Saturday, September 27, 2008

With Fear and Trembling

Working out my salvation
humble, as Christ was,
regarding others better than me
humble clay, ever pliable
forever changeable by the potter
with the fear of God,
trembling, the spirit within me
Guide me Spirit growing inside
Conform my ways to yours
Christ the templar, the example
humble, even to death, a servant,
So must I be; the loving response
to God’s saving grace.

September 27, 2008
Philippians 2:1-13
and Alive Now daily devotional, 9/26/08

Like a Dove

Like a dove falling
descending, baptized clean
spirit upon him

September 26, 2008
haiku

The Empty Tomb

The cold tomb empty
savior risen alive!
victorious Lord

September 26, 2008
haiku

With His Blood

Sins washed away
with his blood we are made whole
brought home to our God

September 26, 2008
haiku

With Lyre

with lyre, tambourine
we sing praises from on high
to the Lord, praises

September 26, 2008

Psalm 23 – haiku – 2

Thy rod and they staff
comforting me, my trials
lead me, still waters

September 26, 2008
Psalm 23

Psalm 23 – haiku – 1

through the dark valley
our shepherd shall watch over
leading us to rest

September 26, 2008
Psalm 23

On Wings

Eagles’ wings, rising up
rising on wings,
like wings of eagles
mounting up on high
no longer weary, able to fly
we rise, up from our path
climbing up, rising up
on wings as of eagles

September 26, 2008

Order to the Chaos

His guiding, creating hand made
made from his mind’s eye
his vision, from nothing, the void
order out of chaos, a dome, boundaries
above and below, waters divided
bounded by his hand, dry land
light in the darkness, day and night
all plants, all creatures, a place for man
by his hand alone, order out of chaos

September 26, 2008
Genesis 1, Genesis 2

An Image of the Garden

I often dream, daydream
imagining the garden
the world forming, from nothingness
the heavens, the waters tamed
the garden, a home for the animals
for Adam, for Eve
dominion given, stewards
Lush, verdant, green
balanced, ordered, God’s own
Walking, communing with the creator
lingering, unburdened, walking
How I wish we all could
that we all would live in the garden

September 26, 2008
An Image of the Garden

Genesis 1, Genesis 2

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 for usage. See all 38,250+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.



Out of the Chaos

From out of the chaos, the void
in the beginning, God created
made by the creator, all
from nothingness, the chaos
the universe, the earth
the seas, the dry places
the waters, the plants, the creatures
and then man, all was good,
very good indeed

September 26, 2008
Genesis 1

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 24,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Friday, September 26, 2008

The Unknown Journey Ahead

Like the fishermen, the first disciples,
leaving their nets, their boats, their families,
leaving their shepherd, the one crying
in the wilderness, as foretold
The left all and followed the one,
the Messiah, the chosen son of God,
left everything they knew, all they held dear
left for an unknown journey,
for how long they didn’t know,
to where never asked.
Like them, we must leave all
join their journey, the unknown journey ahead
to follow Christ, wherever he may lead.

September 26, 2008
Based on a comment to one of my poems on Faithwriters.
------
http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=86681

They Followed Him

They belonged to John
watching him in the desert, the wilderness;
But they left him
To follow the Christ,
the Messiah incarnate
Leaving all they knew
for the unknown journey ahead

January 21, 2008
John 1:29-42 and sermon,
“Witness”, by Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH 1/20/08
-----
Comment posted to Faithwriters, 9/25/08
“Amen, We too must follow Christ,
leaving all we know for the unknown journey ahead. Great write!”

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Sermon, "It’s Not the Size That Matters", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, September 14, 2008

