August 20, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With
Hope”)
“Residing with Hope”
Psalm 133
Luke 3:10-14
1 Corinthians
7:20-24
Where Hope Resides…
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 the perfect scripture when we talk about planting
and growing a Living Hope.
As Pastor Roy bent his head and began to pray… “Father God, watch over that
young lady. She is right there on the edge of accepting Your Son. Please bring
her back again so that I, no we as a church, can help her in her search for
You. Amen”” something made the
you girl stop in her tracks and turn around. “What did you just pray” she asked. “Well, I prayed for you to find
where life begins…asking Jesus into your life. I prayed you would come back and
let our church help you find God” Pastor Roy explained. “Why…why would you do
that? Why would you pray for someone you don’t even know?” she asked.
“Oh I know you…I have been
you…that’s before I gave my life to Jesus and His ways.” Pastor Roy explained
through tearful eyes. “I know too well the road you are walking. That’s why I
want to help ease your pain and help you find the Healer of all who are in
pain, broken and rejected by the world.” “That’s a nice thought. If only that
were true” the young girl replied over her shoulder as she continued to walk
through the door.
“Jesus loves you and there is nothing you can do or say about it. It just
is whether you want to believe it or not. And He is waiting for you to come
hope and find a place at the table of hope.” Pastor Roy said hoping that she
would turn back around. “You can’t love the un-lovable. Even if their name is
Hope.” “Well, when you
decide to come back, I will be right here waiting.” Pastor Roy said as she
walked out the door. “That’s what they all say” She shouted over her shoulder.
Pastor Roy began to pray, “God, now I know why I am here
at this moment in time. I am here to bring hope to Hope and many others.
Forgive me for not realizing that before and not truly blooming where you have
sent me. I know how I have asked to be moved from this place and have been
resentful when You have said no. Forgive me. Help me to grow where I am planted
so that others will be blessed in the blooming. Please bring this young woman
back so that I can get it right this time. Amen.”
Good
morning church! What gives you hope? We live in a world that seems so hopeless
but what gives you hope? Hope doesn’t happen overnight and it is a process. And
once we have this living hope in us it is as if a light is turned on in our
lives, a bright light. But the question is…how do we hold on to this hope we
have?
So
the process of Hope, it is germinated in our lives. Hope is like a seed it
begins to germinate and grow. It begins to sprout and take root. Then it needs
to be planted. If hope is not planted, there is no grounding…no growth. It is
shallow and when trials of life some scorching in it is dried up and withers…
We
have talked about the fact that the only way to withstand the pressures of life
our hope has root itself in good soil where it receives water…Living Water. When
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 that the
seeds of love and hope begin to grow and sprout new hope within us and within
those who God calls us to plant within.
Now
we know that as this seed grows we can’t just walk away and leave it
unattended…as you wouldn’t do that to your vegetable garden. We need to take
care of and nourish our gardens as well as our hope. God causes it to grow in
both scenarios…but we need to do our part as well…
So,
our hope begins to grow within our lives. In fact, we can even share our hope
with others…remember the seeds in the
good soil that produce up to even 100-fold…? And so, all of the sudden, we
feel we want to move on. We have done what we feel needed to be done. We may
even want to move on because of a painful…fill
in the blank. We may be going through a fire and feel we are done… But…but…God says, not just yet…you need to
stay put where you are.
In
the Luke scripture, the people were asking what they needed to do to change
their lives and do what was right. We may say, “ok God…I am done here there is
nothing more for me to do. But God says no…you can still do a lot where I have
planted you…” Every little thing we may do for others makes a difference. No
matter where we are planted, if we bloom with God’s love and hope, we are doing
something vital in and for the kingdom of God.
When
the Israelites were exiled in Babylon, they longed to leave that place. But
listen to the words God spoke through the prophet Jerimiah from chapter 29
verses 4-7:
4 This is the Message
from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God, to all the exiles I’ve taken from
Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 “Build houses and
make yourselves at home.
“Put
in gardens and eat what grows in that country.
6 “Marry and have
children. Encourage your children to marry and have children so that you’ll
thrive in that country and not waste away.
7 “Make yourselves at
home there and work for the country’s welfare.
“Pray
for Babylon’s well-being. If things go well for Babylon, things will go well
for you.”
