Sunday, November 04, 2018

sermon, An Invitation to Peace, by Pastor Ruth Foss, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, Maine, October 28, 2018






October 28, 2018
Stetson Memorial MC
Sermon Series
“A Table Invitation”
Inspired be Marcia McPhee
Come To the Table
Psalm 34:1-8
Matthew 18:21-22 The Voice
Romans 12:16-21 The Voice
John 14:27 AMP

“An Invitation of Peace”…
The Lord Be With you…
And also with you…
Let us pray…Prayer for the Spirits leading, and that God is through me or in-spite of me…

Please stand as you are able for the Gospel reading according to Mathew. I will be reading from the 18th Chapter, verses 21-22. Listen for and find peace in the word of God for you and I His children… Read from the Voice Bible the scripture…

(Come to the table of peace; Come to the table of peace; This is God’s table it’s not yours or mine; Come to the table of peace…)

Good Morning. What comes to mind when you hear the word “peace”? Give time to answer. Is peace a verb is it an action? Give time to answer. Why is peace important…is it important in your life? Give time to answer. What do you think would happen if we lived at peace with one another? Give time to answer. Can we truly be at peace?

A few weeks ago, we embarked on a journey together to try and understand what is apparent as well as what lies beneath the “Table of Grace.” We are searching for the gift that lies beneath the cloth of the table we are invited to celebrate. As I have said before, we all come from different places. It is my hope that as we gather around the Table we will have a better understanding of what lies beneath the cloth of the banquet Table. Perhaps as we begin to see what is woven into the cloth, our eyes and hearts will be open to the gift that we receive each time we come to the table of grace…

We have talked about the fact that as we celebrate communion…as we come to the table…it is a dress rehearsal for the banquet to come when we feast at the Heavenly Banquet one day. The table we celebrate here is a not even close to the table we will sit at in heaven, but it is a reminder that the “best is yet to come” …much like a wedding rehearsal dinner.  We talked a little bit about who is invited, and we agree that all who call on the Name of Jesus. We have even confessed that it also includes our enemies and those who we deem to be unworthy…

Now there are 4 things that are beneath that beautiful table we celebrate as we rehearse for that Heavenly Banquet in our eternal home…
©     Love
©     Peace
©     Grace
And
©     Joy…
As we talked about the love offered there we admitted that Jesus’ acceptance was unconditional not conditional as the religious elite lived. Jesus looked at the intention of the heart instead of some outward sign or symbol.  We also came to realize that if we are going to follow Christ we need to go and do likewise.
(Come to the table of peace; Come to the table of peace; This is God’s table it’s not yours or mine; Come to the table of peace…)

We are not only offered love at the table, but we are offered peace. And it is the peace that no one can buy, steal or take from us. It is a gift from God as we trust in Him. So, we are offered peace but there is also another piece of peace interwoven there. It is the peace we offer others as we sand side by side…broken together…but with out broken pieces fitted together as part of the body of Christ. As we have been blessed with he peace of God…we too need to offer peace to those who are with us on this journey.

The scripture I read this morning from Matthew is all about peace:
©      Peter: 21 Lord, when someone has sinned against me, how many times ought I forgive him? Once? Twice? As many as seven times? Jesus: 22 You must forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven.
Romans 12:16-21 tells us how to live the life of peace with others...:
©      16 Work toward unity, and live in harmony with one another. Avoid thinking you are better than others or wiser than the rest; instead, embrace common people and ordinary tasks. 17 Do not retaliate with evil, regardless of the evil brought against you. Try to do what is good and right and honorable as agreed upon by all people. 18 If it is within your power, make peace with all people. 19 Again, my loved ones, do not seek revenge; instead, allow God’s wrath to make sure justice is served. Turn it over to Him. For the Scriptures say, “Revenge is Mine. I will settle all scores.” 20 But consider this bit of wisdom: “If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink; because if you treat him kindly, it will be like heaping hot coals on top of his head.” 21 Never let evil get the best of you; instead, overpower evil with the good.

