The following hymn festivals will be offered on this site. Please scroll down to the one that you wish to pursue:
Mid-week Lenten Services
The following mid-week Lenten services included short films prepared by a nonprofit company called NOOMA (www.nooma.com). Each film focuses on one theme. Presenter, Rob Bell, speaks concisely and communicates well on issues that we care about and provides much food for thought on our Lenten journey. Following each presentation worshippers were invited into a time of silence or quiet conversation – reflection questions are included. - PDF
Here is a mid-week Lenten worship order crafted in the worship style of Taize. Included is a sample of the bulletin as well as a list of suggested hymn possibilities. There are two distinguishing marks of Taize-like worship: repetition and silence. Repetition is not new or unique to Taize, but what is unique is the adaptation of the repetitive form to simple musical lines and core biblical texts that can be sung by the gathered community of various nationalities, languages, and denominations. As we worship we are invited to immerse ourselves in the simple but profound harmonies and let ourselves be carried by this sung prayer. Silence is perhaps the second most important aspect of this particular prayer practice. Rather than a sermon or meditation, for example, there is a long period of silence. Maintaining silence is not a technique or method enabling some special communication with God. It is simply holding oneself in the present moment and letting Christ, through the Holy Spirit, pray in us.
The mid-week Lenten worship will invite participants to share in the spirit of Taize through their prayer together. - PDF
A Service of Hymns and Readings on the Nicene Creed
We begin with a hymn written in 1971 for a Festival of Praise, by Fred Pratt Green, a Wesleyan
Methodist minister in England in the middle years of this century. With Once Voice reunites
this hymn with the tune for which it was originally written. Directions for the singing of each
hymn are in your bulletin. Where no directions are given, everyone sings the entire hymn.
802 "When in Our Music God is Glorified"
Yet we know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus
Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by faith in
Christ, and not by doing the works of the law, because no one will be justified by the works
of the law. (Galations 2:16)
Confessions of faith have been a part of the church since Biblical times. The earliest creeds
were simple declarations such as "Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone"
from Deuteronomy (6:4) and "Jesus is Lord" from Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth
(1 Corinthians 12:3). As the church grew, creeds were expanded and formalized, usually in
response to attacks on the church or to counteract heretical doctrines that had arisen. Creeds
thus became fundamental to the church's teachings and doctrine.
"The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised
him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and
one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. (Romans 10:8-10)
781 "My Life Flows on in Endless Song"
L. Let us pray,
C. Almighty and ever-living God, you have given us grace, by the confession of the true faith,
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and, in the power of your divine majesty,
to worship the unity. Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to
see you in your eternal glory, one God, now and forever. (LBW, Prayer of the Day for
The Holy Trinity)
The Nicene Creed was written by the early Church and adopted (in a slightly different version)
by the Church Council at Nicea in AD 325 and further revised to its present form by the Council
at Chalcedon in AD 451. Based probably on the baptismal creed of Jerusalem, this Creed contains
a fuller statement concerning Christ and the Holy Spirit than the earlier formula. It has remained
in use since that time and is currently an essential part of the doctrine and liturgy of the Lutheran
Church. We confess the creed together:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void
and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the
waters. (Gen. 1:1-2)
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full
of your creatures. When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face
of the ground. (Psalm 104)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was
in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one
thing came into being. (John 1:1-3)
The text of "Mothering God" is based on the writings of Julian of Norwich, an English mystic
of the fourteenth century. Julian, or Juliana, as she is sometimes known, received a series of
visions, which she meditated on for 20 years before recording them in a book known as the
"Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love".
769 "Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth"
When the Nicene Creed was drafted, the chief enemy was Arianism. Arius, a priest in Alexandria,
denied the full deity and pre-existence of the Son of God. He held that the Son, while divine
and like God ("of like substance"), was created by God as the agent through whom God created
the universe. Much of the Nicene Creed's focus, therefore, is to assert the divinity of Jesus.
We continue with the creed.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house
of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch
to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days
Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will
be called: "The LORD is our righteousness." (Jer 33:14-16)
"All Earth is Hopeful" is one of several hymns in With One Voice of South American origin.
