December 10, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
2nd
Sunday of Advent
Sermon
Series: “The Invitation”
Psalm
85:1-2, 8-13 (The Voice)
Isaiah
9:6-7 (The Voice)
Isaiah
11:1-9 (The Voice)
Romans
14:17-19 (The Voice)
“An
Invitation to Peace…”
The Lord Be with you
and also with you
Let us pray…Pray for
the Spirit’s Leading…
A
reading from the Prophet Isaiah from chapter 9, verses 6-7. Listen and take
heed the words spoken by the prophet, through the Spirit of God, to the
children of Israel and to the children of God throughout the centuries…
“I think
I understand the first part of what the manger offers. I am offered Hope that I
can have a relationship with God because of the invitation that Jesus gives
me…right?” Hope explained to her new friend Esther. “Right. But, we are also
offered even more than that,” Esther explained. “we are offered peace.” Now
Hope couldn’t remember having true peace in her life so this intrigued. I know
all about not having peace. I don’t think I ever had it in my life. So, this
peace. What do I need to do to get it? I really could use some in my life. I am
tired of stressing everything.” Hope asked.
“Well
first, you need to ask for it. Second, you need to trust Jesus for your peace.
Third, give your worries to Jesus and He will take care of the rest. You see,
this peace has nothing to do with your situation and everything to do with the
One who is offering it.” Esther excitedly explained. “Oh boy this is going to be hard” Hope
lamented. “Well it really is very simple and once you decide you are going to
accept the invitation to an invitation of peace, it gets much easier.” Esther
explained. “I really wish someone had explained all this to me before. My life
may have been different” Hope said. “But it can now be different beginning
today” Ester said as she put her had on Hope’s shoulder.
Good morning and welcome to “The Invitation…” The
invitation of Advent. We have begun our “Advent”ure to the feeding tough the
Bread of Life, our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ was laid in. It is the moment
that God sent the invitation to all of humanity to come and see the babe in the
manger and return forever changed. Without this invitation there is no Hope, no
Peace, no Joy, and no Love…there is no invitation to Christ. Without “The
Invitation”, there is no Resurrection Sunday morning.
We have pondered the questions why is this
invitation important to you and I? What does this invitation consist of…do we
know what actually laid in that manger when love came down? We have even asked
the hard question if we “Christians”, are even aware of the joyous gift we are
given and if we even accept the whole gift not just part. This season, I ask
that you join me on an “Advent”ure. Let’s really look at what we are invited
to. My prayer is as we do this…we are going to be changed. My prayer is as we
journey together and discover or rediscover the excitement of “The Invitation.”
Last week, I asked you...and I… to do something
truly radical. Something I feel is necessary for our journey. To empty our
baggage, we carry at the door of Advent and walk through the door with empty
suitcases. Now I am asking we leave with an empty suitcase for this reason, to
fill it with the invitation. Now some of
us go on vacation with and empty bag or almost empty. Why? So that we can fill
it with things we gather on the journey. I am inviting us to gather all
that we can to be able to bring it on our new journey of the New Year in the
end. Even as we enter the story of hope,
peace, joy, and love, we find it hard to believe at times.
Last week we began with the first invitation of
the “The Invitation” which is “an invitation to Hope.” Now I am talking about
the Hope of the invitation… it is a hope of restoration with and to God. We
talked about how the Israelites were leading a double life, giving God “lip
service” instead of “life service”. They talked a great talk about God but
behind the scenes they were bowing down to idols of the culture. Sounds familiar to us…praise God for His
restoration project that began in the manger…we now have hope in ad through
Jesus Christ…
So here we are a little closer to the manger,
yet it can be unsettling. We know who Jesus is, but, we may be a little afraid
because of who Jesus is. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. And as we
come closer the Angels tell us “do not be afraid for I bring you good news.”
Fear can keep us from some of the awesome things in life because we are afraid
to take the first step. Fear of the unknown… But as we approach we are offered
“An Invitation to Peace”.
Now some of us say we love a good piece of pie
but I am talking about an0ther kind of piece…a piece of peace. The invitation
is “An Invitation to Peace.” The Isaiah scripture from this morning talks
about who Jesus is… God’s promised child from the lineage of David. He will
bring peace and it will not be shaken. This ‘living gift” is given to and for
all who believe in Mary’s boy child. My
favorite piece of scripture about the “peace” f this boy child is found in
Isaiah 11:1-9…The Peaceable Kingdom…
Isaiah
11:1-9The Voice (VOICE)
11 But on this humbled ground, a tiny shoot, hopeful
and promising,
will sprout from Jesse’s stump;
A branch will emerge from his roots to bear fruit.