Acts 3:1-10

Have you ever gotten a gift for someone and thought it was just a little something that you bought because you were thinking of them or gave them something they needed and you knew that without you buying it for them, they never would have gotten it on their own? You may have thought it was something that was in significant but when you gave it to them it was as if you gave them the world. Or…have you ever done something for someone…just because you know it would help them…and their reaction is as if you solved the world hunger problem?
I remember once when Shanequa lost her favorite blanket she sleeps with. She had looked everywhere for this blanket. She came to me with tears in her eyes and exclaimed “Blanky is lost and I can’t find her!” Well…I went into her room and searched with her for her beloved blanket. When I finally found it…after what seemed to be forever, remember…she is distraught and crying the whole time…it was if I had given her the moon. I all of the sudden became “Super Mom”. You see…it’s the little things that count in life. You may not have a lot of money but you do what you can. It’s not the size that matters but the reason…the agenda…behind it.
As we have embarked on our journey of discerning God’s plan for our church, we are looking at the church in Acts…the first church. We are looking at the beginnings of a new and radical way of life. When the church first began, they didn’t have a lot of money. They were men (and women) that went around doing good and preaching the Gospel of Peace. Our question, as a church, is how did they cause the church to grow?
What did they do when they had meager resources? They weren’t like the Mega churches we have today. They didn’t have a lot to give but what did they have that attracted the masses? How can we get “back to the basics” that the church was founded on?
Well…in the reading from Acts this morning, we see what Peter and John did in order to reach out to those around them with the love of Christ. This man, who was crippled from birth, was brought to the temple gate called beautiful every morning to beg for a handout so that he could sustain himself. The story doesn’t tell us how old this man was so we don’t really know how long he had been doing this. All we know is that he was crippled from birth. Now when the two disciples came to the temple, the man began to beg from them. Peter and John had no money…they had no discretionary fund that they could draw from…so they gave this man what they did have.
They gave him healing in the name of Jesus Christ. And what did the man do? He walked and jumped and praised God the whole way to the temple as he followed the disciples. The only thing these men had they gave him and he did “back flips” when he received this irreplaceable gift. The man wanted money to sustain himself but Peter and John gave him what he needed. He needed the Risen Lord Jesus Christ to be healed not just money to get by. And this is not the first time when something that was given was small and it became something big. Remember the little boy with the two loaves and five fish. He gave what he had, although it was meager, and it fed 5,000 men plus women and children. Jesus went around giving what some may have called meager at the moment and created miracles that changed lives forever. He offered prayer and healing to not only heal the body but to heal the soul within.
The story from Acts reminds me of myself and how I may feel in life…you too may also feel this at times. There are times that I think that what I have to give is not enough only to find that what I have is exactly what is needed. It may be an ear to listen…or maybe to just sit quietly with someone with neither of us saying a word, just to be present with them. Or it may be just…as I call it…a random act of kindness. Things like holding open a door for someone or letting someone who has a few things go ahead of me in the grocery line. It doesn’t matter…it’s the little things that convey the love of Christ (as long as it’s for His agenda and not our own).
We here at Suncook may not be a Mega church but the little things that we do is what draws people to our Risen Lord. We reach out with our “meagerness” and touch the lives around us. We reach out through Our Families Table, offering a meal to those who may not have one. We reach out to those around us through our Vacation Bible School; it may not be as large as the bigger churches but the children (and the adults) have a great time learning about God. We reach out to those around us by the way we greet them at the door, how we let them know all are welcome. Our church has begun to grow just by our “meagerness”. It’s not the size that grows the church; it’s the agenda…the reasoning…behind their efforts. If you ask me…there is no such thing as meager when it comes to the Kingdom of God because when you stack one small thing on top of another…just as the first church in Acts did when they pooled their meager resources to help others...it becomes something that you never imagined it could be on its own.
AMEN

Sermon - "Every Day People", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, September 21, 2008

Acts 4:13-17

(I’m so very…ordinary…nothing special on my own. Oh I have never…walked on water and I have never…calmed a storm. But when I call on Jesus all things are possible. I can mount on wings like eagles and soar. And when I call on Jesus…mountains are gonna fall. Cause he’ll move heaven and earth to come rescue me when I call.) (Nicole C. Mullen)

Have you looked at something and thought it was just an ordinary thing but when you looked closer…you realize it’s something much more than ordinary…that it was something very extraordinary? For example…a Kaleidoscope...it looks like an ordinary tube but when you look inside…there are beautiful colors and designs that you thought could not be possible for something so ordinary looking. Think about the ordinary caterpillar. It looks like a fuzzy worm but in time…it cocoons itself and becomes a beautiful butterfly. It goes from ordinary to extraordinary.