The original Spanish text is included, however, we will sing in English!
629 "All Earth is Hopeful"
We continue with the creed:
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases; yet we accounted him stricken,
struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for
our iniquities; upon him was the punishment that made us whole, and by his bruises we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:4-5)
Samuel Crossman, author of the next hymn, was one of the first English writers of hymns, preceding
the prolific Isaac Watts by several years. "My Song is Love Unknown" was first published in
1664, and appears here complete and unaltered with a tune from 1924 by John Ireland.
661 "My Song is Love Unknown"
We continue with the creed:
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19)
So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down
at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19)
"Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia" is one of several hymns of African origins in With One Voice.
Much of this music is based on folk music, and comes out of an unwritten, oral tradition where
the parts are freely improvised. This song is from Tanzania. Please feel free to sing in parts,
using any of the parts written or making up your own.
678 "Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia"
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into
his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ
was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him
in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:3-5)
This next hymn comes to us from a pair of American Lutherans, Herb Brokering and David
Johnson. Of Johnson's many compositions, primarily for organ and choirs, this is probably the
best known, although it is usually associated with "Earth and All Stars", a text also written by
Brokering.
674 "Alleluia! Jesus is Risen"
We continue with the creed:
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything
written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a
thief in the night. (1 Thess. 5:1-2)
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone
who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. ... The one who testifies
to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Rev 22)
744 "Soon and Very Soon"
We continue with the creed:
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son
he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
Jesus said to his disciples, "The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach
you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you." (John 14:26)
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we
may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not
taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are
spiritual. (1 Cor 2:12-13)
687 "Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading"
We continue with the creed:
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our
hope of sharing the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Our next hymn is a translation of a well-known Swedish hymn. The offering will be collected
as the hymn is sung.
746 "Day by Day"
Prayers of the Church
Lord's Prayer
Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to
revere your name. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify
your name forever. For great is your steadfast love toward me. (Ps 86:11-13)
We go on our way with a prayer for guidance. "Be Thou My Vision" combines an old Irish
hymn with an old Irish folk tune. Although the earliest publication of the two together is from
only 1927, origins of the text can be traced back to the 8th or 10th century. Please stand as
we sing.
776 "Be Thou My Vision"
L. The Lord almighty bless us and direct our days and our deeds in his peace. C. Amen
Notes:
This service was written as an introduction to hymns and songs in With One Voice, and uses
the Nicene Creed for its theme. Although it can be used at almost any time, it is particularly
appropriate for use on the Sunday of the Holy Trinity.
The narration is intended for two alternating voices speaking alternating paragraphs; the congregation,
in addition to singing, participates in the reading of the Creed. Directions for the singing of
the hymns - alternating stanzas between men, women, choirs, and instruments, singing in unison
or harmony - should be added to the Order of Service, as desired. This service may be adapted
to fit your needs.
Biblical quotations are from the NRSV.
Prepared by Darryl Dewalt
for Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church
Edmonton, Alberta
February, 1997
This rite has been prepared by Pastor Don Hansen of Trinity Lutheran Church, Estevan, Saskatchewan and is available for public use. Pastor:
Today we seek God's blessing on these seeds and the crops they will produce. Christ reminds that, unless the seed is planted in the earth and dies, it will not yield fruit. As these seeds grow and are cared for, may they be signs of the new life that comes from God.
Scripture Readings:
any number of the following may be used:
Genesis 1:27-31 "Creation"
Isaiah 55:10-13 "God gives seed to the one who sows."
1 Corinthians 15:35-39 "The seed you sow does not germinate unless it
dies."
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 "God will increase the harvest."
Matthew 13:31-32 "Parable of the mustard seed."
Mark 4:26-29 "The seed and the kingdom of God."
Luke 12:16-21 "Be rich in what matters to God."
John 12:23-25 "Unless the grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies......"
