April
2, 2017
Stetson
Memorial UMC
5th
Sunday of Lent
Sermon
Series:
“God Shaped Hole. . . ”
Inspired
by Marcia McPhee’s
Looking For Love. . .
“Liberator”
Ezekiel
37:1-14
Psalm
130
Psalm
130:1-8
John
11:1-45
sermon,
“within these dry bones”
within
these dry bones
Isn’t that Psalm 130 amazing, when we
cry out, God answers our prayers; God forgives us, redeems us to life. God does
not remember our sin, no matter what they are.
But do we really
believe this; do we trust in God; do we believe in the power of Christ that
much; do we feel the Holy Spirit alive, working within us? Do we believe that
Christ has already paid for our freedom?
Do we feel dead inside, as a church,
as a community of believers, or even within our own hearts? Do we believe the
lies that this church is dying, that we are already dead?
I pray we have a Lazarus moment,
today, in this season. I pray we all can say with Mark Twain, “the rumors of my
death have been greatly exaggerated.”
We are continuing
our journey searching for that which is missing in our lives, to fill the
God-shaped hole in our walk.
On Ash Wednesday, we began our
journey, acknowledging we are broken, looking for love, too often in the wrong
places. We affirmed on March 5 that we sin and we need a Resistor to help us fight
temptation’s call. We stated plainly on March 12 that we need a Helper, Christ,
the Holy Spirit on our journey. We drank of the living water from our Thirst
Quencher on March 19. And we, who are sheep of Christ’s flock, rejoiced in our
Shepherd last week.
Today we shine in the light of our
Savior, our Liberator, who raises us from the pit, from the depths, from our
death into life here on earth and life at the end of this walk.
Today’s scripture, in addition to the Psalm 130, include two
amazing resurrection stories, one from Ezekiel and one from John. It is fitting
that we include the John passage, as this is the final sign in John that Christ
is the Messiah, the Savior of the World. He is our Liberator, the one who
vanquished death for you and for me.
The story in Ezekiel is the story of the valley of dry bones, from
when the people of Israel were scattered and defeated. The prophet Ezekiel has
a vision of a valley of dry bones. He sees only death and despair; but God is
the Creator, the Savior of the people. God knows the future, His hope for His
people.
5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.”
And you know what, there was a
rattling of the bones and the bones started to come together, right before his
eyes, the tendons and muscle and skin formed around the bones. But the people
were still just dead bones, inert, without life. But God wasn’t done; Ezekiel
wasn’t done.
10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord.
Can you imagine that, can you
picture that, dry bones gaining flesh and then gaining life, restored by the
power of God, liberated from captivity, as they would be, by God’s hand, a
great army once more, a powerful people once more. Can you imagine the hope in
that story, in that vision, in the power of God.
God will open the graves of His
people and bring them home to the Promised Land once more. There is such hope,
a rebirth, a coming together as a people; as a nation, through the power of
God.
The second story is in John 11 and is the story of Jesus raising
Lazarus from the dead. This foretells His own resurrection but also informs
part of the Palm Sunday story as well, just a day or two later, when people
came out to see both Lazarus and Jesus, entering Jerusalem.
Now, this story is different, and more personal, because Jesus
knew Lazarus, he knew Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha. We’ve come to know
them too through some of our bible studies here at the church, especially the
study on the Joanna Weaver’s book, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.
This family was special to Jesus, personally. And they lived in
the town of Bethany, a little town outside of Jerusalem, just under the noses
of the religious authorities who wanted to kill Jesus. Lazarus was Christ’s
friend. His desire to go to him was palpable when he was told he was gravely
ill. But he didn’t go right away; he stayed where he was. He only went to
Bethany after he knew Lazarus would be dead. That was the whole point. He was
submitting to God’s plan, to God’s purpose for his life. He told his disciples
as much, though they still were having trouble believing fully,
12-13 The disciples said, “Master, if he’s gone to sleep, he’ll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine.” Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap.
14-15 Then Jesus became explicit: “Lazarus died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.” (They still needed proof.)
And, as Christ knew, Lazarus had been dead for four days. The fact it is four days is significant. Jews believed the soul kept coming back for three days but departed the grave area after 3 days because the body started to decompose. Four days meant Lazarus was truly dead and that raising him would be a miracle.
