Imagining a different world,
less war than we know
less hate for those different from us
more love, for all peoples
each man, woman, each child
following the example
of our brother, the Son
Love as our guide,
the nature of God
bringing all to him
all that we can
Walking as he walked
humbly on the earth
telling our neighbors
of the wonders of his birth
Bringing his message
of redemption from our sin
loving our neighbors
as he told us to
his mark upon our sin
Turning our lives
from our wills
to the voice of God
the Spirit dwelling deep
within our loving hearts
July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Monday, July 06, 2009
Less Greed
Changing our focus, the nature of our ways
less greed, more compassion, more sharing
for all whom we meet, for all in the world
caring for our brothers, our sisters
as our savior showed us
turning our lives
over to God
Walking with our brother
who gave his life for us
serving in His name
so all would be free
A message of hope
of freedom from our sin
life eternal if we but follow him
July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
less greed, more compassion, more sharing
for all whom we meet, for all in the world
caring for our brothers, our sisters
as our savior showed us
turning our lives
over to God
Walking with our brother
who gave his life for us
serving in His name
so all would be free
A message of hope
of freedom from our sin
life eternal if we but follow him
July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
A Free Life
What we are offered
a free life, a gift of grace
given by our creator
the price paid by the savior
ours for the taking
in an act of faith
A free life, free from sin
free from the judgment of death
to live and walk humbly
in love with our neighbors
sharing the grace, the good news
the redemption of God
Following the example
of our savior, our brother
seeking to aid and to comfort
to walk in the light
Guided by the Spirit
our path not our own
July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
a free life, a gift of grace
given by our creator
the price paid by the savior
ours for the taking
in an act of faith
A free life, free from sin
free from the judgment of death
to live and walk humbly
in love with our neighbors
sharing the grace, the good news
the redemption of God
Following the example
of our savior, our brother
seeking to aid and to comfort
to walk in the light
Guided by the Spirit
our path not our own
July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Fighting for Freedom
In the words of the weekend
the scripture, the words so long ago
the reminders of our friends as a nation
as a people of faith
granted freedom by the choices
by the giving of grace
Fighting for freedoms
that freedom may grow
inalienable, a God-given right
still to this day
around the globe
people yearning to be free
Part of our choices,
to fight with them
so that one day,
all will enjoy
that which we hold dear
freedoms from oppression
freedoms of the Spirit
free indeed
July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
the scripture, the words so long ago
the reminders of our friends as a nation
as a people of faith
granted freedom by the choices
by the giving of grace
Fighting for freedoms
that freedom may grow
inalienable, a God-given right
still to this day
around the globe
people yearning to be free
Part of our choices,
to fight with them
so that one day,
all will enjoy
that which we hold dear
freedoms from oppression
freedoms of the Spirit
free indeed
July 5, 2009 and July 6, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
How Freedom Grows
By loving one another
following in his footsteps
guided by His example,
by the indwelling Spirit
this is how freedom grows
In the hearts of the faithful
acting out in love
touching the hearts of another
planting seeds from above
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
following in his footsteps
guided by His example,
by the indwelling Spirit
this is how freedom grows
In the hearts of the faithful
acting out in love
touching the hearts of another
planting seeds from above
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Living by the Spirit
Our choice, to live by our wills
the world’s ways, or
to live by the Spirit
guiding our path
Teaching us to walk,
as the Lord showed
as he lived, loving all
caring for the least, the last, the lost
making the way easier
for all who believed
We may walk in the light
beside our savior
showing love to our neighbors
as he has commanded
Living by his example
his model for our journey
all the days of our lives
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
the world’s ways, or
to live by the Spirit
guiding our path
Teaching us to walk,
as the Lord showed
as he lived, loving all
caring for the least, the last, the lost
making the way easier
for all who believed
We may walk in the light
beside our savior
showing love to our neighbors
as he has commanded
Living by his example
his model for our journey
all the days of our lives
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
A Battle of Living
Ways of living, at odds
opposed to one another
no compromise, no living together
We are free; but we must choose
One way to the cross,
one way to the grave
One way to love
one way to greed and hate
One way to grace
one way to condemnation of the law
One way of hope
one way of despair.
