Saturday, November 28, 2009

May we be the means

Hearing the words of the first church,
of God’s infinite love, continuing
but also, hearing the harder words
of Deuteronomy, a harsh mirror before us
this nation, in this age, like those
of the people, hearing this message
uncomfortable words, in their abundance
in the false belief, the looking to themselves
the pride growing, in their wealth
as with the rich man, his silos bursting
the rich man unable to sell his possessions
each failing to follow, to heed even
the words of Christ before them
These same words, an indictment
on our time, this nation, like them,
losing our understanding, our belief
turning our lives, praising
God for the abundance
his holy provision, all we need
May we be the means,
each believer, in their own place
spreading this single message
unified, since the beginning
when Moses heard the law
God alone is God
Love is the way



November 28, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Heed the Words

The congregation, in our amens,
the waving hands, the nodding heads
the hearts smiling, in his words,
a prayer for our country, for our time
that we would heed the words
the ancient words of Deuteronomy
of our land, our people
in the same peril, the same malaise
upon our land, the same hubris
arrogance, denying the central role
That all of our abundance
flowing, as an unmerited gift,
agape love from God alone
a prayer too, that we would find our voice
each of us, the mingled flocks
all under the one good shepherd
that we would find new resolve,
new ways to reach out, to speak out
to shout into this wilderness land
so much more to do
to bring the message, in some ways,
the same message of Deuteronomy
that our trust, our believe, our faith
in God alone; but more
for we are the resurrection, Easter people
knowing more than they did
way back when the words were written
of the loving sacrifice of our savior
born so long ago, laid in that manger bed
his gift, his offering, one time and for all people
All of these words, a singular message
rely upon God; in him is our daily strength
and in him is life eternal



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Becoming Proud

“Becoming Proud”
so true of our lives, our society
our abundance, our wealth
as if all of these were ours alone
our sweat, our righteousness, our just reward
making of ourselves, illusory gods
mortals though we may be
forgetting our maker, creator
the sovereignty, the loving grace
the bounty of God, our daily bread
providing for all of our needs
our abundance flowing, sourced
the springs, rivers of living waters
so easily forgotten,
in the seductive illusion
the heralded lies of our age
becoming proud indeed
before our fall, just as surely
as the fall of other earthly empires
as prophesied, foretold in Deuteronomy
and more, so long, long ago
how soon we forget
and repeat the sins of our forefathers
when we fail to learn, to become wise
the lessons of the past
when we have become proud before



November 28, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

How Much We Need God

If only, in this season
Advent coming, that we would remember
that we would truly understand
that we would truly believe
how much we need God

Like the empires before us,
believing in our infallibility
our supremacy,
the superpower of the age

How blind we are, our silos full
our abundance not of our hands
gifts from God alone
our future, our lives
dust, except for the spirit
the indwelling spirit of God

The sacrifice, saving
by our brother the Christ
all of this freely given
by our creator, by God
for us to have, our daily bread
living water, eternal life

None of these, not a wit
the work of our hands
all given so we may live
how much we need God
if only we believed



November 28, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fooling Ourselves

drinking the opiate of wealth
the self-made man philosophy
Horatio Alger story of our age
a lie, a false idol, man rising as God
words long ago, the truth
only in God, our true source
God’s providence alone giving
from Him do all of our blessings flow
Fooling ourselves, when we believe
when we become proud
seeing ourselves, our hands
the sweat of our efforts
the source of our abundance
God’s steadfast love alone
and for that we should give thanks
and praise him, without ceasing



November 28, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,800+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hanging the Symbols

images, little symbols
of our faith, from the very beginning
hung reverently, upon the tree
amid the lights, saints, the angels
the light of Christ shining
his star, ever at its calling
Advent season come
smiles upon our face
the Christ child coming
the symbols of his entering
awaiting our savior’s return



November 28, 2009
greening the church
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
November 28, 2009 and November 29, 2009
as part of worship service
decorating the Crismon tree
&
Isaiah 2:1-4
Jeremiah 33:14-15
Luke 1:46-50 and
sermon, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
part of a series of sermons,
using the Advent Conspiracy
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/


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 19,800+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Singing the Song of Mary

Our mother, of our brother
our savior, the Christ
so we sing, joining her
singing the song of Mary
its melody alive
shining in the night
the darkness lit
by his bright star
Claiming our faith like Mary
a servant of God to be
walking humbly with our creator
welcoming our king