Then one of the following Psalms may be used:
Psalm 126
Psalm 65: 1-2, 9-10, 11-12, 13
Prayer of Blessing:
A small, token amount of seed can be held in a glass container during the blessing.
Pastor:
Lord of the harvest, You placed the gifts of creation in our hands and called us to till the earth and make it fruitful.
We ask your blessing as we prepare to place these seeds (seedlings) in the earth. May the care we show these seeds (seedlings) remind us of your tender love for your people.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
or
Eternal Father, maker of heaven and earth, we bless you and give you glory.
Bless (+) this seed, and make it fruitful.
Look upon our work this season,
and grant that the seeds we plant
will produce plentiful crops,
providing food and work for many.
In your love, give us favourable weather
throughout this growing season. Make us truly grateful for all our gifts and willing to share our goods and talents with others, especially those without adequate food.
All praise and glory are yours, almighty Father
through you Son, Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Note: We do not ask for bumper crops, we do not ask for wealth. We go to God so that we do not forget the gifts and our place in creation, not as exploiters of the earth, but as caretakers.
NOTES ON THE SERVICE:
This service has been arranged, in part, from a number of sources. These include: conversations with producers in the area, with Rev. Dr. Cameron Harder of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon and with Mr. David Samm who is an agrologist in Camrose AB; as well, Rev. Martin Harrison of New Zealand has a "drought service" that is in circulation as does Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel of the ELCA (USA), both of which influenced the design of this service.
The service may be amended as necessary to fit into the context of Sunday worship; it was, however, designed as an ecumenical weekday evening worship service.
Each of the three "voices" were orally introduced from the rear of the church followed by the procession of the symbol particular to each voice. The symbol was carried in in silence and a few moments were given for meditation after the bearer had sat down. A three-tiered pedestal was set up in the chancel so that the symbols were added one by one to build upon each other. Symbols should reflect the unique needs/concerns of the community in which the service is held.
Prior to the introduction of the first voice the congregation may be invited to form into groups in the pews; during this time they may make introductions with each other (provide 5 minutes or so for this ? they will need to be reigned in!). These groups will be used throughout the service during the portion called "Sharing the Journey".
During "Sharing the Journey" invite the congregation to move into their groups (simply turning in the pew) and provide them with one or two starter questions: you may use those provided here or others more applicable to your context.
Hymn selections should be adapted according to context; however, these hymns seemed to be particularly appreciated.
The service bulletin for this service included the hymns, however, it did not include the text for the introduction to each voice, nor the prayers and the questions for conversation.
If you use this service, or some adaptation of it, I would be interested in hearing how it was received, and in having a copy of the service you use for my own files.
Thanks,
Bill E. Harder, Pastor of Armena Lutheran Parish, Armena Alberta.
Introduction:
We gather as a community drawn together by our common journey through this drought; as we do so we pray to the living God, the God of love & infinite mercy, Creator of all that has life. We come to God as a people in need, in a time of crisis for the earth and yet touched by the hope and newness of life we have found in our Lord. In all of this we do not stand alone?
The Voice of Lament:
The first part of this service is about lament. We have gathered together to find hope, to be renewed in blessing and our Lord will pour out both abundantly. The path, though, to hope and blessing runs through the pain of our loss and our anxiety. Fowl have died in the heat, herds have been sold because there is no feed; producers are turned away at the auctions because there are too many animals to process; crops whither. Grief, anger and frustration crowd our emotions and we need to know that our God hears the cries of our hearts.
Symbol and Silence:
Three small pots of dry soil are carried in and tipped over on the pedestal.
Hymn: "Healer of Our Every Ill" (With One Voice #738)
Reading: Jeremiah 14.1-9
Prayer in Psalm: Psalm 88
L: O LORD, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence,
C: let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.
L: For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
C: I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help,
L: like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave,
C: like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.
L: You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep.
C: You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a thing of horror to them.
L: I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow.
C: Every day I call on you, O LORD; I, O LORD, cry out to you;
L: in the morning my prayer comes before you.
C: O LORD, why do you cast me off?
L: Why do you hide your face from me?
