Loading...On Thursday evening, October 20, 2011, St. Paul, Manheim, held a Service of Healing and Thanksgiving in their beautiful, “new” worship space.
The flood waters of the September storm had damaged the church office, destroying records and equipment and undermining the foundation of the main building. Members of the church gathered in thanksgiving with hope to Bless the Name of the Lord and invited others to join them.
It was a glorious evening as Bishop Baxter, the clergy and members of the Lancaster Convocation and other churches from the diocese, families and friends joined the community of St. Paul for a delicious Pot Luck Dinner and wonderful fellowship.
Fr. Sud Tiwari, Priest in Charge of St. Paul, welcomed everyone and led the Liturgy of the Word. Mother Gail Tomei from St. John, Marietta, read selected lessons from Job (1:13-22) and Romans (8:18-25) followed by Deacon Nancy Rementer, Deacon at St. John, who read from the Gospel of Luke (3: 7-14). Fr. David Peck, Rector of St. James, Lancaster, was the guest preacher. His words touched the hearts of the people with hope and the blessed assurance of God’s abiding love, care and presence during times of uncertainty and struggle. Read a transcript of the sermon here. Fr. John Emmert led A Litany of Thanksgiving for a Church.
As Bishop Baxter began the Liturgy of The Eucharist, peace filled this worship space and the presence of the Lord was felt in the stillness and calm…an affirmation that The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord and when we gather in communion the Lord’s presence is what heals us and sustains us. When the service concluded there was the sense that hearts were healing with great thanksgiving in hope. Blessed be the Name of the Lord that made this a Blessed Event.
