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
==============
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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