Tuesday, June 27, 2017

sermon, June 25, 2017, "The Eyes of God...", by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME



June 25, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Father’s Day!
Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
“Healing Vision”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 86:1-10
Mark 10:46-52NLT
Matthew 8:5-8; 13 NIV


“The Eyes of God…!”

The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray (Prayer that God’s Word is heard through me or in-spite of me)

Please stand for the Gospel according to Mark, chapter 10, verses 46-52 Listen to the word of God from His love letter to His beloved, you, and I…

(Read Scripture from the NLT Bible)


“It really has been a rough few day,” Joy said with a sigh. “It sure has” said Hope, “look, I am really sorry for what happened. If I had known what was going to happen I would have never...” “It’s ok Hope. I know it wasn’t your fault. I was just upset I couldn’t see the truth. Will you forgive me Hope?” Joy asked. Hope was taken back by these words…”me forgive you…I the one who needs forgiveness. I would have felt the same way if I was you,” Hope explained to Joy. “I acted so un-Christ-like…I wish I could take it all back.” Joy said as she took hopes hand, “Please forgive me for that much at least.” “How about we forgive each other” Hope said with a smile. “Yes…let’s do that.”

As they shared coffee and more conversation nurse Faith came into the Coffee Shop at the hospital. “I have been looking everywhere for you two. I have some great news to share. Your friend Grace, is going to be all right and can go home the day after tomorrow. I told you everything was going to be all right…you just have to have a little faith,” Faith explained. At this news, the two friends began to cry as they both stood to hug Faith.

“I am so sorry I judged you Hope. I never realized who you really are until we took time to talk with one another.” Joy said as they watched nurse Faith walk away. “Well Joy I also did the same to you and I am sorry. You really do love like Jesus. You are human too and have times when your feelings get the best of you.” Hope said as she and Joy walked towards the door of the Coffee Shop”. “Thanks for being there when Grace needed us. I admit that at first, I was afraid of you but you truly are a good friend. I didn’t trust you because you were different. I am glad we got to know each other and I realize we are a lot a like you and I.” Joy said as they began to laugh.

“Laughter…it heals the soul,” Hope said, “Let’s go see if we can share that healing laughter with Grace. Oh, by the way, sorry that I judged you as one of those “would be Christians”. I was holding on to what happened in my past that I couldn’t see the present of the present. Thanks for opening my eyes to the truth. You truly are a good friend.”

As the girls walked together by the hallway they could feel this sort of light heatedness about them. Neither knew what was in store for them and their friendship. They had more to learn as the journeyed together to a place much bigger than themselves.

But that part of the story is for another day…

Good morning. Well here we are together again. WE have been walking this road of healing with each other for 9 weeks now. It doesn’t seem that long. We have heard Hope’s story…and by the way…this is not all of hopes story…I have more for her and I am writing a “Hope’s Story” sort of book with much more about her journey and the people she encounters on it…

For weeks now we have been talking about what ails us. We have had a lot of good conversation over our ailments as we have been interactive with one another during our sermon time…so, I need audience participation. In the story that I just shared with you, what stands out for you? Give time for answers. What stands out for me is the growth they have had in this story. They both thought they knew what life was about and judged people they met but they both now have had an “eye opening experience” that has probably changed their lives forever…

I truly believe that we as Christ church…followers of the Way…need to have conversation of what ails us. What is hurting inside of us. What hold us back from living the life, individually and collective, that we are offered through Jesus. We need to heal what ails us to be the relevant Christians. We need to let go and let God as we move forward as God’s people and take back our streets…the places where we are called to share the Gospel of Grace, Hope, Joy, and Faith. Without healing, what ails us we can’t call ourselves Christ followers because we can’t follow His example in the world. We want to be those Resurrected people. We can spend the tomb with our comfortable “death cloths” …not leaving those things behind that bind us… But we need to put on the robe of righteousness that we receive in and through Christ.

