December 31, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
New
Year Sunday
Sermon
Series: “The Invitation”
“An
Invitation To New Life”
“A
New Year Beginning…”
Let us pray…
Listen
to the reading from Revelations this morning. It is the perfect way to end the
year and step into the new one standing before us. We stand on the precipice of
a new day dawning… I will be reading from The Voice, verses 1-7 this morning.
Listen to the hope that arises from these Words of grace…
Good Morning and welcome to “The Invitation…” The invitation
of Advent. We have come to the end of our “Advent”ure to the feeding trough 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. But we are offered so
much more…
We emptied our bags, our life’s suitcase so to
speak, at the door way of Advent and entered in with bags waiting to be filled.
suitcases. We have filled it with the Hope of a restored relationship with God,
we gathered up and packed the clothing of Peace that we are never alone, we
have gathered the words of the song of Joy because no matter what we face, we
have been enveloped in a Love too wonderful for words, and lastly, we have
accepted the One who was in the manger as our Lord and Savior. So, what’s next?
Well, now that we have Jesus as our Lord and
Savior, I think the most awesome promise is ours for the taking. What do you
think that promise is? Give time to
answer. Our promise is…we are given “An Invitation To…” … New Life. We are
given a new life with Christ. It is at this point…at this time…after the
invitations of Advent…we are offered Peace, Hope, Joy, and Love. As we accept
the Christ Child we are restored, and we are never the same again. Oh sure…we
may go back to our old ways…we may trip and fall…we may struggle and fight…but
that doesn’t change the one thing that is unchangeable within this Adventure…we
are now a child of God.
So, we live in a world that wants to know
“what’s in it for me?” Even we, as Christians may resound that same question. If I give my life to Christ, what am I
going to gain from it? I have been following Christ for years, why should I
continue? Does it really matter if I follow Jesus? What is going to happen…what
is my gain…if I follow Jesus? I have even asked these questions to myself
but…but…I need not ask them anymore
in my life.
As I said so many times. I love the book of
Revelation. It gives me hope and peace. It tells me what I have instore for me
It tells me that I am loved and to push through and persevere, to continue, to
endure, because in the end…good always wins… from the scripture I read this
morning from this Book of Truths, John states:
“Everything
above me was new. Everything below me was new. Everything around me was new because the heaven and earth
that had been passed away, and the sea was gone, completely. 2 And
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
prepared like a bride on her
wedding day, adorned for her husband and for His eyes only.”
Everything is going to be new…How awesome is
that going to be. Just think about what John claims:
See,
the home of God is with His people.
He will live among them;
They will be His people,
And God Himself will be with them.
4 The prophecies are fulfilled:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
Mourning no more, crying no more, pain no more,
For the first things have gone away.
He will live among them;
They will be His people,
And God Himself will be with them.
4 The prophecies are fulfilled:
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more;
Mourning no more, crying no more, pain no more,
For the first things have gone away.
To me…I get to live part of this now. Because of
accepting the invitation, God walks with me. As I trust in Him He will wipe
away all my tears, fears, and pain. Because of the invitation, I no longer am
no longer under the death sentence of sin, I now have life eternal. I can
have a foretaste so now I can’t wait for the “Full Monty”.
The invitation…I am going to give you an
invitation to the new year. I asked you
to write down one thing you want to leave in 2017 so that you can move forward
into 2018. This is my invitation to “A New Year Beginning”. As Chuck plays a
little music for us, I would ask that, as the spirit leads you, to come up with
your piece of paper and drop it in this bowl. It is filled with water
symbolizing that we can drop our cares into the “waters of new life” and come
away ready to face the day…
Give
time for people to come forward…
Let
them all praise the name of the Lord.
For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
14 He has made his people strong,
honoring his faithful ones—
the people of Israel who are close to him.
For his name is very great;
his glory towers over the earth and heaven!
14 He has made his people strong,
honoring his faithful ones—
the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise
the Lord!
