LISTEN

"Service of Healing"

Pastor Laura Guy

September 11 , 2005

Here's an instant replay of what happened in worship:

Since September 11 was on Sunday this year, we decided to do a different kind of service from what we normally do. This was a special service of remembrance and healing. There wasn't a sermon, but instead we used music, Scripture, drama, writing, reflection and prayer to seek God's healing.
We began by looking at images from Sept. 11, 2001 as we heard the song "Be Still and Know that He is God." We remembered the devastation of that day, even as we are still reeling from the devastation of Katrina. We also thought about the devastation in our own lives, the wounds we carry - the physical, emotional and spiritual scars that need God's healing.
We did an enacted prayer for the physical healing of a woman who has cancer. This prayer-with-movement acted out how God's healing might be displayed in the life of this woman.
We wrote on a half of a heart - a broken heart - some of our heartaches and emotional wounds. We listened to the song "Small Enough" while we wrote.
We watched a NOOMA DVD in which Rob Bell told a story about a time when his son did something wrong, something he felt ashamed about, and how he hid under the covers in his parents' bed, trying to hide his shame. But in this story, Rob realized that the first thing his son needed was his father's reassurance that he was still loved. God's love is like that, too. Our spiritual distance from God is bridged by God's all-encompassing love for us.
We went to healing stations that represented the three kinds of healing God offers us. The communion station reminded us of the spiritual healing we find in the body and blood of Jesus. The heart station, where we brought our broken hearts and taped them to the other half which were printed with "God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3) reminded us of the emotional healing God provides. The prayer station, with people ready to pray for any needs and anoint with oil, if so desired, reminded us that God hears our prayers for physical healing, and in mercy and power can heal our afflictions.
In Act(s) II, we shared a meal together as we shared our memories and reflections on the events of September 11, 2001.