Today I want us to continue to talk about another ailment we, as humanity, get plagued with…that stop us from living that life in Christ, as we mend fences and heal the heart. We need mending…we are all broken. If we say we are not we lie. We live in a fallen world…we live in a world of chaos…we live in a place where everything is turned upside down. But praise Jesus, He can turn it all right-side up for us again as we travel the road of healing and are mended from the inside out. What in us needs mending? My hope is that as we continue to have that conversation it will lead to healing. Conversation is hard but it is vital if we want to be that vital congregation for Christ.

So, some of the ailments we have talked about are…
1.  Our intentions and the fact that, whether we like it or not, there are times when our intentions may be not so helpful.
2.  Our inhibitions keep us from being open to others. How there are many things that cause us to be closed off to the very ones that Jesus came to save…including ourselves.
3.  Fear is one of the biggest things that keeps us from being who God would have us be. Fear immobilizes us and keeps us stuck in the mud…unable to move forward for Christ and the Good News. Maybe even the fear of Hope as she is walking through our door…
4.  There is also the sickness of “pride”. Pride is not a bad thing unless it gets in the way of being that loving community that the “Hope’s” of the world need.
5.  The disease of division. As we work together…and not just give up and leave…the most important thing to remember is we need to take our division to the Way Maker, our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, He will stand in gap for us as we work our way back to unity and as we bring our hurts and ailments to the Balm of Gilead, we are healed from the inside out.
6.  Another thing that ails us as people and as a church is Miss-Trust. Lady Ms. Trust loves to come in and stir up a whole lot of nothing and sit back as we begin to come unglued together because we are suspicious and untrusting each other.
7.  “holdouts” … holding on to things that should be released to God. They keep pushing the bolder up the hill and not letting the Creator of all make rubble out of it…
8.  Power struggles-the ones who have a need to control. This one began with the first twelve disciples and continues today.
There are times when we are blind and we just can’t see. Blindness is another one of the things that ails us. How do you think we, as Christ’s church…on a whole? Give time to answer. What about our church? What do you think we are blinded to or by? Give time to answer. How do you think we can receive our sight again? Give time to answer.

There are many healing stories in the bible. I think that one of the most frequent types of healing that Jesus gave was vision. Why do you think that it was and is important to Jesus for our vision to be healed? Give time to answer. In the healing account from the scripture I read this morning, one thing really stands out for me. All the man did was ask and it was given. Jesus didn’t spit on his eyes or make mud and put it on his eyes. All Jesus did was say your faith has healed you…that’s it…nothing else.

There is one thing from this healing that jumps out for me. As blind Bartimaeus got up…he threw aside his coat, jumped up and came to Jesus. He knew he was in for a heling. Because Jesus bid him come he knew that Jesus was going to heal him. So, he threw off his death cloths…the clothes of a beggar… jumped up and ran to Jesus… He ran to the healer of all that was ailing him. Now my question is this... Are we willing to throw aside our death clothes and run out of our tombs to the only one who can heal our brokenness? I think that is or main ailment…brokenness…

Do we have the faith to heal our eyesight? Give time to answer. As we bring what ails us to Jesus He will heal us. As we bring our sorrow and struggles to Jesus he says, “be healed…your faith has healed you.” Jesus say the word and we will be healed. The faith of the centurion healed his servant in Matthew 8 verses 5-8 and 13:
5 “When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.”

It is all about faith… It really is as simple as faith. In just one word, Jesus can heal us. As we bring our sicknesses to Jesus it is our faith in Him and His ability to heal that heals us. If we did not believe we would not be healed… Talks about my knee

Beloved children of the Most High God. Jesus is calling us out of our tombs and in to His Glorious Light and be healed of our ailments. What is ailing us…as a church…as individuals…as one body? How can we be on the mend, of fences and our hearts? I know that there are things we just don’t want to talk about…there are things that we just don’t want to hear. But we cannot/will not let fear stop us from healing what ails us, personally and collectively.

So, how’s your eye sight? Are you and I…is Christ’s church…our church…in need of some vision revision? Are we walking around blindly trying to see the least and lost only being that our selves…least and lost? Or…are we ready for a new set of eyes, God’s eyes? Without His eye sight and love vision we cannot see the sacred around us. We live in a world that is dark and it is afraid of the light. How will we see in the dark if we are not looking through the eyes of the Light of the World? Are we ready…are you and I ready…to have our eyes and hearts open By the One who can give us 20/20 vision? Or will we continue to grope around in the dark? The choice is ours to make.

