Friday, August 21, 2009

Grow through Study - Walk to Emmaus

Crossroads Walk to Emmaus – Men’s Walk - #45

How many of you know the story of the Prodigal Son? Good, looks like this talk will be easier than I thought, since you all are reading your bible…

I don’t know about you, but I was in many ways that Prodigal Son. I had left the church right in the first semester of my college years when I was 18. I didn’t like the way the church was presenting itself to me. I had given myself to God, was born again, when I was a youngster; but I was without a faith community. I hadn’t really read the bible, not really, before that, just Sunday school and summer camp. I hadn’t picked up a bible other than the few times as year I went to church with my mother.

I started writing poetry through all of this, starting in 2000 at 40 years old.

I was blessed to see a church, Wesley United Methodist Church, reach out to a lady who had just lost her husband, someone who lived in the same apartment building as me, right next to the church. I started attending, I became more active. I joined the church in January 2004 after having no church for 23 years.

I became a little more active. I graduated from law school in May and I took the Bar late July.

Labor Day week 2004, I began a 34 week bible study, called Disciple I, which is a weekly study with reading, homework, group discussion one day a week, covering most of the bible.

I was excited about the reading, after 25 years without my faith and never having read the bible, and my seeking, wanting a structured study.

My wife, who is now a pastor and in seminary, was another member of the bible study. We fell in love while studying God’s word.

Not only did I gain a wife and 3 beautiful daughters (I can share pictures later); but I got to spend hours and weeks beginning a journey of discovery that continues to this day, drinking in the living waters of the good news, the word of God revealed in scripture, study, and devotionals.

Without this grounding, I was as lost as that Prodigal Son. With this ongoing study I hear over and over the saving message of God’s love and God’s grace (Ephesians 2:1-10), saving us by grace, not by works.

Oh, and that gift of poetry, that started with my first poem in April 2000 - I now have a blog with over 4,300 poems (3,600 of which are about my faith journey)
We are either growing or dying. Study helps us continue to grow.

I’m not sure who said this first; but I think in this information age, in this ADD world we live in, that has never been more true. So it is in the secular world. So it is in the spirit.

Definition of Study
Study is an act or process by which one acquires knowledge of a subject for living.
Study can be one of the most energizing, liberating, and deepening human activities; it is the doorway to discovery.

But, for a Christian, it is more than this;
The purpose of study is not to just learn information but to transform every aspect of our lives. Study helps us to grow.

We are all at a different place in our journey. That is why we each need our own plan. What I am describing here is just my story, my awakening through study, and some things for you maybe to consider.

The aim of study for a Christian is growth in spiritual wisdom and the mind of Christ, through his life and his teachings.

Through Study we give God our minds, as in Piety we give God our hearts.

Our Minds

Our minds, given to God
Spending time in Your Word,
the holy mystery recorded
revealed in the life of a people
and the life and death of a son
A story of redemption
in the sacrifice of the savior,
willingly, lovingly given
The love of the father
Ageless stories of grace upon grace
revealed in our story,
for it is our story too
if we give our minds to God

What does the scripture say (and these are only a few verses).

- Paul said we are TRANSFORMED through the renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2)

- We RENEW our minds by applying them to those things that are most worthy (Philippians 4:8)

- Jesus said that the knowledge of TRUTH will set us free (John 8:32)

- One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Deuteronomy 8:3)

- Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105).

Another section of Psalm 119 speaks to me especially…
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
(Psalm 119:10-16)(NIV)

- Each of us needs a unique PLAN that will work for us.

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON STUDY
Study is a constant part of our life. How much time do you spend studying our Christian priority?

Through study we grow; just as we don’t stop learning in high school or college, so we must study in our faith too.

Study is a Spiritual Discipline – continual discovery.
Our study should center on Christ as he is our model, the example for our lives.
We are informed of the truth and we are being formed in the truth.
Study grounds us in Christ, even as the world is changing so fast around us, so we can share Christ to the world.

