Rochester, MN UCC - “The Prayer of Faith” – James 5:13-20

A few months ago, one of our members in her nineties was able to return to worship in the sanctuary for the first time after months of illness and the congregation celebrated her return with a round of applause. Then just two weeks ago I spoke with several members after worship about new diagnoses their loved ones had received and we prayed together. We took our sufferings before God in prayer just as we had taken our celebrations. The book of James recommends that we go to God in the church in all seasons of our life- when we are suffering and we are celebrating. 

 Following worship this Sunday, we’ll review our plan for ministry for the coming year- and being a place where people come to give thanks in celebration and seek solace and strength in times of suffering is exactly what we are hoping our plan helps us to become. All our efforts in worship, education, service and justice, and fellowship are aimed to build a community of Christian disciples who share the joys and concerns of their lives with one another and hold each other in prayer. Having a community that loves and supports you in good and trying times is important. But belonging to a church where God has promised to be present with us is nothing short of life changing. We are excited about all we plan to do in the coming year so that the power of God may become more and more tangible in all of our lives and we hope you’ll join us this Sunday to hear all about it.

 Rev. Andrew Greenhaw