Saturday, December 31, 2016

on that night in Bethlehem – v2


On that night in Bethlehem
in the stable, the manger
the Son of God was revealed;
the gift that Mary had carried
from her womb came life
He was the light that came to save us

On that night in Bethlehem
the world was given the Messiah,
the Savior long-foretold, God’s promise;
the prophecies were fulfilled, love,
love came to earth as a baby, holy,
set apart, to give us life once more

--------------------------
edited December 31, 2016
on that night in Bethlehem – v2

December 31, 2016
the words beyond comprehension
December 31, 2016
we have much to share
December 31, 2016
we are beloved, we are loved
December 31, 2016
the sacred lived with us
December 31, 2016
the story of Christmas
December 31, 2016
hope beyond all hope
December 31, 2016
This is the joy of Christmas
December 31, 2016
This is Christmas
December 31, 2016
God dwelt among us
December 31, 2016
life was in him
December 31, 2016
a promise became a person
December 31, 2016
a son is offered
edited December 30, 2016
Preparing the Way – v2
November 30, 2009
Preparing the Way
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Malachi 3:1
for November 30, 2009
Malachi 3:2-4
for December 1, 2009
Luke 1:68-75
for December 2, 2009
by F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
&
Isaiah 2:1-4
Jeremiah 33:14-15
Luke 1:46-50 (Call to Worship) and
sermon, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
part of a series of sermons,
using the Advent Conspiracy
&
edited December 30, 2016
to touch the sacred – v3
December 30, 2016
the gift of Christmas
&
edited December 30, 2016
would we recognize the Christ-child – v2
December 30, 2016
would we recognize the Christ-child
edited December 30, 2016
Would it be under a bridge – v2
&
edited December 30, 2016
homeless and alone – v2
&
edited December 30, 2016
Without a Reservation – v3
(editing version 2)
&
edited December 30, 2016
Finding Shelter – v3
(editing version 2)
&
edited December 30, 2016
Street People – v16
(merging edits to version 2 and version 15)
&
December 29, 2016
on that night in Bethlehem
December 29, 2016
we remember that first Christmas
December 29, 2016
on that first Christmas
edited December 28, 2016
if we want to touch the sacred – v2
December 28, 2016
if you want to touch the sacred
December 28, 2016
if we want to see the sacred
December 28, 2016
God born to us
December 27, 2016
the indictment of Christmas
December 27, 2016
nothing less than a Savior
December 27, 2016
Merry Christmas
December 27, 2016
the birthday of Jesus
December 26, 2016
the Sacred lived among us
December 26, 2016
we were all going to hell
December 26, 2016
we screwed up that badly
December 26, 2016
Christ had to die - 3
edited December 26, 2016
we are broken, hopeless – v2
December 26, 2016
we are broken, hopeless
December 26, 2016
We need Jesus - 2
edited December 26, 2016
Without Christmas – v2
December 26, 2016
Without Christmas
December 26, 2016
we celebrate Christ’s birth
December 26, 2016
to live as we do
December 26, 2016
God entered creation
December 26, 2016
God shattered the hold of the enemy
December 26, 2016
joy, on Christmas
December 26, 2016
guide us in the way of peace – v2
December 26, 2016
it was God that John sensed
December 26, 2016
the Savior that Mary carried
December 26, 2016
from the vessel of Mary
edited December 26, 2016
from the vessel of her body
December 26, 2016
from the vessel of her body
December 26, 2016
God was alive within Mary
December 25, 2016
Mary gave birth to Life
December 25, 2016
Love came to life
December 25, 2016
Believe It
Luke 2:11a (New Living Translation)
“The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born”
December 25, 2016
breathe in the gospel
edited December 25, 2016
leave the presents – v2
December 25, 2016
leave the presence
December 25, 2016
May we gather in worship
December 25, 2016
Christmas Day
worship theme: Sacred Among Us
Advent sermon series based on Marcia McFee’s series “Sacred”
Call to Worship
Centering Song – Surely the Presence
Greeting and Announcements
Opening Prayer
Worship Video
Lighting the Advent Wreath
Come On, Ring Those Bells
Good Christian Men Rejoice
Angels From The Realm of Glory
The First Noel
Away In A Manger
Offering - Jesus Is the Greatest Gift Of All
Prayer of Thanksgiving, by Jeannie Goode
Children’s Message
A Time of Congregational Prayer
start
Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Scripture:
Psalm 98
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:1-14