I don’t know how many of you have seen something dead for four or more days. I know I will never forget seeing, and smelling, a dead moose on the Allagash when I canoed it in 1976. It was really gross to look at and it smelled horrible. These were not just dry bones in the valley. This was death and decay up close and personal. So it was that day in Bethany, but I get a little ahead of the story.
Christ’s disciples were still having some trouble reading the signs but the sisters of Lazarus were a lot closer. We hear wonderful testimonies from each of them.
Martha, not Mary, is the first
of them that runs out to Jesus on the road outside the town. She knew His power and said as much, that if
He had been there, her brother wouldn’t have died. Then it gets a little more
complicated. Christ says that Lazarus will live. He doesn’t frame it at the end
times but that is what Martha assumes Christ meant. Then Christ says that most
amazing thing:
25-26 “You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The
one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who
lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Master. All along I have believed that
you are the Messiah, the Son of God who comes into the world.”
Church,
Do you believe that, do you really believe that? Does that truth inform your
life? Do you fear death, even physical death in the face of that promise? Do
you worry day to day, in your walk in life?
Next came Mary, the woman who had sat at Christ’s feet, who had
washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. The tension builds
as we reach a climax at Lazarus’ grave.
Mary came to where Jesus was waiting
and fell at his feet, saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother
would not have died.” Jesus asked, “Where did you put him?” 34-35 Then Jesus wept.
38-39 Then Jesus, […] arrived at the tomb. It was a
simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. Jesus said,
“Remove the stone.”
Martha, said, “Master, by this time
there’s a stench. He’s been dead four days!”
40 Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell
you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” […]
They removed the stone at his command.
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have
listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd
standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.”
43-44 Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he
came out, a cadaver, a dead man now alive. […]
Within these dry bones, within our bodies, within this church, there is life, there is power; we are alive, a people, an army of believers gathered, ready to do battle to fight for Almighty God, if that is how we live our lives.
We have a choice to make as we conclude our Lenten journey, as we
enter Holy Week, as we live out the rest of our lives.
Will we fill that God-shaped hole in our lives with Love, with the
Resistor, with the Helper, the Living Water, the Shepherd, with our Liberator,
with Jesus Christ?
Will we come forth when Jesus calls us from our tomb, from our
slumber? Will we believe that our lives, this church, all of us together have a
purpose, a calling from God, right here, right now?
Will
we shed our burial garments and put on Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior, the
Liberator of our lives? Will we ignore the other voices and answer our Master’s call?
Amen
====
====
April 1, 2017
may the bones
come together
April 2, 2017
Stetson
Memorial UMC
5th
Sunday of Lent
Sermon Series:
“God Shaped Hole. . . ”
Inspired by
Marcia McPhee’s
Looking For Love. . .
“Liberator”
Ezekiel
37:1-14
Psalm 130
Psalm 130:1-8
John 11:1-45
sermon, “within
these dry bones”
text:
video:
by
Raymond A. Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
5th Sunday of
Lent
April 2, 2017
&
John
11:1-15, 38-45
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Seeing
with the Eyes of God”
March
27, 2017 to April 2, 2017
by
Deirdre Good
devotion
for April 2, 2017
read
April 1, 2017
&
edited April 1, 2017
a prisoner of
hope – v2
April 1, 2017
a prisoner of
hope
quote of
Bishop Desmond Tutu
April
1, 2017
there
is no life
April
1, 2017
the
breath of life
Ezekiel
37:1-14
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Seeing
with the Eyes of God”
March
27, 2017 to April 2, 2017
by
Deirdre Good
devotion
for April 1, 2017
read
April 1, 2017
&
April
1, 2017
a
living, breathing nation
edited/renamed
March 31, 2017
We are not
dead; We are alive
March 31, 2017
He is not
dead; He is alive
March 31, 2017
prophesy to
the bones
edited March
31, 2017
within these
dry bones – v2
March 31, 2017
within these
dry bones
March
31, 2017
get
up my people
Ezekiel
37:1-14
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Seeing
with the Eyes of God”
March
27, 2017 to April 2, 2017
by
Deirdre Good
devotion
for March 31, 2017
read
March 31, 2017
&
John
11:1-45
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Seeing
with the Eyes of God”
March
27, 2017 to April 2, 2017
by
Deirdre Good
devotion
for March 30, 2017
read
March 30, 2017
&
April 1, 2017
Jesus gathers us in - 2
April 1, 2017
a different kind of Savior
April 1, 2017
Jesus, our Shepherd
April 1, 2017
the Lord looks on the inside
April 1, 2017
a rain to fall
upon our parched soul
March 31, 2017
The voice of the world
March 30, 2017
we listen to the wrong voices
March 30, 2017
the voice that knows our path
March 30, 2017
Too many voices
March 30, 2017
spend time with the shepherd
March 30, 2017
listen to the voice of God
March 30, 2017
as Your guest
March 26, 2017
Stetson
Memorial UMC
4th
Sunday of Lent
Sermon Series:
“God Shaped Hole. . . ”
Inspired by
Marcia McPhee’s
Looking For Love. . .
