At the cross, as the savior hung dying
his mother, his disciple
joined into a family
his mother, his brother
familial bonds, a spirit of adoption
carried out at the foot of the cross
Forever more his mother,
forevermore her son
Here is your mother, here is your son
Together grafted, one to another
blood and spirit
one
April 11, 2009
Good Friday Service
John 19:26-27
The First Congregational Church of Pembroke, NH
and Suncook United Methodist Church
April 10, 2009
&
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
&
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Saturday, April 11, 2009
What the World Needs to Hear
One of the questions to ponder this night
was the words of the good thief
hanging on the cross
What is the truth for this night,
that the world needs to hear?
The answer is found in the scripture,
in the words of the lord
and in the lessons he taught, and the life he lived
They are in the mirror when we look
and in our hearts when we listen
We are fighting for nothing
when we struggle on earth
and we are missing the point
that love is the word
For he came because he loved us
and wanted this toil to end
We brought him to the cross
and there he died.
But God wasn’t finished,
the story did not end there
For he loved us from the beginning
and he loves us still as then.
Like the thief on the cross
offering kindness and truth
He asked for a bit of God’s grace
and found life in paradise.
We can walk a different path
change our course and find new life
journey yoked with our savior
and join him in paradise.
April 11, 2009
Good Friday Service
Luke 23:39-41
The Repentant Thief
The First Congregational Church of Pembroke, NH
and Suncook United Methodist Church
Pembroke, NH
April 10, 2009
&
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
&
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
was the words of the good thief
hanging on the cross
What is the truth for this night,
that the world needs to hear?
The answer is found in the scripture,
in the words of the lord
and in the lessons he taught, and the life he lived
They are in the mirror when we look
and in our hearts when we listen
We are fighting for nothing
when we struggle on earth
and we are missing the point
that love is the word
For he came because he loved us
and wanted this toil to end
We brought him to the cross
and there he died.
But God wasn’t finished,
the story did not end there
For he loved us from the beginning
and he loves us still as then.
Like the thief on the cross
offering kindness and truth
He asked for a bit of God’s grace
and found life in paradise.
We can walk a different path
change our course and find new life
journey yoked with our savior
and join him in paradise.
April 11, 2009
Good Friday Service
Luke 23:39-41
The Repentant Thief
The First Congregational Church of Pembroke, NH
and Suncook United Methodist Church
Pembroke, NH
April 10, 2009
&
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
&
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
A Future of Life
In repentance, in asking for God’s mercy, for a bit of grace
the good thief, hanging on the cross, next to the Lord
granted forgiveness, new life
a future of life in heaven, in paradise
this day, this day of your death
with him in heaven
with the savior in paradise
So we too, sinner, broken,
cracked, flawed vessels
able to seek the grace of God,
the wonderful gift
with repentant hearts, the father,
welcoming us all
into his presence, into paradise
April 11, 2009
Good Friday Service
Luke 23:42:43
The Repentant Thief – part 2
The First Congregational Church of Pembroke, NH
and Suncook United Methodist Church
April 10, 2009
&
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
&
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
the good thief, hanging on the cross, next to the Lord
granted forgiveness, new life
a future of life in heaven, in paradise
this day, this day of your death
with him in heaven
with the savior in paradise
So we too, sinner, broken,
cracked, flawed vessels
able to seek the grace of God,
the wonderful gift
with repentant hearts, the father,
welcoming us all
into his presence, into paradise
April 11, 2009
Good Friday Service
Luke 23:42:43
The Repentant Thief – part 2
The First Congregational Church of Pembroke, NH
and Suncook United Methodist Church
April 10, 2009
&
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
&
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
A Truth for This Night
The sinner, knowing himself,
chiding his fellow, speaking truth that day
the righteousness of their sentence
the judgment upon them
paying for their sin
according to the law
The Messiah, hanging beside them
holy and innocent,
carrying the sins of others
servant, slave, to the cross
His life for our own
our burden on his shoulders
giving his all, in submission to God
A truth for this night
sitting quiet in the sanctuary
that the pain he carried, the death
the life he gave was for me
That the thorns were my sin, my life
he bore to the cross
The nails were my stain, mine alone
We measure others, finding their fault
but the truth is that we each had our part
for without the savings, the price paid in blood
none of us would share in the fate of the thief
who would see Christ in paradise.
April 11, 2009
Good Friday Service
Luke 23:39-41
The Repentant Thief
The First Congregational Church of Pembroke, NH
and Suncook United Methodist Church
April 10, 2009
&
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
&
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
chiding his fellow, speaking truth that day
the righteousness of their sentence
the judgment upon them
paying for their sin
according to the law
The Messiah, hanging beside them
holy and innocent,
carrying the sins of others
servant, slave, to the cross
His life for our own
our burden on his shoulders
giving his all, in submission to God
A truth for this night
sitting quiet in the sanctuary
that the pain he carried, the death
the life he gave was for me
That the thorns were my sin, my life
he bore to the cross
The nails were my stain, mine alone
We measure others, finding their fault
but the truth is that we each had our part
for without the savings, the price paid in blood
none of us would share in the fate of the thief
who would see Christ in paradise.