Prayers of Lament:
L: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
L: Let us pray, responding to each petition with the hymn "O Lord, Hear My Prayer" (With One Voice #772)
God of all creation, we cry out to you. The land is our hurting partner; she is thirsty, she is cracked and dry. Lord of the rains you weep for creation when she is hurt. Lord of life you weep with us in our loss, our despair, our hunger and thirst. Hear the cries of our heart, O God, and give us your Spirit to sustain us in the drought. We pray...
Lord, some livestock are dieing, others languish for lack of feed; stir up those who have resources to share in their abundance, that the creatures in our care may not suffer. We pray...
Lord, great economic stress hovers over us. Protect our families, our marriages, our community from the ravages of this dry season. Send your Holy Spirit to draw us to the wellspring of life and hope where despair and hopelessness are known no more. We pray...
Sharing The Journey:
What frustrates you about the lack of rainfall?
Describe your experience in the face of powerlessness during drought.
The Voice of Hope:
From where does our hope come?
Our hope is in God who is the LORD of all of creation; our hope is in the promises of Scripture wherein the Lord of life sustains and nourishes creation; our hope is in finding, in community, the strength and support to live. Our hope is that the rains will come ? spiritual rains that wash despair from our thirsting spirits and physical rain to nourish the land. We have cried out our lament, now we reach for hope. Hear the words of Habakkuk and of the Psalmist as they draw us into the heart of God.
Symbol and Silence:
Three pitchers of water are carried in and slowly poured into a large bowl on the pedestal.
Hymn: "God of the Farmlands" (Voices United #306)
Reading: Habakkuk 3.17-19
Prayer in Psalm: Psalm 65
L: Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion;
C: and to you shall vows be performed,
L: O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come.
C: By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance,
L: O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth
C: and of the farthest seas.
L: You visit the earth and water it, you greatly enrich it;
C: the river of God is full of water;
L: you provide the people with grain, for so you have prepared it.
C: You water its furrows abundantly,
L: settling its ridges, softening it with showers,
C: and blessing its growth.
L: You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness.
C: The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy,
L: the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain,
C: they shout and sing together for joy.
Prayers of Hope:
L: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
L: Let us pray, responding to each petition with the hymn "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying" (With One Voice #775)
God of springtime and planting, stir in our hearts hope for the harvest; not merely the harvest of our labours, but more so the harvest that is yours in the Spirit. May we, by your Spirit, know the abundant produce that is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, these, the fruit of the Spirit. We pray...
God of love may we know your love in each other. Bind us together as family as we walk these dusty roads of drought. Grant that we may carry each other's burdens and ease each other's shame. Give us a spirit of love to share with each other, even in our lack. We pray...
God of earth and sky, land and seas; break open the vault of heaven and pour rain upon the dry lands. May every country and all peoples on earth who suffer from drought be drenched in rain until the land is quenched and the ditches overflow. May we dance in the rain as we sing praise to you for your provision. We pray...
Sharing The Journey:
What do you need from God right now; what is your heart's desire?
What is the difference between hope and wishful thinking?
The Voice of Blessing:
As our hope is stirred we become open to the blessing of our God. In this way we seek God's blessing in all aspects of our life our work, our families and our communities. We recognize blessing as God's ongoing presence with us, God's grace surrounding us, God's love giving us strength. As God blesses us, so do we bless the Lord by offering our lives as a sacrifice of praise and service.
Symbol and Silence:
A live (and healthy) plant in a pot, along with seed to be spilled around the pot, are carried to the pedestal.(a plant representing crops planted in the area is appropriate).
Hymn: "Great is Thy Faithfulness" (With One Voice #771)
Reading: Revelation 22.1-5
Prayer in Psalm: Selections from Psalms 104 and 147
L: Sing praises to the LORD; praise our God with harps.
C: You fill the sky with clouds and send rain to the earth and make grass grow on the hills.
L: You give food to cattle and to the little birds that call.
C: You make springs pour into the ravines; they flow between the mountains.
L: They water all the wild animals; the wild donkeys come there to drink.
