The power to move mountains
or the power to remove mountains
such is the power compared
juxtaposed with love, with charity
totally different images,
thoughts in one’s mind
moving mountains,
that faith of the mustard seed
but faith to remove them all together
to strike them from the scene
the counterpoint of love or of charity to
more than nuance of language
deeper clefts between the translations
a richness of meaning pouring out
of real understanding in these words
clearer sense of the divine
of our call from God
in the different words
of the same scripture
April 25, 2008
1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:2
the difference in one word,
remove or move and
the companion word love or charity
between the King James Version
and the New Revised Standard Version
of the bible; what a difference
Friday, April 25, 2008
Leaving the World Behind
Off the grid, no watch, no phone
leaving the world behind
entering this holy ground
a cloistered space, community
fellowship of believers
walking, a people apart,
journeying with the risen Christ
spending time in his good news
cutting through the clutter
the noise of everyday life
to the truths hidden beneath
the love, the grace of God
all around us each day
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
leaving the world behind
entering this holy ground
a cloistered space, community
fellowship of believers
walking, a people apart,
journeying with the risen Christ
spending time in his good news
cutting through the clutter
the noise of everyday life
to the truths hidden beneath
the love, the grace of God
all around us each day
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Faithful Prayers
Around the clock,
coming together around the community
faithful prayers, lifting up the pilgrims, the team
prayers for their being set apart, being open
being part of the process, the work of weekend
the word revealed, the Christ represented
in this community of faith
Praying for them all, by name,
that they would see Christ, walk with Him
feel Him beside them, with them
around the clock
Praying without ceasing,
for them all
April 25, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
coming together around the community
faithful prayers, lifting up the pilgrims, the team
prayers for their being set apart, being open
being part of the process, the work of weekend
the word revealed, the Christ represented
in this community of faith
Praying for them all, by name,
that they would see Christ, walk with Him
feel Him beside them, with them
around the clock
Praying without ceasing,
for them all
April 25, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Letters of Love
Letters of love, on their way,
written for you, for your strength,
for your faithfulness, your commitment to the call
the call God have given you, challenged you
to fulfill your part, in the creator’s plan
Letter of love, written just so you will know
the love we feel from you,
the love we want to convey to you
sent to you, to read, to experience
on this special journey you are on
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus,
the prayers for Ruth
written for you, for your strength,
for your faithfulness, your commitment to the call
the call God have given you, challenged you
to fulfill your part, in the creator’s plan
Letter of love, written just so you will know
the love we feel from you,
the love we want to convey to you
sent to you, to read, to experience
on this special journey you are on
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus,
the prayers for Ruth
Walking Home
The story doesn’t expressly say,
but they appeared to be walking home
despondent perhaps, sad certainly,
confused or so said by all that had taken place
and Mary’s testimony, of the empty tomb
Was this the Messiah, the risen savior,
the king who rode into the city on a donkey
with no army, no claim to the throne,
the seat David once sat upon
They were walking home
A stranger walked up beside them
joining them on their short journey
unaware of the things, but so knowledgeable
about the ancient texts, the law, the prophets
able to weave a story of the Messiah
with authority, with clarity
Coming close to home,
they urged him to stay with them longer
to join them in the warmth of home
In he went with them, accepting their offer
Blessing the meal, this honored guest
breaking the bread, sharing the cup
The savior revealed, and then gone
April 24, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
but they appeared to be walking home
despondent perhaps, sad certainly,
confused or so said by all that had taken place
and Mary’s testimony, of the empty tomb
Was this the Messiah, the risen savior,
the king who rode into the city on a donkey
with no army, no claim to the throne,
the seat David once sat upon
They were walking home
A stranger walked up beside them
joining them on their short journey
unaware of the things, but so knowledgeable
about the ancient texts, the law, the prophets
able to weave a story of the Messiah
with authority, with clarity
Coming close to home,
they urged him to stay with them longer
to join them in the warmth of home
In he went with them, accepting their offer
Blessing the meal, this honored guest
breaking the bread, sharing the cup
The savior revealed, and then gone
April 24, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
In the Jordan
The story began anew,
the steps of fulfillment
immediately revealed,
the ancient text alive
in the Jordan,
where he was baptized
An anointing by water,
by the spirit falling like a dove
upon him, in the storied river,
being washed by John,
anointed by the dove,
the voice from heaven
a son well blessed
starting his journey
in the Jordan
April 24, 2008
Mark 1:9-15
the steps of fulfillment
immediately revealed,
the ancient text alive
in the Jordan,
where he was baptized
An anointing by water,
by the spirit falling like a dove
upon him, in the storied river,
being washed by John,
anointed by the dove,
the voice from heaven
a son well blessed
starting his journey
in the Jordan
April 24, 2008
Mark 1:9-15
A Stranger No More
He walked beside us; but we didn’t know him
beside up on that road home
we didn’t recognize him, not while he spoke
not while we talked on the road
He was a stranger no more
in the blessing, in the breaking of the bread
in the sharing of the wine, that meal made holy
with our risen Lord, in communion
He was made known to us
in the act of sacrifice
remembered each time
we share his meal
April 24, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
beside up on that road home
we didn’t recognize him, not while he spoke
not while we talked on the road
He was a stranger no more
in the blessing, in the breaking of the bread
in the sharing of the wine, that meal made holy
with our risen Lord, in communion
He was made known to us
in the act of sacrifice
remembered each time
we share his meal
April 24, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
More Mary than Martha
Oh she can do the whole housekeeping thing,
the cooking, the cleaning, the busy bustle of life
But she would happily sit at the Master’s feet
maybe bringing her husband, her children along
if there was room. She would sit and bask
in the singular opportunity at the Master’s feet
far more Mary than Martha and happier for it.
April 24, 2008
Ruth
the cooking, the cleaning, the busy bustle of life
But she would happily sit at the Master’s feet
maybe bringing her husband, her children along
if there was room. She would sit and bask
in the singular opportunity at the Master’s feet
far more Mary than Martha and happier for it.
April 24, 2008
Ruth
She Carried with Her
She carried with her
the affirmation of a congregation
the approval of a committee
an appointment to serve
and the prayers of a multitude,
family, friends,
members of the community,
the congregation, the fellowship
of those who know her best
All who love her
raising her up for these days
that she would be richly blessed
in this time with the Lord
on her Walk to Emmaus
steps on the path of her life
a pilgrim, a disciple,
a shepherd for the kingdom
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus,
the prayers for Ruth
the affirmation of a congregation
the approval of a committee
an appointment to serve
and the prayers of a multitude,
family, friends,
members of the community,
the congregation, the fellowship
of those who know her best
All who love her
raising her up for these days
that she would be richly blessed
in this time with the Lord
on her Walk to Emmaus
steps on the path of her life
a pilgrim, a disciple,
a shepherd for the kingdom
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus,
the prayers for Ruth
My Prayer for You on Your Journey
Oh I pray for you, that you would find Christ anew
that these days would be a rich blessing
that you would feel the presence of our creator,
our savior, the Holy Spirit sitting beside you
That still small voice speaking
from within your heart
that these moment would be etched,
carved in your memory
that the words of the savior, in clear language,
not hidden in lofty parables,
would speak directly to you
that your witness would be strengthened
and your joy more complete
Your sureness of your journey
the faith, your belief in the unseen
as it was for Abraham, our father
A new voice in your spirit,
new words to share with the congregation
Fed at the Master’s feet, as Mary was
this is my prayer for you
on this journey to Emmaus
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
that these days would be a rich blessing
that you would feel the presence of our creator,
our savior, the Holy Spirit sitting beside you
That still small voice speaking
from within your heart
that these moment would be etched,
carved in your memory
that the words of the savior, in clear language,
not hidden in lofty parables,
would speak directly to you
that your witness would be strengthened
and your joy more complete
Your sureness of your journey
the faith, your belief in the unseen
as it was for Abraham, our father
A new voice in your spirit,
new words to share with the congregation
Fed at the Master’s feet, as Mary was
this is my prayer for you
on this journey to Emmaus
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
Praying for Their Journey
Prayers rising up
to our Father’s ear in heaven
for their journey, their walk
That they would find our risen savior
on that old, ancient, dusty road,
on the road to Emmaus.
