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Sunday, May 07, 2017

sermon, "Why Did I Say...", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME, April 30, 2017



April 30, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
“A Season of Healing”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 116:1-4;12-19
Mark 5:1-8;14-15; 21-23

“Why Did I Say…”

The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray (Prayer that God’s Word is heard through me or in-spite of me)

Please stand for the Gospel according to Mark, chapter 5, verses 1-8;14-15; 21-23. Listen to the word of God from His love letter to His beloved, you and I…

(Read Scripture from the Good News Bible)

She sat and listened to all that was being said. She thought to herself “Why did I even ask? All I wanted was a little direction for my life and now…this. I knew I should have just kept my mouth shut.” She didn’t want to be rude and leave but it was getting to be a little too much for her. Finally, when they were done, she smiled and said, “it still doesn’t make sense. I am not sure of this really is a place…the place…for me…” got up and left…and never to returned.

They all thought to themselves how rude this girl was. “We were only trying to help. Besides, she asked what our opinion was. She seemed to want to know things that really should concern her. She’s just one of those “trouble makers” who want to “change the world”.” They were dumbfounded…how could this person disrespect them.  They were the ones who had the answers to all her questions. They were older and so much wiser than she was. Their opinion…their wisdom…was wasted on the younger generation. If they aren’t going to listen, why do they ask? Why do they have to make life so complicated for everyone else…

Earlier that evening, this girl (we will call her Hope) had gone to the group she had always gone to. It was just what she did. Hope had these questions in her mind from day one about the group but she was too afraid to ask. On this night, she decided to ask those questions that burned within her.

“Why do you only let just a few in? Why do think the way you do? Why is it that you do what you do? Well what if we…?” she asked as she poured out her heart to them. “You are so young, you wouldn’t understand why we do what we do. We have been this way since the beginning. We are an elite group and you need to understand…we don’t want “rabble rouser” coming in…you never know what “they” will do. We have tried before and well let’s just say that it didn’t go well for them…” as they laughed with almost a delight… “Are you one of those kinds of people or are you one of our kind of people”? This is the point that she got up and left…this rude little girl called Hope…

Good morning. This morning I want us to be interactive with each other as we were last week. I need audience participation. So please play along as the Spirit leads…In the story I just shared with you, what stands out for you? Give time for answers. What stands out for me is the fact that she left with her questions still not addressed. All she was given was pretty much data…

Beloved, we as Christ church need to have conversation of what ails us. What is hurting inside of us. What hold us back from living the life, individually and collective, that we are offered through Jesus. All too often, we sound a lot like this “group” of people. If we are to live our lives as Resurrection people we need to act as if we have been resurrected. All too often we are stuck in the tomb with our comfortable “death cloths” on not want to come out first being seen naked…leaving those things behind that binds us…and put on the robe of righteousness that we receive in and through Christ.

As I stated last week, over the next few weeks we will be talking about some of the things that ail us…that stop us from living that life in Christ. We will be mending fences and healing the heart with one another. And there may be no fences that need mending but we are all broken. What in us needs mending? My hope is that we will have that conversation that will lead to healing. Not only that but after the service each Sunday, I invite us to have further conversation…living room conversation with each other in the green room with a little coffee…a little snack and I hope a whole lot of conversation and mending. We will put ourselves in front of Jesus where we can be healed. There will be a week that my friend Margaret will come for you to have conversation with her of what ails your heart. Conversation is hard but it is vital if we want to be that vital congregation for Christ.

So, to begin with one word…intentions…what are our intentions in life?
Definition: purpose or attitude toward the effect of one's actions or conduct. In Short…why do we do what we do…why do we say what we say…why do we act as we act. Let’s try to figure out what this “group” of people from the story may be all about…

Were they inclusive or exclusive? Give time to answer… What do you think that their underlying factor…their motivation was? Again, time to answer…

Jesus was presented with the whole intentions thing a lot in his ministry and daily life. When Jesus started His ministry, He caused a lot of fear in the lives of the Pharisees. Jesus practiced “radical hospitality” when He took pity on others and loved them where they were. This shook the whole world, especially that of the Religious leaders. They we seen as wrong in their ways and they just couldn’t stand it or let it continue… So, they planned and executed their plan of getting rid of that outsider to their theology.