April 11, 2009
Good Friday Service
Luke 23:39-41
The Repentant Thief
The First Congregational Church of Pembroke, NH
and Suncook United Methodist Church
April 10, 2009
&
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
&
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Slowing Our Steps
Slowing our steps
measured steps, of remembrance
pilgrims, yoking our lives with Christ
and with the first disciples
journeying with them, his face to Jerusalem
Slowing our steps
to Bethany, to Bethpage
to a donkey’s stable
to the Mount of Olives
Slowing our steps
Walking with them, in preparation
sitting with them in the upper room
sharing the Passover, in reflection
the new words, the bread and the wine
Slowing our steps
the coolness of the garden
the deepening night
the master in prayer
Quickening our steps
running naked from the garden
fear and despair
the shepherd at their mercy
Slowing our steps, stealth
hiding, in the courts watching
the trial, the judgment
the suffering of our Lord
Slowing our steps, ponderous
following, tears in our eyes
walking the dusty road
leading to the skull
to the cross
Our steps at an end,
standing at the cross
watching in disbelief
watching in despair
Christ dying on the cross
the world in darkness
Our steps leading, slowing our steps
leading to the grace
the body laid
the stone closing the tomb
Our steps, now in prayer, kneeling
being as they were,
wondering what will be
our Master in the tomb.
April 11, 2009
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
measured steps, of remembrance
pilgrims, yoking our lives with Christ
and with the first disciples
journeying with them, his face to Jerusalem
Slowing our steps
to Bethany, to Bethpage
to a donkey’s stable
to the Mount of Olives
Slowing our steps
Walking with them, in preparation
sitting with them in the upper room
sharing the Passover, in reflection
the new words, the bread and the wine
Slowing our steps
the coolness of the garden
the deepening night
the master in prayer
Quickening our steps
running naked from the garden
fear and despair
the shepherd at their mercy
Slowing our steps, stealth
hiding, in the courts watching
the trial, the judgment
the suffering of our Lord
Slowing our steps, ponderous
following, tears in our eyes
walking the dusty road
leading to the skull
to the cross
Our steps at an end,
standing at the cross
watching in disbelief
watching in despair
Christ dying on the cross
the world in darkness
Our steps leading, slowing our steps
leading to the grace
the body laid
the stone closing the tomb
Our steps, now in prayer, kneeling
being as they were,
wondering what will be
our Master in the tomb.
April 11, 2009
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
What they didn’t know
Are we advantaged
by knowing what they did not know?
Those eleven disciples
in despair that Saturday morn’
Their master, their teacher
dead, laying in the tomb
They did not know the joy,
the power, the triumph
They did not already know
The miracle of Easter,
as we do (if we truly do).
Yes, we do not know
cannot truly feel
their despair in the darkness, Saturday
But, in the same way
we experience a faint echo
of their utter transformation, their abject joy
the blinding brilliance
come Easter morn’.
So embrace their suffering,
their mourning this day
as we wait, wondering, as they did
what will happen,
waiting, in pain and loss,
not knowing what came on Easter
April 11, 2009
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
by knowing what they did not know?
Those eleven disciples
in despair that Saturday morn’
Their master, their teacher
dead, laying in the tomb
They did not know the joy,
the power, the triumph
They did not already know
The miracle of Easter,
as we do (if we truly do).
Yes, we do not know
cannot truly feel
their despair in the darkness, Saturday
But, in the same way
we experience a faint echo
of their utter transformation, their abject joy
the blinding brilliance
come Easter morn’.
So embrace their suffering,
their mourning this day
as we wait, wondering, as they did
what will happen,
waiting, in pain and loss,
not knowing what came on Easter
April 11, 2009
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
In Their Shoes
This Holy Saturday
trying, with mixed success
the emptiness, the devastation
To stand in their shoes
to be of one mind, with the first disciples
in their despair, after his ministry
after their walking with him,
living, defined, as his followers
His betrayal, capture, his trial and judgment
his suffering and his cruel death
His life and their purpose
sealed in a rocky tomb
Holy Saturday, before becoming Holy
a loss beyond comprehension, beyond measure
Needing their mindset
to understand Easter.
April 11, 2009
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
trying, with mixed success
the emptiness, the devastation
To stand in their shoes
to be of one mind, with the first disciples
in their despair, after his ministry
after their walking with him,
living, defined, as his followers
His betrayal, capture, his trial and judgment
his suffering and his cruel death
His life and their purpose
sealed in a rocky tomb
Holy Saturday, before becoming Holy
a loss beyond comprehension, beyond measure
Needing their mindset
to understand Easter.
April 11, 2009
John 18:1-19:42
Job 14:1-14
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 10, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 – April 11, 2009
Alive Now – April 11, 2009,
“The Great Vigil of Easter”
Friday, April 10, 2009
Proof
Proof, for the blind
those who could not see
proof of his deity, his holiness
proof to them of his blasphemy
of their judgment against him
Instead of bowing before him
tearing of his clothes
ashes and ridicule
crucifixion and death
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
and Mark 14:53-65
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
those who could not see
proof of his deity, his holiness
proof to them of his blasphemy
of their judgment against him
Instead of bowing before him
tearing of his clothes
ashes and ridicule
crucifixion and death
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
and Mark 14:53-65
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Watered with Blood
His sweat, his anguish
his prayers in Gethsemane
the ground, as if watered with blood
like the ground crying out
where Abel fell, righteous pain
disquiet in the Garden
taking the cup,
according to the master’s will
heavy laden,
the weight to much to bear.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
his prayers in Gethsemane
the ground, as if watered with blood
like the ground crying out
where Abel fell, righteous pain
disquiet in the Garden
taking the cup,
according to the master’s will
heavy laden,
the weight to much to bear.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Strengthened
After words of submission, to the master’s will
the comfort of angels, with him in prayer
with him in the garden, strengthened
in that moment of personal anguish
a reminder God was with him.