Pilgrims all are we,
walking with our brother
hearing his story once again
Praying they would find their way
lost or walking along
whichever they may be
That they would feel that warmness
that fire in their spirits
as they listen to the word
feel the love of our creator
commune with one another
in the church together
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
to our Father’s ear in heaven
for their journey, their walk
That they would find our risen savior
on that old, ancient, dusty road,
on the road to Emmaus.
Pilgrims all are we,
walking with our brother
hearing his story once again
Praying they would find their way
lost or walking along
whichever they may be
That they would feel that warmness
that fire in their spirits
as they listen to the word
feel the love of our creator
commune with one another
in the church together
April 24, 2008
Walk to Emmaus
With Life Giving Water
The dry soil gave way
allowing the perennials
to push up to through
when life giving water
was added to the dry ground
The garden became green
in a matter of hours,
as the waters found the shoots
hidden under the dirt
rising into the air,
toward the light
with the blessing
of life giving waters
April 24, 2008
allowing the perennials
to push up to through
when life giving water
was added to the dry ground
The garden became green
in a matter of hours,
as the waters found the shoots
hidden under the dirt
rising into the air,
toward the light
with the blessing
of life giving waters
April 24, 2008
The Gardener
The loving hands of the gardener
adding water, sunshine, rich fertile soil
to nourish, nurture, grow the seeds
plants by his hands
giving the plants,
fruitless for a time
a chance to grow,
to mature in time
for a harvest to come
April 24, 2008
Genesis 1
Luke 13:6-9
Mark 4:1-20
adding water, sunshine, rich fertile soil
to nourish, nurture, grow the seeds
plants by his hands
giving the plants,
fruitless for a time
a chance to grow,
to mature in time
for a harvest to come
April 24, 2008
Genesis 1
Luke 13:6-9
Mark 4:1-20
With a Little Water
With a little water, the garden sprang to life
green shoots burst through the newly loosened soil
a little water and good soil, a wealth of sunshine
the garden grew.
So are we, in our dry places, ready to spring to life
with a little living water, the good soil of a willing heart
the light of God splashing down on us
Ready to grow in our faith, with the love of God
nurturing, enriching, wrapping around us
in this beautiful garden
April 24, 2008
green shoots burst through the newly loosened soil
a little water and good soil, a wealth of sunshine
the garden grew.
So are we, in our dry places, ready to spring to life
with a little living water, the good soil of a willing heart
the light of God splashing down on us
Ready to grow in our faith, with the love of God
nurturing, enriching, wrapping around us
in this beautiful garden
April 24, 2008
In the Days of Darkness
Like the flash of light,
God was in the days of darkness,
the prayer and fasting in his cell in Damascus
God was there, in the heart of Saul
stilling the noise in his spirit
letting the words from heaven,
from the Messiah, sink into his soul
In those days of darkness
His sight forever changed
Ready now for the faithfulness
the hand of Ananias, to see
April 24, 2008
Acts 9:1-22 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=24&year=2008&x=107&y=6
God was in the days of darkness,
the prayer and fasting in his cell in Damascus
God was there, in the heart of Saul
stilling the noise in his spirit
letting the words from heaven,
from the Messiah, sink into his soul
In those days of darkness
His sight forever changed
Ready now for the faithfulness
the hand of Ananias, to see
April 24, 2008
Acts 9:1-22 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=24&year=2008&x=107&y=6
In the Flash of Light
God was there,
in the brilliant flash of light
in the booming voice from on high
speaking to His tormented,
persecutor of His disciples
blinding the eyes
of he who could not see
who would not believe in Him
in the flash of light blinding him
for His purposes alone
Humbling him,
making him dependent
Opening his heart
to the truth of the Way
April 24, 2008
Acts 9:1-22 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=24&year=2008&x=107&y=6
in the brilliant flash of light
in the booming voice from on high
speaking to His tormented,
persecutor of His disciples
blinding the eyes
of he who could not see
who would not believe in Him
in the flash of light blinding him
for His purposes alone
Humbling him,
making him dependent
Opening his heart
to the truth of the Way
April 24, 2008
Acts 9:1-22 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=24&year=2008&x=107&y=6
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A Kiss in the Sanctuary
The day was sealed with
a kiss in the sanctuary,
as if the pastor could have stopped us.
“You may kiss the bride” never more unnecessary
Eager to kiss, to get the celebration begun
Sealing the moment, the joy
fulfilling a promise before God
the love we share
by our kiss in the sanctuary
April 23, 2008
our wedding, April 23, 2005
a kiss in the sanctuary,
as if the pastor could have stopped us.
