A Service of Healing

Transcription

1 A Service of Healing About the Service of Healing The Service of Healing utilizes an ancient rite of the church: laying on of hands and anointing with oil for healing. Prayers and anointing may be for the person present or as an intention for someone else. Those desiring laying on of hands and anointing should go to the designated healing stations at the appointed time. Upon reaching the healing station, please wait quietly in line until reaching the minister. When asked by the minister, please indicate if prayer and anointing is desired for you or for someone else. If you wish, you may also request prayers for specific illnesses or conditions. Candles may be lighted, before the service begins, in memory of friends or family who have proceeded us in the victory of death in Jesus Christ.

2 Celebrant Grace and peace be with you, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray. O God of peace, you have taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen Psalm 23 The psalm will be read in unison while seated The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want He makes me lie down in green pastures And leads me beside still waters. He revives my soul And guides me along right pathways for his name sake. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; You anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Sequence Hymn: Music To Be Announced All stand if you are able The Lesson from Scripture: Acts 2: 1-21 Reader: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 2

3 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs in our own languages we hear them speaking about God s deeds of power. All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, What does this mean? But others sneered and said, They are filled with new wine. But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Reader: The Word of the Lord People: Thanks be to God (A Meditation May be added here) The Litany of Healing The Intercessor introduces the Litany with this bidding: Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers. The people audibly name those for whom they are interceding A person appointed then leads the Litany God the Father: your will for all people is health and salvation; God the Son: you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly; God the Holy Spirit: you make our bodies the temple of your presence: Holy Trinity, one God: in you we live and move and have our being Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured, or disabled, especially those suffering with HIV/AIDS, that they may be made whole; Grant to all who seek your guidance, and to all who are lonely, anxious, or despondent, a knowledge of your will and awareness of your presence; 3

4 Mend broken relationships, and restore those in emotional distress to soundness of mind and serenity of spirit; Bless physicians, nurses, caregivers and all others who minister to the suffering, granting them wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience; Grant to the dying peace and a holy death, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved; Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world; You are the Lord who does wonders: The People Respond: You have declared your powers among the peoples. With you, O Lord, is the well of life: The People Respond: And in your light we see light. Hear us, O Lord of life: The People Respond: Heal us, and make us whole. Let us pray A period of Silence is kept Celebrant concludes the prayers Almighty God, giver of life and health: Send your blessing on all who are sick, and upon those who minister to them, that all weakness may be vanquished by the triumph of the risen Christ; who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen The Celebrant now invites those who wish to receive the laying on of hands to go to the healing stations. The following anthem is said Savior of the world, by your cross and precious blood you have redeemed us; Save us, and help us, we humbly beseech you, O Lord. Hymns during the Laying on of Hands (Hymns to be Announced) When you reach the healing station, tell the priest or lay person your name and any special requests you may have for yourself or others. 4

5 While at the healing stations and after you return to your seat, we ask that you respect this time that is used by some for quiet meditation and prayer. Please keep any conversation to a whisper. The Minister then lays hands on each person, and says one of the following I lay my hands upon you and anoint you with oil in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, beseeching our Lord Jesus Christ to sustain you with his presence, to drive away all sickness of body and spirit, and to give you that victory of life and peace which will enable you to serve him both now and evermore. Amen Or this I lay my hands upon you and anoint you with oil in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, beseeching him to uphold you and fill you with his grace, that you may know the healing power of his love. Amen Or this I lay my hands upon you and anoint you with oil in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Or prayer may be offered for each person according to their needs, with the laying on of hands and anointing Then the Celebrant says the following blessing over all those who have come forward As you are outwardly anointed with this holy oil, so may our heavenly Father grant you the inward anointing of the Holy Spirit. Of his great mercy, may he forgive you your sins, release you from suffering, and restore you to wholeness and strength. May he deliver you from all evil, preserve you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen All together Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those Who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, And the power, and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen 5

6 The Celebrant concludes The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower to all who put their trust in him, to whom all things in heaven, on earth, and under the earth bow and obey: Be now and evermore your defense, and make you know and feel that the only Name under heaven given for health and salvation is the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen The Celebrant pronounces the blessing May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. All leave in silence. 6