When I refuse to heed your words – v2

Even then, in the midst of my sin,

away from the congregation, the body

God there with me still

God’s Spirit crying; Don’t!

Be faithful, turn from your sin

there when I refuse to heed your words

going my own way, selfish -

mindful, aware that I am wrong;

wallowing in my sin

Yet I still choose to disobey

to turn from my Master

Freedom run amuck

no boundaries, bad choices

lost in excess, my sin;

Disobeying my Savior

who died on the cross -

as if driving another nail;

Spitting in his face

Edited February 8, 2013

“When I refuse to heed your words – v2”

January 28, 2012

“When I refuse to heed your words”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/01/when-i-refuse-to-heed-your-words.html

Mark 1:21-22 (The Message)

Mark 1:21-28

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

January 23, 2012 to January 29, 2012,

“Words of Authority”

by Nell Noonan              

scripture and meditation for January 28, 2012

read January 28, 2012

&

1 Corinthians 8:7-13

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

January 23, 2012 to January 29, 2012,

“Words of Authority”

by Nell Noonan              

scripture and meditation for January 27, 2012

read January 27, 2012

&

1 Corinthians 8:1-6

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

January 23, 2012 to January 29, 2012,

“Words of Authority”

by Nell Noonan              

scripture and meditation for January 26, 2012

read January 26, 2012

&

John 8:1-11

&

Samuel Thompson’s

http://www.facebook.com/#!/keleayon

Inclusion Essay

shared at the New England United Methodist Church

Annual Conference

http://www.neumc.org/pages/detail/195

in response to call by Reconciling Ministries Network

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

for essays describing, “My vision for an inclusive church”,

June 10, 2011

&

Love on Trial,

http://www.loveontrial.org/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-On-Trial/190582754298364

the case against the Reverend Amy DeLong,

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000572962166

which begins on June 20, 2011

http://www.rmnetwork.org/amy-delong/

&

in part inspired by conversations with

the Reverend John Makokha

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=556451505

Riruta UMC

http://rirutaumc.org

http://www.rmnetwork.org/

Other Sheep Afrika-Kenya http://www.othersheep.org/OSEA_CL_Other_Sheep_Kenya.html

Children of Africa Hope Mission Project in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. http://rirutaumc.homestead.com/children_of_africa.html

&

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

&
Matthew 28:18-20

Great Commission

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

How fitting we begin in ashes – v2

How quickly did you wash

the gray-black stain from your head

or did you ignore the call

to go to church at all;

did you go out to the store

did you enter into a quiet time

or did you turn the TV on

what is your response to Christ’s great love

to God’s awesome sacrifice

giving his own life, climbing our cross;

how fitting we begin in ashes

the burnt hopes, hosannas

before we tortured and killed our king

before he became our sacrifice

=====

Edited February 8, 2013

“How fitting we begin in ashes – v2”

February 27, 2012

“How fitting we begin in ashes”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/how-fitting-we-begin-in-ashes.html

Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday”

Prelude

Unison Prayer

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)

Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)

Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51:3)

Pastoral Prayer

Word of Assurance (GBOD 2012)

Thanksgiving over the ashes

Distribution of the Ashes

hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138

and Ash Wednesday Meditation,

“The Math of Lent”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

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://facebook.com/groups/136632035559

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

Suncook, NH

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Like Samuel to Eli – v2

so we are to Jesus

our High Priest

our Mentor, our Teacher

the source of our life

our redeemer, our Savior

Like Samuel to Eli

sitting at his feet

hearing his message

our example, our model

the light which we keep

so we are to Jesus

our High Priest

our Brother, our Teacher

our Savior, Messiah

the source of all life

------

Edited February 8, 2013

“Like Samuel to Eli – v2”

December 29, 2012

“Like Samuel to Eli”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/like-samuel-to-eli.html

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (The Message)

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

December 24, 2012 to December 30, 2012

“The Word Brings Joy and Growth”

by Enuma Okoro

http://enumaokoro.com/

for December 27, 2012,

read December 29, 2012

Advent

Christmas

&

1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 (NIV)

