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Saturday, July 05, 2008

July 4, 2008 - Poems - at Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH

The following poems were shared at Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH, as part of the 4th of July celebration:

-------
SET ONE
--------

On the Fourth

On the Fourth
and all year long
we must never forget
the words on that parchment so long ago
Our prayer of that day
still true here and now
our nation to be true
all to be free,
as our creator intended
free from oppression,
to pursue, happiness to find
within ourselves
and with our God
A vision worthy to uphold
a hope to share with the world
May we never forget
to hold these words in our hearts

July 4, 2008
Declaration of Independence
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

---

Words of Mettle

I paused today
to read, once again,
those words of mettle,
of resolve, of hope, of our faith
Those words, part of the thread
the dream, the story that is America
Those words written in Philadelphia
proclaimed the sins of the king
the prayers of the colonies
the roots of our democracy
What we believe
and what we celebrate today

July 4, 2008
Declaration of Independence
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

---

A New Nation

As was remembered, four score and seven years later
our nation, a new nation
was brought forward; but not by war, willed
created by the words written in that hall
the words of that Philadelphia summer
Changing our world, splintering an empire
held together by might, for a dream of freedom
All are equal, all must be free
so is our pledge, our plea
the dream of America, still unfulfilled
so many summers gone by
so far have we come
I hear freedom starting to ring
part of the dream given voice
by another pastor, forty-five years ago
may it start in our hearts today

July 4, 2008
Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg Address,
Emancipation Proclamation, Preamble to Constitution,
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, 8/28/1963
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
In reading this, I noted that the nomination speech
of the Democratic Convention this summer
will be on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s speech

-------
SET TWO
-------

Closer to Home

The war got a little
closer to home
as the concerns were lifted
before the congregation
in the stilled sanctuary
We became a bit quieter
a bit more attentive
truly prayerful

One of our own
was called up, again,
to leave our midst
to go to that place of chaos
of senseless death
so far away
Yes, the war got closer to home
that Sunday a few weeks ago

May we remember
all the sons, all the daughters
the fathers, the mothers
out there serving us all
so we can be free

June 12, 2007 9:00
written for the 4th of July celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord. NH
about Adam Doucette

---

Our Prayers Answered

One of our own,
one of us, a member with us
our prayers, long repeated
oft remembered, our prayers answered
He was safe, out of harm’s way
boots down on U.S. soil
home from the way, endless
Home to his family, his friends;
not all so lucky, so blessed.
We remember them too,
And those still in the breach.
Our lives, our freedoms
we hold so dear, because they went.
We thank God he is back with us.
We pray soon they all will be home.

July 2, 2008
on the day in church when the news was
announced that Adam Doucette was back home
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH

-------
SET THREE
-------

Safe in My Bed

Before I rise to start my day
I felt a need to stop and pray
for the men and women of our land
who are out there in the world taking a stand
to guard the dark places to keep us free
to watch for the enemy behind the rock, the tree

Remembering the mettle of this day
when people stood for freedom, so our children may play,
to live in a land that is truly free
and be safe in my bed in tranquility.

We celebrate the words in the Declaration this day
but we need to remember to stop and pray
that the words mean nothing without the grit
and the people who have been willing to commit
to the dangerous work of protecting this dream
to fight for our country and keep it from harm

So we rise this morning from our safe beds
and know that our country has nothing to dread
because there are people on guard
out there in the world
We pray for their safety,
each mother, each son,
and pray for their return
when their work is done

July 4, 2007 7:41

---

A Fourth Under Fire

We celebrate once again
the bravery of those certain men
who saw what they had to do
and though they were times
to try men’s souls
they hung the lantern
and answered the call
to defend the freedom they sought
and put pen to a new hope, a creed
to live in justice and trust
and fight for it we must

A land worthy of song
for banners and truths we hold dear
even when we become flawed or amiss
when we over extend and export
and fight for the wrong in court

A people, a thought,
a prayer in the maddening crowd
to save more than we harm
to live by our joint sacred text
to fight for the rights of all
open our heart to the down and the out
and give our neighbor his space
not force it in his face
and live simpler than some
so we can say in the end
that we honored our dream
and cared for the last and the least
to see ourselves in them
and treated them just
so those storied men of old
wouldn’t regret being so bold
as to put pen to page
creating a new land and place
where we could be as one
and live out our days
humbly and in peace