One of the instances was in the scripture I read this morning… Now the teachers of the law and Religious leaders lived and breathed their traditions. There were none better at that then they were and they enjoyed pointing that out. They wanted to show Jesus how He should act. They said that “His” disciples were not doing what was right…and of course they were what was right…right? What do you think their intentions were?

Well Jesus’ answer really did rock their world… As our president might say they were “wrong.” They were more concerned about what was on the outside…a showy faith…than the…real faith. They needed to get rid of this Jesus…He made them look bad…they feared that if He continued they would be seen as the frauds they really were…So they thought up and executed their plan to get rid of the thing…the one person…that caused them the most fear…Jesus… It is what is on the inside that God is concerned with…that is why we have this hope that no matter what our outward appearance shall be…race, gender, challenged, pierced, tattooed, sex, nationality, economically challenged… (fill in the blank)…God sees the inward appearance of a repentant heart…God sees the inward potential that can move mountains and bring Him glory…the kind of heart that not only brings Him glory but a smile to His face…

We as the body of Christ try to be inclusive…or at least I hope that we would be. Unfortunately, we can fall a little short of being that inclusive church…in other words…we are no Sandals vacation. There are many factors that make for an “exclusive group”…that needs to become inclusive:

©     Underlying factor - why do we do what we do. Is there something in the history of the group that would cause them…cause us not to want other to be part of the group. What is the motivation? Is it not wanting “outsiders” …” those people” or is much more than that? Is it power and prestige that is being “threatened”?
©     Trying to be help but not quite so helpful – There are times when we say the wrong thing unknowingly… We can only go from what we know.
©     How about tradition – those “we have always done it this way”. It will shatter all we know if we break that tradition. We will also have to admit we are wrong.
©     That leads into fear – sometimes it is things from our past, individually, and corporately, that causes us to fear…we don’t want (fill in the blank) to happen again. It can even be a displaced fear of… We are bombarded daily fear situations. Fear of the unknown. That whole shattering of tradition can lead to fear… The only fear is fear itself…
©     And there are times that we really do have the best intentions and somehow, it all just goes off the rails… We don’t know what others bring to the table…we don’t know what others life experiences have been…but when we begin to hear them we begin to heal…
Beloved children of the Most High God. What is ailing us…as a church…as individuals…as one body? How can we be on the mend, of fences and our hearts? I know that a lot of times we have good intentions, but what we need to ask ourselves why we act or say what we do. Is there some kind of underlying situation or belief that shouldn’t be there and if there is…how can we have conversation to heal ourselves and each other? Are we more like the Pharisees and their legalism or more like Jesus who loved and included all. As a side note…Jesus fulfilled the law so you and I can live under grace…grace received should be grace given. Also it is only because of His inclusiveness that we are grafted into the family of God…just sayin… I ask that we prayerfully come together…as family…to heal what ails us. Let us become that group that the Hope would be able to ask questions and receive thoughtful God inspired answers and if we are wrong in our beliefs may we admit it and heal beyond our vision. Maybe…just maybe…she will come through our doors. The question is…are we willing to let her in…?

Amen.



=================
July 7, 2017


edited July 7, 2017
Fear found a purchase – v2
July 7, 2017
Fear found a purchase
edited July 7, 2017
she had a conversation with Fear – v3
edited July 7, 2017
she had a conversation with Fear – v2
July 7, 2017
she had a conversation with Fear
July 7, 2017
there would be no hope
July 7, 2017
we have met for a reason
July 6, 2017
we don’t have to be perfect
edited July 6, 2017
even though we are broken – v3
edited July 6, 2017
claiming a miracle – v2
edited July 6, 2017
letting go of doubt – v2
July 6, 2017
you gave me hope
July 5, 2017
we need healing
edited July 5, 2017
they offered each other healing – v4
(editing original again)
edited July 4, 2017
let go of doubt
edited July 4, 2017
faith is a journey – 2 – v2
July 3, 2017
letting go of doubt
July 3, 2017
faith is a journey - 2
July 2, 2017
faith is a process
July 2, 2017
each breath a miracle
July 2, 2017
claiming a miracle
July 2, 2017
a servant, a sacrifice
edited/new name July 2, 2017
they had to forgive
July 2, 2017
for them to bear witness
July 2, 2017
in our brokenness, witness
edited July 2, 2017
They offered each other healing – v3
(just adding the word “in”)
edited July 1, 2017
may we offer her welcome – v2
edited July 1, 2017
I want to see – 2 – v2
edited  July 1, 2017
the balm of Grace – v2
edited July 1, 2017
she offered grace – v2
edited July 1, 2017
praying as they walked – v2
edited July 1, 2017
asking for forgiveness – 2 – v2
July 1, 2017
they offered each other healing – v2
July 1, 2017
God doesn’t need us to be perfect – 2
edited July 1, 2017
even though we are broken – v2
July 1, 2017
even though we are broken
edited July 1, 2017
called from our sickbed – v2
July 1, 2017
called from our sickbed
July 2, 2017
Independence Day
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Part 11 - “Healing the World”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
 “Healing Rain”
Psalm 89:1-4; 15-18
Matthew 28:18-20
Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23
 John 14:12-14
1 Corinthians 13:13
The Great Commission
and sermon “The Voice of Truth’s Healing Rain…”
video and text:

