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Sunday, December 25, 2016

sermon, "Beloved", by Pastor Ruch Foss, December 25, 2016,Christmas Day Service, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME



December 25, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
Christmas Day
“A Sacred Moment”
Sermon Series
Psalm 98
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:1-14


“Beloved...”

A prayer of illumination so that God will speak through me or in-spite of me…

I would ask that you would stand as you are able for the reading of the Gospel according to the apostle Luke Chapter 2, verses 1-20. Listen to the word of God for His people…you and I… (Read the gospel from the NIV Bible)

Merry Christmas. I don’t know about you but I have been waiting all year to say those words. Those two words shatter what the world around us and bring the sacred near. These two words change our lives. These two words are words of love and redemption. With these two words God shatters the strong holds of the enemy. Without these two words, there is no happy Easter…no day of atonement. Without these two words, there is no hope or light in the darkness… Merry Christmas to you all.


Over the past few of weeks, we have been talking about the sacred. We have talked about the sacredness of the season we are in…the season of Advent when we expectantly wait to celebrate Jesus’ birth and wait expectantly for His return. But at times we can get so busy that we lose that sense of wonder we had and everything becomes a chore…a box to be checked off…

We have talked about the fact that if we don’t find a way to slow down, we are going to miss the best part of this season of giving that we call Advent. We are going to miss the best gift that we could ever receive. The gift of God’s own Son in the form of a baby on a cold and silent night. When we slow down, we will see the sacredness all around us.

We know that the sacredness of something should be revered and respected but awe and wonder of this season seems to get lost in the lights and glamor. If we want to see…to feel…to touch the sacred, we need to slow down our pace and just be for the moment…lest we miss the awe and wonder of the manger.

This Advent season, we have slowed down…even if for but a moment…to see what might be missed in the hustle and bustle of the season. I pray that you and I have been able to see this season through the kaleidoscope, the display of beauty within the sacred space of Advent…


I would ask that we again would stop for a moment and just breath in the sacredness of the space we are in right now…this sanctuary where God shows up to meet us each Sunday… I have asked that each of us would continue to spend some time each day…even just five minutes and focus on…meditate upon the Sacredness we talk about each week… Let each build upon each other until we embrace genuine purpose within this sacred moment…

We rediscovered that Advent is a sacred time. The time of heaven intersecting the time of the then and now. We have even talked about sacred people within the Christmas Adventure…remember…sacred people…set apart by and for God. We heard Mary and Joseph’s stories and discovered they were just ordinary people who “showed up” and God did the extraordinary in and through them…and we too have the same chance of the extraordinary…but we need to show up…that is when the extraordinary things happen…we heard the story of Mary and Elizabeth and how when they showed up hope was birthed within that sacred place.

And so here we are today…the day of Christmas…the day that we have waited for…the day that we celebrated the that Sacred Moment that love came down and the Sacred lived among us. What joy there was in heaven. Listen again to the angels greeting to the shepherds…
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
And what happened next…
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,


14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
They knew that had happened to and for humanity and they celebrated. Now I am going out on a limb here but it seems to me that they were more over joy not so much about the birth of Christ but what that birth would mean to you and to me…

I think my favorite piece of scripture about Christ’s birth is found in John 1, verses 1-14. Let me read this account for you…
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This is Christmas…this is the meaning behind the sacred moments…this is the joy of season. Immanuel…God with us. This is the story we, as Christians, should be telling instead of Santa Clause and his 8-tiny reindeer. This is the hope beyond all hope. This is the reason for the season…This is the greatest gift of all that we sang about just a few minutes ago, love wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. The sacred among us…

I continue to challenge you and I to take a road far different than the highway that leads to the Bethlehem Stable and continue to go back as we begin a New Year. I continue to dare us…you and I…to allow God to make something sacred out of our ordinary lives. The Sacred still walks among us, living in you and in me. We need to take that light into a world in need of light in the darkness. We have much to tell for we are the beloved of God for He loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son and whoever believes in Him shall not die but have eternal life… You Are Loved! We are not loved because of something we can do or earn, we are simply beloved, first born of God. The proof…God took on flesh and lived among us…that’s all the proof we need…

I continue to challenge you and I to slow ourselves down and sit within the Sacredness of the manger where we can see and feel the sacredness of space not only in our sanctuary but as we take our “tent of the Meeting” out into a world that is in need of a “sacred, safe place” to be…to see the sacredness of the ordinary…and bring what we find there to the world through the sacredness of our lives, within the sacred space…the witness of what we find there…in and through the manger to the cross of our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Merry Christmas…may you have a God-inspired New Year!

Amen.

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December 25, 2016

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
Psalm 98
Luke 2:1-20
John 1:1-14
Communion
Advent sermon series based on Marcia McFee’s series “Sacred”
and sermon, “Beloved…”
text

video

by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
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”
Christmas Eve Prayer
On this most holy of nights – v3
Raymond A. Foss
Christmas Eve Greeting (sermonette)
text
video

image
by Pastor Ruth Foss
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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 42,620+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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