In Acts chapter 3 last week, we read a story about two men who were very ordinary that did something extraordinary. Here is Peter and John…two ordinary men…who did something very extraordinary. They healed a crippled beggar! Now these ordinary men really shook-up the religious leaders because of what they had done. All the people who saw this man who had received this miracle were praising God because of it. John and Peter were brought before the leaders…they wanted to see these men for themselves. When they met together, Peter…the Rock…being filled with the Holy Spirit…spoke with boldness and authority. Well…Acts chapter 4:13-17 gives us a little bit of the conversation of these men. It reads (and I’m reading from the NIV Bible).

The religious leaders were afraid of these men…these seemingly ordinary men. I like the word that the Message Bible uses for these men. The message Bible calls them “laypeople”…ordinary, run of the mill, laypeople. Through these men…3000 people were baptized at Pentecost…5000 became to believe after this extraordinary healing. It was by the Holy Spirit that this “good deed was done” to this crippled man. The religious leaders knew these men meant trouble for them. They needed to suppress these men…they needed to “control the media” about what these men were doing. These Spirit filled apostles were making waves for them that eventually lead to the formation of the church we know today.

This is not the first time that ordinary laypeople were used to do the extraordinary…we see it all through the bible. We have Moses…he was an ordinary man who couldn’t speak well. God used them to free His people in Egypt. We have a woman named Rahab who was an ordinary woman who hid them men from Israel on the roof when the guards came to find them. She is found in the lineage of Jesus because of her extraordinary act of trusting in Yahweh, the God of Israel. And God even uses young ordinary people…look at David. He was a young shepherd boy who defeated a giant named Goliath with only a sling and 5 stones. Later David became a king that ruled over God’s chosen people.

Huntley and I were talking recently and he gave me an epiphany…and I am going to share this epiphany with you (you may already know this)…are you ready? One of the greatest ordinary laypeople in the Christian faith is our Lord Jesus Christ. He did not go through some Candidacy process…neither was He an Ordained Elder or Licensed Local Pastor. (Unless you want to think of Him being ordained at His baptism when God said “This is my Son, whom I love, with Him I am well pleased”)Think about that for a moment...the perfector of our faith was a layperson. (Yes He was both human and divine but the human part was a layperson like you and me)The first church was founded by laypeople. The church grew under the guidance of laypeople. God used laypeople throughout the bible to fulfill His purpose on earth.

We here at Suncook are in a time of prayer and discernment. There are times when we may feel that we are too ordinary to do something extraordinary for God. We may even think that there is nothing special about us so how could God use us. But…that is so untrue. I have seen how extraordinary this church is first hand. I have seen how you welcome people, new and not so new, when they come to church. I have seen the extraordinary love that you have for the people around you. I have seen the way that you reach out to others through opening your doors to AA and NA meetings and through Our Family’s Table. God is doing extraordinary things with you and through you at Suncook. All we need to continue to do is to trust in God and put His will first and God will continue to use us to do extraordinary things.

Our faith was founded on a Carpenter, fishermen, a tent maker and a tax collector as well as other “Ordinary” laypeople. The church began with a few laypeople that went about sharing the Good News of the Gospel. Look at how the church has grown since. God still uses ordinary people like you and me to do His work in the vineyard. You know…I think I have figured out why God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary. It’s the ordinary that knows who is the one who equipped them to do the extraordinary. It’s the ordinary who knows where their strength comes from. It’s the ordinary that “gives credit where credit is due.” It is people like you and me…you know…the ordinary… that knows that when we call on Jesus…all things are possible.

AMEN

Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook, our offering,
and sermon, “Every Day People”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church


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 for usage. See all 38,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Said

By his voice alone, "God Said",
and there was light,
no longer darkness,
control, an edge, an end to chaos
His voice, his word, alone,
and there was light
from nothingness light
by his word alone

September 25, 2008
Genesis 1:3, Genesis 1:6, Genesis 1:9

On this journey

Walking in the path
of saints who have gone before
our lives conformed, or so we try,
to be on the journey, following the steps
of our savior, trying to be our brother
continuing his work, his ministry
his mission, to bring all to the father
His sacrifice, his gift, his healing
reconciling all of us to the master
to our creator, our God.
This man, son of God though he was,
choosing as a human, to lay down his life
knowing that our sin was now his own.
Humbly we strive, to remember his life
to be Christ for the world
each day, on this journey

September 25, 2008

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

His Choice

We are the same, of the same stuff as him
but his choice, the choice of the son
the son of man, to give over
to turn over his will to the Father’s
the master’s will, choosing to be a servant,
more than that, an offering, a sacrifice
taking on our sin, our errors,
our hubris, our sloth, our selfishness.