and sermon, “Beloved…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Communion – invitation, serving, song – “Isn’t He”, prayer after
Closing Song      Go Tell It On The Mountain
Departing Blessing
song after departing blessing, White Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD8SJHORuyQ                        
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 25, 2016
Christmas Day
&
December 24, 2016
in the presence of the divine
December 24, 2016
we enter the stable
edited December 24, 2016
only because of Christ – v2
December 24, 2016
in the manger
December 24, 2016
only because of Christ
and musings on the article
“The True Meaning of Christmas, According to the Wesleys”
by David Watson
&
December 24, 2016
On this most holy of nights – v3
Christmas Eve Prayer for our candlelight worship service
edited December 24, 2016
Light entered the world – v2
edited December 24, 2016
Light entered the world
December 24, 2016
Love entered the world
edited December 23, 2016
we gather around the manger
December 23, 2016
brought back to the stable
edited December 23, 2016
can you hear the song of the angels – v2
December 23, 2016
can you hear the song of the angels
edited December 23, 2016
we gather at the manger – v2
December 23, 2016
we gather at the manger
December 23, 2016
gather in the stable
December 23, 2016
being, in this moment
December 24, 2016
Christmas Eve
worship theme: Sacred Being
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:1-14
Advent sermon series based on Marcia McFee’s series “Sacred”
Worship Video “Christmas Halleluiah”
Christmas Eve Greeting (sermonette)
text
video
image
by Pastor Ruth Foss
“Little Drummer Boy”, SMUMC Dance Ministry
CAROL: “The First Noel”
Christmas Eve Prayer
THE LORD'S PRAYER
On this most holy of nights – v3
Raymond A. Foss
Lighting of the Advent Candle: Don and Virginia Copeland
FIRST LESSON: Genesis 22:15-18, Raymond Foss
CAROL: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
SECOND LESSON: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7, Chrissy McCarthy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEZ36pEJ79U
VIDEO: “Sweet Little Jesus Boy”, Mahalia Jackson
THIRD LESSON: Isaiah 11:1-4a, 6-9, Chris Loucka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCgIQWRh6yY
CAROL: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
FOURTH LESSON: Luke 1:26-35,38, Shyanne Foss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_snXam-uK8
CAROL: “What Child Is This”
VIDEO:  “Mary Did You Know?”
FIFTH LESSON: Luke 2:1-7, Sharon McPhee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq7QMwYNxP0
“Away In A Manger”, SMUMC Dance Ministry
SIXTH LESSON: Luke 2:8-16, Pastor Foss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zREqA694MK8
CAROL:                 “Silent Night, Holy Night”
BENEDICTION
Closing Prayer
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 24, 2016
Christmas Eve
&
December 22, 2016
preaching to us
December 22, 2016
singing to heaven
December 22, 2016
shining like the star
December 21, 2016
sharing the message
December 21, 2016
Transform my heart
December 19, 2016
whispering, shouting
December 19, 2016
The angel’s announcement
December 19, 2016
The angels sang
December 19, 2016
love was alive
editing December 18, 2016
a sacred knowing – v3
December 17, 2016
if this was Christ
December 17, 2016
this is the Christ - 3
edited December 17, 2016
a sacred knowing – v2
December 17, 2016
a sacred knowing
December 18, 2016
Fourth Sunday of Advent - Love
worship theme: Sacred Knowing
Luke 2:1-15
Advent sermon series based on Marcia McFee’s series “Sacred”
Worship In Song Service
Centering Song
= Surely the Presence
Opening Prayer
Worship Video
Lighting of the Advent Wreath
= Amen
= Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
= Angels We Have Heard On High
Offertory
= Offering
Prayer of Thanksgiving
SMUMC Sacred Dance Ministry
= Away In A Manger
Special Music
= Why Can’t Christmas Just Be Christmas
= Silent Night
= Adestes Fidelis (O Come All Ye Faithful)
= O Holy Night
Closing Music
= Carol of the Drum
= How Many Kings?
= Mary’s Little Baby Boy
= Joy to the World
= Feliz Navidad
Departing Blessing
======================
Praise Team Leader Chuck Loucka
Praise Team Members: Chuck Loucka, Pastor Ruth Foss, Chrissy McCarthy, Shanequa Foss, Theresa Schmidt, Sharon McPhee, Shyanne Foss, Ken Perkins, Ted Pettengill
service led by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 18, 2016
Fourth Sunday of Advent
&
December 17, 2016
we are touched by the sacred
December 17, 2016