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

December 24, 2012 to December 30, 2012

“The Word Brings Joy and Growth”

by Enuma Okoro

http://enumaokoro.com/

for December 26, 2012,

read December 29, 2012

Advent

Christmas

&

John 1:1-14

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

December 24, 2012 to December 30, 2012

“The Word Brings Joy and Growth”

by Enuma Okoro

http://enumaokoro.com/

for December 25, 2012,

read December 29, 2012

Advent

Christmas Day

&

Isaiah 9:2-7

To Us a Child is born

Luke 2:1-20

Upper Room Disciplines for 2012

http://bookstore.upperroom.org/cart/upperroom/p-17131.htm

December 24, 2012 to December 30, 2012

“The Word Brings Joy and Growth”

by Enuma Okoro

http://enumaokoro.com/

for December 24, 2012,

read December 29, 2012

Advent

Christmas

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Seed of God – 2 – v2

the seed of God, a Son

becoming a mortal

germinated in the manger

rising from that ground

the shoot of Jesse, of David

the royal bloodline

the seed planted

into the soil of the world

the manger, the stable

a humble birth, a Savior

the seed, the King of Israel

the One who was to come

the seed of God, a Man

rising from the waters

from the Jordan, going

to preach into this world

the shoot of Jesse, of David

the king of God’s people

sacrificing, dying

to redeem us to life

the seed of God, a Victor

rising from the ashes

from the stone grave rising

to heaven, to the heights

====

Edited February 8, 2013

“The Seed of God – 2 - v2”

Edited February 7, 2013

“The Seed of God - 2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-seed-of-god-2.html

December 6, 2012

“Germinated in the Manger”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/germinated-in-manger.html

Wednesday night worship

Worship Theme: “Advent: Hope”

Psalm 36:5

Psalm 85:10

Jeremiah 33:15

“In the Waiting”

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

December 5, 2012

Advent

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,220+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lilac Air – reprise – v6

A cloud of intoxication

flooding my senses

slowing our steps

(or mine at least)

savoring the moment

gathering in the nectar

the aerosol of fragrance

breathing springtime in

my lung full of the fragrance

Whites and purples

different shades of the bouquets

as if colors themselves emitted aromas

painting the sky with their shades

richly, urgently, calling me

wooing me, intoxicating,

to linger in the dew of fragrance

to drink of these spirits

perfumes falling down on me

raining as I walk

-------

Edited February 8, 2013

“Lilac Air – reprise – v6

Edited February 4, 2013

“Lilac Air – reprise – v5”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/lilac-air-reprise-v5.html

Edited January 4, 2013

“Lilac Air – reprise – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/lilac-air-reprise-v2.html

May 11, 2010

“Lilac Air - reprise”

written about our walks to school last week

because of the lilacs on the way

Pembroke Village School

Suncook, NH

--------

Lilac Air

Sweet, intoxicating, alluring

spreading out onto the playground

the bush changing the air

soft, subtle, a presence

lilac air at the side of the school

calling, enticing the passersby

to linger, to drink

aerosol nectar

sweet, lively spring perfume

a perfect fragrance,

rich with memory

under a cloudy blue sky

warm this Wednesday afternoon

Living bouquet,

a balance of purple, of green

set off against, before

red brick of the school

May 13, 2009

Pembroke Village School

Suncook, NH

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lilac Air – v5

A living presence, growing,

sweet, intoxicating, alluring

spreading out onto the playground

blossoms, the bursting bushes

changing the air, its texture,

soft, subtle, a presence, enveloping

lilac air at the side of the school

calling, enticing each passersby

To linger, to drink, to soak in

aerosol nectar, a drug ready

sweet, lively spring perfume

a perfect fragrance, enticing

rich with memory, with color

under a cloudy blue sky, comforting

warm this Wednesday afternoon

Living bouquet, immersion,

a balance of purple, of green

juxtaposed, set apart, soft colors,

against the solid wall, backdrop

warm red brick of the old school;

cool air of spring, an inviting presence,

wrapping around us, arms entwined

reaching for us, out of a sense of love

=====

Edited February 8, 2013

“Lilac Air – v5

Edited February 5, 2013

“Lilac Air – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/lilac-air-v4.html

Edited January 5, 2013

“Lilac Air – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/lilac-air-v3.html

Edited January 4, 2013

“Lilac Air – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/01/lilac-air-v2.html

May 13, 2009

“Lilac Air”

Pembroke Village School

Suncook, NH

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,060+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Seed of God - 2

the seed of God, a Son

becoming a mortal man

germinated in the manger

rising from the ground

the shoot of Jesse, of David

the royal bloodline

the seed germinated

into the soil of the world

the manger, the stable

a humble birth, a Savior

the seed, the King of Israel

the One who was to come

====

Edited February 7, 2013

“The Seed of God”

December 6, 2012

“Germinated in the Manger”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/12/germinated-in-manger.html