Like us, born with free will, the choice
to do as we will, charting our own path
our own course in life. He chose to follow
to live a different life, as a servant
making God’s will his own
Fulfilling the law, the prophets
being the faithful nation, the loving son
the brother being our savior

September 24, 2008

His Blood

His blood,
the blood of the lamb
the blood of God,
incarnate here on earth
poured out, as payment,
as sacrifice
for the sin we carry,
made in our arrogance
our selfishness, our will
a sacrifice, a gift,
an offering on the altar
grace beyond measure,
beyond our comprehension
a gift of the father, of the son
doing the father’s will
washing us clean
reconciling us to God
able to walk once more
in communion with God

September 24, 2008

Who Do You Say that I Am?

I am; who do you say I am?
I am asking not who they say I am
I am asking you, who you say I am
For you are my disciple, my student,
a sheep of my flock, one who has walked with me
who has known me, who has heard my words
who has walked with me in my ministry
in my going out and my coming in
in my healing and in my preaching
in my prayers and in my work
Lucky Peter, to have the answer
the master wanted. How much we too
must know, just plain know
the one, the true, the risen Lord,
Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, King
He is the one source, the living water
the light, the bread, the way
Our alpha and our omega

September 24, 2008
Mark 8:27-38
sign in front of Grace Capital Church
Rte 3, Pembroke, NH

Standing Beside Her

Rising as the judge entered
Standing beside her, in her cause
fighting for her, for their safety
even in closure;
delaying finality
until all the facts are known.
Limited testimony, the essentials alone
A union of prayer and of praise
at the end of the day.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

A Pilgrim's Journey

Moving through our lives, in integrity, in faith
Walking a pilgrim's journey
looking toward your guiding hand
centering our gaze on you
moving forward, ever onward
seeking perfection in you.

September 23, 2008
Psalm 121
Psalm 121:1

A Wellspring of Words

The sanctuary, the service
sitting in this hallowed space
A wellspring of words,
living water gushing up
relentless and rising
until the pages were full.

September 23, 2008
about the 45 poems inspired and written 9/21/08
Suncook United Methodist Church

Sunday, September 21, 2008

May the Young be Inspired

Speak through us Lord, to the hearts of the young
let their eyes be opened and their lives inspired
may they hear you talking to them,
through the words of our hearts
Knowing you are with them
all of their days
Let them feel your presence
and the love you have for them
Let them know you care
and your son died for them

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Here May the Faithful Find Salvation

May the faithful find salvation
in the love of God, here, in this place
in this your church oh God
Let they feel your presence,
feel your hand upon this journey
walking beside us, each step of the way
Let them know your love, real and personal
Let them believe you died for them,
and their sins are washed away.
Let them long for that bright and certain day
when you will come to set them free,
to go to their heavenly home.

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Here May the Doubting Find Faith

Speak Lord, through us, through this congregation
through the worship, through the witness,
through our outreach;
Let others know you through all that we do
Let the doubting find faith,
in the love in every face
surely your presence is in this place

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

May the Aged Find Consolation

May our church be a place,
to love all of our neighbors
to reach out to the young, to the old
to value all of them who come here
and share our days
May the aged find consolation,
the friendship and compassion
the awareness of their grieving and comfort
Members ready with
lives to share and work to do
May they feel a part of all we seek to do
in service to the Lord
and in reaching out to our world

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Here May the Careless be Awakened

For some there may be no tomorrow
for other a lifetime to come
may this be a place where the careless
be awakened, to the folly of their ways
for whatever the time they have
so that they may value their days
and not lament at what they have lost
when their days reach their end

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church


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 30,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Here May the Anxious be Encouraged

When we fear, when we question, when we are nervous
our lives out of control, unregulated, at the whim of others
buffeted by the winds, by outside forces, uncertainty
Let this house of worship, this community of faith
may we be a place where the anxious can be encouraged
that God will be with them in the trials of life, that the one
who created the universe,
who designed the beating of a hummingbird’s wing
the beating of a newborn’s heart
can hold their life, their concerns, their fears in his hand
that we can be there in the dark times with them, listening
understanding the humanness of their fears, their torment
the lack of knowing, the loss of control
But let us ever remember that control is an illusion
the gossamer of time, a charade
For we all are buffeted, caught unaware, from time to time
and for good or for ill, we have to let go and let God

