May 30th, 2025 | Pastor Rachel

Dear Beloved Friends,  

We have experienced a season in the life of our church in which there have been many hospitalizations, illnesses, and experiences of sorrow. This Sunday, Pastor Charlie and I will lead a service of healing in each of our worship services. This may be something new for you, but there are numerous biblical accounts of prayers for healing and healing that took place amongst the miracles of Jesus and his disciples. We recognize that healing is a part of our Christian tradition and was a common understanding of the early Christian church. It is also a common practice for clergy to anoint the sick with oil.

As Discipleship Ministries explains: 

Although we can pray for the sick in any place or situation, to have a service in the church implies that, as God’s people, we are called to be a healing community. As United Methodists, we do not believe that it is necessary to have a person with a healing gift to do a healing service. All healing comes from God, not from human power. God gives gifts to the church and blesses the church as God wishes. 

This is a time where we can come together as a congregation to pray for one another and to ask for specific healing. Should you wish to receive a special blessing and anointing with oil we will have a time at the end of the sermon for that as well. Pastor Charlie and I will offer that blessing and anointing. If you are unable to attend and would like a blessing, please stop by the Partin Center or call to arrange for one of us to visit you. I encourage you to be in prayer for one another as we enter this time together as a community.  

With grace and peace,  

Pastor Rachel