“You may kiss the bride” never more unnecessary
Eager to kiss, to get the celebration begun
Sealing the moment, the joy
fulfilling a promise before God
the love we share
by our kiss in the sanctuary
April 23, 2008
our wedding, April 23, 2005
A December Morning
Walking carefully onto the stone bridge
snow and ice on the path
We stood together in our finery
our three daughters with us
The words of love, of commitment
the words from Ruth, for Naomi, shared
Poinsettia and snowflakes,
a tie and a beautiful dress
two rings exchanged and
two hearts joined
that December morning
before the snow flurry confetti
and the champagne toast
April 23, 2008
our wedding, December 17, 2004
snow and ice on the path
We stood together in our finery
our three daughters with us
The words of love, of commitment
the words from Ruth, for Naomi, shared
Poinsettia and snowflakes,
a tie and a beautiful dress
two rings exchanged and
two hearts joined
that December morning
before the snow flurry confetti
and the champagne toast
April 23, 2008
our wedding, December 17, 2004
The Love Chapter
Speaking of love, special sacrificial love
charity, servanthood in our hearts
cherishing another, truly
Her voice rising, reading these holy words
words that bound the believers
Hearing these words from the lecturn
my love’s hand in mine
Deep meaning in sharing these words
in the sanctuary on our wedding day
a chapter of our lives unfolding still
April 23, 2008
1 Corinthians 13
our wedding, April 23, 2005
charity, servanthood in our hearts
cherishing another, truly
Her voice rising, reading these holy words
words that bound the believers
Hearing these words from the lecturn
my love’s hand in mine
Deep meaning in sharing these words
in the sanctuary on our wedding day
a chapter of our lives unfolding still
April 23, 2008
1 Corinthians 13
our wedding, April 23, 2005
Junior Bridesmaid
A little older, a little more mature
not like her younger sisters that day
She was with mom,
up in the front of the sanctuary
standing with mom, on this special day
dressed and coiffed a bit more,
walking with her older cousin
part of this day, of renewal
of commitment before God
as she had been that December ‘morn
sharing with us our joy
our union as husband and wife
a family brought together by God
April 23, 2008
our wedding, April 23, 2005
not like her younger sisters that day
She was with mom,
up in the front of the sanctuary
standing with mom, on this special day
dressed and coiffed a bit more,
walking with her older cousin
part of this day, of renewal
of commitment before God
as she had been that December ‘morn
sharing with us our joy
our union as husband and wife
a family brought together by God
April 23, 2008
our wedding, April 23, 2005
Petals in Their Hands
Shyanne and Shanequa,
then still four and three
practiced scene stealers,
carrying adorned baskets
of the rose petals,
bouquets we had given to one another
Sprinkled, placed, covering
the center aisle, the Narthex
to the Chancel, the sanctuary blessed
petals, pieces of love
to mark this day
April 23, 2008
our wedding, April 23, 2005
then still four and three
practiced scene stealers,
carrying adorned baskets
of the rose petals,
bouquets we had given to one another
Sprinkled, placed, covering
the center aisle, the Narthex
to the Chancel, the sanctuary blessed
petals, pieces of love
to mark this day
April 23, 2008
our wedding, April 23, 2005
Tropical Sunrise
There was something so very different
so far from my ken, my experience
sharing a tropical sunrise with her
with my beautiful wife, alone on the beach
Waking before the dawn, sitting together
watching the sliver of light rise
and consume the dark
warm breezes off the easterly shore, sunlight
wafting across us, moving inland
to wake the island
April 23, 2008
Our honeymoon week,
St. Lucia
so far from my ken, my experience
sharing a tropical sunrise with her
with my beautiful wife, alone on the beach
Waking before the dawn, sitting together
watching the sliver of light rise
and consume the dark
warm breezes off the easterly shore, sunlight
wafting across us, moving inland
to wake the island
April 23, 2008
Our honeymoon week,
St. Lucia
Our Island
For a few days, wonderful days
this was our island, a refuge, a retreat
escape from the day to day, a warm, tropical
wondrous place, so different from home
Luxuriating in the hot, sun beating on our skin
the water slippery warm
smell of flowers, of the rainforest,
even the sulfur, unique in our history
Slowing down, strolling along,
even in the rain
this place, this special place
was our island
April 23, 2008
Our honeymoon week,
St. Lucia
this was our island, a refuge, a retreat
escape from the day to day, a warm, tropical
wondrous place, so different from home
Luxuriating in the hot, sun beating on our skin
the water slippery warm
smell of flowers, of the rainforest,
even the sulfur, unique in our history
Slowing down, strolling along,
even in the rain
this place, this special place
was our island
April 23, 2008
Our honeymoon week,
St. Lucia
Our Beach
The windward island, southern end, easterly beach
early in the morning, before the hotel stirred
pool chairs turned to the waking sky
holding each other’s hand
waiting together on our beach
for the sun to crest the horizon line
for the dark to give way to the light
still in our hearts together, seeing the dawn
alone together on our own private beach
wearing bathing suits in April
quite a difference for northerners like us
warm in the tropical breezes
sitting in the dawning sun
sipping a little coffee
given to us by the staff
catering to our needs
our need to be there,
in that moment
April 23, 2008
Our honeymoon week,
St. Lucia
early in the morning, before the hotel stirred
pool chairs turned to the waking sky
holding each other’s hand
waiting together on our beach
for the sun to crest the horizon line
for the dark to give way to the light
still in our hearts together, seeing the dawn
alone together on our own private beach
wearing bathing suits in April
quite a difference for northerners like us
warm in the tropical breezes
sitting in the dawning sun
sipping a little coffee
given to us by the staff
catering to our needs
our need to be there,
in that moment
April 23, 2008
Our honeymoon week,
St. Lucia
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Waiting for the Bride
She was a little late
for the service, for the wedding
lucky for me, we were already wed
This day for the church, before God, our family
But we were already husband and wife
living our life together already
father and mother for these
magical girls, treasures each day
She was late, and I was laughing
even as I paced the sanctuary, the Narthex,
the front steps of the church
Wondering where my bride could ever be
happy she was already my wife
April 22, 2008
About our wedding day, April 23, 2005,
when Ruth was late, because
the flowers were left at our house
for the service, for the wedding
lucky for me, we were already wed
This day for the church, before God, our family
But we were already husband and wife
living our life together already
father and mother for these
magical girls, treasures each day
She was late, and I was laughing
even as I paced the sanctuary, the Narthex,
the front steps of the church
Wondering where my bride could ever be
happy she was already my wife
April 22, 2008
About our wedding day, April 23, 2005,
when Ruth was late, because
the flowers were left at our house
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, “Where Does The Story End?”, Sanbornville, United Methodist Church, Wakefield, NH, March 23, 2008, Easter Sunday
John 20: 1-18
It’s Easter Sunday!!! Christ is Risen! (He is Risen indeed!). This is my most favorite day in the Christian Calendar. It is the day our Lord and Savior rose from the dead. . . conquering sin and death. . . so that we can have a right relationship with our God and King! I don’t know about you but I have asked Ray to tether me so that I don’t fly away! Our wait is finally over. . . the past three days are behind us. We can look forward to the kingdom of God. We can walk in the garden in the cool of the evening with our Creator again as was planned from the beginning. We can have that one on one relationship with God again. Ray and I have the same feeling about Easter Morning. . . he even wrote a poem about it. It is called “Bring on the Morning” and it reads:
Oh, bring on the morning!
so we can shed our ashes, our sackcloth
rise with the Christ, He Is Risen!
The grave empty, the Messiah lives
walking among the disciples, sharing his grace
a balm to their souls, the beginning of our future
a risen savior, at the right hand of the creator
our breach sealed and death defeated
Oh, bring on the morning!
our lives renewed, our grief, our shame
cast to the side, our Savior lives
the sin that caused his pain,
washed clean;
He is shimmering white
our eyes turn to the Master's voice
we are his sheep and he our shepherd
Oh bring on the morning!
the old is past and the new just begun
we are raised, we are risen
join the saints, the throng,
singing Hosanna,
all around the world
Christ the Lord is risen today
Oh, bring on the morning!
And what a morning it is because Christ is risen. . . He is risen indeed!
In the Scripture from the Gospel of John this morning. . . it tells us about that fateful morning when Mary went to the tomb. It talks about that first Easter morning. When I read this scripture. . . I saw two stories unfolding in it. One was the story of Mary and the other was the story of Peter and the beloved disciple (which some say was John). Both of the stories had powerful meaning for me and I thought I would share them with you this morning.
