Glenwillard United Methodist Church

Sunday past, Bob worshiped at Glenwillard United Methodist Church, 1328 Main Street, Crescent Township, PA 15046, 724.457.6325, www.glenwillardumc.org, Dennis L. Bouch, Pastor.

Scripture – Philemon 1:1-25 – NLT

This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.

I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.

That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.

I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.

I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother 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 it to me. I, PAUL, WRITE THIS WITH MY OWN HAND: I WILL REPAY IT. AND I WON’T MENTION THAT YOU OWE ME YOUR VERY SOUL!

Yes, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.

I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.

Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”

Bob’s thoughts:

I pulled out papers from the file on two churches this morning, but He had already made the choice and I obeyed without question. The other was new, fancy-looking, and probably large, but today I needed to be in a small family church.

I was sitting in my truck when the pastor pulled in, and when I explained some of the trials my family has recently encountered, he prayed for us then and there. He knew that God had sent me, and I needed to be with brothers and believers.

I was greeted and engaged in conversation, especially by a Marine who was serving as usher. A woman came in with three children and sat behind me, which increased my sense of family. The seven souls in the choir sounded like many more and I liked their smiles. There were numerous crosses, including one with a dove perched atop.

The sermon, “My Own Heart,” was based on Philemon 1:1-21 but read all the verses, which I liked. Paul’s discourse not only asked for the welcoming of a slave back as a brother in Christ, but that any debt that might be owed be transferred to him (Paul). Verse 22 urges, “Prepare a place for me in faith, that I may come.”

The pastor talked of Christians forgiving as the Spirit of love comes in, and on cue a train came in near the building. I took it as a sign of God’s love coming into the congregation.

The invitation to Communion was extended, welcoming all to the Table. The pastor apologized for running late but would not speed through Communion. This contrasted in my mind with one church that announced the Communion elements were set up in the back, just go help yourself when you are ready.

I was blessed to be able to offer the elements to the pastor and he asked me to remain up front. I was asked to kneel at the rail while the congregation came and laid hands and prayed over me for my family. Long ago I learned to leave retribution to the Lord, but with this prayer, God’s peace settled over me and, I hope, my family.

Our prayer for this church:

Lord, we pray Your continued blessings on this, Your church. Guide them, use them, and grow them to Your will. Amen.