Poetry Where You Live

http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com

http://pastorruth.posterous.com/

A Handmaiden of the Lord

http://www.suncookumc.org

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012

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, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Poetry, Christ, Faith, God, grace, love, Poetry Where You Live, purpose, savior, Pastor Ruth Foss, Joel 2, Lent, Ash Wednesday, Matthew 6, Psalm 51,

#poetry #faith #God #Christ #hope #love #Savior #servant #purpose #calling #Joel2 #Lent #AshWednesday #Matthew6 #Psalm51

Saturday, February 11, 2023

Beginning in ashes - v2

Beginning in ashes
sitting in silence
taking in the smoke
the moment of their anger.

Beginning in ashes
not about us, truly,
repenting of our sin
to serve the living Christ.

Beginning in ashes
the Lenten season
to walk more closely
with our Risen Lord.
====

Edited February 11, 2023

Beginning in ashes – v2

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2023/02/beginning-in-ashes-v2.html

February 11, 2016

a season of change

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-season-of-change.html

February 11, 2016

spiritual preparation

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/spiritual-preparation.html

February 11, 2016
Journeying with Him
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/journeying-with-him.html
February 11, 2016
Beginning in ashes
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/beginning-in-ashes.html

February 11, 2016

Repent, change direction

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/repent-change-direction.html

February 11, 2016
here on Ash Wednesday
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/here-on-ash-wednesday.html

February 11, 2016

this whole Lent thing

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/this-whole-lent-thing.html

February 11, 2016

don't add too much

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/dont-add-too-much.html

February 11, 2016

pray in secret

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/pray-in-secret.html

February 11, 2016

adding and subtracting

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/adding-and-subtracting.html

February 11, 2016

running back to God

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/running-back-to-god.html

February 11, 2016

a time of self-reflection

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/a-time-of-self-reflection.html

February 11, 2016

Is there a mark on the inside

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/is-there-mark-on-inside.html

February 11, 2016

do not tear your clothes

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/do-not-tear-your-clothes.html

February 11, 2016

Rip your heart wide open

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/rip-your-heart-wide-open.html

February 11, 2016

even now

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/even-now.html

Ash Wednesday service

Joel 2:12-17a

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patten-Maine/103791236325669

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

centering song, “Surely the Presence”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781074601998897/

Opening Words

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781074371998920/

Greeting

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781084578664566/

Lenten Prayer

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781075995332091/

Hymn, “In the Garden”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781098985329792/

Prayer of Confession

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781093881996969/

Words of Assurance

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781074181998939/

Invitation to Communion

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781118305327860/

Prayer after Communion

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781076795332011/

Invitation to receive ashes

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781084888664535/

Distribution of Ashes

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781118075327883/

Lenten poem: ”Journeying to Jerusalem”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781094995330191/

sermon, “The Math of Lent 2.0”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781100208663003/

by Pastor Ruth Foss

and closing hymn,

“It Is Well with My Soul”

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781223248650699/

Closing Prayer

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/781075071998850/

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Ash Wednesday

February 10, 2016

the palms ablaze

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-palms-ablaze.html

Ash Wednesday

February 10, 2016

into ashes

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/into-ashes.html

Ash Wednesday

edited February 10, 2016

Palms for the Ashes – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/palms-for-ashes-v5.html

(merging edits to version 3 and version 4)

Ash Wednesday

edited February 10, 2016

I hear the crackle – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/i-hear-crackle-v2.html

Ash Wednesday

February 10, 2016

I hear the crackle

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/i-hear-crackle.html

Ash Wednesday

February 10, 2016

fuel for the fire

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/fuel-for-fire.html

Ash Wednesday

edited February 10, 2016

how quickly they burn – 2 – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-quickly-they-burn-2-v3.html

(editing version 2)

Ash Wednesday

edited February 10, 2016

How quickly they burn – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-quickly-they-burn-v3.html

(editing version 2)

Ash Wednesday

February 10, 2016

licking the flesh

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/licking-flesh.html

Ash Wednesday

edited February 9, 2016

Our joy burned in anger – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/our-joy-burned-in-anger-v2.html

February 9, 2016

Our joy burned in anger

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/our-joy-burned-in-anger.html

Isaiah 58:5-10

Burning of the Palm service

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/videos/780638698709154/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHIxTBo6W30

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/292016-burning-of-palms-service.html

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/palms-for-ashes-v4.html

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

February 9, 2016 and February 10, 2016

edited February 5, 2016

Palms for the Ashes – v4

(editing version 3)

February 5, 2016

Palms for the Fire

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/02/palms-for-fire.html

edited April 2, 2015

Palms for the Ashes – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/04/palms-for-ashes-v3.html

(merging edits to version 2 and version 1)

edited February 19, 2015

Palms for the Ashes – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/palms-for-ashes-v2.html

Ash Wednesday service

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1424361536./644000469039645/

Joel 2:12-17a

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=644454492327576

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Prayer of Confession

Imposition of Ashes

Communion

Lenten poem:”Changer: A Lenten Poem”

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=644455148994177

by Adrienne Sparrow Trevathan

https://twitter.com/AdrienneSparrow

sermon, “The Math of Lent”