Let’s talk about the first story. . . the one of the two disciples Peter and the beloved disciple. Now after Mary went and told them that the stone had been removed. . . They both go running to the tomb. Peter went in first and then the other disciple went in. Peter saw the linen wrappings and such lying on the floor but when the beloved disciple saw these things. . . he. . . believed. They both did not quite understand yet that Jesus had to rise from the dead. . . but. . . even though they didn’t understand. . . the beloved one believed.
Now. . . Peter and the other disciple are given nothing but the evidence of an empty tomb. But still the beloved one believed. He had no angelic announcement that accompanied the glimpse into the empty tomb. . . no reassuring words that Jesus has risen, that he had gone before them. There was only the stark emptiness of the tomb and the tell tale presence of Jesus’ abandoned burial cloth; yet. . . the beloved believed.
You see. . . he believed because he already believed before the crucifixion. The beloved disciple believed in Jesus and the trustworthiness of His promises about Himself and about God. When he saw the empty tomb. . . he knew what that signaled: Jesus had conquered death. He didn’t need Grissom from CSI. . . he didn’t need the New York Times or the Daily Gazette. . . he didn’t need Geraldo to tell him what was going on. He knew what he knew and that was Jesus said it and it was so! Talk about “blind Faith” or should I say “true faith.” Even though he did not fully understand. . . he still believed because Jesus said it was so. . . to have a faith like that would be a wonderful thing. . . something I am sure we would all like to have.
The other story. . . the other scene. . . that I was aware of was the scene with Mary. She was all upset because she did not know where Jesus’ body was. She thought that someone had come and taken it away. When she had told the angels why she was so distraught it was not the angels that comforted her. It was Jesus Himself. She didn’t recognize Him at first. . . but. . . the moment of recognition was when she hears Jesus call her name. At this point she abandon’s her grief and turns to her teacher expectantly. It is the demonstration of the Truth of Jesus’ promise that He would see His followers again, that their grief in His absence would turn to joy, that He would not leave His followers orphaned. This scene captures all of the joy the church experiences when it exults on Easter Sunday Christ is Risen. . . He is Risen indeed! But. . . I also see something else in this scene. You see. . . Jesus tells her that she cannot touch Him because He still needs to ascend to the Father. Now. . . He could have just ascended and came back later as we all know He did. . . but. . . He makes this “pit stop”. . . to talk to Mary. . . to comfort her. . . while he was on His way up to the Father. Even from the grave Jesus still was showing His compassion on the down hearted.
Easter. . . the Cross. . . you know. . . there are many ways that people look at the cross. Some people look at the embodied cross. . . they feel that the most important day ever is the day that Jesus died on the cross. Others look to the empty cross and tomb. They look at the Risen Lord not the suffering savior. To me. . . without the empty cross and tomb. . . there is no completion to Jesus’ ministry here on earth. In order to conquer sin and death. . . He needed to rise on that fateful Sunday Morning. To me the most important day is Easter Sunday. This is what the poem that Ray wrote, “With out Easter” embodies. It reads:
The cross, the sacrifice, the suffering
taking on our sins, to reconcile us to the creator
that is the story, of Maundy Thursday,
of the good, Good Friday.
But without Easter, the story is incomplete
unfinished, good but not triumphant
the lamb a sacrifice, the humble servant;
but not the king, the lamb upon the throne
We need Easter, the risen Lord,
vanquishing death, the tomb
Rising from grave, walking once more
with the disciples, believers, the faithful
Walking on the Road to Emmaus,
communing with them in the Upper Room
assuaging their fear before his ascension
preparing them for the Pentecost
laying the way for our future
as they would spread his word
to the ends of the earth
a story, ultimately that would be
Nothing without Easter
But is that the end of the story? Is there more that we need to think about regarding this Resurrection morn?
The good news that Jesus commands Mary to proclaim is not that He is risen, but that he is “ascending to my Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” This is not meant to minimize the resurrection, but to note. . . for Johns Gospel. . . the appearances of the risen Jesus are neither counterpart to the cross or the climax of the story. The cross brings the incarnation to a close but the story of the “Logos”. . . the Word. . . the Plan. . . finds its conclusion only in Jesus’ return to God which is the counter part of the descent from heaven. This return makes new life possible for the believing community, because Jesus’ ascent to God renders permanent that which was revealed about God during the incarnation.
The love of God embodied in Jesus was not of temporary duration. . . lasting only as long as the incarnation. The truth of Jesus’ revelation of God receives its final seal in His return to God. Jesus announces His ascension to Mary by saying “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Jesus Himself translates what His ascension means “for us.” Through Jesus’ ascension, the believing community receives a new identity. His ascension is the conformation that the believing community now knows God as Jesus knows God, that Jesus has opened up the possibility of a new and full relationship with God. The intimacy of Jesus’ relationship with God is now the relationship of the believing community can have with God. In verse 16. . . Jesus demonstrates the power of intimacy of relationship with one of His own sheep and in verse 17. . . that power and intimacy is opened up for all believers. . . members of the community. His promises in the Farwell Discourse all pointed in the direction of this ascension announcement that the love that God and Jesus have for each other would be opened up by Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to include the believing community.
It’s Easter Sunday. . . Christ has risen. . . He is risen indeed. Where does the story end? Is it at the cross. . . with the empty tomb. . . or at His ascension? I my eyes. . . the story goes on. Yes Jesus conquered sin and death for you and me. Yes He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. But His story lives on in you and in me. We are now that believing community that has had the bridge built for them. We are the ones who carry on with His ministry here on earth. Praise God for our Lord and Savior. . . the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Whom without His love and compassion we would still be estranged from the best Father we will ever have.
AMEN
It’s Easter Sunday!!! Christ is Risen! (He is Risen indeed!). This is my most favorite day in the Christian Calendar. It is the day our Lord and Savior rose from the dead. . . conquering sin and death. . . so that we can have a right relationship with our God and King! I don’t know about you but I have asked Ray to tether me so that I don’t fly away! Our wait is finally over. . . the past three days are behind us. We can look forward to the kingdom of God. We can walk in the garden in the cool of the evening with our Creator again as was planned from the beginning. We can have that one on one relationship with God again. Ray and I have the same feeling about Easter Morning. . . he even wrote a poem about it. It is called “Bring on the Morning” and it reads:
Oh, bring on the morning!
so we can shed our ashes, our sackcloth
rise with the Christ, He Is Risen!
The grave empty, the Messiah lives
walking among the disciples, sharing his grace
a balm to their souls, the beginning of our future
a risen savior, at the right hand of the creator
our breach sealed and death defeated
Oh, bring on the morning!
our lives renewed, our grief, our shame
cast to the side, our Savior lives
the sin that caused his pain,
washed clean;
He is shimmering white
our eyes turn to the Master's voice
we are his sheep and he our shepherd
Oh bring on the morning!
the old is past and the new just begun
we are raised, we are risen
join the saints, the throng,
singing Hosanna,
all around the world
Christ the Lord is risen today
Oh, bring on the morning!
And what a morning it is because Christ is risen. . . He is risen indeed!
In the Scripture from the Gospel of John this morning. . . it tells us about that fateful morning when Mary went to the tomb. It talks about that first Easter morning. When I read this scripture. . . I saw two stories unfolding in it. One was the story of Mary and the other was the story of Peter and the beloved disciple (which some say was John). Both of the stories had powerful meaning for me and I thought I would share them with you this morning.
