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Woship Resources 2009-2010 — Year C: Live Generously, Love Courageously
Return to Year C: 2009-2010
Resource Index
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Refresh My Heart in Christ
World Hunger Emphasis
Ordinary Time (Proper 18)
Scriptures: Jeremiah 18:1–11; Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18;
Philemon 1–21;
Luke 14:25–33/14:25–34 IV; Alma 15:59–62; Doctrine and Covenants 158:11a–c
To prepare for today’s service of World Hunger Emphasis, announce ahead of
time that canned goods will be welcomed in the offering today. Have a large
basket or box to receive them.
Prelude
Sharing of Joys and Concerns
Prayer for Peace
Call to Worship: Alma 15:59–62
*Hymn: “As the Deer” NS 2
OR “O Lord, Grace Our Communion” HS 1
*Invocation
*Response
Focus Moment
Have a pitcher of ice water and a glass, a fan (could be a handheld
folding fan), and bread on a table near the altar.
“Repentance can refresh our heart and bring us home to God. When we are
lost in the desert, we thirst for water (take a drink and exaggerate that
your thirst is quenched). If we are lost in life, we thirst for the
Living Water, which is Christ. When we get separated from God, our life
becomes stale. Reunion with God is like a breath of fresh air (wave the
fan and enjoy the cool air). Just as our hunger is satisfied by bread,
our spiritual hunger is satisfied by the words of Jesus Christ. Accept God’s
invitation to the table and come home to God.”
Disciples’ Generous Response
Each Sunday, as part of the Disciples’ Generous Response, we ask you to
integrate the message of “share equally” between Local and World Ministries
Mission Tithes. Generosity stories are provided to keep the church in touch
with how contributions to Mission Tithes spread the peace of Jesus Christ.
Please use the stories, testimonies, and up-to-date contribution information
as part of your offertory ministry. Visit
www.CofChrist.org/generositystories to print a copy, or contact your
pastor, congregational financial officer, or worship coordinator for a copy.
Blessing and Receiving of Oblation and Mission Tithes
The Sharing of Food
Canned goods can be brought forward at this time.
The congregation reads in unison the following prayer based on Alma 1:40.
We impart to you, Lord, of our abundant gifts. Guide us in our
choices as we strive to follow and share with those of less abundance.
May our gifts be of comfort to the poor and needy, the sick and
afflicted. We pray, Lord, we will have the sight to see and the wisdom
to answer the needs of your people. Amen.
—Claudia Schooler in Prayers and Readings for Worship,
Vol. 2,
Peter Judd, ed. (Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1996), 80.
Hymn: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God” HS 179
OR “Lay Your Hands” NS 27
OR Ministry of Music
Communion Message
Based on Philemon 1–21
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Hymn of Preparation: “Soften My Heart” NS 47
OR “Break Thou the Bread of Life” HS 173
Scripture for Confession and Preparation: Doctrine and Covenants
158:11b–c
Blessing and Serving of the Bread and Wine
Pastoral Message
*Hymn: “God Forgave My Sin in Jesus’ Name” HS 382
OR “Instruments of Your Peace” NS 21
*Benediction
*Response: Congregation sings “Spirit of the Living God”
—Lyrics and tune by Daniel Iverson. Search online if words
and music are needed. CCLI Song #23488
*Postlude
Sermon Helps
Scriptures: Jeremiah 18:1–11; Psalm 139:1–6, 13–18; Philemon 1–21;
Luke 14:25–33/14:25–34 IV
Exploring the Scriptures
While imprisoned in an unidentified location, Apostle Paul wrote a personal
letter of entreaty to a church leader named Philemon. Paul had benefitted from
the presence and service of a slave named Onesimus (meaning “useful one”), whom
he described as “useless to you, but now…useful both to you and to me” (v. 11).
Scholars have suggested that Onesimus was a runaway slave who was converted by
Paul and served him in prison, and whom Paul was sending back to Philemon with
the hope he would forgive him and accept him as a brother in Christ and an
equal.
Closer examination reveals a more subtle request embedded in this letter. “I
wanted to keep him,” Paul wrote, “but I preferred to do nothing without your
consent” (vv. 13 and 14). “Let me have this benefit [usefulness] from you in the
Lord!” Paul asked for Philemon to return Onesimus to assist him in his
imprisonment. Paul could command instead of request (v. 8), but chose instead to
trust in Philemon’s generous and loving spirit to go the extra mile and restore
Onesimus to him. (And yet, having reminded Philemon of his debt to Paul, he
shifted from entreaty to leverage in verse 21, expressing confidence in
Philemon’s obedience to the command that was not given!)
The word “refresh” is used twice in Philemon. Verse 7 praises Philemon
because “the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” Later, in
making his subtle request for the return of Onesimus, he entreated, “Refresh my
heart in Christ.” Paul used the same word in I Corinthians 16:18 to praise
Christian leaders who have “refreshed my spirit as well as yours,” and II
Corinthians 7:13 NIV as he thanked Christian followers who “refreshed the
spirit” of Titus. The word means to give or take rest, to ease. It represents an
action that takes place between one human or group of humans and another.
Furthermore, the word “in” that is used has deeper meaning than the English
translation presents. To be “in Christ” is to participate in the spirit,
personality, and character of Jesus Christ.
For that reason, it would be a mistake to think of this theme statement as a
passive internal action of the self. To paraphrase it “rest in Christ,” for
instance, removes both the involvement of other disciples who participate in the
refreshing process and the action portion of being “in Christ.” Instead, Paul
would say, “Give to one another the renewal and refreshment that comes from
loving and giving as Christ loved and gave.” It is in this spirit that he
requested the use of Onesimus, the Useful One. It is in this spirit that we are
to consider one another’s needs and provide the renewal and energizing new life
that is the hallmark of God’s action in the world.
In the Communion service, we are refreshed by the symbols of the body and
blood of Christ. As we take the bread and wine, we take Christ within us, take
on his name, and commit our lives anew to be his disciples. We are refreshed as
we receive again God’s grace—the grace that cleanses, forgives, and assures us
of our belovedness through Christ.
Central Ideas
1. Like Philemon, we are called to make the choice between being a master
over others or being brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. New life in Christ comes through the sharing and love of a community
of followers—not through isolation, individualism, and self-centeredness.
3. Being refreshed “in Christ” includes an active participation and
response in service to others.
Questions for the Speaker
1. When have you had to repent from being a “master” in order to be a
brother or sister in Christ?
2. How have you experienced renewal and revitalization through the grace
and love of the saints?
3. How have you contributed to “refreshing the spirit” of others in your
congregation, mission center, or global church?
4. Where do you see God’s renewing and refreshing presence in the lives
of those around you? How can you join God in that action?
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