Think about the Hope’s of this world. Would she see the eyes of kindness, love, and servitude if she walked through our doors? I ask that we prayerfully come together…as family…to heal what ails us. I passionately want us to be that church that Hope would hear about the goodness of God and feel the oneness of our church as we work through our faith journey together trusting in the One who knows us best.

I think Hope is ready to come in now…Maybe…just maybe…we will find hope in Hope, we will be joyful as we find our Joy in the world…and be changed forever by Grace…that is if we have Faith…

Amen.







=============
June 27, 2017


June 25, 2017
she offered grace
edited June 24, 2017
she too was in danger – v3
edited June 24, 2017
she too was in danger – v2
June 24, 2017
she too was in danger
June 24, 2017
the balm of Grace
June 24, 2017
I want to see - 2
June 25, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Part 10 - “Healing Vision”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 86:1-10
Mark 10:46-52
and sermon “The Eyes of God…”
video and text:

text:

extract of part 10 of the Hope’s story

video:
part 1 – 1st 30 minutes
part 2 – ending
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Juliana Hill Stites

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 25, 2017
&
edited June 23, 2017
holding onto her judgment – v2
edited June 23, 2017
I hope you can forgive me – v3
edited June 21, 2017
I hope you can forgive me – v2
June 21, 2017
I hope you can forgive me
June 21, 2017
holding onto her judgment
June 21, 2017
what do you want
June 21, 2017
questioning God – 2
June 21, 2017
will we let go
edited June 20, 2017
Grace forgave – v2
edited June 20, 2017
whose faith is greater – v2
edited June 20, 2017
Their Master on His Knees – v2
edited June 20, 2017
Hope is not like us – v2
June 19, 2017
Hope is not like us
June 19, 2017
Grace forgave
June 19, 2017
holding onto control
edited June 19, 2017
pushing Hope away- v2
June 18, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Fathers’ Day!
Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Part 9 - “Healing Power”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 100
Mark 10:35-45 MSG
Mark 9:30; 10:13-16; 20:16
and sermon “Who’s In Charge Here Anyway…!”
video and text:

