Poetry Where You Live

A Handmaiden of the Lord

Suncook United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965

Suncook, NH

September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

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 21,180+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wages beyond belief

We are paid by God
more than we can imagine
wages beyond belief
just by believing

Nothing we truly earn
walking in faith
spreading his message
the wonder of his grace

September 21, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,420+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

Sermon, "Shining Stars", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, September 11, 2011

Pastor Ruth Foss
September 11, 2011
Scripture passages from the Message Bible

Good Morning. . . well we have finally come to the end of our journey with Adam Hamilton’s “When Christians Get It Wrong.” Over the past weeks we heard all about what some young people think about Christians, why some are turning away from the church. Now we get to hear about when Christians get it right. But as I think about today being the 10th year remembrance of the 9/11 tragedy. . . I believe that it’s not just when Christian get it right but when humanity gets it right!

1 John 4:11-12, 16, 19-21 “love God = love others”

Christians get it right when they love others. When we, as Christians, proclaim Christ as our Savor. . . and that we love God. . . and are overjoyed with our fresh, renewed, restored relationship with God. . . then all those around us will know to whom we belong by our actions and words. As the hymn goes. . . ”they will know we are Christians by our love. . . by our love. . . they will know we are Christians by our love”. When we love God then we will love all of His creation. . . that’s all of His creation. . . not just who or what we chose but the whole package. . . ! How bright their light shines on that hill. . . shining with the light of acceptance and love for all to see

Matthew 5:13-16 Salt and Light of the World

When Christians get it right, we love those who others may see as undesirable. We love the differences that we all have and accept the differences as God’s way of adding texture, color, diversity to the world in which we lives. We share the flavor that God has put in each and every one of us. Others around us see the attributes of Christ in us. . . Christ Shines Through!! We are that city on the hill shining forth for the world to see. . . we are the seasoning that many in humanity long for. . . how bright their light shines on that hill. . . shining with the light of flavor and love for all to see

Matthew 5:43-48 Love Our Enemies

When Christians get it right we can change the world. It we love our enemies. . . treat them as God would have us treat them. . . maybe, just maybe, there could be peace, there could be some kind of harmony. Now I’m not saying that if we show love the love of God to those around us everything would be perfect. . . what I am saying is that it’s a good place to start. Someone has to begin to break down the walls. We as Christians are called to not live as the world would have us live but as God would have us live. . . to live a life of radical hospitality. . . that same hospitality, the same love that kept Jesus nailed to the cross. . . how bright their light shines on that hill. . . shining with the light of peace and justice for all to see

Matthew 22:34-40 Two Great Commandments

Christians get it right when they live by these two commandments. These are pivotal to our witness ad faith. Christians are that shining light when they decide that the way of the world is not the path they chose to take, when they decide that their life will not be one of dual standards. Christians get it right when they love others instead of their own “ego” so to speak. When they decide to stand out in the crowd for all of the “right reasons”. . . how bright their light shines on that hill. . . shining with that light of love for all to see.

Romans 12:9-21 Paul’s Take on Love

When Christians get it right. . . they want to proclaim and share the gift that God has given them. They love not on the surface but it is rooted in their very being. They don’t go along with the world’s view of right and wrong and they chose not to compromise their beliefs. They pray even when it seems useless because they know the power of prayer and that God hears the prayers of all creation. They choose a life of Radical Hospitality but not in the way the world sees hospitality but in response to the radical hospitality given them from God through Jesus Christ. When Christians get it right they are living with the glasses of God. . . seeing as God sees.
How bright their light shines on that hill. . . shining with the light of God that illuminates the darkest dark with the light of the noon day sun. . . The Light of the Son for all to see. . .

When Christians. . . when humanity gets it right here will be no more 9/11’s. I am reminded of what happened on 9/12 that year of the destruction. . . the year of the terrorist attack. On 9/12. . . this nation came together as one. People forgot about their differences for a while and banned together. If we did it once. . . we can do it again. We as Christians. . . as a nation need to live our lives in 9/12. Then maybe. . . just maybe there can be a change. . . there can be peace. . . here can be healing. And not only that. . . if we as a world. . . as all humanity together would adopted that same 9/12 attitude. . . can you imagine what our world would be like? Just imagine. . .

