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Sunday, September 11, 2016

sermon, Hey... Are You Asleep Yet..., by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, September 11, 2016, Patten, ME



September 11, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
The Body of Christ. . . ?
Wake Up!
Galatians 6:1-5 NLT
Acts 20:7-12 MSG

Hey. . . Are You Asleep Yet. . .

Prayer of adoration and for God’s illumination so that His Word would be heard through me or in spite of me. . .


I remember as a child I went to many sleepovers at my friends’ houses. Now, being a mom, my daughters love to have friends over to sleep. I don’t know how much sleep happens during these sleep overs. I remember trying to go to sleep at these sleep overs and saying to my friends “Hey. . . are you asleep yet?” Of course they weren’t so we would start talking until the sun came up. . .  I am not sure these should be called sleep overs. . . maybe “stay up all night having fun talking and having random dance parties while we constantly eat night” . . . but that is way too long. . .

There are times when we gather together as a church family. . . the body of Christ. . . that we may ask each other. . . hey are you asleep. . . during our church services. . . I know that would never happen here during a sermon right. . . right? OK. . . to be sure we are all awake here I want you to turn to your neighbor and say “Hey. . . are you asleep. . . ?” But it is unfortunate that there are times. . . within the body of Christ. . . within our family. . . the answer is yes. . . yes I am asleep. Maybe that answer needs to change. . . maybe it’s time to wake up from our slumber and see the world around us. . .

How would we define the body of Christ? Last week we defined it as family. We asked ourselves the question “how would I define family?” We even talked about how God would view family and discovered that we sometimes don’t even come close to how God would define it. We can tend to leave out people who, for whatever reason we have, just don’t fit our idea of family. I left us with some questions to ponder and I pray we really did ponder them, because unless we do. . . there will be no change in the tide we are in. . . the scripture is clear in Matthew 25:34-46 what will happen if we don’t change. . .  Shyanne reminded me this week of a saying from the movie “Lilo and Stitch”, Ohana means family. . . and family means no one is left behind or left out.

OK. . . so how are we going to change the tide? That seems like a really daunting task. I would say yes; it is an intimidating task but it is one that must be done. And yes. . . we can’t do this alone. We need God’s help to do this because if we try to this alone we will be overcome by the immensity of the problem. So. . . here’s where we begin. . . by simply waking up.

Let’s listen to a story in Acts that talk about falling asleep. It is found in chapter 20 verses 7-12. . . I am reading from the Message Bible Translation this morning. . .
Now this man Eutychus’ name means fortunate. . . and yes he was very fortunate that Paul was there. This story kind of symbolizes what happens when we, as the body of Christ, decide to fall asleep. We fall. . . we miss the mark. . . and die. But there is hope in this story. God can make us alive again when we decide to open our eyes again.

In order to begin to live outside our own little world. . . outside our walls. . . we need to wake up to the world around us. We need to see beyond what is right in front of us. . . what we see may not be what is truly there unless we look with the eyes of love and grace. . . through and with the eyes of God. . . those same eyes that looked upon us and showed mercy and grace even as we sat in sin. Sometimes we just go through the motions . . . in our lives. . . in our worship . . .  in our fill in the blank. Maybe. . . just maybe. . . it is not so much about staying awake at church but staying awake as a church.

Look. . . there may be many reasons why we don’t want to wake up to the world around us, maybe there is too much pain and sorrow. . . maybe there is too much evil that we see. . . it can be overwhelming. Speak from the Spirit about the world around us. . .  

But the problem is this. . . if we go numb and decided that it is better to sleep. . . we miss the blessings God has for us. . . even as we deal with the pain and despair around us. If we go numb what is going to happen to those on the outside reaching out to take hold of the rope that will pull them out of the spiraling vortex of pain and darkness into the light of a new day. . . a new beginning?

Here’s the Good News. God is waiting for us to wake up. . . He is waiting to lay across our lives. . . our churches. . . our ministries and bring them back to life. . . to bring us back to life. . . so we can truly live. . . ! Church. . . as we wake up as the body of Christ. . . as Christ’s Church we reclaim the hope and power. . . we can and will make a difference.

Ok. . . so here’s the scenario. . . As we open our hearts and our doors to those who are on the outside we become family. . . as we become family we can work together as the body of Christ. . . as a family of believers who reach out to those who are looking for someone to grab their hand to pull them out of the vortex they are in. . . in doing so the word Ohana becomes our battle cry because no one is left out or left behind. And we do all of this in the name the One who is the heads of the coin toss of life. . . being the head of the church, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. . .  Got it?