text:
extract of part 9 of the Hope’s story
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 18, 2017
&
June 18, 2017
pushing Hope away
edited June 18, 2017
as Hope walked away – v2
edited June 18, 2017
don’t judge Hope by her cover – v2
edited June 17, 2017
brutally honest – v2
June 17, 2017
brutally honest
June 17, 2017
don’t judge Hope by her cover
June 17, 2017
as Hope walked away
June 15, 2017
do we trust God
edited June 15, 2017
we must accept them – v2
June 15, 2017
we must accept them
edited June 15, 2017
we shouldn’t be fighting – v2
June 15, 2017
we shouldn’t be fighting
June 15, 2017
can we let go
June 15, 2017
we do not trust God
June 14, 2017
holding onto the worldly
June 14, 2017
letting go, not holding on
June 14, 2017
rubble under our feet
June 14, 2017
are we willing to give
June 14, 2017
holding onto pain
June 14, 2017
holding onto judgments
June 14, 2017
holding onto grudges
June 14, 2017
not letting go
edited June 10, 2017
a worldly way of living
June 14, 2017
a worldly way of thinking
June 14, 2017
without healing
June 14, 2017
speaking our faith
June 14, 2017
speaking her faith
June 14, 2017
problems can grow
June 14, 2017
the foundation of our faith
June 14, 2017
peace from Faith
June 14, 2017
give something to God
June 14, 2017
believing in the unseen
June 14, 2017
give God the rock
June 14, 2017
crushed by the rock
June 14, 2017
staring at the facts
June 14, 2017
a measure of Faith
June 14, 2017
a word of Faith
June 14, 2017
what will Hope find here
June 12, 2017
the assurance of Faith
June 12, 2017
the fervent prayer of Faith
June 12, 2017
there are Hopes out there
June 11, 2017
the prayer of Faith
June 11, 2017
the prayers of Faith
June 11, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Trinity Sunday!
Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Part 8, “Healing Hold-Out’s”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 8
Mark 10:17-31 MSG
and sermon “Let It Go…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 8 of the Hope’s story
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Time of Congregational Prayer
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 11, 2017
&
June 11, 2017
facing her demons
edited June 11, 2017
an offer of healing – v2
edited June 11, 2017
opening her eyes – v2
June 11, 2017
how perfect her life was
June 11, 2017
I had the perfect life
edited June 10, 2017
Bursting Her Bubble – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Oh Honey… You need a reality check – v2
edited June 10, 2017
maybe too proud – v2
June 10, 2017
testing her faith
June 10, 2017
willing to go – 2
June 10, 2017
without knowing the way
June 10, 2017
open to trust
June 10, 2017
washing the feet of Judas
June 10, 2017
breaking the bread for Judas
June 10, 2017
offering the cup to Judas
June 10, 2017
God became the servant
June 10, 2017
Their Master on His Knees
edited June 10, 2017
how will Joy respond – v2
edited June 10, 2017
we need to listen – 3 – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Will Joy push away Hope – v2
edited June 10, 2017
we must listen – v2
edited June 10, 2017
shut up and listen – v2
edited June 10, 2017
I apologize – v2
edited June 10, 2017
we are brittle – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she was shattered – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she lived her life different – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she stood in the breach – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Hope was floored – v2
edited June 10, 2017
she stood up for a stranger – v2
edited June 10, 2017
overturning their tables – v2
edited June 10, 2017
a hush came to the room – v2
edited June 10, 2017
a hush came to the room – 2 – v2
edited June 10, 2017
maybe this one is different – v2
edited June 10, 2017
maybe we should go – v2
edited June 10, 2017
Hope began to weep – v2
edited June 9, 2017
a moment of choice – v2
edited June 8, 2017
even a moment of acceptance – v2
edited June 8, 2017
how fearless Joy was – v2
edited June 8, 2017
what we do with our fear – v2
edited June 8, 2017
stand for others – v2
edited June 8, 2017
fear is a sickness – v2
edited June 8, 2017
He died so we would not fear – v2
edited June 7, 2017
fear grips our throat – v2
edited June 7, 2017
are we denying Christ – v2
edited June 7, 2017
are we denying Christ
edited June 7, 2017
are we denying Jesus – v2
edited June 7, 2017
if we let fear control our lives – v2
edited June 7, 2017
the sickness of fear – v2
edited June 4, 2017
if Hope came through our door – v2
June 4, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Pentecost Sunday!