June 23, 2006 18:45

---

Without Freedom Still

We gathered, took time off,
pondered our freedom,
on the anniversary
our Declaration of Independence
when we dissolved the political bonds
when we proclaimed, to the world,
what we hoped for, what we believed in
as a people, set apart,
that we hold these truths to be self-evident,
that we are born equal, each one,
that the creator gave us unalienable rights,
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

How wondrous are those words,
how much we have achieved
casting off the chains that hold us back
how far we have to go; but
We are free, by most measures

How hard life must be
in the many places on the globe
where people are not yet free
where there are people still
in the grip of slavery, in bondage,
in fear for their lives,
for their children’s lives
for any kind of future
for religious persecution,
indiscriminant death

How blind we are,
to the realities around the world
How silent we are
to the evil that stalks this sphere
How much more we could do
if we took our freedoms more seriously
and invested in justice
to the four corners
of this troubled planet

July 4, 2007 20:36

---

Half Staffs

D-Day and The Fourth
Bookends of a month
In the life of the Nation
The death of a President

Reminders each day
Against blue sky or grey
Of sacrifices, and lives lost
Defending our rights

Freedom isn’t free
The media doesn’t see
The good of the troops
In those lands of sand and
Minarets, martyrs
And madmen

Freedom, food, water, hope
On the line, in the chaos,
In the storm, in the desert,
In the streets of Baghdad

Snap in the breeze, or limp on the cord
Sentries marking the honor
To a man, I didn’t support
But honor, nonetheless
For his optimism, faith
In this place, this idea

The rightness of our dream
Lost for so long in the malaise
The hurt from Dallas to Tehran

On guard still,
Our finest in the field
Pawns or patriots, whatever your view

Remember to vote, to have a say
To remember them all

Snap to attention,
And pledge allegiance
To this nation

For it’s the best hope
As Reagan knew, and we do too
So whether half staff or whole
We remember the call,
The duty we share,

To herald the hope,
The dream we hold dear
This Fourth and all year.

Writtten 6/28/04 9:33pm
Edited 7/5/04 16:36, based on the way I did the reading at the Agape Café section of the Wesley United Methodist Church 4th of July celebration



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,420+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Watermelon Taffy

The cooling fading sunset
Ribbons of pink, wisps,
swirls, pulled threads of taffy
darkening color
like watermelon taffy
changing to rose, to plum,
fading to dust on the wind
cooling into darkness,
while we sit on the lawn,
listening to the band,
waiting for the fireworks

July 4, 2008 20:51
written at July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,480+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A New Nation

As was remembered, four score and seven years later
our nation, a new nation
was brought forward; but not by war, willed
created by the words written in that hall
the words of that Philadelphia summer
Changing our world, splintering an empire
held together by might, for a dream of freedom
All are equal, all must be free
so is our pledge, our plea
the dream of America, still unfulfilled
so many summers gone by
so far have we come
I hear freedom starting to ring
part of the dream given voice
by another pastor, forty-five years ago
may it start in our hearts today

July 4, 2008
Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Gettysburg Address,
Emancipation Proclamation, Preamble to Constitution,
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, 8/28/1963
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
In reading this, I noted that the nomination speech
of the Democratic Convention this summer
will be on the 45th anniversary of Dr. King’s speech



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,420+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Words of Mettle

I paused today
to read, once again,
those words of mettle,
of resolve, of hope, of our faith
Those words, part of the thread
the dream, the story that is America
Those words written in Philadelphia
proclaimed the sins of the king
the prayers of the colonies
the roots of our democracy
What we believe
and what we celebrate today

edited November 12, 2015
Words of Mettle – v4
(editing version 3)
edited October 11, 2015
Words of Mettle – v3
(editing version 2)
edited July 4, 2014
Words of Mettle – v2
July 4, 2008
Words of Mettle
Declaration of Independence
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,060+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

On the Fourth

On the Fourth
and all year long
we must never forget
the words on that parchment so long ago
Our prayer of that day
still true here and now
our nation to be true
all to be free,
as our creator intended
free from oppression,
to pursue, happiness to find
within ourselves
and with our God
A vision worthy to uphold
a hope to share with the world
May we never forget
to hold these words in our hearts

July 4, 2008
Declaration of Independence
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

