We are traveling, this Epiphany season
following the star, his bright star
traveling, journeying, like the Magi
the astrologers, the wise men from the east
following his story, our faith, to his bed
coming to the newborn king,
to the wonder of his birth
his humble throne, the stable,
his father, the mother and child
We carry our gifts, like the Magi
traveling far, following his star
still shining brightly
in the ever present darkness
January 2, 2009
Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
The life, the fulfillment, the prophecy of old
his life, his ministry, his burial in the tomb
woven into the gifts, the three, the wise men
the gold, frankincense, and myrrh at his bed
the king, the priest, the martyr on the cross
living humbly, teaching another way, dying for our sins
the word, the living, the risen Lord
shoot of Jesse, carpenter’s son, God incarnate
at the beginning, Emmanuel, judge at his return
The bread, the lamb, the way
To him, for him, for us all throughout time
was given, the gold, the frankincense, and myrrh
by the wise men, traveling from the east, to his bed
January 2, 2009
Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
his life, his ministry, his burial in the tomb
woven into the gifts, the three, the wise men
the gold, frankincense, and myrrh at his bed
the king, the priest, the martyr on the cross
living humbly, teaching another way, dying for our sins
the word, the living, the risen Lord
shoot of Jesse, carpenter’s son, God incarnate
at the beginning, Emmanuel, judge at his return
The bread, the lamb, the way
To him, for him, for us all throughout time
was given, the gold, the frankincense, and myrrh
by the wise men, traveling from the east, to his bed
January 2, 2009
Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Traveling Far
Unlike the shepherds,
on a nearby hillside, watching their sheep.
Not called by a choir of angels,
a chorus of heavenly host.
Reading the signs, as they did in Jerusalem,
traveling far, following his star.
By a faithfulness, greater than the people
the chosen ones.
Bringing gifts, these gifts,
in fulfillment, the birth, their gifts.
Believing where the select, the chosen did not,
traveling far, with real faith.
Following the star, the signs,
the coming of the newborn king.
January 2, 2009
Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
on a nearby hillside, watching their sheep.
Not called by a choir of angels,
a chorus of heavenly host.
Reading the signs, as they did in Jerusalem,
traveling far, following his star.
By a faithfulness, greater than the people
the chosen ones.
Bringing gifts, these gifts,
in fulfillment, the birth, their gifts.
Believing where the select, the chosen did not,
traveling far, with real faith.
Following the star, the signs,
the coming of the newborn king.
January 2, 2009
Isaiah 60:1-6
Matthew 2:1-12
Friday, January 02, 2009
Steps of the Magi
Walking, tracing, the steps of the Magi
each of us, alone, traveling the way they journeyed
sights set on his light, his star, still burning
across the miles, the millennia, part of us
our history, our day to day, walking on
by faith, by grace, yoked for Christ
we follow the steps of the Magi
like them longing for the Messiah
the fulfillment of all prophecy
anticipating his face, his love
knowing more of the story,
his life, his sacrifice, his resurrection
things they did not see
on that journey long
so long ago, going
traveling, now
to our future
home again
with God
January 2, 2009
Matthew 2:1-12 and
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
and unison prayer by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
for January 4, 2009 service,
Suncook United Methodist Church
each of us, alone, traveling the way they journeyed
sights set on his light, his star, still burning
across the miles, the millennia, part of us
our history, our day to day, walking on
by faith, by grace, yoked for Christ
we follow the steps of the Magi
like them longing for the Messiah
the fulfillment of all prophecy
anticipating his face, his love
knowing more of the story,
his life, his sacrifice, his resurrection
things they did not see
on that journey long
so long ago, going
traveling, now
to our future
home again
with God
January 2, 2009
Matthew 2:1-12 and
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
and unison prayer by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
for January 4, 2009 service,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Sermon - "Can I Get A Witness", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, December 14, 2008
Have you ever known someone or been some place and all that you can do after is talk about it? There is this great bagel place at Boston University…it’s called Aesop’s Bagels. This place makes the best bagels…they also make great sandwiches. I eat there so much that when they see me coming they already know what I will order and almost have it ready when I get to the counter. What a great place that is. You should try it sometime if you ever go out to Boston University. I can “witness” to this bagel shop’s delicious food!
This morning’s John scripture talks about another kind of witnessing. It talks about a “witness” that we all should remember and share. It talks about John telling the Jews in Jerusalem who he is. Listen to this…
[John 1:6-8, 19-28]
John, using the words of Isaiah, told them that he was that voice…calling in the desert…testifying…witnessing…telling people to make straight for the way of the Lord. John testified to the one to come after him whose sandals he was unworthy to untie. He was testifying…witnessing…about our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. (And I can’t think of anything or anyone that I want to testify about more than Him…Can I get a witness!)
OK…so…you might be saying to yourself “Here we have John witnessing…but what does that mean for you and me in our day and age.” Well…I’m glad you asked that question…You see when we are baptized (not by water but by the Spirit)…We are called to witness to the light…the light of Advent. We are like Isaiah with the Spirit of the Lord upon us…and like Isaiah; we are anointed to preach the Good News to the poor and everything else he talks about in the Isaiah scripture we read this morning. WE are anointed and appointed to witness to those around us.
In our day and age…Christmas has become so commercialized it makes me sad. They start the commercials for those “must have toys” before Thanksgiving. Now I know most of you have had children so you know what I am saying when I say that when I get the “Oh mom…look at that…I want that…can I have that for Christmas?” from my daughters…even before Thanksgiving is here, and I know there is more than a month left that I will hear this “calling from the living room”, it makes me want to just shut the TV off until after the New Year. (Can I get a witness?) So what are we to do to keep the “light” of Advent…this “light” of Christmas…during this season and throughout the year?
I was reading the Devotionals in the Upper Room Disciplines this week and came to a devotional that made me stop and think about this light and witnessing thing. It was Wednesday’s devotional. It talked about “minding the light”. This is a term that the Quakers use. It means to notice the light which usually just illumines other things for itself. But…if we mind the light…seeing the light of Christ in ourselves and in others…We can testify…witness…to the light in ourselves and others. We can testify…witness…to God’s love and providence. We can testify…witness…to God’s goodness. We can testify… witness…to God’s salvation (I think the Quakers have it right. Can I get a witness?).
In another devotional I read this morning hit the nail right on the head for me. It was from a devotional called “The Quiet Heart” By June Masters Bacher. It states that “Christmas is a celebration of divine love. Love that goes beyond gift and feast. Without it, the season would be but a touch of tinsel. Share the priceless gift of God’s love. Only in this way (through simple things, their influence unmeasured) can the real meaning survive”. We must witness to the love we have found in God. We must witness of the babe in the manger and what His birth means to the world. We must witness to the saving grace we have received through that babe in the manger, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Can I get a witness?!)
I would like to end my sermon with a verse from a song by “Celtic Women”. When I think of being called to witness…this song comes to mind. It is called “The Voice”.
I hear your voice on the wind
And I hear you call out my name
"Listen, my child," you say to me
"I am the voice of your history
Be not afraid, come follow me
Answer my call, and I'll set you free"
Listen…do you hear Him? Can you hear His voice calling from the wilderness? Can you feel His hand upon you? It is our choice whether to listen or turn a deaf ear. Which will you choose?
AMEN
This morning’s John scripture talks about another kind of witnessing. It talks about a “witness” that we all should remember and share. It talks about John telling the Jews in Jerusalem who he is. Listen to this…
[John 1:6-8, 19-28]
John, using the words of Isaiah, told them that he was that voice…calling in the desert…testifying…witnessing…telling people to make straight for the way of the Lord. John testified to the one to come after him whose sandals he was unworthy to untie. He was testifying…witnessing…about our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. (And I can’t think of anything or anyone that I want to testify about more than Him…Can I get a witness!)
OK…so…you might be saying to yourself “Here we have John witnessing…but what does that mean for you and me in our day and age.” Well…I’m glad you asked that question…You see when we are baptized (not by water but by the Spirit)…We are called to witness to the light…the light of Advent. We are like Isaiah with the Spirit of the Lord upon us…and like Isaiah; we are anointed to preach the Good News to the poor and everything else he talks about in the Isaiah scripture we read this morning. WE are anointed and appointed to witness to those around us.
In our day and age…Christmas has become so commercialized it makes me sad. They start the commercials for those “must have toys” before Thanksgiving. Now I know most of you have had children so you know what I am saying when I say that when I get the “Oh mom…look at that…I want that…can I have that for Christmas?” from my daughters…even before Thanksgiving is here, and I know there is more than a month left that I will hear this “calling from the living room”, it makes me want to just shut the TV off until after the New Year. (Can I get a witness?) So what are we to do to keep the “light” of Advent…this “light” of Christmas…during this season and throughout the year?
I was reading the Devotionals in the Upper Room Disciplines this week and came to a devotional that made me stop and think about this light and witnessing thing. It was Wednesday’s devotional. It talked about “minding the light”. This is a term that the Quakers use. It means to notice the light which usually just illumines other things for itself. But…if we mind the light…seeing the light of Christ in ourselves and in others…We can testify…witness…to the light in ourselves and others. We can testify…witness…to God’s love and providence. We can testify…witness…to God’s goodness. We can testify… witness…to God’s salvation (I think the Quakers have it right. Can I get a witness?).