AMEN

September 21, 2011
Worship Theme: “A Powerful Witness in the World”
Call to Worship
Children’s Message
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD)
1 John 4:11-12, 16, 19-21
Meditation: Shining Stars I-Love as God Loves Us
Reaffirmation of Faith
Hymn: “Love the Lord Your God”, TFWS 2168
Matthew 5:13-16
Meditation: Shining Stars II-Salt and Light of the World
Hymn: “This Little Light of Mine”, UMH 585
Matthew 5:43-48
Meditation: Shining Stars III-Love Our Enemies
Hymn: “Help Us Accept Each Other”, UMH 560
Matthew 22:34-40
Meditation: Shining Stars IV-Two Great Commandments
Hymn: “Lord I Want To Be A Christian”, UMH 402
Romans 12:9-21
Meditation: Shining Stars V-Paul’s Take on Love
Hymn: “The Gift of Love”, UMH 408

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

September 11, 2011
Fourteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Luke 14:12-24 (The Message Bible)
Exodus 12:1-14 (Common English Bible)
Call to Worship (Psalm 149:1-4)
Prayer of Dedication (Matthew 18:15-20, GBOD)
Worship Theme: "Whose Table Is It?"
Communion
and sermon: "Table Manners. . ."

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

September 4, 2011
Thirteenth Sunday of Pentecost
&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5opSXkHBKI
Sing a New Song - Friday Night Sermon - Rev. Amy DeLong
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000572962166
&
James 2:8-13 (Common English Bible)
Acts 10:13-15, 27-28 (NRSV Bible)
Call to Worship (GBOD)
Prayer of Dedication
Worship Theme: “We all have sacred worth. . .”
and sermon: “God says what?!”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

August 21, 2011
Eleventh Sunday of Pentecost
&
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (NRSV Bible)
Job 16:1-5 (NRSV Bible)
Psalm 96:1-6 (NRSV Bible)(Call to Worship)
Communion
Worship Theme: “Why do bad things happen?”
Children’s Time
and sermon: “In My Weakness I am Strong”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

August 7, 2011
Nineth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Acts 11:2-18 (NRSV Bible)
1 Peter 3:8-9, 15 (NRSV Bible)
Psalm 118:19-20, 24 (NRSV Bible)(Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “We are all one Family of God”
Children’s Time
and sermon: “I Got Your Back!”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

July 31, 2011
Eighth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Genesis 1:1-8
Matthew 22:16b-17, 21b-22
Unison Prayer
“Loving, Merciful God, giver of all knowledge,
we thank you for your Spirit, here among us.
We ask for eyes to see you at work in our lives
and the lives of others, ears to hear the words
you have for us, and a heart that is open to
your love and grace. It is truly good to be in
the house of the Lord! Amen.”
Worship Theme: “God’s Wisdom”
Children’s Time
and sermon: “We don’t know everything?”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

July 24, 2011
Seventh Sunday of Pentecost
&
church sign, “Hanging Out with Jesus”
July 17, 2011
&
Luke 15:1-2
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
“This man (Jesus) welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 92:1-2 (GOD’s WORD Translation)(Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “What kind of people did Jesus hang with?”
and sermon: “When Christians Are Un-Christian”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

July 17, 2011
Sixth Sunday of Pentecost
&
Sermon series by the Reverend Adam Hamilton
http://adamhamilton.cor.org/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/RevAdamHamilton
http://www.abingdonpress.com/adamhamilton/forms/default.aspx?pageid=554&id=106
“When Christians Get It Wrong”
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Rev-Hamilton-When-Christians-Get-It-Wrong-1298797.htm
http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=6223
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEp5aGSwUmY

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 40,200+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A reward for our faith

Like the promise to Abraham
remembered by God
the sacrifice of Christ
saving us from death

A reward for our faith
when we turn
abandoning our own selves
cleaving to the Lord

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

Everyone has sacred worth

Not of the earth
the way of the world
treasure that rusts
that which is ephemeral
returning to dust

Everything good
people on earth
everyone has sacred worth
precious to our maker
giving us life

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

Office – haiku

Push the same paper
typing on keyboard endless
marking time each day

September 17, 2011

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Soft falling rain

A day of drizzle
of quiet outside
clouds are so low,
I can almost feel God's arms
wrapped in his love
sensing his presence
feeling God with me
walk toward heaven

September 21, 2011
written after note to David Abbott’s Facebook post
on September 20, 2011
and after posting “A Message of God’s Love”
to www.faithwriters.com
September 21, 2011
-----------------
A Message of God’s Love