Free to choose, one and all
to follow the master
or our own will
no compromise,
no living together.
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
opposed to one another
no compromise, no living together
We are free; but we must choose
One way to the cross,
one way to the grave
One way to love
one way to greed and hate
One way to grace
one way to condemnation of the law
One way of hope
one way of despair.
Free to choose, one and all
to follow the master
or our own will
no compromise,
no living together.
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Less Suffering
We may choose, lift up others
go where there is need
bring hope, less suffering
around the world, our nation
the freedom we have
able, abundance,
riches heaped upon us
able to give
able to provide
to love as Christ showed us
to reach to those who are in need
to lift up one another
to provide hope
to a world desperate for healing
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
go where there is need
bring hope, less suffering
around the world, our nation
the freedom we have
able, abundance,
riches heaped upon us
able to give
able to provide
to love as Christ showed us
to reach to those who are in need
to lift up one another
to provide hope
to a world desperate for healing
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
A Different Way to Live
A calling of the apostle
in the words to the church
a different way of living
not conformed to this earth
Guided by the Spirit
away from the sins of man
walking with our savior
on this journey, hand in hand
Following a different direction
love of our neighbor our call
serving one another
giving to them our all
Leading us to services
our hands to help them all
healing, caring, loving our brothers
our sisters, so is the master’s call
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
in the words to the church
a different way of living
not conformed to this earth
Guided by the Spirit
away from the sins of man
walking with our savior
on this journey, hand in hand
Following a different direction
love of our neighbor our call
serving one another
giving to them our all
Leading us to services
our hands to help them all
healing, caring, loving our brothers
our sisters, so is the master’s call
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
As Joshua Said
The scripture, the message to the church
to each disciple, then and now,
the words of the apostle,
calling each of us
making a choice
A choice to follow the world
to find fulfillment in its standards
Or to say as Joshua said,
aligning our lives
to the service of God
to the will of the father
over the desires of his self
To love our neighbors
selfless service as our guide
to share the good news
our brother at our side
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Joshua 24:15
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
to each disciple, then and now,
the words of the apostle,
calling each of us
making a choice
A choice to follow the world
to find fulfillment in its standards
Or to say as Joshua said,
aligning our lives
to the service of God
to the will of the father
over the desires of his self
To love our neighbors
selfless service as our guide
to share the good news
our brother at our side
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Joshua 24:15
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Radical Living
Not subtle changes,
we are not able
to move back and forth
radical living, choosing one path or the other
the way of the world
to the victor the spoils;
or the way of the servant
the way of love,
of humbly walking with our neighbor,
yoked to our brother;
to walk in darkness,
or to walk in the light;
By our own will
or the will of God.
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
we are not able
to move back and forth
radical living, choosing one path or the other
the way of the world
to the victor the spoils;
or the way of the servant
the way of love,
of humbly walking with our neighbor,
yoked to our brother;
to walk in darkness,
or to walk in the light;
By our own will
or the will of God.
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Advantages like Me
Before the chancel, the pulpit,
in the front of the nave,
preaching a message of love
of the freedom to love
the choice we enjoy
as children of God
as citizens of this land
a different way of living
calling to us
not worldly goals; but freedoms
of the Spirit, of the claim
the will of God for our lives
She offered her witness,
the reading of his letter
on the choices we safe
in the freedom of Christ
as a people, as individuals
to follow the world
or to follow the Spirit
the choice is ours
mutually exclusive,
one way or the other.
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Matthew 5:3-12
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
in the front of the nave,
preaching a message of love
of the freedom to love
the choice we enjoy
as children of God
as citizens of this land
a different way of living
calling to us
not worldly goals; but freedoms
of the Spirit, of the claim
the will of God for our lives
She offered her witness,
the reading of his letter
on the choices we safe
in the freedom of Christ
as a people, as individuals
to follow the world
or to follow the Spirit
the choice is ours
mutually exclusive,
one way or the other.
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Matthew 5:3-12
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Choices of Living
One way or another
choices of living
of which master we will follow
of what we will hold dear
To follow the earth, our worldly desires
or to follow our king, who offered his all.