In another devotional I read this morning hit the nail right on the head for me. It was from a devotional called “The Quiet Heart” By June Masters Bacher. It states that “Christmas is a celebration of divine love. Love that goes beyond gift and feast. Without it, the season would be but a touch of tinsel. Share the priceless gift of God’s love. Only in this way (through simple things, their influence unmeasured) can the real meaning survive”. We must witness to the love we have found in God. We must witness of the babe in the manger and what His birth means to the world. We must witness to the saving grace we have received through that babe in the manger, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (Can I get a witness?!)
I would like to end my sermon with a verse from a song by “Celtic Women”. When I think of being called to witness…this song comes to mind. It is called “The Voice”.
I hear your voice on the wind
And I hear you call out my name
"Listen, my child," you say to me
"I am the voice of your history
Be not afraid, come follow me
Answer my call, and I'll set you free"
Listen…do you hear Him? Can you hear His voice calling from the wilderness? Can you feel His hand upon you? It is our choice whether to listen or turn a deaf ear. Which will you choose?
AMEN
Sermon - "Anticipation", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, November 30, 2008
First Sunday of Advent
Mark 13:24-37
Prayer: Mighty God, the shepherds of old were full of your praises, saying that all they had heard and seen was mirrored by what they had been told. Move among us now with your Holy Spirit, that we too might hear and experience the wonder and joy of the living Word as we seek to welcome the written Word into our lives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How many of you have times in your life when you are waiting for something….anticipating something? It may be a birthday…a visit from a friend…a vacation. I know with me, when I was a child (and even now as an adult) when I am waiting for something the anticipation just about kills me. When I think about waiting for something the song “Anticipation” from Carley Simon goes through may head. You know the song that goes (sing) “anticipation…anticipation is making me wait. It’s keeping me waiting…” (Come on…I know you all must have felt this way at some time).Anticipation….Anticipation…Anticipation.
You know…I have two favorite seasons in the year…one being Easter and the other being Christmas. I just love Easter because in the end…we (you and me) receive the gift of salvation because of Christ’s death on the cross. I love Advent because God has given me (and you) the best Christmas present ever…the chance of receiving that gift of salvation through the tiny little baby in the manger. Without either of these gifts…we would not be able to have that right relationship with God.
Today we have begun our Advent season. We are waiting…with anticipation…to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a four week wait that ends with a celebration on Christmas morn when God came down…in the form of a child…so that we would have salvation…a restored relationship…with Him. (I don’t know about you but I could never top that gift no matter how much money or thought I put in one)
Now I know that we are expectantly waiting for the birth of Christ but when I think about we as Christians…there is another event that we are waiting for as well that has to do with our Lord Jesus Christ. You see in Mark we hear of another event we as Christians are waiting for…an event that we are waiting expectantly for. This event will change the world as we know it…it is the event where we will have that peaceable kingdom where the leopard will lay down with the goat, the calf and the lion. This will all take place when our Lord returns. Mark 13:24-37 reads: (read scripture)
We don’t know when He is returning but we know He is! (Alleluia! Praise God!)
Now…we know how we wait for the birth of Christ. During our Advent season we celebrate and rejoice as we wait…we know what the date is of His birth. We decorate the church and our homes (by the way…the church looks great!). We think about what God has done through the little baby in the manger. We read scripture and hear stories about Jesus’ birth. It is a grand celebration in a Christian’s life. But…how do we prepare for a day that when we don’t know when it is? We can’t mark it on or calendars so that we don’t forget. We can’t plan a celebration or make preparations for the day of Christ’s return. Or can we?
In the passage from Mark, we are told to not be found sleeping…we are told to watch. Now…you may be asking yourself “But what can we be doing so that we are not found sleeping…what does the scripture mean by sleeping anyway?” Well…I’m glad you asked. We as Christian’s are to be doing God’s work for the kingdom while we wait. Like the man going away and puts each of his servants in charge of his own task we too have been given tasks to do. God has given each of us gifts to use in His service to the kingdom. God will always equip us for each task we are given. 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 tells us that:
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
God is faithful to equip us for our every task. (And I am so grateful for that because even when I don’t think I am able to do something God says “you are able because I have qualified you for the call.”)
As I have so many times to you…I see God moving in this Church. I see how God has equipped each and every one of us to do His work here on earth. I see this in the way that this church is concerned for the least, the lost and the last. I see it when you open the doors of this church to those who are in need. Whether it is a place to meet, a meal or just a place to go and be with others, you are working for the Kingdom. (And may I add that you do it well) We “fellowship” with Christ in each person we meet, each person whose life we touch in some way or another. There is a piece of Christ in each of us, it is easy to see it in some but we are willing to look deeper and find the Christ in those who we may not readily see our Lord but we know he is there.
Anticipation…We are waiting with anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birthday but also His return. In other words “we are expectantly waiting to celebrate Christ’s birth but are waiting expectantly for His return.” God gives us free will…as we wait for Christ’s return how will fill your time. Will you just sit idly by and wait for the trumpet to blow or will you use the gifts that God has given you to use for His kingdom? Will you be like the disciples and fall asleep while waiting or will you be one of the ones that say, “Not on my watch!”? The choice is yours and mine to make. Which will you chose?
AMEN
Mark 13:24-37
Prayer: Mighty God, the shepherds of old were full of your praises, saying that all they had heard and seen was mirrored by what they had been told. Move among us now with your Holy Spirit, that we too might hear and experience the wonder and joy of the living Word as we seek to welcome the written Word into our lives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
How many of you have times in your life when you are waiting for something….anticipating something? It may be a birthday…a visit from a friend…a vacation. I know with me, when I was a child (and even now as an adult) when I am waiting for something the anticipation just about kills me. When I think about waiting for something the song “Anticipation” from Carley Simon goes through may head. You know the song that goes (sing) “anticipation…anticipation is making me wait. It’s keeping me waiting…” (Come on…I know you all must have felt this way at some time).Anticipation….Anticipation…Anticipation.
You know…I have two favorite seasons in the year…one being Easter and the other being Christmas. I just love Easter because in the end…we (you and me) receive the gift of salvation because of Christ’s death on the cross. I love Advent because God has given me (and you) the best Christmas present ever…the chance of receiving that gift of salvation through the tiny little baby in the manger. Without either of these gifts…we would not be able to have that right relationship with God.
Today we have begun our Advent season. We are waiting…with anticipation…to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a four week wait that ends with a celebration on Christmas morn when God came down…in the form of a child…so that we would have salvation…a restored relationship…with Him. (I don’t know about you but I could never top that gift no matter how much money or thought I put in one)
Now I know that we are expectantly waiting for the birth of Christ but when I think about we as Christians…there is another event that we are waiting for as well that has to do with our Lord Jesus Christ. You see in Mark we hear of another event we as Christians are waiting for…an event that we are waiting expectantly for. This event will change the world as we know it…it is the event where we will have that peaceable kingdom where the leopard will lay down with the goat, the calf and the lion. This will all take place when our Lord returns. Mark 13:24-37 reads: (read scripture)
We don’t know when He is returning but we know He is! (Alleluia! Praise God!)
Now…we know how we wait for the birth of Christ. During our Advent season we celebrate and rejoice as we wait…we know what the date is of His birth. We decorate the church and our homes (by the way…the church looks great!). We think about what God has done through the little baby in the manger. We read scripture and hear stories about Jesus’ birth. It is a grand celebration in a Christian’s life. But…how do we prepare for a day that when we don’t know when it is? We can’t mark it on or calendars so that we don’t forget. We can’t plan a celebration or make preparations for the day of Christ’s return. Or can we?
In the passage from Mark, we are told to not be found sleeping…we are told to watch. Now…you may be asking yourself “But what can we be doing so that we are not found sleeping…what does the scripture mean by sleeping anyway?” Well…I’m glad you asked. We as Christian’s are to be doing God’s work for the kingdom while we wait. Like the man going away and puts each of his servants in charge of his own task we too have been given tasks to do. God has given each of us gifts to use in His service to the kingdom. God will always equip us for each task we are given. 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 tells us that:
Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
God is faithful to equip us for our every task. (And I am so grateful for that because even when I don’t think I am able to do something God says “you are able because I have qualified you for the call.”)
As I have so many times to you…I see God moving in this Church. I see how God has equipped each and every one of us to do His work here on earth. I see this in the way that this church is concerned for the least, the lost and the last. I see it when you open the doors of this church to those who are in need. Whether it is a place to meet, a meal or just a place to go and be with others, you are working for the Kingdom. (And may I add that you do it well) We “fellowship” with Christ in each person we meet, each person whose life we touch in some way or another. There is a piece of Christ in each of us, it is easy to see it in some but we are willing to look deeper and find the Christ in those who we may not readily see our Lord but we know he is there.
Anticipation…We are waiting with anticipation for the celebration of Christ’s birthday but also His return. In other words “we are expectantly waiting to celebrate Christ’s birth but are waiting expectantly for His return.” God gives us free will…as we wait for Christ’s return how will fill your time. Will you just sit idly by and wait for the trumpet to blow or will you use the gifts that God has given you to use for His kingdom? Will you be like the disciples and fall asleep while waiting or will you be one of the ones that say, “Not on my watch!”? The choice is yours and mine to make. Which will you chose?
