Sunday, August 26, 2018

sermon, We Are Family, by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, ME, August 19, 2018





August 19, 2018
Stetson Memorial MC
Sermon Series
“A Sprout In The Desert”
Inspired be Marcia McPhee
Tending the New Creation
Mark 3:20-21, 31-35
Psalm 111 NIV


We Are Family…

Prayer for God to speak through me...
Please Stand for the reading of the Gospel according to Mark…chapter 3…verses 20-21 and 31-35. List to the Word of God for you and I…for all of His family Members… Read Mark 3 from The Voice:
Mark 3:20-21 The Voice (VOICE)
20 Jesus and His disciples went into a house to eat, but so many people pressed in to see Jesus that they could not be served. 21 When Jesus’ family heard about this craziness, they went to drag Him out of that place.
Jesus’ Family (to one another): Jesus has lost His mind.
Mark 3:31-35 The Voice (VOICE)
31 When Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived, they couldn’t break through the crowd, so they sent word in to Jesus that He should come out to them. 32 The crowd was pressed in tight around Him when He received the message, “Your mother and brothers [and sisters][a] are waiting outside for You.”
33 Jesus looked around.
Jesus (answering them): Who are My mother and brothers?
He called into the silence. No one spoke.
34 At last His gaze swept across those gathered close, and Jesus smiled.
Jesus: You, here, are My mother and My brothers! 35 Whoever does the will of God is My true family.

Good Moring…

We have embarked on our journey into the desert places.
©     We have asked for the “Healing Rain” to fall upon not only the land in which we are going but also in our own lives so that we may be filled to overflowing and be poured out onto a desolate, arid land.
©     We are “Armed and Dangerous” with the Armor of God…ready to face the perils of this land in which we are planting…looking for…sprouts of hope…of joy…of peace…and of love.
©     We have realized…in order to be who we are called to be…we have to be willing to “Share and Share Alike”  knowing that Jesus is clear that we are called to do as His light bearers in the world. He was sent to free the captives of oppression…captives of this world…captives of sin…we too are sent as He was…
©     We also know that in order for our light to shine in this world we have to be sure to nurture that light by spending time with t’s source. Otherwise it can become dim and giving no brightness to the world around us… we need to “Reignite the Light’ within us.
©     WE also know that we need to have a place where we can find peace and hope…a place where we can lead others s they too can encounter the Jesus of the Word…We find peace and we find hope in “Community.”

In community we become family…God’s family…and all who call upon Jesus’ Name are saved and become part of the family. But as our Scripture was for last week about the “Good Samaritan” we too…like the legal expert, at time try to find our loop-hole and ask…Who is our neighbor…? Who r what makes up our “family” …? Who is our mother…who are our brothers?

In the scripture I read from Mark this morning we hear about family and Jesus turned it right side up so to speak…He talks of Kinship… Now the definition of “Kinship” is:
(From dictionary.com)
noun
1.  the state or fact of being of kin; family relationship.
2.  relationship by nature, qualities, etc.; affinity.

The Cambridge dictionary states even further:
1.   the relationship between members of the same family:
2.   a feeling of being close or similar to other people or things:
What Jesus did here was radical. He didn’t acknowledge His earthly family and talked about His heavenly family that includes you and I. Here, He redefines what Ohana means… and His new definition included everyone who does the will of His Father…our Heavenly Father… He went from the temporal…temporary…to the Heavenly…eternal. Who is our mother…who are our brothers?

This is a radical way of thinking and He showed them…He shows us…the heart of the Father…in a few short words… Nothing complicated but the ramifications of this statement are astronomical. God has made a way for the broken, bruised, sinner and runaway to become more than their circumstance. To become part of something bigger than themselves…bigger than ourselves.

But, unfortunately or fortunately, however you choose to look at it, we are works in progress and in being… such, we have room for improvement and growth in our opinion of who is Ohana. We need to learn to expand our vision. We may even a whole renovation project. We have issues with those who don’t really seem to look like or act like our family…our heavenly family. We think we can pick and choose who is worthy of family membership. Like all families…we are going to have our Uncle Festers and our Cousin Its but that is what makes us a beautifully, diverse, pack of crack pots for God. Jesus continues to ask us even today “Who is our mother…who are our brothers?” What will be your answer?