To love as he commanded, to walk in the Spirit
or to walk in the darkness of our own sin
Such are the choices,
the freedom we’re given
by the sacrifice of our Savior
by the grace of our God
Our for the choosing
the path of our futures
his for the judging
at the end of the age
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
choices of living
of which master we will follow
of what we will hold dear
To follow the earth, our worldly desires
or to follow our king, who offered his all.
To love as he commanded, to walk in the Spirit
or to walk in the darkness of our own sin
Such are the choices,
the freedom we’re given
by the sacrifice of our Savior
by the grace of our God
Our for the choosing
the path of our futures
his for the judging
at the end of the age
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
A Voice of Truth
In the message, the letter
A mirror raised up
the reality before us
our choices of life
the way of the freedoms we share
the choices we are able to make
A prophet, a gadfly
telling the truth
of the left and the right
of the way of the world
of death and destruction
of the way of the Christ
love and light enduring
But either our choice
ours to the end
freedom is power
awesome and real
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
A mirror raised up
the reality before us
our choices of life
the way of the freedoms we share
the choices we are able to make
A prophet, a gadfly
telling the truth
of the left and the right
of the way of the world
of death and destruction
of the way of the Christ
love and light enduring
But either our choice
ours to the end
freedom is power
awesome and real
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Unlike Other Places
The difference of America
freedoms we enjoy,
the freedom to worship,
the freedom from want
so different from others
around this troubled world
A responsibility, a meaning
in the freedoms we enjoy
whether to follow Christ’s example
of follow the worlds’.
We are free to choose
more than most other people
not fighting for our daily bread,
our place in the world.
We more than most,
unlike other places by far
can help, can love
make a difference
changing lives
as people, individuals,
as a nation,
as a community of faith
to offer God’s love
in all that we do
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Matthew 5:3-12
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
freedoms we enjoy,
the freedom to worship,
the freedom from want
so different from others
around this troubled world
A responsibility, a meaning
in the freedoms we enjoy
whether to follow Christ’s example
of follow the worlds’.
We are free to choose
more than most other people
not fighting for our daily bread,
our place in the world.
We more than most,
unlike other places by far
can help, can love
make a difference
changing lives
as people, individuals,
as a nation,
as a community of faith
to offer God’s love
in all that we do
July 5, 2009
Declaration of Independence
and
Psalm 48:1-3
John 8:31-36
Galatians 5:13-26
Matthew 5:3-12
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“Love As You Are Loved”,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 5, 2009
Freedom
On this day, in our land
one type of freedom
proclaimed from their words
their names written on the page
claiming for our people
a new nation
founded upon freedom
upon God-given, inalienable rights
won by sacrifices of men and women
down through the ages.
An earlier day, a wondrous, awesome day
true freedom, given by grace
offered not merely by words;
but by the sacrifice, the resurrection
of our Lord, the risen Christ
won not on the battlefield;
but upon a wooden cross.
Freedom to be the good neighbor
to love one another
to carry on His work
and to heal in His name.
Freedom to spread the good news
to the ends of the earth
to share our gifts
and the joys He brings;
to walk humbly with God
and with our neighbors,
all whom we meet.
July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
one type of freedom
proclaimed from their words
their names written on the page
claiming for our people
a new nation
founded upon freedom
upon God-given, inalienable rights
won by sacrifices of men and women
down through the ages.
An earlier day, a wondrous, awesome day
true freedom, given by grace
offered not merely by words;
but by the sacrifice, the resurrection
of our Lord, the risen Christ
won not on the battlefield;
but upon a wooden cross.
Freedom to be the good neighbor
to love one another
to carry on His work
and to heal in His name.
Freedom to spread the good news
to the ends of the earth
to share our gifts
and the joys He brings;
to walk humbly with God
and with our neighbors,
all whom we meet.
July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
Liberty
Liberty, from tyranny
from oppression,
for a sovereign across the sea
So we began, so we claimed our right
in Philadelphia that summer
so long ago, on this day.
Throwing off the shackles
the weight of the crown
charting a new course
a new nation, free and equal
an aspiration, a hope
written in those words of mettle.
