Friday, March 27, 2020

within the sweetness of the smoke – v10


The awful cost to Jesus
to our Father God in heaven
the sacrifice of blood
within the sweetness of the smell;
The taste of the smoke
burning Sunday’s palms

Wednesday’s ashes
burning the joy, the offering
the darkness of Friday;
A foreboding of the season
Christ’s pain, His suffering

Within the sweetness, the taste
of the smoke, the palms becoming ashes
the peoples’ hands upon Him;
The fragrant offering by Jesus
Christ’s sacrifice worthy,
acceptable to God.

----  
edited March 27, 2020
within the sweetness of the smoke – v10

(editing version 9)
edited July 15, 2015
within the sweetness of the smoke – v9
(editing version 5)
edited July 1, 2015
within the sweetness of the smoke – v8
(editing version 5)
edited March 20, 2014
“within the sweetness of the smoke – v7”
edited March 4, 2014
“within the sweetness of the smoke – v6”
Ash Wednesday and Lent
beginning this week
burning of the palms from last year
hymn - “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”, TFWS #2138
&
Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday
Prelude
Unison Prayer
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)
Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)
hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138
Prayer of Confession
Words of Assurance
Imposition of Ashes
Communion
Lenten poem:”Changer: A Lenten Poem”
by Adrienne Sparrow Trevathan
my earlier poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
March 5, 2014
Ash Wednesday
Lent
&
Edited January 1, 2014
“within the sweetness of the smoke – v5”
(editing version 2)
Edited February 14, 2013
“within the sweetness of the smoke – v4”
Edited February 14, 2013
“within the sweetness of the smoke – v3”
Edited February 6, 2013
“within the sweetness of the smoke – v2”
February 19, 2012
“within the sweetness of the smoke”                           
&
Worship Theme – “God’s Healing Mercy
Mark 2:1-12 (NRSV)
Isaiah 43:18-25 (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (NRSV)
Call to Worship (Psalm 41:1-4, 13 (NRSV Bible))
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication ((GBOD Mark 9:2-9)
and sermon, “How Good of God”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
Seventh Sunday of Epiphany
Transfiguration Sunday
February 12, 2012

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 52,660+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Savior, Pastor Ruth Foss, Spirit, gifts, calling, Lent, Ash Wednesday, Matthew 6, Joel 2, Savior,  Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, poem, poetry


#Faith #God #grace #love #Christ #Spirit #gifts #calling #Lent #AshWednesday #Matthew6 #Joel2 #Savior #poem #poetry

Monday, March 23, 2020

watch over us Lord

watch over us Lord
in this chaos, this crisis;
keep us safe from the virus
raging, encircling the globe

Lord keep us safe
in our bodies, our spirits;
don’t let fear of the virus
shake our trust in You

===============
March 23, 2020
Lord, keep us safe
edited March 23, 2020
draw us to You
March 23, 2020
a prayer in this crisis
&
edited March 23, 2020
whatever its name – v3
edited January 15, 2016
whatever its name – v2
November 28, 2015
whatever its name
===============
edited March 23, 2020
a virus spreading – v9
changing order of stanzas and edits
edited March 22, 2020
a virus spreading – v8
edited March 22, 2020
a virus, spreading – v7
CDC COVID-19 site:
&
edited January 4, 2016
a virus, spreading – v6
(merging edits to version 5 and version 4)
edited January 3, 2016
a virus, spreading – v5
(editing original)
reposted December 30, 2015
a virus spreading – v4
(with final set of tags and hashtags)
edited December 29, 2015
many heads, many names, of the snake – v2
edited December 27, 2015
a virus, spreading – v4
(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)
edited December 27, 2015
a virus, spreading – v3
(editing original)
edited December 10, 2015
The snake of terror – v4
(editing version 3)
edited December 9, 2015
a virus, spreading – v2
edited December 4, 2015
The snake of terror – v3
December 2, 2015
a virus, spreading
edited November 29, 2015
The snake of terror – v2
November 29, 2015
many heads, many names, of the snake
November 28, 2015
just faces of evil
November 28, 2015
The snake of terror
November 28, 2015
whatever its name
Post 11/28/15 by Hamidou Yaya
“Fallen Cameroonian soldiers from
the battle against terrorism. "Brave soldiers,
you paid the ultimate price but your fight will not be in vain.
We will keep fighting until the complete eradication
of this cancerous group called boko haram"
Allez et que la terre de nos ailleux vous
soit eternellement legere. La lutta continua”
My response 11/28/15
“unfortunately the snake of terrorism has many heads”
and his response back 11/28/15
I totally agree with you Ray. The body of that snake can well be
in the Middle-East, but the heads are probably in all the continents