Church, we, as Christ followers, none of us really is worthy on our own to be part of God’s family. With that being said, it is Jesus, our example, the Son of God, who identifies and defines our family. We are called to be the image of Jesus in the world and that also includes showing His love and compassion. We are called to include all who call upon His Name as part of the family system. People…family…Ohana means family…and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten…even those who don’t wear the right cloths…say the right things…smell the right way…look the same way…or even live the same life… Nobody…NOBODY…is too far…too wrong…too different to be in this rag tag group we call Ohana.
(Talk about the tags… You were all given tags this morning, 2 as a matter of fact… one is for your name…the other is for a name of someone who you would like to see be part of this crazy…dysfunctional family we call Christ’s body…What I want us to do is to put those tags on our tree here… Then I am going to ask you to do something radical…I challenge you to invite that person to come and see that they are already Ohana…if they would only just open themselves to the possibility)

Amen




==================

edited August 24, 2018
invite the other – v4
edited August 24, 2018
invite the other – v3
edited August 24, 2018
invite the other – v2
August 24, 2018
invite the other
August 23, 2018
part of the family – 2
August 23, 2018
we are not alone - 5
August 23, 2018
a journey into the desert
August 23, 2018
We are Family - 2
edited August 21, 2018
everyone is included – v2
August 20, 2018
everyone is included
August 20, 2018
we are all family
August 19, 2018
Sermon Series - “A Sprout in the Desert”
Week 6
Psalm 111
Mark 3:20-21, 31-35
and sermon: “We Are Family”
video
text