Beloved… We need to welcome each other at the table even when we disagree. Coming to tables of peacemaking is hard work. We must be willing to suspend our need for making ourselves the judge of others. Forgiveness is on the menu at God’s table and we are called to sit down and find merciful ways to deal with one another despite our differences…this is about the peace of God. We were once enemies of God and we are made at peace with Him…no longer enemies but beloved sons and daughters…in and through Jesus Christ…who comes to us in our humanness and says “Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge] …”, including the courage to extend peace to others…

AMEN








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edited November 3, 2018
It really is simple – v4
(editing version 2)
edited November 2, 2018
wear love – v2
November 2, 2018
wear love
Colossians 3:12-17
edited November 1, 2018
our broken pieces – v2
edited October 31, 2018
feed your enemy – v2
edited October 31, 2018
feed your enemy
October 31, 2018
feed your enemies
October 31, 2018
let go of their throats
October 31, 2018
our enemies are invited
October 31, 2018
our broken pieces
October 31, 2018
as we have been blessed
edited October 31, 2018
sharing their pain with us – v4
edited October 31, 2018
why do we judge them – v4
October 31, 2018
a table of peace
edited October 31, 2018
It really is simple – v3
edited October 31, 2018
broken together – v2
October 31, 2018
broken together
October 30, 2018
If we are to love
October 30, 2018
we must love - 2
edited October 30, 2018
we must forgive – 3- v3
(edited to post on Twitter)
edited October 30, 2018
we must forgive – 3 – v2
edited October 30, 2018
multiply love – v2
edited October 30, 2018
multiply love
edited October 30, 2018
multiplying love – v2
October 30, 2018
multiplying love
edited October 29, 2018
Infinite Grace – v2
October 29, 2018
Infinite Grace
October 29, 2018
we must forgive - 3
edited October 29, 2018
breathe in peace – v2
October 29, 2018
breathe in peace
October 29, 2018
listen to Christ’s words
October 29, 2018
peace to give peace
October 29, 2018
forgiveness must fill our hearts
October 29, 2018
peace through Christ
October 29, 2018
offer God’s love - 2
October 29, 2018
what God offered
October 29, 2018
people fail
edited October 28, 2018
None of us are perfect
edited October 28, 2018
It really is simple – v2
October 28, 2018
It really is simple
October 28, 2018
we must forgive - 2
October 27, 2018
an invitation to peace - 2
October 28, 2018
Fourth service in series
“The Table Invitation”
Week 4
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 34:1-8
Matthew 18:21-22 (The Voice)
Romans 12:16-21 (The Voice)
John 14:27 (Amplified Bible)
and sermon: “An Invitation to Peace…”
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
October 28, 2018
&
edited October 20, 2018
Christ did not come for the righteous – v2
edited October 20, 2018
Charitable, forgiving, unworldly – v2
October 20, 2018
a love abundant
edited October 20, 2018
tolerant – v2
October 20, 2018
tolerant
October 19, 2018
Charitable, forgiving, unworldly
edited October 18, 2018
the stones fell – v4
edited October 18, 2018
the stones fell – v3
edited October 18, 2018
we think we are better – v2
edited October 18, 2018
taste love
edited October 18, 2018
their stones fell
edited October 17, 2018
the stones fell – v2
October 17, 2018
an invitation to love
edited October 17, 2018
love is caring – v2
October 17, 2018
we think we are better
October 17, 2018
we remember His love
October 17, 2018
the stones fell
October 17, 2018
tasting love
October 17, 2018
woven in the fabric
October 17, 2018
love is caring
October 17, 2018
singing come
edited October 16, 2018
Christ came to rescue, to heal
October 16, 2018
Christ came to rescue
edited October 16, 2018
Christ did not come for the righteous
edited October 16, 2018
Christ came for the prostitutes, for the beggars
edited October 15, 2018
Christ came for the sluts, the bastards
October 15, 2018
Christ came for the addicts
edited October 15, 2018
Christ came for the damned – v2
shortened to fit on Twitter
October 15, 2018
Christ came for the damned
edited October 15, 2018
woe to the gatekeepers – v2
shortened to fit on Twitter
October 15, 2018
woe to the gatekeepers
10/15/18
8AM Live
by Pastor Ruth Foss
&
edited October 15, 2018
Christ stayed on the cross – v3
edited October 15, 2018
Christ stayed on our cross
edited October 15, 2018
Christ stayed on the cross – v2
October 15, 2018
Christ stayed on the cross
October 15, 2018
Christ let the nails hold him
October 15, 2018
without expectations
October 15, 2018
love all the time
October 14, 2018
Third service in series
“The Table Invitation”
Week 3
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 90:12-17
Romans 13:8-10
and sermon: “An Invitation to Love…”
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
October 14, 2018