They
were to bloom where they were. They were there to make a difference in others’
lives. They were wo take up residence and give hope…share hope with others…not
just within their own people but within the lives of the people in the
surrounding area. We have been planted
here for a reason and we too are to bloom where we are. Never mind the world
around us…it doesn’t matter… We are to bloom where we are not only for the sake
of our community but for the kingdom of God. Who knows what will happen if
others see and feel the hope we are sharing…
I
Love how Marcia McPhee sees the world around us. I agree with her when she
states:
“Even though we sometimes
feel we are not yet where we want to be, God invites us to reside fully and
bloom “where we are planted.” Even in the context of exile in Jeremiah’s day,
God invites the people to plant, nurture, and tend gardens of hope. God pitches
God’s tent wherever we
are, and made in the image
of God, we are called to pitch our tents with and among those less fortunate
than we.”
As
we bloom where we are, we make a difference in our little piece of the world.
We need to stay put and stop jumping from place to place. God plants us where
we are for a reason. We may not understand it all but it is part of Gods grand
design…
I
want to leave you with a piece pf scripture found in 1 Corinthians 7:20-24.
It’s all about being the light…being the hope where you are, no matter what the
world does or believes…
20-22 Stay where you were
when God called your name. Were you a slave? Slavery is no roadblock to obeying
and believing. I don’t mean you’re stuck and can’t leave. If you have a chance
at freedom, go ahead and take it. I’m simply trying to point out that under
your new Master you’re going to experience a marvelous freedom you would never
have dreamed of. On the other hand, if you were free when Christ called you, you’ll
experience a delightful “enslavement to God” you would never have dreamed of.
23-24 All of you, slave
and free both, were once held hostage in a sinful society. Then a huge sum was
paid out for your ransom. So please don’t, out of old habit, slip back into
being or doing what everyone else tells you. Friends, stay where you were
called to be. God is there. Hold the high ground with him at your side.
Beloved,
stay, bloom, grow…hope is found in God and God is looking for the Hopes of the
world. God is where we are placed, even in the times when we don’t perceive Him
there… This is a hope we stake our lives on…
There is hope to be found
by you and I. Where there is hope…there is possibilities…
Amen!
edited August
29, 2017
our hope
cannot stay hidden – v2
August 29,
2017
our hope
cannot stay hidden
August 29,
2017
we are called
to witness – 2
August 29,
2017
we each are
the witness
edited August
29, 2017
only Christ
can redeem us – v2
August 29,
2017
only Christ
can redeem us
August 28,
2017
none of us are
worthy - 2
August 28,
2017
he told her
about Jesus
August 27, 2017
he shared his
faith
August 27,
2017
offering her
hope
August 27, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from
Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
“Bearing Hope”
Psalm 138
John 15:1-8 GNT
Philippians 1:9-11 GNT
and
sermon, “Hope Bearer…”
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 27,
2017
&
August 20,
2017
Help me go
grow
August 20,
2017
before I gave
my life to Christ
edited August
20, 2017
I have been
you – v2
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/08/i-have-been-you-v2.html
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2017/08/i-have-been-you-v2.html
August 20,
2017
I have been
you
August 20,
2017
whatever your
station
August 20,
2017
slave or free
August 20,
2017
grow there
August 20,
2017
give to them
willingly
August 20,
2017
show them
compassion
August 20,
2017
offer mercy,
grace
August 20,
2017
do not resist
them
August 20,
2017
strip them of
power
August 20,
2017
may hope find
a home
edited August
20, 2017
may hope abide
– v2
August 20,
2017
may hope abide
August 20, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series: This Living Hope
(Adapted from
Marcia McPhee’s
A Future With Hope”)
“Residing with Hope”
Psalm 133
Luke 3:10-14
1 Corinthians 7:20-24
Jeremiah 29:4-7
and
sermon, “Where Hope Resides”
text:
video:
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Children’s
Message
by Pastor Ruth
Foss
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
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
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”
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 44,830 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, Luke 3, Psalm 138, John 12, Philippians 1, poem,
seed, home,
#Christ #God
#Spirit #Faith #prayer #love #grace #hope #poem #seed #Luke3 #Psalm138
#John12 #Philippians1
Christ,
Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, hope, prayer, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church, Luke 3, Psalm 138, John 12, Philippians 1, poem,
seed, home,
#Christ #God
#Spirit #Faith #prayer #love #grace #hope #poem #seed #Luke3 #Psalm138
#John12 #Philippians1
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