2 And on this child from David’s line, the Spirit of the Eternal One will alight and rest.
By the Spirit of wisdom and discernment
He will shine like the dew.
By the Spirit of counsel and strength
He will judge fairly and act courageously.
By the Spirit of knowledge and reverence of the Eternal One,
3 He will take pleasure in honoring the Eternal.
He will determine fairness and equity;
He will consider more than what meets the eye,
And weigh in more than what he’s told.
will sprout from Jesse’s stump;
A branch will emerge from his roots to bear fruit.
2 And on this child from David’s line, the Spirit of the Eternal One will alight and rest.
By the Spirit of wisdom and discernment
He will shine like the dew.
By the Spirit of counsel and strength
He will judge fairly and act courageously.
By the Spirit of knowledge and reverence of the Eternal One,
3 He will take pleasure in honoring the Eternal.
He will determine fairness and equity;
He will consider more than what meets the eye,
And weigh in more than what he’s told.
4 So that even those who
can’t afford a good defense
will nevertheless get a fair and equitable judgment.
With just a word, He will end wickedness and abolish oppression.
With nothing more than the breath of His mouth, He will destroy evil.
5 He will clothe himself with righteousness and truth;
the impulse to right wrongs will be in his blood.
will nevertheless get a fair and equitable judgment.
With just a word, He will end wickedness and abolish oppression.
With nothing more than the breath of His mouth, He will destroy evil.
5 He will clothe himself with righteousness and truth;
the impulse to right wrongs will be in his blood.
With
unwavering steps and integrity uncompromised, He will establish peace.
6 A day will come when the wolf will live peacefully beside the wobbly-kneed lamb,
and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
The calf and yearling, newborn and slow, will rest secure with the lion;
and a little child will tend them all.
7 Bears will graze with the cows they used to attack;
even their young will rest together,
and the lion will eat hay, like gentle oxen.
8-9 Neither will a baby who plays next to a cobra’s hole
nor a toddler who sticks his hand into a nest of vipers suffer harm.
All my holy mountain will be free of anything hurtful or destructive,
for as the waters fill the sea,
The entire earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Eternal.
and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
The calf and yearling, newborn and slow, will rest secure with the lion;
and a little child will tend them all.
7 Bears will graze with the cows they used to attack;
even their young will rest together,
and the lion will eat hay, like gentle oxen.
8-9 Neither will a baby who plays next to a cobra’s hole
nor a toddler who sticks his hand into a nest of vipers suffer harm.
All my holy mountain will be free of anything hurtful or destructive,
for as the waters fill the sea,
The entire earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Eternal.
Now that’s real Peace that He will bring. That
is an invitation from the invitation…to have real peace…not based on the world
and our feelings but based on God’s unfailing love and the ability of the
Prince of Peace to bring order out of chaos.
We are told not to worry in life and to have
peace because of the Prince of Peace. God’s kingdom has nothing to do with our
worry and everything to do with our trust and faith. Let me read what it tells
us in Romans chapter 14, verses 17-19…
Romans 14:17-19The Voice (VOICE)
17 because the kingdom of
God is not about eating and drinking. When God reigns, the order of the day is redeeming justice, true
peace, and joy made possible by the Holy Spirit. 18 You
see, those who serve the Anointed in this way will be welcomed into the whole
acceptance of God and valued by all men. 19 Join
us, and pursue a life that creates peace and builds up our brothers and
sisters.
As we trust and have peace within us, we don’t
tend to worry and that peace we bring into our lives and we are able to live
peaceably with our neighbors…kind of like
a for-taste of the Peaceable Kingdom.
Within “The Invitation” was and is “An
Invitation to Hope…”. Within “The Invitation” of Advent, God worked out His
plan of the restoration of humanity to Himself. Within “The Invitation” is “an
invitation” to all the promises of long ago were offered to all of humanity.
Within “The Invitation” we are set free to hope once more. Found within “The
Invitation” we have “An Invitation to Peace”, the peace beyond all understanding.