AMEN
Sermon - "Is it idle or idol Worship?", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, November 16, 2008
Acts 17:16-34
Have you ever had someone in your life that could do no wrong? No matter what…they were perfect. They were someone that you looked up to…someone that you put up on the proverbial “pedestal”. I think we all at times have done that. We may put a hero…a sports star…a teacher…or even a religious leader up there on that high place…someone that we “idolize”. Or it may even be something that we have, instead of a person, which we “put above the rest”. This type of idolizing has been going on through years. Even back in the time of Acts we can see this happening; but…sometimes this idolizing comes out of a lack of not knowing…an ignorance of the truth. Sometimes we find out what we have been idolizing is not what it seems.
Paul encountered this ignorance when he went to Athens. As he waited there for Timothy and Silas, he saw all the idols that were there and became angry. Now I am not sure if it was because of their ignorance or just the fact that there were so many idols but he was not going to just stand by and not say anything. This account of Paul’s visit is in Acts 17:16-34. It reads (and I’m reading from my favorite translation…The Message Bible): (read scripture)
Paul was concerned for them because of their ignorance. They were a very religious group of people and they worshiped also the “Unknown God” and he wanted them to know about this unknown god so that they would see the truth. They needed to know how great and awesome this god was and that it is this god that they should be worshipping. They needed to set aside their “lesser gods” in order to make room for the Almighty God.
In today’s society…we encounter people like these Athenians every day. These are people who have bought into the societal thought that the more you have the more important you are. It is these possessions that make you who you are. People who believe that it is their career that should be the thing you should strive for not to strive for God and the rest will fall in place. The list goes on. Some of these people may not even truly know the “One True God” that you and I know. We, like Paul, need to be concerned with this ignorance around us and reach out to those who are searching for meaning and a place in life. We need to talk with our like-minded brothers and sisters as Paul did but…like Paul…we need to be “taking it to the streets.”
I have seen how Suncook UMC has followed Paul’s actions. I have seen this church taking it to the streets when we open our church to AA and NA...when we have the fried dough booth at the Old Home Day…when we help any way we can at the food pantry, whether it is our time, our money, or even our toilet paper. But there are so many more out there that are waiting to hear the Good News. We must continue on the road we are on. I know that with God’s help we will continue to reach more for the kingdom.
But we must be careful and always on guard. You see…there are some people in the world who say that they worship the one true God but there worship may have gone cold and without feeling. There worship has become more idle than anything else. They go through the motions but to them it is just another day…just a ritual they follow once a week. It is these brothers and sisters that we must also reach out to. We need to help them find that “Pentecost Fire” they once had. We need to help them find reason to shout for “joy from the roof tops” that we serve a Risen Lord. We worship the God of creation and He loves what He has created…that the grace and salvation that we receive is for anyone who calls upon His name (As it is written “All those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”).
Oh yah…like Paul…we will get the scoffers…some will walk away, but also like Paul there will be some who will want to hear more…some who come to believe in the one true God that you and I worship. I think that’s worth all the scoffing and ridicule that may come my way. Call me a “Jesus Freak” but I can’t think of anything else I would like to be freaky about.
What or who are we worshipping? If it is the one true God…are we worshiping Him with our hearts or are we just idly going through the motions? We all have things that we “idolize”…things we put up on a pedestal…but I like to look at them as things I cherish…people I look up to. We, as Christians, have to remember that those things that we idolize will lets us down at some point but when we put our God up on that pedestal…when we worship Him with our hearts, minds, body and soul… He will never let us down. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the same now as he was in the beginning and will be in the end of days.
AMEN
Have you ever had someone in your life that could do no wrong? No matter what…they were perfect. They were someone that you looked up to…someone that you put up on the proverbial “pedestal”. I think we all at times have done that. We may put a hero…a sports star…a teacher…or even a religious leader up there on that high place…someone that we “idolize”. Or it may even be something that we have, instead of a person, which we “put above the rest”. This type of idolizing has been going on through years. Even back in the time of Acts we can see this happening; but…sometimes this idolizing comes out of a lack of not knowing…an ignorance of the truth. Sometimes we find out what we have been idolizing is not what it seems.
Paul encountered this ignorance when he went to Athens. As he waited there for Timothy and Silas, he saw all the idols that were there and became angry. Now I am not sure if it was because of their ignorance or just the fact that there were so many idols but he was not going to just stand by and not say anything. This account of Paul’s visit is in Acts 17:16-34. It reads (and I’m reading from my favorite translation…The Message Bible): (read scripture)
Paul was concerned for them because of their ignorance. They were a very religious group of people and they worshiped also the “Unknown God” and he wanted them to know about this unknown god so that they would see the truth. They needed to know how great and awesome this god was and that it is this god that they should be worshipping. They needed to set aside their “lesser gods” in order to make room for the Almighty God.
In today’s society…we encounter people like these Athenians every day. These are people who have bought into the societal thought that the more you have the more important you are. It is these possessions that make you who you are. People who believe that it is their career that should be the thing you should strive for not to strive for God and the rest will fall in place. The list goes on. Some of these people may not even truly know the “One True God” that you and I know. We, like Paul, need to be concerned with this ignorance around us and reach out to those who are searching for meaning and a place in life. We need to talk with our like-minded brothers and sisters as Paul did but…like Paul…we need to be “taking it to the streets.”
I have seen how Suncook UMC has followed Paul’s actions. I have seen this church taking it to the streets when we open our church to AA and NA...when we have the fried dough booth at the Old Home Day…when we help any way we can at the food pantry, whether it is our time, our money, or even our toilet paper. But there are so many more out there that are waiting to hear the Good News. We must continue on the road we are on. I know that with God’s help we will continue to reach more for the kingdom.
But we must be careful and always on guard. You see…there are some people in the world who say that they worship the one true God but there worship may have gone cold and without feeling. There worship has become more idle than anything else. They go through the motions but to them it is just another day…just a ritual they follow once a week. It is these brothers and sisters that we must also reach out to. We need to help them find that “Pentecost Fire” they once had. We need to help them find reason to shout for “joy from the roof tops” that we serve a Risen Lord. We worship the God of creation and He loves what He has created…that the grace and salvation that we receive is for anyone who calls upon His name (As it is written “All those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”).
Oh yah…like Paul…we will get the scoffers…some will walk away, but also like Paul there will be some who will want to hear more…some who come to believe in the one true God that you and I worship. I think that’s worth all the scoffing and ridicule that may come my way. Call me a “Jesus Freak” but I can’t think of anything else I would like to be freaky about.
What or who are we worshipping? If it is the one true God…are we worshiping Him with our hearts or are we just idly going through the motions? We all have things that we “idolize”…things we put up on a pedestal…but I like to look at them as things I cherish…people I look up to. We, as Christians, have to remember that those things that we idolize will lets us down at some point but when we put our God up on that pedestal…when we worship Him with our hearts, minds, body and soul… He will never let us down. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is the same now as he was in the beginning and will be in the end of days.
AMEN
Sermon - "We Are One", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, November 9, 2008
Acts 15: 1-19
Have any of you ever pledged a Sorority or a Fraternity while you were in College? I have…boy, I had to go through so many tests and initiation in order to be part of the “group”. I had to pass all of their tests that they gave me or I would not be able to be part of this “esteemed” group of people. I look back now and think to myself how dumb all the things were that I had to go through and in the end I was no better than anyone else. Well…in some churches today…you are not accepted unless you are part of the group. In some churches…you can’t take part in the Lords Supper unless you are part of the congregation…or you have to be baptized as an adult in order to take part in the feast that was laid out for all who believe. This is not the way it should be. We all receive the grace and love of God…We are all able to receive the Spirit that guides us…We are all able to receive the redemption and salvation that is given through our Lord Jesus Christ. So…what happened…why is there so much religiosity in the church. Well…this problem is not a new one. Acts 15:1-19 shows us that the problem has been around for a long time.
In Acts 15:1-19…there is trouble amongst the saved, there is a scuttlebutt within the church…and it takes a time of “Holy Conferencing” to discern how one is saved. The passage reads (and I’m reading from the Message Bible): (read scripture)
Peter and James knew the truth…they were with Jesus and learned from Him. They knew exactly what He meant…Jesus came for all…He came to offer salvation to ALL who believe. The only difference between “us and them” (meaning the unsaved) is that we are forgiven and redeemed. We can’t tell a person’s heart or change what God has done. We can’t make up our own rules to be followed. God made the rules and stamped them with His final approval. Just because, at some time in the churches history, some people got together and decided that they would make special rules for their “denomination” because of how they interpreted the Bible it doesn’t make it right. You can’t change the words…they are eternal and forever alive; it is that living water to our souls. Jesus came so that we “ALL MAY BE SAVED”.
We need to open the doors to all of God’s children (and we are ALL God’s children). We need to set aside our differences, as the redeemed, and work together as one body in unity to further the Kingdom of God here on earth. We all need to realize that being a Christian doesn’t make us perfect but makes us saved through the blood of Jesus. “We Are One”…and together we will make a difference but alone we will only affect those in our “elite” group. Which would you rather do?
I would like to share with you a poem that really hits the nail on the head about how we should feel and act as Christians. It is by Maya Angelou and it is called Beautiful Christian Sister but I believe that it also goes for our brothers in Christ as well. It reads:
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not shouting 'I'm clean livin,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm
found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I
don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ
to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His
strength to carry on.
When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm
not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to
clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I
am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still
feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His
name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received
God's good grace, somehow!
May we always remember who we are, where we came from and our true purpose to bring others into the sheepfold of Christ. Not by our rules but by the rules that stand the test of time.