There are several Fields of study for growth; things that will work for you:
All of this is a process, a journey, not an end to itself. And, they are opportunities, possibilities, and suggestions, not mandatory…
THE GOOD NEWS – the loving story of our savior
SCRIPTURE – all of God’s word is holy and worthy of study; context matters; it gives us deeper understanding and inner transformation.

As my poem above said, it is a wonderful story of love and grace.

Fields of study for growth:
YOURSELF – who better to start with (that person you see in the mirror), something that will be touched on throughout this weekend; to grown, to know and to use your God-given gifts.
OTHERS – especially fellow Christians, the saints who have gone before us. Through piety and study we can all people as God sees them.

Fields of study for growth:
SPIRITUAL CLASSICS – The lives and wisdom of the saints, the writings of the masters of spiritual life, and the experiences, wisdom and courage of those who have gone before, adding understanding to our own challenges, our own journey.
THE CHURCH – the history of the church universal and your own denomination, to enable you to be a leader, an active member.
Fields of study for growth:
HISTORY - it gives us a context and a perspective on our own times. And yes, that’s John Wesley, who gave us the vocabulary of prevenient and justifying grace. Through study, at least in part, I am trying to follow his guidance on moving on to perfection.
THE WORLD – current events and the state of humanity today; we must love the world as God did, as he sent his son, so we are sent.

OBSTACLES / E X C U S E S
“I just don’t have the time.”
We all struggle with time
But You can make time; make it a priority
“I don’t know what to study.”
Then seek guidance; ask someone
There are a lot of choices, many that are a day at a time
“I don’t like to read books.”
A variant on this for me, at least in law school, was “I can’t read until I get bi-focals).
Try something else; listen to bible on tape, read journal, join group
“I don’t understand the Bible.”
You can use a bible commentary or get an annotated bible (like this one). I rely on these notes at the bottom of the pages. I cannot just read the scripture itself.
AND, I mark mine up a lot! How many of you write in your bibles??
“Theology confuses me.”
Theology is all around; don’t get hung up on the word; it is how we experience God

--------
So, what do we do about all of this, these excuses, these other obstacles to spending time studying, drinking in the word of God, the message of God for our lives? It all goes back to Priority and Piety, making a choice, making a commitment, choosing to do this, and making a plan.

DEVELOP A PERSONAL STUDY STYLE, that is right for you
Make it a Priority, make it regular, and if you miss days, start again
Balanced Diet of Material
Carve out Time, the same time each day if you can
Find the right Place, make it a place set apart if you can, holy ground
Keep a reading Journal

You should see my pastors when I start taking notes when they are giving a sermon…

Find a way to share what you have learned

What I read / What I do: and again, this is what I do

At the beginning of the day (or end of day)
In our living room
Bible, like this annotated bible
Weekly bible study (Acts)
Upper Room, with bible readings and reflections
Alive Now, which follows the weekly common lectionary
Upper Room Disciplines, which also follows the weekly lectionary
Men’s Daily Devotional
Golden Texts – one verse a day, going through the bible
Love Dare
Practicing the Presence of God

I keep a pad as I read the passages, the studies, and I write in my bible all the time, so the thoughts are there too, and the passages that really challenge or speak to me are there.
Write notes in church

For me that is my poetry – daily. Through study, God has gifted me with over 1,400 poems in the last year alone.

I have 5 sites that I post to, with over 17,000 copies of my poems on the web, over 14,600 about my faith. They have been read in over 167 countries.

I have been blessed through study.

CONCLUSION
Challenge Yourself – we didn’t stop learning when we left school
Mature in the faith – in the same way, we as Christians should continue learning.
As I read recently in a Lay Speaker book, Go Preach, “You have been called to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. Immerse yourself in God’s Word, so that the Word may come alive in you.
Have Determination – we must be intentional
Feel God’s Loving Grace in the growing of your mind

I would like to close with a poem I wrote as I prepared this talk a month ago, for this moment:

Through Your Word

In the quiet of morning
the still of the room, in the written word
a message of grace, for me, this moment
Through your word, I grow
I live, transformed, by your spirit
speaking to me, deep within me
writing more of your story
onto the flesh of my heart
through your word, growing
living my journey
with power,
with words,
to share.