by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 19, 2018
&
August 19, 2018
make love real
August 19, 2018
when we help our neighbor
August 19, 2018
pulling together - 3
August 19, 2018
a light turned on
August 19, 2018
reaching touching
edited August 18, 2018
a spark of eternity – v2
August 17, 2018
a spark of eternity
edited August 17, 2018
with each thread added
edited August 16, 2018
with each cord added
edited August 16, 2018
we are made stronger – v2
edited August 16, 2018
bind their wounds – v2
August 16, 2018
we are made stronger
edited August 15, 2018
within the created
August 15, 2018
a piece of the Creator
August 15, 2018
a piece of the Divine
August 15, 2018
give hope to one another
edited August 14, 2018
they lacked compassion – v2
August 14, 2018
they lacked compassion
August 14, 2018
they showed no mercy
August 14, 2018
bind their wounds
August 13, 2018
look straight in the mirror
August 13, 2018
compassion for others
August 13, 2018
we are weak on our own
August 13, 2018
strength for the journey - 2
edited August 13, 2018
hear these words of hope
August 13, 2018
words of hope - 4
August 13, 2018
hope is a process
edited August 13, 2018
we must stand together
(replacing band with stand)
August 13, 2018
we must band together
August 13, 2018
our hope in community
edited August 12, 2018
demons raging – v2
August 12, 2018
demons raging
August 12, 2018
Sermon Series - “A Sprout in the Desert”
Week 5
Patten Pioneer Days
Worship in the Park
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 100
Luke 10:25-37
Parable of the Good Samaritan
Habakkuk 3:17-19
1 John 3:16-18
and sermon: “Community”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Worship in the Park
Patten Academy Park
Patten, ME
August 12, 2018
&
August 12, 2018
we begin to tire
August 12, 2018
fired and broken
August 12, 2018
refreshed and renewed
August 12, 2018
the discipline of Sabbath
August 12, 2018
let His light ignite
August 12, 2018
we need a time of rest
August 12, 2018
Jesus went away
August 12, 2018
what are we to do
August 12, 2018
dulled by the world
August 12, 2018
too tired to shine
merged August 12, 2018
coming from God – v2
August 12, 2018
captives of sin
August 12, 2018
not from us
August 12, 2018
coming from God
edited August 12, 2018
Let light shine from the darkness – v2
August 12, 2018
Let light shine from the darkness
August 11, 2018
may we offer light
edited August 9, 2018
opaque glass, shining lead – v2
edited August 8, 2018
opaque glass shining lead
August 8, 2018
like a reverse stained glass window
edited August 8, 2018
mortal bodies of flesh – v2
August 8, 2018
mortal bodies of flesh
August 8, 2018
made of earth and clay
August 8, 2018
cracked and chipped
August 8, 2018
cracked pots - 2
August 8, 2018
may we shine light
August 8, 2018
The God who spoke light
August 7, 2018
beautiful treasure
August 7, 2018
Your light bursting
August 7, 2018
Your light aglow
August 7, 2018
vessels of light
August 7, 2018
holding light
August 7, 2018
spoken light
August 7, 2018
cracked pots
August 6, 2018
a light from God
August 6, 2018
holding light in our cracked pots
August 6, 2018
we are sent to save
August 6, 2018
we are sent to free the captives
August 6, 2018
in those desert places
August 6, 2018
in those desert places
August 6, 2018
to everyone
August 5, 2018
giving what we have to God
August 5, 2018
putting fuel in the tank
August 5, 2018
Sermon Series - “A Sprout in the Desert”
Week 4
Streams will flow in the desert
A sprout will rise
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 51:1-12
1 Corinthians 4:6-11
and sermon: “Reigniting the Heart-Light…”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
August 5, 2018
&
August 5, 2018
we fail our Savior
edited August 5, 2018
help us to give you our best – v2
August 5, 2018
help us to give you our best
8AM Live
8/5/18
by Pastor Ruth Foss
&
August 5, 2018
we must not be timid
edited August 4, 2018
we are sent to share Jesus – v2
edited August 4, 2018
walking our prayers – v2
August 4, 2018
walking our prayers
August 4, 2018
going outside our doors
edited August 4, 2018
saving more souls for Jesus
August 4, 2018
bringing others to Jesus
August 4, 2018
what is God calling us to do
edited August 4, 2018
a garden planted – v2
August 4, 2018
behind locked doors - 2
(formerly behind closed doors)
August 4, 2018
share the New Creation
August 4, 2018
a desolate and arid land
&
edited August 4, 2018
Receive the Holy Spirit – v3
edited August 4, 2018
Receive the Holy Spirit – v2
November 5, 2009 and November 6, 2009
Receive the Holy Spirit
Annual Church Conference
moderated by Reverend John Blackadar
& John 20:19-22
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 5, 2009
&
August 4, 2018
as the Father sent me - 2
edited August 4, 2018
so I am sending you – v2
August 4, 2018
so I am sending you
August 4, 2018
the bearers of Good News
&
edited August 4, 2018
God crying
edited August 4, 2018
Satan laughing
edited August 4, 2018
our Enemy laughing
August 4, 2018
the Enemy laughing
August 4, 2018
attacks coming
&
August 4, 2018
sprouts of redemption
August 4, 2018
sprouts of acceptance
August 4, 2018
a garden planted
&
edited August 4, 2018
Is it God or Money – v2
edited August 4, 2018
Is it God or Man – v2
edited August 4, 2018
Is it God or Money
August 4, 2018
is it God or Man
Matthew 6:24
Matthew 6:19-21, 24
&
edited August 4, 2018
we are to share – v3
edited August 4, 2018
we  are to share – v2
(version posted without labels to Twitter)
August 4, 2018
we are to share
edited August 4, 2018
Breathe on me Jesus – v2
edited August 3, 2018
breathe on me Jesus
edited August 3, 2018
breathe on us Jesus – v2
August 3, 2018
breathe on us Jesus
August 3, 2018
if the Spirit was within us
edited August 3, 2018
if we had that peace – v2
edited August 3, 2018
the oppression of fear – v2
edited August 3, 2018
share the Healing Rain – v2
August 3, 2018
share the Healing Rain
edited August 3, 2018
the smoke screens, the lies
August 3, 2018
the truth gets distorted
August 3, 2018
when we show up
August 3, 2018
a world in need of good news
August 3, 2018
go out into the world
edited August 2, 2018
crying in the wilderness – v3
August 2, 2018
the oppression of fear
edited August 2, 2018
because of fear – v2
August 2, 2018
because of fear
August 2, 2018
if we had that peace
August 2, 2018
behind closed doors
August 2, 2018