Part 7 of Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
“Healing Trust”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 104:24-35
Mark 10:13-16 MSG
Luke 24:44-53 MSG
Acts 2:1-13; 38-42 The Message (MSG)
invitation to communion and Great Thanksgiving
and sermon “Trust…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 7 of the girl’s story; to the river, to the hospital
video:
-          main part
-          ending of sermon
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
June 4, 2017
&
edited June 4, 2017
we were talking – v2
edited June 4, 2017
she will come through our doors – v2
June 4, 2017
Gifts come from God – v2
June 4, 2017
pulling together – v4
edited June 4, 2017
we don’t listen – v2
edited June 4, 2017
we don’t know their story – v2
edited June 4,2017
when Christ enters – v2
edited June 4, 2017
don’t judge them by your story – v2
edited June 4, 2017
working together – v2
edited June 3, 2017
each story is different – v2
edited June 3, 2017
Hope’s Story – v2
edited June 3, 2017
Joy’s Story – v2
edited June 3, 2017
a story of Grace – 2 – v2
edited June 3, 2017
perfecting our faith – v2
edited June 3, 2017
seeking an answer – v2
edited June 3, 2017
just be present with them – v2
edited June 3, 2017
never outside her bubble – v2
edited June 3, 2017
tearing at us – v2
edited June 3, 2017
forces from within – v2
edited June 2, 2017
pulling together – v3
edited June 2, 2017
pulling together – v2
June 2, 2017
pulling together
June 2, 2017
tearing at us
June 2, 2017
forces from within
edited June 2, 2017
forces from the outside – v3
edited June 2, 2017
her illusion was shattered – v2
June 1, 2017
her illusion was shattered
June 1, 2017
never outside her bubble
edited June 1, 2017
if Christ were to enter – v2
edited June 1, 2017
they each were broken – v3
June 1, 2017
just be present with them
edited June 1, 2017
each of our stories are different – v2
edited May 31, 2017
each of our stories are different
May 30, 2017
seeking an answer
May 30, 2017
perfecting our Faith
May 30, 2017
a story of Grace - 2
May 30, 2017
Joy’s Story
May 30, 2017
Hope’s Story
May 30, 2017
each story is different
May 30, 2017
working together
May 30, 2017
don’t judge them by your story
May 29, 2017
when Christ enters
edited May 29, 2017
forces from the outside – v2
May 29, 2017
forces from the outside
May 29, 2017
we don’t know their story
May 29, 2017
we don’t listen
May 29, 2017
Gifts come from God
May 29, 2017
she will come through our doors
May 29, 2017
we were talking
May 29, 2017
if Christ were to enter
May 29, 2017
if Hope came through our door
May 29, 2017
the sickness of fear
May 29, 2017
if we let fear control our lives
May 29, 2017
are we denying Jesus
edited May 29, 2017
This is our Promised Land – v3
Memorial Day
May 29, 2017
he died so we would not fear
May 29, 2017
fear grips our throat
edited May 29, 2017
this is our promised land – v2
Memorial Day
May 29, 2017
this is our promised land
Memorial Day
May 28, 2017
stand for others
May 28, 2017
what we do with our fear
May 28, 2017
how fearless Joy was
May 28, 2017
fear is a sickness
May 28, 2017
even a moment of acceptance
May 28, 2017
a moment of choice
May 28, 2017
maybe we should go
May 28, 2017
a hush came to the room - 2
May 28, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
Part 6 of Sermon Series:
 “Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
“Healing Division”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 66:8-20
Mark 9:38-50 MSG
1Corinthians 1:10-13a (TLB)
1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (NLT)
and sermon “Out Goes Y.O.U.…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 6 of the girl’s story; Joy talking to Grace, finding Hope
video:
-          main part
-          ending of sermon
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 28, 2017
&
May 26, 2017
overturning their tables
Matthew 21:12-13
May 26, 2017
she stood up for a stranger
May 26, 2017
Hope was floored
May 26, 2017
she stood in the breach
edited May 26, 2017
her reality challenged – v2
May 26, 2017
Hope began to weep
May 25, 2017
her reality challenged
May 25, 2017
she lived her life different
edited May 25, 2017
she was shocked – v2
May 25, 2017
she was shocked
May 24, 2017
she was shattered
May 24, 2017
we are brittle
May 24, 2017
I apologize
edited May 24, 2017
none of us is perfect – v2
edited May 24, 2017
deliver me from their hands – v2
edited May 24, 2017
Joy needed Hope – v2
May 24, 2017
shut up and listen
May 24, 2017
we must listen
May 24, 2017
will joy push away hope
May 24, 2017
we need to listen - 3
May 24, 2017
how will Joy respond
edited May 24, 2017
what will Joy do – v3
edited May 24, 2017