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church


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 30,110+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Here May the Tempted Find Help

We all are tempted in this life,
a coarseness, a selfishness pervades the age
the world says all is acceptable, that it is okay
We all need that place of strength, that moral compass
that place we can cleave to when we are weak
May we be that place, oh Lord, this sanctuary, this refuge
this holy ground a place to be safe, to find help
a listening ear, a cup of coffee, someone to understand
May we lift up our brothers, our sisters in pain
aching with demons great or small, eating at their hearts
Let us be a place for the tempted to find help
in the arms of the Lord

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Here May the Strong be Renewed

Here may the strong be renewed,
may their faith be refreshed
May their witness be reflected, enlarged
may their doubts be shattered and their fears allayed

Speak to them Lord, from within this place,
from the scripture, the sermon, the love all around
Let us be filled with your spirit,
to share with them, our cup running over,
to lift up their cares
and strengthen their steps

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Here May the Sorrowful Find Comfort

Our doors open, our hearts without guile
our hands welcoming, ushering them in
may the sorrowful find comfort, a place to grieve
to be lifted up, to be renewed, to find a listening ear
May they know we are here, open to them
that they are our guest, and their concerns
are part of our prayer, that they would find comfort
and the peace of the Lord

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Here May…

Here May… the opening words,
a series of short prayers, within the heart of the prayer,
that this church would be the channel,
the wellspring of your love, here,
that here may so many find answers, comfort, hope
that we would be able to be the house of God
truly welcoming all in your name
so that your glory would shine here.

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Here May the Weary Find Rest

Here, in this sanctuary, in this holy space
may the weary find rest, from the storms of their lives
may we welcome them in with the arms of God
being the hands and the feet of our brother, our savior
May they find us open, that they may find rest
out from the cold, the harsh weather, the trials they face
May they find us ready to minister to them
May we heal them, in the name of Christ.

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Minds to Know You

Minds, our whole minds
turned over to you
to know you, to walk with you
to share our lives with you
on this journey
Such is my prayer,
to have the mind of Christ,
to put on the mind of Christ;
to be of one mind, one accord,
with my savior, my brother,
with my fellow man, working
to be Christ to our neighbors,
to the world, to the ends of the earth

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Hearts to Love You

Beating within us,
hearts to love you, given to us by you
our very lives, a gift of your heavenly hands
our bodies, our hearts, our will, all given freely
our days numbered before we were born
wondrously shaped, guided by your hands
Hearts beating, to love one another, if only
If only we would submit to your will alone Lord
that we would turn our lives over to you
to turn from the world, being merely in the world
Hearts to love you, to bear witness, and to do your work
wherever you would send us, whatever you would have us do

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Voices to Sing Your Praise

Open our mouths Lord,
let us use our voices
to sing your praise
Let us, like Peter, like John
like Paul and the others
speak even when powers
would have us still our hearts
stifle your truth; that we
in our time and place,
would have the courage of Pentecost
of that day in the Temple before the Sanhedrin
to boldly say we would ever sing your praises
and tell your story to the world

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Fill Us With Your Spirit

Fill us with your spirit oh God we pray
let us be each one a vessel worthy
the clay of your hands
mold us to be filled, so that we may be
poured out for others, a blessing
your love shared with the world

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church


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 30,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Celebrate Your Glory

May we ever, celebrate Your glory!
Lord, God Almighty
with hearts filled with Your Spirit,
guiding our steps, our walk with You
Celebrating your power, your love
the majesty of your creation, the works of your hands
the love you have shown us
by the gift of your son
Forever will we praise you
raising your name on high
Ever may we worship -
You alone

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Worship You in Spirit

Oh Lord, speak to our hearts,
that we would worship you in spirit
that our lives would be stilled, that we would hear
your voice burning within us, that the spirit of God
would sing to our souls, letting us bear witness
to his love, the love of the father, the sacrificial love
of the son, our savior, our brother
the risen Christ, living now,
waiting for the age to end,
to bring us to the mansion,
the rooms picked for us
Give us faith to speak with power
as those first ordinary disciples did
changing our world, growing your church
bringing your kingdom here on earth

