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Saturday, December 13, 2014

I am Joseph of Nazareth – v3

I may not be a carpenter
none of my children are named Jesus
none claim to be the Daughter of the Living God;
but I know in part, at least,
some of what he must have been feeling
the awesome responsibility
I am Joseph of Nazareth
maybe not a son of David,
but a child of Abraham,
trying to be faithful
to the calling of God.

Putting on the robe, the apron
picking up the tools, the mantle,
preparing to stand before the altar
at the pulpit, the lectern, the workbench,
to share the story Advent, of Christmas,
from a minor character, from Joseph;
but a message I can understand
at least in part, for I have lived it,
not that they were Daughters of God
not in the same sense as Jesus;
but they were children of others
whom I am to love, to nurture,
to adopt as I am able, to teach
with their mother as they grow up

I am Joseph of Nazareth,
though my name is Raymond,
an unlikely father, unexpected
as if by the voice of an angel
telling me this would be alright
that this was all part of God’s plan
deferred perhaps, but already written,
a journey together, to travel
to care for, to raise up
these children of others
these daughters of God
like my own flesh and blood.


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edited December 13, 2014
I am Joseph of Nazareth – v3
edited December 12, 2014
I am Joseph of Nazareth – v2
December 12, 2014
I am Joseph of Nazareth
edited December 13, 2014
adoption in the stable – v2
edited December 13, 2014
an open adoption – v2
edited December 12, 2014
I love you Lord Jesus – v2
edited December 12, 2014
a stepfather for Jesus – v2
edited December 12, 2014
I am Joseph of Nazareth – v2
December 12, 2014
I am Joseph of Nazareth
December 12, 2014
pray for me
December 12, 2014
adoption in the stable
December 12, 2014
adoption at the manger
December 12, 2014
an open adoption
December 12, 2014
a stepfather for Jesus
December 12, 2014
a manger on his doorstep
December 12, 2014
the legal father
December 8, 2014
I love you Lord Jesus
edited/ new December 8, 2014
I look at this baby
December 8, 2014
How can I teach Jesus
Matthew 1:18-25
3rd Sunday of Advent
Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”
Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)
Voices of Advent – “I was there…”
dramas by Ross Olson
sermon/message – “Joseph”
(as performed by Raymond A. Foss who, like Joseph,
is an step-father and adoptive  father)
children’s message
– mystery box – 
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Advent wreath lighting
Prayer of Thanksgiving –
by Raymond A. Foss
communion
worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 14, 2014
&
2nd Sunday of Advent
Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”
Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)
Voices of Advent – “I was there…”
dramas by Ross Olson
sermon/message – “Mary”
(as performed by Shyanne Foss,
who, like Mary, is 14 years old)
children’s message
– mystery box –  spool of thread and cloth and needles
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Advent wreath lighting
Prayer of Thanksgiving –
we thank you Lord – v2
by Raymond A. Foss
communion
worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd Sunday of Advent
December 7, 2014
&
1st Sunday of Advent
Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”
Sacred Dance Introit
Michael W. Smith’s
“Intro and Prepare Ye the Way”
from his New Hallelujah album
Advent wreath lighting
Prayer of Thanksgiving –
by Jeanie Goode
Luke 1:19-20a
children’s message
– mystery box –  
envelope with note
Voices of Advent – “I was there…”
dramas by Ross Olson
sermon/message – “Angel Gabriel”
(as performed by Terry Pettengill)
worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
1st Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2014


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 34,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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