When the Evening Darkens – v2

When the evening darkens

and the day cools , slowing down,

and the stars flicker to light

before the fireworks

remembering our independence

the birth of our nation

I sat on the blanket

with a smile on my face

listening to the band reminisce

not by their conversation,

but by their playing, singing, strumming

old songs, familiar tunes, we all knew

Humming along in the wisp of the dusk

enjoying the stilling of the day

the murmuring and squeals of the children

running a bit slower now

on the lawn, in the dimming

the cooling of the night

edited June 1, 2014

When the Evening Darkens – v2

June 24, 2006 12:29

When the Evening Darkens

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2006/06/when-evening-darkens.html

Thinking of the joy of the quieting time at the

July 4^th celebration on the lawn of

Wesley United Methodist Church

www.concordwumc.org

each year

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 30,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Raising the Colors

Running to court, a quick filing
before racing to the office,
a swallow of coffee, gathering papers
another hearing, another court
Between these, the motion of the day
Stopping, pausing, watching
standing still, reverent
the raising of the colors
a moment of reflection
caught in the bright morning sun
time standing still
grateful for where I stand


August 14, 2009
8:03 AM; watching the raising of the US and POW/MIA flags
Hooksett Family Division Court
Hooksett, NH
In the park, across from the court is a sign with the name,
Rene Gagnon, the Hooksett resident
who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Gagnon

Freedom

On this day, in our land
one type of freedom
proclaimed from their words
their names written on the page
claiming for our people
a new nation
founded upon freedom
upon God-given, inalienable rights
won by sacrifices of men and women
down through the ages.

An earlier day, a wondrous, awesome day
true freedom, given by grace
offered not merely by words;
but by the sacrifice, the resurrection
of our Lord, the risen Christ
won not on the battlefield;
but upon a wooden cross.

Freedom to be the good neighbor
to love one another
to carry on His work
and to heal in His name.
Freedom to spread the good news
to the ends of the earth
to share our gifts
and the joys He brings;
to walk humbly with God
and with our neighbors,
all whom we meet.


July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

Liberty

Liberty, from tyranny
from oppression,
for a sovereign across the sea
So we began, so we claimed our right
in Philadelphia that summer
so long ago, on this day.

Throwing off the shackles
the weight of the crown
charting a new course
a new nation, free and equal
an aspiration, a hope
written in those words of mettle.

May we ever strive, onward
working together, to achieve this dream
a country at peace
and with liberty and justice for all;
None knowing want, none living in fear
to this prayer, this day especially
we hold them dear.


July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

One Flag, One God

So often, in this world, cluttered, confused
allegiance to consumption, to things;
as if they are worthy.

Idols only, evil, keeping us from God;
but these words, “one nation under God”
different than the others, set apart
a calling deep within our spirits
of the relationship with God
as a people, a prayer for our nation

Not that we are special,
not that God carries our battles;
but that we, as a people,
would live by His commands

That our nation would live under His reign
that our dreams, our aspirations, our policies,
that our laws, our daily lives
would be pleasing to God

This is our prayer, this is our hope
especially on this day
remembering the words on the Declaration
and the prayer within them
for this nation, one nation under God


June 30, 2009
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH

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

Big Plans

through the gifts, given by God
big plans for our lives
the little mustard seed
more than enough
mighty trees come from these
so to the little seeds
the gifts planted in us
mighty deeds can come from these
in our lives, and more
in the lives we touch


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Gifts through the workings of his power

gifts he received, we each receive
through the workings of his power
through the loving grace of God, alone
we receive gifts of the spirit
a vessel made worthy, molded
by the hands of the potter
filled with the libation of the spirit
the example set by our brother, our savior
to pour out the good news, the holy message
of God’s limitless love, his pursuing us
his desire for communion and fellowship
a relationship with each of us
made whole by the love of the father
the sacrifice of the son
and the indwelling of the spirit
calling us back to Him


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Boldness before His Presence

Not like Job, calling our God
not to question; but to approach
his heavenly throne
a boldness of the saving we share
the loving reconciliation
the gift of grace which allows us
to come face to face with God
Boldly, as the apostle wrote,
so long ago, to the church in Ephesus
to go into God’s presence
with reverence and with confidence
because of the sacrifice of Christ


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

From a Tiny Seed

The parable, the story of the tiny mustard seed
from this small, small thing, greatness emerges
a tree, branches for shade, for shelter
beyond imagination, looking at it in the hand
a tiny seed, seemingly unable to do much

So are we to see the works of the spirit,
the little bits of witness, of ministry,
the small, seemingly insignificant acts
no one knows the fruit they will bear
what the tiny seeds of faith, of love

Unknown, what they will become
but spread them we must
in the name of the one who came
and is to come again
the one who taught this lesson so long ago


