September 18, 2016
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
The Body of
Christ. . . ?
What really
matters?
Matthew 25:36-46
Psalm 150
What Is Most
Important. . . ?
Prayer of adoration and for God’s
illumination so that His Word would be heard through me or in spite of me. . .
I would ask you to rise, as you are
able, for the reading of the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 36-46. . . listen
to the word from God for you and me, the people of God.
read scripture
Sometimes life can get so complicated. There are so
many things and people who are needing our attention. It can get overwhelming
because of demands. . . the urgency. . . the fill in the blank. I know
there are days that I feel like I am chasing my tail...around and around in
circles. It can be hard, some days, to organize my day as I try to do the
things I feel need to get done first. OK. . . audience participation time. . . the question is this. . . What matters most to
you and why?
How would we define the body of Christ? We have
defined it as family. But how we do you and I really define “family?” Try as we
might, sometimes we don’t even come close to how God would define it. We leave
out people who because they don’t fit our idea of family. But truthfully. . . we
are not the ones who define family. . . the Creator of our diversely awesome
family is the One who really defines it. . . our God is the One who gets to
define what He himself created. . . Do you remember the saying from the
movie “Lilo and Stitch” from last week? Ohana means family and family means no
one is left out or left behind. We also came to realize that in order to
become community in the world. . . in order to continue to be relevant we, as
Christ’s followers, need to wake up. Wake from our slumber. . . wake from our
complacency. . . wake from our numbness and see the world and people around us
who are looking for someone to reach out in love, hope and compassion. They are
in need of a savior. . . we can lead them to the saving grace we were and are
given anew each day
Now
there are probably a million ways to help someone. . . to minister to those who
are in need. But I think Jesus kind of gave us a list of ways. . . sort of like
categories. . . that we can lift others up from their sea of despair. In the
scripture I read this morning from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus talks about
what the sheep and goats did. . . or didn’t do.
1.
For I was hungry and you gave me
something to eat
2.
I was thirsty and you gave me something
to drink
3.
I was a stranger and you invited me in
4.
I needed clothes and you clothed me,
5.
I was sick and you looked after me
6.
I was in prison and you came to visit me
(Speak from the Spirit
for each piece)
Now this is not a
checklist for us to check off and then we are done. To me it seems as if it is
a way of life. . . one that honors God and Jesus. . .
What
is our bottom line? What really matters to us? According to Jesus, what’s the
bottom line? How do we or don’t we compare with what Jesus says matters most?
In the scripture I read this morning. . . Jesus is clear on what really
matters. Serving others. . . helping one another. . . loving others remember where they are and not where we
“think” they should be. Jesus is also clear on what happens if and when we
care more for ourselves than others. So many things seem to demand our
attention as we walk on this journey of life. I don’t think we want to miss out
on what really matters in life. The world claims one way but we are called to
another way. We are summoned. . . we are beckoned to a different way of life. .
. one in which we are in community with one another.
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. As we come together
the word Ohana becomes our battle cry because no one is left out or left
behind. As we help others our focus is changed and we begin to think “we”
instead of “me”. We begin to see a change happen within our communities when we
begin to define. . . to specify what really matters. We become one as 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 hearts and our minds. . . our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. . .
Amen
====
September
18, 2016
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Sermon
Series:
“The
Body of Christ…?”
“What
really matters?”
Psalm
150
Matthew
25:34-46
message: “What Is Most Important…?”
text:
video:
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 18, 2016
&
forgive
us, Lord
September
18, 2016
family
– haiku - 2
September
18, 2016
family
– haiku
September
18, 2016
will
I go and do likewise
edited
September 18, 2016
will
I extend grace – v2
edited
September 18, 2016
do
I see Jesus
edited
September 18, 2016
do
we see Jesus – 3
September
18, 2016
do
you see Jesus
September
18, 2016
will
I extend grace
September
18, 2016
stick
closer together
September
18, 2016
family
- 2
edited
September 18, 2016
open
our hearts – 2 – v2
September
18, 2016
open
our hearts - 2
September
18, 2016
open
our minds - 2
September
18, 2016
open
our doors - 2
September
18, 2016
we
hurt our sisters
September
18, 2016
the
church is wrong
September
18, 2016
we
leave the family
September
18, 2016
we
have been asleep
September
18, 2016
we
must awake from our slumber
September
18, 2016
grab
their hand
September
18, 2016
as
we wake up
September
18, 2016
Are
you awake
September
18, 2016
if
we go numb
September
18, 2016
we
miss God’s blessings
edited
September 17, 2016
it
can’t be fake – v2
edited
September 16, 2016
alive
again – v2
edited
September 16, 2016
in
our lives – 2 – v2
edited
September 16, 2016
as
the body - v2
edited September 16, 2016
we need that joy – v2
edited September 16, 2016
there is hope in that light – v2
edited September 16, 2016
be the light of Jesus – v2
September
16, 2016
alive
again
September
16, 2016
it
can’t be fake
September
16, 2016
in
our lives – 2
September
16, 2016
as
the body
September 15, 2016
we need that joy
September 15, 2016
there is hope in that light
edited September 15, 2016
shine the light of Jesus – v2
edited September 15, 2016
be the light of Jesus
September 15, 2016
shine the light of Jesus
edited September 15, 2016
we must stay connected
September 15, 2016
stay connected
September 15, 2016
we must draw together
edited September 15, 2016
I pray for the light – v2
September 15, 2016
I pray for the light
September
12, 2016
outside
our walls
September
12, 2016
to
change the tide
September
12, 2016
family
means
September
12, 2016
like
family
September
12, 2016
within
our family
September
12, 2016
Yes,
I am asleep
September
12, 2016
to
be Christ-like
September
12, 2016
sleeping
edited
September 12, 2016
we
have forgotten family – v2
September
11, 2016
we
have forgotten family
September
11, 2016
with
God’s help
September
11, 2016
Are
you asleep
September
11, 2016
we
need to wake up
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…?”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
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
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
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/08/in-shattering-something-new-emerges.html
edited/new August 22, 2016
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
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
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2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at
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for usage. See all 41,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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