Thursday, December 20, 2018

sermon, That Christmas Joy, by Pastor Ruth Foss, December 16, 2018, Third Sunday of Advent, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, Maine





December 16, 2018
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday of Joy Worship Theme:
The Joy of the coming Messiah
Sermon Series:
“The “Advent”ure:
Where Hope Begins”
Psalm 63 (NRSV)
Isaiah 12 (King James Bible)
Isaiah 9:6 (King James Bible)

That Christmas Joy

The Lord Be with you
And, with you
Let us pray…pray for the Spirits leading as we rediscover the Joy of Advent…

A reading from the prophet Isaiah. It is found in Isaiah 12. As I read that prophetic word for you and me, may we hear what God is telling us I this season of waiting expectantly and expectantly waiting the Christ Child…

Read Isaiah 12

I love all the Christmas songs that have so much meaning to them for me. I love this time of year because I get to play Christmas music, and no one looks at me funny. But then again, I have my Shyanne, who listens to Christmas music all year round because she just loves how happy it makes her. Maybe there is a lesson there… The songs are about joy and hope…they are about love and peace…they are centered on that one event that change the world over 2000 years ago… that not so silent night when love came down in the form of a baby. Perhaps, Shyanne knows the secret of living the “Advent”ure…doing what brings us joy and reminds us of the reason for the season… What brings you joy?

Today we continue on a most excellent “Advent”ure…as we will travel to the place where hope begins…the hope of all people… Advent is one of my favorite seasons only overshadowed by the season of Lent. This is where Lent began…in a manger. This is where God’s plan of restoration began. Our destination…the manger…is the pivotal place for God’s promise to humanity.

So, this is the 3rd Sunday in Advent, The Sunday of “Joy”. What gives you joy this season? How can you celebrate that joy not only in this season but into the “Advent”ure of Faith?

So why should we have joy…I mean what is this Christmas joy all about anyway? Let’s Look at this so-called joy. From the Psalm this morning…we hear about the joy they felt…
©    Vs 3-4 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
    I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
©    (5)My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips (6)when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; (7) for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
©    My soul clings to you;
    your right hand upholds me.



Why should we have joy? From the Isaiah this morning we hear:
©    Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
©    4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.
©    Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

We have much to be joyful for not only this season but for our whole faith journey. We have a God who loved us and continues to love us to the point of wanting to be with us as he was in the Garden. We don’t have an aloof God but n that is with us Immanuel…who live in us, walks and talks with us. Talk about Joy unfathomable…joy unspeakable…Joy within the depths of our souls…
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 (KJV))

AMEN!










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December 20, 2018


December 16, 2018
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Third Sunday in Advent
Sunday of Joy
Worship Theme -
“The Joy of the coming Messiah”
Sermon Series:
“The Advent”ure…
Where Hope Begins”
Psalm 63

Isaiah 12
Isaiah 9:6
Communion

and sermon, “That Christmas Joy
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
December 16, 2018
&
edited/ merged December 15, 2018
may we trust like Mary – v2
December 15, 2018
may we believe like Joseph
December 15, 2018
may we trust like Mary
12/15/18 8AM Live
more on the faith of Mary and Joseph
focus on Matthew 1:18-25
(and Luke 1:26-38)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
8AM Live
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
&
12/14/18 8AM Live
on the faith of Mary and Joseph
focus on Luke 1:46-55,
the Magnificat, Mary’s Song
&
December 13, 2018
Love became a person
December 13, 2018
Love Came to Life - 2
December 13, 2018
Love gained form, shape
December 13, 2018
Love descended at Christmas
December 13, 2018
Love Became Flesh – 2
December 11, 2018
When Love Came Down
December 11, 2018
a light to guide us
December 11, 2018
you will prepare the way
December 11, 2018
my little son
&
12/9/18
Pastor Ruth’s 8AM Live
&
December 9, 2018
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
Second Sunday in Advent
Sunday of Love
Worship Theme -
“God’s Love in sending a Savior…”.
Sermon Series:
“The Advent”ure…
Where Hope Begins”
“Hope for things to be turned “Up-Side Right” again…”
Psalm 103
Luke 1:68-79
and sermon, “When Love Came Down
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
December 9, 2018
&
December 8, 2018
Breathe Your Peace upon me – 2
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
 I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Isaiah 9:6
“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
12/8/18

Pastor Ruth’s 8AM Live
&
December 3, 2018
the bread of life - 2
December 3, 2018
The hope of that manger
December 2, 2018
Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church
First Sunday in Advent
Sunday of Hope
Worship Theme -
“Hope for the world to be turned u-side right again”.
Sermon Series:
“The Advent”ure…
Where Hope Begins”
“Hope for things to be turned “Up-Side Right” again…”
Psalm 25:1-10
Acts 1:1-10
John 14:1-3
John 3:16
Genesis 3:15
Hebrews 6:19a
Isaiah 2:1-4
Jeremiah 33:14-16
and sermon, “A Hope for All Nations”
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
December 2, 2018
&
edited December 1, 2018
the baby climbed the cross – v2
December 1, 2018
the baby climbed the cross
day before the First Sunday of Advent
John 1
12/1/18
Pastor Ruth’s 8AM Live



All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 49,080 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live. 

Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, Pastor Ruth Foss, poem, communion, bread, cup, prayer, sacrifice, Messiah, manger, cross, Advent, First Sunday of Advent, Immanuel, Christmas,

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Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, Pastor Ruth Foss, poem, communion, prayer, sacrifice, Messiah, manger, cross, Advent, Second Sunday of Advent, Immanuel, Christmas, peace, joy,

#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #prayer #hope #thankful #USA #communion #America #King #mercy #compassion #sacrifice #Messiah #Advent #manger #cross #Immanuel #Emmanuel #Christmas #joy #peace #Zechariah #JohntheBaptist

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Christ, Spirit, God, Faith, love, grace, Pastor Ruth Foss, poem, communion, prayer, sacrifice, Messiah, manger, cross, Advent, Third Sunday of Advent, Immanuel, Christmas, peace, joy,

#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #prayer #hope #thankful #USA #communion #America #King #mercy #compassion #sacrifice #Messiah #Advent #manger #cross #Immanuel #Emmanuel #Christmas #joy #peace

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