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,750+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wednesday, August 19, 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

Do More Than Dream - 08192009

We dream of a world without pain
without poverty, without hunger
a just and loving world
we dream of a place for us
in your kingdom
what are we doing now
in our day to day lives
to put our faith in motion
in action now in this world
to better the lives, the days
of our brother, our sister,
their children,
our world?
We must fulfill the call
The work is here

---------------
edited December 26, 2015
Do More than Dream – v4
(editing early version)
edited November 25, 2015
Do More Than Dream – v3
(editing original Facebook version)
edited November 4, 2015
Do More Than Dream – Blog Action Day – Facebook version – v2
edited September 26, 2015
Do More Than Dream – v2
August 19, 2009
Do More Than Dream – 08192009
10/15/2008
Do More Than Dream – Blog Action Day
10/11/08
Do More Than Dream – Blog Action Day – Facebook version
10/22/06 14:24
Do More Than Dream
Mark 10:35-45
10/15/08
Blog Action Day, poverty

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. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,510+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Thankful for the Gifts

A moment abundant in blessing
sun shining radiantly
on the birch cross, a gift
planted within her labyrinth
A rich layered moment
thankful for the sun, for the Son
the cross, the way to life
believing, seeing
walking on our journey
Light, giving sight
offering hope, the narrow gate
the path leading to the cross
the radiance of the Son,
illumining our way.



-----------------
Edited November 24, 2023
Thankful for the Gifts – v2
 
August 17, 2009
Thankful for the Gifts
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2009/08/thankful-for-gifts.html
prayer labyrinth
in our yard
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com )  for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com  Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, cross, Faith, steps, Pastor Ruth Foss, Ecclesiastes 3, stone, wisdom, rock, witness, prayer, walking, prayer, labyrinth, God, Christ,
 
#Poetry #cross #Faith #steps #Ecclesiastes3 #stone #wisdom #rock #witness #prayer #walking #prayer #labyrinth #God #Christ

Monday, August 17, 2009

Together We Danced

Together, we danced
through my day (so far),
my work, my life
Dancing with my creator
the potter to my clay
spinning, whirling
to the tune he would play
moving through the moments
the choices I would make
A dance for the day
his hand upon me
guiding my steps along the way


August 17, 2009
Unison Prayer
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009

Sun on the Cross




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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dancing Today

Oh that is my wish
that between my work,
my travels, the commotion
activities of my day
that I would dance today
led by the hand of God
guided to the calling of the Lord
to that which He would have me do
led across the floor,
surrendering to his leading
effortlessly dancing with God


August 17, 2009
Unison Prayer
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009

His Hands

His hands
orchestrating, creating
setting the stars in the heavens
the world into being, into motion
the potter, the clay
our lives, formed in his image
the dance of our lives
choreographed
the movement
guided by His hands


August 16, 2009 and August 17, 2009
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009


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 29,990+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live. 

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Surrendering to His Lead

Around the days of our lives
dancing with God
simple, loving, cares somehow easier
surrendering to his lead
giving up our control
letting the creator’s hand
guide our steps, our feet upon his
dancing a different tune
not the world’s noise clatter
the music of God’s still small voice
a melody for the ages


August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009
and see earlier poem:
-----
Dancing with God

A wonderful concept
dancing with God
but are we ready for him to lead
to guide us through life’s passages
turning our freewill over
to Him
becoming a follower
disciple of the Master
feeling his hand on our hip
our back
submitting to his will
the yoke is easy
but it is a yoke
nonetheless
hard choice
for a society, a people
wrapped up in Me

July 13, 2006 22:32

One Pair of Hands

Christ’s hands
one pair of hands
precious hands
in creation, in the waters
at the beginning
Descending from heaven
the hands of an infant
growing to adulthood,
the hands of a carpenter
Washed in the Jordan,
walking in ministry
healing hands, his touch
changing lives
carrying the nails, our sin
Hands to comfort,
to welcome us home
at the end of the age

August 16, 2009

Trusting His Lead

Present in the here and now
mindfulness in our walk
God’s presence with us
feeling him with us, within us

Dancing to his steps
trusting his lead
going where he guides
doing what he calls me to do
His hand moving
alive, changing our lives
and the world through us;
His love guiding the dance.


