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: 28 – 37, Bargaining and Depression, Mary is at home, with the Jews consoling her. She goes to the tomb and finds Jesus. Weeping, she says the same as Martha, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus weeps with her. The Jews wonder why Jesus could not have kept Lazarus from dying when he can open the eyes of the blind. Bargaining can look like an “if only…” game. It is often accompanied by guilt. Bargaining helps the psyche find relief in the pain; it can help give time to adjust to the loss. It may allow us to believe we can restore order to the chaos.
Depression (not a clinical depression) is a feeling of intense sadness, a temporary withdrawal from life. Depression is a way for our psyche to be protected by shutting down the nervous system in order for the adaptation process to occur.
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, 12th October, 02:30 pm, Good Grief: Bringing Light to the World (Acceptance & Meaning Making) in Groveport, Ohio
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