AMEN
Have any of you ever pledged a Sorority or a Fraternity while you were in College? I have…boy, I had to go through so many tests and initiation in order to be part of the “group”. I had to pass all of their tests that they gave me or I would not be able to be part of this “esteemed” group of people. I look back now and think to myself how dumb all the things were that I had to go through and in the end I was no better than anyone else. Well…in some churches today…you are not accepted unless you are part of the group. In some churches…you can’t take part in the Lords Supper unless you are part of the congregation…or you have to be baptized as an adult in order to take part in the feast that was laid out for all who believe. This is not the way it should be. We all receive the grace and love of God…We are all able to receive the Spirit that guides us…We are all able to receive the redemption and salvation that is given through our Lord Jesus Christ. So…what happened…why is there so much religiosity in the church. Well…this problem is not a new one. Acts 15:1-19 shows us that the problem has been around for a long time.
In Acts 15:1-19…there is trouble amongst the saved, there is a scuttlebutt within the church…and it takes a time of “Holy Conferencing” to discern how one is saved. The passage reads (and I’m reading from the Message Bible): (read scripture)
Peter and James knew the truth…they were with Jesus and learned from Him. They knew exactly what He meant…Jesus came for all…He came to offer salvation to ALL who believe. The only difference between “us and them” (meaning the unsaved) is that we are forgiven and redeemed. We can’t tell a person’s heart or change what God has done. We can’t make up our own rules to be followed. God made the rules and stamped them with His final approval. Just because, at some time in the churches history, some people got together and decided that they would make special rules for their “denomination” because of how they interpreted the Bible it doesn’t make it right. You can’t change the words…they are eternal and forever alive; it is that living water to our souls. Jesus came so that we “ALL MAY BE SAVED”.
We need to open the doors to all of God’s children (and we are ALL God’s children). We need to set aside our differences, as the redeemed, and work together as one body in unity to further the Kingdom of God here on earth. We all need to realize that being a Christian doesn’t make us perfect but makes us saved through the blood of Jesus. “We Are One”…and together we will make a difference but alone we will only affect those in our “elite” group. Which would you rather do?
I would like to share with you a poem that really hits the nail on the head about how we should feel and act as Christians. It is by Maya Angelou and it is called Beautiful Christian Sister but I believe that it also goes for our brothers in Christ as well. It reads:
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not shouting 'I'm clean livin,'
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm
found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I
don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ
to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His
strength to carry on.
When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm
not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to
clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I
am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still
feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His
name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm
not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received
God's good grace, somehow!
May we always remember who we are, where we came from and our true purpose to bring others into the sheepfold of Christ. Not by our rules but by the rules that stand the test of time.
AMEN
Sermon - "We are Appointed", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, October 5, 2008
Acts 1:6-9
In society today…we make appointments with the “important” people we need to see. We make appointments for doctors when we are sick, we make appointments for hairdressers and barbers, we make appointments for lunch with friends, and we even make appointments to see our pastor. It seems if without appointments we would never get to see some of the people in our lives. It can drive you crazy sometimes just trying to make an appointment with someone. But I think the most important appointment I have made in my life was the one that I made with Jesus…the one where I gave my heart, my mind, my body, my service to Him. But in that appointment….something else happened to me…something I never thought would happen. In that appointment, I was also appointed to be in His service.
The disciples in this morning’s message from Acts had an “appointment” with Jesus. They met together with Him and asked Him a question that was on their hearts. They wanted to know if He was going to return the kingdom to Israel. Jesus told them not to worry about that right now; it was not for them to know. Jesus also told them that they would soon receive the power of the Holy Spirit and they would be His witnesses where they were and to the ends of the earth. Jesus appointed them to be His witness...to spread the gospel…to tell about Him to the ends of the earth.
In thinking about this story….I realized that…being a disciple of Christ…I…we are also appointed to spread the Gospel of Christ. At our baptism, we were adopted…we joined the royal priesthood…and that we are commissioned, like the first disciples, to go and do likewise. But how are we to spread the gospel…what can we, here in Suncook, do to help the gospel be heard to the ends of the earth?
Earlier in my sermon…I was taking about appointments. I think that one way that we here in Suncook help spread the gospel is because we make ourselves available for another kind of appointment. We make our selves open for “Divine Appointments.” Have you ever talked with someone and they say “thanks that is just what I needed to hear.” Or maybe…this is one that really freaks me out sometimes…you are talking with someone and all of the sudden all these things start coming out of your mouth…things like pertinent scripture or this wisdom that came from “out of the blue”…and it is exactly what that person needed to hear? Or how about being in the right placed at the right time in order to share your faith with someone who needed to be lifted up? Or many other situations that you can think of that have happened to you in your life? Well…you have had one of those Divine Appointments for God…a time that God uses us to spread the gospel to the least, last and forgotten. A time that God used ordinary you and me to witness to the ends of the earth.
When we open our doors and have a church dinner or Our Families Table and even to AA and NA…we open ourselves up to these Divine Appointments. People from all over the community come to our church to have a meal and fellowship and it is within this fellowship time that God uses us to share our faith with those around us. But sadly…there are times when we miss those divine appointments.
Have you ever walked away from someone and realized that you have missed a Divine Appointment? I know I have. (I may have told you this story before so if I have please bear with me) I remember a time that I was in the grocery store and the bag boy was asking about a rubrics cube I used to have. It was an evangelism tool. It told the story of Jesus. I just kind of told him what it was but never showed him how it worked. Well…I got as far as my car when I felt that
I missed that Divine Appointment. When I turned around and went back into the store I couldn’t find the bag boy to show him. I vowed that day to never miss another appointment like that. You see…not only are we to be open for them but we also must be on the lookout for them. They usually come when we least expect them.
Appointments…we all make them and some are made for us by the Author of our lives. We are appointed to go out and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. We are not left to our own devices to fulfill this call in our lives. We are given the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us in this appointment. We must be forever on guard to see these appointments…these opportunities…to share our faith. I would like to share a poem written by our resident poet Ray. It is called appointed and I feel it sums up our appointment well:
Like Peter, Paul
We are appointed
commissioned by the same Spirit
the Holy Spirit of God
living, growing within us
to spread the same message of love
commissioned, appointed
witnesses of Christ’s love
sacrificial love of the servant
humble king, fulfilling still
scriptures, law, promises of God
Grace, living, flowing from our hands
our hearts, our feet
walking in his pathways
reaching out his hands
sharing God’s love,
imprinted on our lives
May we always be the hands and feet that bring the Good News of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Where ever and whenever He calls. AMEN
In society today…we make appointments with the “important” people we need to see. We make appointments for doctors when we are sick, we make appointments for hairdressers and barbers, we make appointments for lunch with friends, and we even make appointments to see our pastor. It seems if without appointments we would never get to see some of the people in our lives. It can drive you crazy sometimes just trying to make an appointment with someone. But I think the most important appointment I have made in my life was the one that I made with Jesus…the one where I gave my heart, my mind, my body, my service to Him. But in that appointment….something else happened to me…something I never thought would happen. In that appointment, I was also appointed to be in His service.
The disciples in this morning’s message from Acts had an “appointment” with Jesus. They met together with Him and asked Him a question that was on their hearts. They wanted to know if He was going to return the kingdom to Israel. Jesus told them not to worry about that right now; it was not for them to know. Jesus also told them that they would soon receive the power of the Holy Spirit and they would be His witnesses where they were and to the ends of the earth. Jesus appointed them to be His witness...to spread the gospel…to tell about Him to the ends of the earth.
In thinking about this story….I realized that…being a disciple of Christ…I…we are also appointed to spread the Gospel of Christ. At our baptism, we were adopted…we joined the royal priesthood…and that we are commissioned, like the first disciples, to go and do likewise. But how are we to spread the gospel…what can we, here in Suncook, do to help the gospel be heard to the ends of the earth?
Earlier in my sermon…I was taking about appointments. I think that one way that we here in Suncook help spread the gospel is because we make ourselves available for another kind of appointment. We make our selves open for “Divine Appointments.” Have you ever talked with someone and they say “thanks that is just what I needed to hear.” Or maybe…this is one that really freaks me out sometimes…you are talking with someone and all of the sudden all these things start coming out of your mouth…things like pertinent scripture or this wisdom that came from “out of the blue”…and it is exactly what that person needed to hear? Or how about being in the right placed at the right time in order to share your faith with someone who needed to be lifted up? Or many other situations that you can think of that have happened to you in your life? Well…you have had one of those Divine Appointments for God…a time that God uses us to spread the gospel to the least, last and forgotten. A time that God used ordinary you and me to witness to the ends of the earth.
When we open our doors and have a church dinner or Our Families Table and even to AA and NA…we open ourselves up to these Divine Appointments. People from all over the community come to our church to have a meal and fellowship and it is within this fellowship time that God uses us to share our faith with those around us. But sadly…there are times when we miss those divine appointments.
Have you ever walked away from someone and realized that you have missed a Divine Appointment? I know I have. (I may have told you this story before so if I have please bear with me) I remember a time that I was in the grocery store and the bag boy was asking about a rubrics cube I used to have. It was an evangelism tool. It told the story of Jesus. I just kind of told him what it was but never showed him how it worked. Well…I got as far as my car when I felt that
I missed that Divine Appointment. When I turned around and went back into the store I couldn’t find the bag boy to show him. I vowed that day to never miss another appointment like that. You see…not only are we to be open for them but we also must be on the lookout for them. They usually come when we least expect them.