&
October 13, 2018
God loves us - 4
edited October 13, 2018
a meal, a mystery – v3
edited October 13, 2018
we are fed of His meal – v2
edited October 12, 2018
remembering that which we did not experience – v2
October 12, 2018
remembering that which we did not experience
edited October 12, 2018
an invitation to come – v3
edited October 12, 2018
an invitation to come – v2
October 11, 2018
an invitation to come
edited October 11, 2018
each time we come – v2
edited/merged October 11, 2018
an invitation, a prayer – v2
edited October 11, 2018
a meal, a mystery – v2
October 11, 2018
an invitation, a prayer
October 11, 2018
a meal, a mystery
October 11, 2018
Communion, the Lord’s Supper
October 11, 2018
each time we come
October 10, 2018
everyone you hate
October 10, 2018
every one you judge
October 10, 2018
every one you hate
edited October 10, 2018
they too are family – v2
October 9, 2018
they too are family
October 9, 2018
the failed disciples
October 9, 2018
Christ ate with his enemies
edited/ merged October 9, 2018
Christ ate with Judas – v2
October 9, 2018
those who hid, who ran away
October 9, 2018
Christ celebrated with Peter
October 9, 2018
Christ ate with Judas
edited October 8, 2018
waiting to come forward – v2
edited October 8, 2018
drenched in Christ’s blood
October 8, 2018
when I eat of the bread
October 8, 2018
waiting to come forward
October 8, 2018
we are drenched in His blood
October 8, 2018
we taste sacrifice
edited October 8, 2018
we taste grace – v2
October 8, 2018
we taste grace
October 8, 2018
we taste love
October 8, 2018
we are fed of His meal
October 8, 2018
bread and juice
October 8, 2018
Jesus makes us worthy
October 8, 2018
the table is set - 2
October 8, 2018
You’re invited
edited October 8, 2018
to commune with my enemy – v2
October 8, 2018
the unworthy worthy
October 8, 2018
no one would come
October 7, 2018
to commune with my enemy
edited/new name October 7, 2018
we come to Christ’s table broken
October 7, 2018
we come broken
October 7, 2018
we come broken
October 7, 2018
the same table
October 6, 2018
Christ calls to us
October 7, 2018
World Communion Sunday
Second service in series
“The Table Invitation”
bulletin cover photo
“The table is set and you’re invited”
Week 2
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 8
Romans 12:9-21
and sermon: “The Unworthy Worthy…”
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
October 7, 2018
&
October 8, 2018
an image of the Kingdom
October 8, 2018
renew us, Lord
10/7/18
“Renew!”
The Reverend Doctor Douglas Ruffle
Associate Executive Director
New Path Starts (Path 1)
Discipleship Ministries
The United Methodist Church
Northern Maine District Resource Day
for Aroostook Cluster
&
edited October 6, 2018
I am evil but invited – v3
edited October 6, 2018
I am evil but invited – v2
October 6, 2018
I am evil but invited
edited October 6, 2018
An invitation to all – v2
October 6, 2018
the smell on my hands
October 6, 2018
the taste of the vine
edited October 6, 2018
as we receive the bread – v2
October 6, 2018
as we receive the bread
edited October 6, 2018
we are called - 3 – v3
October 5, 2018
we are fed at the table
edited October 5, 2018
we are called – 3 – v2
edited October 4, 2018
flawed and broken – v3
edited October 4, 2018
flawed and broken – v2
October 3, 2018
flawed and broken
edited October 3, 2018
none of us is perfect - 2
edited October 3, 2018
we all come with baggage
October 3, 2018
we come with baggage
October 3, 2018
come to be fed
October 2, 2018
we come to the table
edited October 2, 2018
the invitation – v3
adding third stanza
edited October 2, 2018
the invitation – v2
adding second stanza
October 1, 2018
the invitation
October 1, 2018
all of us in communion
October 1, 2018
fed in the spirit
October 1, 2018
nourished
October 1, 2018
we are called - 3
October 1, 2018
we are invited
October 1, 2018
we are invited to the table
October 1, 2018
as we gather around the table
September 30, 2018
a foretaste of heaven
video note taking while on a walk up Finch Hill
so I wouldn’t forget it tonight
September 30, 2018
a rehearsal dinner
September 30, 2018
at the head of the table
September 30, 2018
the gift we receive
September 29, 2018
An invitation to all
September 30, 2018
First service in series
“The Table Invitation”
bulletin cover photo
Week 1
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Psalm 124
Revelations 19:1-10
and sermon: “This Is Your Invitation…”
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
September 30, 2018
&
edited September 19, 2018
communion – 2 – v3
edited September 18, 2018
communion – 2 – v2
edited partially on 9/15/18 adding final stanza
September 18, 2018
communion - 2
written 9/15/18
in anticipation of upcoming series on communion

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 48,000 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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