Psalm 23
Psalm 23:1-6
John 10:1-21
NIV
1 Samuel
16:1-13
sermon, “Ba Ba
Black Sheep”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
4th Sunday of
Lent
March 26, 2017
&
March 30, 2017
tearing way
the excess
March 30, 2017
filling that
hole
March 30, 2017
give me this water
March 30, 2017
pour your love
March 30, 2017
His blood cleanseth
March 30, 2017
unquenchable thirst
March 30, 2017
a God-shaped
hole
March 20, 2017
You Will
Thirst No More
March 19, 2017
in the waters of grace
March 19, 2017
we are refreshed now
March 19, 2017
we are released of our sin
March 19, 2017
we are washed clean now
March 19, 2017
Share the Water
March 19, 2017
Christ is that
well
March 19, 2017
Stetson
Memorial UMC
3rd Sunday of
Lent
Sermon Series:
“God Shaped Hole. . . ”
Inspired by
Marcia McPhee’s
Looking For Love. . .
Psalm 95:1-7
John 4:1-15
Romans 5:1-5
Exodus 17:1-6
sermon, “You
Will Thirst No More… ”
(with Sermon
Notes)
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
3rd
Sunday of Lent
March 19, 2017
&
March 19, 2017
Jesus is that Savior
March 19, 2017
we all need the Savior
March 19, 2017
Until the
Savior set us free
March 18, 2017
my help comes from the Lord
March 18, 2017
without Jesus we are dead
March 18, 2017
we need a Savior
March 18, 2017
sin rules us
March 18, 2017
seek God
March 18, 2017
searching for something
March 16, 2017
the resistance of evil
March 16, 2017
to fill the void
March 16, 2017
a pilgrimage
to the cross
March 15, 2017
we shall not perish
March 15, 2017
God saved the world
March 15, 2017
Faith is Life
March 15, 2017
I need a Mother
March 15, 2017
I need a Father
March 15, 2017
I need a Guide
March 15, 2017
I need a Helper
March 15, 2017
I need a Savior
March 15, 2017
I need
Somebody
March 12, 2017
2nd Sunday of Lent
Sermon Series:
“God Shaped Hole…”
Inspired by Marcia
McPhee’s
Looking For Love…
Psalm 121
John 3:16-17
sermon, “Help,
I Need Somebody… ”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
2nd
Sunday of Lent
March 12, 2017
&
March 5, 2017
we shine in
the brilliance of God
March 5, 2017
resist evil
March 5, 2017
a resistor
March 5, 2017
a false hope
March 5, 2017
resist sin
March 5, 2017
a real reward
March 5, 2017
Don’t test me
March 5, 2017
1st Sunday of Lent
Sermon Series:
“God Shaped
Hole…”
“Looking for
the Resistor”
Inspired by
Marcia McPhee’s
Looking For
Love…
Matthew 4:1-11
Psalm 32
sermon, “Resist-or”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
1st
Sunday of Lent
March 5, 2017
&
March 5, 2017
Days of Journey
March 5, 2017
the piece we
are missing
March 5, 2017
failing
miserably
March 4, 2017
the God-shaped love
March 4, 2017
a journey to
repentance
edited March 4, 2017
cover me with clay – v2
March 3, 2017
cover me with
clay
edited March 3, 2017
the journey to the cross - 2
March 3, 2017
the journey of the cross
March 3, 2017
cover me with the dust of the earth
March 3, 2017
cloak my life
March 3, 2017
smudged with
ashes - 2
edited March
2, 2017
searching,
seeking
March 2, 2017
searching
March 1, 2017
Ash Wednesday service
Sermon Series:
“God Shaped
Hole…”
“Where Is the
Love”
Inspired by
Marcia McPhee’s
Looking For
Love…
Joel 2:12-17
Matthew 6:1-6;
16-21
Opening Words
Greeting
Lenten Prayer
Hymn, “In the Garden”
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance
Lenten Poem
sermon, “Where
Is The Love?”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Communion
Distribution
of Ashes
and closing hymn,
“It Is Well
with My Soul”
Closing Prayer
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
sermon blog
meditation
blog
“God’s
Whisper” blog
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Ash Wednesday
March 1, 2017
&
February 25,
2017
burning up our
praise
February 25,
2017
igniting our
prayers, our worship
February 28,
2017
Burning of the
Palm service
Isaiah 58:5-10
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
February 28,
2017
&
edited February
27, 2016
The Smell of
the Burning Palms – v6