Across the skies
a message of God’s love
The colors, a changing tableau
love echoing, murmuring
a visual chorus
charged across the skies
The sun, the moon, the sky
dancing in their positions
with the stars above
shimmering God’s glory
in our eyes below

January 10, 2010
Genesis 1:1-2:4
Psalm 19:1-13
Psalm 19:1-6
Congregational Centering hymn:
“Let All Things Now Living”
Faith We Sing, #2008
Anthem: “The Time Between”,
http://www.gbod.org/worship/music/timebetween-crider.pdf
by R. Frederick Crider, Jr. (Ps. 31:14-15)
and sermon, “The Book of Genesis: The Story of Our Beginning”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
based in part on Chapter One (Genesis 1:1-2:3),
of book, Wrestling With Angels: What Genesis Teaches Us About
Our Spiritual Identity, Sexuality and Personal Relationships,
by Naomi H. Rosenblatt and Joshua Horwitz
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 10, 2010
First Sunday in Epiphany
(Baptism of the Lord Sunday)
&
Psalm 8:4-5 (KJV)
“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

We deserve so much less

If we are honest
if we look at ourselves
acknowledging our sins
our estrangement from God

We deserve so much less
in the kingdom of God
we deserve death
from the glut of our sin

God’s grace alone
his mercy, his love
redeeming us, restored
a gift from the Lord

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

Christ’s Nature

What we know,
what we see
the example of Christ
his living nature
forgiving our neighbors,
ourselves, our sins
yet thinking we are better
worthy somehow
forgetting we too are unworthy
deserving of death
yet Christ forgave us
even on the cross

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

Deserving Death

Deserving death
given life
saved from the pit
by the mercy of God

Raised from the dead
by the sacrifice of Christ
given new life
a place in paradise

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

God alone decides – v2

In His kingdom
in his mercy
God alone decides
if we ourselves are worthy
if we deserve life
By faith, by grace
by Christ’s gift to us
God rewards us fully
when we deserve death

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

God alone decides – v1

In his kingdom
in his mercy
God alone decides
if we ourselves are worthy
By faith, by grace
by Christ’s gift to us
God rewards us fully
not what we deserve

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

in His mercy

in God’s mercy
saving us from death
not what we deserve
much more than this

God saved us
by the sacrifice of Christ
raised from the shadows
brought into His light

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

The Saving Grace of the Cross – v2

more than the descent
the coming of Christ
that he suffered and died
that he gave up his life
The true nature of God
the saving grace of the cross
bringing us back from the dead
saving us from the lost

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

A Handmaiden of the Lord

Suncook United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965

Suncook, NH

September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

The Saving Grace of the Cross – v1

more than the descent
the coming of Christ
that he suffered and died
that he went to the cross
The true nature of God
the saving grace of the cross
bringing us back from the dead
saving us from the lost

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

A Handmaiden of the Lord

Suncook United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965

Suncook, NH

September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

God’s mercy and love

The measure of justice
paid an equal wage
God’s mercy and love
not the measure of this age

Giving us life
by the sacrifice of Christ
raised from the dead
when he rose from the grave

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

paid the same – 2

paid the same
Christ paid the price
his life for our life
his blood on the cross
Dying for us
that we may have life
dying and rising
into the light

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

paid the same – 1

we are each paid the same
at the end of this life
a life for a life
the life of the Christ
not earned, a gift
given by God
by grace we are healed
by grace we are restored

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

of equal value

in the eyes of God
of the same worth
value, to God
infinite treasure
to the Lord
We each jewels
sheep of his flock
loved by our Savior
who gave us his life

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,410+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

Love Undeserved

In God’s mercy, love
love undeserved
the wages of sin
our pay should be death
God giving us life
a gift of his grace
the price paid by Christ
our debt on the cross

September 20, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://pastorruth.posterous.com
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
Suncook, NH
September 18, 2011
Fifteenth Sunday of Pentecost

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,400+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live

To be the body

To be the body
disciples, messengers
the living body of Christ
to sow our seeds
to gather the others
to redeem them from the lost
to follow the Christ
in the way of the cross
to be his hands and feet
his body, his blood
Carrying his light
into the world
to be salt, clay
sheep of his fold

September 20, 2011
After seeing earlier poem,
“Members of Christ”
on search that led someone
from Seoul, South Korea
to my website
September 20, 2011
================
1 Corinthians 6:15
&
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
1 Corinthians 6:14-20
&
1 Corinthians 7:22
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
1 Corinthians 5, 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 7
90 day New Testament Bible Study
read July 29, 2011

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 13,400+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Sermon, "What about my needs?!", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, September 18, 2011

“What about my needs?!”