====
edited October 3, 2014
when hate claims to be Muslim – v3
edited September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Muslim – v2
edited/new September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Muslim
International Coalition of Muslim Scholars Refute ISIS' Religious Arguments in Open Letter to al-Baghdadi
see 17-page letter itself
&
edited September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Christian – v2
edited/ new September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Christian
post by John Makokha
My dear brother and pastor, why can't you preach the gospel of love
rather than that of hate, malice, prejudice and discrimination.
When Ebola strikes America where will you hide?
I will continue praying for God's intervention in
your heart and mind. God is LOVE.”
in response to article
Christian broadcaster: Ebola could cleanse US of atheists, gay people, and sluts
&
August 17, 2014
He says he is a Christian
praying about Ferguson, Missouri after Michael Brown
shooting and its aftermath showing again the racism
in America and how far we have to go to achieve the
Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
“I Have A Dream” speech as a reality in this country
&
report that New Empire Knights (KKK) were raising money
for a reward for the officer who killed Michael Brown
and seeing the label “Christian, Husband, Father and Klansman
on Wordpress profile.
&
Edited October 1, 2013
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v4”
(editing original again)
Edited August 11, 2013
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v3”
Written July 4, 2012
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name”
"All White Christian" convention being held in Lamar County this week
&
&
John 17:6-19
Christ’s prayer for his disciples
John 17:20-25
Christ’s prayer for all believers
Sermon 7 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Green Bead – Your Special Concern
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “A Weight Upon the Heart”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – picture of our cat Moe sleeping
-          God wants us to be at rest, at peace
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 17, 2014
&
prayer of the people printed in the bulletin,
including the following prayer:
“For our church that it may be safe for all people
and an active witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”
Genesis 32:22-28 Common English Bible
Psalm 139:1-14 NIV Bible
Sermon 6 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Grey, Black and White, Day and Night Bead – Spiritual Struggles
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – dog treats and squeaky ball
-          God gives us treats
-          God wants us to play
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “G.W.E.” (God Wrestling Entertainment)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 3, 2014
&
Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Luke 12:12-15
Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible
“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles
Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith
children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson
reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys
and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 27, 2014
&
Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)
1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)
Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bead with a Hole - Silence
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box - a blank space
-          God starts with a blank canvas,
God fills in the picture until a masterpiece
is created and we come home
and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 20, 2014
&
Psalm 33:30-22
Psalm 25:1-3
Romans 8:30-32
Matthew 11:28-30
Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bumpy Bead – Letting Go
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box – a broken set of prayer beads
-          God can make something beautiful of all the broken pieces:
-          Dad can you fix this? Yes I can…
and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 13, 2014
&
June 29, 2014
Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible
Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible
Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible
Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”
Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box
-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature
and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 29, 2014
&
June 22, 2014
Matthew 6:5-14
“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)
(including Lord’s Prayer)
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Ray Foss
-          God fills in the words we pray
based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
Romans 8:22-27
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“Guided by the Spirit”
by Milly Ibanda
for March and April 2014
-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer
(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)
opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”
by Sally Drew
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 22, 2014

America, God, Quds Force, Haqqani Network, Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, September 11, terror, Kony, ISIS, ISIL, terrorism, Boko Haram, Islamic State, war, DAESH, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, LRA, snake, Hezbollah,

#America #terrorism #ISIS #BokoHaram #war #DAESH #ISIL #AlQaeda #binLaden #AlBaghdadi #Kony #LRA #Haqqani

==============

America, God, terror, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, ISIL, terrorism, Boko Haram, Islamic State, war, DAESH, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, LRA, Hezbollah, Hamas, FARC, Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Shabab,  REAL IRA,

#America #terrorism #AlQaeda #Hezbollah #Suleimani #Hamas #FARC #Taliban #Lashkar-e-Taiba #AlShabab  #REALIRA

---------------

Faith, God, grace, love, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, UMC, Pastor Ruth Foss, prayer, witness, America, Ebola, hate, Christian, Spirit, prejudice, ISIL, ISIS, Muslim, Islam, Allah,

#God #grace #love #prayer #John17 #America #Spirit #prejudice #Islam #ISIS #ISIL #Allah #Muslim