Strengthened for the trials ahead.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
the comfort of angels, with him in prayer
with him in the garden, strengthened
in that moment of personal anguish
a reminder God was with him.
Strengthened for the trials ahead.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Gethsemane
In this place, in the garden
prayers after the meal, into the night
prayers to the father, his plan revealed
Human fear, a foretaste of pain
Choosing the destiny the prophets foretold.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
prayers after the meal, into the night
prayers to the father, his plan revealed
Human fear, a foretaste of pain
Choosing the destiny the prophets foretold.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shadow of Inner Agony
His words to the father
doubt, fear, the shadow of inner agony.
His choice, to bow to the father’s will
submission of himself, accepting his role
in pain and offering, giving his all.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
doubt, fear, the shadow of inner agony.
His choice, to bow to the father’s will
submission of himself, accepting his role
in pain and offering, giving his all.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Fled
Faithful disciples, timid apostles
fled into the darkness, into the night
Their master, their shepherd a captive
fear and confusion, darkness all around
The words of the prophets
fulfilled, with an awful light
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
fled into the darkness, into the night
Their master, their shepherd a captive
fear and confusion, darkness all around
The words of the prophets
fulfilled, with an awful light
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Surely Not I
Surely, not I, slyly, smugly
said he who was, who was to betray
As if still not understanding
who it was he was addressing
unable to discern,
a heart hardened by greed,
by his own cause.
Not knowing the truth
of who He was.
Failing to comprehend
ever after his ministry
the purposes of God.
For a few small coins
crucifying our Lord.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
said he who was, who was to betray
As if still not understanding
who it was he was addressing
unable to discern,
a heart hardened by greed,
by his own cause.
Not knowing the truth
of who He was.
Failing to comprehend
ever after his ministry
the purposes of God.
For a few small coins
crucifying our Lord.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shadow of Loneliness
Alone, he prayed his submission
his part of the prayer he taught
Thy will, oh Father, be done
if this cup from my lips pass; but
thy will, I give myself over to thee
As those who would arrest come
as the disciples slept
there in the garden,
he drank from the cup.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
his part of the prayer he taught
Thy will, oh Father, be done
if this cup from my lips pass; but
thy will, I give myself over to thee
As those who would arrest come
as the disciples slept
there in the garden,
he drank from the cup.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shadow of Desertion
In the hands of his captors, in the dark of night
no one beside him, alone, from their sight
aware of the sequence, that which would befall
a patina of sorrow in the garden
the desertion of his flock
scattered to the wind
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
no one beside him, alone, from their sight
aware of the sequence, that which would befall
a patina of sorrow in the garden
the desertion of his flock
scattered to the wind
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shadow of Betrayal
The prescience, the foreknowledge
allowing evil to profit
so were the words of the Messiah
before the meal in the upper room.
Speaking directly of the act of betrayal
with he who would do so in their midst
knowing the prophesy and the action begun
A pall over their night
a gauze of betrayal wrapped tightly
that Passover night
the wolf inside the lintels
the lamb aware of the slaughter.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50, 55, 56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
allowing evil to profit
so were the words of the Messiah
before the meal in the upper room.
Speaking directly of the act of betrayal
with he who would do so in their midst
knowing the prophesy and the action begun
A pall over their night
a gauze of betrayal wrapped tightly
that Passover night
the wolf inside the lintels
the lamb aware of the slaughter.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist ChurchSuncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50, 55, 56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
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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 26,880+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
In that Hour
To the crowds, the guards, the soldiers,
those who would capture him
In the dark, at that hour
standing his ground, another lesson to teach
exposing the treachery,
arrest in the garden, under darkness
prophesy unfolding in that hour.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
those who would capture him
In the dark, at that hour
standing his ground, another lesson to teach
exposing the treachery,
arrest in the garden, under darkness
prophesy unfolding in that hour.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Asleep
While he prayed, they slept
their lamps empty, no oil lit
in darkness, alone, in the garden
he prayed to the father
while they were asleep
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
their lamps empty, no oil lit
in darkness, alone, in the garden
he prayed to the father
while they were asleep
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Scattered
Scattered asunder
lost without the shepherd
fled into the night;
men running naked out of the garden.
God alone with evil.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
lost without the shepherd
fled into the night;
men running naked out of the garden.
God alone with evil.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shepherd a Captive
The shepherd a captive
the sheep ran away.
Lost, without direction
no spirit to stay.
In the dark in the garden
his ministry at end.
Alone with the prophesy
unfolding there and then.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
the sheep ran away.
Lost, without direction
no spirit to stay.
In the dark in the garden
his ministry at end.