This peace has nothing to do with you or I and how we are feeling but it has to
do exclusively with the One who offers it who says, “Come near the manger and
be set free…Come and accept the offer of the invitation to come and see…Come
and have life eternally…Come without fear and trust in Me.” Maybe…just maybe…as
we cast the cares of or lives aside we truly can have the peace that goes
beyond understanding… Maybe…just maybe we can give peace a chance and watch
what happens… You never know…perhaps we may start a new trend that ushers God’s
peace to the world in which we live.
You never know…
Amen…
edited
December 14, 2017
we are offered
peace – v2
December 14,
2017
we are offered
peace
December 14,
2017
we are offered
hope
edited
December 13, 2017
treasures of
Advent – v2
edited
December 13, 2017
memories of
Advent – v2
December 13,
2017
a time of
waiting and preparation – v2
December 12,
2017
memories of
Advent
December 12,
2017
treasures of
Advent
edited
December 12, 2017
treasures of
the season – v2
December 12,
2017
treasures of
the season
edited/new
name December 12, 2017
making room
for Advent
December 12,
2017
room for
Advent
December 12,
2017
souvenirs of
Advent
December 10,
2017
leaving the
script
Christ
changing the words of the Passover Seder,
which was
already 1400 years old at that time
December 10,
2017
God makes an
invitation
December 10,
2017
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Second Sunday
in Advent - Peace
Advent Sermon
Series – “The Invitation…”
Lighting of
the Advent Wreath – the candle of Peace
Psalm 85:1-2,
8-13
Isaiah 11:1-9
Isaiah 9:6-7
Romans 14:17-19
Great
Thanksgiving and prayer before communion
and sermon “An
Invitation to Peace…”
text and video
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
Second Sunday
in Advent
December 10,
2017
&
edited
December 9, 2017
a journey of
hope – v2
edited
December 9, 2017
an invitation
to the stable – v2
&
December
9, 2017
God
will return
2
Peter 3:8-15a
The
Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Faithful
Wilderness Waiting”
December
4, 2017 to December 10, 2017
by
Frank Rogers, Jr.
devotion
for December 8, 2017
read December 9, 2017
&
December 9,
2017
a time of
waiting and preparation
December 8,
2017
Breathe Deeply
of Advent
December 8,
2017
Breathe in the
Season
December 5,
2017
even in the
wilderness
December 4,
2017
the Hope of
the invitation
December 4,
2017
there is hope
in the manger
December 4,
2017
things we
gather
December 4,
2017
gather all you
can
December 4,
2017
welcome to
Advent
December 4,
2017
the invitation
to the manger
December 4,
2017
Faith and Hope
edited
December 4, 2017
Faith for each
step – v2
December 4,
2017
Faith for each
step
edited
December 3, 2017
hope above all
else – v2
December 3,
2017
hope above all
else
December 3,
2017
the ones
dressed in white
December 3,
2017
riding into battle
edited
December 3, 2017
they don’t
come – v2
December 3,
2017
invite them
December 3,
2017
carrying our
treasure
December 3,
2017
we wait, we
hope
edited
December 3, 2017
A journey of
Hope – 2 – v2
December 3,
2017
A journey of
Hope - 2
edited/new name
December 3, 2017
an invitation
to hope
December 3,
2017
a journey of
hope
December 3,
2017
the invitation
of Advent
December 3,
2017
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
First Sunday
in Advent - Hope
Advent Sermon
Series – “The Invitation…”
Lighting of
the Advent Wreath – the candle of Hope
Psalm 80:1-7,
17-19
Isaiah 57:7-12
Isaiah 9:1-3
Romans 5:1-5
Great
Thanksgiving and prayer before communion
Testimony of
Shyanne Foss about her Type 1 Diabetes
and sermon “An
Invitation to Hope”
text and video
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
First Sunday
in Advent
December 3,
2017
&
edited November 22, 2017
A Journey of Treasure – v5
(editing original again)
edited January 13, 2015
A Journey of Treasure – v4
(editing original again)
Edited January 5, 2013
“A Journey of Treasure – v3”
edited September 1, 2011
“A Journey of Treasure – v2”
1/1/06 14:38
“A Journey of Treasure”
Matthew 2:1-12 and the sermon “Time Passages”
by Pastor Lori Eldredge
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
&
edited
December 3, 2017
they are not
invited – v2
December 2,
2017
they are not
invited
December 2,
2017
they don’t
come
December 2,
2017
we must invite
them
December 2,
2017
we don’t
invite them
December 2,
2017
come into
God’s presence
edited
December 2, 2017
Will we join
that congregation – v2
edited/new
title December 2, 2017
will we join
that congregation
December 2,
2017
will we be
gathered up to heaven
edited
December 2, 2017
will we be
raptured – v2
December 2,
2017
will we be
raptured
December 2,
2017
an invitation
to the stable
December 2,
2017
Jesus won
salvation
edited
December 2, 2017
where will we
stand on Judgment Day – v2
edited
December 1, 2017
The King is
coming – v2
edited
December 1, 2017
will we be
ready – v2
December 1,
2017
will we be
ready
December 1,
2017
where will we
stand on Judgment Day
December 1,
2017
The King is
coming
edited
December 1, 2017
Does the
Judgment convict us
December 1,
2017
does the
judgement convict us
edited
November 30, 2017
we live out
our faith – v2
(with truthful
weasel words added…)
edited/new
name November 30, 2017
we live out
our faith
edited
November 30, 2017
do we live out
our faith? – v2
November 30,
2017
do we live out
our faith?