----------------------------------

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 52,660+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Faith, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, love, pray, prayer, America, Ebola, poem, poetry, outbreak, Coronavirus, Corona Virus, COVID19, SARS, pandemic, crisis, emergency, social distancing, world, United States, Corona Crazy, COVID-19,

#Faith #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #love #pray #prayer #America #Ebola #poem #poetry #outbreak #Coronavirus #COVID19 #SARS #pandemic #crisis #emergency #socialdistancing #world #UnitedStates #CoronaCrazy #COVID19


#Faith #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #love #pray #prayer #poem #poetry #outbreak #Coronavirus #COVID19 #pandemic #crisis #emergency #COVID19

Lord, keep us safe

Lord, keep us safe
our family, our loved ones
all who read these words
raised up in the ether

Lord, keep us safe
in this time of crisis, of panic
the COVID-19 virus racing
around the earth

Lord, keep us safe
bring peace to us spirits
trusting in You alone, always,
for our health, for our life

===============
edited March 23, 2020
draw us to You
March 23, 2020
a prayer in this crisis
edited March 23, 2020
whatever its name – v3
edited January 15, 2016
whatever its name – v2
November 28, 2015
whatever its name
===============
edited March 23, 2020
a virus spreading – v9
changing order of stanzas and edits
edited March 22, 2020
a virus spreading – v8
edited March 22, 2020
a virus, spreading – v7
CDC COVID-19 site:
&
edited January 4, 2016
a virus, spreading – v6
(merging edits to version 5 and version 4)
edited January 3, 2016
a virus, spreading – v5
(editing original)
reposted December 30, 2015
a virus spreading – v4
(with final set of tags and hashtags)
edited December 29, 2015
many heads, many names, of the snake – v2
edited December 27, 2015
a virus, spreading – v4
(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)
edited December 27, 2015
a virus, spreading – v3
(editing original)
edited December 10, 2015
The snake of terror – v4
(editing version 3)
edited December 9, 2015
a virus, spreading – v2
edited December 4, 2015
The snake of terror – v3
December 2, 2015
a virus, spreading
edited November 29, 2015
The snake of terror – v2
November 29, 2015
many heads, many names, of the snake
November 28, 2015
just faces of evil
November 28, 2015
The snake of terror
November 28, 2015
whatever its name
Post 11/28/15 by Hamidou Yaya
“Fallen Cameroonian soldiers from
the battle against terrorism. "Brave soldiers,
you paid the ultimate price but your fight will not be in vain.
We will keep fighting until the complete eradication
of this cancerous group called boko haram"
Allez et que la terre de nos ailleux vous
soit eternellement legere. La lutta continua”
My response 11/28/15
“unfortunately the snake of terrorism has many heads”
and his response back 11/28/15
I totally agree with you Ray. The body of that snake can well be
in the Middle-East, but the heads are probably in all the continents

