WORSHIP RESOURCES
Ordinary Time (Proper 18)
World Hunger Emphasis
Philemon 1-21
Appeal in Love
Additional Scriptures
Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Luke 14:25-33
Preparation
If the camp song alternative “Open the Eyes of My Heart” is to be used, invite a music leader(s) to lead. Youth who recently attended camp or reunion might be familiar with the songs and able to lead or assist. URLs are provided for familiarity; approval for use in worship is the congregation's responsibility.
For the Focus Moment, gather enough cards and envelopes so every participant can have one, as well as pens, crayons, and stickers. Adapt the activity to the number and ages of participants. A supply of miscellaneous valentines and greeting cards may be used as examples.
Prelude
Announcements, Joys, and Prayer Needs
Welcome
Invite online worshipers to have Communion emblems ready to participate in the Lord’s Supper part of the service. Also, advise any who are watching the service later to wait until they can attend or watch a live service to participate in the Communion. If technology allows, invite online worshipers to participate by waving to the gathered congregation and the in-person worshipers waving back.
Greet and Be Greeted
Today’s theme is “Appeal in Love.” Let’s take a few minutes to greet our neighbors in worship. Please resume your seats when the music of our Gathering Hymn begins.
Gathering Hymn
“Open the Eyes of My Heart”
OR “When Morning Gilds the Skies” CCS 89
OR “He Came Singing Love” CCS 226
Call to Worship
Use the words of CCS 565, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” read as a poem, possibly with instrumental accompaniment. The final verse of the poem could transition into a congregation hymn of praise and then continue further into one of the following hymns. Planners will need to consult with the musician on this, including suggestions on announcing this to the congregation.
Hymn of Praise
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” CCS 105
French and Spanish translations for this song are at:
OR “O God, beyond All Praising” CCS 90
OR “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” CCS 87
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Invocation
Response
Disciples’ Generous Response
Testimony
Invite a participant to briefly describe a service project or community outreach with which the members of the group are involved.
Statement
As we open our hearts to courageously and generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion in the world. On this Sunday as we share in the sacraments, our offerings are dedicated to Abolishing Poverty and Ending Needless Suffering. This is how God’s generous compassion grows more visible in tangible ways.
If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).
Blessing and Receiving of Oblation, Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Scripture Reading: Philemon 1-21
Focus Moment: Love Letters
Today’s scripture verses are from the shortest book in the Bible, just twenty-one verses. We can call it a love letter. Apostle Paul wants his friend, Philemon, to do a favor because he knows Philemon loves Jesus and all people. We will hear more about it in a few minutes.
Meanwhile, let’s talk about love letters. Can you think of a time when you sent a love letter to someone? Give participants a chance to respond. I can think of two times. Do you give valentines to friends on Valentine’s Day? They might say things like “Be my valentine.” This is a type of love letter, a way of saying you are happy they are your friend. Another example might be a birthday card for a family member, and you write “love” and your name.
Let’s create a love letter to give to a special person. I have some cards you can use. Write the person’s name and a short message. You could write “I love you” and add “thank you.” Then write “love” and your name. If you don’t know what to write or have trouble writing, ask someone for help. You can add stickers or colors. Write the person’s name on the outside and put a sticker on it. You can give it to the person yourself or we will deliver it.
Allow time for creativity and collecting the cards before the homily begins.
Homily
Based on Philemon 1-21
Sung Prayer for Peace Sing the song you choose twice.
Light the peace candle as the song is introduced.
“The Peace of the Earth” CCS 647
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
OR “One Common Prayer” CCS 313
OR “El amor nunca pasará” CCS 6
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture Reading: Luke 22:14-20
Communion Talk
Hymn of Preparation
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Stanza 1 CCS 190
Invitation to Communion
All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others might have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
Hymn
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Stanza 2 CCS 190
Blessing of the Bread
Serving of the Bread
Hymn
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Stanza 3 CCS 190
Blessing of the Wine
Serving of the Wine
Hymn
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” Stanza 4 CCS 190
Log in to Our Ministry Tools and search for Guidelines Lord’s Supper. If you have not used this library of resources, go to CofChrist.org/our-ministry-tools.
Scripture of Encouragement: Psalm 139: 1-6, 13-14
Closing Hymn
“All My Days” CCS 266
OR “Searcher of Hearts” CCS 178
OR “Each Breath Is Borrowed Air” CCS 144
Benediction
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year C—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 18)
Philemon 1–21
Exploring the Scripture
Paul wrote from prison, seeking a personal favor from Philemon, a respected church leader. Christians met in Philemon’s home, so he was among the wealthy. Philemon is the only personal letter included in the New Testament canon. Paul addresses him as a “dear friend and co-worker” (v. 1) who had brought joy to Paul and other saints (v. 7). Philemon’s generous hospitality and “refreshment” of the saints also may suggest that he gave financially to help church growth.
Paul probably was under house arrest, able to receive visitors, food, and resources, including writing supplies. While imprisoned, Paul met and converted Onesimus, an enslaved person who had escaped Philemon. If caught, runaway slaves could receive extreme punishment or even death.