July 4th - at Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH

Annually, our church opens its lawn to the community, offering music, pie and ice cream, and one of the best views of Concord's fireworks. I have been able for the last four years to share some of my poetry as part of the celebration. Each year I end up writing more that day as well, as I listen to the patriot music and think about what it means to be an American, especially on the birthday of our country.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Our Prayers Answered

One of our own,
one of us, a member with us
our prayers, long repeated
oft remembered, our prayers answered
He was safe, out of harm’s way
boots down on U.S. soil
home from the war, endless
Home to his family, his friends;
not all so lucky, so blessed.
We remember them too,
And those still in the breach.
Our lives, our freedoms
we hold so dear, because they went.
We thank God he is back with us.
We pray soon they all will be home.

July 2, 2008
on the day in church when the news was
announced that Adam Doucette was back home
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH

David – Haiku – 3

Anoint him with oil
The boy shepherd of Jesse
He shall be king

July 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6

A Shepherd Boy

The boy in the field, left to tend the sheep
the youngest, least, last, alone on the mountainside
He will be the king of the people of the law
the people of the covenant of old
Anoint his head with oil, prepare him for his rule
A new day has begun
a king from the fields has come

July 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,520+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fill Your Horn

Rise, oh Prophet
rise up and fill your horn
Your God needs you
Fill your horn with oil
a new king to anoint;
from Jesse’s tree
a royal line will grow
Rise up and go
to find the new king;
I have chosen him.
For my people Israel.

July 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6

From that Day Forward

The spirit of God
resting mightily upon him
all of his life to come
Anointed by the prophet’s oil
Chosen by God by name
David, the youngest son,
chosen over all the rest
from him, a kingdom shall rise

------------------
edited December 21, 2016
From that Day Forward – v2
July 2, 2008
From that Day Forward
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 42,590+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, God, Spirit, grace, love, faith, 1 Samuel 16, David, King, Israel, Samuel, Advent, Christmas, prophecy,

#Christ #God #Spirit #grace #love #faith #1Samuel16 #King #David #Israel #Samuel #Advent #Christmas #prophecy

This is the One

The Lord chose him,
the last, the youngest
“This is the one”,
anoint him king
ruler of the covenant people
patriarch of a royal line
the spirit fell mightily on him
all of his days

July 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6

The Youngest

The last shall be first
the littlest, the youngest
of him I will make a king
My people shall be ruled
by the little shepherd boy
He who killed the giant
with a little stone
He will be king

July 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6

A Horn of Oil

Take up your horn
fill it with oil
we have a new king to crown
I will tell you who it will be
Get up Samuel, go to Bethlehem
one of Jesse’s sons
Anoint him king
the youngest of the bunch
He will rule my people
pour out the oil
My spirit shall be with him

July 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16:6-13, 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Unlikely Voices

A stutterer, an adulterer,
former enemies, unclean people
a timid man, a youngest son
a haggard man, standing in a river
Roman centurions, slaves,
women, children, foreigners
All of these, vessels for God’s message
champions all, unlikely voices
Such are those called, real, weak
like maybe you and me
All of us are called;
will we do our part in our time?

July 2, 2008
1 Samuel 16:6-13, Exodus 3:11-12 and
Upper Room devotional for July 2, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=2&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Through the Waters

Through the raging waters, the whirlwind,
the desert, the wilderness places
He has led us through all of these
all of the trials, the challenges of life
beside us still, if we look back,
we will see him there
with us all along our path of life
guiding us, protecting us
providing for our needs
making a clear path
through the waters
always with us
as he will always be

July 1, 2008
Psalm 77:11-19 and
Upper Room devotional for July 1, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=1&year=2008&x=107&y=6

National summit on torture - September 11-12, 2008

Received via email today, 7/1/08

To Supporters of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture

Dear Friends:

On September 11-12, 2008, Evangelicals for Human Rights, with the National Religious Campaign Against Torture and Mercer University, will host a national summit on torture in Atlanta, GA, on the campus of Mercer University. Featuring some of the nation's top thinkers and leaders in the anti-torture community, this conference is co-sponsored by an unprecedented group of organizations.

We invite you to be a part of this two day inter-faith event. We will examine the journey of the United States, since September 11, 2001, from a nation that championed human rights, albeit imperfectly, to a nation that publicly acknowledges and supports the use of torture.