Amen…
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December 31, 2017
edited December 31, 2017
A new life in Jesus – v3
December 31, 2017
an ending, a beginning
edited December 31, 2017
A new life in Jesus – v2
December 31, 2017
A new life in Jesus
December 30, 2017
A New Year Beginning
December 30, 2017
we are offered new life
December 31, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Happy New Year
Sermon Series: “The Invitation”
“An Invitation To New Life”
Psalm 148
Revelations 21:1-6
“The New Jerusalem” (NCV)
and sermon “An Invitation to New Life…”
“A New Year Beginning”
text and video
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
New Year’s Eve
December 31, 2017
&
December 30, 2017
look for the good
December 30, 2017
we light the candle of Love
December 30, 2017
we are offered true love
December 30, 2017
we return to the stable
edited December 30, 2017
we don’t know the day – v2
edited December 30, 2017
we don’t know the day – v2
December 30, 2017
we don’t know the day
edited December 30, 2017
the time has come – v2
December 30, 2017
the time has come
edited/ new name December 30, 2017
the gift of Jesus Christ
December 30, 2017
the hope that we carry
December 30, 2017
the gifts we carry, we offer
December 30, 2017
the gift of Christ Jesus
December 30, 2017
this love is mercy – 2
edited December 29, 2017
this love is mercy
December 29, 2017
this love is power
edited December 29, 2017
the shadow of our cross – v2
edited December 29, 2017
we are drawn to the stable – v2
edited December 28, 2017
What is this Love – v4
edited December 28, 2017
What is this Love – v3
edited December 28, 2017
the love of the manger – v2
edited December 28, 2017
we draw near the manger – v2
December 28, 2017
we draw near the manger
December 28, 2017
we are drawn to the stable
December 28, 2017
the love of the manger
December 28, 2017
the shadow of our cross
edited December 28, 2017
The Shadow of the Cross – 3 – v2
December 28, 2017
The Shadow of the Cross - 3
The Great Thanksgiving
December 28, 2017
gathering, filling
edited/ new name December 27, 2017
every step on our journey
December 27, 2017
each step on our journey
edited December 27, 2017
each step is a prayer – v2
December 27, 2017
each step is a prayer
edited/ renamed December 27, 2017
we journey to Bethlehem
December 27, 2017
we join the pilgrims
edited December 26, 2017
I came down from heaven – v2
edited December 26, 2017
What is this Love – v2
edited December 26, 2017
I descended from heaven – v2
edited December 26, 2017
The Savior, a baby – v3
December 26, 2017
Oh, please come to the stable
December 26, 2017
We come to the stable
December 26, 2017
come to the stable - combined
December 26, 2017
come to the stable – part 2
December 26, 2017
come to the stable – part 1
December 26, 2017
What is this Love
December 25, 2017
without this invitation – v2
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
The Savior, a baby – v2
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
The Savior, a baby
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
I descended from heaven
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
I came down from heaven
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
I entered among you
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
A Christmas Letter
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
To set the world right
Christmas Day
December 25, 2017
Love came down - 2
Christmas Day
&
December 24, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Sermon Series: “The Invitation”
“An Invitation To Christ”
Lighting of the Advent Wreath – the Christ Candle
and “A Christmas Letter”
text and video
text
video
as read by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
December 24, 2017
&
December 24, 2017
come and see the babe in the manger
December 24, 2017
born in us anew
Quotes from Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar’s
Christmas Message
December 23, 2017
In the midst of this reality, we sing "O holy child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray, cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today" (United Methodist Hymnal #230, verse 4).
&
"What does it look like when Jesus Christ is born within us anew;
when we become the embodiment of Jesus, and grace and truth
become our mantra as baptized Christians?”