Appointments…we all make them and some are made for us by the Author of our lives. We are appointed to go out and spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. We are not left to our own devices to fulfill this call in our lives. We are given the Holy Spirit to help us and guide us in this appointment. We must be forever on guard to see these appointments…these opportunities…to share our faith. I would like to share a poem written by our resident poet Ray. It is called appointed and I feel it sums up our appointment well:
Like Peter, Paul
We are appointed
commissioned by the same Spirit
the Holy Spirit of God
living, growing within us
to spread the same message of love
commissioned, appointed
witnesses of Christ’s love
sacrificial love of the servant
humble king, fulfilling still
scriptures, law, promises of God
Grace, living, flowing from our hands
our hearts, our feet
walking in his pathways
reaching out his hands
sharing God’s love,
imprinted on our lives
May we always be the hands and feet that bring the Good News of our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Where ever and whenever He calls. AMEN
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
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 - "Freedom!", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, August 24, 2008
Colossian 2: 6-15a
Over the past weeks, as we wait and listen for God’s direction for us, we have heard about many things. We have heard about getting a new vision, a new view of the world. We have heard about being a neighbor to all those around us, not just the ones who are like us. We heard about fully relying on God and about God’s amazing grace to us. We’ve heard about walking in the way of Christ and about how blessed we are along with many other things. But through all of this, I have come to realize the “amazing freedom” that comes when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are set free.
How many of you have experienced fear in your life? I know I have. Fear that we are not good enough…fear of the unknown…fear of what tomorrow will bring. When God called me to full-time ministry, boy I had fear. I had to go back to school to get my bachelor’s degree and then on to get my Master’s Degree in Ministry. Well, after being out of school for 21 years I thought to myself, “How can I go back to school…it’s been a long time…I’m too old for this…how can I be a mother, wife and student at the same time?”, and all sorts of other things like that. Well…I took all of this to God (and still do now) and a peace came over me and I began to believe that if God called me to do this then God would help me through it.
Colossians 2:6-15a gives us some insight on this fear I had (and still do at times).
It reads: (and I’m reading from the Message Bible)
We are set free from our old life and are brought into a new life with Christ. Now that is FREEDOM! We can trust in the fact that we are a new creation and that we are qualified to go out and do as we are taught. We can do things that have not been done by the world’s standards because we live by God’s standards. We can mount on wings like eagles and soar for God.
I went to the Women of Faith conference in Boston last year. The theme of the conference was Amazing Freedom”. Now I want you to imagine this, 4,000 like-minded women, coming together in praise and worship. It was awe-inspiring! The stories and music that were told there brought tears to my eyes. The one of the things that I took home from the conference is a new view of what Freedom is. To hear 4,000 women all saying together I AM FREE was almost deafening!
WE are free from the Chains of sin…we are free from the condemnation of sin…we are free from the death that sin causes us (not just physical but Spiritual death). WE are free to serve one another. We are free to love one another as Christ loved…and still loves…us. We are free to share our stories to help others find freedom for themselves. We are free to reach out to those around us…with Christ’s love. The love that nailed His outstretched arms to the cross which are the same outstretched arms that are wide open to accept us …where we are…into the family of God. God canceled the “legal note of debt” and Christ took it upon Himself. We are free to believe in the Dream that God has for our lives. We are healed of our brokenness inside by our Lord Jesus Christ and are freed and not held down by it any longer. We are free to be ourselves. We are free to follow our call in life…the call that God will equip us for. True freedom does not mean without bars…true freedom is the indwelling of Christ! If the Son sets you free…you are free in deed.
Freedom…in baptism we are freed from the life we had before. We are given the precious gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are free to follow our God and know that God will make a way for us no matter what. Nothing is impossible for God and we are free from worry…anxiety…fears. We are given a Spirit of freedom not one of bondage. We are free to dance before our God and King as David did, with all our might knowing that victory belongs to the Lord.
I would like to read you a poem from my favorite poet…It is titled “Cast off your Shackles”
We are free from the restraints,
The bonds which have
Held us captive,
Free from the snares
The limits, the temptations
Of our own mortal lives.
Jesus has set us free.
By His death we die
By His resurrection
We live, we are raised like Him
We are baptized,
Spiritually circumcised
Into the family of God,
Free from the ledger of our sins
Erased and made clean.
Now…we can either not to accept this gift of freedom and go about in life afraid of making mistakes…afraid that our past might come back to “bite us”…afraid that we are not good enough…or we can FREELY accept this wonderful gift from God and go through life trusting that God is with us…and if God is with us, who can be against us. One of my favorite expressions is from the singer Nicole C. Mullen. You see…we may not feel qualified but we know the one who qualifies the call. We can chose to repeat the words of MLK Jr. and shout from the rooftops “Free at last…Free at last…thank God almighty…Free at last.”
AMEN
Over the past weeks, as we wait and listen for God’s direction for us, we have heard about many things. We have heard about getting a new vision, a new view of the world. We have heard about being a neighbor to all those around us, not just the ones who are like us. We heard about fully relying on God and about God’s amazing grace to us. We’ve heard about walking in the way of Christ and about how blessed we are along with many other things. But through all of this, I have come to realize the “amazing freedom” that comes when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are set free.
How many of you have experienced fear in your life? I know I have. Fear that we are not good enough…fear of the unknown…fear of what tomorrow will bring. When God called me to full-time ministry, boy I had fear. I had to go back to school to get my bachelor’s degree and then on to get my Master’s Degree in Ministry. Well, after being out of school for 21 years I thought to myself, “How can I go back to school…it’s been a long time…I’m too old for this…how can I be a mother, wife and student at the same time?”, and all sorts of other things like that. Well…I took all of this to God (and still do now) and a peace came over me and I began to believe that if God called me to do this then God would help me through it.
Colossians 2:6-15a gives us some insight on this fear I had (and still do at times).
It reads: (and I’m reading from the Message Bible)
We are set free from our old life and are brought into a new life with Christ. Now that is FREEDOM! We can trust in the fact that we are a new creation and that we are qualified to go out and do as we are taught. We can do things that have not been done by the world’s standards because we live by God’s standards. We can mount on wings like eagles and soar for God.
I went to the Women of Faith conference in Boston last year. The theme of the conference was Amazing Freedom”. Now I want you to imagine this, 4,000 like-minded women, coming together in praise and worship. It was awe-inspiring! The stories and music that were told there brought tears to my eyes. The one of the things that I took home from the conference is a new view of what Freedom is. To hear 4,000 women all saying together I AM FREE was almost deafening!
WE are free from the Chains of sin…we are free from the condemnation of sin…we are free from the death that sin causes us (not just physical but Spiritual death). WE are free to serve one another. We are free to love one another as Christ loved…and still loves…us. We are free to share our stories to help others find freedom for themselves. We are free to reach out to those around us…with Christ’s love. The love that nailed His outstretched arms to the cross which are the same outstretched arms that are wide open to accept us …where we are…into the family of God. God canceled the “legal note of debt” and Christ took it upon Himself. We are free to believe in the Dream that God has for our lives. We are healed of our brokenness inside by our Lord Jesus Christ and are freed and not held down by it any longer. We are free to be ourselves. We are free to follow our call in life…the call that God will equip us for. True freedom does not mean without bars…true freedom is the indwelling of Christ! If the Son sets you free…you are free in deed.
Freedom…in baptism we are freed from the life we had before. We are given the precious gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are free to follow our God and know that God will make a way for us no matter what. Nothing is impossible for God and we are free from worry…anxiety…fears. We are given a Spirit of freedom not one of bondage. We are free to dance before our God and King as David did, with all our might knowing that victory belongs to the Lord.
I would like to read you a poem from my favorite poet…It is titled “Cast off your Shackles”
We are free from the restraints,
The bonds which have
Held us captive,
Free from the snares
The limits, the temptations
Of our own mortal lives.
Jesus has set us free.
By His death we die
By His resurrection
We live, we are raised like Him
We are baptized,
Spiritually circumcised
Into the family of God,
Free from the ledger of our sins
Erased and made clean.
Now…we can either not to accept this gift of freedom and go about in life afraid of making mistakes…afraid that our past might come back to “bite us”…afraid that we are not good enough…or we can FREELY accept this wonderful gift from God and go through life trusting that God is with us…and if God is with us, who can be against us. One of my favorite expressions is from the singer Nicole C. Mullen. You see…we may not feel qualified but we know the one who qualifies the call. We can chose to repeat the words of MLK Jr. and shout from the rooftops “Free at last…Free at last…thank God almighty…Free at last.”
AMEN
Sermon - "What A Great Plan!", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, December 28, 2008
Luke 2:22-40
Plans…We all make them…we all seem to have the need to have ours days planned out just so…and when something happens (and with me this is a usual occurrence in my life)…it is as if our world comes crashing down. Why do so many of our plans fall apart in some way or another? I remember one time (OK…not just one time), I had plans to spend the day studying for school. I had my day planned out…I was going to get all this reading and such done. I was so proud of my plan. Well…wouldn’t you know it…one of our daughters was home sick…and not only was she home sick…I had to take the time…out of my plan…to take her to the doctors. Now don’t get me wrong…I love my daughters and would do anything I needed to keep the safe and healthy…but…I had a plan for the day…I was going to be so productive that day. Why did she have to be sick on that particular day?
