The God of Healing - 2 Kings 5
A service plan beginning with the assumption that our hurts are many, that God possesses both the power and the desire to give us healing, and that the Christian community is the location in which we can seek such healing.
Theme of the Service
While we acknowledge that many worshipers bring great pain and hurt with them into worship and while we trust that God's Spirit does his own healing work, we often feel the need to make such ministry more explicit. Therefore, this service begins with the assumptions that our hurts are many, that God possesses both the power and the desire to give us healing, and that the Christian community is the location in which we can seek such healing. Elisha's ministry and the healing of Naaman is a story that teaches us about God's healing love but also points to the fact that God often has his own way of effecting healing.
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LaGrave Ave. Christian Reformed Church
Rooted in the truth of the Bible
as expressed in the Reformed confessions
LaGrave exists to promote the Kingdom of God by
worshipping God in response to his Word,
equipping his people for ministry, and
reaching out to the world with the grace of Christ
Welcome to worship at LaGrave. Because our worship proceeds without announcements, please carefully follow the order of worship printed below. An asterisk (*) denotes congregation standing. If you need assistance, ask one of our ushers, greeters, or pastors. We are glad that you are here. Let us worship God together.
MORNING WORSHIP
A Service of Prayer for Healing
The Prelude: “Andante” from “Three Movements,” Jehan Alain
“Vocalise,” Sergei Rachmaninoff
The Chiming of the Hour
The Introit: “Hear Now the Name,” Jack W. Hayford
*The Opening Hymn: “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” PH 478, PsH 475, RL 144, RN 53, TH 76/77, TWC 25/26, UMH 66
*The Greeting from God
The Welcome
The Moment for the Younger Church [see
The Children’s Song: “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know” PH 304:1, PsH 571:1,2, RL 457:1,2, SFL 61:1,2, UMH 191:1, TWC 470:1,2, TH 189:1,2
The Call to Confession: James 5:14-16
The Confession of Sin, in unison:
Most holy and merciful Father,
We confess to you and to one another,
that we have sinned against you by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We have not always had in us the mind of Christ.
You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts,
by wandering from your ways, by forgetting your love.
Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father, and free us from our sin.
Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit,
for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son, Amen.
*The Hymn of Assurance: “Jesus, Lover of My Soul” PH 303:1,4, PsH 578:1,3, TH 508:1,4; UMH 479:1,4, TWC 461:1,4
The Time of Silent Meditation
As you reflect on the healing power of Christ, write your prayer needs on the Prayer Request Card in preparation for the Time of Prayer later in the service.
The Anthem: “There Is a Balm in Gilead,” arr. William L. Dawson
There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole,
there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain,
but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.
If you cannot sing like angels, if you cannot preach like Paul,
you can tell the love of Jesus, and say, “He died for all.”
Text: African American spiritual
The Reading of Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-27 [see
The Sermon: “The God of Healing" (A Series on Elisha: Windows on God)
The Litany of Healing:
Lord, you were willing to reach out your hand and touch the leper,
and he was made clean. (Luke 5:12)
For your compassion, Lord, we give thanks.
You saw the faith of the friends of the paralytic
and assured the man, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:17)
For your forgiveness, Lord, we give thanks.
The woman with the hemorrhage
but touched the hem of your garment and was healed. (Luke 8:43)
For your power, Lord, we give thanks.
You touched the eyes of the blind and their sight was restored. (Matthew 9:27)
For your mercy, Lord, we give thanks.
You rebuked the unclean spirits and men were made whole. (Mark 1:23)
For your authority, Lord, we give thanks.
Lord, the centurion sought help for his paralyzed servant and you responded. (Luke 7:2)
Give me a humble spirit, O Lord.
The man with the withered hand followed your instructions
and was completely restored. (Mark 3:1)
Help me to be obedient, Lord.
You healed the epileptic boy, and with you all things are possible. (Mark 9:17)
Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.
-From Christ Church of Oak Brook.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Eph. 3:20-21)
I need thee, O I need thee,
every hour I need thee;
O bless me now my Savior,
I come to thee. TWC 538, UMH 397, RL 443, TH 674, refrain only
Text: Annie S. Hawks, 1872
The Invitation:
Please bring your Prayer Request Card to one of the prayer teams in front of the Sanctuary. If you stay in the pew, please spend this time in silent prayer for those around you and your own concerns.
The Time of Prayer for Healing: [see
The laying on of hands is one of the ancient and special services of the church. Jesus often prayed for the sick in this way, and this form was continued in the Apostolic Church.
May the unseen hands of the Great Physician now rest upon you in divine blessing and healing. May the cleansing stream of his pure life fill your whole being—body, mind, and spirit—to strengthen you and heal you.
During the time of prayer, the following pieces will be played:
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” Donald Busarow
“Sarabande in A Minor,” J. S. Bach
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” Charles Callahan
The Sung Response: “Be Still and Know” RN 10 (st. 1), SFL 225 (st. 1-2), TWC 516 (st. 1-2)
Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God.
