Sunday, August 06, 2017

sermon, "Planting Seeds of Hope", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME, August 5, 2017



August 6, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
“Planting Seeds of Hope”
Psalm 145:7-8; 14-21
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
Mark 4:1-8 HCSB
 Colossians 2:6-8 NLT

Planting Seeds of Hope…

The Lord be with you…let us pray… (prayer for the Spirit’s indwelling as bring God’s words of hope this morning…)

Please stand for the reading of the Gospel according to St. Mark, chapter 4, verses 1-8. Listen to the love sonnet of God for the people of God…(This may sound a little familiar…Ray read it from the Gospel of Matthew last week…must be pretty important since it is in more than 1 of the Gospels)

She sat in the back of the church, trying to go unnoticed. She wasn’t sure why she was there. All she knew was that there was something missing. She had been through a lot in life and now she just felt dull and numb. Why was she even here? What was it she was looking for?

As the choir began to sing she listened for a message, something that would stop the hurt and loneliness inside. As the choir began the chorus something began to stir within her…
“No matter the bumps,
No matter the bruises
No matter the pain
Still the truth is the cross has made
The cross has made you flawless”
Could this be what she was looking for? Could there be a message there that she never realized how much really needed? It was almost as if something or someone was plowing the soil of her heart for something…but what?
Again, the choir began to sing the chorus but this time she really listened…
“No matter the bumps,
No matter the bruises
No matter the pain
Still the truth is the cross has made
The cross has made you flawless”
All of the sudden there seemed to be flicker of something she hadn’t felt for a long time…hope…

Good morning. Over the past weeks we have looked at hope. We have decided that we are going to “let our guard down” and allow hope in. We have also decided that Hope doesn’t happen overnight and it is a process. Now, I have proposed that we look at the process of a growing of hope. As we look at each step in the process we will be encouraged. Think about it for a moment. We have been praying and praying for someone and we don’t see the hope there. We may have “given up hope” that it would ever happen. What if…and I am going out on a ledge here, what if as we are looking at the process we suddenly realize that the person we have been praying for is somewhere “in the process” and we never realized it? What would you do with your own renewed hope?

So the process of Hope, last week, Ray talked about the germination of hope. How Hope is like a seed it begins to germinate and grow. It begins to sprout and take root. What do you think should be the next part of the process? Give time to answer. It needs to be planted.

The girls and I decided that we wanted to plant sunflower seeds this year. So, we went out and got some of those giant sunflower seeds. We also got one of those little green houses where you plant the seeds and after they are grown so much…after they have germinated and started to grow…we had to plant them in the ground outside. Well ll went well until it came planting time. I had put them out on the porch and they never got planted in the ground. They ended up dying because the roots couldn’t go anywhere (kind of like the seeds in the rocky ground). They needed to be planted in the ground so that the roots could go down deep into the soil.

Why do you think it is so important that hope…faith…is planted? Give time to answer. If it is not planted it is a lot like those poor sunflowers. There is no grounding…no growth. It is shallow and when trials of life some scorching in it is dried up and withers…

Jeremiah 17:7-8 tells us about when hope is grounded and planted in good soil…
Jeremiah 17:7-8New Living Translation (NLT)
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
    with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
    or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
    and they never stop producing fruit.

It withstands the pressures of life because it has rooted itself in good soil by the River bank where it receives water…Living Water. When this hope…our hope is grounded in the good soil of God’s Word and in our Hearts, we are filled with Joy, Love and Faith. It is in the tilling of the soil…the preparation before planting that the seeds of love and hope begin to grow and sprout new hope within us and within those who Go calls us to plant within.

What do you think happens when we plant Hope? What happens when we are rooted and grounded in God’s word? Give time to answer. Paul prays a wonderful prayer in Ephesians about growth in the Lord…what happens when we are planted…rooted and grounded in Christ…


Ephesians 3:16-19New International Version (NIV)
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
We are filled to the full measure of God. We get it. We become more like Christ. Our hope is founded and grounded within Him.