Wednesday night worship

Worship Theme: “Advent: Hope”

Psalm 36:5

Psalm 85:10

Jeremiah 33:15

“In the Waiting”

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

December 5, 2012

Advent

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,220+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dried Palms – 2 – v2

A metaphor for the church year

dried palms being gathered

brought to be burned

to make new ashes

Our joy for too few moments

drying much too quickly

hope an illusion

our lives not centered on Christ

Dried palms of the procession

the beginning of the Passion

held for a year at a time

until they are burned for the ashes

February 7, 2013

Edited – “Dried Palms – 2 – v2”

February 6, 2013

new poem – “Dried Palms – 2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/dried-palms-2.html

February 6, 2013

new poem – “The brittleness of our hope”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-brittleness-of-our-hope.html

Edited February 6, 2013

“The smell of the smoke – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-smell-of-smoke-v3.html

February 27, 2012

“The smell of the smoke – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/smell-of-smoke-v2.html

Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday”

Prelude

Unison Prayer

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)

Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)

Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51:3)

Pastoral Prayer

Word of Assurance (GBOD 2012)

Thanksgiving over the ashes

Distribution of the Ashes

hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138

and Ash Wednesday Meditation,

“The Math of Lent”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

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://facebook.com/groups/136632035559

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

Suncook, NH

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012

&

thinking on the earlier poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke.html

February 19, 2012

Ash Wednesday and Lent

beginning this week

burning of the palms from last year

hymn - “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”, TFWS #2138

&

Worship Theme – “God’s Healing Mercy”

Mark 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Isaiah 43:18-25 (NRSV)

2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (NRSV)

Call to Worship (Psalm 41:1-4, 13 (NRSV Bible))

Unison Prayer

Prayer of Dedication ((GBOD Mark 9:2-9)

and sermon, “How Good of God”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

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://facebook.com/groups/136632035559

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

Suncook, NH

Seventh Sunday of Epiphany

Transfiguration Sunday

February 12, 2012

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,220+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dried Palms - 2

A metaphor for the year

dried palms being gathered

brought to be burned

to make new ashes

Our joy for too few moments

drying too quickly

hope an illusion

not centered on Christ

February 6, 2013

new poem – “The brittleness of our hope”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-brittleness-of-our-hope.html

Edited February 6, 2013

“The smell of the smoke – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-smell-of-smoke-v3.html

February 27, 2012

“The smell of the smoke – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/smell-of-smoke-v2.html

Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday”

Prelude

Unison Prayer

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)

Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)

Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51:3)

Pastoral Prayer

Word of Assurance (GBOD 2012)

Thanksgiving over the ashes

Distribution of the Ashes

hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138

and Ash Wednesday Meditation,

“The Math of Lent”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

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://facebook.com/groups/136632035559

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

Suncook, NH

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012

&

thinking on the earlier poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke.html

February 19, 2012

Ash Wednesday and Lent

beginning this week

burning of the palms from last year

hymn - “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”, TFWS #2138

&

Worship Theme – “God’s Healing Mercy”

Mark 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Isaiah 43:18-25 (NRSV)

2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (NRSV)

Call to Worship (Psalm 41:1-4, 13 (NRSV Bible))

Unison Prayer

Prayer of Dedication ((GBOD Mark 9:2-9)

and sermon, “How Good of God”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

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://facebook.com/groups/136632035559

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

Suncook, NH

Seventh Sunday of Epiphany

Transfiguration Sunday

February 12, 2012

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,220+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The effervescence of his blood

standing as we spoke the words

in remembrance, his body

His blood in the cup

the fragrance rising to me

the effervescence of his blood

the grapes alive before me

more real, for a moment

as we were all reading

sharing words of remembrance

God alive, with us

====

February 6, 2013

Mark 1:16-20 (The Message Bible)

Isaiah 6:1-8 (God’s WORD Bible)

Jeremiah 1:4-10 (Common English Bible)

(and Mark 1:1-8, not included by Pastor Ruth)

Worship Theme: “God Calls and Equips Us”

Call to Worship (Lectionary Worship Aids / Series IX, Cycle C © 2013)       

Unison Prayer (Lectionary Worship Aids / Series IX, Cycle C © 2013)

Prayer of Dedication (adapted from GBOD February 12, 2013)          

Prayer of Confession

Communion liturgy

and sermon – “Workin for the Man”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

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://facebook.com/groups/136632035559

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

Suncook, NH

February 3, 2013

Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 22,050+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.