A Liturgy For Anointing Of The Sick

This service allows for a local congregation to focus on the needs of its members who may be suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually. The outline of the service follows a traditional order of service, with entrance, proclamation, confession and assurance, and prayers. Following the prayers, members of the congregation are given the opportunity to receive anointing with oil or the laying on of hands. These acts are powerful symbols of God's presence with the people of God. In the face of adversity, the service of anointing gives opportunity for a bold declaration of faith and trust in God, for a recalling of God's promises, and for communal prayers for the suffering.

The Service ENTRANCE Greeting Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. People: Amen. Opening Sentence Leader: The apostle Paul said, "?Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.?" Hymn SERVICE OF PROCLAMATION Scripture Readings Old Testament Reading: Genesis 1:26–31 or 2 Kings 5:1, 8–15; Psalms 20; 23; 91; 103; 145:13–21 New Testament Epistle: Acts 3:1–10; Hebrews 12:1, 2; James 5:13–16; 1 John 1:5–2:2; 5:13–15 New Testament Gospels: Matthew 8:1–17; 9:2–8; Mark 6:7–13; 10:46–52; Luke 17:11–19; John 9:1–22 Sermon SERVICE OF RECONCILIATION Call to Confession Leader: Jesus said, "?Ask, and it will be given; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.?" People: For everyone who asks receives, and those who seek find, and to each who knocks it will be opened. Leader: Friends in Christ, God knows our needs before we ask and in our asking prepares us to receive the gift of grace. Let us open our lives to God's healing presence and forsake all that separates us from God and neighbor. Let us be mindful both of our personal sin and of our communal sins of family, class, race, and nation. Confession Silent Personal Prayers, followed by: Leader: Let us confess our sins together. People: (Ps. 51:1–12) Assurance of Pardon Leader: If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Brothers and sisters, in Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. People: Thanks be to God! SERVICE OF PRAYER Intercessory Prayers The Lord's Prayer SERVICE OF ANOINTING (or laying on of hands) Thanksgiving over the Oil (not used in a service of laying on of hands) Leader: O God, our Redeemer, giver of health and salvation, we give you thanks for the gift of oil, used by prophets and apostles as a sign of your grace and favor. Send your Spirit now, we pray, that those who receive this anointing in repentance and faith may be made well in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Invitation Leader: Those who desire to be anointed (or to receive the laying on of hands) now come forward. During this time, may we all be united in prayer for those seeking God's healing. Act of Anointing Unction. Unction is symbolized by the vessel which holds the oil for anointing. Leader: (spoken to each who is anointed) [Name], as I anoint you, so may God grant you the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. With infinite mercy, may God forgive your sins, release you from suffering, and restore you to health and strength. May God deliver you from all evil, preserve you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. [or] Laying on of Hands Leader: (spoken to each upon whom hands are laid) [Name], we lay our hands on you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May God grant you the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, forgiving your sin, releasing you from suffering, and restoring you to health. May God deliver you from all evil, preserve you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving Leader: Let us pray. People: We give praise and thanks to you, O God! In Jesus Christ, you have given us life; brought ministry, forgiveness, healing, and peace; commanded the disciples to heal the sick; and continued the healing ministry among us to this day. Keep us mindful of your love and mercy that we may be faithful throughout all our days. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE OF DISMISSAL Charge Leader: Go in peace to love and serve God. Hymn Benediction Leader: May God bless you and keep you. May God's face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May God look upon you with kindness and give you peace. People: Amen. Commentary The act of anointing has a rich history in the Christian faith. In the Old Testament, anointings frequently accompanied blessings and ceremonies which indicated a passing of royal power. The New Testament also refers to anointing. The title Christ itself means "?the anointed one?"; Christians are those who share in Christ's anointing. In addition, a specific occasion for anointing is described explicitly in James 5:14–16:

Is any one of you sick? He should call on the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned; he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

This passage mentions several important acts which should be present in a service of healing: prayers of petition, anointing with oil, and confession of sin. Each of these are acts of humility, that place reliance not on self, but on God. They are also acts of faith, which do not doubt the power of God to affect healing. Finally, they are able to be communal acts, offered within the context of a community of faith. Worship planners and church leaders should introduce such services of anointing with care, especially to congregations not accustomed to this practice. First, this clear scriptural directive in James should be noted and explained. In addition, the relationship of this act to the sacraments should be explained. In most church traditions, anointing is not a sacrament, even though it uses a physical element to demonstrate or symbolize a spiritual reality. The exact nature of this relationship will depend upon the sacramental theology of a given church. Finally, the nature of the service should be explained to the congregation, including a description of basic outline of the liturgy, an indication of those for whom the anointing is intended, and a description of the way in which the anointing will take place. Suggestions for Planning The needs of those who will be anointed may be communicated to the congregation prior to the service so that all may be in prayer for them. All of the elders or similar office-bearers of the congregation may be involved in the act of anointing or laying on of hands. Olive oil is traditionally used in anointing. It may be placed in a small bowl prior to the service or poured from a small flask or pitcher into a bowl just prior to the prayer of thanksgiving for the oil. The service of anointing should proceed at a careful pace, allowing for periods of silent prayer and reflection. The reading from James 5 should be included in all services of anointing. During the anointing, the congregation may offer silent prayer or join in singing a hymn or petition for God's healing presence. Alternatively, psalms may be read or sung, by a solo reader or by a cantor or by a choir. The psalms listed in the service of proclamation are all appropriate for use at this point. Following the anointing, the worship leader may offer a prayer of petition on behalf of those sick and suffering who were not able to be present for the service. A hymn of trust may follow the anointing, such as "?There is a Balm in Gilead,?" "?How Firm a Foundation,?" or "?Come, Ye Disconsolate.?"