text:
extract of part 11 of the Hope’s story
video:
Main Part (1st 30 minutes)
Ending (starting at top of page 6 of 7)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Praise song, “10,000 Reasons”
Communion
Children’s Message
by Juliana Hill Stites
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 4th Weekend
July 2, 2017
&
July 1, 2017
they offered each other healing
edited July 1, 2017
a means of healing – v2
July 1, 2017
a means of healing
July 1, 2017
asking for forgiveness - 2
edited July 1, 2017
God gives us vision – v2
July 1, 2017
God gives us vision
edited June 30, 2017
God gives us sight – v2
June 29, 2017
remorse for her sin
June 29, 2017
God gives us sight
June 25, 2017
she offered grace
edited June 24, 2017
she too was in danger – v3
edited June 24, 2017
she too was in danger – v2
June 24, 2017
she too was in danger
June 24, 2017
the balm of Grace
June 24, 2017
I want to see - 2
June 25, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Part 10 - “Healing Vision”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 86:1-10
Mark 10:46-52
and sermon “The Eyes of God…”
video and text:

text:
extract of part 10 of the Hope’s story
video:
part 1 – 1st 30 minutes
part 2 – ending
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Juliana Hill Stites
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 25, 2017
&
edited June 23, 2017
holding onto her judgment – v2
edited June 23, 2017
I hope you can forgive me – v3
edited June 21, 2017
I hope you can forgive me – v2
June 21, 2017
I hope you can forgive me
June 21, 2017
holding onto her judgment
June 21, 2017
what do you want
June 21, 2017
questioning God – 2
June 21, 2017
will we let go
edited June 20, 2017
Grace forgave – v2
edited June 20, 2017
whose faith is greater – v2
edited June 20, 2017
Their Master on His Knees – v2
edited June 20, 2017
Hope is not like us – v2
June 19, 2017
Hope is not like us
June 19, 2017
Grace forgave
June 19, 2017
holding onto control
edited June 19, 2017
pushing Hope away- v2
June 18, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Fathers’ Day!
Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Part 9 - “Healing Power”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 100
Mark 10:35-45 MSG
Mark 9:30; 10:13-16; 20:16
and sermon “Who’s In Charge Here Anyway…!”
video and text:

text:
extract of part 9 of the Hope’s story
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 18, 2017
&
June 18, 2017
pushing Hope away
edited June 18, 2017
as Hope walked away – v2
edited June 18, 2017
don’t judge Hope by her cover – v2
edited June 17, 2017
brutally honest – v2
June 17, 2017
brutally honest
June 17, 2017
don’t judge Hope by her cover
June 17, 2017
as Hope walked away
June 15, 2017
do we trust God
edited June 15, 2017
we must accept them – v2
June 15, 2017
we must accept them
edited June 15, 2017
we shouldn’t be fighting – v2
June 15, 2017
we shouldn’t be fighting
June 15, 2017
can we let go
June 15, 2017
we do not trust God
June 14, 2017
holding onto the worldly
June 14, 2017
letting go, not holding on
June 14, 2017
rubble under our feet
June 14, 2017
are we willing to give
June 14, 2017
holding onto pain
June 14, 2017
holding onto judgments
June 14, 2017
holding onto grudges
June 14, 2017
not letting go
edited June 10, 2017
a worldly way of living
June 14, 2017
a worldly way of thinking
June 14, 2017
without healing
June 14, 2017
speaking our faith
June 14, 2017
speaking her faith
June 14, 2017
problems can grow
June 14, 2017
the foundation of our faith
June 14, 2017
peace from Faith
June 14, 2017
give something to God
June 14, 2017
believing in the unseen
June 14, 2017
give God the rock
June 14, 2017
crushed by the rock
June 14, 2017
staring at the facts
June 14, 2017
a measure of Faith
June 14, 2017
a word of Faith
June 14, 2017
what will Hope find here
June 12, 2017
the assurance of Faith
June 12, 2017
the fervent prayer of Faith
June 12, 2017
there are Hopes out there
June 11, 2017
the prayer of Faith
June 11, 2017
the prayers of Faith
June 11, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Trinity Sunday!
Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Part 8, “Healing Hold-Out’s”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 8
Mark 10:17-31 MSG
and sermon “Let It Go…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 8 of the Hope’s story
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Time of Congregational Prayer
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 11, 2017
&
June 11, 2017
facing her demons
edited June 11, 2017
an offer of healing – v2
edited June 11, 2017
opening her eyes – v2
June 11, 2017
how perfect her life was
June 11, 2017
I had the perfect life
edited June 10, 2017
Bursting Her Bubble – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Oh Honey… You need a reality check – v2
edited June 10, 2017
maybe too proud – v2
June 10, 2017
testing her faith
June 10, 2017
willing to go – 2
June 10, 2017
without knowing the way
June 10, 2017
open to trust
June 10, 2017
washing the feet of Judas
June 10, 2017
breaking the bread for Judas
June 10, 2017
offering the cup to Judas
June 10, 2017
God became the servant
June 10, 2017
Their Master on His Knees
edited June 10, 2017
how will Joy respond – v2
edited June 10, 2017
we need to listen – 3 – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Will Joy push away Hope – v2
edited June 10, 2017
we must listen – v2
edited June 10, 2017
shut up and listen – v2
edited June 10, 2017
I apologize – v2
edited June 10, 2017
we are brittle – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she was shattered – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she lived her life different – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she stood in the breach – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Hope was floored – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she stood up for a stranger – v2
edited June 10, 2017
overturning their tables – v2
edited June 10, 2017
a hush came to the room – v2
edited June 10, 2017
a hush came to the room – 2 – v2
edited June 10, 2017
maybe this one is different – v2
edited June 10, 2017
maybe we should go – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Hope began to weep – v2
edited June 9, 2017
a moment of choice – v2
edited June 8, 2017
even a moment of acceptance – v2
edited June 8, 2017
how fearless Joy was – v2
edited June 8, 2017
what we do with our fear – v2
edited June 8, 2017
stand for others – v2
edited June 8, 2017
fear is a sickness – v2
edited June 8, 2017
He died so we would not fear – v2
edited June 7, 2017
fear grips our throat – v2
edited June 7, 2017
are we denying Christ – v2
edited June 7, 2017
are we denying Christ
edited June 7, 2017
are we denying Jesus – v2
edited June 7, 2017
if we let fear control our lives – v2
edited June 7, 2017
the sickness of fear – v2
edited June 4, 2017
if Hope came through our door – v2
June 4, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Pentecost Sunday!