Let’s talk about the first story. . . the one of the two disciples Peter and the beloved disciple. Now after Mary went and told them that the stone had been removed. . . They both go running to the tomb. Peter went in first and then the other disciple went in. Peter saw the linen wrappings and such lying on the floor but when the beloved disciple saw these things. . . he. . . believed. They both did not quite understand yet that Jesus had to rise from the dead. . . but. . . even though they didn’t understand. . . the beloved one believed.
Now. . . Peter and the other disciple are given nothing but the evidence of an empty tomb. But still the beloved one believed. He had no angelic announcement that accompanied the glimpse into the empty tomb. . . no reassuring words that Jesus has risen, that he had gone before them. There was only the stark emptiness of the tomb and the tell tale presence of Jesus’ abandoned burial cloth; yet. . . the beloved believed.
You see. . . he believed because he already believed before the crucifixion. The beloved disciple believed in Jesus and the trustworthiness of His promises about Himself and about God. When he saw the empty tomb. . . he knew what that signaled: Jesus had conquered death. He didn’t need Grissom from CSI. . . he didn’t need the New York Times or the Daily Gazette. . . he didn’t need Geraldo to tell him what was going on. He knew what he knew and that was Jesus said it and it was so! Talk about “blind Faith” or should I say “true faith.” Even though he did not fully understand. . . he still believed because Jesus said it was so. . . to have a faith like that would be a wonderful thing. . . something I am sure we would all like to have.
The other story. . . the other scene. . . that I was aware of was the scene with Mary. She was all upset because she did not know where Jesus’ body was. She thought that someone had come and taken it away. When she had told the angels why she was so distraught it was not the angels that comforted her. It was Jesus Himself. She didn’t recognize Him at first. . . but. . . the moment of recognition was when she hears Jesus call her name. At this point she abandon’s her grief and turns to her teacher expectantly. It is the demonstration of the Truth of Jesus’ promise that He would see His followers again, that their grief in His absence would turn to joy, that He would not leave His followers orphaned. This scene captures all of the joy the church experiences when it exults on Easter Sunday Christ is Risen. . . He is Risen indeed! But. . . I also see something else in this scene. You see. . . Jesus tells her that she cannot touch Him because He still needs to ascend to the Father. Now. . . He could have just ascended and came back later as we all know He did. . . but. . . He makes this “pit stop”. . . to talk to Mary. . . to comfort her. . . while he was on His way up to the Father. Even from the grave Jesus still was showing His compassion on the down hearted.
Easter. . . the Cross. . . you know. . . there are many ways that people look at the cross. Some people look at the embodied cross. . . they feel that the most important day ever is the day that Jesus died on the cross. Others look to the empty cross and tomb. They look at the Risen Lord not the suffering savior. To me. . . without the empty cross and tomb. . . there is no completion to Jesus’ ministry here on earth. In order to conquer sin and death. . . He needed to rise on that fateful Sunday Morning. To me the most important day is Easter Sunday. This is what the poem that Ray wrote, “With out Easter” embodies. It reads:
The cross, the sacrifice, the suffering
taking on our sins, to reconcile us to the creator
that is the story, of Maundy Thursday,
of the good, Good Friday.
But without Easter, the story is incomplete
unfinished, good but not triumphant
the lamb a sacrifice, the humble servant;
but not the king, the lamb upon the throne
We need Easter, the risen Lord,
vanquishing death, the tomb
Rising from grave, walking once more
with the disciples, believers, the faithful
Walking on the Road to Emmaus,
communing with them in the Upper Room
assuaging their fear before his ascension
preparing them for the Pentecost
laying the way for our future
as they would spread his word
to the ends of the earth
a story, ultimately that would be
Nothing without Easter
But is that the end of the story? Is there more that we need to think about regarding this Resurrection morn?
The good news that Jesus commands Mary to proclaim is not that He is risen, but that he is “ascending to my Father and your Father, to My God and your God.” This is not meant to minimize the resurrection, but to note. . . for Johns Gospel. . . the appearances of the risen Jesus are neither counterpart to the cross or the climax of the story. The cross brings the incarnation to a close but the story of the “Logos”. . . the Word. . . the Plan. . . finds its conclusion only in Jesus’ return to God which is the counter part of the descent from heaven. This return makes new life possible for the believing community, because Jesus’ ascent to God renders permanent that which was revealed about God during the incarnation.
The love of God embodied in Jesus was not of temporary duration. . . lasting only as long as the incarnation. The truth of Jesus’ revelation of God receives its final seal in His return to God. Jesus announces His ascension to Mary by saying “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” Jesus Himself translates what His ascension means “for us.” Through Jesus’ ascension, the believing community receives a new identity. His ascension is the conformation that the believing community now knows God as Jesus knows God, that Jesus has opened up the possibility of a new and full relationship with God. The intimacy of Jesus’ relationship with God is now the relationship of the believing community can have with God. In verse 16. . . Jesus demonstrates the power of intimacy of relationship with one of His own sheep and in verse 17. . . that power and intimacy is opened up for all believers. . . members of the community. His promises in the Farwell Discourse all pointed in the direction of this ascension announcement that the love that God and Jesus have for each other would be opened up by Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension to include the believing community.
It’s Easter Sunday. . . Christ has risen. . . He is risen indeed. Where does the story end? Is it at the cross. . . with the empty tomb. . . or at His ascension? I my eyes. . . the story goes on. Yes Jesus conquered sin and death for you and me. Yes He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. But His story lives on in you and in me. We are now that believing community that has had the bridge built for them. We are the ones who carry on with His ministry here on earth. Praise God for our Lord and Savior. . . the Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Whom without His love and compassion we would still be estranged from the best Father we will ever have.
AMEN
Sermon given by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, “Can I have A Do Over?”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church, Wakefield, NH, March 9, 2008
Ezekiel 37:1-14
How many of you ever wanted to have a do over? You realize that you could have done something a different way or acted a different way and just want to have a chance to start over again. I have many days like that. . . my family seems to know that when I say can we have a do over. . . I really mean business. . . things are going terribly wrong and I just want to start over again. . . even though I know that I can’t. . . it just feels good saying it. If we had a chance to do it over. . . I am sure that most of us would jump at the chance.
I know that I have asked for a do over with people, especially with my family and I get the do over. . . we try to start again, but. . . what has happened before that do over still looms in the air so is that really a do over? But. . . with God . . . we have a true do over. With God. . . we get true forgiveness with our do over. Hebrews 8:12 states that God “Will be merciful to their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more”. Our slate is wiped clean and we can begin anew. (We get. . . a do over)
When we come on bended knee and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we get a do over. 2Corinthians 5:17 tells us “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” We are renewed, changed. The past is past. . . the slate is wiped clean. . . and BEHOLD. . . new things have come. I like the way that the Amplified Bible states this verse from Corinthians. It says that “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” Wow. . . now that makes me stop and think. We are “ingrafted” in Christ. . . we are a new creature altogether. . . our old “moral and spiritual condition is gone. . . A fresh, new start! (We get. . . a do over)
The Ezekiel passage from this morning also talks about renewal. . . a do over. The exiles are lamenting that their bones are dried up, their hopes perished and they are utterly cut off. Yahweh. . . instructs the prophet to inform his audience. . . the exiles. . . that their present situation and consequent despair will. . . be. . . transformed. The bones come together with sinews and flesh came upon it and it was cover with skin. But. . . there was no breath within them. God then tells Ezekiel to summon the breath. . . the spirit. . . from the four winds to breathe. . . blow. . . upon “these slain.”)Wind also means ruah (ruah Eloim~breath of God) and the four winds appear to be the powerful source of the ruah Ezekiel must summon.) Now as a consequence of this. . . of these procedures of the sinews, flesh, skin and the breath that God causes. . . the bones will live; more importantly, the Lords larger purpose will be accomplished: the revived people will know and acknowledge who Yahweh is. They will know the power of God!