(merging edits
to version 3 and version 5)
edited
February 19, 2015
The Smell of
the Burning Palms – v5
(merging edits
to original and version 3)
edited February 12, 2016
we will get up – v2
February 12, 2016
we will get up
February 12, 2016
We will stand up
February 12, 2016
And we will rise up
February 12, 2016
Deliver us
February 12, 2016
Restore us - 2
February 12, 2016
Create in us
February 12, 2016
Purge us
February 12, 2016
Teach us
February 12, 2016
Wash us
February 12, 2016
our sick souls
February 12, 2016
we lay down prostrate before you
February 12, 2016
we kneel before you - 2
February 12, 2016
we bow before you - 2
February 12, 2016
we need your grace
February 12, 2016
our hidden transgression
February 12, 2016
on this Ash Wednesday
February 12, 2016
meditation on God’s Holy Word
February 12, 2016
self-denial
February 12, 2016
prayer and fasting
February 12, 2016
a holy Lent - 3
February 12, 2016
prepared for Holy Baptism
February 12, 2016
During this season - 2
February 12, 2016
We’re guilty
edited February 11, 2016
Rip your heart wide open – v2
February 11, 2016
running back to God – 3
February 11, 2016
running back to God – 2
February 11, 2016
a season of change
February 11, 2016
spiritual preparation
February 11, 2016
Journeying with Him
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/journeying-with-him.html
February 11, 2016
Beginning in ashes
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/beginning-in-ashes.html
Journeying with Him
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/journeying-with-him.html
February 11, 2016
Beginning in ashes
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/beginning-in-ashes.html
February 11, 2016
Repent, change direction
February 11, 2016
here on Ash Wednesday
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/here-on-ash-wednesday.html
here on Ash Wednesday
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/here-on-ash-wednesday.html
February 11, 2016
this whole Lent thing
February 11, 2016
don't add too much
February 11, 2016
pray in secret
February 11, 2016
adding and subtracting
February 11, 2016
a time of self-reflection
February 11, 2016
Is there a mark on the inside
February 11, 2016
do not tear your clothes
February 11, 2016
Rip your heart wide open
February 11, 2016
even now
Ash Wednesday service
Joel 2:12-17a
Matthew 6:1-6,
16-21
centering song, “Surely the Presence”
Opening Words
Greeting
Lenten Prayer
Hymn, “In the Garden”
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance
Invitation to Communion
Prayer after Communion
Invitation to receive ashes
Distribution of Ashes
Lenten poem: ”Journeying to Jerusalem”
sermon, “The
Math of Lent 2.0”
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
and closing
hymn,
“It Is Well
with My Soul”
Closing Prayer
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Ash Wednesday
February 10,
2016
&
February 10, 2016
the palms ablaze
Ash Wednesday
February 10, 2016
into ashes
Ash Wednesday
edited February 10, 2016
Palms for the Ashes – v5
(merging edits to version 3 and version 4)
Ash Wednesday
edited February 10, 2016
I hear the crackle – v2
Ash Wednesday
February 10, 2016
I hear the crackle
Ash Wednesday
February 10, 2016
fuel for the fire
Ash Wednesday
edited February 10, 2016
how quickly they burn – 2 – v3
(editing version 2)
Ash Wednesday
edited
February 10, 2016
How quickly
they burn – v3
(editing
version 2)
Ash Wednesday
February 10,
2016
licking the
flesh
Ash Wednesday
edited
February 9, 2016
Our joy burned
in anger – v2
February 9,
2016
Our joy burned
in anger
Isaiah 58:5-10
Burning of the
Palm service
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
February 9,
2016 and February 10, 2016
&
edited
February 5, 2016
Palms for the
Ashes – v4
(editing
version 3)
February 5, 2016
Palms for the Fire
edited April
2, 2015
Palms for the
Ashes – v3
(merging edits
to version 2 and version 1)
edited
February 19, 2015
