Rite of Healing

Each day is a gift of God to be lived to its fullest in communion with and service to our Lord. The fulfillment of that promise is the Christian journey.

As believers in Christ, we are privileged to have the ministry of the community of believers available to us. The Rite of Healing is part of that ministry. It is a ministry that continues in the tradition of the New Testament, in ministry of Christ and early church.

When you come forward for this Rite, you are saying "yes" to Christ, that there is a power greater than ourselves that can touch our lives in a special way and bring healing, as Christ brought healing to the blind and needy of his time and place.

We do not need TV evangelists and so-called "faith healers" to bring God’s healing in our midst. God is here and brings healing of body, mind, and spirit. We believe in the whole person and that all of us needs healing. Who among us has not been stressed, or emotionally upset, worried or anxious? God can bring inner peace and calm to our lives. Who among us has not struggled with our faith, wondering if God is really loving us and concerned for our well being? God can renew our faith, provide healing of hurts caused by the church, and feelings of guilt. God can bring forgiveness and new life. Who among us has not suffered physically -- some more than others? God, through His grace, can bring healing to our bodies. So we come prayerfully, to be healed in body, mind, and spirit.

The Rite of Healing is an opportunity to participate in a gift of God in the community of faith, with fellow believers. Coming in expectant faith, the healing is God’s not ours. And when healing takes place, we give glory and honor to God.

It is in this light that we invite you to come forward for the Rite of Healing, every second Sunday of the month.

A WORD CONCERNING THE RITE OF HEALING

from Pastor Corkish                        '

THERE IS A COMPANION TO THE LUTHERAN BOOK OF WORSHIP, OF WHICH THE AVERAGE LAY PERSON IS NOT AWARE. IN THIS BOOK ARE SERVICES SUCH AS:

Baptism in Case of an Emergency, Anniversary of a Baptism, Blessing of A Civil Marriage, Affirmation of Marriage Vows, Anniversary of a Marriage, Individual Confession & Forgiveness, Celebration of Holy Communion in Special Circumstances, Service of the Word for Healing, the Laying on of Hands & Anointing the Sick, Commendation of the Dying, Comforting the Bereaved, Recognition of Ministries in the Congregation, Affirmation of the Vocation of Christians in the World, Ordination, Anniversary of an Ordination, Farewell & Godspeed - plus all "kinds of installations, commissionings & blessings.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE SERVICES.SPECIFICALLY FOR HEALING (Service of the Word for Healing and The Laying on of Hands & Anointing the Sick) WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE MAIN LUTHERAN BOOK OF WORSHIP: PERHAPS, THEN, THEY WOULD MEET WITH MORE CREDIBILITY WHEN THEY ARE USED IN THE CHURCH.

AT THE HEART OF "THE RITE OF HEALING" AS WELL AS "THE SERVICES FOR HEALING" IS PRAYER & GOD'S WORD.  THE LAYING ON OF HANDS AND THE ANOINTING WITH OIL ARE POINTS OF CONTACT MUCH LIKE WATER IS TO BAPTISM AND THE BREAD & WINE ARE TO HOLY COMMUNION.

WE ALL KNOW THAT NONE OF THESE ARE MAGIC, BUT THEY ARE POWERFUL TOOLS WHICH HELP PEOPLE BE CONNECTED TO THE SOURCE OF ALL HEALING, WHO IS JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. 

AS THE MINISTER IN CHARGE OF PASTORAL CARE AT HOPE, I TREASURE THE "RITE OF HEALING." AS A SUPPORT TO THE MINISTRY PASTOR FRANK LIVINGSTON & I SHARE. AND WHEN I INVITE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD IN BEHALF OF A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE, EVEN THOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT FEEL THE NEED FOR HEALING, IT CAN BE A POWERFUL WITNESS & SUPPORT FOR THOSE THEY REPRESENT.  IT SHOULD IN NO WAY BE CONSTRUED AS MORE POWERFUL THAN INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS. IT WOULD, HOWEVER, MAKE A BIGGER IMPACT FOR ME, IF SOMEONE SAID THEY ACTUALLY WENT FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE "RITE OF HEALING" ON MY BEHALF WHERE PRAYER FOR ME WAS MADE MORE PERSONAL.

I WOULD WELCOME SITTING DOWN WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE CLARIFICATION CONCERNING THE HEALING MINISTRY AT HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH.

SINCERELY,

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