May we ever strive, onward
working together, to achieve this dream
a country at peace
and with liberty and justice for all;
None knowing want, none living in fear
to this prayer, this day especially
we hold them dear.
July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
from oppression,
for a sovereign across the sea
So we began, so we claimed our right
in Philadelphia that summer
so long ago, on this day.
Throwing off the shackles
the weight of the crown
charting a new course
a new nation, free and equal
an aspiration, a hope
written in those words of mettle.
May we ever strive, onward
working together, to achieve this dream
a country at peace
and with liberty and justice for all;
None knowing want, none living in fear
to this prayer, this day especially
we hold them dear.
July 4, 2009
Declaration of Independence
Galatians 5:13-26
written for July 4th celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
Monday, April 20, 2009
Prayers of the People, by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, April 19, 2009, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH
We join our hearts and voices to offer our prayers to God as we offer our prayers together now, uniting our voices with Christ, who perfects our prayers.
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray:
Spirit help us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Almighty God, who searches the heart and knows the mind of the Spirit, may the Spirit within us intercede for us according to the will of God. Our prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer us.
God of compassion, we remember before you the poor and the afflicted, the sick and the dying, prisoners and all who are lonely, the victims of war, injustice, and inhumanity, and all others who suffer from whatever their sufferings may be called.
O Lord of providence holding the destiny of the nations in your hand, we pray for our country. Inspire the hearts and minds of our leaders that they, together with all our nation, may first seek your kingdom and righteousness so that order, liberty, and peace may dwell with your people.
O God the Creator, we pray for all nations and peoples. Take away the mistrust and lack of understanding that divide your creatures; increase in us the recognition that we are all your children.
O Savior God, look upon your church in its struggle upon the earth. Have mercy on its weakness, bring to an end its unhappy divisions, and scatter its fears. Look also upon the ministry of your church. Increase its courage, strengthen its faith, and inspire its witness to all people, even to the ends of the earth.
Ever-faithful God, you have knit together as one body in Christ those who have been your people in all times and places. Keep us in communion with all your saints, following their example of faith and life, until that day when all your saints will dwell together in the joy of your eternal kingdom. Through Christ, our Lord in through whose name we pray the prayer He taught so long ago saying…(the Lords Prayer).
Amen.
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray:
Spirit help us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Almighty God, who searches the heart and knows the mind of the Spirit, may the Spirit within us intercede for us according to the will of God. Our prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer us.
God of compassion, we remember before you the poor and the afflicted, the sick and the dying, prisoners and all who are lonely, the victims of war, injustice, and inhumanity, and all others who suffer from whatever their sufferings may be called.
O Lord of providence holding the destiny of the nations in your hand, we pray for our country. Inspire the hearts and minds of our leaders that they, together with all our nation, may first seek your kingdom and righteousness so that order, liberty, and peace may dwell with your people.
O God the Creator, we pray for all nations and peoples. Take away the mistrust and lack of understanding that divide your creatures; increase in us the recognition that we are all your children.
O Savior God, look upon your church in its struggle upon the earth. Have mercy on its weakness, bring to an end its unhappy divisions, and scatter its fears. Look also upon the ministry of your church. Increase its courage, strengthen its faith, and inspire its witness to all people, even to the ends of the earth.
Ever-faithful God, you have knit together as one body in Christ those who have been your people in all times and places. Keep us in communion with all your saints, following their example of faith and life, until that day when all your saints will dwell together in the joy of your eternal kingdom. Through Christ, our Lord in through whose name we pray the prayer He taught so long ago saying…(the Lords Prayer).
Amen.
Sermon - "All for One and One for All", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, April 19, 2009, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH
Acts 4:32-35
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Reading of Acts 4:32-35
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray
Prayer:
Creator, Sustainer, All Mighty God, you who created all humankind in your image. We have come into your house to worship you this morning and hear your word. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is open to your calling. May your word be heard through me or in spite of me. May the mantle of Your Holy Spirit fall down upon us gathered here today. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to your our Rock and Redeemer. Speak Lord, Your servants are listening.