Palms for the
Ashes – v2
Ash Wednesday
service
Joel 2:12-17a
Matthew 6:1-6,
16-21
Prayer of Confession
Imposition of Ashes
Communion
Lenten poem:”Changer: A Lenten Poem”
by Adrienne Sparrow Trevathan
sermon, “The
Math of Lent”
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
and closing
hymn,
“It Is Well
with My Soul”
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Ash Wednesday
February 18,
2015
&
edited January
8, 2016
bittersweet –
v3
(merging edits
to version 2 and original)
edited
February 18, 2015
bittersweet –
v2
edited March 5, 2015
how quickly they burn – 2 – v2
February 17,
2015
how quickly
they burn - 2
Isaiah 58:5-10
Burning of the
Palm service
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
February 17,
2015 and February 18, 2015
&
edited March
21, 2015
the sweetness
of Sorrow – v3
(editing
version 2)
edited March
9, 2015
the sweetness
of Sorrow – v2
March 6, 2015
the sweetness
of Sorrow
edited May 6,
2015
breathing in
Sorrow – v5
(editing
version 3)
edited March
6, 2015
breathing in
Sorrow – v4
(merging edits
to version 3 and version 2)
edited
February 18, 2015
breathing in
Sorrow – v3
(editing
version 1)
edited March
24, 2014
breathing in
Sorrow – v2
edited, new
poem March 7, 2014
breathing in
Sorrow
edited
February 18, 2015
the ashes
drawn within – v3
(editing
version 2)
edited March
6, 2014
the ashes
drawn within – v2
March 6, 2014
the ashes
drawn within
Ash Wednesday
worship service at
Mountain
Heights Healthcare Facility
Patten, ME
March 6, 2014
&
edited August
5, 2015
The flesh of
that bread – v4
(editing
version 2)
edited April
19, 2014
The flesh of
that bread – v3
(editing
original version again)
edited March
12, 2014
The flesh of
that bread – v2
March 5, 2014
The flesh of
that bread
edited
February 18, 2015
the dust of
the ashes – v3
(editing
version 1 again)
edited March
10, 2014
the dust the
ashes – v2
March 5, 2014
the dust the
ashes
edited
February 18, 2015
the palms
consumed – v2
March 6, 2014
the palms
consumed
edited
February 18, 2015
the sorrow of
the ashes – v3
(editing
version 1)
edited March
15, 2014
the sorrow of
the ashes – v2
March 6, 2014
the sorrow of
the ashes
edited
February 18, 2015
my lungs
filled with the smoke – v2
March 6, 2014
my lungs
filled with the smoke
edited
February 18, 2015
burning our
celebration – v3
(editing
original)
edited March
10, 2014
burning our
celebration – v2
March 6, 2014
burning our
celebration
edited
February 18, 2015
burning our
hope – v3
(editing
version 1)
edited April
12, 2014
burning our
hope – v2
March 5, 2014
burning our hope
edited
February 18, 2015
cloaked in the
smoke – v2
March 5, 2014
cloaked in the
smoke
edited
February 18, 2015
ashes of that
fire – v2
March 5, 2014
ashes of that fire
edited
February 18, 2015
How quickly
they burn – v2
March 5, 2014
How quickly
they burn
edited/new
name February 18, 2015
the mirror of
the ashes
edited
February 18, 2015
the truth of
the ashes – v2
March 5, 2014
the truth of
the ashes
edited
February 18, 2015
the anger of
the fire – v5
(editing original
again)
edited March
30, 2014
the anger of
the fire – v4
edited March
24, 2014
the anger of
the fire – v3
edited March
15, 2014
the anger of
the fire – v2
March 5, 2014
the anger of
the fire
March 5, 2014
bittersweet
edited July
15, 2015
within the
sweetness of the smoke – v9
(editing
version 5)
edited July 1,
2015
within the
sweetness of the smoke – v8
(editing
version 5)
edited March
20, 2014
“within the
sweetness of the smoke – v7”
edited March
4, 2014
“within the
sweetness of the smoke – v6”
Ash Wednesday
and Lent
beginning this
week
burning of the
palms from last year
hymn -
“Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”, TFWS #2138
&
Worship Theme
– “Ash Wednesday”
Prelude
Unison Prayer
Matthew 6:1-6,
16-21 (CEB)
Joel 2:12-17a
(CEB)
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance
Imposition of Ashes
Communion
Lenten poem:”Changer: A Lenten Poem”
