Bethel Presbyterian Church offers a community Healing and Wholeness Service on the 5th Sunday of those months with five Sundays.
The Healing Service continues a tradition that began in New Testament times when the sick were encouraged to call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)
“The small amount of oil we use in the Healing Service has no healing power of its own,” says Bethel’s Parish Nurse Deb Hyder. “Anointing the forehead by making the sign of the cross is a symbolic act pointing to the presence of the healing Christ.”
Presbyterians believe that the Healing and Wholeness Service offers a special opportunity to honor God’s desire that people, communities and all creation live in wholeness, health, restoration and new life. By concentrating on God’s power to heal ourselves and others, we affirm that our lives are in his hands.
All those who suffer in any way themselves or desire prayers for suffering loved ones are invited to join in meditation, music, Scripture reading and prayers led by the Rev. Marc Sherrod and Parish Nurse Deb Hyder, followed by an optional time of coming forward for the laying on of hands and prayer. For more information, call the church at 376-6340.