Alone with the prophesy
unfolding there and then.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Alone
All alone, against his captors
a shepherd without his flock
submitting himself to their commands
going with them, alone
to face his accusers
to sacrifice and to save;
he alone.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
a shepherd without his flock
submitting himself to their commands
going with them, alone
to face his accusers
to sacrifice and to save;
he alone.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shadow of Accusation
Unrighteous, unholy tribunal
illegal trial, false witnesses –
Love ridiculed, mocked as blasphemy
The shadow of accusation, of cruel judgment
of innocence branded sin
of the sin of man heaped on this noble soul
unblemished sacrifice, the Messiah
denied his crown, thorns to come
after accusation, lies, and the spittle
the curses, the false sentence
hanging heavy on his soul
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
illegal trial, false witnesses –
Love ridiculed, mocked as blasphemy
The shadow of accusation, of cruel judgment
of innocence branded sin
of the sin of man heaped on this noble soul
unblemished sacrifice, the Messiah
denied his crown, thorns to come
after accusation, lies, and the spittle
the curses, the false sentence
hanging heavy on his soul
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shadow of Mockery
A shroud of purple, soiled color
royalty mocked, in the prison, in the dungeon
a king with a reed for a scepter, thorns for a crown
stripped and flogged, scourged for our sins
after a farce of a trial, accusation,
harsh judgment of the mob
before the ignominy of the skull, of the cross
ridicule by the Romans, by the soldiers
denying him honor, even dignity
under a shadow of mockery.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
royalty mocked, in the prison, in the dungeon
a king with a reed for a scepter, thorns for a crown
stripped and flogged, scourged for our sins
after a farce of a trial, accusation,
harsh judgment of the mob
before the ignominy of the skull, of the cross
ridicule by the Romans, by the soldiers
denying him honor, even dignity
under a shadow of mockery.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Shadow of Death
Under the shadow of death
the watchful eye of fate
he walked to the place of the skull, Golgotha
Innocent, pure, an unblemished life,
hanging on a cross, three criminals
ridiculed, mocked, but forgiving all
for the ignorance of man
promising a gift of grace
a place in paradise
for one who would ask
even under the shadow of death
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
the watchful eye of fate
he walked to the place of the skull, Golgotha
Innocent, pure, an unblemished life,
hanging on a cross, three criminals
ridiculed, mocked, but forgiving all
for the ignorance of man
promising a gift of grace
a place in paradise
for one who would ask
even under the shadow of death
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Light Dying
In the cross, the crucifixion
the light dying, the sky darkening
the world going black.
The king on the cross,
hanging in pain
abandoned, forsaken
our sins did he bear.
When he breathed his last
and the curtain was torn
the light went out.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
the light dying, the sky darkening
the world going black.
The king on the cross,
hanging in pain
abandoned, forsaken
our sins did he bear.
When he breathed his last
and the curtain was torn
the light went out.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Love of the Shadows
The light, into the world
the world rejecting the light
for the love of the shadows
stronger, loved more
than the way of the light
for there are choices
and decisions to make
and the dark hides the sins
that the light brings out.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
the world rejecting the light
for the love of the shadows
stronger, loved more
than the way of the light
for there are choices
and decisions to make
and the dark hides the sins
that the light brings out.
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Guilty
No more false witnesses
no more false claims
Guilty as charged for speaking
for claiming to be the son of God
Blasphemy, in naming the truth
and death on the cross
as the prophets foretold
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
no more false claims
Guilty as charged for speaking
for claiming to be the son of God
Blasphemy, in naming the truth
and death on the cross
as the prophets foretold
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Golgotha
Golgotha, the place of the skull
they crucified my savior
nailed to the cross
he hung their through mid-day
when they sky turned black
and he breathed his last
when the curtain was rent
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
they crucified my savior
nailed to the cross
he hung their through mid-day
when they sky turned black
and he breathed his last
when the curtain was rent
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
The Skull
They crucified my Lord
at the place of the skull
hanging high on a tree
an altar of pain
a sacrifice so holy
so pure and so white
when he died
the sky turned black
and the sun lost its light
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
at the place of the skull
hanging high on a tree
an altar of pain
a sacrifice so holy
so pure and so white
when he died
the sky turned black
and the sun lost its light
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Prophesy! Prophesy!