I am the Lord that healeth thee. I am the Lord that healeth thee. I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Text: Anonymous; para. of Psalm 46:10, Ex. 15:26
The Offertory: “Sonata in G Major,” Giovanni Platti
Adagio
Allegro Molto
The Offering
*The Closing Hymn: “Lord Jesus, I Long to Be Perfectly Whole” (The Celebration Hymnal 653)
1. Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul; break down every idol, cast out every foe; now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain: Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow, now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
2. Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies, and help me to make a complete sacrifice; I give up myself and whatever I know; now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Refrain)
3. Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat; I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet; by faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow; now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Refrain)
4. Lord Jesus, Thou see-est I patiently wait; come now, and within me a new heart create; to those who have sought Thee, Thou never said’st “No.” Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. (Refrain)
Text: James Nicholson
*The Benediction
*The Amen
*The Silent Prayer and Carillon Bells
*The Postlude: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” Visser
“O my soul, praise him, for he is your health and salvation.”
* - Please stand, if you are able.
As Dr. Mast developed this sermon, he pointed to the dramatic action in the story and said we should see it as a film today. The center of all the action is God, and the entire event presses the question: who will you serve? The miracle for Naaman is intended to point to God.
Leprosy was the equivalent of AIDS today and serves as a metaphor for sin creating the setting of uncleanness. Naaman was a sinner who didn't have time for the God of Israel or the way God does things.
However, God has his own way of healing, and in this instance it began with a young girl and her child-like faith. This was amazing for she was a captured slave girl who kept her faith while living in a strange land far from home. It also happened through simple words and deeds. Verse 10 shows a very simple message was sent even though Naaman had expected big things would be required. And Naaman was healed only when he humbly obeys the God of Israel, puts away his own ideas, and does what God says.
The bottom line is that God is in charge, and his healing is free to those who trust. This leads to a beautiful expression of faith on Naaman's part (v.17ff).
Music Notes:
Glossary of Hymnal Abbreviations:
PH The Presbyterian Hymnal (Presbyterian Church USA; Westminster/John Knox Press)
PsH The Psalter Hymnal (Christian Reformed Church; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
RL Rejoice in the Lord (Reformed Church in America; W.B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)
RN Renew! (Hope Publishing Company)
SFL Songs for LiFE (children's songbook; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
SNC Sing! A New Creation (Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Christian Reformed Church,
Reformed Church in America; Faith Alive Christian Resources)
TH Trinity Hymnal (Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church in America;
Great Commission Publications)
TWC The Worshiping Church (Hope Publishing Company)
UMH The United Methodist Hymnal (United Methodist Publishing House)
WOV With One Voice (Augsburg Fortress)
Much of the music for this service was designed to be played by organ and flute. We have provided publisher information as we were able. We decided not to change selections as a way of keeping the integrity of LaGrave’s service intact.
The music of the prelude can be found in the following sources:
“Trois Mouvements pour Piano et Flute” (Three Movements for Piano and Flute) by
Jehan Alain. Copyright by Alphonse Leduc et Cie, 1945, Paris, Alphonse Leduc
Editions Musicales, A.L. 20.374. [first movement, M]
Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninoff (for Flute and Organ). Copyright 1996 SBW and
Associates, a divison of Integra Music Group, Inc. P.O. Box 1586, Brentwood TN,
37204 (1-800-468-7232). Catalog #IMTO 9605). [M-D]
The introit “Hear Now the Name,” text and music by Jack Hayford, is found in The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration #407. Copyright 1983, Livingway Ministries. [E]
The anthem “There Is a Balm in Gilead” arranged by William L. Dawson was sung from an SATB choral version. Copyright 1939, renewed 1967 by William L. Dawson, Neil Kjos Music Co (No. T105). [E]
The instrumental music played during the Prayer Time included:
“Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” (for flute and organ). Concordia 97-6690 [E]
“The King of Love My Shepherd Is” by Charles Callahan (for flute and organ) in a
collection entitled "Two Early American Hymn Settings for Organ and Obbligato
Instrument," Copyright 2003 MorningStar Music Publishers MSM-20-862. [E]
The offertory for flute and organ was titled “Sonata in G Major” by Giovanni Platti.
The postlude, “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” from Four Chorale Preludes on 'Lobe den
Herren:' Homage to J. S. Bach, is by Larry Visser. Copyright 1996 Wayne Leupold
Editions, Inc. WL600064. [M-D].
1. For additional information contact the LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church (info@lagrave.org).
2. The Moment for the Younger Church included the profession of faith of a youth of the congregation and extending to her the public welcome to the Table of the Lord. It was also an opportunity to express the inclusion of people of all ages in the prayers and love of the body of Christ.
3. The reading of Scripture included five voices. Dr. Mast served as the narrator of the story, a young girl of the congregation read the words of the servant girl, three men read the parts of the King of Aram, Elijah and Naaman.
4. During the Time of Prayer for Healing, the pastor and several others positioned themselves at the front of the sanctuary and issued an invitation for those present to come forward with their prayer requests. They shared their prayer request with the pastor or another at the front, received the laying on of hands, and participated in quiet prayer together. Others waited in the aisle until they were finished so that privacy was always observed. During this time the organist played reflective music and when all were finished, the congregation sang "Be Still and Know."