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Sunday, January 08, 2017

sermon, "Cherished, Favored, and Loved...", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME, January 8, 2017, Baptism of the Lord Sunday



January 8, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Baptism of the Lord
Sermon Series:
 “Becoming You. . . ”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“Who Are You?” Sermon Series
Isaiah 42:1-9 NOG Bible
Matthew 3:13-17 MSG Bible
Acts 10:34-43 The Living Bible

“Cherished, Favored, and Loved. . . ”

Prayer that God’s Word is heard through me or in-spite of me. . .

Let us pray: Almighty God, the life you birthed in us by baptism into Jesus Christ will never die. Your justice never fails. Your mercy is everlasting.  Your healing river flows. Your Spirit blows where you will. We cannot stop you, God!
We are dry and thirsty, O God. Come, refresh us!
Come upon us, Holy Spirit!
Come upon these waters.
Let these waters be to us drops of your mercy.
Let these waters remind us of your righteousness and justice.
Let these waters renew in us the resurrection power of Jesus.
Let these waters make us long for your coming reign.
Most Holy God, Father! Full of Truth and Grace! Glory to you!
Jesus Christ, Savior, Lord! Glory to you!
 Spirit of fire, Spirit over the waters, Spirit of holiness! Glory to you!
Eternal God, One in Three and Three in One! All glory is yours, now and forever. Amen!


Have you ever just wanted to belong to something just the way you are? I mean there are so many conditions to being part of something. I like Planet Fitness’ slogan “A judgement free zone.” You can go there and not be ridiculed by what you look like, how much weight you can or can’t lift, or even how long you can walk on the treadmill. A place where you can feel comfortable as you take care of the temple God has given you.

Today is baptism of the Lord Sunday. Now we know that you receive the Holy Spirit at baptism and it is through the baptismal waters that we receive grace. In other words, in our baptism of water. . . our rebirth. . . we are given the gift of the Holy Spirit. . . the flame within us. God is the Master Creator. . . creating and recreating His creation. God created. . . the earth was birthed, out of the waters that covered the earth. Something new was created out of the water. But in our baptism there is yet another element that is added to the creation. Fire is added. . . the Holy Spirit. . . to complete the new creation. . .  It is through this same Spirit that we are guided. . . it is a gift given to all who believe. . .  We are accepted into. . . become part of. . . the family of believers at our baptism.

This truth, can be very hard to understand if we don’t realize who we are in Christ Jesus. Who are we really. . . how does God equip us. . . what are we supposed to do. . . ? We have begun to look at who we are in Christ. . . we have begun a deep journey into these questions and more. Let’s see what transformation happens as we become who God says we are and not who the world thinks we are. 

The first fact is this. . . you are God’s beloved. You are cherished, favored, and loved by God. Now this may be hard to grasp. We live in a world that we have a fear of rejection. You must have the right connections, wear the right clothes, do the right things to be “part of society” and not on the out skirts thereof. Love, for many, is conditional. We are loved if we. . . fill in the blank. Can you imagine what the world would be like without the human fear of rejection place that you are accepted for who you are and not who others want you to be.

Beloved this world does exist. . . there is a place where you and I are accepted, flaws and all. It is at the foot of the cross of Jesus. . .  It is within our baptismal waters of Grace. Listen to what happened when Jesus came to the Jordan River where John, the baptizer, was baptizing the people for their sins. . . read Matthew 3:13-17. . .

Matthew 3:13-17 The Message (MSG)
13-14 Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!”
15 But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.
16-17 The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”

This is my son. . . this is my daughter. . . chosen and marked by my love. . . she is the delight of my life. . . he is the delight of my life. . .  We too are beloved. . . we too hear these words of love. . . we also hear these words of affirmation not only who but whose we are.

We are chosen. . . by God. . . to be like Peter and the other apostles to share this good news that we continue to be witness of to this very day. Listen to what Peter had to say to those who were listening. . . listen to the promise of acceptance. . . read Acts 10:34-43:

Acts 10:34-43Living Bible (TLB)
34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that the Jews are not God’s only favorites! 35 In every nation he has those who worship him and do good deeds and are acceptable to him. 36-37 I’m sure you have heard about the Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus, the Messiah, who is Lord of all creation. This message has spread all through Judea, beginning with John the Baptist in Galilee. 38 And you no doubt know that Jesus of Nazareth was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power, and he went around doing good and healing all who were possessed by demons, for God was with him.