Prophesy! Prophesy! they shouted
for the Lord to speak from the cross
to change his fate, to bring the kingdom
in that time and place
But they didn’t know the plans of the Lord
to split the curtain and change the world evermore
to move with the spirit to alter time
to grant salvation one soul at a time
to give grace to all, not some select breed
to love one another and to answer his call
So their shouts forgot the words of old
and the unfolding of the prophesies
that were already foretold
His life was a lesson in reading the Word
and to look for the spirit within the written word
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
for the Lord to speak from the cross
to change his fate, to bring the kingdom
in that time and place
But they didn’t know the plans of the Lord
to split the curtain and change the world evermore
to move with the spirit to alter time
to grant salvation one soul at a time
to give grace to all, not some select breed
to love one another and to answer his call
So their shouts forgot the words of old
and the unfolding of the prophesies
that were already foretold
His life was a lesson in reading the Word
and to look for the spirit within the written word
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Caiaphas
Coins for the betrayer
arrest at night
A trumped up case
false witnesses
an oath before God
a judgment against the Messiah
leading to the cross
A priest believing in power
more than in God
loving the law
not the spirit,
the sweet taste of power
more than the love
of the Lord
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
arrest at night
A trumped up case
false witnesses
an oath before God
a judgment against the Messiah
leading to the cross
A priest believing in power
more than in God
loving the law
not the spirit,
the sweet taste of power
more than the love
of the Lord
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Thorns
Piercing thorns
crushed onto his brow
rivulets of blood
coursing down his face
a crown for a criminal
hardly worthy for a king
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
crushed onto his brow
rivulets of blood
coursing down his face
a crown for a criminal
hardly worthy for a king
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Mocked
In the courts of the Romans
beaten and scourged
mocked and taunted
our Lord and our savior
on the way to the cross
A ring of thorns
for the jewels of his crown
a reed, a staff
for a royal scepter
soiled, purple robes
to mock the king
Spittle and thrashing
bowing in jest, in derision
wounded and bleeding
in the dungeon deep
ripped clothes for the road to death
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
beaten and scourged
mocked and taunted
our Lord and our savior
on the way to the cross
A ring of thorns
for the jewels of his crown
a reed, a staff
for a royal scepter
soiled, purple robes
to mock the king
Spittle and thrashing
bowing in jest, in derision
wounded and bleeding
in the dungeon deep
ripped clothes for the road to death
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
In Paradise This Day
The promise of the savior
while he was yet hanging on the cross
that you would see him in paradise this day
this very day to be before our Lord
what that must have meant,
what that means for us now
to know that in the asking,
in the asking for grace
that we will see Christ in paradise
on that very day
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
while he was yet hanging on the cross
that you would see him in paradise this day
this very day to be before our Lord
what that must have meant,
what that means for us now
to know that in the asking,
in the asking for grace
that we will see Christ in paradise
on that very day
April 10, 2009
Holy Thursday service
and service of Tenebrae
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 9, 2009
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
Like Swans
Like swans, hiding in the reeds
the cattails, the plants
A cluster of daffodils
screened by the forsythia branches
Their long necks, their regal heads
turned toward the light.
Sheltered from their fingers
partially hidden from view.
Peeking out of the curtain
for those yearning to see.
April 10, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
the cattails, the plants
A cluster of daffodils
screened by the forsythia branches
Their long necks, their regal heads
turned toward the light.
Sheltered from their fingers
partially hidden from view.
Peeking out of the curtain
for those yearning to see.
April 10, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
Drops of Yellow
Pearls of color
drops of yellow
hanging from the branches
the forsythia beginning to bloom
a chandelier of yellow
hanging, brightening after dawn
April 10, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
drops of yellow
hanging from the branches
the forsythia beginning to bloom
a chandelier of yellow
hanging, brightening after dawn
April 10, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
Frozen Tears
The birch, still frozen early morning
tears hanging, frozen in time
Like the disquiet, the remembering
events of this day, so long ago.
Pain, tears, frozen in His story
in the Word, torn this day
deserted and alone to face the cross.
Time stood still, darkness fell
he breathed his last.
Frozen words, chilling the disciples.
His ministry ended, His life done.
Frozen tears hanging heavy
on this Good Friday.
April 10, 2009
on the walk home from Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
tears hanging, frozen in time
Like the disquiet, the remembering
events of this day, so long ago.
Pain, tears, frozen in His story
in the Word, torn this day
deserted and alone to face the cross.
Time stood still, darkness fell
he breathed his last.
Frozen words, chilling the disciples.
His ministry ended, His life done.
Frozen tears hanging heavy
on this Good Friday.
April 10, 2009
on the walk home from Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
Thursday, April 09, 2009
In Darkening Shadows
The holy week, the steps of the Christ
in darkening shadows, leading inexorably
foreboding, portending, the suffering
the cross, the grave
The symbolic breaking of the bread
sharing of the one loaf
the pouring out of the wine
one cup of salvation,
shared with the faithful
The word, the vestments, the paraments
the cross covered, shrouded in death
a crown of piercing thorns
the sanctuary stripped, the curtain ripped
The darkening shadow
as the words are read
our sin, an awful price
his journey from glory to the tomb
as each candle is extinguished
Tenebrae, the darkening shadow
walking with our savior
leaving, in darkness, in silence
April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
in darkening shadows, leading inexorably
foreboding, portending, the suffering
the cross, the grave
The symbolic breaking of the bread
sharing of the one loaf
the pouring out of the wine
one cup of salvation,
shared with the faithful
The word, the vestments, the paraments
the cross covered, shrouded in death
a crown of piercing thorns
the sanctuary stripped, the curtain ripped
The darkening shadow
as the words are read
our sin, an awful price
his journey from glory to the tomb
as each candle is extinguished
Tenebrae, the darkening shadow
walking with our savior
leaving, in darkness, in silence
April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
A Dying Bloom
Nestled, sheltered
against the warm brick
the foundation of the church
the dying bloom of the now lavender crocus
Unfurled petals, like
translucent rice paper tissue
bent and splayed open
a crescendo before the dying
the orange within
dying with grace
