Welcome!
We hope & pray that you will connect deeply with God, yourselves, and others today. Let’s keep things simple today so we can experience healing, rest, and the fullness of Jesus’ love!
Here’s a link to our Anchor & Hope • Songs of Healing playlist. Feel free to listen throughout the day. May hope & praise be the soundtrack of your Reset Sunday!
Centering Practice
If you are able to set aside the time & space, we invite you to spend 10 minutes of silence as you open your hearts to God
- Set a timer for 10 minutes — try to use a gentle-sounding alert at the end, so it’s not too jarring!
- Slow down and breathe a little bit before jumping into silence
- Set a word or phrase of intention that you can come back to when your mind wanders (and it will wander!)
- If it’s not possible to have extended silence, especially if you have little ones, you can simply move ahead to this next prayer
Pray aloud this pray from Thomas Merton, a 20th century monk, poet, and author:
My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.But I believe that the desire to please You
does in fact please You.
And I hope that I have that desire
in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything
apart from that desire.And I know that if I do this
You will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust You always
though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death.I will not fear, for You are ever with me,
and You will never leave me
to face my perils alone.Amen.
Scripture Reading
Read today’s Scripture passage out loud:
Matthew 9:18-26
18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment. 23 When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread through all of that district.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
Together: Thanks be to God.
Kids Video
If you have kids with you, take a moment to watch this video and then have a short conversation together afterward:
Conversation questions:
- What was your favorite part of this story?
- How did Jesus heal people in this story?
- In what ways do you think people need to be healed these days?
- How can we be a part of Jesus’ healing love in the world?
Reflection & Healing Practice
Throughout this month, we’ve been exploring themes of healing, particularly throughout Matthew 9 — healing in relationships, recollection, repentance, and rhythm. We’ve engaged practices such as extended silence, prayers of recollection, improv exercises (to help us gain new perspectives), and planning for our Reset Sundays.
One thing is clear: We all need healing, we all need to be raised to life. Far too many of us are struggling with burnout, feeling constantly worn down, spiritual “dryness,” battling despair or hopelessness about the future, and on and on. We encourage you to utilize all of the resources God has given you: prayer, spiritual disciplines & practices, therapy, eating & sleeping well, exercise, etc.
Here is the truth we want to remember today: at the heart of all things, Jesus wants us to experience wholeness and holiness. Jesus can — and will — raise us to life. As Malachi 4:2 reminds us, “But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.”
Here are a couple of questions to reflect on as you encounter this healing narrative. If you’re with others, please feel free to have a conversation or if you’re alone, spend some time thinking about these:
- As you read this passage, what stands out to you?
- Do you relate to anyone in the story?
- Today, what does this story tell you about Jesus?
- In what ways do you think people need to be healed these days?
- How can you be a part of Jesus’ healing love in the world? Think about ways you love to serve, people & places you care about, time/energy/resources you’re willing to commit, etc.
Before you close with The Lord’s Prayer, take about 3-5 minutes to close with this healing practice — the goal is to be present to this moment so you can connect with God, others, and yourselves:
- Take a few slow, deep breaths. For this 3-2-1 exercise, take about 45-60 seconds for each one. If you’re with others, you can share your observations with them if you’d like. Otherwise, simply take time to be present and engage this practice.
- Look around and see 3 things around you. Slow down and try to really observe them. Notice their color, shape, size, texture, and anything else you can see.
- Next, listen for 2 things you can hear. You don’t have to strain or push yourself — just notice what sounds happen to stand out to you. What kind of tone is it? Are the sounds distinct from one another?
- Finally, identify 1 thing you can smell. Some scents might be easy, like a cup of coffee or eucalyptus trees. Others might be harder to discern. Again, the goal is to simply be present and to pay attention.
Benediction
Pray The Lord’s Prayer out loud:
Our Father
who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory, forever.
Amen.
Announcements
- 501c3 Launch Date: We have targeted September 15th as our launch date for operating as an independent nonprofit organization. Practically speaking, not much will change, but we will begin accepting checks written directly to “Anchor & Hope Church” and you can continue giving via Tithely as you have been. Let’s keep building the future together!
- Church Retreat: We need to get finalized registration information by September 1st. Please let Howard know if you’ll be joining us this year (Sept 18-20 at Palomar Christian Conference Center). Check your email for the registration form!
- Sunday Worship: We hope to see you next Sunday, September 6th at 10:30 am at Sandburg Elementary for our regular worship gathering!
Anchor & Hope Church 