we don’t want to approach them
August 2, 2018
we miss those needing a word of acceptance
August 2, 2018
It’s a waste of time
August 2, 2018
we make excuses
August 2, 2018
we fear the unknown - 2
edited August 1, 2018
missing those around us – v2
edited August 1, 2018
our mission field closer – v2
August 1, 2018
we must shout our witness – v2
edited August 1, 2018
crying in the wilderness – v2
August 1, 2018
crying in the wilderness
August 1, 2018
our mission field closer
edited August 1, 2018
Have you accepted Jesus Christ – v2
August 1, 2018
Have you accepted Jesus Christ
edited August 1, 2018
who are we missing – v2
August 1, 2018
who are we missing
edited August 1, 2018
seeking a word of acceptance – v2
August 1, 2018
seeking a word of acceptance
August 1, 2018
missing those around us
July 31, 2018
we must shout our witness
July 31, 2018
we are sent to share Jesus
edited July 30, 2018
we are given the Holy Spirit – v2
edited July 30, 2018
we are to free the captives – v2
July 30, 2018
we are to free the captives
July 30, 2018
we are given the Holy Spirit
July 30, 2018
God’s light bearers
July 30, 2018
sprouts of hope
July 30, 2018
may we be ready
July 30, 2018
may the rain fall upon us
edited July 30, 2018
we have asked for rain – v2
July 30, 2018
we have asked for rain
July 29, 2018
we too are sent as He was
edited July 29, 2018
defeating the lies – v3
edited July 29, 2018
the battle raging – v3
edited July 29, 2018
pray in the Spirit – 2 – v2
July 29, 2018
Sermon Series - “A Sprout in the Desert”
Week 3
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 145:10-18
John 20:19-23
and sermon: “Share and Share Alike…”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
VBS Sunday - Children’s Message
Part 1 – video
Part 2 – stills – You Are My King
Part 3 – stills – I Will Worship
Part 4 – stills – The Everlasting God
Part 5 - video
by Pastor Ruth Foss
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 29, 2018
&
July 29, 2018
May we see a sprout
July 29, 2018
Testimonies of Power
July 29, 2018
the enemy will fail
July 29, 2018
we will see new life
July 29, 2018
May a sprout grow in the desert
July 29, 2018
May we sow, may we plant seeds
July 29, 2018
May we be victorious
July 29, 2018
we are now ready
July 29, 2018
Armed and Dangerous
July 29, 2018
we need them all
July 29, 2018
the full armor of God
July 29, 2018
without prayer
July 28, 2018
We cannot neglect prayer
July 28, 2018
pray in the Spirit - 2
edited July 28, 2018
the battle raging – v2
July 28, 2018
the battle raging
edited July 28, 2018
for the attack – v2
July 28, 2018
for the attack
July 28, 2018
It Is Written
July 28, 2018
Use God’s Sword
July 28, 2018
The Word of God - 2
July 28, 2018
The Sword of the Spirit - 2
July 28, 2018
we won’t believe the lies
edited July 28, 2018
unmasked, authentic – v2
July 28, 2018
take off your mask, put on the armor
edited July 28, 2018
not wearing a mask – v3
edited July 28, 2018
not wearing a mask – v2
July 28, 2018
not wearing a mask
edited July 28, 2018
flawed, weak, broken – v2
July 28, 2018
flawed, weak, broken
July 28, 2018
unmasked, authentic
Pastor Ruth Foss
8AM Live
July 28, 2018
&
July 28, 2018
wearing the gospel
July 27, 2018
a helmet of salvation
July 27, 2018
a shield of faith
July 27, 2018
there will be traps
July 27, 2018
guarding our hearts
edited July 26, 2018
defeating the lies – v2
July 26, 2018
righteousness received by faith
July 26, 2018
the righteousness of Christ
July 26, 2018
the breastplate of righteousness
July 26, 2018
the belt of truth
July 26, 2018
walk in truth
July 26, 2018
defeating the lies
July 26, 2018
put on truth
July 25, 2018
Lacking so much
July 25, 2018
sapping our own hope
July 25, 2018
sapping our strength
July 25, 2018
This place lacks Peace
July 25, 2018
Because it is so dry
July 25, 2018
This place lacks Love
July 25, 2018
This place lacks Joy
July 25, 2018
This place lacks Hope
edited July 25, 2018
we battle with the forces of darkness – v2
July 24, 2018
we are in a battle with evil
edited July 24, 2018
we battle with evil – v2
edited July 24, 2018
we bring the rain – v2
edited July 24, 2018
we battle darkness – v2
edited July 23, 2018
we bring the good news – v2
edited July 23, 2018
a war with their demons – v2
July 23, 2018
a war with their demons
edited July 23, 2018
our battle is not with mortals – v2
edited July 23, 2018
we bring the good news
July 23, 2018
we bring the rain
July 23, 2018
they don’t live
July 23, 2018
a place of desolation - 2
July 23, 2018
a war-torn desert
edited July 23, 2018
fill us with water – v2
July 23, 2018
fill us with the water
July 22, 2018
we walk into the desert
July 22, 2018
our battle is not with mortals
July 22, 2018
we battle with the forces of darkness
July 22, 2018
we battle darkness
July 22, 2018
we battle with evil
July 22, 2018
held in the grip of Satan
July 22, 2018
a wasteland, a desert
edited July 22, 2018
Stalked by Mercy – v2
July 22, 2018
Stalked by Mercy
July 22, 2018
Sermon Series - “A Sprout in the Desert”
Week 2
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Hymn – Here I Am Lord
Psalm 23
Ephesians 6:10-20
and sermon: “Armed and Dangerous…”
video
text
(in the bulletin the scripture was Hebrews 4:1011
and the sermon title had been “Light Shine Bright”
Pastor Ruth was called to change it all late Saturday afternoon)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Pastor Ruth Foss
(a rainbow whoopee pie in the mystery box)
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 22, 2018
&
edited July 20, 2018
Come and Drink – v2
(adding all)
edited July 20, 2018
a waste land, a desert – v2
edited July 20, 2018
a sprout in the desert – v2
edited July 19, 2018
a new creation in the world – v2
July 19, 2018
a new creation in the world
July 19, 2018
a sprout in the desert
July 19, 2018
a waste land, a desert
July 19, 2018
Come and Drink
July 15, 2018
Tears of Heaven
July 15, 2018
last of current sermon series and intro to next series –
“A Sprout in the Desert”
Week 1
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 85:8-13
John 7:37-39
Isaiah 41:17-18
Isaiah 43:19-21
Psalm 107:35
Psalm 97:1-6
Isaiah 55:10-11
Leviticus 26:3-5
and sermon: “Healing Rain In the Desert…”
video
text
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
Children’s Message
by Julie Hill Stites
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Patten, ME
July 15, 2018