November 27, 2009
Isaiah 2:1-4
Jeremiah 33:14-15
Luke 1:46-50 and
sermon, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
part of a series of sermons,
using the Advent Conspiracy
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
& poem from last year:
------------
Magnificat

Joining Mary, her song
sung to God, for all generations -
blessings we share, each of us
with her, all creation, blessed by the creator
humble servants are we, walking with our brother
sharing this wondrous message, with her, the angels,
those who have gone before us

A choir, singing her song, our song
of praise, of grace, of God’s great works
rejoicing with our mother, our sister
at all the almighty has done for us,
for the people, the descendants of Abraham
by faith, by his love, all of us saved
Share the good news


December 21 and 27, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
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 19,800+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Changing the Seasons

The colors replaced
the browns, the yellows,
the autumn, earthy
harvest decorations
giving way, changing
to the greens and reds,
burgundies, forest greens
the purple and the gold
Advent transforming the church
memories in opening the boxes
the ribbons, garlands, the fabrics
decorations, of long ago
all brought out, used
adorning the church
with Advent finery
preparing the symbol
this body of Christ
for the season
waiting for the Christ child
that blessed Christmas day



November 28, 2009
greening the church
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
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 19,830+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Joining Mary

Call us into the Magnificat
joining Mary, with her
into our Advent journey
our worship, our waiting
like her, trusting, our lives
turned over to God
hearing his call to her
as if to each one of us
together joining Mary
the song of the Magnificat
our Advent hymn.



November 27, 2009
Isaiah 2:1-4
Jeremiah 33:14-15
Luke 1:46-50 and
sermon, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
part of a series of sermons,
using the Advent Conspiracy
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/
& poem from last year:
------------
Magnificat

Joining Mary, her song
sung to God, for all generations -
blessings we share, each of us
with her, all creation, blessed by the creator
humble servants are we, walking with our brother
sharing this wondrous message, with her, the angels,
those who have gone before us

A choir, singing her song, our song
of praise, of grace, of God’s great works
rejoicing with our mother, our sister
at all the almighty has done for us,
for the people, the descendants of Abraham
by faith, by his love, all of us saved
Share the good news


December 21 and 27, 2008
Micah 4:1-7
Luke 1:46-55
and sermon, “An Upside Down Christmas”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
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 19,820+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Friday, November 27, 2009

At the Cusp of Advent

Out of the day of Thanksgiving
after the declarations
of Christ the King
at the cusp of Advent
preparing our hearts
perspective on our world
on our lives
entering into the waiting,
remembering Mary, Joseph,
their journey to Advent
from their home
to the ancestral home
a righteous shoot of Jesse
a branch from the stump
the root of David,
just as had been foretold
But a human journey
her pregnancy, expectancy
leading to rejection at the inn
humble stable and his manger bed
all of this, and the path,
the road to Calvary and the cross
all of this about to begin anew
waiting, not yet ready
at this, the cusp of Advent.



November 27, 2009
Isaiah 2:1-4
Jeremiah 33:14-15
Luke 1:46-50 and
sermon, “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
part of a series of sermons,
using the Advent Conspiracy
http://www.adventconspiracy.org/


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 19,800+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Not One Cross, But Three

Some of our memories
the manger, the cross
deeply anchored within us
images of our faith

The cross of Christ
standing on Calvary
the empty cross
after his rising
the blessed Easter morning

But there is more
more to the scene
that day on Calvary
Not one cross; but three,
each one empty,
with such meaning
reflective of God’s love
and the choice each of us
that each one of us must make

Which of the other two
who, upon their own cross,
hung beside our brother
the living God, Christ

Will we deride him,
even in his pain,
or will we ask him
into our hearts,
to save us
to join him in paradise

Three crosses, not just one
his choice to serve, to sacrifice
and the choice we must each make
choosing Sheol, or
reaching out to him, asking
accepting Christ as our savior



November 27, 2009
three crosses, in the glow of an ornament
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHv3J3CQCYo
“My Grown Up Christmas Wish”,
by Kelly Clarkson

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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Back to Relationship

A mirror on this age
a call back to relationship
our society teetering
on the edge of the abyss
Pride in ourselves
in our own ability
a screen masking
the truth of the provision of God
For it is the creator,
not our mortal hands
responsible for the bounty
the abundance of our land



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Words of Deuteronomy

The words of Deuteronomy
uttered with passion
overlaid on our times
a warning for this age
as surely as for that time

In this age of abundance
in times of toil and strife
turning to the Lord
away from the seduction of the world
returning back into relationship
following, trusting, abiding
in our loving God



