THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 9:38-50
THE EPISTLE LESSON James 5:13-20
SERMON "Healing Each Other"
WORSHIP NOTES
The focus this morning centers on the words of James speaking to the community in need of healing and wholeness. Our tradition associates this letter with James, the brother of Jesus, who would have written in the first century. The letter is considered a form of wisdom writing especially directed at the early church community as they struggle to live out their faith. It is a moral exhortation addressing an intentional community with egalitarian and communitarian attitudes of solidarity, mercy, and compassion. Our particular passage this morning is concerned with the importance of prayer for each other as we all need healing in some form or another.
In response to God's word proclaimed, we will be incorporating an opportunity to pray for healing and wholeness. This service, which has long been a part of the Book of Common Worship, encourages each of us to experience healing by asking another person to pray with and for us. While the congregation sings familiar and beloved hymns of prayer, you are invited to come forward, articulate your need for healing and wholeness to just two other people (a pastor and elder/deacon), and receive the gift of God's grace as experienced through prayers offered on your behalf by others. This prayer may be for oneself, a loved one, or even a need in the world. Unlike when we share our joys and concerns aloud in the Prayers of the People on Sunday morning, the prayer is not shared with the whole community. The idea is for the worship community to show its support through its graceful presence and personal prayers.
The hymns "I Will Come to You," "Hear My Prayer, O God," and "Give Thanks to God Who Hears Our Cries" and are selections from the new denominational hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The new hymnal, which will be called Glory to God, has been in development since 2004 and is expected to be finalized for publication in fall 2013. As part of a program called "Many Voices, One Song," Westminster will use specific hymns from Glory to God in our worship services on selected dates throughout 2012.