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=644606845645674

by Pastor Ruth Foss

and closing hymn,

“It Is Well with My Soul”

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=644455328994159&set=vb.174161846023512

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Ash Wednesday

February 18, 2015

edited January 8, 2016

bittersweet – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/bittersweet-v3.html

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2016/01/bittersweet-v3_8.html

(merging edits to version 2 and original)

edited February 18, 2015

bittersweet – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/bittersweet-v2.html

edited March 5, 2015

how quickly they burn – 2 – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/how-quickly-they-burn-2-v2.html

February 17, 2015

how quickly they burn - 2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/how-quickly-they-burn.html

Isaiah 58:5-10

Burning of the Palm service

https://www.facebook.com/174161846023512/photos/pb.174161846023512.-2207520000.1424361416./644000769039615/

by Pastor Ruth Foss

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

February 17, 2015 and February 18, 2015

edited March 21, 2015

the sweetness of Sorrow – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-sweetness-of-sorrow-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited March 9, 2015

the sweetness of Sorrow – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-sweetness-of-sorrow-v2.html

March 6, 2015

the sweetness of Sorrow

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-sweetness-of-sorrow.html

edited May 6, 2015

breathing in Sorrow – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/05/breathing-in-sorrow-v5.html

(editing version 3)

edited March 6, 2015

breathing in Sorrow – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/breathing-in-sorrow-v4.html

(merging edits to version 3 and version 2)

edited February 18, 2015

breathing in Sorrow – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/breathing-in-sorrow-v3.html

(editing version 1)

edited March 24, 2014

breathing in Sorrow – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/breathing-in-sorrow-v2.html

edited, new poem March 7, 2014

breathing in Sorrow

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/breathing-in-sorrow.html

edited February 18, 2015

the ashes drawn within – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-ashes-drawn-within-v3.html

(editing version 2)

edited March 6, 2014

the ashes drawn within – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-ashes-drawn-within-v2.html

March 6, 2014

the ashes drawn within

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-ashes-drawn-within.html

Ash Wednesday worship service at

Mountain Heights Healthcare Facility

Patten, ME

March 6, 2014

edited August 5, 2015

The flesh of that bread – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-flesh-of-that-bread-v4.html

(editing version 2)

edited April 19, 2014

The flesh of that bread – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-flesh-of-that-bread-v3.html

(editing original version again)

edited March 12, 2014

The flesh of that bread – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-flesh-of-that-bread-v2.html

March 5, 2014

The flesh of that bread

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-flesh-of-that-bread.html

edited February 18, 2015

the dust of the ashes – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-dust-ashes-v3.html

(editing version 1 again)

edited March 10, 2014

the dust the ashes – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-dust-ashes-v2.html

March 5, 2014

the dust the ashes

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-dust-ashes.html

edited February 18, 2015

the palms consumed – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-palms-consumed-v2.html

March 6, 2014

the palms consumed

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-palms-consumed.html

edited February 18, 2015

the sorrow of the ashes – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-sorrow-of-ashes-v3.html

(editing version 1)

edited March 15, 2014

the sorrow of the ashes – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-sorrow-of-ashes-v2.html

March 6, 2014

the sorrow of the ashes

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-sorrow-of-ashes.html

edited February 18, 2015

my lungs filled with the smoke – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/my-lungs-filled-with-smoke-v2.html

March 6, 2014

my lungs filled with the smoke

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-lungs-filled-with-smoke.html

edited February 18, 2015

burning our celebration – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/burning-our-celebration-v3.html

(editing original)

edited March 10, 2014

burning our celebration – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/burning-our-celebration-v2.html

March 6, 2014

burning our celebration

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/burning-our-celebration.html

edited February 18, 2015

burning our hope – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/burning-our-hope-v3.html

(editing version 1)

edited April 12, 2014

burning our hope – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/04/burning-our-hope-v2.html

March 5, 2014

burning our hope

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/burning-our-hope.html

edited February 18, 2015

cloaked in the smoke – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/cloaked-in-smoke-v2.html

March 5, 2014

cloaked in the smoke

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/cloaked-in-smoke.html

edited February 18, 2015

ashes of that fire – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/ashes-of-that-fire-v2.html

March 5, 2014

ashes of that fire

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/ashes-of-that-fire.html

edited February 18, 2015

How quickly they burn – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/how-quickly-they-burn-v2.html

March 5, 2014

How quickly they burn

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-quickly-they-burn.html

edited/new name February 18, 2015

the mirror of the ashes

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-mirror-of-ashes.html

edited February 18, 2015

the truth of the ashes – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-truth-of-ashes-v2.html

March 5, 2014

the truth of the ashes

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-truth-of-ashes.html

edited February 18, 2015

the anger of the fire – v5

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-anger-of-fire-v5.html

(editing original again)

edited March 30, 2014

the anger of the fire – v4

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-anger-of-fire-v4.html

edited March 24, 2014

the anger of the fire – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-anger-of-fire-v3.html

edited March 15, 2014

the anger of the fire – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-anger-of-fire-v2.html