Well today I want to talk about another kind of plan…by someone whose plans are ones that comes to reality...if we but follow it instead of our own. I am talking about God’s plan for the world. When I think about Christmas I think about the plan that God made and carried out in the form of a babe a manger. You see...God’s plan for our salvation started in that manger so long ago. But this is not a plan that started on that night. It began to take form back in Isaiah’s day way before Christ was born. In Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Isaiah states (read scripture)
Isaiah knew that the salvation of the Lord would come. He knew that God’s people would be called by a new name that the lord would give them. Isaiah could not keep quiet about the salvation to come through the Lord. Unfortunately Isaiah was not around to see that babe born in the manger. But there was someone, who was waiting to see the righteousness and salvation from God, who lived to see it come to pass. I’m talking about Simeon and Anna. They both were able to see the promise come to pass.
Their reaction to this event is found in Luke 2:22-40 which states (read scripture)
Simeon and Anna knew who the child was and what this child would do…whose plan this child would fulfill…The “great plan of salvation” that God had planned for his people and for those who would be taken into the flock as sisters and brothers of His chosen people. You see, the plan was already mapped out. In the Galatians reading from this morning we can see it clearly. At the right time…God sent his Son…to redeem those under the law… that we might receive full rights as sons (and daughters). What an Awesome plan…what a Great plan…and one that came to pass (unlike some of our own plans that fail). The NIV bible uses the word Abba for the name in which our souls cry out. The word Abba means “Daddy”. Just think about it…Our souls cry out to Daddy, our Heavenly Father. What a great plan…we can call Him daddy!
But you see…the plan doesn’t stop there. God also has a plan for our lives. A plan that is far better than the plan’s that we might make. What we need to do is believe and trust that God has a plan for our lives. There are some who feel that their lives have no purpose…the just exist going day to day with no real purpose in life. That is so untrue because you see…God has a plan for each and every one of us. God created everything with a purpose. We need to live a Purpose Driven Life…we need to discover our purpose…which God will reveal in His time.
God has a great plan for me and for you. We need to trust and believe that and in the believing we will see the plan for our lives. When we discover that plan we need to follow that plan so that we can fulfill that plan in our lives that plan he started so long ago in the form of a babe in a manger. Plans…we all have them but it is the Master’s Plan that will bring us hope and peace that goes beyond our understanding. It is that plan that brings us purpose in life. Amen!
Plans…We all make them…we all seem to have the need to have ours days planned out just so…and when something happens (and with me this is a usual occurrence in my life)…it is as if our world comes crashing down. Why do so many of our plans fall apart in some way or another? I remember one time (OK…not just one time), I had plans to spend the day studying for school. I had my day planned out…I was going to get all this reading and such done. I was so proud of my plan. Well…wouldn’t you know it…one of our daughters was home sick…and not only was she home sick…I had to take the time…out of my plan…to take her to the doctors. Now don’t get me wrong…I love my daughters and would do anything I needed to keep the safe and healthy…but…I had a plan for the day…I was going to be so productive that day. Why did she have to be sick on that particular day?
Well today I want to talk about another kind of plan…by someone whose plans are ones that comes to reality...if we but follow it instead of our own. I am talking about God’s plan for the world. When I think about Christmas I think about the plan that God made and carried out in the form of a babe a manger. You see...God’s plan for our salvation started in that manger so long ago. But this is not a plan that started on that night. It began to take form back in Isaiah’s day way before Christ was born. In Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Isaiah states (read scripture)
Isaiah knew that the salvation of the Lord would come. He knew that God’s people would be called by a new name that the lord would give them. Isaiah could not keep quiet about the salvation to come through the Lord. Unfortunately Isaiah was not around to see that babe born in the manger. But there was someone, who was waiting to see the righteousness and salvation from God, who lived to see it come to pass. I’m talking about Simeon and Anna. They both were able to see the promise come to pass.
Their reaction to this event is found in Luke 2:22-40 which states (read scripture)
Simeon and Anna knew who the child was and what this child would do…whose plan this child would fulfill…The “great plan of salvation” that God had planned for his people and for those who would be taken into the flock as sisters and brothers of His chosen people. You see, the plan was already mapped out. In the Galatians reading from this morning we can see it clearly. At the right time…God sent his Son…to redeem those under the law… that we might receive full rights as sons (and daughters). What an Awesome plan…what a Great plan…and one that came to pass (unlike some of our own plans that fail). The NIV bible uses the word Abba for the name in which our souls cry out. The word Abba means “Daddy”. Just think about it…Our souls cry out to Daddy, our Heavenly Father. What a great plan…we can call Him daddy!
But you see…the plan doesn’t stop there. God also has a plan for our lives. A plan that is far better than the plan’s that we might make. What we need to do is believe and trust that God has a plan for our lives. There are some who feel that their lives have no purpose…the just exist going day to day with no real purpose in life. That is so untrue because you see…God has a plan for each and every one of us. God created everything with a purpose. We need to live a Purpose Driven Life…we need to discover our purpose…which God will reveal in His time.
God has a great plan for me and for you. We need to trust and believe that and in the believing we will see the plan for our lives. When we discover that plan we need to follow that plan so that we can fulfill that plan in our lives that plan he started so long ago in the form of a babe in a manger. Plans…we all have them but it is the Master’s Plan that will bring us hope and peace that goes beyond our understanding. It is that plan that brings us purpose in life. Amen!
Thursday, January 01, 2009
A Pliable Heart
Give me, oh God
a pliable heart, a meek, humble heart
ever ready for your hands, the hands of the potter
molding me, sculpting me, reforming me
ever to do your will, to be a vessel, an instrument
the gloves of your hands
the soles of your feet
ever to worship you
with my whole life,
my pliable heart, ever
seeking after you
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
a pliable heart, a meek, humble heart
ever ready for your hands, the hands of the potter
molding me, sculpting me, reforming me
ever to do your will, to be a vessel, an instrument
the gloves of your hands
the soles of your feet
ever to worship you
with my whole life,
my pliable heart, ever
seeking after you
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
A Heart
Give me a heart, hands, feet, a voice clear and strong
give me a willingness, a desire, a heart open to your call
to your molding, to being put on the wheel once more
to be made, reshaped, to be made ready
for your purposes alone, to be a worthy vessel,
a humble pot, used for your glory
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
give me a willingness, a desire, a heart open to your call
to your molding, to being put on the wheel once more
to be made, reshaped, to be made ready
for your purposes alone, to be a worthy vessel,
a humble pot, used for your glory
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Pliable to Your Molding
Oh that I may be, always, ever,
pliable to your molding, your changing
your desires, your will, your calling Lord
that my life, my being, my work
would be for you and you alone
that I would be ready, ever pliable
ever new clay, sitting moist
on the potter’s wheel
that I would be a servant of God
doing, going, being what I am called for
a heart of pliable clay
for your will alone
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by by Pastor Ruth Foss
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
pliable to your molding, your changing
your desires, your will, your calling Lord
that my life, my being, my work
would be for you and you alone
that I would be ready, ever pliable
ever new clay, sitting moist
on the potter’s wheel
that I would be a servant of God
doing, going, being what I am called for
a heart of pliable clay
for your will alone
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog,“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, 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. All rights reserved. Contact me
at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 26,690+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Eyes
With eyes, eyes open to your presence
to your hand, working even now, in the world
in the unfolding pages of the story of history
the story of your people, the children of Abraham,
the brothers, the sisters of your son
Give me courage, almighty God,
seeing you, your plan, your place for me
to take up my cross, to put on the yoke of Christ
to walk with my savior, to journey, to toil in your fields
in your vineyards, to tend, to feed, to nurture
to care for your sheep, as I am called
Help me Lord, to have eyes for you, for your ways
clinging to your light, your way through the darkness
show me your paths, your choices, your will
for my life, my world, my calling
the strength, the resolve, the faith
to worship you, to do your will
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
to your hand, working even now, in the world
in the unfolding pages of the story of history
the story of your people, the children of Abraham,
the brothers, the sisters of your son
Give me courage, almighty God,
seeing you, your plan, your place for me
to take up my cross, to put on the yoke of Christ
to walk with my savior, to journey, to toil in your fields
in your vineyards, to tend, to feed, to nurture
to care for your sheep, as I am called
Help me Lord, to have eyes for you, for your ways
clinging to your light, your way through the darkness
show me your paths, your choices, your will
for my life, my world, my calling
the strength, the resolve, the faith
to worship you, to do your will
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Eyes to See
Would that we would each, all of us,
especially me, would have eyes, clear eyes
that would seek out, that would see your presence
in the dance of the snowfall, the changing of the leaves
from green to orange, yellow, red, to see you God
in the blowing of the milkweed seeds
carried by invisible winds
that I would have eyes to see you
in my neighbor’s smile
in their laugh, in their tears
Eyes that would see your presence, your hand
in the laws of nature, in the circumstances, the history
the pages of my life, each waking moment
Would that I would have eyes too, to see your presence
in the words of scriptures, the story of the people,
of your son, his life, his sacrifice,
all part of your unwinding plan
our story too, as you had willed so long ago
Eyes to see you, your face, your presence