Amen

September 11, 2016
did he miss the message
September 11, 2016
we are all broken
September 11, 2016
expand
September 11, 2016
asleep during the sermon
September 11, 2016
waking up
September 11, 2016
no one is left behind
September 11, 2016
we leave out people
September 11, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
“The Body of Christ. . . ?”
Wake Up!
Galatians 6:1-5
Acts 20:7-12
Eutychus
message: “Hey, Are You Asleep. . . ?”
video:

text:



by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
and Children’s Message


by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
September 11, 2016
&
and 15th anniversary of the attack of September 11, 2001
&
September 10, 2016
a gathering together
September 10, 2016
a Godly community
Pastor Ruth Foss
weblog - “A Pastor’s Meditations”
“What is worship?”
September 10, 2016
&
September 10, 2016
we must be the body of Christ
edited September 10, 2016
Are we the body of Christ – v3
September 10, 2016
changing the picture
September 10, 2016
pulling at the threads
September 10, 2016
grieving God’s Spirit
September 10, 2016
denying the welcome of God
September 10, 2016
we don’t define family
September 10, 2016
as the family of Christ
edited/new name September 10, 2016
we must close our eyes
September 10, 2016
draw wide the circle
September 10, 2016
Do I see the face of Jesus
September 10, 2016
close our eyes
September 10, 2016
draw the circle wider
September 10, 2016
love the family of believers
September 10, 2016
stand firm in the faith
September 10, 2016
what would we have to do
September 10, 2016
Resist Satan
September 10, 2016
do good to all people
September 10, 2016
connected - 2
September 9, 2016
we come to worship
edited September 9, 2016
surrender to Jesus – v3
edited September 9, 2016
Are we the body of Christ – v2
edited September 9, 2016
those who game the system – v2
edited September 9, 2016
Do we lack a vision – v2
edited September 8, 2016
bring bandages – v2
edited September 8, 2016
family – v2
edited September 8, 2016
family – v2
September 8, 2016
family
September 8, 2016
bring bandages
edited September 5, 2016
needing the Savior – v2
edited September 5, 2016
do we know our siblings – v3
edited September 5, 2016
do we know our siblings – v2
September 5, 2016
do we know our siblings
edited September 5, 2016
If Jesus was here with us – v3
September 5, 2016
we have distorted the image
September 5, 2016
what would it look like
September 5, 2016
powerful questions
September 5, 2016
if we are the body
September 5, 2016
Are we the body of Christ
September 5, 2016
Are we the family of God
September 5, 2016
what family is
September 5, 2016
Are we family
September 4, 2016
I lay down my life – 3
edited September 5, 2016
we are blood, we are family – v2
edited September 5, 2016
the meaning of family – v2
September 5, 2016
those on his right
September 4, 2016
we are blood, we are family
September 4, 2016
the meaning of family
September 4, 2016
Yes, we are
September 4, 2016
empty seats
September 4, 2016
ache in the tearing
September 4, 2016
brothers and sisters - 2
September 4, 2016
We Are Family
September 4, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
“The Body of Christ. . . ?”
Family
Psalm 150
Matthew 25:34-46
Galatians 6:10
1 Peter 2:17
1 Peter 5:9
message: “We Are Family. . . ”
(in the printed bulletin as, “We Are Family. . . ?”)
video:
text:

by Pastor Ruth Foss
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
September 4, 2016
&
edited September 5, 2016
easily recognized – v2
September 4, 2016
I pray for a common purpose
September 3, 2016
offer them love
edited September 3, 2016
love the cheats – v2
edited/ new name September 3, 2016
love the cheats
September 3, 2016
those who game the system
September 3, 2016
we need to unite
September 3, 2016
how can we capture
September 3, 2016
Do we lack a vision
September 2, 2016
How can everyone win
thinking about the National Monument designation,
the moving forward on a comprehensive plan,
and the presidential election during
the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum
board meeting
September 1, 2016
&
September 2, 2016
remember the mission
September 2, 2016
simple - 2
September 1, 2016
share
September 1, 2016
shine - 2
September 1, 2016
who we are called to be
September 1, 2016
they are waiting for us to change
September 1, 2016
season the world
September 1, 2016
an embarrassment to Jesus
September 1, 2016
visible in us
edited August 31, 2016
surrender to Jesus – v2
August 31, 2016
easily recognized
August 30, 2016
a likeness of Jesus
August 30, 2016
surrender to Jesus
August 30, 2016
let Christ lead
August 30, 2016
burn away the darkness
August 30, 2016
bring His light
August 30, 2016
declare Christ’s name
August 30, 2016
uncomfortable
August 30, 2016
be the edge of the robe
August 29, 2016
needing the Savior
August 29, 2016
unclean souls
August 29, 2016
joining the outcasts
August 29, 2016
using our gifts together
August 29, 2016
Do this together
August 29, 2016
we need the Spirit
August 29, 2016
we need Jesus
August 29, 2016
touch the leper
merged August 29, 2016
living by our laws, by Christ
August 29, 2016
living by Christ
August 29, 2016
living by our laws
August 29, 2016
taking the news out there
August 29, 2016
what if Christ had played it safe
August 28, 2016
what do we lose
August 28, 2016
are we willing to risk
August 28, 2016
our light source
August 28, 2016
my little candle
August 28, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
Risky Business
Psalm 139:14-18
Mark 8
Mark 9
message: “A Glowing Response”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 28, 2016
&
August 25, 2016
what price do we pay
August 25, 2016
willing to take risks
edited August 24, 2016
If Jesus was here with us
August 24, 2016
not matching up
edited/ renamed August 23, 2016
If Jesus was here with us
August 23, 2016
If Jesus was alive today
August 23, 2016
speaking truth to their power
August 23, 2016
their words become lies
August 23, 2016
shattering what they believe
edited/merged August 22, 2016
in the shattering, something new emerges
something new emerges
edited/new August 22, 2016
in the shattering, in the breaking
August 22, 2016
in the shattering
edited August 22, 2016
Love above all else – v2
edited August 22, 2016
Truth to change us – v2
August 21, 2016
love to set them free
August 21, 2016
Love to set us free
August 21, 2016
Truth to change us
August 21, 2016
Love above all else
August 21, 2016
you bless us
August 21, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
Risky Business
“Risking It All”
Psalm 103:1-6
Mark 5:21-43
Mark 6:1-29
message: “Risking It All”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 21, 2016
&
edited August 21, 2016
in the face of adversity – 2 – v2
August 21, 2016
we judge, we divide
edited August 21, 2016
How can we love – v2
August 21, 2016
How can we love
August 21, 2016
How can the light shine
August 21, 2016
we must pull together
August 21, 2016
We judge our neighbor
edited August 21, 2016
We damage the fabric – v3
August 20, 2016
in the face of adversity - 2
August 20, 2016
in community we find hope
August 20, 2016
we repair the breach – 2
August 20, 2016
binding the cords
August 20, 2016
stitching the wounds
edited August 20, 2016
We damage  the fabric – v2
August 20, 2016
We damage the fabric
We damage the fabric #2
We damage the fabric #1
August 14, 2016
Worship in the Park (indoors)
Scripture:
Habakkuk 3:17-19
message: “Worship in the Park”
video:
text:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
praise music led by
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team
Director, Chuck Loucka
opening prayer
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
prayer over the offering
by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.
Patten Pentecostal Church
&
August 7, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon Series:
Risky Business
Psalm 146
Mark 1:21-45
Mark 2:1-22
sermon “Nothing Held Back”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message from Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 7, 2016
&
August 9, 2015
Worship in the Park
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
John 13:34-35
John 15:1-17
Lord’s Prayer
message: “Community”
by Raymond A. Foss
&
praise music led by
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church Praise Team
Director, Chuck Loucka
&
opening prayer
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
&
prayer before the offering
and songs of praise over the offering
by Pastor Franklin Randall, Jr.
Patten Pentecostal Church
&
Pastor Rodney Lord’s sermon, 2014
Worship in the Park
======
Psalm 133
Psalm 84:5
Revelations 4:11
Revelations 5
Deuteronomy 5:16
Leviticus 19
John 4
1 Peter 3:15
Jeremiah 29:11
Hebrews
Romans 15:13
&
message by Pastor Rodney Lord
August 10, 2014
Patten Academy Park
Patten, ME
&
Pastor Ruth Foss
Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV
sermon
“There is Hope in Community”
Worship in the Park
Patten Pioneer Days
August 11, 2013

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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,700+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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