every place we go is sacred
edited December 17, 2016
the vessels of our bodies – v2
edited December 17, 2016
joy overwhelmed them – v2
December 16, 2016
joy overwhelmed them
edited December 16, 2016
shouting for joy – 2 – v3
edited December 15, 2016
shouting for joy – 2 – v2
December 15, 2016
shouting for joy - 2
December 14, 2016
this was Jesus - 2
December 14, 2016
they knew
December 13, 2016
filled with the Holy Spirit - 3
December 12, 2016
peace is birthed
December 12, 2016
He knew this was the Christ
December 12, 2016
set aside for God
December 12, 2016
the vessels of our bodies
December 11, 2016
carrying the sacred within us
December 11, 2016
Mary sang a song of praise
December 11, 2016
They showed up
December 11, 2016
when God needed them
December 11, 2016
joy in their knowing
edited December 11, 2016
sensing the holy – v2
December 11, 2016
sensing the holy
December 11, 2016
Knowing this place is holy
December 11, 2016
Worship in Song
December 11, 2016
John leapt for joy
December 11, 2016
Mary sang the Magnificat
December 11, 2016
hope was birthed
December 11, 2016
in the sacredness of that moment
edited December 11, 2016
we rejoice in our Lord – v2
December 11, 2016
the holy within them
December 11, 2016
leaping in the sanctuary
December 11, 2016
John sensed the Christ
December 11, 2016
A sacred moment
December 11, 2016
we rejoice in our Lord
December 11, 2016
we light this third candle
December 10, 2016
in the joy of our Lord
December 10, 2016
a sacred space for Advent
edited December 10, 2016
we will find God – v2
December 10, 2016
a holy space set apart
edited December 10, 2016
within the vessel of Mary’s womb
edited December 10, 2016
within the vessel of her body – v2
December 10, 2016
within the vessel of her body
edited December 10, 2016
in the sanctuary of her womb – v2
December 10, 2016
in the sanctuary of her womb
December 10, 2016
in the response of John, of Elizabeth
December 10, 2016
in the refuge of her home
December 10, 2016
in the sanctuary of her bosom
December 11, 2016
Third Sunday of Advent - Joy
worship theme: Sacred Space
Psalm 146
Psalm 47:2a
Luke 1:39-56
(Mary’s visit with Elizabeth)
Advent sermon series based on Marcia McFee’s series “Sacred”
and sermon “Birthing Room. . . ”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 11, 2016
Third Sunday of Advent
&
edited December 10, 2016
the response of Mary, of Joseph – v3
(editing original again)
edited December 10, 2016
matching our steps – v2
December 10, 2016
they said yes to God
edited December 9, 2016
their faith made them holy
December 9, 2016
their actions made them holy
December 9, 2016
Christ’s holy parents
December 9, 2016
they did the extraordinary
December 8, 2016
at peace in submission
edited December 8, 2016
we are called to be sacred – v2
December 8, 2016
we are called to be sacred
December 7, 2016
the sacredness of the ordinary
edited December 7, 2016
sacred people – v2
edited December 7, 2016
our own call to be sacred – v2
December 7, 2016
our own call to be sacred
December 7, 2016
sacred people
December 7, 2016
humble servants
December 7, 2016
those in the background
December 6, 2016
God used them
December 6, 2016
those ordinary people
December 6, 2016
eternity and time
December 6, 2016
because they showed up
December 6, 2016
to touch the sacred – 2
edited December 6, 2016
I am the Lord’s Servant – 2 – v2
December 6, 2016
sacred
December 6, 2016
matching our steps
December 6, 2016
we are special
December 6, 2016
same as all the others
edited December 5, 2016
the response of Mary, of Joseph – v2
December 5, 2016
we will find God
merged December 5, 2016
the response of Mary, of Joseph
December 5, 2016
following God’s command
December 5, 2016
I am the Lord’s Servant - 2
December 4, 2016
King and God and sacrifice
December 4, 2016
remembering the cross
December 4, 2016
In the storms, in the darkness
December 4, 2016
guide us in the way of peace
December 4, 2016
They answered God’s call
December 4, 2016
going makes the difference
December 4, 2016
the ordinary are made sacred
December 4, 2016
nothing special
December 4, 2016
Second Sunday of Advent - Peace
worship theme: Sacred People
hymns:
Tell Me The Story of Jesus
Where Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
We Three Kings of Orient Are
What Child Is This?
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Let There Be Peace On Earth
Psalm 72:1-7
Psalm 72:18-19
Matthew 1:18-25
Luke 1:26-38
Advent sermon series based on Marcia McFee’s series “Sacred”
and sermon “In the Ordinary. . . “
text

