Celebration of Wholeness and Healing

Aghavea Parish Church

A CELEBRATION OF WHOLENESS AND HEALING

GREETING

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

and also with you.

HYMN

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;

make known his deeds among the peoples.

Sing to God, sing praises to his name;

and speak of all his marvellous works.

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty;

who was and is and is to come.

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY (or the Collect of Healing may be used)

Heavenly Father, you anointed your Son Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit and with power to bring to us the blessings of your kingdom.  Anoint your Church with the same Holy Spirit, that we who share in his suffering and victory may bear witness to the gospel of salvation; through Jesus Christ, your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE ADDRESS

Prayer and Penitence

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

God the Father, your will for all people is health and salvation.

We praise and bless you, Lord.

God the Son, you came that we might have life,

and might have it more abundantly.

We praise and bless you, Lord.

God the Holy Spirit, you make our bodies

the temple of your presence.

We praise and bless you, Lord.

Holy Trinity, one God, in you we live and move and have our being.

We praise and bless you, Lord.

Lord, grant your healing grace to all who are sick, injured or disabled in either mind, body or soul, that they may be granted the love, grace and healing they desire this day.

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.

Hear us, Lord of life.

Grant to all who minister to those who are suffering, wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience.

Hear us, Lord of life.

Mend broken relationships, and restore to those in distress soundness of mind and serenity of spirit.

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.

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.

Hear us, Lord of life.

Restore to wholeness whatever is broken by human sin, in our lives, in our nation, and in the world.

Hear us, Lord of life.

You are the Lord; you perform mighty wonders.

You have declared your power among the peoples.

With you, Lord, is the well of life

and in your light do we see light.

Hear us, Lord of life,

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 for ever. Amen.

PRAYERS OF PENITENCE

The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ. As we offer ourselves to him in penitence and faith, we renew our confidence and trust in his mercy.

Cast your burden upon the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55: 22

In returning and rest you shall be saved. In quietness and trust shall be your strength.

Isaiah 30: 15

There follows a period of silent reflection and self-examination.

You raise the dead to life in the Spirit:

Lord, have mercy.                                                Lord, have mercy.

You bring pardon and peace to the sinner:

Christ, have mercy.                                              Christ, have mercy.

You bring light to those in darkness:

Lord, have mercy.                                                Lord, have mercy.

ABSOLUTION

The Rector says

God, the Father of mercies, has reconciled the world to himself through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ, not holding our sins against us, but sending his Holy Spirit to shed abroad his love among us.  By the ministry of reconciliation entrusted by Christ to his Church, receive his pardon and peace to stand before him in his strength alone this day and for evermore. Amen.

Laying on of Hands and Anointing

Our help is in the name of the Lord

who has made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord:

now and for ever.  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 for ever.

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 fulness 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:

Blessed be God, our strength and our salvation, now and for ever. Amen.

The laying on of hands is administered, using these or other suitable words:

In the name of God and trusting in his might alone, receive Christ's healing touch to make you whole. May Christ bring you wholeness of body, mind and spirit, deliver you from every evil, and give you his peace. Amen.

After the laying on of hands and anointing, the presiding minister 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 your defence.  May you 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

In confidence let us pray to the Father for the coming of the kingdom among us:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

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

and also with you.

HYMN

GOING OUT AS GOD’S PEOPLE

God who said: 'Let light shine out of darkness',

has caused his light to shine within us

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God

revealed in the face of Jesus Christ.

We have this treasure in earthen vessels

to show that the power belongs to God.

BLESSING

The peace of God, which passes all understanding,

keep your heart and mind 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 you and remain with you always. Amen.

A minister says

Go in the joy and peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God.