Sunday September 18, 2011
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (Gods Word Bible)

Have you ever watch children when it’s snack time? I mean it is comical to watch…especially when one seems to have the upper hand on the “good snacks.” For instance…at our house, don’t let anyone get more than anyone else. It as if they keep a mental count on who gets what and how much. And don’t let someone get more than the other. Oh boy…that’s when the cry of “FOUL” is heard throughout the house. I hear things like “that’s not fair…how come they get more than me…they had more of that than I did and now they are getting the last of it. What about my needs? What about me?” Shyanne is diabetic so she has more snacks during the day than let’s say Shanequa. And what do I get to hear…I want a free snack too…it’s not fair that she gets a snack and I don’t.”…let alone the fact that she needs them to control her blood sugar, the fact is she is getting the extra snacks…

Why is there so much self-entitlement in the world? Why can’t we as humanity be thankful for what we have been given instead of looking to what more we “should” get? Why can’t we be happy for those who receive something instead of begrudging them? Even in t the story of Jonah this morning he gets all upset because God forgave Nineveh instead of destroying the city as Jonah thought should happen. To him…God was being unfair…I guess he had forgotten how merciful God was and how God wants people to do the right thing…always ready to forgive…Even though he had just spent some time in the belly of a big fish. He also was upset because he had that wonderful tree to keep him cool and now it was gone. It wasn’t even his but he thought that he should have it anyway.

Even the disciples, who followed Jesus and knew His nature, were having issues about this. They thought they had a leg up on the rest of the world. They were Jesus’ followers…an elite group. But Jesus told them a story…a parable…that stopped them in their tracks. Jesus let them know that “all have sinned and fallen short”, even them, and that God gives everyone, no matter when they come to the saving grace, the crown of life, the honor of being a beloved, adopted child of God with all the honors of the royal Kingdom. The parable is found in Matthew chapter 20 verses 1-16 and now; listen to this story and see if you hear anything familiar in it: (I am reading from the Gods Word Bible this morning…)

These workers aren’t mad because of what they are paid, they are mad because others were paid the same and that wasn’t fair. They had worked less than them.

Beloved, the kingdom of heaven, God’s kingdom, has a very different view of fairness. God alone decides what is fair and not society. It’s God’s mercy and love vs. society’s selfishness and ego. We live in a world where there are many times when equal pay is not given for the same work. Society has its own set of rules but in God’s society everyone is of equal value and is paid the same.

In society, we decide what we think is fair. Society brings its own agenda to the table. Society’s agenda brings about segregation and “classes” of people, who is worth more. In God’s society and on His agenda is that everything and everyone has sacred worth. We deserve so much less in God’s world but it His mercy and grace that gives us more than we can ever imagine or de serve.

We can tend to get a little legalistic at times about our serving God. We receive others receive undo recognition...in our eyes…and we get the feeling of being slighted…What about me…what about my needs. God rewards faithfulness, no matter how long it is done…no matter how little we see it is deserved…no matter how large or small the faithfulness is.

God’s grace shatters the bonds of privilege and all are treated equal. We have no real rights before God. Remember…ALL have fallen short of the glory of God. We may even envy God’s generosity to others and believe we deserve more for what we have done. But as we come to understand God’s economics of His grace, our faith is strengthened. We are able to be used far more effectively for His kingdom because we are not out for our own “accolades” but for God to get the glory…the accolade. We need to do all things to the glory of God not our own glory.

Beloved…we need to search within our hearts. Are we acting as Jonah did or the workers in the vineyard screaming “FOUL” when we don’t get what we think we deserve or when other get more than what we think they deserve? Or are we working in the vineyard just for the sheer joy of bringing about the kingdom? Search deep within your heart and see if there is some way within you that is preventing you to be used to your fullest for the kingdom of God…

AMEN.

September 18, 2011
Worship Theme: “God’s Goodness. . . DBA Wage Wars!”
Jonah 3:10-4:11 (NRSV Bible)
Matthew 20:1-16 (God’s Word Bible)
Sermon: “What about my needs?!”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

A Handmaiden of the Lord

Suncook United Methodist Church