Part 7 of Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
“Healing Trust”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 104:24-35
Mark 10:13-16 MSG
Luke 24:44-53 MSG
Acts 2:1-13; 38-42 The Message (MSG)
invitation to communion and Great Thanksgiving
and sermon “Trust…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 7 of the girl’s story; to the river, to the hospital
video:
-          main part
-          ending of sermon
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 4, 2017
&
edited June 4, 2017
we were talking – v2
edited June 4, 2017
she will come through our doors – v2
June 4, 2017
Gifts come from God – v2
June 4, 2017
pulling together – v4
edited June 4, 2017
we don’t listen – v2
edited June 4, 2017
we don’t know their story – v2
edited June 4,2017
when Christ enters – v2
edited June 4, 2017
don’t judge them by your story – v2
edited June 4, 2017
working together – v2
edited June 3, 2017
each story is different – v2
edited June 3, 2017
Hope’s Story – v2
edited June 3, 2017
Joy’s Story – v2
edited June 3, 2017
a story of Grace – 2 – v2
edited June 3, 2017
perfecting our faith – v2
edited June 3, 2017
seeking an answer – v2
edited June 3, 2017
just be present with them – v2
edited June 3, 2017
never outside her bubble – v2
edited June 3, 2017
tearing at us – v2
edited June 3, 2017
forces from within – v2
edited June 2, 2017
pulling together – v3
edited June 2, 2017
pulling together – v2
June 2, 2017
pulling together
June 2, 2017
tearing at us
June 2, 2017
forces from within
edited June 2, 2017
forces from the outside – v3
edited June 2, 2017
her illusion was shattered – v2
June 1, 2017
her illusion was shattered
June 1, 2017
never outside her bubble
edited June 1, 2017
if Christ were to enter – v2
edited June 1, 2017
they each were broken – v3
June 1, 2017
just be present with them
edited June 1, 2017
each of our stories are different – v2
edited May 31, 2017
each of our stories are different
May 30, 2017
seeking an answer
May 30, 2017
perfecting our Faith
May 30, 2017
a story of Grace - 2
May 30, 2017
Joy’s Story
May 30, 2017
Hope’s Story
May 30, 2017
each story is different
May 30, 2017
working together
May 30, 2017
don’t judge them by your story
May 29, 2017
when Christ enters
edited May 29, 2017
forces from the outside – v2
May 29, 2017
forces from the outside
May 29, 2017
we don’t know their story
May 29, 2017
we don’t listen
May 29, 2017
Gifts come from God
May 29, 2017
she will come through our doors
May 29, 2017
we were talking
May 29, 2017
if Christ were to enter
May 29, 2017
if Hope came through our door
May 29, 2017
the sickness of fear
May 29, 2017
if we let fear control our lives
May 29, 2017
are we denying Jesus
edited May 29, 2017
This is our Promised Land – v3
Memorial Day
May 29, 2017
he died so we would not fear
May 29, 2017
fear grips our throat
edited May 29, 2017
this is our promised land – v2
Memorial Day
May 29, 2017
this is our promised land
Memorial Day
May 28, 2017
stand for others
May 28, 2017
what we do with our fear
May 28, 2017
how fearless Joy was
May 28, 2017
fear is a sickness
May 28, 2017
even a moment of acceptance
May 28, 2017
a moment of choice
May 28, 2017
maybe we should go
May 28, 2017
a hush came to the room - 2
May 28, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Part 6 of Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
“Healing Division”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 66:8-20
Mark 9:38-50 MSG
1Corinthians 1:10-13a (TLB)
1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (NLT)
and sermon “Out Goes Y.O.U.…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 6 of the girl’s story; Joy talking to Grace, finding Hope
video:
-          main part
-          ending of sermon
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 28, 2017
&
May 26, 2017
overturning their tables
Matthew 21:12-13
May 26, 2017
she stood up for a stranger
May 26, 2017
Hope was floored
May 26, 2017
she stood in the breach
edited May 26, 2017
her reality challenged – v2
May 26, 2017
Hope began to weep
May 25, 2017
her reality challenged
May 25, 2017
she lived her life different
edited May 25, 2017
she was shocked – v2
May 25, 2017
she was shocked
May 24, 2017
she was shattered
May 24, 2017
we are brittle
May 24, 2017
I apologize
edited May 24, 2017
none of us is perfect – v2
edited May 24, 2017
deliver me from their hands – v2
edited May 24, 2017
Joy needed Hope – v2
May 24, 2017
shut up and listen
May 24, 2017
we must listen
May 24, 2017
will joy push away hope
May 24, 2017
we need to listen - 3
May 24, 2017
how will Joy respond
edited May 24, 2017
what will Joy do – v3