Onesimus, meaning “useful,” served Paul for a time. Paul writes, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me” (v. 11). Paul sends him back to Philemon, asking him to deal mercifully with Onesimus.
Paul could have used his status as the founder of churches in Asia Minor and as an apostle to “command you [Philemon] to do your duty” (v. 8). Instead, he applies subtle pressure. He mentions a debt Philemon owes Paul—perhaps because Paul converted Philemon. He involves other leaders in sending and receiving the letter, thus making his request public. Most important, Paul based his appeal on Christian principles and high expectations. Onesimus is a Christian, equal in God’s eyes to Paul and Philemon, and part of their Christian family. Paul calls the slave “my child Onesimus, whose father I have become” (v. 10).
Paul pressures Philemon to receive Onesimus as he might receive Paul himself, not as a slave but as a brother. Paul already has enjoyed Philemon’s hospitality and hopes to do so again. It is that same hospitality he invokes for Onesimus, an action that would result in a loss of respectability and status for Philemon.
Paul admits he wants to keep Onesimus with him but decides to encourage Philemon to free him and perhaps send him back to help Paul. He offers to repay Philemon for any debt Onesimus has incurred or financial loss resulting from his escape. He trusts Philemon to “do even more than I say” (v. 21). Did Philemon free Onesimus? Return him to Paul? We don’t know the end of the story.
However, a bishop named Onesimus was prominent in the church in later decades. Perhaps that is why this small, personal letter was carefully kept and shared with Paul’s public correspondence. Some scholars speculate that a grateful Onesimus collected all of Paul’s letters and preserved them with the private letter to Philemon.
In present-day churches, conflicts and differences arise. Paul models for us an approach toward reconciliation. Consider one another as siblings in Christ, beloved of God, and worthy of grace. Encourage the one with the most power to be the most generous in forgiving. Make voluntary and compassionate compensation for any debts or losses incurred when possible. Keep Christ central in the heart to strengthen acceptance, forgiveness, and gracious forgetfulness of the offense. Rather than dividing a congregation, these Christ-centered actions could help resolve differences and transform lives from bondage to freedom.
Central Ideas
- Paul asked Philemon to accept his runaway slave, Onesimus, as a brother in Christ.
- Paul avoided dictating. He allowed personal choice, upholding the worth and dignity of Philemon and Onesimus.
- He encouraged Philemon, who wielded the most power in this conflict, to forgive and be generous.
- Paul offered to repay any losses that were involved in his proposed solution.
Questions for the Speaker
- How was Paul’s approach counter-cultural to his day and time?
- What action would be needed today to bring reconciliation and healing in a similar circumstance?
- Consider other stories of grace and forgiveness, such as the Prodigal Son. What likenesses can you identify?
- When have you or a close friend been involved in a conflict resolved through Christian principles, forgiveness, and compensation?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year C—Letters
Ordinary Time (Proper 18)
Philemon 1–21 NRSVue
Communion
Gathering
Welcome
Ordinary Time is the period in the Christian calendar from Pentecost to Advent. This span is without major festivals or holy days. During Ordinary Time we focus on our discipleship as individuals and a faith community.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
God,
Why at times am I divided within myself?
Paul asked a similar question.
Did he receive an answer,
or did he just “live in the question”?
Often I find myself pulled in two directions,
sometimes choosing a course I know
I should not take.
When I need help why do I not ask for it?
Is it because I might get it?
For then I must “live the answer”
rather than the question.
God I know you accept me, divided as I am.
You are One—and I am many.
Help me accept myself and others.
Help me accept your acceptance.
In so doing, I will be less divided
and more one with you.
And more willing to live the questions of life. Amen.
—Danny A. Belrose,
“Divided” in Wave Offerings
(Herald Publishing House, 2015, ISBN 9780830912117), p. 72
Spiritual Practice
Being Present
Read the following to the group:
Ordinary Time can be a time to celebrate the beauty in everyday life. Pure joy can arise from taking genuine interest in all the tiny details of our ordinary life and turning them into a practice of awe and wonder.
Read the following aloud:
Today we are going to walk outside and spend a couple of minutes being present with God outdoors.
Lead the group outside:
You may sit or stand in any position that you feel most comfortable. Choose an object you see. Focus solely on your object while breathing in and out steadily for a couple of minutes. I will ring the chime for the practice to begin. I will ring it again when it is over.
Ring the chime. Wait three minutes. Ring the chime again.
Ask the participants to share what they noticed about their object and what they felt about this experience of being present.
Offer a prayer of gratitude for Ordinary Time.
Invite the group back inside.
Sharing Around the Table
Philemon 1–21 NRSVue
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To our beloved coworker Philemon, to our sister Apphia, to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church in your house:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always when I mention you in my prayers, because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus. I pray that the partnership of your faith may become effective as you comprehend all the good that we share in Christ. I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.