by Adrienne Sparrow Trevathan
my earlier
poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 5, 2014
Ash Wednesday
Lent
&
edited March
23, 2015
cover me with
dust – v3
Edited March
22, 2013
“cover me with
dust – v2”
February 15,
2013
“cover me with
dust”
Worship Theme
– “Ash Wednesday”
Prelude
Unison Prayer
Matthew 6:1-6,
16-21 (CEB)
Joel 2:12-17a
(CEB)
hymn,
“Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance
Imposition of Ashes
Communion liturgy – “The Great
Thanksgiving for Early Lent”
Lenten poem: “Changer: A Lenten Poem”
by Adrienne Sparrow Trevathan
my earlier
poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”
on the
bulletin back cover
This Lenten
Season, we are doing something a little different. We are doing Lenten Dramas
from: http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/home.htm
It is called "The Voice of God". We are hearing conversations between
God and some of the characters that took part in Passion Week. It has been a
"moving experience" for all. . .
February 13
2013 Ash Wednesday – James (portrayed by
Diane Mitchell)
February 17,
2013 – Judas (portrayal by Ray Foss)
February 24,
2013 – Peter (portrayal by Marshall
Burns)
March 3, 2013
– Pilate (portrayed by Richard Fleury)
March 10, 2013
– Barabbas (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)
March 17, 2013
- Dysmas (Thief on the cross) (portrayed
by Ray Foss)
March 24, 2013
Palm Sunday
March 28, 2013
Maunday Thursday – The Centurion
March 29, 2013
Good Friday - Mary Mother of Jesus
March 31, 2013
Easter Sunday! - The Gardner
and Ash
Wednesday Drama:
(a
conversation with James and God
after the
Garden of Gethsemane)
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Suncook United
Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 13,
2013
Ash Wednesday
Lent
&
Edited November 28, 2013
The brittleness of our hope – v2
(Thanksgiving Day)
February 6, 2013
new poem – “The brittleness of our hope”
The brittleness of our hope
Edited February 6, 2013
“The smell of the smoke – v3”
February 27, 2012
“The smell of the smoke – v2”
Worship Theme – “Ash
Wednesday”
Prelude
Unison Prayer
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)
Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)
Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51:3)
Pastoral Prayer
Word of Assurance (GBOD 2012)
Thanksgiving over the ashes
Distribution of the Ashes
hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138
and Ash Wednesday Meditation,
“The Math of Lent”
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Ash Wednesday
February 22, 2012
&
thinking on the earlier poem, “within the sweetness of
the smoke”
February 19, 2012
Ash Wednesday and Lent
beginning this week
burning of the palms from last year
hymn - “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”, TFWS #2138
&
Edited January
1, 2014
“within the
sweetness of the smoke – v5”
(editing
version 2)
Edited
February 14, 2013
“within the
sweetness of the smoke – v4”
Edited
February 14, 2013
“within the
sweetness of the smoke – v3”
Edited
February 6, 2013
“within the
sweetness of the smoke – v2”
February 19,
2012
“within the
sweetness of the smoke”
&
Worship Theme
– “God’s Healing Mercy”
Mark 2:1-12
(NRSV)
Isaiah
43:18-25 (NRSV)
2 Corinthians
1:18-22 (NRSV)
Call to Worship (Psalm 41:1-4, 13 (NRSV Bible))
Unison Prayer
Prayer of
Dedication ((GBOD Mark 9:2-9)
and sermon,
“How Good of God”
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Suncook United
Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Seventh Sunday
of Epiphany
Transfiguration
Sunday
February 12,
2012
&
February 21,
2009
Palms for the
Ashes
preparing the
Ash Wednesday ashes
from Palm
Sunday’s palms
Suncook United
Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
2/21/2009
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 43,620 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
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