May 24, 2009 and May 25, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

A Mustard Seed Planted

Small, little seeds, seeds planted
a mustard seed, planted with care
how it will grow
what fruits it will bear
unknown to the sower
to the one planting the seed
Not a mere agricultural tale;
a parable, a metaphor
of the ministry of the faithful
of the sharing of the good news of Christ
Planting in the soil of human hearts
to bear the fruit of either earthy will
of the rapturous beauty, the bounty
of lives suborned to God’s holy will


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

The Fertile Ground

Our children, the fertile ground
our lessons, our teachings
the mustard seeds
unpredicted futures;
but the planting daily
into the fertile soil
Even their baptism,
unremembered by them
a mustard seed, an act of faith
a trusting in the watering,
in the ultimate growth
a mighty tree, a living tribute
to God, who alone provides the growth
Planted without knowing that which will come
Planting nonetheless, ever
in the belief in the creator
He who made the garden
the earth and all that dwells in it
Planting mustard seeds in fertile ground
seeing what the gardener wills


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Only through His Power

The words of the apostle, an acknowledgement
of the miraculous gift, His saving and commission
all of his life’s work,
his ministry, a holy calling
only through the grace,
the work of God’s loving power
nothing he did, nothing we do
all shared for God’s holy purpose
to bring the world the riches of Christ
revealed in his life given for us
Only through his power
through the power of God
able to do beyond our wildest dreams
in God alone all things possible
the message of love to share


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

The Privilege of Sharing

In no way a burden
a joy, the mission of his life
a privilege of sharing
the message of God
of love, of His holy purpose
fulfilled, revealed
in the loving example
the triumphant story
the fulfillment of all promises
in the life of Christ
the word made flesh
What a joyous blessing
to share, with Paul,
this glorious news
to the end of the earth


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Establish Justice

Humbly walking with our God
acting as He would guide
in loving response to his saving grace
to use our might, our power
to establish justice
for your glory alone
to be worthy of the name
children of God
so we are to live,
so is to be our walk
humbly yoked to our brother
the living, risen Lord


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

Freedom with Reverence

Humility, a humbleness with power
calling us, praying that we, that our nation
may use our freedom, our liberty, our might
our freedom with reverence, our calling
from the beginning of time
stewards of the world; but humans only,
far below the mind of God

Our prayer in remembrance of our dead,
of our saints who have gone before,
of those living and those yet to come
a call itself to servanthood
the awesome responsibility
not just the going on our own
turning to God, as the source of our strength


May 24, 2009
Unison Prayer
“Eternal God, who created us in your own image.
Enable us to fearlessly contend against evil and to
make no peace with oppression.
May we use our freedom with reverence, and
for the establishment of justice to the glory of
your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
The Epistle Reading
Ephesians 3:7-13
Gospel Reading
Mark 4:30-32
and sermon by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
“God Has Big Plans For You”
Suncook United Methodist Church
May 24, 2009
Ascension Sunday
and the Sunday before Memorial Day

To Proclaim His Wonderful Triumphs

Appointed, named
commissioned into a royal priesthood
a people, a faith
for all time
to proclaim the wonderful triumphs
Christ’s victory, eternal,
over sin, over the judgment of death

We are to be his witnesses
humble children of the light
a people united in ministry
going as he was sent
spreading light
to pierce the darkness
to the ends of the earth


May 21, 2009
1 Peter 2:9,
the Call to Worship for
May 24, 2009 – Ascension Sunday
Sunday before Memorial Day
Suncook United Methodist Church

1 Peter 2:9-10
1 Peter 2:4-10

On the Fourth

On the Fourth
and all year long
we must never forget
the words on that parchment so long ago
Our prayer of that day
still true here and now
our nation to be true
all to be free,
as our creator intended
free from oppression,
to pursue, happiness to find
within ourselves
and with our God
A vision worthy to uphold
a hope to share with the world
May we never forget
to hold these words in our hearts

July 4, 2008
Declaration of Independence
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH

July 4th - at Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH

Annually, our church opens its lawn to the community, offering music, pie and ice cream, and one of the best views of Concord's fireworks. I have been able for the last four years to share some of my poetry as part of the celebration. Each year I end up writing more that day as well, as I listen to the patriot music and think about what it means to be an American, especially on the birthday of our country.

Standing Straighter

Something, I cannot fully explain;
but certain and true each time,
on the side of the main street
the parade route into the city
They marched, they march each year
those who came home,
some of our nation’s best
who served that we may remain free

Gathered by their wars,
marching still, even if slower yet;
I find myself
Standing straighter, taller,
my hand on my heart, for them
applauding them, their courage
their willingness to go
into harms’ way, so that we, that I
can live in a land of freedom
So each year I am by the curbside
to honor them still

May 25, 2008
Memorial Day
written at church