39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Israel and in Jerusalem, where he was murdered on a cross. 40-41 But God brought him back to life again three days later and showed him to certain witnesses God had selected beforehand—not to the general public, but to us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he sent us to preach the Good News everywhere and to testify that Jesus is ordained of God to be the Judge of all—living and dead. 43 And all the prophets have written about him, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

“We see very clearly that the Jews are not God’s only favorites! Everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” This is the message...this is the Good News. . . therefore we ARE BELOVED. Nothing of our own doing. We are accepted. . . as we are. . . by grace and grace alone. I would like to propose this. . . I would like to challenge us. Let’s live in the abundance of grace and acceptance and just see what happens when we offer that to others.

Today is the Baptism of the Lord Sunday, the day when we remember not only his life changing baptism but ours as well. Through water we are saved. Through water we are redeemed. Through water we are given a new life. (Walk down the aisle with the Baptismal Bowl and sprinkle the congregation when saying remember your baptism) So when the waters of life seem as if they are about to overtake you. . . remember your baptism. . .
You are my cherished child in whom I am well pleased. . .  When you feel as if you have no one who really cares in your life. . . remember your baptism. . . you are the delight of my life. When you feel like an outcast in this journey of life. . . remember your baptism. . .  You are chosen and marked by my love. When life has thrown you too many curves and you just can’t take one more. . . remember your baptism. . .  the skies opened up and God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on you. You have been sealed with love. . . you have been sealed with power. . . you have been sealed with grace. . . you have been sealed by the Spirit.  Remember your baptism!

Amen


==================
January 21, 2017
the One who teaches us
January 21, 2017
the One who guides us
January 21, 2017
the One who takes away our sin
January 21, 2017
the One who redeemed us
January 21, 2017
God continues to call us
January 21, 2017
God molds us into the name
January 21, 2017
The one who knows our name
January 21, 2017
God molds us into the image
January 21, 2017
we bear the name of Christ
January 21, 2017
children of the Most High God
January 21, 2017
healing our broken vessels
edited January 21, 2017
We are the clay of the Potter – v2
edited January 20, 2017
Claimed by the Creator – v2
edited January 20, 2017
this is the God who named us – v2
January 20, 2017
this is the God who named us
edited January 20, 2017
do we know our name – v2
edited January 20, 2017
Rabbi, Messiah, and Lamb – v3
edited January 19, 2017
our identity in Christ - v2
January 19, 2017
the God who gave us life
January 19, 2017
We are clay of the Potter
(starting with second stanza of “God is the one who formed you”)
January 19, 2017
God is the one who formed you
January 19, 2017
we were only dust
January 19, 2017
you give us the breath of life
January 19, 2017
we are all formed by your hand
January 19, 2017
Claimed by the Creator
edited January 19, 2017
You are mine – v2
January 19, 2017
the Lord your God
January 19, 2017
we are the clay - 2
January 19, 2017
this is the potter
January 19, 2017
the Creator of the universe
January 19, 2017
we too are beloved – v2
January 18, 2017
I have called you by name
January 18, 2017
You are mine
January 18, 2017
I have redeemed you
edited January 18, 2017
Rabbi, Messiah, and Lamb – v2
January 18, 2017
Rabbi, Messiah, and Lamb
edited January 18, 2017
Rabbi, teacher – v2
edited January 18, 2017
many pieces, one body of Christ
edited January 18, 2017
I follow Christ – v2
January 18, 2017
I follow Christ
January 18, 2017
John spoke his name
January 18, 2017
Jesus was the Lamb
January 18, 2017
do we know our name
January 18, 2017
Christ taught us about God
January 18, 2017
we are taught by his life
January 18, 2017
we are still being  taught
January 17, 2017
Rabbi, teacher
January 16, 2017
Jesus wore that name to the cross
January 16, 2017
shattered pieces of the body of Christ
January 16, 2017
Claiming other masters
January 16, 2017
we have gone to the river
January 16, 2017
we are God’s beloved - 2
January 16, 2017
not who the world thinks we are
January 16, 2017
may we become who God says we are
January 16, 2017
to become who God wants me to be
January 16, 2017
we have found the Messiah - 2
January 16, 2017
we have found the Christ
January 16, 2017
named by God
January 16, 2017
labeled by the world
January 16, 2017
I want there to be more
edited January 16, 2017
a Follower of Christ – v2
January 16, 2017
a Follower of Christ
January 16, 2017
He is the One
January 15, 2017
rejecting their labels
January 15, 2017
names we long to hear
January 15, 2017
the names we hear whispered
January 15, 2017
the names we call ourselves
January 15, 2017
peeling away the veneer
January 15, 2017
following the Messiah
January 15, 2017
leaving the prophet
January 14, 2017
leaving John at the Jordan
January 14, 2017
bringing Peter to Christ
January 14, 2017
chasing after the Christ
on Andrew, brother of Peter
edited January 14, 2017
fire fell upon the Christ – v3
(editing version 2)
edited January 14, 2017
through the waters, through the fire – v2
January 9, 2017
through the waters, through the fire
edited January 14, 2017
we are blessed – 3 – v2
January 14, 2017
we are blessed - 3
January 14, 2017
who are you
January 14, 2017
Do we know who we are
January 14, 2017
You are the Beloved of God
January 15, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
 “Becoming You…”
“Named”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“Who Are You?” Sermon Series
Psalm 40:1-7 (TLB)
Isaiah 43:1-3 (NIV Bible)
John 1:29-32 (NLT)
John 1:37-41 (NLT)
1 Corinthians 1:11-12 (NIV Bible)
Isaiah 64:8 (NLT)
and sermon, “Who Do You Say You Are…?”
text