edited May 24, 2017
what will Joy do – v2
May 23, 2017
what will Joy do
edited May 22, 2017
are we too busy serving – v2
May 22, 2017
are we too busy serving
May 22, 2017
none of us is perfect
May 22, 2017
maybe too proud
edited May 22, 2017
whose faith is greater
May 22, 2017
whose faith was greater
May 21, 2017
opening her eyes
May 21, 2017
an offer of healing
May 21, 2017
are we too proud
May 21, 2017
Oh Honey… You need a reality check
May 21, 2017
Bursting Her Bubble
May 21, 2017
sharing the truth of her history
May 21, 2017
She asked but she didn’t listen
May 21, 2017
Did she listen
May 21, 2017
Did she hear her
May 21, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
5th service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Pride”
Psalm 66:8-20
Mark 9:30-37
Proverbs 16:18-19
Philippians 2:1-4
James 4:6-10
and Sermon, “Pride Cometh Before…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 5 of the girl’s story; leaving the diner, walking
video:
-          main part
-          ending of sermon
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 21, 2017
&
edited May 21, 2017
Hope stood there waiting – v2
May 21, 2017
Hope stood there waiting
May 20, 2017
healed by Christ Jesus
May 20, 2017
stopping at nothing
May 20, 2017
advocating for change
edited May 20, 2017
But we all are broken – v2
May 19, 2017
talking through our pain
May 19, 2017
But we all are broken
May 17, 2017
afraid of what they might see
merged May 16, 2017
what exactly was that
quote from 5/7/17 sermon:
“She thought that if only someone would
actually look past her exterior they would
finally see her for who she was…
but what exactly was that?”
May 16, 2017
what would they see
May 16, 2017
would they see her
May 16, 2017
they looked away
May 16, 2017
will we let hope in
May 15, 2017
fear for fear’s sake
May 15, 2017
fear of the unknown - 2
May 15, 2017
if we change
May 15, 2017
if we dwell on our fears
May 15, 2017
a window on her world
May 15, 2017
the room suddenly became silent
May 14, 2017
this was familiar
May 14, 2017
they were ignored
May 14, 2017
a hush came to the room
May 14, 2017
the benefit of status
May 14, 2017
she was facing judgement
May 14, 2017
edited May 14, 2017
name your fears – v2
May 14, 2017
name your fears
May 14, 2017
deliver me from their hands
May 14, 2017
save me from the snares
May 14, 2017
be my fortress
May 14, 2017
Mother’s Day
Stetson Memorial UMC
4th service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Fears”
Psalm 31:1-5. 15-16
Mark 8:24-38
and Sermon, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 4 of the girl’s story; when at the diner
video:
main section
ending
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 14, 2017
Mother’s Day
&
May 14, 2017
bringing a smile to God’s face
May 13, 2017
Can we see Hope
May 14, 2017
God sees Hope – v2
May 14, 2017
God sees Hope – v1
May 13, 2017
our intentions may be good
May 13, 2017
we bring baggage to the table
edited May 13, 2017
Hope, we need you
(editing “Please come back”)
edited May 13, 2017
they plotted to kill Christ
May 13, 2017
our Master loved them
May 13, 2017
Christ exposed their fraud
May 13, 2017
this interloper, this outsider
May 13, 2017
they plotted to kill him
May 13, 2017
Christ was a threat
May 13, 2017
tearing down their walls
May 13, 2017
breaking their rules
May 13, 2017
Christ loved them where they were
May 13, 2017
What is hurting -2
edited May 13, 2017
they each were broken – v2
edited May 13, 2017
they needed each other – v2
edited/ renamed May 12, 2017
they needed each other
May 12, 2017
they each were broken
May 12, 2017
being a target
May 12, 2017
afraid to speak up
edited/merged May 11, 2017
Hope needed Joy – v2
May 11, 2017
Hope needed Joy
May 11, 2017
Joy needed Hope
May 11, 2017
maybe this one is different
May 11, 2017
Hope felt rejected
May 11, 2017
Hope had left the circle
May 11, 2017
Hope wandered alone
May 11, 2017
Hope wandered through the streets
May 7, 2017
The Son of God washed their feet
May 7, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
3rd service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Inhibitions”
Psalm 23
Mark 7:24-37
and Sermon, “Live Life Abandon!. . . ”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 3 of the girl’s story; when Joy met Hope
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
invitation to communion and Great Thanksgiving
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 7, 2017
&
May 7, 2017
what is our intention
May 6, 2017
do we offer them Jesus
May 6, 2017
why would she come back
May 6, 2017
how can we bring them home
May 6, 2017
I weep for the empty spaces
edited May 6, 2017
