Pastoral Care & Healing

Recognizes that healing in the name of Jesus is accomplished through the ministry of each believer as he or she is called by the Lord.

• Pastoral Visits to the Sick and Shut-in • Prayer Teams • Prayer Line • Ministry to the Lapsed • Stephen Ministry • Order of St. Luke • Healing Service and Conferences • Food Ministry • Card Ministry • Altar Flower Ministry

Prayer Shawl Ministry -- Purls of Grace

Over the past five years members of the Purls of Grace have knitted and/or crocheted and given away over one hundred seventy seven prayer shawls. Many of the shawls have been given away locally; some have been sent across the country; some have even been sent overseas. The shawls are always warmly received and greatly appreciated by the recipients.

If you know how to knit or crochet, or you would like to learn, come and join in the fun! Contact the church office at 860.388.0895 for the time and location.

Prayer Teams

Prayer teams are available to pray with and for the congregation at the back of the sanctuary during the 10:00 AM Sunday communion service.

Prayer Line

Members of the Grace Church Prayer Line pray daily for prayer requests of all kinds -- those of an emergency nature as well as those regarding relationships, decisions, operations, or treatments. If you're in need of prayer, please call the church office at 860 388-0895.

Service of Public Healing

Since 1990, the members of Grace Church have had a weekly service of public healing on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in the church. This service is an important gathering for the members of the parish. We always welcome visitors and consider it an honor to pray for each other at the altar following holy communion. We pray for many areas of healing: spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. We support each other through difficult times.

The service begins with a time of worship, using both contemporary Christian music and hymns. After a time of worship, some testimonies, and a teaching, we share in the service of Holy Communion with prayers for healing at the altar. Many have commented on the peace of our Lord which surrounds us as we draw close to Him during this service. Healings of all kinds have occurred -- physical, mental and spiritual. We are uplifted when we hear testimonies of the healing love of Jesus as people share specific healings with the congregation. Over the past years, we have had several people healed from eye problems and other physical ailments. Inner healing and forgiveness have been occurring on a regular basis. Many have come to faith and made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ during this service.

We know that the greatest healing of all is spiritual healing: loving, following, and serving our Lord Jesus Christ. Once we make this personal commitment, our life is changed forever. We step into eternity and will live with Him forever. After we have made this commitment, we can face the difficulties of life with hope and courage. Even death cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

Following the service, we have a time of fellowship and lunch. Grace Church is a host site for the Shoreline Soup Kitchen on Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 PM. People who have attended the service of public healing share a meal with the Soup Kitchen guests. The model is one of a community meal in which everyone enjoys good food and fellowship together.
The service of public healing has become a place of encouragement and a time of fellowship in our congregation. In this service, we live out our mission statement as we "share the healing love of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit." We welcome guests and visitors as we pray for one another. This ministry is ongoing, although we take a break during the months of July and August, in addition to a break over the Christmas/New Year holidays.

Food, Flower and Card Ministries

The Food Outreach Ministry provides food for distribution at the Shoreline Soup Kitchen's local food pantries. There's always a need for cereals, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, soup, baked beans, and other healthy foods. Food items may be left in the basket in the side entrance foyer.

The Meals Ministry provides meals to persons or families during times of need. It may be after surgery, after having a baby, during an illness, after a death, or during any other specific time when the gift of a meal would be appreciated.

Flower Ministry volunteers deliver the Sunday altar flowers and the Christmas and Easter memorial flowers to parishioners who may be sick or in the hospital, homebound, or bereaved. The delivery people take a moment to visit with and perhaps pray with the recipient.

Card Ministry volunteers send cards to members of the congregation, lifting them up in prayer in times of need and rejoicing in their celebrations.

If you know of anyone in need of a meal, or flowers or a card, please contact the church office at 860.388.0895.

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