December 11, 2016
Stetson Memorial UMC
3rd Sunday
of Advent
“A Sacred Moment”
Sermon Series
Psalm 146
Psalm 47:2a
Luke 1:39-56
“Birthing Room...”
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 Luke Chapter 1, verses 39-56.
Listen to the word of God for His people. . . you and I. . . (Read the gospel from the Common English Bible)
Have
you ever been somewhere and just standing in the place just feels so holy. . . almost
as if you reached out. . . you could touch the hand of God. . . ?
·
Talk
about Rolling Ridge and the sacredness of the it. . .
What
makes a place sacred. . . and not so sacred? Is there some kind of formula that
you can follow. . . like a bunch of boxes to be checked off. . . to know this
is the genuine real deal. . . ?
Over
the past couple 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,
as people, as Christians need to find a way to slow down, otherwise 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. As we slow down, we
will see the sacredness all around us.
The
word sacred itself means set apart and holy. The sacredness of something should
be revered and respected but the time of reverence and awe of this season seems
to get lost in the lights and glamor. In order for us 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 begun slowing down. . . even if for but a moment. . . to
see what might be missed in the hustle and bustle of the season. I would
challenge us. . . you and I. . . to take a spiritual journey to see all things
through the kaleidoscope. . . the display of beauty within the sacred space of
Advent. . .
Ok. . . so the places of Sacredness. . . the moments that can tend to get lost in
the hustle and bustle of the season are:
©
Sacred Time
©
Sacred People
©
Sacred Space
©
Sacred Knowing
©
Sacred Being
©
Sacred Doing
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. . . And as I
have said. . . in order to really enter into the Sacredness of Advent. . . we
need to do it more than just on Sunday’s so I would ask 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. The time had come for a heart and life change. 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. . .
In
today scripture we hear about two women who “showed up” for God, Mary, and
Elizabeth. Their bodies became the sacred places where hope was birthed. This
hope was going to move and transform the world. Both Mary and Elizabeth were
filled with the Holy Spirit. . . in fact,
Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit as Mary. . . who made the space for the
hope of the world as she was set apart to be sacred within that sacred moment
in time spent with Elizabeth. Within that sacred space. . . within our
sacred space new hope is birthed. As we go out into the world we can affect the
ordinary with our extraordinary lives for God and joy is birthed, peace is
birthed, hope is birthed. We should be
vessels, set apart for Gods purposes and sent out to be pour out over a world
without hope, without peace, without joy, without love, without a Savior.
The world is one big “birthing room” but we need to choose to be midwifes of
the Master Physician who heals all that is broken.
There
was a sacred knowing within that moment that was shared. Elizabeth shouted
glory to God. . . she knew that the child Mary was carrying was the Holy One of
Israel. As deep calls out to deep (Psalm
47:2a) sacred calls out to sacred. . . And Mary sang a song of praise that is
probably the most beautiful awe inspiring, glory to God song I have ever heard.
. . in fact I have kind of adopted it for
my own as I sing that you to God within and with my whole being.
Sacred place. . . I said earlier. . . the
place we are sitting right now is a sacred place. We have set apart this place
as a holy place, a place that is sacred because this is where we come to meet
with God each Sunday. This is a place that we have set aside for God. . . much
like the tabernacle in the wilderness that the Israelite’s had. . . where they
met God. But here is where there is a difference. Their place to me God. . . sometimes
called the Tent of the Meeting. . . was portable. When they moved. . . God
moved with them. . . God went before them and they stopped where God stopped.
I want you to think about
this fact for a moment. God went before them as they traveled with their
tabernacle. What if. . . and I am going out on a limb here. . . what if we too
took our tabernacle with us...? What if we too followed where God wanted us to
go and brought our sacred place with us. That would mean that where ever we
went it would be a sacred place. . . where sacred and set apart people would
invite others to enter into the journey. . . as we enter into a sacred time
with and for God. . . remember God is Immanuel. . . God with us. . . If this is so. . . If we believe this mind
blowing fact. . . Every place we go is sacred. . . we are always sacred people
set apart. . . and our lives would be spent in the awe and reverence of God. .
. within the veil of time.
As
I have asked before. . . how are we going to spend this “holiday season”? Are
you and I going for the superficial. . . or is there something more. . . is
there a better way? I continue to challenge you and I to take a road far
different than the highway that leads to the Bethlehem Stable. I dare us. . . you
and I. . . to allow God to make something sacred out of our ordinary lives. We
can live within the veil of a scared space knowing the time has come to seek
what really matters.
Perhaps
as we contemplate of the sacredness of space this week that we would walk in
our own call to be sacred as we usher in the presence of peace. You were all given a safety pin this
morning. The symbolism is this. While we were creating this beautiful vision,
we have in the sanctuary this morning, Sara Hill was wearing a safety pin. When
I asked her about it she said “it was on Facebook. There are so many people who
don’t feel safe anymore in the country they live. The pin is a symbol we wear
to let them know they are safe with us.” I challenge you to wear it and be that
sacred place others can run to.
I
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.
Amen.
--------------------------
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
sermon blog
meditation blog
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
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