For this reason, though I am more than bold enough in Christ to command you to do the right thing, yet I would rather appeal to you on the basis of love—and I, Paul, do this as an old man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus. I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me. I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you. I wanted to keep him with me so that he might minister to me in your place during my imprisonment for the gospel, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your good deed might be voluntary and not something forced. Perhaps this is the reason he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for the long term, no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a beloved brother—especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand: I will repay it. I say nothing about your owing me even your own self. Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord! Refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
One thing more: prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping through your prayers to be restored to you.
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Paul wrote from prison, seeking a personal favor from Philemon, a wealthy, respected church leader. Paul addresses him as a “dear friend and co-worker” who had brought joy to Paul and other saints. While imprisoned, Paul met and converted Onesimus, an enslaved person who had escaped from Philemon’s household.
Onesimus, meaning “useful,” served Paul for a time. Paul writes, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful both to you and to me.” Paul sends him back to Philemon, asking Philemon to deal mercifully with Onesimus.
Paul could have used his status as the founder of churches in Asia Minor and as an apostle to command Philemon to welcome Onesimus. Instead, he applies pressure. He mentions a debt Philemon owes Paul. He involves other leaders in sending and receiving the letter, thus making his request public. Most important, Paul bases his appeal on Christian principles and high expectations. Onesimus is a Christian, equal in God’s eyes to Paul and Philemon, and part of their Christian family.
Paul pressures Philemon to receive Onesimus as he might receive Paul himself, not as a slave but as a brother.
Paul already has enjoyed Philemon’s hospitality and hopes to again. It is that same hospitality he invokes for Onesimus, an action that would result in a loss of respectability and status for Philemon. He offers to repay Philemon for any debt Onesimus has incurred or financial loss resulting from his escape.
Did Philemon free Onesimus? Return him to Paul? We don’t know the end of the story.
However, a bishop named Onesimus was prominent in the church in later decades. Perhaps that is why this small, personal letter was carefully kept and shared with Paul’s public correspondence.
In present-day churches, conflicts and differences arise. This letter to Philemon models an approach toward reconciliation.
Consider one another as siblings in Christ, beloved of God, and worthy of grace. Encourage the one with the most power to be the most generous in forgiving.
Make voluntary and compassionate compensation for any debts or losses incurred.
Keep Christ central in the heart to strengthen acceptance, forgiveness, and gracious forgetfulness of the offense.
Rather than dividing a congregation, these Christ-centered actions could help resolve differences and transform lives from bondage to freedom.
Questions
1. How was Paul’s approach counter-cultural to his day and time?
2. How would you react if a church leader wrote a letter and asked you to forgive a grievance or enter into some kind of reconciliation process with someone else?
3. When have you withheld forgiveness and held onto a grudge? When have you embraced forgiveness and extended grace to someone who had wronged you? Which is more common for you?
Sending
Generosity Statement
Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.
—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.
This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:
Discipling God, as we navigate our world of debt and consumerism, help us save wisely, spend responsibly, and give generously. In this way may we prepare for the future and create a better tomorrow for our families, friends, the mission of Christ, and the world. Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
Community of Christ Sings 60, “Creator God, Creating Still”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
· Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
· Thoughts for Children
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
—1 Corinthians 11:23–26 NRSVue
Communion Statement
All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
We share in Communion as an expression of blessing, healing, peace, and community. In preparation let’s sing from Community of Christ Sings (choose from below options):
· 516, “Coming Together for Wine and for Bread”
· 521, “Let Us Break Bread Together”
· 523, “As We Gather at Your Table”
· 526, “Is There One Who Feels Unworthy?”
· 528, “Eat This Bread”
· 532, “We Meet as Friends at Table”
Thoughts for Children
Serve a snack with the foods suggested. As you hand out napkins, drop one before the person can take it.
Say “I’m sorry,” and retrieve the napkin. As you pass the plate, knock off a cube of cheese or piece of fruit. Say, “I’m sorry,” and pick up the item. Ask, “Now what shall I do with it?”
Talk about why we sometimes say “I’m sorry,” and what is meant by that.
When people have an accident or make a mistake, they often say, “I’m sorry.”
In social relationships, we sometimes apologize when we do something wrong or hurt someone. Often the other person forgives us for making the mistake, and we are friends again. But when someone hurts another and is not sorry, it damages the future relationship between the two people. If someone apologizes and the other refuses to accept the apology, things will not be the same between them.
Everyone sins, makes mistakes, or breaks rules. But when you hurt something in God’s creation, you hurt God at the same time. We can apologize to the person injured, but we also need to talk to God about what we did. Repentance is a word for admitting to God you did something wrong and want to be forgiven.
Forgiveness, like rules, comes because God loves us. Though we sin over and over, Jesus offered his life on the cross to show us God’s willingness to forgive us over and over. But God wants us to learn from our mistakes and to choose to let Jesus’s life and teachings guide us in living better lives. God is always ready to listen. God is always ready to forgive.
Thank the children for participating and invite them to take their snack back to their seats.
First Steps, Herald House: 2003, pp. 31–36.