August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009

Christ’s Hands

Christ’s hands
which healed the sick
sight to the blind,
raised the dead
broke the bread,
washed their feet
suffered the nails, the cross

We, you and I,
called to continue his ministry
to be his feet, his voice
Christ’s hands, alive
working in the world still
offering our lives
sharing his love to the world


August 16, 2009

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.

5,000th post - Poetry Where You Live

Today marks the 5,000th post to the blog, with over 4,350 poems. I thank God for the gift of poetry and the ability to share it to the ends of the earth.

Eternal Words

from her prayer
before the words of her sermon
calling us to wisdom
the eternal words of life
present in the Word,
in our hearing, believing
trusting in them, in God

Alive now in the world
in this sanctuary
as we share in worship of You
God of the beginning,
of the present,
of the future yet to come;
of eternity.


August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009

A Dance

Life, like a dance
pulling us onto the floor
whirling, spinning
not in control

Following the world’s lead
or the Master’s hand
guiding us through this life
surrendering to His movements
to the music he has chosen
moving together as one
This is our choice.


August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
Psalm 112:5-8
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
and sermon, “May I Have This Dance?”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009

Grace Upon Grace

Grace upon grace
gift upon gift
offering for each of us
the love of the creator
our master, our God
given for us
agape, unmerited
over and over
throughout our lives
if we would but have eyes to see

August 16, 2009

People of the Waters

Spiritual beings, on an earthly journey
peoples of the waters,
missionaries on the dry land
finding those in pain
those thirsty for the waters
calling them, bringing them
showing them the way
back into the waters of life


August 16, 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
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org

Abundance

Grace upon grace
the abundance of God’s love
his pursuing us, desire for us
seeking a bond, covenant
repentance, reconciliation
offering us life
hope for our future
our needs met
spiritual, physical
our cares bled away
in the abundance of God’s love


August 16, 2009
Psalm 23
Walk to Emmaus

Stars on the Beach

Metaphors of our lives
choices we each must make
living in relationship
people of the water
the living waters of Christ

Stars on the beach
people wandering in the world
lost, unconnected with the creator
Reach for the stars
cast them back into the sea
Reach out to our neighbors
tell tem of God’s grace
welcome them into the family


August 15, 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
and
visit on August 6, 2009
to Beavertail Lighthouse
and rocks below
Jamestown, Rhode Island
www.beavertaillight.org

Yearning for God

With my whole being
all that I am
yearning for God,
that personal connection
relationship with my father
creator of heaven and earth
To walk in his ways
following my Master’s call
my special gift
poured out
for the glory of the Lord.

August 15, 2009

Help Us Lord

Help us Lord,
as we gather in this place
your people together
that we would sense you
your living presence with us
this moment, as we enter into worship.
With us always;
may we ever
be aware of you
standing beside us.


August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
“Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, we have come into
your house to worship you this day in Spirit and in Truth.
We pray that you would be with us, that Your Spirit would
fall down upon us gathered here this morning. We pray
that our worship of You would be pleasing in Your sight.
Speak to us we pray so that we may be guided by
Your still, small voice this day and all the days of our lives.
As we come before Your throne,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009

Calling Him

Calling Him
into our presence
the Lord who is already here
forgetful mortals, feet of clay
help us Lord
in our unbelief
in the limits of our discernment
Here in your church
in this sanctuary
may we have eyes to see
and ears to hear
may we sense your presence
already here.


August 16, 2009
Unison Prayer:
“Creator, Sustainer, Loving God, we have come into
your house to worship you this day in Spirit and in Truth.
We pray that you would be with us, that Your Spirit would
fall down upon us gathered here this morning. We pray
that our worship of You would be pleasing in Your sight.
Speak to us we pray so that we may be guided by
Your still, small voice this day and all the days of our lives.
As we come before Your throne,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, hear our prayer.
Amen.”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook, NH
August 16, 2009