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hope

Hope, even within our sin
grace, the faithfulness of God
able to heal us all
when we stray,
when our pride
gets in the way
the steadfast love of God
making for each of us
a way to return to the Lord



November 26, 2009
Hope
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Suncook United Methodist Church
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, NH

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 37,300+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Return

The ancient wisdom
words so long ago
calling us still
to let go of the world
returning to God
Our whole selves
the falseness of our time
needing to turn
our hearts only to the Lord



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Humble Penitence

Within our thanks giving
our offering of praise
thanks to our father
who has given us so much
humble penitence
for our continuing in sin

Forgetting our father
the one who has given us all
believing we are the source
the reason for our abundance
Humble penitence to God
that we would return to him.



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Look to the Christ Child

God, love, incarnate
the birth of Christ
his arrival, loving coming to earth
no room in the inn, for the king
laid in a manger bed
an understanding of love
in the humble birth
the life, service,
humble obedience, utterly
Christ fulfilling, faithful
following God’s will alone
in love and submission
offering himself
so that we may live
love incarnate in Christ



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sharing

Out of their example
a lesson in sharing
nothing held back
all together,
held in common
sharing to all
with all,
as they had need
abundance give, shared
one community, our church
from the very beginning
lovingly sharing



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Rendering unto God

Rendering to Caesar
what is Caesar’s;
but no more.
Rendering to God
what is his alone
all we are, all of our blessings
in thanks giving may we remember
taking time to slow and reflect
on his wondrous provision
family, our bounty, life itself
all giving by the loving hand
the creator giving,
out of love, his essence,
grace beyond all merit.
Offering ourselves,
our thanks giving
unto our God



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

To God be our Thanks

not to ourselves
works of our hands
we give our humble prayer
as a people, a nation
to God be our thanks
for the abundance,
the blessings of our land
pausing in reverent thanks
remembering God provides
even in our disobedience
our of his boundless love



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, NH

Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
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 19,730+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Boundless Mercies

We humbly bow
thankful for his grace
God’s boundless mercies
while we were yet living in sin
creating idols of our wealth
still God provides
his bounty do we praise
offering a reverent
thanks giving
mindful of the abundance
poured out on our nation
by our loving father
even in these times
of war, trial and strife
Giving humble thanks
to the one who created us all



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

To Whom We Are Thankful

In our prayers, in stopping to give thanks
certain to honor God,
to whom we are thankful
from whom all
of our abundance, our bounty
our good fortune flows
He is the beneficent author, father
we must render unto him
all that we are thankful for
The source of all that is
what was, from before the beginning of time
the who blessed us with this land
this place, this moment in time
As we gather together,
one people in each family
may we pause to thank the Lord
from whom our blessings flow



November 26, 2009
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
(included in the bulletin)
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
(read by Fred Kline, Pembroke Selectman and School Board member)
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, NH
&
Email received 11/25/09 from President Barack Obama

“Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Americans across the country will sit down together, count our blessings, and give thanks for our families and our loved ones.

American families reflect the diversity of this great nation. No two are exactly alike, but there is a common thread they each share.

Our families are bound together through times of joy and times of grief. They shape us, support us, instill the values that guide us as individuals, and make possible all that we achieve.

So tomorrow, I'll be giving thanks for my family -- for all the wisdom, support, and love they have brought into my life.

But tomorrow is also a day to remember those who cannot sit down to break bread with those they love.

The soldier overseas holding down a lonely post and missing his kids. The sailor who left her home to serve a higher calling. The folks who must spend tomorrow apart from their families to work a second job, so they can keep food on the table or send a child to school.

We are grateful beyond words for the service and hard work of so many Americans who make our country great through their sacrifice. And this year, we know that far too many face a daily struggle that puts the comfort and security we all deserve painfully out of reach.

So when we gather tomorrow, let us also use the occasion to renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future that every American family can enjoy.

It seems like a lifetime ago that a crowd met on a frigid February morning in Springfield, Illinois to set out on an improbable course to change our nation.

In the years since, Michelle and I have been blessed with the support and friendship of the millions of Americans who have come together to form this ongoing movement for change.

You have been there through victories and setbacks. You have given of yourselves beyond measure. You have enabled all that we have accomplished -- and you have had the courage to dream yet bigger dreams for what we can still achieve.

So in this season of thanks giving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you, and my anticipation of the brighter future we are creating together.