I was doing some research for one of my classes and I wanted to know about communal living. What is it about this way of living that attracts people? What is the benefit of living in such a way? Why is it that the early church lived in these communities? Some people today call them “intentional communities”. What I found was very interesting. It made me wonder why more people don’t live in such a community. It seemed pretty straight forward to me. I mean can you just imagine…everyone living together as one big family? No social hierarchy…no one having more than another…everyone living for others. What a concept!
These communities, as we see them today…came out of the Utopian theory. They were very big in the 60’s and 70’s but they are making a comeback today. It was all about “repersonalising” a society that, post-WWII, had become increasingly about materialism. It idealizes social unity and is based on an idea of “heaven on earth”, or happiness in the present. (Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven) Everything is done with a sense of community. Everyone works together for the common good. If someone needs childcare, they look within the community in order to fill that need. They help each other instead of trying to “outdo each other.”
But…we can see that this is not a new theory. It was actually practiced in the early church. It worked for them and it can work for us…as long as we abide by the rules. Unfortunately…our human nature gets the best of us and we begin to think in societal standards and not God’s purpose…our Creator’s plan for our living out our faith together.
Society would have us living like drift wood on the sea. It tells us that we are loners, we need to take care of ourselves first, and we are individuals with our own thinking, living, issues, problems and possessions. But…Jesus had another plan for us…by living this way we have no way against the tide…when the current picks up, we scramble to keep up with it (kind of like keeping up with the Jones’s or the Smith’s, or the Foss’…well you get what I am saying) and when we finally reach that still water, we are afraid and it feels strange because we spend our lives fighting against the current. In the passage from Acts this morning…we see how the first church lived in community with each other. {Everything they owned was held in common}
There was no on in need. Everyone was “Their brother’s keeper.” There was more than enough of everything because everything was shared with the community. When we accept Christ as our Redeemer and Savior, we are unified with Christ and one another. We become one family which makes our witness stronger. We become one church under Christ’s rule and guidance. We, as Christians, need to live more like the early church and stop living for ourselves and live for the common good…by doing so…we strengthen our witness to the world. {All for One and One for All}
Ecclesiastes 4 tells us that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” When we live in community we are there for each other. We carry each other’s burdens so no person walks alone. {All for One and One for All}God has called us to live differently that what society tells us.
There was not one needy person in the early church community. They realized that everything they had did not actually belong to them. They realized that all they had {and we have} the blessings that they {and we} received are because of Jesus’ redemptive gift of the Cross...all blessing flow down from the Cross…from the blood that was spilt on Calvary’s hill. This gift…this blessing…goes on as we share in His ministry…His life lives on through us as we share with one another.
The disciples realized…they understood…God’s gift of grace and blessings to them. They also understood that these gifts from God were not to be hoarded but shared with those in need. They…and we…had…and still do today…a responsibility to be like Christ to the world and carry on His ministry of grace, hope and love to others. They gave it all to God, from which it came. They weren’t concerned with building a bigger church (that would happen with time) or to have more “programs” within the church. They wanted to build the family of god by sharing what they had. They cared about others and wanted no one to be in need. {All for One and One for All} The first church realized that God wanted, and still does, them, and us, to be a community with Him and with one another. God has provided all we need…and then some…so that we can live in community with each other not as secular individuals grasping at the brass ring for our own comfort. {All for One and One for All}
I would like to end my sermon with a song from, I think, the 70’s by the Youngbloods. It is a song that embodies living together and living for each other.
{Get Together by the Youngbloods}
You and I hold the key to the door. Which door will you open?
AMEN
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Reading of Acts 4:32-35
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray
Prayer:
Creator, Sustainer, All Mighty God, you who created all humankind in your image. We have come into your house to worship you this morning and hear your word. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that is open to your calling. May your word be heard through me or in spite of me. May the mantle of Your Holy Spirit fall down upon us gathered here today. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to your our Rock and Redeemer. Speak Lord, Your servants are listening.
