Thursday, December 20, 2018

sermon, When Love Came Down, by Pastor Ruth Foss, December 9, 2018, Second Sunday of Advent, Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church, Patten, Maine





December 9, 2018
Stetson Memorial UMC
Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday of Love
Worship Theme-
God’s Love in sending a Savior Sermon Series:
“The “Advent”ure…
Where Hope Begins”
Psalm 103
Luke 1:68-79 CEB
Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 John 4:9-11

“When Love Cane Down…”

The Lord be with you…
And also with you…
Let us pray…
(Pray for the Spirits leading as God is heard through me or in spite of me…)

Please stand for the reading pf the Gospel according to Luke. We will be reading Chapter 1, verses 68-79. Listen to and about the Love of God that came down one night…a starry night…so long ago.
Read Zechariah’s prophecy…

Good Morning…We, as a family, have a tradition each year. We have what we like to call a Memory Tree in our home. It is a tree that we decorate together as a family. It is full of ornaments that have special memories for us and we have a wonderful time remembering the love that is found in each ornament.

It is a tradition that reminds us that love still exists. There are many in this world who are looking for love and are unable to find what they are looking for. We live in a world that seems to be void of love and has plenty of hate and chaos. Don’t get me wrong…there is still love in the world, but it seems to be getting harder and harder to find. I think one of my favorite things about Advent is that it reminds me of love…God’s love…even in a world that seems to be losing it’s “love light.”

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.

Today is the Sunday of Love. Now this is not just a season of ordinary love. It is one that is about the extraordinary love that came down one silent night. It is about a love that was shown to humanity. It is a love that fulfilled the prophecy I read this morning that Zechariah pronounced right after John was born and he received his voice back.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house,
70     just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.

76 You, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High,
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
77 You will tell his people how to be saved
    through the forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of our God’s deep compassion,
    the dawn from heaven will break upon us,

He knew that is son was going to be part of God’s redemption plan…that God would forgive peoples sins because of His deep compassion…His deep love…
For God so Loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son…

Scripture talks about God’s love for us that began even in the Garden when He made coverings made of skin for Adam and Eve…now we know that skin doesn’t grow on trees and there has to be a sacrifice of and animal to produce it…

This amazing love…
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved.
1 John 4:9-11
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Amazing…love…for you and for me…

Today is the Sunday that we remember the love that brought Jesus to earth…the love that kept Him on the cross…the love that will cause Him to return, as promised, to set things right-side up in this upside-down world… Maybe…just maybe…as we remember the love, we will be able to give love to others in need of a little love…show them the love. Perhaps as we remember we will be filled with the joy and love, to over flowing, as we wait and watch for His return. Yes, it truly a night of love unthinkable on that starry night when love came down…

Amen



-----------------
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, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 48,230 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,

#Christ #God #Spirit #Faith #love #grace #poem #prayer #hope #thankful #bread #cup #USA #communion #America #table #King #mercy #compassion #sacrifice #cross #Messiah #Advent #manger #cross #FirstSundayofAdvent #Immanuel #Emmanuel #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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