Theme: Healing--A Work in Progress
Scripture:
II Kings 5:1-14
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great
man and in high favor with his master, because by him the Lord had
given victory to Aram. The man, though a mighty warrior, suffered
from leprosy.[
a]
2 Now the Arameans on one of their raids had taken a young girl
captive from the land of Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.
3 She said to her mistress, “If only my lord were with the
prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”[
b]
4 So Naaman[
c]
went in and told his lord just what the girl from the land of Israel
had said. 5 And the king of Aram said, “Go then, and I will
send along a letter to the king of Israel.”
He went, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels
of gold, and ten sets of garments. 6 He brought the letter to
the king of Israel, which read, “When this letter reaches you, know
that I have sent to you my servant Naaman, that you may cure him of
his leprosy.”[
d]
7 When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes
and said, “Am I God, to give death or life, that this man sends
word to me to cure a man of his leprosy?[
e]
Just look and see how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me.”
8 But when Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel
had torn his clothes, he sent a message to the king, “Why have you
torn your clothes? Let him come to me, that he may learn that there
is a prophet in Israel.” 9 So Naaman came with his horses and
chariots, and halted at the entrance of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha
sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go, wash in the Jordan seven
times, and your flesh shall be restored and you shall be clean.”
11 But Naaman became angry and went away, saying, “I thought
that for me he would surely come out, and stand and call on the name
of the Lord his God, and would wave his hand over the spot, and cure
the leprosy![
f]
12 Are not Abana[
g]
and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of
Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?” He turned and went
away in a rage. 13 But his servants approached and said to him,
“Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something
difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he
said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down
and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word
of the man of God; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young
boy, and he was clean.
Galatians 6:1-6
My friends,[
a]
if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the
Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care
that you yourselves are not tempted. 2 Bear one another’s
burdens, and in this way you will fulfill[
b]
the law of Christ. 3 For if those who are nothing think they are
something, they deceive themselves. 4 All must test their own
work; then that work, rather than their neighbor’s work, will
become a cause for pride. 5 For all must carry their own loads.
6 Those who are taught the word
must share in all good things with their teacher.
Service Order:
Hymn of Praise:Red #59 I Sing the Mighty Power of God ALL
Call to Worship: (based on Psalm 130)
Leader: Wait for the Lord, like those who hope in God’s mercy.
People: God’s steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: Watch for God, like those who eagerly await the morning.
People: We watch for God, whose healing power restores us.
Leader: Hear God’s hopeful word, like those who long for pardon.
People: Sing praise to God and rejoice in God’s love.
---Christine Longhurst
Prayer Concerns & Celebrations
We Contemplate & Live God's Word
Invitation to Discipleship
Hymn of Invitation: Red #51 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah ALL
Gathering at the Lord's Table
Hymn of Communion: Red # 43 Great Is Thy Faithfulness ALL
Breaking Bread & Pouring the Cup
Partaking of the Lord's Supper
Parting Hymn: Blue # 6 You Are My All in All