When we raise our vision to look beyond what our mundane. . . ordinary. . . eyes can see, we watch the impossible happen through God’s eyes. “I can’t believe my eyes,” we say when we have witnessed an utterly unanticipated and/or seemingly impossible event take place. But we can believe God’s eyes and, seeing through them, glimpse unimagined reasons to keep on hoping, though the desert can be dry and dark, and the Promised Land far, far away. (We get. . . a. . . do over)
Ezekiel also states in verse 14 that “I will put my Spirit in you. And you will live again. I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I have spoken. I have done it," announces the Lord.' "We are given the Spirit of God so that we can live again. I would like to read you a poem from my favorite poet. . . it is titled Wind in the Bones. I think it sums up this passage from Ezekiel well. It reads:
Not merely a breath,
the breath of life
whispered into the bones.
No, the wind, from the ends of the earth
called, commanded to the valley
to breath life into the dry bones
the winds of the dead, the exhaled
breath of life, reinvigorating,
awakening the nation
called to life by God,
through the prophet,
given life by the four winds
It is God’s breath, His wind. . . that gives new life.
The Romans passage tells us that “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” We are made alive again even though we were dead because of sin. (We get. . . a. . . do over)
In the John Gospel from this morning. . . Jesus talks about a new life. In verses 25-26 Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” We have eternal life through our belief in Jesus Christ. AMEN! Jesus also gave Lazarus new life in this passage to God’s Glorification. Our new life is to Glorify God.
I have had time to contemplate on this “new life” thing. . . this concept. This is the analogy that was brought to mind. We are like a caterpillar crawling around looking for something to eat (we are in our sinful nature looking for something that will sustain us). . . when the caterpillar finds the right thing for it to eat they stay and eat and grow (we finally come to the throne of Grace and realize that Jesus is the only thing that will satisfy us. We stay and we learn and feed our souls).When it is time they cocoon themselves (we rest in the presence of God. . . enveloped in his wings of love and redemption. We are sheltered by the Most High). When it is time the caterpillar emerges from its chrysalis and has been transformed into a beautiful Butterfly (we are transformed and are given wings to soar on high. . . transformed into a thing of beauty with God’s love shining through us). (We get. . . our. . . do over)
The way to experience God’s love for the world that defeats death, to receive the promises of God as the reality of God, is to believe in Jesus. We get a do over. We are able to have a right relationship with God. After the first Adam. . . the only way to try and have that relationship with God was through animal sacrifices. But with the 2nd Adam, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he became that ultimate sacrifice. . . the final sacrifice for the remission of sin. Adam was made by the Divine and it took the Divine to save us from his sin. The divine created the 1st Adam and had to become the 2nd in order to correct the mistake of the first. The Divine sacrifice found in our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
How many of you ever wanted to have a do over? You realize that you could have done something a different way or acted a different way and just want to have a chance to start over again. I have many days like that. . . my family seems to know that when I say can we have a do over. . . I really mean business. . . things are going terribly wrong and I just want to start over again. . . even though I know that I can’t. . . it just feels good saying it. If we had a chance to do it over. . . I am sure that most of us would jump at the chance.
I know that I have asked for a do over with people, especially with my family and I get the do over. . . we try to start again, but. . . what has happened before that do over still looms in the air so is that really a do over? But. . . with God . . . we have a true do over. With God. . . we get true forgiveness with our do over. Hebrews 8:12 states that God “Will be merciful to their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more”. Our slate is wiped clean and we can begin anew. (We get. . . a do over)
When we come on bended knee and accept Christ as our Lord and Savior we get a do over. 2Corinthians 5:17 tells us “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” We are renewed, changed. The past is past. . . the slate is wiped clean. . . and BEHOLD. . . new things have come. I like the way that the Amplified Bible states this verse from Corinthians. It says that “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” Wow. . . now that makes me stop and think. We are “ingrafted” in Christ. . . we are a new creature altogether. . . our old “moral and spiritual condition is gone. . . A fresh, new start! (We get. . . a do over)
The Ezekiel passage from this morning also talks about renewal. . . a do over. The exiles are lamenting that their bones are dried up, their hopes perished and they are utterly cut off. Yahweh. . . instructs the prophet to inform his audience. . . the exiles. . . that their present situation and consequent despair will. . . be. . . transformed. The bones come together with sinews and flesh came upon it and it was cover with skin. But. . . there was no breath within them. God then tells Ezekiel to summon the breath. . . the spirit. . . from the four winds to breathe. . . blow. . . upon “these slain.”)Wind also means ruah (ruah Eloim~breath of God) and the four winds appear to be the powerful source of the ruah Ezekiel must summon.) Now as a consequence of this. . . of these procedures of the sinews, flesh, skin and the breath that God causes. . . the bones will live; more importantly, the Lords larger purpose will be accomplished: the revived people will know and acknowledge who Yahweh is. They will know the power of God!
When we raise our vision to look beyond what our mundane. . . ordinary. . . eyes can see, we watch the impossible happen through God’s eyes. “I can’t believe my eyes,” we say when we have witnessed an utterly unanticipated and/or seemingly impossible event take place. But we can believe God’s eyes and, seeing through them, glimpse unimagined reasons to keep on hoping, though the desert can be dry and dark, and the Promised Land far, far away. (We get. . . a. . . do over)
Ezekiel also states in verse 14 that “I will put my Spirit in you. And you will live again. I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I have spoken. I have done it," announces the Lord.' "We are given the Spirit of God so that we can live again. I would like to read you a poem from my favorite poet. . . it is titled Wind in the Bones. I think it sums up this passage from Ezekiel well. It reads:
Not merely a breath,
the breath of life
whispered into the bones.
No, the wind, from the ends of the earth
called, commanded to the valley
to breath life into the dry bones
the winds of the dead, the exhaled
breath of life, reinvigorating,
awakening the nation
called to life by God,
through the prophet,
given life by the four winds
It is God’s breath, His wind. . . that gives new life.
The Romans passage tells us that “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.” We are made alive again even though we were dead because of sin. (We get. . . a. . . do over)
In the John Gospel from this morning. . . Jesus talks about a new life. In verses 25-26 Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” We have eternal life through our belief in Jesus Christ. AMEN! Jesus also gave Lazarus new life in this passage to God’s Glorification. Our new life is to Glorify God.