you honor me with your words – v2
edited May 6, 2017
please forgive us – v2
May 6, 2017
please forgive us
May 6, 2017
are we genuine
edited May 5, 2017
the questions burning within her – v2
edited May 5, 2017
may we be made whole – v2
May 5, 2017
may we be made whole
&
edited May 5, 2017
may we feast – v2
May 5, 2017
at the table you have prepared – v2
May 5, 2017
at the table you have prepared
May 5, 2017
may we sit with our enemies
May 5, 2017
may we feast
Psalm 23:5-6
Psalm 23:1-6
Matthew 5:43-48
Luke 10:25-37
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Led by the Divine Shepherd”
May 1, 2017 to May 7, 2017
by Diane Luton Blum
devotion for May 5, 2017
read May 5, 2017
&
May 5, 2017
Please come back – v2
May 5, 2017
Please come back
May 4, 2017
the questions burning within her
May 4, 2017
where is our work
edited May 4, 2017
like a jar of alabaster – v2
edited May 4, 2017
she broke herself open – v2
edited May 3, 2017
a safe place to be broken – 2
May 3, 2017
a safe place to be open
edited May 3, 2017
will Hope find answers
May 3, 2017
will she find answers
May 3, 2017
when Hope asked her questions
edited May 3, 2017
held within her hands
edited May 3, 2017
like a jar of alabaster
May 3, 2017
she broke herself open
May 3, 2017
she left with her questions unanswered
May 3, 2017
a real faith
May 3, 2017
we are all broken - 3
May 2, 2017
Her name is Hope
edited May 2, 2017
let go – v3
edited May 2, 2017
let go – v2
May 2, 2017
let go
edited May 2, 2017
sap the power – v2
edited May 2, 2017
sap the power
May 2, 2017
name the hurt
April 30, 2017
you obey human teaching
edited April 30, 2017
you remain distant
April 30, 2017
you honor me with your words
edited April 30, 2017
will we make a place for Hope
April 30, 2017
will we make a space for her
April 30, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
2nd service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Intentions”
Psalm 116:1-4; 12-19
Mark 7:1-8; 14-15; 21-23 (MSG)
and Sermon, “Why Did I Say…”
text:
extract of part 2 of the girl’s story; the girl’s name is Hope.
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
April 30, 2017
&
April 30, 2017
where will her story lead us
April 27, 2017
have we given her a reason to come
April 27, 2017
I have heard this story
April 27, 2017
will she come through our doors
April 27, 2017
may we prayerfully come together – v2
April 27, 2017
may we prayerfully come together
April 27, 2017
in her eyes
April 26, 2017
she could be anyone
April 26, 2017
do you know her story
April 26, 2017
have you walked this journey
April 25, 2017
may we offer her welcome
edited April 24, 2017
she was afraid to talk – v2
April 24, 2017
she was afraid to talk
edited April 24, 2017
she has reason to be wary
(editing “she has scar tissue”)
April 24, 2017
what is in need of mending
April 24, 2017
what drives them away
April 24, 2017
what is hurting
April 24, 2017
what ails us
April 23, 2017
they don’t really know her
April 23, 2017
she has scar tissue
April 23, 2017
she carried baggage
edited April 23, 2017
she is still looking – v2
edited April 23, 2017
how can we be that family
edited April 23, 2017
are we that people
April 23, 2017
can we be that place
April 23, 2017
she is still looking
edited April 23, 2017
they were invested
April 23, 2017
they were persistent
edited April 23, 2017
are we open – v2
April 23, 2017
are we open
April 23, 2017
A Season of Healing
April 23, 2017
put them in front of Jesus
April 23, 2017
we must be honest
April 23, 2017
bring them to Christ
April 23, 2017
healing their brethren
Happy Birthday to the United Methodist Church, #UMC
49 years old today!
The United Methodist Church was created on April 23, 1968,
when The Evangelical United Brethren Church and
The Methodist Church united to form a new denomination.
&
April 23, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
1st service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 16 HCSB
James 5:16-17 MSG
Matthew 17:1-5 GNT
Psalm 107:19-21 NLT
Mark 7:34-35
Luke 5:17-20
“Introduction”
Time of Congregational Prayer
and Sermon, “A Season of Healing…”
text:
extract of the girl’s story
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
April 23, 2017

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 44,470 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, hope, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, healing, church, joy, intentions, fears, pride, division, trust, power, vision, The Great Commission,

#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #healing #church #mercy #joy #hope #fear #pride #division #trust #Commission

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