C: Wild birds make nests by the water; they sing among the tree branches.
L: You water the mountains from above. The earth is full of the things you made.
C: You make the grass for cattle and vegetables for the people. You make food grow from the earth.
L: You give us wine that makes happy hearts and olive oil that makes our faces shine.
C: You give us bread that gives us strength. The LORD's trees have plenty of water;
L: they are the cedars of Lebanon, which he planted.
Prayers of Blessing:
L: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
L: Let us pray, responding to each petition with the hymn "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying" (With One Voice #775)
Lord of all hopefulness walk with us as we return to our homes. Be our guide through these days of crises, our light when we enter the dark night of the soul. We pray...
Lord bless us in community that none shall fall prey to despair. We cling to you and in so doing we reach out our hands to our neighbour. May we know your love and strength in the embrace of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We pray...
O God, we bless you for your faithfulness, for your provision of all that we need. We thank you for fulfilling your promise to be with us, to laugh with us, to cry with us. We bless you for drawing us into your heart by water and by the Word that we might know life abundant, even as we are challenged by struggles in our lives. Lord, we bless you and offer up our lives as living sacrifices, made holy by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Opportunity for spontaneous prayer offered by the congregation may be made here)
All for which we have prayed we place in your hands, trusting in your grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Lord's Prayer
Sharing The Journey:
The final conversations will take place during coffee following the service.
Your questions to ponder are:
How do God's promises help you during this time of trial?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Blessing:
Psalm 144
C: Let our sons in their youth
grow like plants.
Let our daughters be
like the decorated stones in the Temple.
Let our barns be filled
with crops of all kinds.
Let our sheep in the fields have
thousands and tens of thousands of lambs.
Let our cattle be strong.
Let no one break in.
Let there be no war,
no screams in our streets.
Happy are those who are like this;
happy are the people whose God is the LORD.
Service of Healing
“Bread of Life”
2004 Synod Study Conference
GATHERING
Greeting
Prelude
Confession and Forgiveness
Leader: We return to the waters of our baptism, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen
L: Through water and the Spirit God gives us new life. Let us confess our sin that we may be renewed in the covenant of our baptism.
(Silence for reflection and self-examination.)
L: Most merciful God,
P: have mercy on us.
L: Strong and faithful God,
P: In Christ Jesus you come among us as light shining in the darkness. We confess to you that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not trusted you with our whole heart; we have not loved one another in deed and in truth. We have not welcomed the light, nor trusted the good news of great joy. Forgive us and renew our hope, so that we may live in the fullness of your love, trusting in the grace of Christ our Lord. Amen
L: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life, came among us to proclaim release to the captives, to free the oppressed, to restore wholeness to the broken. Today the promise is fulfilled: God forgives you all your sins. May the Holy Spirit strengthen you to follow Christ in newness of life.
P: Amen. Thanks be to God!
Songs of Gathering
264 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us
179 Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather
127 Christ, Be Our Light
refrain - all
vs. 1-2 - all
vs. 3 - women
vs. 4 - men
vs. 5 - all
WORD
Scripture Readings
Exodus 16:9-15 Manna in the wilderness
Psalm 23 You anoint my head with oil
All: The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff -
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.
John 6:47-51 I am the bread of life
Sermon
Hymn
197 We Come to You for Healing, Lord
HEALING
Introduction
Leader: Our Lord Jesus healed many who were sick or hurting and sent the disciples to continue this work of healing. Through prayer in Jesus’ name, the laying on of hands and anointing, the disciples witnessed to the power and presence of God.
“When we pray for healing, we ask God to be part of the struggle all people share – the search for wholeness in the midst of disease, illness and brokenness. God, in turn, invites each of us to explore and grow in our understanding of and trust in God’s intervention in this struggle” (Richard J. Beckman, Praying for Wholeness and Healing).
In the name of Christ, the Bread of Life, we now entrust to God all who are in need of healing and hope. We offer our prayers for those who are gathered here commending them to the grace of Jesus Christ, praying that God will ease their suffering and grant them health and salvation.
