God lifts up the lowly – v5

God blesses us all

with God’s gift of salvation,

a free gift to all;

but God lifts up the lowly.

God brings down the mighty

those who are too sure of their power.

God loves the humble, the willing,

those who are giving, servants.

God blesses us all;

but God lifts up the lowly

those who the world thinks of

as lesser than themselves.

=====

edited July 23, 2019

God lifts up the lowly – v5

edited January 5, 2015

God lifts up the lowly – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/god-lifts-up-lowly-v4.html

(editing original again)

edited December 29, 2014

God lifts up the lowly – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-lifts-up-lowly-v3.html

(editing original again)

edited December 27, 2014

God lifts up the lowly – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-lifts-up-lowly-v2.html

December 27, 2014

God gives grace to the humble

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-gives-grace-to-humble.html

December 27, 2014

God lifts up the lowly

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-lifts-up-lowly.html

edited/merged

God favors the lowly – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-favors-lowly-v2.html

(merged with God brings down the mighty)

December 27, 2014

God humbles the proud

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-humbles-proud.html

edited/new December 27, 2014

God brings down the mighty

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-brings-down-mighty.html

December 27, 2014

God favors the lowly

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/god-favors-lowly.html

Advent book study:

Luke 1:26-33

Mary at the Annunciation,

the visitation of the angel Gabriel

Chapter 4: “Mary, Full of Grace”

Not A Silent Night

http://www.adamhamilton.org/store/9781426771842#.VGp1BTTF9gg

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/DynamicContent.aspx?id=276&pageid=1808

by Reverend Adam Hamilton

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/bookstore.aspx?contributorid=3827

http://www.facebook.com/RevAdamHamilton

https://twitter.com/RevAdamHamilton

Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

&

Luke 2:41-51

Jesus at age 12 in the Temple

Chapter 3: “Amazed, Astounded, and Astonished”

Not A Silent Night

by Reverend Adam Hamilton

Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

&

Luke 2:33-35

prophecy of Simeon

Chapter 2: “The Piercing of Mary’s Soul”

Not A Silent Night

by Reverend Adam Hamilton

Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

&

2^nd Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1417377248./605547519551607/

Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/

dramas by Ross Olson

http://rossolson.org/

sermon/message – “Mary”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/mary.html

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/611965572243135

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/sermon-advent-drama-mary-by-ross-olson.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/541653909874696192

(as performed by Shyanne Foss,

who, like Mary, is 14 years old)

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

2^nd Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2014

&

Acts 1:8-14

referenced article about Black Friday death in 2008

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/nyregion/30walmart.html?_r=0

(and website for Black Friday Deaths - http://blackfridaydeathcount.com/)

Introduction and

Chapter 1. “Beginning with the End”

Not A Silent Night

by Reverend Adam Hamilton

Spirit study led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

&

earlier books by Rev. Hamilton studied in Spirit Study groups -

The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=1104578

&        

“Final Words from the Cross”

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9781426746802

&

“24 Hours That Changed the World”

http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=833652

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, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See all 50,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, UMC, Spirit, Pastor Ruth Foss, Adam Hamilton, Advent, Mary, Madonna, Magnificat, Annunciation, Gabriel, angel, visitation,

#Faith #God #grace #love #Christ #Messiah #Savior #Magnificat #Annunciation #visitation #Gabriel #angel #Mary #Advent

Mary and Joseph's Journey – v4

Mary and Joseph’s journey,

so much more, much more

than traveling from Nazareth

to Bethlehem, the Temple

Holy City of David; Jesse’s shoot,

the root of Jesse, long buried

coming alive, to life

So much more, the distance

their journey, each one,

heavenly blessed, touched by angels

by the voice of angels blessed

called to be the agents, the servants

the means by the savior, coming to save

into the world, human, incarnate

Christ is the living God, the babe she carried,

his first son, so far their journeys

traveling to David’s city, fulfillment

their journey, holy and right

leading us, in the Advent-tide

all of us pilgrims now with them

journeying to His manger bed

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

edited November 23, 2018

Mary and Joseph’s Journey – v4

(merging edits to original and version 3)

edited December 16, 2015

Mary and Joseph’s Journey – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/12/mary-and-josephs-journey-v3.html

(merging edits of original and version 2)

edited December 9, 2014

Mary and Joseph’s Journey – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/mary-and-josephs-journey-v2.html

December 6, 2008

Mary and Joseph’s Journey

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/12/mary-and-josephs-journey.html

Isaiah 11:1-9

Matthew 1:18-24 (Joseph)

Luke 1:26-38 (Mary)

&

Matthew 1:18-25

3rd Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1417377248./605547519551607/

Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/

dramas by Ross Olson

http://rossolson.org/

sermon/message – “Joseph”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/joseph.html

(as performed by Raymond A. Foss who, like Joseph,

is an step-father and adoptive  father)

https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss

www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com

children’s message

– mystery box – 

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Advent wreath lighting

Prayer of Thanksgiving –

by Raymond A. Foss

communion

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

2^nd Sunday of Advent

December 14, 2014

&

2^nd Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

dramas by Ross Olson

sermon/message – “Mary”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/mary.html

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/611965572243135

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/sermon-advent-drama-mary-by-ross-olson.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/541653909874696192

(as performed by Shyanne Foss,

who, like Mary, is 14 years old)

children’s message

– mystery box –  spool of thread and cloth and needles

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=611975015575524&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/childrens-sermon-clothes-to-cover-our.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/541659519169081344

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Advent wreath lighting

Prayer of Thanksgiving –

we thank you Lord – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/we-thank-you-lord-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/we-thank-you-lord.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/540894913240764417

by Raymond A. Foss

communion

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

2^nd Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2014

&

1^st Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

Sacred Dance Introit

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=609215895851436

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/sacred-dance-introit-prepare-ye-way-by.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/539230880276164608

Michael W. Smith’s

https://www.facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial

“Intro and Prepare Ye the Way”

https://play.spotify.com/track/4cMdaeS1dGXkn3BjOGOP2R?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

from his New Hallelujah album

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-New-Hallelujah/109199692433262

Advent wreath lighting

Prayer of Thanksgiving –

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=609153052524387&id=174161846023512

by Jeanie Goode

https://www.facebook.com/regina.goode.3

Luke 1:19-20a

children’s message

– mystery box – 

envelope with note

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=609178302521862&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/childrens-message-sermon-what-the-bible.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/539493013488406528

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/sermon-drama-angel-gabriel-by-ross.html

dramas by Ross Olson

sermon/message – “Angel Gabriel”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/gabriel.html

(as performed by Terry Pettengill)

https://www.facebook.com/terry.pettengill

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

1^st Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2014

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, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 48,150 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Savior, manger, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Advent, angel, Gabriel, Mary, Luke 1, Christmas, prayer, Matthew 1, Joseph, stepfather,

#Christ #God #grace #love #Advent #UMC #Savior #hope #Christmas #Gabriel #angel #Luke1 #Mary #prayer #Matthew1 #stepfather #Joseph

I am Joseph of Nazareth – v4

I may not be a carpenter,

someone who works with their hands

none of my children are named Jesus

none claim to be the Daughter of the Living God;

but I know in part, at least,

some of what he must have been feeling

the awesome responsibility

I am Joseph of Nazareth

maybe not a son of David,

but a child of Abraham,

trying to be faithful

to my calling from God.

Putting on the robe, the apron

picking up the tools, the mantle,

preparing to stand before the altar

at the pulpit, the lectern, the workbench,

to share the story Advent, of Christmas,

from a minor character, from Joseph;

but this is a message I can understand

at least in part, for I have lived it,

not that they were Daughters of God

not in the same sense as Jesus;

but they were children of others

whom I am to love, to nurture,

to adopt as I am able, to teach

with their mother as they grow up.

I am Joseph of Nazareth,

though my name is Raymond,

an unlikely father, unexpected

as if by the voice of an angel

telling me this would be alright

that this was all part of God’s plan

deferred perhaps, but already written,

a journey together, to travel

to care for, to raise up

these children of others

these daughters of God

like my own flesh and blood.

====

edited February 13, 2017

I am Joseph of Nazareth – v4

edited December 13, 2014

I am Joseph of Nazareth – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-am-joseph-of-nazareth-v3.html

edited December 12, 2014

I am Joseph of Nazareth – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-am-joseph-of-nazareth-v2.html

December 12, 2014

I am Joseph of Nazareth

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-am-joseph-of-nazareth.html

edited December 13, 2014

adoption in the stable – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/adoption-in-stable-v2.html

edited December 13, 2014

an open adoption – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/an-open-adoption-v2.html

edited December 12, 2014

I love you Lord Jesus – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-love-you-lord-jesus-v2.html

edited December 12, 2014

a stepfather for Jesus – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-stepfather-for-jesus-v2.html

edited December 12, 2014

I am Joseph of Nazareth – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-am-joseph-of-nazareth-v2.html

December 12, 2014

I am Joseph of Nazareth

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-am-joseph-of-nazareth.html

December 12, 2014

pray for me

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/pray-for-me.html

December 12, 2014

adoption in the stable

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/adoption-in-stable.html

December 12, 2014

adoption at the manger

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/adoption-at-manger.html

December 12, 2014

an open adoption

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/an-open-adoption.html

December 12, 2014

a stepfather for Jesus

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-stepfather-for-jesus.html

December 12, 2014

a manger on his doorstep

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-manger-on-his-doorstep.html

December 12, 2014

the legal father

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-legal-father.html

December 8, 2014

I love you Lord Jesus

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-love-you-lord-jesus.html

edited/ new December 8, 2014

I look at this baby

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/i-look-at-this-baby.html

December 8, 2014

How can I teach Jesus

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-can-i-teach-jesus.html

Matthew 1:18-25

3rd Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1417377248./605547519551607/

Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/

dramas by Ross Olson

http://rossolson.org/

sermon/message – “Joseph”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/joseph.html

(as performed by Raymond A. Foss who, like Joseph,

is an step-father and adoptive  father)

https://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss

www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com

children’s message

– mystery box – 

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Advent wreath lighting

Prayer of Thanksgiving –

by Raymond A. Foss

communion

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss

http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss

http://www.pstruthsermons.blogspot.com

sermon blog

http://www.pstrruthfoss.blogspot.com

meditation blog

http://pstrfoss.wordpress.com/

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stetson-Memorial-United-Methodist-Church/174161846023512

2^nd Sunday of Advent

December 14, 2014

&

2^nd Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

Luke 1:26-38 (KJV)

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

dramas by Ross Olson

sermon/message – “Mary”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/mary.html

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/a.176724582433905.31513.174161846023512/611965572243135

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/sermon-advent-drama-mary-by-ross-olson.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/541653909874696192

(as performed by Shyanne Foss,

who, like Mary, is 14 years old)

children’s message

– mystery box –  spool of thread and cloth and needles

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=611975015575524&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/childrens-sermon-clothes-to-cover-our.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/541659519169081344

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Advent wreath lighting

Prayer of Thanksgiving –

we thank you Lord – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/we-thank-you-lord-v2.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/we-thank-you-lord.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/540894913240764417

by Raymond A. Foss

communion

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

2^nd Sunday of Advent

December 7, 2014

&

1^st Sunday of Advent

Advent Sermon Series: The Voices of Advent, “I was there…”

Sacred Dance Introit

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=609215895851436

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/sacred-dance-introit-prepare-ye-way-by.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/539230880276164608

Michael W. Smith’s

https://www.facebook.com/michaelwsmithofficial

“Intro and Prepare Ye the Way”

https://play.spotify.com/track/4cMdaeS1dGXkn3BjOGOP2R?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

from his New Hallelujah album

https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-New-Hallelujah/109199692433262

Advent wreath lighting

Prayer of Thanksgiving –

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=609153052524387&id=174161846023512

by Jeanie Goode

https://www.facebook.com/regina.goode.3

Luke 1:19-20a

children’s message

– mystery box – 

envelope with note

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=609178302521862&id=174161846023512

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/12/childrens-message-sermon-what-the-bible.html

https://twitter.com/raymondafoss/status/539493013488406528

Voices of Advent – “I was there…”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/11/sermon-drama-angel-gabriel-by-ross.html

dramas by Ross Olson

sermon/message – “Angel Gabriel”

http://rossolson.org/drama/advent/gabriel.html

(as performed by Terry Pettengill)

https://www.facebook.com/terry.pettengill

worship led by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

1^st Sunday of Advent

November 30, 2014

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 43,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Savior, manger, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Advent, angel, Gabriel, Mary, Luke 1, Christmas, prayer, Matthew 1, Joseph, stepfather, adoption,

#Christ #God #grace #love #Advent #UMC #Savior #hope #Christmas #Gabriel #angel #Luke1 #Mary #prayer #Matthew1 #stepfather #Joseph #adoption