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church



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 30,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Worship You in Truth

That we, in this church Lord, that we may worship you in truth
that our hearts would be open to the fact of your life, the truth of your sacrifice
the surety of your return and the need for our witness
the example we should give, the spirit speaking within us
that we would be your messengers, your servants,
your hands and feet, your presence in the world around us
that we would act as you would act, that we would heal in your holy name
that we would be emissaries of your love,
forever praising your name, the source of our strength

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church



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 30,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Through Christ Our Lord

All we ask, all we pray, to you we live our plea
through Christ, Our Lord
In his holy name, we bring our lives
to you, Oh God, we offer them up

Like them we pray, in your holy name,
that we would be the vehicle, the instrument
the skin of your hands, touching the lives of others,
bringing hope to this troubled world
even in our weakness, our untrained hands,
our hearts filled with you, with your spirit

Use us we pray to be your messengers, your love
emboldened, embodied within us
Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Our Savior we pray

Amen

September 21, 2008
Through Christ Our Lord
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church


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 for usage. See all 38,360+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No One Special

They stood before the counsel, the Sanhedrin
two fishermen, or so it would seem
no one special, men with calluses, lives of work
untrained in the law, the scripture, a life of study
But they were different than they seemed
They had walked with Christ,
emboldened by the Spirit, they would not be silenced
they were not afraid of man.
They were called by God, to be witnesses,
to begin the building of the church,
to heal in his holy name
and proclaim the good news of his life
this sacrifice of God, the indwelling of the spirit
for all believers, raising us up on eagles wings
bearing us up, so we can do the will of God
our hands, our feet bring his message to the world

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Spreading Among the People

Those tongues of fire, on Pentecost born
flames growing, spreading
spreading among the people

The power of Jesus’ name
Spirit-filled believers
refusing to be silenced

Proclaiming the power, the authority
of His holy name
The one who had been foretold

The Messiah of the people,
who suffered and died,
who rose and ascended

Dwelling within us, the spirit filling
emboldening us to witness
to proclaim the good news

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Spirit Filled

Spirit-filled believers
proclaiming, healing in his name
ordinary people, fishermen
standing before the Council
lay people emboldened by the spirit
the flames of Pentecost
Forever changed, forever proclaiming
the truth of the Messiah, already come
martyred for our sin,
living within each believer
lives spirit filled

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Making Waves

Stirring the seas, making waves
crashing on the shoals, the Temple gates
up into the Sanhedrin, the council
These uneducated people, these fishermen
standing emboldened before them
unwavering in the truth, the power
the authority of Christ, the spirit within them
Making waves, telling truth to power
just what they feared they were
the seeds of their destruction
The truth to their heresy.

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Waves Crashing Against the Temple

The flames, the truth, the power of the spirit
his holy name, waves crashing against the Temple
shaking the foundation, the people
the witness of the lay people, ordinary men, women
able to perform miracles, to heal
in his name alone, the power of the name of Christ
healing the lame, bringing the sacrifice, the love of God
the witness of the sacrifice, the lamb upon the cross
The risen lord, living within us still,
the indwelling spirit giving us power
to change the world

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Flames, Winds of Change

In the acts, the bold acts,
these ordinary men, fanning flames,
winds of change, the world transformed
in the name of our risen lord and savior
bearing witness to his life, to his death,
his glorious resurrection, ascension to heaven
Healing in his holy name, filled with the spirit
bringing others to him, the flames burning
growing fire, unquenchable

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

That Fire Burning

That fire, that Pentecost fire,
burning within them,
authority, power given
Spirit-filled they healed,
in their faith, their belief,
they healed in the name of Christ
The fire shone, burned bright in the Temple,
before the leaders, unable to extinguish
to quiet the flames, the power growing
the numbers of believers growing each day

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Burning

(in Them)

The Pentecost flame, the spirit
burning in them, unable, unwilling to stop
proclaiming the truth of the risen Lord
the one killed by the people
handed over by the authorities
in his name they healed
in his holy name we are saved
all of us healed
The fire burning
burning still, within the spirit
living within us
Our turn, we ordinary people,
like them, to witness to the power
the love of Christ, healing in our time
bringing his love to all

