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An investigation into the phenomena and practices of spiritual ...

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The second minister went forward <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y prayed quietly toge<strong>the</strong>r whilst <strong>the</strong> congregationlooked on <strong>and</strong> joined quietly in prayer if <strong>the</strong>y so wished.The organist played quiet background music throughout <strong>the</strong> healing service,7 members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> congregation went forward for prayer <strong>and</strong> laying <strong>of</strong> h<strong>and</strong>s. Initially twopeople went forward <strong>and</strong> each <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m was prayed for individually by <strong>the</strong> ministers bothlaying h<strong>and</strong>s on each person <strong>and</strong> prayed.The o<strong>the</strong>r members went forward <strong>and</strong> each person was prayed for individually.The seventh person was in tears <strong>and</strong> was comforted by ano<strong>the</strong>r member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>congregation <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n ?? one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> elders. This member was comforted for some timeafter <strong>the</strong> services was closed.The service closed with <strong>the</strong> minister inviting <strong>the</strong> whole congregation to join in holdingh<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> minister prayed. This was different <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> first time I observed thisapproach in this church.The final song was a joyful one: 148The benediction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Grace: may <strong>the</strong> grace <strong>of</strong>-------This is followed by a social session with tea <strong>and</strong> c<strong>of</strong>fee after <strong>the</strong> service is closed.The order <strong>of</strong> service narrated above from <strong>the</strong> observation has similarities with <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong>service narrated by Jones (1980) below, <strong>the</strong> service for healing outlined in <strong>the</strong> URC servicebook (1989) <strong>and</strong> also with Jones‟ exposition <strong>of</strong> worship in <strong>the</strong> early Christian church.“Order <strong>of</strong> Service: Model 2ScripturePrayer <strong>of</strong> approachConfession <strong>of</strong> sinAssurance <strong>of</strong> pardon135

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