Living in God's Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
Amazinggracealaska.org
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Care - Healing and Wholeness |
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What is Healing and Wholeness ministry? Throughout the Gospels, Jesus makes very clear the connection between spiritual healing and physical healing. He confronts physical brokenness: those with leprosy, those who are paralyzed, a man with a withered hand, a woman with constant bleeding, a blind beggar, a parent mourning a child, a friend (Lazarus) who has died. As the body of Christ, the church, too, concerns itself with physical brokenness. As we follow Jesus, we also discover the connections between spiritual and physical (including emotional, social, vocational, and intellectual) well-being. We also see how brokenness is greater than any one person or body, but infiltrates our entire world. Healing is often confused with a cure, but one may occur without the other. As healer, Jesus creates the possibility of life that transcends pain and has deep meaning. Jesus does not present himself as "curer" of our every ill, that is, as one who eliminates pain. For example, healing can see death as a blessed outcome, while cure views death as defeat. Perhaps those who have died have experienced healing before passing on, by having the chance to mend rifts with family members. Perhaps someone discharged from the hospital has been technically cured, but their life can so easily slip out of balance all over again and put them in need of healing. The church, then, continues the healing ministry of Jesus. This is its witness to the kingdom already among us and the kingdom to come. Although there are many specialized and primary health care services out there, the congregation has an important role in confronting brokenness and becoming a center for healing the entire person. Amazing Grace has made healing and wholeness ministry a special focus for mission. At Amazing Grace, healing and wholeness ministry concentrates on the following things:
We also hold healing services periodically during the year, in which our pastor(s) pray individually with people for healing, and our parish nurses anoint them with oil. Education on Healing and Wholeness issues The Healing and Wholeness Committee provides several educational opportunities throughout the year for people who are interested in learning how to promote their own health and the healing and wholeness of us all. Usually these classes are offered in a multi-week series, often on Sunday evenings. Recent opportunities have included:
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