Beloved Child of God, we call ourselves “A Hope Giving Church”, and as such, we can’t give up and lose hope on the very ones that are needing us to give them hope…to help them cultivate the hope inside. We are not here for our own glory but for God’s glory. Think about it…if no one ever shared their hope with you, would you be who and where you are now with your walk with God? If those seeds that were germinating were never planted in good soil what do you think your walk with God be like? If someone never planted hope with your life where would the dance of life lead you?

Colossians 2:6-8New Living Translation (NLT)
Freedom from Rules and New Life in Christ
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.
Let us pray…pray for the Spirit of Hope to be evident in our lives as we go forth in Jesus’ name.

Amen!







----------------
August 20, 2017


August 19, 2017
nurturing hope
edited/ new name August 19, 2017
if the seedling isn’t planted
August 19, 2017
if the seed isn’t planted
August 19, 2017
It is hard to believe
August 19, 2017
Hope begins to sprout and root
edited August 19, 2017
Hope germinates and grows – v2
August 19, 2017
Hope germinates and grows – v1
August 19, 2017
hope is like a seed
August 19, 2017
a flickering of something
edited August 19, 2017
a kernel of hope – v3
edited August 19, 2017
a kernel of hope – v2 (2)
August 19, 2017
a kernel of hope (2)
August 19, 2017
seeds of hope within us
August 13, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
week 4 - “This Living Hope”
Psalm 105:1-6
Mark 4:1-8 NIV
Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
John 4:13-14
Zephaniah 3:17
Romans 12:12
Romans 15:4
and sermon, “Nurturing Planted Hope”
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
August 13, 2017
&
August 10, 2017
our roots are anchored in Christ
August 10, 2017
we are grounded in Christ
August 10, 2017
our hope is grounded
edited August 6, 2017
we must accept the seed – v3
edited August 6, 2017
we must accept the seed – v2
August 6, 2017
we must accept the seed
edited August 6, 2017
for hope to grow – v2
August 6, 2017
for hope to grow
edited August 6, 2017
Hope is planted – v2
August 6, 2017
Hope is planted
August 6, 2017
the roots going deep
new name/ edited August 6, 2017
the seedlings planted
(editing “the young plants planted”)
August 6, 2017
let your roots grow down
August 6, 2017
cultivate the hope inside
August 6, 2017
plant the seeds of grace
August 6, 2017
plant the seeds of love
August 6, 2017
get them in the ground
edited August 6, 2017
germinated seeds – v2
August 6, 2017
germinated seeds
August 6, 2017
the seed growing
August 6, 2017
living in hope
August 6, 2017
may our hearts be open
edited August 6, 2017
that we might understand – v4
August 6, 2017
the young plants planted
August 6, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
week 3 - “Planting Seeds of Hope”
Mark 4:1-8
Parable of the Sower
Psalm 145:7-8; 14-21
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT
Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV
Colossians 2:6-8 NLT
Sermon, “Planting Seeds of Hope”
text:

video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 6, 2017
&
August 2, 2017
hidden in our flesh
August 2, 2017
growing in our soil
edited/ new name August 2, 2017
growing in the good soil
August 2, 2017
growing in the ground
August 2, 2017
hidden in the ground
edited August 2, 2017
After the planting – v2
August 1, 2017
We must water and feed
August 1, 2017
Like seeds, like yeast
August 1, 2017
that we might understand – v3
August 1, 2017
we must understand
August 1, 2017
not in riddles but parables
edited July 31, 2017
that we might understand – v2
July 31, 2017
that we might understand
July 31, 2017
we must hear God’s word
edited July 31, 2017
we are seeking, searching – v2
July 31, 2017
We are seeking, searching
July 31, 2017
We have the seed planted
merged July 31, 2017
Before the planting – v2
July 31, 2017
After the planting
July 31, 2017
Before the planting
July 30, 2017
We want to be the good soil
July 30, 2017
we need that hope to work within us
edited July 30, 2017
we must embrace the seeds – v2
July 30, 2017
we must trust in God
edited July 30, 2017
a little more hope – v3
(editing original again)
edited July 30, 2017
we must embrace the seeds
edited July 30, 2017
embrace the seeds
July 30, 2017
embrace the seed
July 30, 2017
hope is alive within us
July 30, 2017
hope planted within us
&
July 29, 2017
we are the soil – v2
July 29, 2017
do we nurture the seed – v2
July 16, 2017
do we nurture the seed
edited July 16, 2017
do we care for the message – v2
July 16, 2017
do we care for the message
July 16, 2017
do we welcome the seed
July 16, 2017
are we the soil
July 16, 2017
we hold the seed
July 16, 2017
we are the sower
July 15, 2017
we are the soil
edited July 15, 2017
held by the thorns – v2
July 15, 2017
held by the thorns
July 15, 2017
choked by the briars
Matthew 13:18-23
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“The Promise and Work of God’s Word”
July 10, 2017 to July 16, 2017
by John Adcox
devotion for July 15, 2017
read July 15, 2017
&
edited July 29, 2017
a miracle in the seed – v2
July 29, 2017
searching, seeking - 2
July 29, 2017
a miracle in the seed
edited July 29, 2017
seeking treasure – v2
edited July 29, 2017
Finding Treasure – v2
merged/edited July 29, 2017
Seeking treasure, Finding treasure
July 29, 2017
seeking treasure
July 29, 2017
Finding Treasure
Matthew 13:44-52
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Treasures from God”
July 24, 2017 to July 30, 2017
by Chris Folmsbee
devotion for July 29, 2017
read July 29, 2017
&
July 28, 2017
tiny acts of love
edited July 28, 2017
out of God’s great love – v2
July 28, 2017
the kingdom of God growing
Matthew 13:31-33
The Parables of the Mustard Seed
the Parable of the Yeast
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Treasures from God”
July 24, 2017 to July 30, 2017
by Chris Folmsbee
devotion for July 27, 2017
read July 28, 2017
&
edited July 27, 2017
Germinating Seeds of Hope – v2
July 27, 2017
Germinating Seeds of Hope
July 30, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
“A Future With Hope”)
week 2 - “This Living Hope”
opening prayer
video

Psalm 128
Matthew 13:1-9
Parable of the Sower
Matthew 13:18-24
Christ explaining the Parable of the Sower
Psalm 139:13-16
Matthew 13:31-33
Parable of the Mustard Seed
Parable of the Yeast
prayer before sermon
and Sermon, “Germinating Seeds of Hope”
text:
video:
by Raymond A. Foss
Children’s Message
by Raymond A. Foss
closing prayer
video
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 30, 2017
&
edited July 26, 2017
a little more hope – v2
July 26, 2017
a little more hope
July 26, 2017
we are imprisoned by our fears
edited/ new name July 24, 2017
we are strangled by anxiety
July 24, 2017
immobilized by fear
July 24, 2017
freed by hope
July 23, 2017
Hope is Trust
July 23, 2017
why are we so anxious
July 23, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
“A Future With Hope”)
week 1 - “This Living Hope”
Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24
Jeremiah 29:11-14 Amplified Bible
Romans 5:1-5 Amplified Bible
John 3:16-17 Amplified Bible
and Sermon, “This Living Hope”
video and text:

text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 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 44,770 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, hope, prayer, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, John 3, Jeremiah 29, Jesus, poem, Matthew 13, Psalm 139, seed, germinate, Mark 4,

#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #prayer #love #grace #Psalm139 #Matthew13 #disciple #hope #poem #seed #Mark4

Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, hope, prayer, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, John 3, Jeremiah 29, Jesus, poem, Matthew 13, Psalm 139, seed, germinate, Mark 4,

#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #prayer #love #grace #Psalm139 #Matthew13 #disciple #hope #poem #seed #Mark4

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