in the bright mid-morning light
April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday
outside the Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
against the warm brick
the foundation of the church
the dying bloom of the now lavender crocus
Unfurled petals, like
translucent rice paper tissue
bent and splayed open
a crescendo before the dying
the orange within
dying with grace
in the bright mid-morning light
April 9, 2009
Maundy Thursday
outside the Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Bleeding Limbs
Walking home from school
early morning still
past another house
a birch, a sapling,
by the edge of their yard, the sidewalk
the clear sap, large droplets
hanging heavy from bleeding limbs
three, maybe four, glistening arms
crying out, for the lack of understanding
the thoughtless cruelty
the arms pierced, broken without care
Like the arms of Christ, lifted up, pierced by the nails
the tears of pain, the blood he shed
thoughtless children, then as now
not knowing what they had done
and, like the branches, new life
even in the dying
renewal by the giver of all
the creator by His plan, by His design
Tears sparkling in the morning sun
like his sweat in Gethsemane
reminding me of his suffering
and of our hope,
in the grace of God
early morning still
past another house
a birch, a sapling,
by the edge of their yard, the sidewalk
the clear sap, large droplets
hanging heavy from bleeding limbs
three, maybe four, glistening arms
crying out, for the lack of understanding
the thoughtless cruelty
the arms pierced, broken without care
Like the arms of Christ, lifted up, pierced by the nails
the tears of pain, the blood he shed
thoughtless children, then as now
not knowing what they had done
and, like the branches, new life
even in the dying
renewal by the giver of all
the creator by His plan, by His design
Tears sparkling in the morning sun
like his sweat in Gethsemane
reminding me of his suffering
and of our hope,
in the grace of God
====
edited December 17, 2015
Bleeding Limbs – v5
(merging edits to version
2 and version 4)
edited July 21, 2015
Bleeding Limbs – v4
(editing original)
edited February 2, 2015
Bleeding Limbs – v3
(editing version 2 and
version 1)
new February 2, 2015
winter birches
edited
December 17, 2015
summer
birches – v6
(editing
original)
edited
October 15, 2015
summer
birches – v5
(editing
original)
edited
February 16, 2015
summer
birches – v4
(merging
edits to version 2 and original)
drafted
February 11, 2015
edited
February 10, 2015
summer
birches – v3
(merging
edits to version 2 and original)
edited
February 2, 2015
summer
birches – v2
about
Mile Marker 213
Edinburg,
ME
driving
in Rte 95 southbound in northern Maine
new
poem July 18, 2014
summer
birches
driving
in Rte 95 southbound in northern Maine
edited June 30, 2014
Bleeding Limbs – v2
April
9, 2009
Bleeding
Limbs
Maundy
Thursday
on the way home from
Pembroke Village School
Maple and Prospect
Streets
Suncook, NH
All
of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014,
2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for
usage. See all 40,380+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
birch trees, blood,
branches, child, Christ, cross, dew, Easter, Faith, Gethsemane, God, Good
Friday, grace, Messiah, UMC, prayer, sacrifice, savior, schools, tears,
#birch #trees #blood
#branches #child #Christ #cross #dew #Faith #Gethsemane #God #grace #Messiah
#UMC #prayer #sacrifice #savior #schools #tears
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Sermon - "Can I Help?", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH, April 5, 2009, Palm Sunday
Mark 11:1-10
Can I Help?
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray,
Gracious Lord, Almighty God, we thank you that we are able to assemble in you temple this morning to worship you. We pray that you would be with us as we hear your word. Pour out your Spirit upon us gathered here today. May we hear the word that you have for us this morning. I pray that your word would be heard through me or in spite of me. May the meditations of our hearts and the words our mouths be pleasing to you Lord our Rock and Redeemer. Speak Lord, your servants are listening.
(Scripture reading according to the Gospel of St. Mark)
This morning we are really working with that Spiritual Discipline we talked about last week. We are Celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Can you imagine what it must of like to have been there? The person, that you have deemed to be the Messiah, is coming into town. You are all excited because you are about to be freed from the Government. This Messiah is going to fight for you and bring about change in your world. You are there Shouting “Hosanna…Hosanna to the King. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna!” You’re waving your palms and throwing you coats on the ground as if they were Rose petals before the one that would liberate you. What a sight that must have been.
During Lent, we have been talking about many things that are Spiritual Disciplines. We have talked about listening , worship, simplicity, prayer and celebration. All of these work together and causes us to do what I want to talk about this morning. All of this leads us to want to serve God, be in service to Him, in whatever capacity that he has gifted us for. It is our act of worship and obedience to God.
Have you ever thought about what service really is? What defines service? If you are in service to God, does everyone look at you and think you are saintly or a “holy roller”? Can I just do the service that I feel like doing or do what I have to do +anyway? Will what I do make a difference? I can’t do much of anything so will it really matter? Well…the definition of service is employment in duties or work for another, work done for others as an occupation or business, it’s an act of assistance or benefit, it’s also an act of assistance or benefit, but is also means an Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
In the Scripture from Mark this morning, we have a scene of service that we might not readily notice. You see, Jesus was just about to come down from the Mount of Olives and he sent two of His disciple to fetch him a colt. Now you might think that this is not much of anything to do. All they were doing is getting Jesus a “ride“ into the city. But…this little, ordinary act of fetching a donkey takes up most of Mark’s account of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He told these disciples what to do, where to find it, what type of colt, what to say, and so on. This was important to Jesus. What these men were doing had a great importance to Jesus’ entry into the city…This small act of obedience.
Now…we don’t know what these disciples were thinking when Jesus told them to do this…and we don’t even know which two it was. They may have been thinking…”Ok…we have been with you all this time. We have been arguing which one of us was the greatest. We should be put up on a pedestal because we are following the Son of God. And you want us to do what…get a donkey!” It is ironic and makes me stop and think because on one of Jesus’ most glorious day on earth, these disciples were told to muck around in the a stable…looking like a couple of horse thieves…tangling with a untamed colt, trying to get it back to the Mount of Olives for Jesus. I can just see the picture now…they’re racing and running around to try and catch this unwilling participant in their plan, maybe even falling and being covered with mud and Lord knows what else. Thinking to themselves “ We left our fishing nets to follow this guy…why?”