Litany for Healing
Leader: Let us pray for all who are in need of healing and hope.
Merciful God, by the wounds of your Son we are healed. Bring health and hope to all your people. In your great mercy,
People: hear us, O God.
L: Loving God, our source and our final home, we give you thanks for the gifts of life on earth and of new life in baptism. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Holy God, your Spirit came over the waters of baptism and brought us into the communion of saints. Renew in us the grace of baptism, by which we share in Christ’s death and resurrection. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Holy God, Holy One, your Son prayed that your people may be one. May the gift of baptism be a power for healing the church’s brokenness, and bless all efforts for renewal and Christian unity. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Mighty God, whose Son brought healing and wholeness to all, bring your healing presence now to all who are sick or in pain, and to all who have lost hope. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Compassionate God, the strength of those who suffer, bring hope and peace to all who are in mental, physical, or spiritual distress. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: God of great and abundant mercy, with your presence sustain all whom we name before you now.... Ease their suffering, give them firm hope, and strengthen their trust in you. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Almighty God, source of human knowledge, give skill, wisdom, and compassion to all who provide medical care. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Loving God, our creator and redeemer, give gentleness and hope to family members, friends, and caregivers of those who suffer. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Eternal God, we thank you for all the faithful departed. For those whom we remember and name before you now.... Heal the pain of all who grieve. In your great mercy,
P: hear us, O God.
L: Gracious God, in baptism you anointed us with the oil of salvation, and joined us to the death and resurrection of your Son. Bless all who seek your healing presence in their lives. In their suffering draw them more deeply into the mystery of your love, that following Christ in the way of the cross,
they may know the power of his resurrection; who lives and reigns forever and ever.
All: Amen
The Lord’s Prayer
Blessing of Oil
(Those servants who will lay on hands and anoint
or who will assist gather at the altar.)
Leader: We give you thanks, O God, source of life and health, for in Jesus you became flesh and came to know the depth of human suffering. You sent the disciples to heal those who were sick. Bless this oil, that all who are anointed with it may be healed, strengthened, and renewed by the power of your Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Laying On of Hands
(Those who desire to receive the laying on of hands and anointing
may come forward using the side aisles -
specific requests for healing prayer may be shared -
following the anointing a candle will be given to you -
please light the candle from the Christ candle
and place it in one of the containers provided.)
Anointing with Oil
Name, Almighty God bless you with the healing power of the Holy Spirit, release you from suffering, and restore you to wholeness, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Response: Amen.
Hymns
293 Holy, Holy
286 Holy Ground
272 Shepherd Me, O God
271 As the Deer
294 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness
Prayer
Leader: Let us pray.
People: God of mercy, source of all healing, we give you thanks for your gifts of strength and life, and especially for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, the health and salvation of the world. Help us by your Holy Spirit to feel your power in our lives and to know your eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENDING
Blessing
Leader: May the God of all consolation bless you in every way
and grant you hope all the days of your life.
May God restore you to health and grant you salvation.
May God fill your heart with peace and lead you to eternal
life.
Almighty God bless you, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy
Spirit.
People: Amen.
Dismissal
L: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
P: Thanks be to God.
Sending Hymn
277 Lord Jesus, You Shall Be My Song
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The Service of Healing is adapted from: Life Passages: Marriage, Healing, Funeral.
Renewing Worship, Volume 4. Prepared by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for provisional use. Copyright 2002, administered by Augsburg Fortress.
Reproduced with permission.
A container filled with sand was used as a visual image – with worshippers placing a
lit candle into the sand following prayer and anointing.
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This Service of Healing was prepared by the Study Conference Chaplains:
Pastors Dawn Nelson and Larry Kochendorfer.
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Multiple copies of the songbook used during the Study Conference: Renewing Worship Songbook: New Hymns and Songs for Provisional Use, are available for borrowing from our Synod office.
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The Scripture Quotation of Psalm 23 is from The Book of Psalms, copyright 1995 by The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Reprinted with permission.
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