January 1, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
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
“Let’s Do This…”
Prayer that God’s Word is heard through me
or in-spite of me…
Good
morning. Have you ever been so psyched to do something that you are all pumped
up? You are so excited that you can’t even sleep. It is something that you have
wanted to do or so long and now you have your opportunity to do so. I love the
Home Depot commercials where people are going to Home Depot and getting the
stuff they need to complete a project around the home. The phrase that catches
my attention is when they say “Let’s do this.” I think that this year this will
be my “mantra” … Let’s Do This!
Happy
New Year! I pray that all of you had an awe-inspired Christmas and that you
would have a God breathed New Year. It is nice though, having the holiday’s
behind us. I can have a chance to slow down a little and breath in…well at least for the next 9 weeks before
Lent begins.
Back
to the let’s do this statement. In the Christian calendar, today is Epiphany
Sunday. The day we celebrate the Magi coming to visit Jesus… I wonder how they
must have felt? They were so excited to see His star and they traveled from a
faraway distant land. They finally were able see the new born king that was
foretold by the prophets. Listen to what Matthew 2:9-10 says about their
emotions upon finding Jesus.
“After they had heard the
king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went
ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they
saw the star, they were overjoyed.”
Their “Let’s Do This” brought them to a
place of awe and wonder…they followed God’s star and discovered and unimagined
joy.
Each time we enter into a new year I always
think of Revelation 21:1-6. It reminds me of God’s promise and gives me hope of
“Maybe this year.” It reads:
New heaven and new earth
21
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former
earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride
beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne
say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and
they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will
wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no
mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5
Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He
also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then
he said to me, “All is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and
the end. To the thirsty I will freely give water from the life-giving spring.
This piece of scripture makes we want to do
something in the here and now… This piece of scripture makes me say “let’s do
this”…Let’s make a difference in other’s lives…Let’s help those who are
mourning, in pain, crying… Let’s bring them to God’s dwelling place so that god
may dwell with them too.
Now you may say to yourself…well that’s all fine and
good for you Pastor Ruth but I am not so sure this “Let’s do this” mantra is
going to work for me…I’m just not cut out to “do it.” You know what…neither was
I. But the grace of God came upon me and I stand here before you now because of
it. But you still may not be convinced of the whole “Let’s
do this thing” … Ok…let’s hear a word from Paul that kind of tells us that we
all really do need to “Do This”… now as I read this scripture I want you to
insert your name when I say Paul … I am reading Ephesians 3:1-12…
Paul, apostle to the
Gentiles
3
This is why I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ for you Gentiles.
2
You’ve heard, of course, about the responsibility to distribute God’s grace,
which God gave to me for you, right? 3 God showed me his secret plan in a
revelation, as I mentioned briefly before (4 when you read this, you’ll
understand my insight into the secret plan about Christ). 5 Earlier generations
didn’t know this hidden plan that God has now revealed to his holy apostles and
prophets through the Spirit. 6 This plan is that the Gentiles would be coheirs
and parts of the same body, and that they would share with the Jews in the
promises of God in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I became a servant of the
gospel because of the grace that God showed me through the exercise of his
power.
8
God gave his grace to me, the least of all God’s people, to preach the good
news about the immeasurable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. 9 God sent me to
reveal the secret plan that had been hidden since the beginning of time by God,
who created everything. 10 God’s purpose is now to show the rulers and powers
in the heavens the many different varieties of his wisdom through the church.
11 This was consistent with the plan he had from the beginning of time that he
accomplished through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In Christ we have bold and
confident access to God through faith in him.”
“about
the responsibility to distribute God’s grace, which God gave to me for you” We have a responsibility to distribute God’s
grace…to share our stories of faith. We are given grace to share grace…
“This
plan is that the Gentiles would be coheirs and parts of the same body, and that
they would share with the Jews in the promises of God in Christ Jesus through
the gospel” We are to share
the fact that within God’s plan, through Jesus, we too have the same promises
of old…
“God
gave his grace to me, the least of all God’s people, to preach the good news
about the immeasurable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. 9 God sent me to
reveal the secret plan that had been hidden since the beginning of time by God,
who created everything” We are to
be the ambassadors of God to the world…from our homeland which is not of this
world… We are to share the Good News…
This all can be very hard when we may not know who
we are in Christ Jesus. Who are we really…how does God equip
us…what are we supposed to do…? I propose this for us. Let’s look at who we
are. Let’s take 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.
In
2017 let’s do this…let’s have “More saving. More doing.” …as home depot states.
This journey begins with its first steps today. Are you willing to become you?
Well then “Let’s Do This” together. Let’s do this for the One who is the
Messiah…the Savior…the child in a manger…our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
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
Christ, God, Spirit, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss,
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Advent, Christmas, hope, peace,
sacred, joy, Ephesians 3, Revelations
21, Psalm 8, Epiphany, Magi, journey,
#Christ #God #Spirit #grace #love #hope #Advent
#Christmas #peace #sacred #joy #Epiphany #Ephesians3
No comments:
Post a Comment