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, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 47,540 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Christ, Faith, Family, Father, Son, Advocate, healer, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, sacrifice, Spirit, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope, healing, desert, water, sprout,

#sent #Worship #StetsonMemorialUnitedMethodistChursh #Methodist #Church #God #Spirit #Christ #faith #love #grace #Patten #Maine #UMC #commissioned #called #disciples #servants #hope #share #witness #testify #desert #water #sprout

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Christ, Faith, Family, healer, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Spirit, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope, healing, desert, water, sprout, Psalm 23, armor, armor of God, Ephesians 6,

#God #Spirit #Christ #faith #love #grace #Patten #UMC #called #servants #hope #witness #testify #desert #water #sprout #armor #armorofGod #Ephesians6 #Psalm23 #shield #sword #breastplate #helmet #belt #sandals #prayer #pray

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Christ, Faith, Family, pray, Spirit, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope, desert, water, sprout, John 20, Psalm 145, share, commission, armor,

#God #Spirit #Christ #pray #faith #love #grace #Patten #Maine #UMC #commissioned #called #disciples #servants #hope #share #witness #testify #desert #water #sprout #John20 #Psalm145 #armor #armorofGod #church #sent #purpose #mission

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Christ, Faith, pray, Spirit, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope, desert, water, sprout, Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 4, commission, armor, heart, light,

#God #Spirit #Christ #pray #faith #love #grace #Patten #Maine #UMC #commissioned #called #disciples #servants #hope #share #witness #testify #desert #water #sprout #Psalm51 #2Corinthians4 #armor #armorofGod #sent #purpose #mission #heart #light

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Christ, Faith, pray, Spirit, God, grace, love, Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, prayer, hope, desert, water, sprout, Mark 3, commission, armor, heart, family, community, sermon,

#God #Spirit #Christ #pray #faith #love #grace #Patten #Maine #UMC #called #disciples #servants #hope #share #witness #testify #desert #water #sprout #Psalm111 #Mark3 #community #armor #sent #purpose #mission #heart #light #ohana #family #sermon

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