what will Joy do – v2
May 23, 2017
what will Joy do
edited May 22, 2017
are we too busy serving – v2
May 22, 2017
are we too busy serving
May 22, 2017
none of us is perfect
May 22, 2017
maybe too proud
edited May 22, 2017
whose faith is greater
May 22, 2017
whose faith was greater
May 21, 2017
opening her eyes
May 21, 2017
an offer of healing
May 21, 2017
are we too proud
May 21, 2017
Oh Honey… You need a reality check
May 21, 2017
Bursting Her Bubble
May 21, 2017
sharing the truth of her history
May 21, 2017
She asked but she didn’t listen
May 21, 2017
Did she listen
May 21, 2017
Did she hear her
May 21, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
5th service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Pride”
Psalm 66:8-20
Mark 9:30-37
Proverbs 16:18-19
Philippians 2:1-4
James 4:6-10
and Sermon, “Pride Cometh Before…”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 5 of the girl’s story; leaving the diner, walking
video:
-          main part
-          ending of sermon
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 21, 2017
&
edited May 21, 2017
Hope stood there waiting – v2
May 21, 2017
Hope stood there waiting
May 20, 2017
healed by Christ Jesus
May 20, 2017
stopping at nothing
May 20, 2017
advocating for change
edited May 20, 2017
But we all are broken – v2
May 19, 2017
talking through our pain
May 19, 2017
But we all are broken
May 17, 2017
afraid of what they might see
merged May 16, 2017
what exactly was that
quote from 5/7/17 sermon:
“She thought that if only someone would
actually look past her exterior they would
finally see her for who she was…
but what exactly was that?”
May 16, 2017
what would they see
May 16, 2017
would they see her
May 16, 2017
they looked away
May 16, 2017
will we let hope in
May 15, 2017
fear for fear’s sake
May 15, 2017
fear of the unknown - 2
May 15, 2017
if we change
May 15, 2017
if we dwell on our fears
May 15, 2017
a window on her world
May 15, 2017
the room suddenly became silent
May 14, 2017
this was familiar
May 14, 2017
they were ignored
May 14, 2017
a hush came to the room
May 14, 2017
the benefit of status
May 14, 2017
she was facing judgement
May 14, 2017
edited May 14, 2017
name your fears – v2
May 14, 2017
name your fears
May 14, 2017
deliver me from their hands
May 14, 2017
save me from the snares
May 14, 2017
be my fortress
May 14, 2017
Mother’s Day
Stetson Memorial UMC
4th service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Fears”
Psalm 31:1-5. 15-16
Mark 8:24-38
and Sermon, “There is nothing to fear but fear itself”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 4 of the girl’s story; when at the diner
video:
main section
ending
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 14, 2017
Mother’s Day
&
May 14, 2017
bringing a smile to God’s face
May 13, 2017
Can we see Hope
May 14, 2017
God sees Hope – v2
May 14, 2017
God sees Hope – v1
May 13, 2017
our intentions may be good
May 13, 2017
we bring baggage to the table
edited May 13, 2017
Hope, we need you
(editing “Please come back”)
edited May 13, 2017
they plotted to kill Christ
May 13, 2017
our Master loved them
May 13, 2017
Christ exposed their fraud
May 13, 2017
this interloper, this outsider
May 13, 2017
they plotted to kill him
May 13, 2017
Christ was a threat
May 13, 2017
tearing down their walls
May 13, 2017
breaking their rules
May 13, 2017
Christ loved them where they were
May 13, 2017
What is hurting -2
edited May 13, 2017
they each were broken – v2
edited May 13, 2017
they needed each other – v2
edited/ renamed May 12, 2017
they needed each other
May 12, 2017
they each were broken
May 12, 2017
being a target
May 12, 2017
afraid to speak up
edited/merged May 11, 2017
Hope needed Joy – v2
May 11, 2017
Hope needed Joy
May 11, 2017
Joy needed Hope
May 11, 2017
maybe this one is different
May 11, 2017
Hope felt rejected
May 11, 2017
Hope had left the circle
May 11, 2017
Hope wandered alone
May 11, 2017
Hope wandered through the streets
May 7, 2017
The Son of God washed their feet
May 7, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
3rd service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Inhibitions”
Psalm 23
Mark 7:24-37
and Sermon, “Live Life Abandon!. . . ”
video and text:
text:
extract of part 3 of the girl’s story; when Joy met Hope
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
invitation to communion and Great Thanksgiving
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
May 7, 2017
&
May 7, 2017
what is our intention
May 6, 2017
do we offer them Jesus
May 6, 2017
why would she come back
May 6, 2017
how can we bring them home
May 6, 2017
I weep for the empty spaces
