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Greeting and Call To Worship
I was glad when they said unto me, "We will go into the house of the Lord."

Opening Prayer
God of wondrous grace, we come thankfully into your presence in these moments of worship. We praise you for the gift of love you have shown us in Jesus Christ. By your Spirit, help us to love one another as you have loved us. Amen.

Lord's Prayer

Special Hymn
"Jesus, Lover Of My Soul"
The writer of this hymn was Charles Wesley, who, with his brother John, was a reformer and founder of the Methodist Church. Charles Wesley wrote over 6,500 hymns during his lifetime. He wrote while traveling on horseback; he wrote a hymn on his wedding day; and he even dictated the words of a hymn as he lay dying. Many people think this hymn about Jesus' love was inspired during a terrible storm at sea.

Scripture Reading
2 Timothy 1:8-18

Meditation
Picture in your mind this scene: there is an ancient Roman prison. A soldier in uniform walks up and down in front of a cell. Occasionally, he peers through the doorway at an old man who has been a prisoner there for the past two years. At first this older man was not like the other prisoners. There was a spring in his step and a gleam in his eye as he busied himself writing letters at the rough table in his cell.

But lately, the old man's health has failed. The guard has known from the very beginning that this man must be a person of tremendous faith in God, but today, as the guard looks on, the old man sits dejectedly. He has not touched his food and a look of discouragement is on his face.

Then there is a knock at the gate. The guard quickly recognizes an ordinary-looking man who has come many times to visit the old man in the cell. Inwardly the guard rejoices, for he knows that even a short visit from this friend will cheer the prisoner's heart. The guard watches as the visitor, whose name is Onesiphorus, greets the Apostle Paul with a warm embrace.

The two talk quietly of old times and, before long, they lift up their voices in praise to God. Then they kneel in prayer. There is another embrace and it is time for Onesiphorus to leave. But the guard cannot help noticing the renewed confidence and hopefulness in his prisoner. He watches as the old man rushes to his writing table to scribble something down. Later in the day the guard reads the words the old man was so eager to write: "May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus ... for he often refreshed me."

Now it is those words, "He often refreshed me," that suggest a ministry to which all followers of Jesus Christ are called -- the ministry of refreshment. Think for a moment how a cool breeze or a cold drink refreshes us on a hot day. All Christians, regardless of their age, have the opportunity just like Onesiphorus to bring spiritual refreshment to those around them.

Look for a moment at the things Onesiphorus did for Paul. Notice that he came to Paul personally. He didn't just send a card or mutter something about "praying for you." He took the time to come in person. He realized how even the strongest of us can become discouraged and disheartened by life. So he came personally to bring the love of Christ to his friend.

Secondly, Onesiphorus gave Paul a word of appreciation and affirmation. It is amazing how we often wait until someone has died before we say how much that person has meant to us. How much a word of appreciation or affirmation can mean when we face a difficult situation. I recall standing at an airport ticket counter when the customer at the desk gave the airline attendant a beastly time. You could feel the tension in the air as the next customer stepped up to the desk. But to everyone's amazement, the customer looked at the frazzled airline attendant and said, "I certainly admire your patience. You handled that difficult person like a pro!" What a change!

But what really refreshed Paul was that Onesiphorus offered his friend genuine sympathy. Now "sympathy" is not the same as "pity." Sympathy is much more than feeling sorry for someone; it literally means to come alongside another and to suffer his pain with him. Onesiphorus refreshed the great Apostle Paul, and you and I have the same unique opportunity to be refreshing Christians with those around us.

Closing Prayer
O God, all around us are people who are lonely and discouraged. Give us the eyes to see and the hearts to love others as Christ has loved us. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Benediction
May the Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent one from another.