Obviously, for people of faith, the journey does not end here. Speakers and participants will also explore the path of return to once again becoming a nation that leads the world in the protection of human rights.

Religious Faith, Torture, and Our National Soul is organized and co-sponsored by individuals and groups who have sought to mobilize Americans and people of faith to oppose human rights violations in the struggle against terrorism. There will be moments of prayer and biblical reflection that embody the convictions of the sponsoring organizations, and the entire event will be infused with moral conviction drawn from religious tradition.

Conference speakers will reflect a variety of faith perspectives. The conference is open to all who will come. Our vision is that the conference will be a template for the kind of discourse, both faith-based and otherwise, that opens wide the doors for dialogue rather than closing them. Rabbis for Human Rights and the Islamic Society of North America are co-sponsors of the event. Muslims and Jews are encouraged to attend.

We invite you to be a part of this important conference. Register fee is $150. Deadline for registration is August 15, 2008. Seating is limited. We also encourage you to promote this conference with members of your organization or congregation.

Students' Discount: Students can register for the conference at a discounted fee of $65. If you are eager for young people to attend, please go to the registration page to make a donation.

For more information, contact the Conference Coordinator:

Mary Head, Evangelicals for Human Rights
3001 Mercer University Drive, Day Hall 103
Atlanta, GA 30341
678-547-6457
mhead@nrcat.org

Questions that will be considered during the Conference:

What policy decisions led to torture?

How did the US military respond?

What does torture do to human beings?

What has the torture debate revealed about religion in America?

What is really going on at Guantanamo Bay?

How do we heal the American Christian relationship with the Muslim world?

What legislative efforts are being made to address torture?

What are younger thinkers noticing about this cultural moment that others are missing?

How do we restore America's leadership in protecting human rights?

Co-Sponsors include:

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Mercer University, Evangelicals for Human Rights, the Center for Victims of Torture, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Evangelicals for Social Action, Faith and the City, Faith in Public Life, the Islamic Society of North America, Morehouse College, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, No2Torture, Rabbis for Human Rights, Sojourners, and Third Way.

Key Speakers include:

Elizabeth Bounds, Lawrence Carter, John Chandler, Richard Cizik, Mark P. Denbeaux, Pete Dross, Mohamed Elsanousi, Karen J. Greenberg, Don Guter, David P. Gushee, Linda Gustitus, Gita Gutierrez, Imam Yahya Hendi, Jeanne Herrick-Stare, Scott Horton, George Hunsinger, Cheryl Bridges Johns, Doug Johnson, Cathleen Kaveny, Richard Killmer, Rick Love, Denise Massey, Elissa Massimino, Mahan Mirza, Matt Norman, Katie Paris, Michael Peppard, Kathryn Reklis, Stephen Rickard, Samuel Rodriguez, Andy Saperstein, Ronald J. Sider, Glen H. Stassen, Natalie Wigg-Stevenson, Tyler Wigg Stevenson, Asante Todd, Steve Xenakis, Brian Walt, and Thomas Wilner.

We hope you can join us.

Sincerely,

Linda Gustitus, President, NRCAT
Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director, NRCAT

In Our Past Our Future

As he has in the past
God walking by our side
so we hope for our future
Safe in that knowledge
looking back through our lives
those of our forebears,
of the lives of the people
the people of the covenant
the covenant of our savior’s blood
the covenant of Abraham
In them we see ourselves
in their story, we see God
He is ever faithful
in him there is no fear

July 1, 2008
Psalm 77:11-19 and
Upper Room devotional for July 1, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=1&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Even the Whirlwind

You, oh God
vanquished the waters,
the whirlwind, the chaos,
the waters trying to drown me
Through the waters I have walked
coming to shore,
strong good earth under my feet
living in a promised land
on the other side
even the whirlwind trembles
in your presence
safely now on that good shore
I dwell in your promised land
an inheritance of your children

July 1, 2008
Psalm 77:11-19 and
Upper Room devotional for July 1, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=1&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Holding His Love

The potter molding us
vessels for his message
his love imprinted on us
marking us as his own
as he shapes us, from the earth
Becoming something beautiful,
something wondrous, wonderful
Vessels of his love, pouring out
sharing the water, the wine
the bread of the savior
the love of the master
the potter, the creator
Making us in his image
being Christ to the world

July 1, 2008
Jeremiah 18:1-4, Jeremiah 18:1-12 and
Upper Room devotional for June 30, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=6&day=30&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Marked by the Potter