video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Children’s Message – mystery box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 15, 2017
&
edited January 13, 2017
Fire fell upon the Christ – v2
edited January 13, 2017
Fire fell upon Him – v2
edited January 13, 2017
Fire fell upon the Christ
January 13, 2017
fire fell upon him
edited January 12, 2017
life-giving fire – v3
(editing version 2)
edited January 12, 2017
a moment in history – v2
edited January 12, 2017
a moment in history
January 12, 2017
a moment in history
edited/new January 12, 2017
in the water we die
January 12, 2017
into the waters we fall
edited January 12, 2017
through water, through fire – v2
edited January 12, 2017
droplets of your mercy – v2
edited January 11, 2017
this is the promise – v2
edited January 11, 2017
unconditional love – v2
edited January 11, 2017
you have been sealed with power – v2
edited January 11, 2017
breaking open our lives  - v3
(editing version 2)
edited January 11, 2017
our jars of alabaster – v2
edited January 11, 2017
scattering our gifts – v2
January 10, 2017
you have been sealed with grace
January 10, 2017
you have been sealed with power
January 9, 2017
you have been sealed – v2
January 9, 2017
through water we are redeemed – v2
January 9, 2017
Remember your baptism – v4
(editing version 3)
edited January 9, 2017
through water, through fire
January 9, 2017
through the waters, through the fire
January 9, 2017
life-changing baptism
January 9, 2017
WE ARE BELOVED - 2
January 9, 2017
through his name
January 9, 2017
this is the promise
January 9, 2017
we too are beloved
January 9, 2017
the delight of my life
January 9, 2017
marked by my love - 2
January 9, 2017
accepted, flaws and all
January 9, 2017
love is conditional
January 9, 2017
Cherished, favored, and loved
January 8, 2017
unconditional love
January 8, 2017
the flame within us
January 8, 2017
to complete the new creation - 2
January 8, 2017
in our baptism of water – 2
&
================
February 6, 2016
let these waters remind us
February 6, 2016
Come, refresh us
February 6, 2016
droplets of your mercy
February 6, 2016
you have been sealed
February 6, 2016
your healing waters flow
February 6, 2016
through water we are redeemed
edited February 6, 2016
Remember your baptism – v3
(editing version 2)
edited February 5, 2016
Remember your baptism – v2
February 5, 2016
Remember your baptism
February 5, 2016
Fire and Water work together - 2
edited February 4, 2016
the Spirit and Water – v4
(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
February 3, 2016
Fire is added - 2
February 3, 2016
out of the waters - 2
edited February 3, 2016
God created – 2 – v2
February 3, 2016
God created - 2
February 2, 2016
the earth was birthed - 2
February 2, 2016
God, through Christ
February 2, 2016
God created light - 2
February 2, 2016
the flames within us
February 2, 2016
in our baptism of water
January 20, 2016
fire and water work together
January 17, 2016
never before
January 17, 2016
understanding
January 17, 2016
all of a sudden
January 17, 2016
unveiling our eyes
edited January 14, 2016
The Spirit and Water – v3
(editing original)
edited January 11, 2016
The Spirit and Water – v2
January 10, 2016
The Spirit and Water
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
and sermon, “Fire and Water ”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message from Mystery Box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
praise song  - “Hear Our Praises”
praise song – “You Deserve the Glory”
praise songs - "We Will Dance", "Blessed Assurance", and "Glory and Honor", all together
offertory – “Your Love Oh Lord”
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
January 10, 2016
======================
&
January 8, 2017
My Chosen One
January 8, 2017
remembering my baptism
January 8, 2017
Water and Fire
edited January 8, 2017
life-giving fire – v2
January 8, 2017
life-giving fire
January 8, 2017
Spirit of fire – v2
January 8, 2017
Spirit of fire
January 8, 2017
You are God’s Beloved
January 8, 2017
temples of fire
January 8, 2017
Fire added
January 8, 2017
the life you birthed in us
January 8, 2017
This was God’s Servant
January 8, 2017
coming to the Jordan
January 8, 2017
I can’t baptize you
edited January 8, 2017
Cherished of God – v2
January 7, 2017
Cherished of God
January 7, 2017