I have had time to contemplate on this “new life” thing. . . this concept. This is the analogy that was brought to mind. We are like a caterpillar crawling around looking for something to eat (we are in our sinful nature looking for something that will sustain us). . . when the caterpillar finds the right thing for it to eat they stay and eat and grow (we finally come to the throne of Grace and realize that Jesus is the only thing that will satisfy us. We stay and we learn and feed our souls).When it is time they cocoon themselves (we rest in the presence of God. . . enveloped in his wings of love and redemption. We are sheltered by the Most High). When it is time the caterpillar emerges from its chrysalis and has been transformed into a beautiful Butterfly (we are transformed and are given wings to soar on high. . . transformed into a thing of beauty with God’s love shining through us). (We get. . . our. . . do over)
The way to experience God’s love for the world that defeats death, to receive the promises of God as the reality of God, is to believe in Jesus. We get a do over. We are able to have a right relationship with God. After the first Adam. . . the only way to try and have that relationship with God was through animal sacrifices. But with the 2nd Adam, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he became that ultimate sacrifice. . . the final sacrifice for the remission of sin. Adam was made by the Divine and it took the Divine to save us from his sin. The divine created the 1st Adam and had to become the 2nd in order to correct the mistake of the first. The Divine sacrifice found in our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.
AMEN
Sermon given by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, “Was Blind But Now I See”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church, April 6, 2008
Luke 24: 13-35
Have you ever passed by something a hundred times and all of the sudden it looks different to you? Has anyone ever said to you “hey. . . look at that design in that rock”. . . you keep looking at it and don’t see anything and then all of the sudden. . . you look at it from. . . a different angle and see exactly what they are talking about? I know I have. There is this figure of a fish that it is the side of this rock formation when you get on to rte 93 from my house. I think I have talked to people about it many times and it takes some of them a while but. . . eventually they see it. We never know what we are missing sometimes because we. . . kind of have these. . . blinders on.
This kind of reminds me of these two men walking the road to Emmaus. They were so consumed with what had happened in the past that they were missing the glorious thing that was happening in their present time. The “RISEN” Lord Jesus Christ was walking along with them. They even had a burning feeling in their heart that they ignored because they were focused on what had taken place in the days before. I wonder how many times “WE” miss our Lord walking with us because we are too concerned with what is going on or has gone on in our life instead of the blessings we receive abundantly each day.
This story of the appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is the most developed and the most beautiful of the appearance stories. Its plot is centered on the failure of the two men to recognize their fellow traveler. The suspense builds in the story until the moment that they recognize the risen Lord and He disappears. . . vanishes. . . from their presence.
Emmaus. . . it was a little-noted town. Luke doesn’t say why the two disciples were going there. They may have been going home. . . going there on business. . . or just going there to get away from the terrible things they had witnessed in Jerusalem. The risen Lord meets us on our road to Emmaus, in the ordinary places and experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. The story warns us, however, that the Lord may come to us in unfamiliar guises, when we least expect him.
This reminds me of something that happened in my life years ago. It was when I was a “new believer”. . . just after I had rededicated my life to Christ. I was in the grocery store and I had one of those cubes that tells the story of Jesus’ life. I don’t know if you have ever seen one before. . . I wish I could find one, I lost mine a while back. . . they look like those Rubik Cubes that were so popular a few years back. Well. . . the High School kid that was bagging my groceries was really interested in it. He asked me about it and I told him that is was a cube and when you flip it around it told the story and went along my way. Well. . . I no sooner got to my car and felt like I had missed divine appointment. I went back to find him and show him how it worked and tell him the story but I couldn’t find him. . . I swore that I would never pass up a chance to witness ever again. Was this High School kid the risen Lord standing before me and I didn’t realize until too late. . . I guess I will never know. But. . . that lesson has stayed with me for many years.
One thing I find interesting about his passage is that as soon as they recognized the risen Lord. . . He disappeared from their sight. God’s presence is always elusive, fleeting, dancing at the edge of our awareness and perception. Now let’s be honest. Do you really feel a constant, steady, predictable presence of God? If you do I envy you (oops sorry. . . that’s one of the Big Ten). I know that there are times in my life when I am praying “Lord I feel alone and confused. . . I need you to be here with me right now”. . . and there is silence. . . but in those silent times. . . in those times that I am walking through that desert place. . . I know that God is watching me and that there is a lesson to be learned. I know that He will pick me up if I fall. . . brush me off. . . and say “Let’s try that again. . . this time my way”. But there is this. . . silence. Maybe. . . this silence is a good thing. If we all felt the presence of God with us at all times. . . we may take for granted that God is always with us. We may not have the joy we feel when we feel God’s presence because it would be too common place for us. I have learned through my life with God. . . to treasure every moment that I feel his presence. I even have learned to look for Him in my day to day dealings. I even think back on the moments when I felt God’s presence when I am going through that dry arid desert and remember how it was. Even the two disciples looked back and remembered. After the Lord vanished they said to one another “Did not our hearts burn within us?” Even the women at the tomb (with the angels prompting) remembered the words that Jesus had told them while He was still with them. They remembered back to a time when the Lord was with them. One of the secrets of a vigorous spirituality and a confident faith is learning the importance of meeting God in the past as well as the present. You need to remember.
Memory. . . we all have it (OK. . . so some are better than others but we all have one). In the Scripture from Acts this morning. . . while Peter was preaching to the people he sparked their memory. Peter reminded them of all the good Jesus did. . . of how Jesus performed miracles and wonders which God did through Him. He reminded the entire household of Israel that with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. They remembered what had happened and realized what they had done. Their “blinders”. . . the scales. . . fell away from their eyes. The scripture went on to say “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers what should we do?”” They had been blinded of what had taken place but were reminded and they remembered Jesus and who He was. As a matter of fact. . . as we read. . . those who welcomed his. . . Peter’s. . . message were baptized, and that day three thousand persons were added. Talk about your altar call!
Memories. . . to remember something. . . sometimes it is good to remember things while other times it may be painful. Sometimes our memories help us through what we are going through and other times they may cause us to fear. But. . . we can always find a lesson in our memories. For the two disciples and the people that Peter was preaching to. . . their memories helped remove the “scales from their eyes”. It is in our memories. . . when we meditate on what has happened. . . we can see the picture of life more clearly.
Easter was not over when the day was over. It stretches into the rest of our lives. The two disciples might not ever meet the stranger from on their trip to Emmaus again. But. . . that didn’t matter. Their life was changed. The Gospel story we read from Luke has a theological insight when it stretches Easter day into the series of experiences that happened after. The Lord is risen and He comes back to meet us on our road to Emmaus. Opening our eyes to see Christ in our midst is a challenging step on the Christian journey, but this is the step that leads two disciples to recognize the risen Christ. However, opening one's eyes is only a step; for after their experience, the disciples made known to all that had happened to them. We need to share our stories too.
When we read the bible. . . . There are times that our “heart is strangely warmed” (as John Wesley would say). Christ meets us there on our road to see more clearly and understand what God’s has to say about our lives. We recognize Him when we celebrate communion in the “breaking of the bread.” We meet Him in our daily lives unaware, as did the two disciples, until it is too late at times. We need to remove our blinders. . . have the scales fall away. . . so that we can see Him more clearly in our daily lives. You never know. . . the next stranger we encounter may be our risen Lord in disguise. We may meet Him in an unfamiliar place or right in our own back yard.