in the creation, in the living out,
and in the coming of the age that will be
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
especially me, would have eyes, clear eyes
that would seek out, that would see your presence
in the dance of the snowfall, the changing of the leaves
from green to orange, yellow, red, to see you God
in the blowing of the milkweed seeds
carried by invisible winds
that I would have eyes to see you
in my neighbor’s smile
in their laugh, in their tears
Eyes that would see your presence, your hand
in the laws of nature, in the circumstances, the history
the pages of my life, each waking moment
Would that I would have eyes too, to see your presence
in the words of scriptures, the story of the people,
of your son, his life, his sacrifice,
all part of your unwinding plan
our story too, as you had willed so long ago
Eyes to see you, your face, your presence
in the creation, in the living out,
and in the coming of the age that will be
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Your Presence
Eyes to see your presence
your presence in all things, your grace
in all things, everywhere, all around us
your love, in all of creation, in our neighbor’s face
in the slumber of children, your presence in us
if we would let your light shine
to feel you, your will, in the whisper of our cells
our very being, calling out your message
for us to be you in this world
to serve our fellow man, to be stewards
of this beautiful earth given for us
to live simply, to look for, see your presence
with eyes that would see you
walking with us, assuring us
all around us, wherever we go
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
your presence in all things, your grace
in all things, everywhere, all around us
your love, in all of creation, in our neighbor’s face
in the slumber of children, your presence in us
if we would let your light shine
to feel you, your will, in the whisper of our cells
our very being, calling out your message
for us to be you in this world
to serve our fellow man, to be stewards
of this beautiful earth given for us
to live simply, to look for, see your presence
with eyes that would see you
walking with us, assuring us
all around us, wherever we go
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Ears
We pray for ears, not merely physical ears
ears that will hear you, calling to us, from the stillness
the darkness, light coming, sometimes, as your still small voice
calling to us, to come to your manger bed, to follow your star,
your light living, in this world
to hear your message in the clouds, in the eyes of our neighbors
in the inequities we see, the injustices we witness
the wrongs we could right
to hear your special calling, our purpose
at this minute, this moment
to answer your call
and do your holy work
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
ears that will hear you, calling to us, from the stillness
the darkness, light coming, sometimes, as your still small voice
calling to us, to come to your manger bed, to follow your star,
your light living, in this world
to hear your message in the clouds, in the eyes of our neighbors
in the inequities we see, the injustices we witness
the wrongs we could right
to hear your special calling, our purpose
at this minute, this moment
to answer your call
and do your holy work
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Ears to Hear
That still, soft voice
that small voice, whispering
calling from within us
from the circumstances of our lives
from the people we meet, the lives
we touch in our daily walk
May we have ears to hear that voice
that calling from God
from the everyday, things we can do
to do the things we can do
This is our prayer, heavenly Father,
for ears that will hear, that will yearn
that will long for your still small voice
calling out to us to be your servant
to be your sheep, to be your disciples
in this troubled world
coming to you,
and serving you
listening with our ears, with our hearts
ready, prepared, humbly doing
your will alone
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
that small voice, whispering
calling from within us
from the circumstances of our lives
from the people we meet, the lives
we touch in our daily walk
May we have ears to hear that voice
that calling from God
from the everyday, things we can do
to do the things we can do
This is our prayer, heavenly Father,
for ears that will hear, that will yearn
that will long for your still small voice
calling out to us to be your servant
to be your sheep, to be your disciples
in this troubled world
coming to you,
and serving you
listening with our ears, with our hearts
ready, prepared, humbly doing
your will alone
January 1, 2009
Unison Prayer, written by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who are the giver
of all wisdom. Enable us to set aside the world to worship
you in your temple. We pray that you would give us eyes to
see your presences in all things around us, ears to hear
your still small voice, and a heart that is pliable to your
molding so that we may worship you in Spirit and in truth.
It is is the name of the babe in the manger so long ago, our
Lord Jesus Christ, that we pray. Amen.”
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, December 28, 2008,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
follow that star
We are called, each one
to follow that star
that star, burning bright
from Bethlehem, from his birth,
his manger bed, the star guiding
the shepherds, the angels on high,
the wise men, traversing from the east
Like them, we are called by the light of the star
to change our ways, our paths, leading us
traveling, journeying, to the star,
with the star, burning, brightly
within us, when we welcome the babe
the Christ, the one whom John cried out for
crying in the wilderness,
into our lives, walking with him
the risen Lord, seated in triumph
coming again in victory,
the light, heralded by that heavenly star
January 1, 2009
Matthew 2:1-12 and
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
Suncook United Methodist Church
to follow that star
that star, burning bright
from Bethlehem, from his birth,
his manger bed, the star guiding
the shepherds, the angels on high,
the wise men, traversing from the east
Like them, we are called by the light of the star
to change our ways, our paths, leading us
traveling, journeying, to the star,
with the star, burning, brightly
within us, when we welcome the babe
the Christ, the one whom John cried out for
crying in the wilderness,
into our lives, walking with him
the risen Lord, seated in triumph
coming again in victory,
the light, heralded by that heavenly star
January 1, 2009
Matthew 2:1-12 and
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Blowing, Drifting
The snow, blowing, drifting
stinging my face, the swirls
bringing my throw, shovelful,
back at me
laughing, smiling to myself
of earlier days, long ago
when this would be for fun
a fort or just to toss in the air
watch the snow fall as the wind will
the yard now dunes of snow
white sand, with waves, furrows
of blowing, drifting powder
January 1, 2009
stinging my face, the swirls
bringing my throw, shovelful,
back at me
laughing, smiling to myself
of earlier days, long ago
when this would be for fun
a fort or just to toss in the air
watch the snow fall as the wind will
the yard now dunes of snow
white sand, with waves, furrows
of blowing, drifting powder
January 1, 2009
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 25,860+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
The Bethlehem Star - edited
Follow His star
all year long, the light marking
his life, come into the darkness,
this struggling earth
Let his light guide
protect you on your walk,
on your journey
all your life
All of our days, with Him,
walking with Him, guiding our steps
every step, every choice, as he would make
looking to his example, his life
sacrificial, agape love, humble
a servant king, caring for the least, the last
watching over all, healing
telling of the Father’s love
to all who would listen
May we each, in our own way
follow that star, as the wise men,
as the shepherds, as the disciples,
the apostles, the saints before us
bringing his light, carrying his light
witnessing to his light
wherever we go,
wherever we are called
to the ends of the earth
December 24, 2008 and edited 1/1/09
Matthew 2:1-12 and
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
Suncook United Methodist Church
all year long, the light marking
his life, come into the darkness,
this struggling earth
Let his light guide
protect you on your walk,
on your journey
all your life
All of our days, with Him,
walking with Him, guiding our steps
every step, every choice, as he would make
looking to his example, his life
sacrificial, agape love, humble
a servant king, caring for the least, the last
watching over all, healing
telling of the Father’s love
to all who would listen
May we each, in our own way
follow that star, as the wise men,
as the shepherds, as the disciples,
the apostles, the saints before us
bringing his light, carrying his light
witnessing to his light
wherever we go,
wherever we are called
to the ends of the earth
December 24, 2008 and edited 1/1/09
Matthew 2:1-12 and
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
Suncook United Methodist Church
The liniment of work
My back, my muscles
loosening, becoming limber
applying the liniment of work
the rhythmic motion, the shovel
biting in the powdery snow
scraping against the cement walk,
the blacktop driveway
scoop after scoop
my back moving, with my shoulders,
my knees, turned away from the wind
facing away, to the work itself
one by one clearing the path, the job getting done
applying, a little at a time
the liniment of work
January 1, 2009
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 19,850+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
loosening, becoming limber
applying the liniment of work
the rhythmic motion, the shovel
biting in the powdery snow
scraping against the cement walk,
the blacktop driveway
scoop after scoop
my back moving, with my shoulders,
my knees, turned away from the wind
facing away, to the work itself
one by one clearing the path, the job getting done
applying, a little at a time
the liniment of work
January 1, 2009
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 19,850+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Accumulating Snow
watching the snow, slowly starting
accumulating snow, first on the lawn,
building, gathering on the needles
broad, small, firs, pines
later on the spines, the bristly needles,
the branches of the tall spruces,
a study in attachment, in surfaces,
in open spaces, the lee of the wind,
sheltered, exposed places
the driveway, the street, filling
shifting sand, wind-blown snow
falling, replacing, that which I had shoveled
smoothing my futile toil,
the footfalls of the postman,
wiping out all signs of human contact
January 1, 2009
accumulating snow, first on the lawn,
building, gathering on the needles
broad, small, firs, pines
later on the spines, the bristly needles,
the branches of the tall spruces,
a study in attachment, in surfaces,
in open spaces, the lee of the wind,
sheltered, exposed places
the driveway, the street, filling
shifting sand, wind-blown snow
falling, replacing, that which I had shoveled
smoothing my futile toil,
the footfalls of the postman,
wiping out all signs of human contact
January 1, 2009
Changing Snow
As the storm grew, the flakes fell,
the wind rose, the chill set it
changing snow, always changing
first light, soft, like confectionary sugar,
sifted through an ancient flour sifter
then instant potato flakes, large, angular in the falling
finally granular sugar, sand, tossed about
or maybe as fine as wood smoke, rising, falling, swirling
buffeting wind, temperature plugging
arctic wind, from the cold north