video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
December 4, 2016
Second Sunday of Advent
&
edited December 3, 2016
breathing in Advent – v2
edited December 3, 2016
sit within the sacredness of the stable – v2
December 3, 2016
are we voices crying
December 3, 2016
thinking about the Christ-child
edited December 3, 2016
this sacred time of now – v2
edited December 3, 2016
within the sacred time – v2
edited December 3, 2016
the time of heaven – v2
edited December 2, 2016
walking barefoot – v2
edited December 2, 2016
taking off our shoes – v2
edited December 2, 2016
walking in sacred time – v2
edited December 2, 2016
a closeness of heaven – v2
December 1, 2016
walking in sacred time
December 1, 2016
Have we forgotten Christ
December 1, 2016
we carry God’s message of hope
December 1, 2016
we are heralds in the darkness
December 1, 2016
we light this candle
December 1, 2016
God’s promises endure - 2
edited / new name December 1, 2016
we live in the light of the holy
December 1, 2016
we live in the light of hope
December 1, 2016
we have forgotten God
December 1, 2016
sit within the sacredness of the stable
December 1, 2016
walking barefoot
December 1, 2016
taking off our shoes
December 1, 2016
this sacred time of now
December 1, 2016
the gift of our days
December 1, 2016
the gift of now
December 1, 2016
within the sacred time
December 1, 2016
trappings of the season
December 1, 2016
the time of heaven
December 1, 2016
a closeness of heaven
December 1, 2016
we are God’s voice
November 30, 2016
prepare the way of the Lord
November 30, 2016
removing God from Advent
November 30, 2016
removing God from Christmas
November 30, 2016
the sacred space of Advent – v2
edited November 29, 2016
the light of the manger – v2
November 29, 2016
removing God from the sacred
November 29, 2016
within this sacred time
November 29, 2016
the light of the manger
November 29, 2016
God incarnate - 2
November 29, 2016
a sacred time
November 29, 2016
are our hearts open
edited November 29, 2016
are we waiting for Jesus – v2
November 28, 2016
the sacred time of Advent
November 28, 2016
breathing in Advent
November 28, 2016
breathing in these minutes
edited November 28, 2016
to touch the sacred – v2
November 28, 2016
slowing our steps in Advent
November 28, 2016
journeying on a dirt road
November 27, 2016
to touch the sacred
November 27, 2016
the wonder of the manger
November 27, 2016
the sacred space of Advent
November 27, 2016
lost in the lights and glitter
November 27, 2016
set apart and holy
November 27, 2016
we will celebrate his birth
November 27, 2016
we wait for His coming
November 27, 2016
before the turkey is cold
November 27, 2016
The day is almost here - 2
November 27, 2016
The night is almost over
November 27, 2016
put on the armor of light
Romans 13:11-12
November 27, 2016
change your life - 2
November 27, 2016
preaching in the desert
November 27, 2016
our hope is in His word
November 27, 2016
hope in that flickering candle
edited/ new name November 27, 2016
we light this candle in the hope
November 27, 2016
going doing
the Magi and John the Baptist
November 27, 2016
there is hope in the promise
November 27, 2016
are we waiting  for Jesus
edited November 27, 2016
where is Jesus – v2
November 27, 2016
awaking in Advent
November 26, 2016
we light this candle in hope
November 26, 2016
coming to Christ
November 26, 2016
crying with John
November 26, 2016
why aren’t we shouting
November 26, 2016
where is Jesus
November 26, 2016
do we listen to John
November 26, 2016
a voice of hope
November 26, 2016
preparing our hearts - 2
November 26, 2016
we join him at the Jordan
edited November 26, 2016
we stand convicted – v2
November 26, 2016
we begin in hope
November 26, 2016
we feed the flame
November 26, 2016
we begin in advent
November 26, 2016
we light the spark
edited/ new name November 26, 2016
we light a candle of hope
November 26, 2016
lighting a candle of hope
November 27, 2016
First Sunday of Advent - Hope
Prepare Ye the Way
worship theme: Sacred Time
Psalm 130
Romans 13:11-12
Matthew 3:1-12
Advent sermon series based on Marcia McFee’s series “Sacred”
and sermon “In the Business…“
text
video (partial before disk was full, 11:47 minutes)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
November 27, 2016
First Sunday of Advent

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 42,700+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, God, Spirit, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, Advent, Christmas, hope, Messiah, Savior, John 1, peace, sacred, joy, Luke 2, Christmas Eve,

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