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Temple Burning

Into the Temple, the authorities unable
their tongues would not be silenced
tongues of fire, or the spirit burning within them
their lives emboldened, their witness now unending
In his name they healed, by his authority they spoke
with his power their spread his life, the story
the truth of his death, the stain on the leaders
Standing in their midst, the temple burning,
brightly with their fire, witnesses of their healing
mouths open, with nothing to say
They would not be silenced, and so we are saved

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Seeds of Revolt

A groundswell, a crack in the dyke
seeds of revolt, in their words, their resolve
Unwilling to be silent, to deny the will of God
They would continue, to speak the name of Christ
to witness to the people, in the Temple, in the city
the streets, the fields, in the dark places
to tell of his love, his sacrifice, the gift of God
Ordinary people, healing in the name of Christ
sowing seeds of revolution, planting a field of hope

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Extraordinary Feats

Ordinary people, extraordinary things
things they could not do done
done in the name of Jesus, the martyred king
the Messiah killed by the chant,
the judgment of his people
rulers unable to see beyond
to see the divine, to believe
Now the truth, building, growing
these ordinary men, able
empowered, emboldened
by the spirit filled,
in his name, able to heal
Unwilling, unable to be silent
The world would know
of the power of Christ

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

They Could Not Deny

Too many witnesses, too many years
the lame made to walk, in his name
the gift they could give, alone
by the name of Christ healed
in the healing believing,
in believing a movement
in the movement
seeds of destruction

But they could not deny
the healing they performed,
the name their raised
the name of Jesus,
the one who rose, the tomb empty
Ordinary men,
changing the rules.
They would not be stilled.

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

By Those Flames Ignited

The flames of Pentecost, the tongues of fire
burning brighter and brighter
a bonfire, a brushfire, disciples, lay people
witnessing to Christ’s name, his holy name
The spirit filling them, their hearts, lives with courage
their mouths with power, with authority
able, with Christ, with the Spirit, able
to change the world, to bring hope where there was fear
to bring healing where there was hurt
bringing light into a dark world
by his holy name able, burning bright

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Stopping a Brushfire

What could they say, what could they do
to silence these men, untrained, ordinary men
they who walked with Christ
Their miracle, healing the lame, witnesses in the Temple
within the gate, called Beautiful, a healing
undeniable. In Christ’s name, without training
they could never have done it on their own.
What could they do, to stem this tide,
to stop the brushfire growing, feeding on the hunger
the hope of the people, the witness of the Messiah
He who was handed over, who submitted to sacrifice
he who was without sin, taking on sin
carrying our shame, our cross.
Rising on the third day.
Never to be silenced, the disciples emboldened
spirit-filled they rose, defiant.
This fire would burn, would spread
beyond their realm, beyond their reach
never ending, never dying
burning today, just as now.
Feed the flames, taking up his light
his fire, his message.
Carry it in this place, in our world
to the ends of the earth

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Walls Tumbling

Shaking the walls, the status quo
ordinary people, extraordinary feats
beyond their ken, their ability, miracles
power, authority, in the name of Christ
Healing, bringing other to the faith
large crowds, conversions, a groundswell,
a revolution, changing the world, their nation
the wall of history, the fate of the tribes
walls tumbling, the fire building
unable to stem the tide, to halt the witness
to change their minds, to still their voices
From their room, to the Temple, to the lands
the homes of the gentiles,
so would the message spreads,
until all will hear the good news
of Christ’s sacrifice, of God’s love

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

The Fire Spreading

From the Upper Room,
into the Temple
The fires spreading
building, new wood, new disciples added
power and authority, in Christ’s name
given, used by emboldened, ordinary people
changing the order, the rule of law
in this time, in this place
moving the foundations, the pilings
the stones shaking
the fire spreading still
around the world
a groundswell, a brushfire raging
smoldering when beaten back
never extinguished, always growing
spreading his love, his truth, his mighty name
to the ends of the earth

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Civil Disobedience

A higher authority gave them a charge
for them they would not silence
Proclaiming his name, healing
in his mighty name
Civil disobedience, speaking out
Unwilling to be quiet to still their voice
their new-found authority, spirit-filled
to tell of the Messiah, given over to Rome
Proof of the fulfillment, in the miracles
by ordinary, untrained me,
in his holy name
A revolt brewing,
unable to be silenced
to shake the world