We are the clay
the cold, the wet lump
on the potter’s wheel
Marked by the potter
his hands molding us
his fingerprints, palms
leaving marks on us
changing us to his purpose
becoming a vessel
of his endless love
Poured out to the thirsty
to the ends of the earth



June 30, 2008 and July 1, 2008
Jeremiah 18:1-4, Jeremiah 18:1-12 and
Upper Room devotional for June 30, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=6&day=30&year=2008&x=107&y=6


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shaped by Your Love

Molded, sculpted, changed
shaped by your love
by your loving touch
turning on the potter’s wheel
clay transformed
serving others, an earthen vessel
pouring out his message
sharing his abiding love

June 30, 2008
Jeremiah 18:1-4, Jeremiah 18:1-12 and
Upper Room devotional for June 30, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=6&day=30&year=2008&x=107&y=6

A Lump of Clay

Each of us, a lump of clay
sitting on the potter’s wheel
turning, throughout life
feeling the potter’s touch
we move under his fingers
living out our days
becoming something beautiful
though his touch
the loving hands of the potter

June 30, 2008
Jeremiah 18:1-4, Jeremiah 18:1-12 and
Upper Room devotional for June 30, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=6&day=30&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Ever Pliable Clay

Never too late,
throughout our lives
ever pliable, wet clay
never dry, fired, finished
always able to be reformed
reshaped, transformed
by the potter at the wheel
something beautiful to behold

June 30, 2008
Jeremiah 18:1-4, Jeremiah 18:1-12 and
Upper Room devotional for June 30, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=6&day=30&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Something Beautiful

From the inert, cold wet clay
of our lives
something beautiful can rise
formed by loving hands
the creator, the potter
working the wheel, the clay
supple, pliable, giving
surrendering to his will
becoming useful vessels
worthy of the potter’s toil

June 30, 2008
Jeremiah 18:1-4, Jeremiah 18:1-12 and
Upper Room devotional for June 30, 2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=6&day=30&year=2008&x=107&y=6

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Those Staying

In the moments of pastoral change
there are those leaving
and those staying
Both are changed
in the times shared
and in the parting
Easy to see changes
for those leaving, moving
to a new place, a new congregation
Those staying, they too are changed
a hole, a gap, a missing presence
perspective too, on the witness, the work
the ministry of the pastor
the footprints they have left
on the lives of the congregation
Seeds planted, seedlings watered
to grow, mature
for another servant

June 29, 2008
Matthew 10:40-42,
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Changes”, and children’s sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Welcome”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH
and the going away celebration for Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

Unplanned Changes

Changes in our paths, our walk with God
unplanned, beyond our comprehension
in time we may know, why they came
into our lives at this time and place
hard to fathom sometimes
what is in store on this new road
the fork in the road taken this time
into the untrammeled wood
the city down the road
into an unknown land, a far off country
or around the bend, wherever
life takes us; be open for that new path
that unplanned course, for growth lies there
service may be in your future
hope lives in embarking
onto that new path,
the unplanned changes
in our lives

June 29, 2008
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Changes”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH

Other Fields

Other fields, other ground
to till, to tend, to watch,
to shepherd other flocks
offering welcome, hope,
a vision of God’s love
in other times, other places
Other work, for the kingdom
for God’s glory, the hope of mankind
sharing gifts in unplanned ways
following the call to serve
wherever he may lead

June 29, 2008
Matthew 10:40-42,
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Changes”, and children’s sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Welcome”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH

Changes

We work, we plan
scripting the days of our lives
changes, unplanned, beyond our control
These are gifts of God; growth
leading us to other fields
other pathways of life
new opportunities, experiences
big and small, serendipity
Taking our days as they come
Following God’s plan
Revealed in the unfolding,
unplanned changes of life
the gifts of today, of now
revealed in the living out
awake and ready to do
God’s will for our lives

June 29, 2008
Changes
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and sermon “Changes”,
by by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Welcoming

Out into the world
welcoming all, sharing love
the cup of friendship
water for the thirsty
a kind word, a welcoming smile
prayers for those in need
arms open wide
This is how we show God’s love
how we follow the master’s call
how we live as his children
our brother’s siblings
heirs to the kingdom

June 29, 2008
Matthew 10:40-42
and children’s sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Welcome”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH