Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Our Children Teach Us

In their reflection, our flaws, our lapses, our weakness,
humanness, reality, blemishes and all
Blank slates, ready to be filled
Lessons they will teach,
based on what is written there
A story of the children in the garden
disobeying the one rule, blaming others
A tale of a father, wayward willful children
A prayer of the son, our savior,
risen Lord, our brother
They are a reflection of the father,
a projection of the generations to come
each a mirror on the fathers and mothers
who came before, the village in which we live,
We bear the responsibility, for the next ones,
to reflect the son, the father,
to be the hands, the feet, the voices
bringing their message, of love, of hope
to all the generations to come
until the end of the age



June 15 and June 18, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lessons Our Children Teach

A father, grandfather, everyman
pondering, musing, breathing out
the lessons our children teach
in word and in deed,
mirroring our lives, our words,
our behaviors, in ways we may not expect
we may not like, a reflection

A son, a carpenter
our brother
taught us lessons too
written and saved,
down through the generations
mirroring the father, the loving parent
in ways we don’t expect, in words unlike others
sometimes in parables, sometimes in his actions
priorities unlike the worlds

May we mold our lives
in the ways of the son, of that father
ways that will lead our children
to reflect his ways too
and teach their children lessons well


June 15 and June 18, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lessons of the Son

The wisdom of Solomon,
a pale reflection, blurry image
The Son spoke of the Father’s love
a parable of the loving father,
a prayer modeled on his life
reverently living, the pious life
Praying to the father, in heaven,
as we would to our fathers,
if we could find the words
these words, a mirror on the father
echoing back his love
a hope for life in relationship
with him, always, thy kingdom here
our lives an offering
to our real father


June 18, 2008
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

NAIL IN THE FENCE

I received this story in my email this morning. I don't know who the author was, and no one has to forward it if you don't want to; but I thought this was a wonderful lesson.

--------
NAIL IN THE FENCE

Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence.

(Most importantly the last sentence)

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.

Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence He said, 'You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.

It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. 'A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us.'

It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I AM HONORED!

Now send this to every friend you have!!

And to your family.

Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

A Christian Life

Our prayer, the one He taught us,
The Lord’s Prayer, to the father
given, spoken, always in love
reflecting His love back
through the mirror of our lives
We His children, so quick to emulate others
May we shine His love into the darkness
This prayer, rich in how
live a Christian life
as individuals, as parents, as the church
The Son sharing the love of the Father
the wisdom of the ages,
the truth of his life
a Christian life indeed



June 15 and June 17, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

A grandfather’s perspective, worthy of reflection
the world, so coarse, so raw, so dangerous
So much more, human made hazards
where do we fit, as parents, as the church
In the breach, to save our children
more important than others
a safe place for God’s children
within these walls, within our embrace
the church is called at times like these
lead us through this dark valley,
through the waters
to that promised land,
that lush green valley
all the way home



June 15 and June 17, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Forgive Us . . . As We Forgive

We are born flawed, vulnerable
driven by our wills,
crashing into one another
Human beings are to be forgiving of other
Do unto others, oh yes, as you would have done to you
never, do as I say, not as I do
do not scold for your own failings
and we all fail, it is our nature, willful children
blundering into trouble
We bluster and bellow, rail
for our own issues, not the instant one
our anger of our own making
work on the log, not the speck
a forgiving heart is forgiven



June 15 and June 17, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

His story, the pastor’s words
so familiar to me
a smile, knowing, grew on my face
He told of their incessant questions
each day, can I have a snack?
snack time after school
He has provided us
what do we give them
to meet their daily needs
Simple food, small gifts
How much more
He give each of us, each day



June 15 to June 17, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thy Kingdom Come

A wish, a prayer, humbly raised
that heaven would come to earth
the world to be a better place
teach us Lord, how to treat the world
through your example, the prayers you shared
how to treat others with respect
all are worthy, all to be loved
We are responsible
for one another
we are our brother’s,
our sister’s keepers
Teach us to turn from our ways
and find hope in your life
so we can bring thy kingdom here



June 15 to June 17, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008


Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hallowed be Thy Name

Hallowed be the name
of our father, God
we hallow, praise, call him blessed
in response, natural, read
God’s love, for us
We respond, in love
not a fearful love, not by command,
not by his awesome power
Our children, they listen
listen oh so well,
mirrors on our lives
Just so, we hallow his name
and hope to mirror his ways




June 15 to June 17, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,620+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Our Father

The prayer He taught us,
of the savior, God incarnate
beginning with a name of God
a loving intimate name,
not a cold, aloof, judgmental God in heaven
A loving father, real and personal
caring, forgiving,
reaching for us,
for a connection
a living relationship
with our God, our father


June 17, 2008
Lead Us not into temptation
June 17, 2008
Forgive Us … As We Forgive
June 17, 2008
Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
June 17, 2008
Thy Kingdom Come
June 17, 2008
Hallowed Be Thy Name
June 15, 2008
Our Father
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
Father’s Day
June 15, 2008
&
July 4, 2015
The Lord’s Prayer – revised
The Lord’s Prayer (traditional, trespasses)
July 28, 2013
The Lord’s Prayer – 2
Luke 11:1-4
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Luke 11:1-13
“Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer”
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
July 22, 2013 to July 28, 2013
“Relationship with the Living God”
by Patricia Wilson
for July 27, 2013
read July 28, 2013
&
Edited April 27, 2013
“The Lord’s Prayer – v2”
April 25, 2013
Our First Prayer – v2
April 25, 2013
Our First Prayer
April 25, 2013
“The Lord’s Prayer”
Wednesday night worship
new series on the Lord’s Prayer
United Methodist Hymnal, #895
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be they name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,
forever. Amen.
Worship Theme: “Teach Us to Pray”
message, “Let us pray. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH        
April 24, 2013
Eastertide


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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 38,130+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Whose Calf Was It

The words of the scripture
tell many stories, layered truths
the nature of man, the character of God
the love of the father, always waiting
Two brothers, one older, responsible,
one younger, reckless
Open arms for the son
who came back home
a calf prepared for the banquet
The brother’s calf, no longer the father’s
for his brother’s feast
a hard pill to swallow
All the father had was his
but he only saw the calf
His calf, given to his brother
to welcome him home


June 15, 2008
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Jewish Boy

A wayward Jewish boy
separated from family, from his people,
from his faith, focused on his wealth,
All was lost, an unclean life
In the end, at the bottom of the abyss
A Jewish boy feeding pigs
Coming to his senses
returning home,
to his father’s embrace
unmerited love,
a gift for repentance alone
Beyond human measure.


June 15, 2008
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Mislabeled Message

The words of the story,
labeled the Prodigal Son;
but this is a mistake
The deeper meaning,
for all of us prodigal children
the story of the father
reacting to both sons
those who go and lose their way
those who stay and are blind
The father allowing the children
to choose for themselves
Always waiting for them
to come back home
to understand their father’s love
the gifts he shared
with each one of them




June 15, 2008
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH



All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Loving Father

The true nature of God
revealed in the story of the two sons
the one who roamed and
the one who stayed behind
the reckless and the dutiful
each needing a lesson, to grow
the love, the open arms of the father,
this is the true point of their story
we learn the lesson they could not
watching the loving father,
waiting always, for the wayward children
with arms open wide
to all his children


June 15, 2008
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008

Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,600+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Good Father

The children had their thought
the ingredients essential
A little bit of love, or a whole lot,
care, oh we definitely need that,
help when they struggle
being respectful of their needs
their views given weight
Real, with flesh and bone,
blood and life
so we make a good father
or so was their recipe




June 15, 2008
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
children’s time, asking the children what makes a good father
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008


Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Preaching the Word of God

The gospel lesson, the only scripture
not read from the lectern, not this day
The word of God preached from the pulpit
the story told with passion
inflection, with memory
familiarity with the lesson
comfort with the words,
and their deepest meaning
Bringing Christ’s parable to life
for the whole congregation




June 15, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
the Lord’s Prayer, and the sermon,
“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day, June 15, 2008


Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,570+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

The First Children

What a revelation, those first moments
discovery of the behaviors of children,
of disobedience, and passing the blame,
in that first story of the first children,
the first father, the creator of all
Adam and Eve, disobeying the one rule
and Adam blaming her, and she the snake
How often have parents discovered,
heard the same tale, over and over again



June 15, 2008
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Lectionary Year A,
Luke 15:11-32, Lectionary Year A, Prodigal Son,
and sermon,“Jesus’ Teachings on Fatherhood”,
by Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, Father’s Day

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,560+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

An Invitation for July 4, 2008 - Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH

In threes

He repeated himself, in section after section
always, always, always
all of our days, all of our days, all of our days
Yes, in threes he spoke, to anchor the point
to repeat and to preach
to reach each one of us in the congregation
to stir our souls with the promise of God
to be with us, to be with us, each one of us
always in our troubles,
always when the darkness comes,
always when there is joy in our hearts
We can boldly act,
we can go forth without fear
we can go into the lion’s den,
because He will never leave us
he will always be there with us
we are never alone
Because He keeps His promises
Christ was born as the prophets foretold,
He lived as the law and the prophets
and he died as the Messiah must
Christ died by the hands of man
He rose by the grace of God
He will return as he promised
So have hope in the power of his words
go forth to do his work
Bring hope to the ends of the world!

June 15, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Jeremiah 31:6-17 and the sermon,
“A Future with Hope: Audacious Proclamation”,
by the Reverend Dr. William B. McClain,
New England Annual Conference,
Gordon College, Wenham, MA,
June 14, 2008
Dr. McClain is the Mary Elizabeth Joyce Professor of Preaching at
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Always, Always, Always

Always, always, always
he will be with us,
every day, all our days, even last one
so long as the sun shall shine
until the earth shall end,
always will our Lord be with us
We are not alone, never ever alone
for He is with us
Always, till the end of the age
our risen savior,
the fulfillment of all the prophets,
walking beside us, watching over us
giving comfort and hope,
love and support
Always, always, always
living all our days with our Lord

June 15, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Jeremiah 31:6-17 and the sermon,
“A Future with Hope: Audacious Proclamation”,
by the Reverend Dr. William B. McClain,
New England Annual Conference,
Gordon College, Wenham, MA,
June 14, 2008
Dr. McClain is the Mary Elizabeth Joyce Professor of Preaching at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

His Promise

He made the promise, the final words
at the end of his time on earth
to be with us, with us, always,
Never alone are we, always with the Lord
a promise to believe in, to trust
This God who came to earth,
who suffered and died;
he rose, but more, he is risen
now and always, a risen Lord
living now at the right hand
With us in all our days,
in all the days to come
Whether good days or bad
Always with us, each step,
each instant of time
walking with our savior
His promise, hope for the believers
love for us all

June 15, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Jeremiah 31:6-17 and the sermon,
“A Future with Hope: Audacious Proclamation”,
by the Reverend Dr. William B. McClain,
New England Annual Conference,
Gordon College, Wenham, MA,
June 14, 2008
Dr. McClain is the Mary Elizabeth Joyce Professor of Preaching at
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

The Final Words

His final words,
after the charge to the disciples,
to each one of us still
a promise He will keep,
to be with us always,
every day of our lives,
with us in every trial
in every gladness,
in every moment of pain
When the days are hard to bear
he is with us, the Messiah
When we sing with joy
he is with us, the Risen Lord
When we laugh and when we play
he is with us, the Prince of Peace
When we grieve and when we pray
He is with us, the lamb of God
He who lived an immaculate life
who fulfilled the promises of the Father
left us with a promise
in his final words, to be with us
Always

June 15, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Jeremiah 31:6-17 and the sermon,
“A Future with Hope: Audacious Proclamation”,
by the Reverend Dr. William B. McClain,
New England Annual Conference,
Gordon College, Wenham, MA,
June 14, 2008
Dr. McClain is the Mary Elizabeth Joyce Professor of Preaching at
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

Believe His Promise

His promise, in the final words
a promise to keep
A book of proofs, of the fulfillment
of the testaments of old,
the law and the prophets
together in this boy, this man
a life of purity, unblemished and true
given for all, to be a sacrifice
He suffered for us, for all who sin
and rose to proclaim victory
for us all to come home
He gave a command and a charge to keep
and sealed these words
with a promise so deep
To be with us always, forever amen
through thick and thin
and each one of our days
Believe in His promise

June 15, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Jeremiah 31:6-17 and the sermon,
“A Future with Hope: Audacious Proclamation”,
by the Reverend Dr. William B. McClain,
New England Annual Conference,
Gordon College, Wenham, MA,
June 14, 2008
Dr. McClain is the Mary Elizabeth Joyce Professor of Preaching at
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

She Served

It was funny, that moment of revelation
of understanding the not so subtle change.
I told our pastor that the girls and I
changing our assigned station, in the sanctuary
that we received communion from mom,
where she was assisting
A word of correction,
by our pastor, our friend.
She served communion,
this night, her first time
with the credentials,
the sending out, the words
given, recognized with authority,
to perform the sacraments,
to live the call she feels, affirmed so often,
the call within her;
Another corner turned,
preparing for the day, next month,
when she will be the one breaking the bread
saying the words over the cup
truly serving communion
in our new sanctuary,
to her new congregation
the flock she will help shepherd
in service to God

June 15, 2008
communion at Annual Conference,
Gordon College, Wenham, MA
June 14, 2008