A Celebration of Wholeness and Healing

[Conducted Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Grace Church, Hawley Todd, TSSF, Liturgist]
[Service adapted from A Celebration of Wholeness and Healing, Church of Ireland BCP 2004.]

Processional Hymn What a friend we have in Jesus LEVAS 109

The Gathering of God's People

GREETING

In the name of Christ, we welcome you.
We have been called out of darkness into God's marvelous light.
Grace and peace be with you
People: and also with you.

The love of God has been poured into our hearts,
Through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us:
We dwell in him and he lives in us.
Give thanks to the Lord and call upon his name;
People: make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;
People: and speak of all his marvelous works.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty;
People: who was and is and is to come.

THE COLLECT said together

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Proclaiming and Receiving the Word

Hymn: Yahweh, I Know You Are Near vs. 1 & 4 LEVAS 16

Sirach 15:15-20

Reader A Reading from the Apocryphal Book of Sirach

If you choose, you can keep the commandments, and to act faithfully is a matter of your own choice. He has placed before you fire and water; stretch out your hand for whichever you choose. Before each person are life and death, and whichever one chooses will be given. For great is the wisdom of the Lord; he is mighty in power and sees everything; his eyes are on those who fear him, and he knows every human action. He has not commanded anyone to be wicked, and he has not given anyone permission to sin.

Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

Matthew 5:21-37

Reader A Reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.

You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one.”

Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.

THE SERMON Hawley Todd TSSF

Offertory Hymn Spirit Song LEVAS 118

Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of money or other gifts to the altar. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar.

Litany of Healing

God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation.
People: We praise and bless you, Lord.

God the Son, you came that we might have life, and might have it more abundantly.
People: We praise and bless you, Lord.

God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies the temple of your presence.
People: We praise and bless you, Lord.

Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being.
People: We praise and bless you, Lord.

Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured or disabled, that they may be made whole.
People: Hear us, Lord of life.

Grant to all who are lonely, anxious or depressed a knowledge of your will and an awareness of your presence.
People: Hear us, Lord of life.

Grant to all who minister to those who are suffering, wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience.
People: Hear us, Lord of life.

Mend broken relationships, and restore to those in distress soundness of mind and serenity of spirit.
People: Hear us, Lord of life.

Sustain and support those who seek your guidance and lift up all who are brought low by the trials of this life.
People: Hear us, Lord of life.

Grant peace and a holy death to those who are dying, and uphold by the grace and consolation of your Holy Spirit those who are bereaved.
People: Hear us, Lord of life.

Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world.
People: Hear us, Lord of life.

You are the Lord, you perform mighty wonders.
People: You have declared your power among the peoples.

With you, Lord, is the well of life
People: and in your light do we see light.

Hear us, Lord of life,
People: heal us, and make us whole.

Let us be silent before God.

A period of silence follows

O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people;
in the multitude of your mercies look with compassion
upon us and all who turn to you for help;
for you are gracious, O lover of souls,
and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and forever. Amen.

Laying on of Hands and Anointing

Our help is in the name of the Lord
People: who has made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord:
People: now and forever. Amen.

Blessed are you, sovereign God, gentle and merciful, creator of heaven and earth. Your Word brought light out of darkness, and daily your Spirit renews the face of the earth. When we turned away from you in sin, your anointed Son took our nature and entered our suffering to bring your healing to those in weakness and distress. He broke the power of evil and set us free from sin and death that we might become partakers of his glory. His apostles anointed the sick in your name, bringing wholeness and joy to a broken world. By your grace renewed each day you continue the gifts of healing in your Church that your people may praise your name forever.

Hear the prayer we offer for all your people. Remember in your mercy those for whom we pray: heal the sick, raise the fallen, strengthen the fainthearted and enfold in your love the fearful and those who have no hope. In the fullness of time complete your gracious work. Reconcile all things in Christ and make them new. Restore us in your image, renew us in your love, that we may serve you as sons and daughters in your kingdom; through your anointed Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, to whom with you and the Holy Spirit we lift our voices of thanks and praise:

People: Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation, now and forever. Amen.

Come forward if requesting the laying on of hands and anointing or to receive a blessing. Come with an open heart and mind. You are welcome to pray for others or have quiet meditation during this time.

Hymns:

Sweet, Sweet Spirit LEVAS 120
I want Jesus to walk with me LEVAS 70

After the laying on of hands and anointing, the leader says

The Almighty Lord, who is a strong tower for all who put their trust in him, whom all things in heaven, on earth and under the earth obey, be now and evermore our defense. May we believe and trust that the only name under heaven given for health and salvation is the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER Sung LEVAS 264

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Visitor Recognition, News to Share

Going Out as God's People

God who said: 'Let light shine out of darkness',
People: has caused his light to shine within us

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
People: revealed in the face of Jesus Christ.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels
People: to show that the power belongs to God.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us and remain with us always. Amen.

The Leader says

Go in the joy and peace of Christ. Alleluia, Alleluia
People: Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Recessional Blessed Absalom vs. 1, 2, 6 & 7 LEVAS 44

THE PEACE

God has made us one in Christ. He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come, has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts.

The peace of the Lord be always with you
People: and also with you.