November 30,
2017
do we believe
the scripture?
November 29,
2017
Christ will
return soon
edited
November 29, 2017
I believe in
Jesus – 2 – v2
November 29,
2017
I believe in
Jesus - 2
November 28,
2017
when I say I
am a Christian
edited/new
name November 28, 2017
I say I am a
Christian
edited/new
name November 28, 2017
We say we are
Christians
November 28,
2017
They say they
are Christians
edited/new
name November 28, 2017
Christ will
come down from heaven
edited
November 28, 2017
Christ will
judge us – v2
November 28,
2017
Christ will
judge us
November 28,
2017
God will see
our heart
November 27,
2017
whitewashed
Christians
Matthew
23:27-28 (The Message)
““You’re
hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds!
You’re like
manicured grave plots, grass clipped and the flowers bright,
but six feet
down it’s all rotting bones and worm-eaten flesh.
People look at
you and think you’re saints, but beneath the skin
you’re total
frauds.”
November 27,
2017
false
Christians - 2
edited
November 27, 2017
lumped in with
the others – v2
November 27,
2017
lumped in with
the others
edited
November 26, 2017
Why would I
want to be a Christian – v2
November 26,
2017
why would I
want to be a “Christian”
November 26,
2017
the name
Christian spit from their lips
November 26,
2017
the name
Christian spit from their lips
edited
November 26, 2017
I saw heaven
open – v2
edited to fit
Twitter 280 characters
November 26,
2017
I saw heaven
open
November 26,
2017
Ladies of
scripture
November 26,
2017
Christ the
King Sunday
Stetson
Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 95:1-7
(The Voice
Matthew
25:31-46 (The Voice)
The Final
Judgement
The Sheep and
the Goats
Revelations
19:11-16 (The Voice)
The Rider
and sermon “The
King is coming…”
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
Christ the
King Sunday
November 26,
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 45,650 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Christ,
Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United
Methodist Church, poem, Matthew 25, Psalm 95, prayer, Christ the King Sunday,
Revelation 19, sheep, goats, judgement, Christian, second coming, Advent,
rapture, invitation,
#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #Psalm95
#Matthew25 #pray #praying #prayer #hope #ChristtheKingSunday #Revelation19
#sheep #goats #judgement #Christian #Esther #rider #secondcoming #Advent
#rapture #invitation #salvation
==================
Christ,
Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United
Methodist Church, poem, prayer, Advent, invitation, hope, manger, journey,
treasure, Magi, peace, joy,
#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #Psalm80
#Romans5 #Isaiah7 #Isaiah57 #pray #praying #prayer #hope #secondcoming #Advent
#invitation #salvation #manger #cross #sacrifice #journey #treasure #Magi #peace #joy
==================
Christ,
Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United
Methodist Church, poem, prayer, Advent, invitation, hope, manger, journey,
treasure, Magi, peace, joy, sermon,
#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #grace #poem #Psalm85 #Romans14
#Isaiah9 #Isaiah11 #prayer #secondcoming #Advent #invitation #salvation #manger
#cross #sacrifice #journey #treasure #Magi #hope #peace #love #joy
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