Grief is something everyone experiences. It is a normal part of life. God designed us to move through a grief process in order to protect us and learn how to make meaning out of loss. Experiences of grief help us to connect more deeply with one another. We can offer the light to the world by sharing the hope available through grief: resurrection is always possible.
Using the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, we’ll explore the stages of grief as presented by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance, Meaning Making. Through the stages of grief, we’ll discover how each stage serves the purpose of helping to move toward healing and wholeness. Note: This is an adaptation of a sermon series written by Rev. Jennifer Casey, UMC Elder serving William Street UMC, Delaware, Ohio.
John 11: 38 – 44, Acceptance and Meaning Making, Jesus, greatly disturbed, goes to the tomb. Martha informs him that Lazarus has been dead for 4 days. Jesus commands the stone to be rolled away. He thanks God for hearing him. He commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb. Lazarus emerges, still bound in cloth. Acceptance is not being ok with the situation, rather it is accepting the reality of the loss. Healing looks like remembering, recollecting, reorganizing. It means figuring out a new normal. Meaning Making is an ongoing process throughout our life time as we reflect on the loss. Suffering can be mitigated by finding meaning in the loss.
Join us for worship service in person or virtually on YouTube "Live" from 10:30-11:30 am ( https://www.youtube.com/@hopewellumc9562/streams). Dress is casual. We follow "Safe Sanctuary" guidelines and have a nursery for young children and junior church for those K-5th grade. All are welcome!
Prior sermon's can be found on our YouTube Channel under "Videos." We do not own any rights to the music performed or played during our services.
Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors
You may also like the following events from Hopewell UMC:
- This Sunday, 21st September, 02:30 pm, Good Grief: Bringing Light to the World (Denial) in Groveport, Ohio
- Next Sunday, 28th September, 02:30 pm, Good Grief: Bringing Light to the World (Anger) in Groveport, Ohio
- Next month, 5th October, 02:30 pm, Good Grief: Bringing Light to the World (Bargaining & Depression) in Groveport, Ohio
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