Why does Mark portray these disciples in this way? This is seems like a delegated chore…something like the worship committee planning Psalm Sunday worship…one of those mundane chores, one of those things that needs to be done within the church but there is no real action, no notoriety with it. I mean we are called to serve God with all our heart, and soul, and energy. These types of things…like making the bulletins…cleaning the bathroom…cleaning up after a Saturday night dinner…are not the most “glorious” things that are done but…without them, the church would not be able to function as it should…reaching out to the least, the lost and the forgotten. Jesus needed a donkey for His ministry to function the way God intended it to run. Jesus entered the city as a King but left as a criminal. But this was God’s plan at the start. And it all began with a ride into the town on a donkey.
So why is it that Mark puts these disciples in this light? Well I…being a Seminarian…would like to share my insight to this piece of scripture with you. You see…I believe that what Mark is showing us that even the mundane things are considered service. The Disciples I Mark get a boat ready for Jesus, find out how much food will be needed to feed the multitude, get a room for the Last Supper, and even find a colt, a donkey, for Jesus to enter into the city. It is the mundane that we need to reach down and bring forth that Spirit of service, no matter how hard that may be. These disciples, as well as us, were handling the “every day”, the nitty gritty chores of everyday life. We are called to prepare the way of Jesus’ ministry, His not ours. We are to be those donkey fetchers. But we are also called to do those mundane things that keeps His church alive and by doing so, we are taking part in His redemptive work in the world. So Beloved, there is no service too small that the Lord can’t use.
The gospel of Mark talks about the “great” things God calls us to do. The disciples cast out demons and healed the sick but he also talks about the other less glorious things that the disciples were called to do. One of the things that we can all do, whether we are great or small, young or old, is to take the light of Christ into the world and let our light shine before man and in turn they too may come into the light…into the sheepfold of the ever loving Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to share that light, that candle of Christ within us, and light the dark places of the world no matter where it may be.
(Video, Go Light Your World, by Kathy Triccoli)
Rejoice…the King has come…the prophesy has been fulfilled! Go out and light your world in the name of Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
Can I Help?
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray,
Gracious Lord, Almighty God, we thank you that we are able to assemble in you temple this morning to worship you. We pray that you would be with us as we hear your word. Pour out your Spirit upon us gathered here today. May we hear the word that you have for us this morning. I pray that your word would be heard through me or in spite of me. May the meditations of our hearts and the words our mouths be pleasing to you Lord our Rock and Redeemer. Speak Lord, your servants are listening.
(Scripture reading according to the Gospel of St. Mark)
This morning we are really working with that Spiritual Discipline we talked about last week. We are Celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Can you imagine what it must of like to have been there? The person, that you have deemed to be the Messiah, is coming into town. You are all excited because you are about to be freed from the Government. This Messiah is going to fight for you and bring about change in your world. You are there Shouting “Hosanna…Hosanna to the King. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna!” You’re waving your palms and throwing you coats on the ground as if they were Rose petals before the one that would liberate you. What a sight that must have been.
During Lent, we have been talking about many things that are Spiritual Disciplines. We have talked about listening , worship, simplicity, prayer and celebration. All of these work together and causes us to do what I want to talk about this morning. All of this leads us to want to serve God, be in service to Him, in whatever capacity that he has gifted us for. It is our act of worship and obedience to God.
Have you ever thought about what service really is? What defines service? If you are in service to God, does everyone look at you and think you are saintly or a “holy roller”? Can I just do the service that I feel like doing or do what I have to do +anyway? Will what I do make a difference? I can’t do much of anything so will it really matter? Well…the definition of service is employment in duties or work for another, work done for others as an occupation or business, it’s an act of assistance or benefit, it’s also an act of assistance or benefit, but is also means an Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
In the Scripture from Mark this morning, we have a scene of service that we might not readily notice. You see, Jesus was just about to come down from the Mount of Olives and he sent two of His disciple to fetch him a colt. Now you might think that this is not much of anything to do. All they were doing is getting Jesus a “ride“ into the city. But…this little, ordinary act of fetching a donkey takes up most of Mark’s account of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. He told these disciples what to do, where to find it, what type of colt, what to say, and so on. This was important to Jesus. What these men were doing had a great importance to Jesus’ entry into the city…This small act of obedience.
Now…we don’t know what these disciples were thinking when Jesus told them to do this…and we don’t even know which two it was. They may have been thinking…”Ok…we have been with you all this time. We have been arguing which one of us was the greatest. We should be put up on a pedestal because we are following the Son of God. And you want us to do what…get a donkey!” It is ironic and makes me stop and think because on one of Jesus’ most glorious day on earth, these disciples were told to muck around in the a stable…looking like a couple of horse thieves…tangling with a untamed colt, trying to get it back to the Mount of Olives for Jesus. I can just see the picture now…they’re racing and running around to try and catch this unwilling participant in their plan, maybe even falling and being covered with mud and Lord knows what else. Thinking to themselves “ We left our fishing nets to follow this guy…why?”