====
edited October 3, 2014
when hate claims to be Muslim – v3
edited September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Muslim – v2
edited/new September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Muslim
International Coalition of Muslim Scholars Refute ISIS' Religious Arguments in Open Letter to al-Baghdadi
see 17-page letter itself
&
edited September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Christian – v2
edited/ new September 30, 2014
when hate claims to be Christian
post by John Makokha
My dear brother and pastor, why can't you preach the gospel of love
rather than that of hate, malice, prejudice and discrimination.
When Ebola strikes America where will you hide?
I will continue praying for God's intervention in
your heart and mind. God is LOVE.”
in response to article
Christian broadcaster: Ebola could cleanse US of atheists, gay people, and sluts
&
August 17, 2014
He says he is a Christian
praying about Ferguson, Missouri after Michael Brown
shooting and its aftermath showing again the racism
in America and how far we have to go to achieve the
Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr.’s
“I Have A Dream” speech as a reality in this country
&
report that New Empire Knights (KKK) were raising money
for a reward for the officer who killed Michael Brown
and seeing the label “Christian, Husband, Father and Klansman
on Wordpress profile.
&
Edited October 1, 2013
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v4”
(editing original again)
Edited August 11, 2013
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name – v3”
Written July 4, 2012
“When Hate Claims Christ’s Name”
"All White Christian" convention being held in Lamar County this week
&
&
John 17:6-19
Christ’s prayer for his disciples
John 17:20-25
Christ’s prayer for all believers
Sermon 7 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Green Bead – Your Special Concern
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “A Weight Upon the Heart”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – picture of our cat Moe sleeping
-          God wants us to be at rest, at peace
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 17, 2014
&
prayer of the people printed in the bulletin,
including the following prayer:
“For our church that it may be safe for all people
and an active witness to the truth of Jesus Christ.”
Genesis 32:22-28 Common English Bible
Psalm 139:1-14 NIV Bible
Sermon 6 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Grey, Black and White, Day and Night Bead – Spiritual Struggles
children’s message
-          Mystery Box – dog treats and squeaky ball
-          God gives us treats
-          God wants us to play
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “G.W.E.” (God Wrestling Entertainment)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
August 3, 2014
&
Romans 10:12-15 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Luke 12:12-15
Luke 12:1-6 Common English Bible
“The Long and Winding Road” The Beatles
Sermon 5 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Stepping Stone Bead – Journey of Faith
children’s message by Ellen Alward Dickinson
reading story – A Black Bear and Four Boys
and sermon, “A Long And Winding Road”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 27, 2014
&
Psalm 37:5-7 (Common English Bible)
1 Kings 19:9-23 (NIV Bible)
Sermon 4 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bead with a Hole - Silence
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box - a blank space
-          God starts with a blank canvas,
God fills in the picture until a masterpiece
is created and we come home
and sermon, “Is Silence Really Golden?”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 20, 2014
&
Psalm 33:30-22
Psalm 25:1-3
Romans 8:30-32
Matthew 11:28-30
Sermon 3 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
Bumpy Bead – Letting Go
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box – a broken set of prayer beads
-          God can make something beautiful of all the broken pieces:
-          Dad can you fix this? Yes I can…
and sermon, “In the Letting Go We Find”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
July 13, 2014
&
June 29, 2014
Psalm 105:1-6 Common English Bible
Exodus 15:1-3 The Living Bible
Psalm 89:1-18 The Message Bible
Closing Hymn – “As the Deer”
Sermon 2 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Pastor Ruth Foss
-          Mystery Box
-          Sabbath rest, time with God outdoors, in nature
and sermon, “All My Adoration. . . !”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 29, 2014
&
June 22, 2014
Matthew 6:5-14
“Jesus Teaches About Prayer” (NCV)
(including Lord’s Prayer)
Romans 12:12
Ephesians 6:11-18
Sermon 1 of “All My Days: A Summer of Prayer”
Summer Sermon Series on Prayer
children’s message by Ray Foss
-          God fills in the words we pray
based on Upper Room Daily Devotional for June 9, 2014
Romans 8:26 (NRSV)
Romans 8:22-27
Upper Room Daily Devotional
“Guided by the Spirit”
by Milly Ibanda
for March and April 2014
-          spontaneous prayer, wait for God’s answer
(based on Shanequa’s prayer for a puppy July 21, 2006)
opening and welcome by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon, “Stop, Look and Listen”
by Sally Drew
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 22, 2014

America, God, Quds Force, Haqqani Network, Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaeda, September 11, terror, Kony, ISIS, ISIL, terrorism, Boko Haram, Islamic State, war, DAESH, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, LRA, snake, Hezbollah,

#America #terrorism #ISIS #BokoHaram #war #DAESH #ISIL #AlQaeda #binLaden #AlBaghdadi #Kony #LRA #Haqqani

==============

America, God, terror, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, ISIL, terrorism, Boko Haram, Islamic State, war, DAESH, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, LRA, Hezbollah, Hamas, FARC, Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al-Shabab,  REAL IRA,

#America #terrorism #AlQaeda #Hezbollah #Suleimani #Hamas #FARC #Taliban #Lashkar-e-Taiba #AlShabab  #REALIRA

---------------

Faith, God, grace, love, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, UMC, Pastor Ruth Foss, prayer, witness, America, Ebola, hate, Christian, Spirit, prejudice, ISIL, ISIS, Muslim, Islam, Allah,

#God #grace #love #prayer #John17 #America #Spirit #prejudice #Islam #ISIS #ISIL #Allah #Muslim

----------------------------------

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 52,660+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Faith, God, Christ, Spirit, grace, love, pray, prayer, America, Ebola, poem, poetry, outbreak, Coronavirus, Corona Virus, COVID19, SARS, pandemic, crisis, emergency, social distancing, world, United States, Corona Crazy, COVID-19,

#Faith #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #love #pray #prayer #America #Ebola #poem #poetry #outbreak #Coronavirus #COVID19 #SARS #pandemic #crisis #emergency #socialdistancing #world #UnitedStates #CoronaCrazy #COVID19


#Faith #God #Christ #Spirit #grace #love #pray #prayer #poem #poetry #outbreak #Coronavirus #COVID19 #pandemic #crisis #emergency #COVID19