bearing down, careening, whistling
snow at its mercy, blown about
at the will of the wind
January 1, 2009
the wind rose, the chill set it
changing snow, always changing
first light, soft, like confectionary sugar,
sifted through an ancient flour sifter
then instant potato flakes, large, angular in the falling
finally granular sugar, sand, tossed about
or maybe as fine as wood smoke, rising, falling, swirling
buffeting wind, temperature plugging
arctic wind, from the cold north
bearing down, careening, whistling
snow at its mercy, blown about
at the will of the wind
January 1, 2009
Your Star, Burning
Your star, still burning
brightly in the night,
guiding their way, to your bed,
our paths, our journey
to your throne, your dwelling place now
high in the clouds, our eternal home
Your star, leading us, with our gifts
not of gold, of frankincense, of myrrh,
they are of other stuff, our lives
our hands, our feet, walking, doing
being our brother
here on earth
Your star, high above the manger,
above all heavens
burning brightly still
on this journey
calling us to Epiphany
brightly in the night,
guiding their way, to your bed,
our paths, our journey
to your throne, your dwelling place now
high in the clouds, our eternal home
Your star, leading us, with our gifts
not of gold, of frankincense, of myrrh,
they are of other stuff, our lives
our hands, our feet, walking, doing
being our brother
here on earth
Your star, high above the manger,
above all heavens
burning brightly still
on this journey
calling us to Epiphany
January 1, 2009
Matthew 2:1-12 and
Welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm
December 24, 2008
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 35,670+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Bethlehem Star
Follow His star
all year long, the light marking
his life, come into the darkness,
this struggling earth
Let his light guide
protect you on your walk,
on your journey
all your life
December 24, 2008
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
Suncook United Methodist Church
all year long, the light marking
his life, come into the darkness,
this struggling earth
Let his light guide
protect you on your walk,
on your journey
all your life
December 24, 2008
Welcome by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Christmas Eve service, 11:00pm,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Sunday, December 28, 2008
voices in the crowd
God’s message, the singular good news
told simultaneously, a cacophony,
a symphony of voices, as if
birds singing on a spring morn’
all raising praises,
sharing God’s grace
His power over Babel,
bringing Christ, His grace
His life, his sacrifice
to each, in their own tongue
December 28, 2008 (sermon printed 5/14/08)
Acts 2:1-21 [and Genesis 11:1-9]
and sermon, “Birds of Pentecost,
by the Reverend Canon Steven C. Bonsey,
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul,
Tremont Street,
Boston, MA
on radio 5/11/08 7:30AM, WBUR
www.stpaulboston.org/images/sermons/08-05-11%20Birds%20of%20Pentecost.doc
told simultaneously, a cacophony,
a symphony of voices, as if
birds singing on a spring morn’
all raising praises,
sharing God’s grace
His power over Babel,
bringing Christ, His grace
His life, his sacrifice
to each, in their own tongue
December 28, 2008 (sermon printed 5/14/08)
Acts 2:1-21 [and Genesis 11:1-9]
and sermon, “Birds of Pentecost,
by the Reverend Canon Steven C. Bonsey,
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul,
Tremont Street,
Boston, MA
on radio 5/11/08 7:30AM, WBUR
www.stpaulboston.org/images/sermons/08-05-11%20Birds%20of%20Pentecost.doc
The Symphony of Pentecost
The symphony of Pentecost
many voices singing, playing,
proclaiming the same melody
each playing a special part
the different voices, the same music
the glorious power, fire from heaven
completing the story of Babel,
the scattering of tongues,
brought together as one,
a symphony, enabled by the Spirit
giving to each tongues to speak
to reach all, to the ends of the earth
December 28, 2008 (sermon printed 5/14/08)
written while watching Fantasia
Acts 2:1-21 [and Genesis 11:1-9]
and sermon, “Birds of Pentecost,
by the Reverend Canon Steven C. Bonsey,
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul,
Tremont Street,
Boston, MA
on radio 5/11/08 7:30AM, WBUR
www.stpaulboston.org/images/sermons/08-05-11%20Birds%20of%20Pentecost.doc
many voices singing, playing,
proclaiming the same melody
each playing a special part
the different voices, the same music
the glorious power, fire from heaven
completing the story of Babel,
the scattering of tongues,
brought together as one,
a symphony, enabled by the Spirit
giving to each tongues to speak
to reach all, to the ends of the earth
December 28, 2008 (sermon printed 5/14/08)
written while watching Fantasia
Acts 2:1-21 [and Genesis 11:1-9]
and sermon, “Birds of Pentecost,
by the Reverend Canon Steven C. Bonsey,
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul,
Tremont Street,
Boston, MA
on radio 5/11/08 7:30AM, WBUR
www.stpaulboston.org/images/sermons/08-05-11%20Birds%20of%20Pentecost.doc
My Purpose
Lord, I pray you would guide me
as part of your plan
guide me to my purpose
the call you have specifically for my life
for my time on this earth
beginning now, for the rest of my days
Turning to you, to your call, let me hear
let me know, deep within me, the stirrings
the role, the part I am to play
to be your hands, your feet, your voice
to spread your message, your hope, your love
the salvation brought by your son, my brother, Jesus
to fight for justice, to raise awareness, to help
Lord, teach me what you would have me do
Give me the courage, the faith, to do just that
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
as part of your plan
guide me to my purpose
the call you have specifically for my life
for my time on this earth
beginning now, for the rest of my days
Turning to you, to your call, let me hear
let me know, deep within me, the stirrings
the role, the part I am to play
to be your hands, your feet, your voice
to spread your message, your hope, your love
the salvation brought by your son, my brother, Jesus
to fight for justice, to raise awareness, to help
Lord, teach me what you would have me do
Give me the courage, the faith, to do just that
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
God’s Plan
Our creator, our savior,
our sustainer, all together
a plan for the world
for each one of us
from the very beginning
from before the forming
of the world, His good creation
revealed in covenant,
by the law,
in the coming
of our savior,
the babe in the manger,
al made known
in God’s time
God’s plan
working itself out
from the very beginning
even now
in the lives of believers
living out God’s plan, His purpose
for each of our days
called by God
to fulfill his promise
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
our sustainer, all together
a plan for the world
for each one of us
from the very beginning
from before the forming
of the world, His good creation
revealed in covenant,
by the law,
in the coming
of our savior,
the babe in the manger,
al made known
in God’s time
God’s plan
working itself out
from the very beginning
even now
in the lives of believers
living out God’s plan, His purpose
for each of our days
called by God
to fulfill his promise
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Living Out His Plan
Trying, all of our days,
living out God’s plan
walking in his ways
crying out in this wilderness
sharing the truth,
the mystery, the love
of the risen Christ,
our father in heaven
readying our place
Living out His plan,
calling from deep within us
His Spirit speaking
revealed if we but listen
for that voice
calling to each of us
a divine plan
of righteousness, of salvation
worked out, day by day,
a journey of hope,
of love, of faith
walking, living out
His holy plan
for our world and
for our lives
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
living out God’s plan
walking in his ways
crying out in this wilderness
sharing the truth,
the mystery, the love
of the risen Christ,
our father in heaven
readying our place
Living out His plan,
calling from deep within us
His Spirit speaking
revealed if we but listen
for that voice
calling to each of us
a divine plan
of righteousness, of salvation
worked out, day by day,
a journey of hope,
of love, of faith
walking, living out
His holy plan
for our world and
for our lives
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
A Plan for the World
A plan, for our teaching, for our instruction
for the learning of the law, of the history, the place we play
the part each is given, in God’s time
to join the patriarchs, the saints, our savior, our God
A plan for our salvation, our redeeming
our reconciliation to the father,
the blood of the son, our brother
shed for us, for our saving
a gift beyond measure, of love
a servant king, sacrificed on the altar of wood
A plan for our toil, for our joining the work
the labor of the carpenter, the fishermen
spreading the story, the message
to the ends of the earth, the end of the age
A plan for a future, beside our brother
before the altar, the throne of our father
a place prepared for us, in that new city
light shimmering, light revealed
all in God’s time, a part of His plan
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
for the learning of the law, of the history, the place we play
the part each is given, in God’s time
to join the patriarchs, the saints, our savior, our God
A plan for our salvation, our redeeming
our reconciliation to the father,
the blood of the son, our brother
shed for us, for our saving
a gift beyond measure, of love
a servant king, sacrificed on the altar of wood
A plan for our toil, for our joining the work
the labor of the carpenter, the fishermen
spreading the story, the message
to the ends of the earth, the end of the age
A plan for a future, beside our brother
before the altar, the throne of our father
a place prepared for us, in that new city
light shimmering, light revealed
all in God’s time, a part of His plan
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
From the Very Beginning
From the very beginning,
God has been working out
His plan, His will,
for the world, for His people
moving beyond the law,
salvation by His word, by
His love, spilled out,
poured out, over all of creation
from the very beginning,
our Savior, our God, His Spirit
all working His one plan
a saving for all, light in the darkness
out of God’s grace, living
with us, walking among us
changing our lives, our future
redeemed, for all time
The law, weak as we are,
salvation, worked out, planned
from the beginning of time
revealed in Him, the Word
made flesh, made human,
At the right time
made real for all
love poured out, by His blood
a sacrifice, restoring all to God
as part of His perfect plan
from the very beginning
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
God has been working out
His plan, His will,
for the world, for His people
moving beyond the law,
salvation by His word, by
His love, spilled out,
poured out, over all of creation
from the very beginning,
our Savior, our God, His Spirit
all working His one plan
a saving for all, light in the darkness
out of God’s grace, living
with us, walking among us
changing our lives, our future
redeemed, for all time
The law, weak as we are,
salvation, worked out, planned
from the beginning of time
revealed in Him, the Word
made flesh, made human,
At the right time
made real for all
love poured out, by His blood
a sacrifice, restoring all to God
as part of His perfect plan
from the very beginning
December 28, 2008
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Galatians 4:4-7
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “What a Great Plan!”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
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