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Ordinary Gifts

Our meager offerings, ordinary gifts
individually small, but together
mighty works, to spread the love of God
the hope in our faith
Changing our world
with ordinary gifts, ordinary people
doing the extraordinary
the love of our savior
revealed to the ends of the earth

September 21, 2008
Ordinary Gifts
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook, our offering,
and sermon, “Every Day People”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church

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 for usage. See all 38,160+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ordinary Men

Before the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees
two fishermen stood, resolute
beside them, in the Temple
the healed beggar, witnesses to the power
miracle they performed
in His name, the man healed
the story of the Messiah
the power of his name
Refusing to be silenced
changing the world forever

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Fishermen – 3

They were fishermen, ordinary men
unordained believers, cast into the sea
to become fishers of men, changed forever
knowing Jesus, not enough alone
The indwelling spirit, the Spirit of God
growing power within them,
giving them power, authority
to heal, to preach, to speak truth to power
to spread the good news to the Temple,
to the streets, out into the world

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

People Like Us

They were people like us,
not leaders of the law, of the Temple
working for a living, by the sweat of their brow
a carpenter, fishermen, a tent maker, a tax collector,
others like them, trades people, working class men
changing the face of creation, toppling the orthodoxy
bringing forth a new faith, changing the rules
turning away from the past, though not fully
Turning to Christ, to the cross, to the open tomb
speaking boldly, with power, with authority
Healing in the name of Christ
Sending shockwaves through the world
echoing still today

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Ordinary People

Ordinary people, lay people, uneducated in the law
healing the lame, speaking in tongues, miracles in his name
These are the chosen, the disciples, the leaders
of the new faith, the Way, Christians
In Christ’s name, using his name, they healed
By His name we too are healed, made like them
ordinary people empowered
to do extraordinary things

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Everyday People

They were everyday people, Peter and John
with fears, doubts, timid men, fishermen
Taken from the sea by the Lord
walking the land with their teacher
hidden away until Pentecost
Speaking with power, with authority
worshipping, praying together
Healing in the name of Jesus
by his name alone making the lame walk
Powerful witness, to the hand of God
resting on these ordinary people
What will the leaders do?

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Laypeople

Laypeople, like you and me,
upon them is our faith, our hope
not from the royal priesthood, the ancient bloodlines
from the sea, from the fields, from the shops, the stores
working people, of the land, hands callused,
earning their way, brought to other work by Christ
laypeople, building a church, brick by brick,
in ways beyond imagination, by miracles
in his holy name, raising those who could not walk
bringing his praises into the Temple,
forcing the authorities to face his power
the truth of the risen Lord, with boldness of the Spirit
May we follow their example, and do wondrous things

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church

Floodgates

Like floodgates, opening with a storm
the fire of Pentecost, the conversion
spreading of the flames, the believers growing in number
outward from their cloister, to the Temple
to the streets of Jerusalem, out beyond the gates
into the world, trying to be stopped; but no such luck
Seeds planted, germinated, growing in fertile soil
unquenchable truth, unwilling to be silenced
Ordinary men, untrained in the law
the nuances of control lost on them
They could not be stopped.

September 21, 2008
Floodgates
edited July 10, 2015
Here May the Careless be Awakened – v2
September 21, 2008
Here May the Careless be Awakened
edited July 10, 2015
Ordinary People – v2
September 21, 2008
Ordinary People
edited July 7, 2015
Ordinary Gifts – v2
September 21, 2008
Ordinary Gifts
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook, our offering,
and sermon, “Every Day People”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church

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 for usage. See all 38,280+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Out of Their Cocoon

By the Spirit emboldened,
changed, metamorphosed
out of their cocoon, their infancy
out of their room, into the light
Sharing the message of Christ,
healing in his name
Shouting to the people, with power,
with authority
Revealing Christ,
unquenchable fire
burning, raging, within them
speaking truth to power

September 21, 2008
Psalm 8,
Acts 4:13-17,
Call to Worship, from Book of Common Worship,
Unison Prayer, from The Worship Sourcebook,
and sermon, “Every Day People”, by
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church