Why does Mark portray these disciples in this way? This is seems like a delegated chore…something like the worship committee planning Psalm Sunday worship…one of those mundane chores, one of those things that needs to be done within the church but there is no real action, no notoriety with it. I mean we are called to serve God with all our heart, and soul, and energy. These types of things…like making the bulletins…cleaning the bathroom…cleaning up after a Saturday night dinner…are not the most “glorious” things that are done but…without them, the church would not be able to function as it should…reaching out to the least, the lost and the forgotten. Jesus needed a donkey for His ministry to function the way God intended it to run. Jesus entered the city as a King but left as a criminal. But this was God’s plan at the start. And it all began with a ride into the town on a donkey.
So why is it that Mark puts these disciples in this light? Well I…being a Seminarian…would like to share my insight to this piece of scripture with you. You see…I believe that what Mark is showing us that even the mundane things are considered service. The Disciples I Mark get a boat ready for Jesus, find out how much food will be needed to feed the multitude, get a room for the Last Supper, and even find a colt, a donkey, for Jesus to enter into the city. It is the mundane that we need to reach down and bring forth that Spirit of service, no matter how hard that may be. These disciples, as well as us, were handling the “every day”, the nitty gritty chores of everyday life. We are called to prepare the way of Jesus’ ministry, His not ours. We are to be those donkey fetchers. But we are also called to do those mundane things that keeps His church alive and by doing so, we are taking part in His redemptive work in the world. So Beloved, there is no service too small that the Lord can’t use.
The gospel of Mark talks about the “great” things God calls us to do. The disciples cast out demons and healed the sick but he also talks about the other less glorious things that the disciples were called to do. One of the things that we can all do, whether we are great or small, young or old, is to take the light of Christ into the world and let our light shine before man and in turn they too may come into the light…into the sheepfold of the ever loving Shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ. We need to share that light, that candle of Christ within us, and light the dark places of the world no matter where it may be.
(Video, Go Light Your World, by Kathy Triccoli)
Rejoice…the King has come…the prophesy has been fulfilled! Go out and light your world in the name of Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
As a child’s hands
The cluster of clover
as a child’s hands, small, living
in miniature the tuft of green
the large plant they will become
nascent, but perfect in miniature
yearning this cold dreary spring day
for the rays of sunlight, the warmth of summer
the flowering and the bees pollinating
the lush color foretold in the tiny leaves
pushing up through the playground mulch
April 7, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
as a child’s hands, small, living
in miniature the tuft of green
the large plant they will become
nascent, but perfect in miniature
yearning this cold dreary spring day
for the rays of sunlight, the warmth of summer
the flowering and the bees pollinating
the lush color foretold in the tiny leaves
pushing up through the playground mulch
April 7, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
In Miniature
The tiny clump of clover,
a drop of rain a pearl
nestled in the triune shapes
in miniature the bouquet they will be
the woodchips framing this miracle
this movement of spring
a tiny clump of clover
there especially for me
April 7, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
a drop of rain a pearl
nestled in the triune shapes
in miniature the bouquet they will be
the woodchips framing this miracle
this movement of spring
a tiny clump of clover
there especially for me
April 7, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
Sunday, April 05, 2009
With Palms Waving
They danced, we listened
with palms waving, bodies swaying
entering into the presence, centering our worship
feeling Christ, riding on a donkey,
in our midst, in the sanctuary,
made holy ground, in this moment
With palms waving, voices singing
With the joy of the morning
the triumphant entrance invoked
the hands of the servants, clapping,
waving, moving to the Spirit
rising with our “hosannas!”,
singing, celebrating, worshiping the king
with palms waving!
April 5, 2009
Isaiah 43:10-13
Mark 11:1-10
Palm Sunday
and sermon, “Can I Help?”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 5, 2009
with palms waving, bodies swaying
entering into the presence, centering our worship
feeling Christ, riding on a donkey,
in our midst, in the sanctuary,
made holy ground, in this moment
With palms waving, voices singing
With the joy of the morning
the triumphant entrance invoked
the hands of the servants, clapping,
waving, moving to the Spirit
rising with our “hosannas!”,
singing, celebrating, worshiping the king
with palms waving!
April 5, 2009
Isaiah 43:10-13
Mark 11:1-10
Palm Sunday
and sermon, “Can I Help?”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 5, 2009
New Life
Under the leaf litter
the matted grass
green shoots
new life, pushing skyward
out of the awakening earth
the cycle of life,
the turning of the seasons
all part of the master’s plan.
New life, in its time, our of the dead
the still-wet decay of last year,
our of winter hibernation
the perennials rise
new-green lilies, irises,
grasses, all in the newly raked garden
continuing the dance, rebirth
choreographed by the creator
For this, and so much more,
we give You our thanks.
March 22, 2009
Spring 2009,
and Alive Now assignment for 3/20/09
and
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
the matted grass
green shoots
new life, pushing skyward
out of the awakening earth
the cycle of life,
the turning of the seasons
all part of the master’s plan.
New life, in its time, our of the dead
the still-wet decay of last year,
our of winter hibernation
the perennials rise
new-green lilies, irises,
grasses, all in the newly raked garden
continuing the dance, rebirth
choreographed by the creator
For this, and so much more,
we give You our thanks.
March 22, 2009
Spring 2009,
and Alive Now assignment for 3/20/09
and
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
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