Sunday, March 7, 2021 - A Healing Perspective
Theme - Preparing to Dance: A Healing Perspective
Prayer
2 Kings 5:1-4 Common English Bible Translation
Naaman, a general for the king of Aram, was a great man and highly regarded by his master, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. This man was a mighty warrior, but he had a skin disease. Now Aramean raiding parties had gone out and captured a young girl from the land of Israel. She served Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, “I wish that my master could come before the prophet who lives in Samaria. He would cure him of his skin disease.” So Naaman went and told his master what the young girl from the land of Israel had said. (Question: What are the things you want to be healed in your life?)
2 Kings 5:5-7
Then Aram’s king said, “Go ahead. I will send a letter to Israel’s king.” So Naaman left. He took along ten kikkars of silver, six thousand shekels of gold, and ten changes of clothing. He brought the letter to Israel’s king. It read, “Along with this letter I’m sending you my servant Naaman so you can cure him of his skin disease.” When the king of Israel read the letter, he ripped his clothes. He said, “What? Am I God to hand out death and life? But this king writes me, asking me to cure someone of his skin disease! You must realize that he wants to start a fight with me.” (Question: How have you been part of someone’s healing process?)
2 Kings 5:8-10
When Elisha the man of God heard that Israel’s king had ripped his clothes, he sent word to the king: “Why did you rip your clothes? Let the man come to me. Then he’ll know that there’s a prophet in Israel.” Naaman arrived with his horses and chariots. He stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. Elisha sent out a messenger who said, “Go and wash seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored and become clean.” (Question: Have you ever been afraid of the healing process? Why?)
2 Kings 5:11-12
But Naaman went away in anger. He said, “I thought for sure that he’d come out, stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, wave his hand over the bad spot, and cure the skin disease. Aren’t the rivers in Damascus, the Abana and the Pharpar, better than all Israel’s waters? Couldn’t I wash in them and get clean?” So he turned away and proceeded to leave in anger. (Question: Have you ever struggled with the actions that it takes to be healed?)
2 Kings 5:13-15
Naaman’s servants came up to him and spoke to him: “Our father, if the prophet had told you to do something difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? All he said to you was, ‘Wash and become clean.’” So Naaman went down and bathed in the Jordan seven times, just as the man of God had said. His skin was restored like that of a young boy, and he became clean. He returned to the man of God with all his attendants. He came and stood before Elisha, saying, “Now I know for certain that there’s no God anywhere on earth except in Israel. Please accept a gift from your servant.” (Question: How have you found healing in your life?)
The Lord’s Supper
Invitation
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Words of Institution
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom and the power
and the glory, forever. Amen
Blessing
Song List
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah – 65 GTG
There is a Balm in Gilead – 792 GTG
What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine – 837 GTG
Take My Life – 697 GTG
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Guiding Scripture for Lent
Psalm 30:11-12
“You changed my mourning into dancing.
You took off my funeral clothes
and dressed me up in joy
so that my whole being
might sing praises to you and never stop.
Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
Practices to Focus upon During this Season of Lent and Beyond
Prayer – setting a time/alarm twice a day pray/converse with God
-Being open about struggles
-Talking to God about those we love
-Opening ourselves up to following God’s guidance and wisdom
Picking a book in the Bible. Reading a few verses every day.
-Asking questions, noting new insights
-Possible books: Ruth, Proverbs, Mark, Philippians, Colossians
Consuming something every day that helps one to thrive
-Books, Media, Music, Art, Conversations, Podcast, Exercise, Eating habits, etc.…
Checking in with different people every day
-Focusing on cultivating connections
Meditation – Silence
-Taking a few minutes every day to be silent
Lenten Series: Preparing to Dance February 21st – March 28th
Mar 14th – Navigating the Uncomfortable
Mar 21st – Building, Rebuilding, Living Our Lives
Mar 28th – Confidence that We can Dance