Jesus the Healer – This week Nashville suffered a devastating ice storm, and several other congregations whose churches are without power have joined us for this one service, our monthly communion service.  The Children’s Moment is delivered by Tyler Merritt, a story teller and actor, who did a presentation in our theatre before this service.  As we work through the New Testament, today’s scripture is the story from Mark of Jesus healing a leper.  Carol begins by citing many crises of the weather this week, and how many of us have been in great stress and have felt isolated.  The leper in Jesus’ day was isolated because of his disease, and Jewish law prohibited him from being with others.  When he cries out repeatedly to Jesus, the people around try to quiet him, but Jesus, hearing him, asks what he wants.  Of course, he wants to be healed, and Jesus, moved with pity and deep compassion, does heal him, actually touching him in the process.  From this we can learn that whatever isolates us, Jesus looks on us with compassion. 

(NOTE:  Emphasizing the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture reading, but if you want, you can scroll back to the beginning of the service in the video – the entire service is available.)