF WHOLENESS

Call To Worship: Ps 13 & Lam 3:21, 22, 24 (NRSV) adapted
How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I bear pain in my soul, and have sorrow in my heart all day long? Consider and answer me, O LORD my God!

But this I remember, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; God’s mercies never come to an end.

But I trust in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because my God has dealt bountifully with me.

“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in God.” The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; God’s mercies never come to an end.

Call to Confession (BCW, 1006) adapted

Jesus said: Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Friends in Christ, …

Corporate Confession (BCW, 1007 #2) adapted

Eternal Creator, in whom we live and have our very being, whose presence with us is obscured by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the numbness of our hearts: Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and our strength through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Silent Confession

Assurance of Pardon (BCW, 1008 #1) adapted

The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives us all our sins, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Service of the Word:

Prayer of Illumination (BCW, 60 #4)

O Lord our God, your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path. Give us grace to receive your truth in faith and love, that we may be obedient to your will and live always for your glory; through Jesus Christ our savior. Amen.

Scripture Readings & Reflection:

Psalm 22:1-3a

Matthew 18:18-20

2 Cor 1:4-5,7

Romans 12:1

Response to the Word:

Moment for Silent Reflection

Prayer of Intercession (BCW, 1009, adapted)

God, our creator, your will for us and all your people is wholeness and salvation:

have mercy on us.

Jesus Christ, our redeemer, you came that we might have life and have it in abundance:

have mercy on us.

Holy Spirit, our sustainer, dwelling within us, you make us ecclesia with your presence:

have mercy on us.

We pray for those experiencing life in shadows. For those whose energy is spent dealing with physical, emotional or spiritual pain,

Lord, in your steadfast love, hear our prayer.

For those buried deep in grief and sorrow, or who are in a place of spiritual desolation where they do not sense your presence,

Lord, in your steadfast love, hear our prayer.

For those who experience loneliness, abandonment and separation in personal and social relationships, and for the church which experiences much of the same within and without its doors.

Lord, in your steadfast love, hear our prayer.

For those who battle evil and oppression in their daily lives, and those the world over who provide help, safety and nourishment to those so afflicted,

Lord, in your steadfast love, hear our prayer.

We pray, loving God, that we respond to our sisters and brothers here and now, at home and afar, like us and not, in a way that honors You as the loving Parent of us all.

Lord, in your steadfast love, hear our prayer. Amen.

Prayers for Wholeness

James 5:13-14

Laying on of Hands and Anointing with Oil

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

Blessing

May the Christ of all that has been and all that is to come stay by our side through daylight and darkness, heal us of the wounds of the past, console us of our afflictions, and welcome us into the future.

Go in peace, protected by God, befriended by Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and held in and by the prayers of the children of God. And the blessings of the Triune God go with you now and always.

Amen

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That's too bad - I'm so sorry. Oh, well, just try to make the best of it. What you'll find here is a variety of essays and ramblings to do with things theological, social, whimsical and, sometimes, all three. I don't write to get famous - trust me, I've been told how futile that would be - but to express myself. I love to communicate and browbeat - ummm, I mean dialogue - about the things I find intriguing. Since you're here, and the door's locked, why don't you stay a while. There's a page bar under the header with links to information about us - I mean me. Don't forget to tell me what you think - in a nice way, I mean.