Healing Service with Handwashing – dark worship space, with candles on the alter – Leads

(A person reads from the dark) What is sin? Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other
people, and with all creation.

Opening - slow, contemplative song.

Leader: Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
People:    And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of prayerful repentance, and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of their sins, had been separated from their church community were made whole, by apology and forgiveness, and restored to the family and friendship of the Church. That way the whole of the worshippers were reminded of the message of forgiveness and freedom promised in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians constantly have to renew their faith and seek forgiveness.

A reading from the book of Mark: - Staff

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

The Word of the Lord Thanks be to God

Once I am finished speaking, please come to the front and take a piece of paper and pen from a Deacon. We ask that you take some time and write on this paper about what you need to be forgiven for, or whom you need God’s help in forgiving. Take some time, write as much on these papers as you can, and once you are ready, bring them to altar and offer them to God as a symbol of your desire to offer your whole self, your whole identity to God entirely. You may line up in single file to receive your paper and pen now.

(Once the group has all placed their flash paper in the metal bowl)

Please join me in praying:

All - Most holy and merciful Father: We confess to you and to one another,
and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth,
that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed;
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

(Light a match, drop it in the bowl, but make sure to keep a safe distance away.)

Almighty God have mercy on you(us), forgive you(us) all your(our) sins
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you(us) in all
goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you(us) in
eternal life. Amen.

Psalm Song or Kyrie Elieson

Let us now reaffirm our faith as found in the words of the Apostle’s Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
    maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
    who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell.
    The third day he rose again from the dead.
    He ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
    From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
    the holy catholic Church,
    the communion of saints,
    the forgiveness of sins,
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting. Amen.

God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us when we pray to you in faith and with thanksgiving.

(Silence)

We pray for one another, for our families and friends, through whom we learn to love and be loved. Thank you for all who care for us and for all those things in our lives we are thankful for, which we offer up to you now in prayer, either aloud or silently.

(Silence)

We thank you for the unfailing love you hold out to everyone in Jesus Christ. Comfort and heal those in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble. Give them courage and hope in their distress and bless those who minister to them.
We lift to you in prayer those people we offer now, aloud or silently.

Merciful God, you look with compassion on all who turn to you. Hear the prayers of your people.

Grant that what we have asked in faith we may by your grace receive; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Creator God
We give you praise and thanks.
For you brought creation to birth,
made us in your image,
saw the goodness of your creation,
and called us blessed.

We see you revealed in Jesus.
Who laid aside power
to proclaim the coming of your kingdom,
by riding a donkey
along a dusty road
to the praises of a crowd.

We come together here
in the name of Jesus
who in the night that he was betrayed
took water and a towel
knelt at the feet of his friends
and washed their feet
asking that his friends remember him
and live by his example.

Spirit of God, be with us
as we wash each others' hands
in a gesture of loving remembrance.
Help us to bring in your kingdom
by acts of love.
In the name of one
who lived
and laughed
and loved
and wept
and died
and rose again
that we might know the way of living in your love.

There are four stations at the corners of this room, each of which has a team of Deacons and Pastors. As you are called, please visit one and let them lead you in what to do once you’re there.

There are also two healing stations, where if you would like to take a moment to be prayed for whatever need you have, there are people more than willing to offer you that time.

I challenge you as we end this time of worship and prayer, to remain silent, to pray, to think about what this weekend has meant to you and what you have accomplished, both on the inside and the outside.

(each station has two pastors who will wash and then dry each persons hands. The participant will then move to a deacon and elder who lays hands on them and annoints their hands with oil.)

Pastor says:

(name), I wash from you the dirt and grime of this world in the name of Jesus Christ. And I pray that you made be made whole again in His image – pure, clean, and healthy. Amen.

Elder/Deacon says:

(name), I annoint you in the name of Jesus Christ to go forth with these hand to heal, restore, and serve all whom you see and experience. That you may be the face of Christ to another. Amen.

Healing team may say:

God of the present moment,

God who in Jesus stills the storm

And soothes the frantic heart;

Bring hope and courage to (name)

As s/he waits in uncertainty.

Bring hope that you will make him/her the equal

Of whatever lies ahead.

Bring him/her courage to endure what cannot be avoided

For your will is health and wholeness;

You are God, and we need you. AMEN

Once the stations slow down:

You are welcome to sit and pray in this space, to listen for God’s whisper, and hear your Savior call your name. Take some time, think about this weekend – what you’ve seen, heard, experienced, and will take home with you. Let those who have helped you this weekend know it now, let those who have guided you in some way this weekend know they have, and allow yourself some time to understand what you’ve been through this weekend.

Once you are ready, see (whomever) and they will direct you to the place to gather next.

Station 1 -

Station 3 -

Handwash

Handwash

Hand Dry

Hand Dry

Annoint

Annoint

Annoint

Annoint

Station 2 -

Station 4 -

Handwash

Handwash

Hand Dry

Hand Dry

Annoint

Annoint

Annoint

Annoint

Heal Station

Heal Station

Pray 1

Pray 1

Pray 2

Pray 2