edited May 6, 2017
you honor me with your words – v2
edited May 6, 2017
please forgive us – v2
May 6, 2017
please forgive us
May 6, 2017
are we genuine
edited May 5, 2017
the questions burning within her – v2
edited May 5, 2017
may we be made whole – v2
May 5, 2017
may we be made whole
&
edited May 5, 2017
may we feast – v2
May 5, 2017
at the table you have prepared – v2
May 5, 2017
at the table you have prepared
May 5, 2017
may we sit with our enemies
May 5, 2017
may we feast
Psalm 23:5-6
Psalm 23:1-6
Matthew 5:43-48
Luke 10:25-37
The Upper Room Disciplines for 2017
“Led by the Divine Shepherd”
May 1, 2017 to May 7, 2017
by Diane Luton Blum
devotion for May 5, 2017
read May 5, 2017
&
May 5, 2017
Please come back – v2
May 5, 2017
Please come back
May 4, 2017
the questions burning within her
May 4, 2017
where is our work
edited May 4, 2017
like a jar of alabaster – v2
edited May 4, 2017
she broke herself open – v2
edited May 3, 2017
a safe place to be broken – 2
May 3, 2017
a safe place to be open
edited May 3, 2017
will Hope find answers
May 3, 2017
will she find answers
May 3, 2017
when Hope asked her questions
edited May 3, 2017
held within her hands
edited May 3, 2017
like a jar of alabaster
May 3, 2017
she broke herself open
May 3, 2017
she left with her questions unanswered
May 3, 2017
a real faith
May 3, 2017
we are all broken - 3
May 2, 2017
Her name is Hope
edited May 2, 2017
let go – v3
edited May 2, 2017
let go – v2
May 2, 2017
let go
edited May 2, 2017
sap the power – v2
edited May 2, 2017
sap the power
May 2, 2017
name the hurt
April 30, 2017
you obey human teaching
edited April 30, 2017
you remain distant
April 30, 2017
you honor me with your words
edited April 30, 2017
will we make a place for Hope
April 30, 2017
will we make a space for her
April 30, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
2nd service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
“Healing Intentions”
Psalm 116:1-4; 12-19
Mark 7:1-8; 14-15; 21-23 (MSG)
and Sermon, “Why Did I Say…”
text:
extract of part 2 of the girl’s story; the girl’s name is Hope.
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
April 30, 2017
&
April 30, 2017
where will her story lead us
April 27, 2017
have we given her a reason to come
April 27, 2017
I have heard this story
April 27, 2017
will she come through our doors
April 27, 2017
may we prayerfully come together – v2
April 27, 2017
may we prayerfully come together
April 27, 2017
in her eyes
April 26, 2017
she could be anyone
April 26, 2017
do you know her story
April 26, 2017
have you walked this journey
April 25, 2017
may we offer her welcome
edited April 24, 2017
she was afraid to talk – v2
April 24, 2017
she was afraid to talk
edited April 24, 2017
she has reason to be wary
(editing “she has scar tissue”)
April 24, 2017
what is in need of mending
April 24, 2017
what drives them away
April 24, 2017
what is hurting
April 24, 2017
what ails us
April 23, 2017
they don’t really know her
April 23, 2017
she has scar tissue
April 23, 2017
she carried baggage
edited April 23, 2017
she is still looking – v2
edited April 23, 2017
how can we be that family
edited April 23, 2017
are we that people
April 23, 2017
can we be that place
April 23, 2017
she is still looking
edited April 23, 2017
they were invested
April 23, 2017
they were persistent
edited April 23, 2017
are we open – v2
April 23, 2017
are we open
April 23, 2017
A Season of Healing
April 23, 2017
put them in front of Jesus
April 23, 2017
we must be honest
April 23, 2017
bring them to Christ
April 23, 2017
healing their brethren
Happy Birthday to the United Methodist Church, #UMC
49 years old today!
The United Methodist Church was created on April 23, 1968,
when The Evangelical United Brethren Church and
The Methodist Church united to form a new denomination.
&
April 23, 2017
Stetson Memorial UMC
1st service of12-week Sermon Series:
“Mending Fences-Healing the Heart…”
Adapted from Marcia McPhee’
“On the Mend” Sermon Series
Psalm 16 HCSB
James 5:16-17 MSG
Matthew 17:1-5 GNT
Psalm 107:19-21 NLT
Mark 7:34-35
Luke 5:17-20
“Introduction”
Time of Congregational Prayer
and Sermon, “A Season of Healing…”
text:
extract of the girl’s story
video:
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
April 23, 2017

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, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 44,370 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, hope, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, healing, church, joy, intentions, inhibitions, fears, pride, division, trust, power, vision,

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