I was doing some research for one of my classes and I wanted to know about communal living. What is it about this way of living that attracts people? What is the benefit of living in such a way? Why is it that the early church lived in these communities? Some people today call them “intentional communities”. What I found was very interesting. It made me wonder why more people don’t live in such a community. It seemed pretty straight forward to me. I mean can you just imagine…everyone living together as one big family? No social hierarchy…no one having more than another…everyone living for others. What a concept!
These communities, as we see them today…came out of the Utopian theory. They were very big in the 60’s and 70’s but they are making a comeback today. It was all about “repersonalising” a society that, post-WWII, had become increasingly about materialism. It idealizes social unity and is based on an idea of “heaven on earth”, or happiness in the present. (Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven) Everything is done with a sense of community. Everyone works together for the common good. If someone needs childcare, they look within the community in order to fill that need. They help each other instead of trying to “outdo each other.”
But…we can see that this is not a new theory. It was actually practiced in the early church. It worked for them and it can work for us…as long as we abide by the rules. Unfortunately…our human nature gets the best of us and we begin to think in societal standards and not God’s purpose…our Creator’s plan for our living out our faith together.
Society would have us living like drift wood on the sea. It tells us that we are loners, we need to take care of ourselves first, and we are individuals with our own thinking, living, issues, problems and possessions. But…Jesus had another plan for us…by living this way we have no way against the tide…when the current picks up, we scramble to keep up with it (kind of like keeping up with the Jones’s or the Smith’s, or the Foss’…well you get what I am saying) and when we finally reach that still water, we are afraid and it feels strange because we spend our lives fighting against the current. In the passage from Acts this morning…we see how the first church lived in community with each other. {Everything they owned was held in common}
There was no on in need. Everyone was “Their brother’s keeper.” There was more than enough of everything because everything was shared with the community. When we accept Christ as our Redeemer and Savior, we are unified with Christ and one another. We become one family which makes our witness stronger. We become one church under Christ’s rule and guidance. We, as Christians, need to live more like the early church and stop living for ourselves and live for the common good…by doing so…we strengthen our witness to the world. {All for One and One for All}
Ecclesiastes 4 tells us that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” When we live in community we are there for each other. We carry each other’s burdens so no person walks alone. {All for One and One for All}God has called us to live differently that what society tells us.
There was not one needy person in the early church community. They realized that everything they had did not actually belong to them. They realized that all they had {and we have} the blessings that they {and we} received are because of Jesus’ redemptive gift of the Cross...all blessing flow down from the Cross…from the blood that was spilt on Calvary’s hill. This gift…this blessing…goes on as we share in His ministry…His life lives on through us as we share with one another.
The disciples realized…they understood…God’s gift of grace and blessings to them. They also understood that these gifts from God were not to be hoarded but shared with those in need. They…and we…had…and still do today…a responsibility to be like Christ to the world and carry on His ministry of grace, hope and love to others. They gave it all to God, from which it came. They weren’t concerned with building a bigger church (that would happen with time) or to have more “programs” within the church. They wanted to build the family of god by sharing what they had. They cared about others and wanted no one to be in need. {All for One and One for All} The first church realized that God wanted, and still does, them, and us, to be a community with Him and with one another. God has provided all we need…and then some…so that we can live in community with each other not as secular individuals grasping at the brass ring for our own comfort. {All for One and One for All}
I would like to end my sermon with a song from, I think, the 70’s by the Youngbloods. It is a song that embodies living together and living for each other.
{Get Together by the Youngbloods}
You and I hold the key to the door. Which door will you open?
AMEN
Sunday, April 19, 2009
As God would wish
Living, in a loving community
as God would wish,
as he taught his people
in the words of his son
instructing the disciples
so that they could bear witness
Living, in a loving community
no possession now their own
selling land, homes
so that all would be lifted up
that none would know want or need.
April 19, 2009
Galatians 6:8-10
Acts 4:32-35
and sermon, “All For One and One For All”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 19, 2009
as God would wish,
as he taught his people
in the words of his son
instructing the disciples
so that they could bear witness
Living, in a loving community
no possession now their own
selling land, homes
so that all would be lifted up
that none would know want or need.
April 19, 2009
Galatians 6:8-10
Acts 4:32-35
and sermon, “All For One and One For All”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 19, 2009
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