A Shiver Before the Words – v3

My body shivered, trembled before the words

an ache, a doubt, wondering how I would have responded

if you had called me, a fisherman, by the sea

to come, to come, . . . follow me

Would I have left all, my life, my family, to follow you

a tall order, uncomfortable, standing beside my wife

a shiver in singing these words again

my faith a challenge, to submit to Your will alone

So many other demands, desires, commitments

on each of our lives, on our days

a trembling, before our God

unsure how I would have responded

If Jesus had called my name

as he called the first twelve

would I have gone when He called

to come, to come, . . . follow me

edited April 8, 2014

A Shiver Before the Words – v3

Edited December 23, 2013

A Shiver Before the Words – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-shiver-before-words-v2.html

October 19, 2008

A Shiver Before the Words

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/shiver-before-words.html

Hymn – “Would I Have Answered When You Called”,

The Faith We Sing, 2137

Suncook United Methodist Church

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 28,890+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Shiver Before the Words – v2

My body shivered, trembled before the words

an ache, a doubt, wondering how I would have responded

if you had called me, a fisherman by the sea

to come, to come, follow me

Would I have left all, my life, my family, to follow you

a tall order, uncomfortable, standing beside my wife

a shiver in singing these words again

my faith a challenge, to submit to your will alone

so many other demands, desires, commitments

on each of our lives, on our days

a trembling, before our God

unsure how I would have reacted

if Jesus had called my name

as he called the first twelve

would I have gone when he called

to come, to come, follow me

Edited December 23, 2013

A Shiver Before the Words – v2

October 19, 2008

A Shiver Before the Words

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/shiver-before-words.html

Hymn – “Would I Have Answered When You Called”,

The Faith We Sing, 2137

Suncook United Methodist Church

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 28,070+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Theology of Progress

Sacrificed on the altar,
the theology of progress
chasing after the newest thing
Sabbath rest, the trusting, the faith
sleep for the weary, peace for His children
lost in the frenzy, the urgency, self-imposed
the fast-paced life, business alone

We must stop, let go
be as Mary, at the Master’s feet
trust, believe, nothing to do
no urgent task
not human effort
greater than God

Rest for God’s children
ours, a commandment
sabbath day, holy rest
remembering who created
how he took time to savor
to enjoy the creation
Rest we must take
in worship of God


August 23, 2009
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

A Widow’s Gift

Out of love
out of the depth of her faith
more pleasing to God
than all the others, all the powerful,
the pious, the rich,
not to its value
but for its worth, its holy worth,
the meaning in the way she gave
when compared to theirs
She gave out of her poverty, all she had,
they from their wealthy, a meager portion indeed
She gave all, all she had
they gave only a proportionate share

updated October 11, 2008
November 19 and November 23, 2007 5:48pm
Luke 20:45-21:4
The scribe and the widow’s offering
part of the sermon, “The Widow’s Might”,
by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, November 18, 2007
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day, poverty

sermon - "May I Have This Dance?", Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, August 16, 2009

2 Corinthians 1:8-11
The Message Bible

May I Have This Dance?

(Play Ancient Words Video)

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray…

Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, you who spoke to you children so long ago through your prophets, we ask that you would speak to us today through your Spirit. May we hear your Ancient Words of hope, of peace, of comfort and joy. May you give us an open and willing heart so that we may hear the word you have for us today and to act upon what you reveal to us. We pray for your presence to be here with us gathered here this day. May your eternal words echo throughout the world so that all will know of your saving grace. Speak Lord…your friends are listening…

How many of you like to dance? I know that I do. I love the whirling and twirling across the floor. I love to watch the TV shows where there is dance. I love dancing with the Stars and ballroom dancing and movies about dancing. I just love it when Ray and I break into spontaneous dance (much to the dismay of our children…). The closeness that there is from our dancing makes me remember our first dance as husband and wife. But…I have one problem when I dance. You see…as we are dancing I find myself wanting to take the lead. Now I know that the guy is supposed to take the lead but I just can’t help myself…I need to really concentrate on what I am doing. I spent 11 years studying dance when I was younger so I tend to think I know better than my partner.

Life, itself, is much like a dance. Sometimes we are moving fluidly through life without a care and other times we feel as if we are unwillingly being dragged across the dance floor. Sometimes we seem to know what we are doing and others we feel as if we are whirling out of control. Whirling out of control…the operative word here is the word control. We tend to feel that we need to be in control at all times and in all things. But…God wants us to dance another type of dance….a dance that he orchestrates…one that He leads. Ray sent me an e-mail about just that…about how God is the one who orchestrates the dance of our lives…one in which we trust God for our guidance.

It talked about the word Guidance and how each time the writer meditated on the word the word “dance” kept coming to mind. It states that when two people lead, nothing feels right (Boy…how I know that one…remember that I said that I tend to try and lead when I dance…but then again…how many of us try to lead the dance of life). The movement doesn’t flow with the music and it all seems jerky. But…when one person realizes this and decides to follow, it all moves in rhythm again. The leader gives the follower gentle cues and the two become one body. But…the dance takes “surrender, willingness and attentiveness from the one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

The writer goes on to say that the “G” stands for God and the “u” and “I” stands for…well you get the authors drift. You see God, u, and I dance. But…I feel there is something missing in the analogy…what is missing is the trust that you must have in your partner (Now don’t get me wrong…I do trust in my husband but there is this control thing in effect). We need to let go of our control and trust in God. As Huntley talked about last week…we need mindfulness in our walk with God. We need to practice being present in the here and now and not look at the future and past, trust that God is in control and that the Giver of all knowledge will lead us in the direction we should go. By practicing this mindfulness we can be aware of when God is speaking, we need to trust that God is in the world today and will be tomorrow and the next day and the next and the next…as I have said we need to practice being in the present and trust God is with us in that present moment. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 talks about that trust in God. It reads (and I’m reading from the Message Bible):

“We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.”

It is this trust that enables us to move mountains…it is this trust that enables us to play “follow the leader” with God…it is this trust that enables us to take a step of faith and believe that God is in control. It is by God’s strength, through the Holy Spirit , not our own, that we can move forward when there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel…and it is by this strength that we become conquers over the things that hold us back.

Next week, we will be having a Nursery Shower for the church. We will be stepping out in faith to prepare a nursery for those who come with small children. We may not have many in our church now but in the immortal words of Field of Dreams “If you build it, he/they will come.” We need to trust that God will have them come…that God will grow our church, using us as His ambassador’s to the children. We must trust that, as God has done so many times, God will lead us in this dance as well.
Let us practice God’s presence in our lives. Lets us believe that God is with us now…the the present time. May we let go of our control and let God lead us in the way He would have us go. May we trust and believe that God is in control…

(God is in control by Twila Parris)

Amen.

Walking With Them

Choosing to walk, six-mile course
beautiful, brilliant fall afternoon
Very different than the daily struggle,
walking they do, to find food, water
walking in poverty, they have no choice.
But we, even in our abundance, trying, in a small way
walking with them, to remember them,
to reach out our hands, in love, in faith
to try, in this small way to help them
walking because they must

August 15, 2009 – Facebook version
10/12/08
http://www.churchworldservice.org/CROP/
Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty (CROP) Walk,
Concord, NH, 10/11/08
October 15, 2008
Blog Action Day, poverty

The Silent Sermon - received via email on 8/6/09

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services re gularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit hi m.

It was a chilly evening... The preacher found the man at home alone, sittin g before a blazing fire... Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the
man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and wa ited..

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, h e contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly b urning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's f lame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire
was no more.. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced
at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked
up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Imme diately it began to glow,once more with the light and warmth of the burning
coals around it..

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear runnin g down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Cons equently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken .

The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's aRelationship!

I shall not want ----- that's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's Guidance !

For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death--that's Test ing!

I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!

For Thou art with me ----- that'sFaithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -----that's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies------that' s Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that'sConsecration!

My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life----that's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of t he Lord -----that's Security!

Forever ----- that's Eternity!

Face it, God is crazy about you!

What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have i n our lives.

Not the Mind

Not the mind, not our reason
the essence of God, the reality of faith
seen with the heart, with our imagination
with the eyes of our spirit alone
guided by the indwelling Spirit
God enabling us, the words of the scriptures
revealed, God working within us
understanding dimly, only in part;
but enough, to change our lives
to bring us back into relationship
to stitch the breach of our sin
guiding us back to God
not with our minds, but with our hearts


July 31, 2009
inspired in part by
Alive Now Daily Reflection for July 31, 2009
“Only the Heart Knows God”, page 6 of Alive Now for July/August 2009
by James Schwarzlose, which included quote by Blaise Pascal,
“The heart has its reasons, which reason cannot comprehend.”
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-july-27-august-2/

My Christian Faith

Thinking back a bit
the words of the pastor
my Christian faith
a gift especially given
each one in a unique way
placed within our lives
unearned, only accepted

This is our choice
free will given too –
a perspective on life,
consequences in the choosing.

Being glad, in giving thanks
in the present,
looking toward the future
a new thing, a gift of God
emerging now
the hand of God
within the changes
and better days ahead.


July 26, 2009
Psalm 92:1-4
Isaiah 43:18-21
Luke 12:54-56
and sermon, “The View from Seven Decades:
The Power and Danger of Paradigms”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 19, 2009
and
Psalm 100
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 43:1-3a
Isaiah 43:18-21
and sermon, “The Power of Vision”,
by the Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
including, The Star Thrower Story by Joel Barker,
inspired by the writing of Loren Eiseley,
Suncook United Methodist Church
July 26, 2009

from its slumber

Newborn, rising from the earth
the warming, changing,
the rich wet soil
the crocus rising from its slumber
bursting forth into the light
unfurling, opening so soon
warmed by the spring rays
a new thing revealed
out of the melting snow, new earth,
turned by the growing,
up from its slumber.


June 15, 2009 to June 17, 2009
The Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
Sermon, “New Beginnings”, by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
June 14, 2009
Call to Worship:
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name,
O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your
faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your
deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of
your hands. (Psalm 92:1-4 NIV)
Unison Prayer:
Loving God, we thank you for this day that we may come into
Your house and worship You. We ask that Your Holy Spirit
would fall down upon us gathered here so that we may
understand all that You would have us hear this day.
We thank you for the Spirit that you have gifted us with.
We pray that our worship would be pleasing in Your sight.
This we pray in the strong name of Your Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 16:6-13
*Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Heavenly Father, you have offered us such abundance.
We are so very blessed. Yet, we often think that we have so little.
Some of us may even feel as though our gift is too small.
Thank you for reminding us that even our mustard seed-sized
gift may grow beyond our individual possibility. So, today we
place before you all amounts of gifts – some quarters from
children, some $1 bills from adults, some larger bills and
checks – knowing that you transform our scarcity into your
abundance. Thanks be to God. Amen. (GBOD)

Bursting Forth

Changed, transformed
forevermore, a new creation
like the butterfly out of its cocoon
its wings stiffening
new blood through the veins
warming in the sun, the breeze.

The same for us, the old cast off
new blood of the Spirit
indwelling within us
warmed by the Son’s light
quickened by the breath of God
Our lives changed forevermore
a new life bursting forth.


June 15, 2009 to June 17, 2009
The Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
Sermon, “New Beginnings”, by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
June 14, 2009
Call to Worship:
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name,
O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your
faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your
deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of
your hands. (Psalm 92:1-4 NIV)
Unison Prayer:
Loving God, we thank you for this day that we may come into
Your house and worship You. We ask that Your Holy Spirit
would fall down upon us gathered here so that we may
understand all that You would have us hear this day.
We thank you for the Spirit that you have gifted us with.
We pray that our worship would be pleasing in Your sight.
This we pray in the strong name of Your Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 16:6-13
*Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Heavenly Father, you have offered us such abundance.
We are so very blessed. Yet, we often think that we have so little.
Some of us may even feel as though our gift is too small.
Thank you for reminding us that even our mustard seed-sized
gift may grow beyond our individual possibility. So, today we
place before you all amounts of gifts – some quarters from
children, some $1 bills from adults, some larger bills and
checks – knowing that you transform our scarcity into your
abundance. Thanks be to God. Amen. (GBOD)

through the eyes of the Spirit

The world, life, a new perspective
a new prism, looking, seeing
through the eyes of the Spirit
living, dwelling within us
new eyes, a new creation
focus forever changed
fear, given over, hope
ever before my eyes
seeing the world anew
through the eyes of the Spirit



June 15, 2009 to June 17, 2009
The Epistle Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
Sermon, “New Beginnings”, by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
June 14, 2009
Call to Worship:
It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name,
O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your
faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your
deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of
your hands. (Psalm 92:1-4 NIV)
Unison Prayer:
Loving God, we thank you for this day that we may come into
Your house and worship You. We ask that Your Holy Spirit
would fall down upon us gathered here so that we may
understand all that You would have us hear this day.
We thank you for the Spirit that you have gifted us with.
We pray that our worship would be pleasing in Your sight.
This we pray in the strong name of Your Son, Lord Jesus Christ.
Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 16:6-13
*Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Heavenly Father, you have offered us such abundance.
We are so very blessed. Yet, we often think that we have so little.
Some of us may even feel as though our gift is too small.
Thank you for reminding us that even our mustard seed-sized
gift may grow beyond our individual possibility. So, today we
place before you all amounts of gifts – some quarters from
children, some $1 bills from adults, some larger bills and
checks – knowing that you transform our scarcity into your
abundance. Thanks be to God. Amen. (GBOD)

Sermon - "“New Beginnings”, by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, June 14, 2009, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH

2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14b-17 (The Message Bible)

“New Beginnings”

The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray. . .

Loving Creator of new beginnings, You who are a God of second. . . third. . . and fourth chances, we pray for Your presence here with us this morning. May your Spirit fall down upon us gathered here in your name this day. We thank you for the opportunity to worship you in Spirit and Truth. Come Holy Spirit. . . illuminate our hearts and minds this day. Speak Lord. . . Your friends are listening.

(Read 2 Corinthians Scripture)

Spring. . . it is probably my favorite season in the year. It tells me that the cold winter is over and now we will have warm weather again. But. . . to me. . . there is a deeper meaning of Spring. This meaning is what makes me so excited about Spring. To me. . . Spring is a time of new beginnings. It’s a time when the earth is being warmed by the sun and because of that warmth. . . a new thing comes bursting forth. . . a new beginning. The world breaks forth in glorious song to the Creator, ever praising Him for His creation. (There’s a new thing bursting forth)

In the scripture from Corinthians this morning, we heard what happens when God’s Spirit enters our being. . . what happens when God creates a new beginning for us. . . a new life with the Creator of all things. The Message Bible uses the statement that “The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!” Well. . . being the scholar that I am. . . I just had to look up this word. (And yes. . . I had no idea what the word meant) The word means to grow or develop quickly; flourish. . . to put forth. . . to begin to grow or blossom. A new life begins. . . is put forth. . . grows and blossoms. And not only does the Spirit begin to germinate within us. . . the Spirit puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we will not settle for less in life. . . we strive to please God no matter what. Our lives become refocused and our Spirits can break forth with singing. (There’s a new thing bursting forth)

This morning we will be Confirming Erica and taking in new members. What a glorious day for Christ’s Church! What a day to break forth in song! What a new beginning it is indeed! (There’s a new thing bursting forth)

You see. . . as we come into the transforming presence of God. . . it will open our eyes to a great many things in life. As we draw near to Him it will guarantee that we will begin to rethink the way we think and question the way we have always considered things to be. We begin to see life, not through rose colored glasses but through the eyes of the Spirit within us. God is creating a new thing. The old is gone; a fresh new thing is bursting forth in song.

There are new things bursting out all over! When the birds burst into glorious song just before daybreak. . . there’s a new thing bursting forth. Every time we see the first signs of Spring with the Crocus coming up from its slumber. . . there’s a new thing bursting forth. Every time a new born baby cries at its first breath. . . there’s a new thing bursting forth. there’s a new thing bursting forth. Every time a sinner comes to the throne of grace and turns their life over to Christ. . . there’s a new thing bursting forth. Every time the people of Christ’s church decide to step out in faith...there’s a new thing bursting forth. Every time we, as disciples, plant a seed of Christ’s love into another’s heart... there’s a new thing bursting forth. Every time we as Christian reach out to others in Christ’s name. . . there’s a new thing bursting forth.

Each day is a new beginning. . . a new chance to burst through with song. . . a new chance to touch the lives around us. We are a new creation in Christ. . . may we ever put ourselves in the Potter’s hand. . . may we be created a new and molded into what the Potter has planned for us from the start. . . and with all of Creation sing Alleluia there’s a new thing bursting forth.
(Potter’s Hand Video)
Amen. . .

Whirling, Spinning

Whirling, spinning
jumping, leaping
up into the chancel
singling, silently
with the song on grace.

Joining us into worship
bringing us with her
into Your presence
centering us in this moment.

Putting her faith in motion
reverently, joyously
dancing for her God
almost, almost as if
we were not there.

Dancing with abandon
whirling, spinning
testifying to Christ
for whom they sang
and for whom she danced.

June 13, 2009
Kim Ruben
Hallelujah – Let’s Celebrate Dance
Sharing Program 2009
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
June 13, 2009

email of 6/3/09 from General Board of Church and Society, The United Methodist Church

Five Ways to Support Victims of Torture During Torture Awareness Month

Dear Raymond,

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) has 5 simple things you can do to support victims of torture and put an end to torture around the world:
Organize an educational event for your congregation, using NRCAT’s new 18-minute DVD and discussion guide: “Ending U.S.-sponsored Torture Forever." You can view the trailer or order a copy from NRCAT's website.

Plan to join us in Washington, DC on June 11 for a Religious Public Witness in front of the White House.

Incorporate a prayer or sermon about torture in a worship service during June. You can access a variety of worship resources, on NRCAT's website.

Make your opposition to torture visible with NRCAT’s new banners and bumper stickers. Order today from NRCAT’s Online Store. If your congregation already has an anti-torture banner, please display it this month.


Organize a delegation to visit the local district office of your Member(s) of Congress to advocate for a Commission of Inquiry and legislation making elements of the President’s executive order permanent in law. Members of Congress will most likely be in their home districts during the July 4th recess (June 29 to July 3).
We've had over 1600 people add their name to our statement of faith The Truth Will Set You Free.

Please take this opportunity to add your name to the petition.
Jim Winkler, General Secretary for GBCS, recently commented "I cannot conceive in my wildest dreams of Jesus Christ giving any blessing to torture." We need people of faith to say "No!" to torture by urging the U.S. Congress and Obama Administration to support an commission of inquiry into torture.

Peace,

Bill Mefford
Director, Civil and Human Rights

We're on Facebook!
Join the United Methodists Do Not Torture group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6896929945.

Also, GBCS has a fan page! Join today at www.umc-gbcs.org/Facebook

The General Board of Church and Society
100 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002202-488-5600
FAX 202-488-5619
Order Resources
www.umc-gbcs.org

Shaking the House

The wind, the Spirit of God
shaking the house, the gathering place
the sanctuary of the church
the place of the faithful, the disciples

Transforming them, together, each one
a prophet, a leader, from the sheep of his fold
the fire within, burning bright
pressing them to share his light

Shaking too, the foundations of the world
for the world would never be the same
the fire, the message, spreading
to all who hunger, to the ends of the earth

A movement, a spreading, the fire still at work
burning in the saints, from age to age
tongues of fire, alive in each heart
opening a way for the flame to leave its mark


June 2, 2009
Call to Worship: Psalm 104:31-33 (NIV)
Unison Prayer,
“Almighty God, Giver of knowledge and might, we come
before your throne to worship You in Spirit and truth. We
pray that your Spirit of illumination would fall upon us
gathered here today so that we may hear your still small
voice, guiding us as we sojourn through this world. May we
feel Your presence with us here today. Come Spirit, fill our
hearts this day. Amen”
Epistle Reading: Romans 8:26-27 (New King James Version)
children’s time message
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Gospel Reading: Acts 2:1-21 (New Living Translation)
and sermon, “A Fire Within!”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 31, 2009
Pentecost Sunday
and
Acts 2:1-11
Matthew 28:19
Upper Room daily devotional for 5/31/09
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=5&day=31&year=2009
and
Acts 2:1-21
Alive Now for 5/31/09
and
Acts 2:12-21
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 for 5/31/09
and
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and
sign in front of church
“Are You
Smoldering?
Come in and
Get All Fired Up!”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH

All Together

The faithful, the disciples
the followers of Christ
all together, all in one place
waiting for the promise
power from above

The Spirit coming
like the roar of thunder
shaking them, trembling
filled with wonder

In tongues of fire
the blessing they received
speaking in words
they could not believe

Spreading his message
the love of God
to each living heart
tending the garden
a harvest to grow


June 2, 2009
Call to Worship: Psalm 104:31-33 (NIV)
Unison Prayer,
“Almighty God, Giver of knowledge and might, we come
before your throne to worship You in Spirit and truth. We
pray that your Spirit of illumination would fall upon us
gathered here today so that we may hear your still small
voice, guiding us as we sojourn through this world. May we
feel Your presence with us here today. Come Spirit, fill our
hearts this day. Amen”
Epistle Reading: Romans 8:26-27 (New King James Version)
children’s time message
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Gospel Reading: Acts 2:1-21 (New Living Translation)
and sermon, “A Fire Within!”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 31, 2009
Pentecost Sunday
and
Acts 2:1-11
Matthew 28:19
Upper Room daily devotional for 5/31/09
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=5&day=31&year=2009
and
Acts 2:1-21
Alive Now for 5/31/09
and
Acts 2:12-21
Upper Room Disciplines 2009 for 5/31/09
and
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and
sign in front of church
“Are You
Smoldering?
Come in and
Get All Fired Up!”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH

Email from Bill Mefford, General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Church 05/31/09

Add Your Name and Let Your Voice Be Heard.

Dear Raymond,

We've had over 1500 people add their name to our statement of faith The Truth Will Set You Free. Please take this opportunity to add your name to the petition.
Jim Winkler, General Secretary for GBCS, recently commented "I cannot conceive in my wildest dreams of Jesus Christ giving any blessing to torture." We need people of faith to say "No!" to torture by urging the U.S. Congress and Obama Administration to support an commission of inquiry into torture. A Religious Public Witness - June 11th.

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is sponsoring a major religious public event on June 11 in front of the White House asking President Obama to create a Commission of Inquiry. At a NRCAT press conference on May 7th, Rabbi Brian Walt shared that "torture violates the fundamental teachings of [all] our traditions."

We must acknowledge our corporate sins that allowed torture to happen and move forward so The Truth Will Set Us Free!

Let the Light Shine and set us free from our tortured past.
Peace,
Bill Mefford
Director, Civil and Human Rights

We're on Facebook!
Join the United Methodists Do Not Torture group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6896929945.

Also, GBCS has a fan page! Join today at www.umc-gbcs.org/Facebook
The General Board of Church and Society
100 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002202-488-5600
FAX 202-488-5619
Order Resources
www.umc-gbcs.org

Prayers in Song

Around the table, smiles rising
a prayer of grace, song from her mouth
from their mouths, greeting God
stopping the day, this moment
singing grace to the creator
thanking Him for the food,
for the air, the life we have
Asking, praying, that we would use
this food to strengthen us
that we would be your servants
and do your will


May 13, 2009
written after reading a comment
on “Each One, on Their Own”
on Faithwriters.com this morning

Choosing Who Will Pray

So many times, like a teacher in a classroom
choosing who will pray, over the food
Their hands, their bodies thrust into the air
as students who know the math problem
who have a thought, an answer to share
Each of them asking to be the one
that meal, that moment, to be the one to pray
Competitive, the sisters, to speak to God
We often share the prayer, the amen, the words
so that they may participate,
join together in the blessing
all of praying together


May 13, 2009
written after reading a comment
on “Each One, on Their Own”
on Faithwriters.com this morning