'All shall be well'

​Welcome – ‘exploring a vision of hope and healing’. This act of worship has been prepared by the Rev Christine Fox for you wherever you are at this moment.
​Both our readings today give us a vision of hope and healing – one very practical in which a man is healed who had given up hope of being healed,  and the other a vision to give hope to the persecuted Christians in John’s later years. 

Call to worship and gathering prayer 
Come if you’re healthy, come if you’re hurt.
Come if you’re hopeful, come if you’re sad.
Let God’s light shine upon you.
Let God’s life fill you.
Let God bring you healing and hope today.

God of light and life,
you see all our problems and our pains:
help us to open our hearts and minds to you,
to receive your healing and forgiveness,
and to learn how we can bring hope and healing to others.
Amen.
(From Roots)

StF 20 Be still for the presence of the Lord

1st Reading –
Dramatisation of John 5:1-9

2nd Reading - Revelation ch. 21 v 10, vs 22 to end and ch. 22 vs 1-5
St John’s vision of the new Jerusalem includes an image of trees whose leaves are for the healing of the nations​,

Message : Hope and Healing - Rev Christine Fox

​StF 649 God, when human bonds are broken

Reflective exercise leading into thanksgiving prayer – Take a blank sheet of card or paper, on one side write down some of the light things you see in your life and/or the world and on the other side some of the dark things you see in your life and/or the world,.
Time of prayer – offer what you’ve written to God; share if you wish maybe one from the light side as a one sentence thankyou prayer 
(then offer chance to share from dark side as a request to God. – to lead into 
Intercessions – ‘leaves of the tree for the healing of the nations’ prayers for others based on uses of herbs…. 

Bay leaves – have been shown to reduce inflammation – pray for someone who suffers from arthritis or other inflammatory conditions

Eucalyptus A natural antiseptic that can be used for respiratory problems. Pray for someone who suffers from asthma, or from recurrent coughs, colds or chest infections, or long-Covid.

Fennel: Helpful in the treatment of alcoholism. Pray for someone who is struggling with this or some other addiction.

Lavender A gentle sedative and relaxant, especially in the treatment of headaches and insomnia. Pray for someone who is suffering from these or other symptoms of stress.

Rosemary A stimulant, and can be used as an anti-depressant. Pray for someone who is depressed, or recently bereaved.

 Thyme Helpful for those who are convalescing. Pray for someone who is recovering from an operation or illness. 

Lords Prayer 
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.

StF652 Lord we come to ask your healing

​StF 696 For the healing of the nations

Sending out prayer - 
Glorious God, you shine your light
into the dark places of our lives and of our world.
Gentle God, you touch us with your healing love and make us whole.
We ask you to be with us and shine through us this week,
and use us to bring hope and healing to others.
Amen.