His cousin standing before him
January 7, 2017
Baptizing  Christ
January 7, 2017
Baptizing Jesus
January 7, 2017
taking God into his arms
January 7, 2017
Cherished and Beloved
January 7, 2017
more than a prophet
January 8, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Sermon Series:
 “Becoming You…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“Who Are You?” Sermon Series
Isaiah 42:1-9
Matthew 3:13-17
Acts 10:34-43
and sermon, “Cherished, Favored, and Loved…”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Children’s Message – mystery box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 8, 2017
Baptism of the Lord Sunday
&
January 7, 2017
prisoners of Christ – v2
January 7, 2017
being vessels, servants
January 7, 2017
prisoners of Christ
edited January 7, 2017
offering our witness – 2 – v2
January 7, 2017
offering our witness - 2
edited January 7, 2017
like seeds of the Sower – v2
January 7, 2017
within the alabaster
January 7, 2017
like jars of alabaster
January 7, 2017
our jars of alabaster
January 7, 2017
scattering our gifts
January 7, 2017
showering our gifts
edited January 7, 2017
breaking open our lives – v2
January 7, 2017
breaking open our lives
January 7, 2017
breaking open the bottles
January 7, 2017
laying our gifts at Christ’s feet
January 6, 2017
like seeds of the Sower
Epiphany Day / Three Kings Day
January 6, 2017
like gifts of the Magi
Epiphany Day / Three Kings Day
January 6, 2017
we share our stories of faith
edited January 6, 2017
Ignore the world – v2
edited January 6, 2017
becoming who God says we are – v2
Epiphany Day / Three Kings Day
edited January 6, 2017
treasure we carry – v3
Epiphany Day / Three Kings Day
edited January 6, 2017
treasure we carry – v2
January 6, 2017
treasure we carry
Epiphany Day / Three Kings Day
January 6, 2017
redistribute grace
January 6, 2017
grace is entrusted to us
January 6, 2017
we hold grace
edited January 6, 2017
who are we really – 2 – v2
January 5, 2017
a new revelation
January 5, 2017
becoming who God says we are
January 5, 2017
our identity in Christ
January 5, 2017
Do we know
January 5, 2017
Ignore the world
January 5, 2017
who are we really – 2
January 4, 2017
a journey to discover
edited January 4, 2017
who are we really – v2
January 4, 2017
who are we really
January 4, 2017
who we are in Christ
edited January 3, 2017
yoked to one another – v2
January 3, 2017
yoked to one another
edited January 3, 2017
Doing more together – v2
January 3, 2017
Doing more together
January 3, 2017
Too much for us to carry
January 3, 2017
Let’s Do This Together – v2
January 3, 2017
Let’s Do This Together
January 3, 2017
We are commissioned
January 3, 2017
God will dwell with us
January 2, 2017
Their Reward
January 2, 2017
we celebrate the Magi
January 2, 2017
Doing more
January 2, 2017
Saving more
January 2, 2017
Grace is given - 3
January 2, 2017
Let’s bring them
January 2, 2017
maybe this year
January 1, 2017
Let’s share the message
January 1, 2017
we can do this together
January 1, 2017
not sitting silent, doing
January 1, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
New Year’s Day
Sermon Series:
 “Becoming You…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“Who Are You?” Sermon Series
Psalm 8 NKJV
Revelation 21:1-6 CEB
Ephesians 3:1-12 CEB
Matthew 2:9-10 NIV
and sermon, “Let’s Do This…!”
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message – tissue in mystery box
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 1, 2017
Epiphany of the Lord Sunday
New Years Day

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 42,950 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, God, Spirit, grace, love, faith, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, journey, cherished, beloved, Isaiah 43, Psalm 40, John 1, 1 Corinthians 1, favored, baptism,

#Christ #God #Spirit #grace #love #journey #cherished #beloved #Isaiah43 #Psalm40 #John1 #1Corinthians1

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Christ, God, Spirit, grace, love, faith, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, journey, Isaiah 42, Matthew 3, Acts 10, cherished, favored, loved, baptism of the Lord, baptism,

#Christ #God #Spirit #grace #love #baptism #journey #Isaiah42 #Matthew3 #Acts10 #cherished #favored #loved #BaptismoftheLord

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