&
December 24, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Fourth Sunday in Advent - Love
Christmas Eve Morning
Sermon Series: “The Invitation”
“An Invitation To Love”
Lighting of the Advent Wreath – the candle of Love
Great Thanksgiving before communion
and sermon “What Is This Love…”
text and video
text
video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Fourth Sunday in Advent
December 24, 2017
&
edited December 23, 2017
a time of waiting and preparation – v3
edited December 23, 2017
an echo of Hannah – v2
edited December 23, 2017
she sang – v2
edited December 23, 2017
bowing down to idols – v2
edited December 23, 2017
joy in the chaos – v3
edited December 23, 2017
her prayer of faith – v2
edited December 23, 2017
when I was a stranger – v2
edited December 23, 2017
Happiness is fleeting – v3
edited December 23, 2017
The Magnificat – v2
edited December 23, 2017
How I rejoice in God my Savior – v2
edited December 23, 2017
a prayer of submission – v2
edited/ merged December 23, 2017
Mary sang the Magnificat – 2 – v3
December 23, 2017
an echo of Hannah
edited December 23, 2017
Mary sang the Magnificat – 2 – v2
edited December 23, 2017
Mary sang the Magnificat – v3
Song of Hannah
1 Samuel 2:1–10
Luke 1:46-55 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
The Magnificat
edited January 12, 2017
Mary sang the Magnificat – v2
December 11, 2016
Mary sang the Magnificat
edited January 12, 2017
Worship in Song – v2
edited January 2, 2017
Preparing the Way – v3
(merging edits to original and version 2)
edited December 30, 2016
Preparing the Way – v2
November 30, 2009
Preparing the Way
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Malachi 3:1
for November 30, 2009
Malachi 3:2-4
for December 1, 2009
Luke 1:68-75
for December 2, 2009
by F. Douglas Powe, Jr.
&
edited/new name December 22, 2017
Mary sang the Magnicat - 2
December 22, 2017
She sang
December 22, 2017
the joy of Mary
December 22, 2017
bowing down to idols
December 21, 2017
without this invitation
December 21, 2017
real joy
December 21, 2017
Joy remains
December 21, 2017
Joy stays
December 21, 2017
joy is constant
edited December 21, 2017
Happiness is fleeting – v2
December 21, 2017
Happiness is fleeting
December 21, 2017
Joy is a fruit
edited December 20, 2017
joy in the chaos – v2
December 20, 2017
joy in the chaos
December 20, 2017
we are offered joy
December 20, 2017
How I rejoice in God my Savior
December 19, 2017
offered up to God
December 19, 2017
her prayer of faith
December 19, 2017
her prayer of joy
December 19, 2017
a prayer of submission
edited December 19, 2017
The Song of Mary – v2
December 19, 2017
The Song of Mary
December 19, 2017
The Magnificat
December 17, 2017
God’s promise of Joy
December 17, 2017
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Third Sunday in Advent - Joy
Advent Sermon Series – “The Invitation…”
Lighting of the Advent Wreath – the candle of Joy
Congregation prayer over George Merrow
Great Thanksgiving and prayer before communion
Psalm 126 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Isaiah 61:1-2, 8-11 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
Luke 1:46-55 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
The Magnificat
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
and sermon “An Invitation to Joy…”
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
Third Sunday in Advent
December 17, 2017
&
December 15, 2017
Advent – haiku - 7
December 15, 2017
Advent - acrostic
December 15, 2017
come and see the babe
edited/ new name December 15, 2017
we cannot know peace
December 15, 2017
peace begins with trust
December 15, 2017
an invitation of peace
December 15, 2017
an invitation to peace
December 15, 2017
give your worries to Jesus
December 15, 2017
a relationship with God
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
&
December 17, 2017
when I was a stranger
December 17, 2017
I was starving
December 17, 2017
gathered into His pasture
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 45,810 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
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Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, invitation, hope, journey, treasure, Magi, peace, joy, Christmas, second coming, life, New Year’s Eve,
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#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
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#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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#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #grace #poem #Psalm126 #Isaiah61 #Luke1 #1Thessalonians5 #prayer #secondcoming #Advent #invitation #salvation #manger #cross #sacrifice #journey #treasure #Magi #hope #peace #love #joy #Mary #Magnificat
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#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #grace #poem #prayer #secondcoming #Advent #invitation #salvation #manger #cross #sacrifice #journey #pilgrimage #treasure #Magi #hope #peace #love #joy #waiting #preparation #indwelling
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#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #grace #poem #prayer #secondcoming #Advent #invitation #salvation #manger #cross #sacrifice #journey #pilgrimage #treasure #Magi #hope #peace #agape #love #joy #waiting #indwelling #Christmas #NewYearsEve #life
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