March 5, 2014

the anger of the fire

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-anger-of-fire.html

March 5, 2014

bittersweet

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/bittersweet.html

edited July 15, 2015

within the sweetness of the smoke – v9

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v9.html

(editing version 5)

edited July 1, 2015

within the sweetness of the smoke – v8

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/07/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v8.html

(editing version 5)

edited March 20, 2014

“within the sweetness of the smoke – v7”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v6_20.html

edited March 4, 2014

“within the sweetness of the smoke – v6”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v6.html

Ash Wednesday and Lent

beginning this week

burning of the palms from last year

hymn - “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”, TFWS #2138

Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday”

Prelude

Unison Prayer

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)

Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)

Prayer of Confession

Words of Assurance

Imposition of Ashes

Communion

Lenten poem:”Changer: A Lenten Poem”

by Adrienne Sparrow Trevathan

https://twitter.com/AdrienneSparrow

my earlier poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke.html

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/03/cover-me-with-dust-v3.html

“God’s Whisper” blog

Stetson Memorial United Methodist Church

Patten, ME

March 5, 2014

Ash Wednesday

Lent

edited March 23, 2015

cover me with dust – v3

Edited March 22, 2013

“cover me with dust – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/03/cover-me-with-dust-v2.html

February 15, 2013

“cover me with dust”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/cover-me-with-dust.html

Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday”

Prelude

Unison Prayer

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)

Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)

hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138

Prayer of Confession

Words of Assurance

Imposition of Ashes

Communion liturgy – “The Great Thanksgiving for Early Lent”

Lenten poem: “Changer: A Lenten Poem”

by Adrienne Sparrow Trevathan

https://twitter.com/AdrienneSparrow

my earlier poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke.html

on the bulletin back cover

http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2013/03/lenten-dramas.html

This Lenten Season, we are doing something a little different. We are doing Lenten Dramas from: http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/home.htm It is called "The Voice of God". We are hearing conversations between God and some of the characters that took part in Passion Week. It has been a "moving experience" for all. . .

February 13 2013 Ash Wednesday – James (portrayed by Diane Mitchell)

February 17, 2013 – Judas (portrayal by Ray Foss)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZXUSiwG8Dg

February 24, 2013 – Peter (portrayal by Marshall Burns)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llPyvx5at-E

March 3, 2013 – Pilate (portrayed by Richard Fleury)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEY_EcCBcd8

March 10, 2013 – Barabbas (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_rxy_t5U0A

March 17, 2013 - Dysmas (Thief on the cross) (portrayed by Ray Foss)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pp7QMPMUfs

March 24, 2013 Palm Sunday

March 28, 2013 Maunday Thursday – The Centurion

March 29, 2013 Good Friday - Mary Mother of Jesus

March 31, 2013 Easter Sunday! - The Gardner

and Ash Wednesday Drama:

(a conversation with James and God

after the Garden of Gethsemane)

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-brittleness-of-our-hope.html

“God’s Whisper” blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

February 13, 2013

Ash Wednesday

Lent

Edited November 28, 2013

The brittleness of our hope – v2

(Thanksgiving Day)

February 6, 2013

new poem – “The brittleness of our hope”

The brittleness of our hope

Edited February 6, 2013

“The smell of the smoke – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-smell-of-smoke-v3.html

February 27, 2012

“The smell of the smoke – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/smell-of-smoke-v2.html

Worship Theme – “Ash Wednesday”

Prelude

Unison Prayer

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 (CEB)

Joel 2:12-17a (CEB)

Prayer of Confession (Psalm 51:3)

Pastoral Prayer

Word of Assurance (GBOD 2012)

Thanksgiving over the ashes

Distribution of the Ashes

hymn, “Sunday’s Palms Are Wednesday’s Ashes” TFWS #2138

and Ash Wednesday Meditation,

“The Math of Lent”

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke.html

meditation blog

Suncook United Methodist Church

Suncook, NH

Ash Wednesday

February 22, 2012

thinking on the earlier poem, “within the sweetness of the smoke”

February 19, 2012

Ash Wednesday and Lent

beginning this week

burning of the palms from last year

hymn - “Sunday’s palms are Wednesday’s Ashes”, TFWS #2138

Edited January 1, 2014

“within the sweetness of the smoke – v5”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/01/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v5.html

(editing version 2)

Edited February 14, 2013

“within the sweetness of the smoke – v4”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v4.html

Edited February 14, 2013

“within the sweetness of the smoke – v3”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v3.html

Edited February 6, 2013

“within the sweetness of the smoke – v2”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2013/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke-v2.html

February 19, 2012

“within the sweetness of the smoke”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/within-sweetness-of-smoke.html

Worship Theme – “God’s Healing Mercy”

Mark 2:1-12 (NRSV)

Isaiah 43:18-25 (NRSV)

2 Corinthians 1:18-22 (NRSV)

Call to Worship (Psalm 41:1-4, 13 (NRSV Bible))

Unison Prayer

Prayer of Dedication ((GBOD Mark 9:2-9)

and sermon, “How Good of God”

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/02/sermon-how-good-of-god-by-pastor-ruth.html

by Pastor Ruth Foss

sermon blog

meditation blog