With warmest wishes for a happy holiday season from my family to yours,

President Barack Obama”

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.


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 19,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Too Far Separated

The words of our forefathers,
at the first Thanksgiving
at the beginning of our nation
in the midst of civil war,
bowing down, stopping to remember,
to give thanks to God
from whom all things come
beneficent author, the source
the wellspring, the fountainhead
from which our blessing flow
a harvest, a bounty, a nation rejoicing
giving thanks to the creator
for all that we have,
what we are as a people
the dream that is America
Losing that focus
that centering on our God
lost in the separation
the walls between church and state
Left with words of thanksgiving
of blessings to count
no mention of to whom we are thankful
or from whom the blessings come
Sad in this moment,
when we should be singing
thanking our God, our maker
of all that there is, all that we are
what we can achieve as a people
when we are faithful to God



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
(included in the bulletin)
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
(read by Fred Kline, Pembroke Selectman and School Board member)
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, NH
&
Email received 11/25/09 from President Barack Obama

“Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, Americans across the country will sit down together, count our blessings, and give thanks for our families and our loved ones.

American families reflect the diversity of this great nation. No two are exactly alike, but there is a common thread they each share.

Our families are bound together through times of joy and times of grief. They shape us, support us, instill the values that guide us as individuals, and make possible all that we achieve.

So tomorrow, I'll be giving thanks for my family -- for all the wisdom, support, and love they have brought into my life.

But tomorrow is also a day to remember those who cannot sit down to break bread with those they love.

The soldier overseas holding down a lonely post and missing his kids. The sailor who left her home to serve a higher calling. The folks who must spend tomorrow apart from their families to work a second job, so they can keep food on the table or send a child to school.

We are grateful beyond words for the service and hard work of so many Americans who make our country great through their sacrifice. And this year, we know that far too many face a daily struggle that puts the comfort and security we all deserve painfully out of reach.

So when we gather tomorrow, let us also use the occasion to renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and prosperous future that every American family can enjoy.

It seems like a lifetime ago that a crowd met on a frigid February morning in Springfield, Illinois to set out on an improbable course to change our nation.

In the years since, Michelle and I have been blessed with the support and friendship of the millions of Americans who have come together to form this ongoing movement for change.

You have been there through victories and setbacks. You have given of yourselves beyond measure. You have enabled all that we have accomplished -- and you have had the courage to dream yet bigger dreams for what we can still achieve.

So in this season of thanks giving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to you, and my anticipation of the brighter future we are creating together.

With warmest wishes for a happy holiday season from my family to yours,

President Barack Obama”

Paid for by Organizing for America, a project of the Democratic National Committee -- 430 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, D.C. 20003. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

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 19,810+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

An Abundance

We pause today,
if only for this day
thankful, aware,
slowing ourselves
gathering together
to fellowship, to worship
saying a special prayer
joining as one heart
our people, long remembering
the founding of this nation
all that God provides
An abundance eternal
within our daily walk
living with the Lord
all the days of our lives
our cup overflowing,
our way made more straight
walking with our savior
love come to earth



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Bearing God’s Blessings

We, the believes, members of the body
the church, the living embodiment
the bride of Christ
We are to bear God’s blessings
the message of love, of hope
to a struggling, troubled world
We entered into our worship
our sharing of thanksgiving together
remembering God is the source
our life, our bounty, our hope
Out into the world, God’s messengers
bringing Christ, love incarnate
to our broken world



November 26, 2009
Call to Worship, thanking God
&
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html
President George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation
October 3, 1789
http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/source/sb2/sb2w.htm
President Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation,
October 3, 1863
&
Acts 2:44-47
Children’s Sermon,
“Out of Our Abundance,
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
&
Psalm 118:1
Youth Sermon
by Pastor Kevin Twombley
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
&
Deuteronomy 8:11-20
Sermon, “We are living in a dangerous world”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
both part of
Pembroke – Allenstown Community Thanksgiving Service
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
http://www.gccnh.com/
Grace Capital Church,
Concord, NH
http://www.catholicnh.org/directory/index.cfm?intType=1&id=72
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church
Allenstown, NH
http://cs.newhampshire.com/blogs/hooksett_editor/archive/2009/11/25/There-are-many-ways-to-make-the-holiday-bright.aspx
Allenstown – Pembroke Interfaith Food Pantry
November 25, 2009
at First Congregational Church of Pembroke
http://www.pembrokechurch.org/templates/System/default.asp?id=40672
Pembroke Street
Pembroke, 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 19,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.