Amen.
Have you ever passed by something a hundred times and all of the sudden it looks different to you? Has anyone ever said to you “hey. . . look at that design in that rock”. . . you keep looking at it and don’t see anything and then all of the sudden. . . you look at it from. . . a different angle and see exactly what they are talking about? I know I have. There is this figure of a fish that it is the side of this rock formation when you get on to rte 93 from my house. I think I have talked to people about it many times and it takes some of them a while but. . . eventually they see it. We never know what we are missing sometimes because we. . . kind of have these. . . blinders on.
This kind of reminds me of these two men walking the road to Emmaus. They were so consumed with what had happened in the past that they were missing the glorious thing that was happening in their present time. The “RISEN” Lord Jesus Christ was walking along with them. They even had a burning feeling in their heart that they ignored because they were focused on what had taken place in the days before. I wonder how many times “WE” miss our Lord walking with us because we are too concerned with what is going on or has gone on in our life instead of the blessings we receive abundantly each day.
This story of the appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is the most developed and the most beautiful of the appearance stories. Its plot is centered on the failure of the two men to recognize their fellow traveler. The suspense builds in the story until the moment that they recognize the risen Lord and He disappears. . . vanishes. . . from their presence.
Emmaus. . . it was a little-noted town. Luke doesn’t say why the two disciples were going there. They may have been going home. . . going there on business. . . or just going there to get away from the terrible things they had witnessed in Jerusalem. The risen Lord meets us on our road to Emmaus, in the ordinary places and experiences of our lives, and in the places to which we retreat when life is too much for us. The story warns us, however, that the Lord may come to us in unfamiliar guises, when we least expect him.
This reminds me of something that happened in my life years ago. It was when I was a “new believer”. . . just after I had rededicated my life to Christ. I was in the grocery store and I had one of those cubes that tells the story of Jesus’ life. I don’t know if you have ever seen one before. . . I wish I could find one, I lost mine a while back. . . they look like those Rubik Cubes that were so popular a few years back. Well. . . the High School kid that was bagging my groceries was really interested in it. He asked me about it and I told him that is was a cube and when you flip it around it told the story and went along my way. Well. . . I no sooner got to my car and felt like I had missed divine appointment. I went back to find him and show him how it worked and tell him the story but I couldn’t find him. . . I swore that I would never pass up a chance to witness ever again. Was this High School kid the risen Lord standing before me and I didn’t realize until too late. . . I guess I will never know. But. . . that lesson has stayed with me for many years.
One thing I find interesting about his passage is that as soon as they recognized the risen Lord. . . He disappeared from their sight. God’s presence is always elusive, fleeting, dancing at the edge of our awareness and perception. Now let’s be honest. Do you really feel a constant, steady, predictable presence of God? If you do I envy you (oops sorry. . . that’s one of the Big Ten). I know that there are times in my life when I am praying “Lord I feel alone and confused. . . I need you to be here with me right now”. . . and there is silence. . . but in those silent times. . . in those times that I am walking through that desert place. . . I know that God is watching me and that there is a lesson to be learned. I know that He will pick me up if I fall. . . brush me off. . . and say “Let’s try that again. . . this time my way”. But there is this. . . silence. Maybe. . . this silence is a good thing. If we all felt the presence of God with us at all times. . . we may take for granted that God is always with us. We may not have the joy we feel when we feel God’s presence because it would be too common place for us. I have learned through my life with God. . . to treasure every moment that I feel his presence. I even have learned to look for Him in my day to day dealings. I even think back on the moments when I felt God’s presence when I am going through that dry arid desert and remember how it was. Even the two disciples looked back and remembered. After the Lord vanished they said to one another “Did not our hearts burn within us?” Even the women at the tomb (with the angels prompting) remembered the words that Jesus had told them while He was still with them. They remembered back to a time when the Lord was with them. One of the secrets of a vigorous spirituality and a confident faith is learning the importance of meeting God in the past as well as the present. You need to remember.
Memory. . . we all have it (OK. . . so some are better than others but we all have one). In the Scripture from Acts this morning. . . while Peter was preaching to the people he sparked their memory. Peter reminded them of all the good Jesus did. . . of how Jesus performed miracles and wonders which God did through Him. He reminded the entire household of Israel that with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified. They remembered what had happened and realized what they had done. Their “blinders”. . . the scales. . . fell away from their eyes. The scripture went on to say “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers what should we do?”” They had been blinded of what had taken place but were reminded and they remembered Jesus and who He was. As a matter of fact. . . as we read. . . those who welcomed his. . . Peter’s. . . message were baptized, and that day three thousand persons were added. Talk about your altar call!
Memories. . . to remember something. . . sometimes it is good to remember things while other times it may be painful. Sometimes our memories help us through what we are going through and other times they may cause us to fear. But. . . we can always find a lesson in our memories. For the two disciples and the people that Peter was preaching to. . . their memories helped remove the “scales from their eyes”. It is in our memories. . . when we meditate on what has happened. . . we can see the picture of life more clearly.
Easter was not over when the day was over. It stretches into the rest of our lives. The two disciples might not ever meet the stranger from on their trip to Emmaus again. But. . . that didn’t matter. Their life was changed. The Gospel story we read from Luke has a theological insight when it stretches Easter day into the series of experiences that happened after. The Lord is risen and He comes back to meet us on our road to Emmaus. Opening our eyes to see Christ in our midst is a challenging step on the Christian journey, but this is the step that leads two disciples to recognize the risen Christ. However, opening one's eyes is only a step; for after their experience, the disciples made known to all that had happened to them. We need to share our stories too.
When we read the bible. . . . There are times that our “heart is strangely warmed” (as John Wesley would say). Christ meets us there on our road to see more clearly and understand what God’s has to say about our lives. We recognize Him when we celebrate communion in the “breaking of the bread.” We meet Him in our daily lives unaware, as did the two disciples, until it is too late at times. We need to remove our blinders. . . have the scales fall away. . . so that we can see Him more clearly in our daily lives. You never know. . . the next stranger we encounter may be our risen Lord in disguise. We may meet Him in an unfamiliar place or right in our own back yard.
Amen.
Sermon given by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, “Get a Piece of the Rock”, Sanbornville UMC, April 20, 2008
1 Peter 2:2-10
How many of you remember that old Prudential Insurance commercial? There was this beautiful background scenery of mountains and the Rock of Gibraltar was right in the middle of it. You remember that Jingle that they had? “Get a piece of the rock” (sing). It was the best insurance. You could stand on this rock for all of your insurance protection needs. The scripture from 1 Peter this morning talks about another rock. . . a living rock. . . a cornerstone to Christians. That rock has a name and its name is Jesus. I don’t know about you. . . but this rock is the one I want to trust in times of trouble. When I need assurance in life. . . it is this stone that I turn to. . . not some insurance company that makes promises they would rather not keep.
This feeling of trust in my “foundation” is eloquently put in a poem from my favorite author, Ray Foss; it is called A Foundation of Love. It reads:
In the beginning
there was God's love
upon this strong foundation,
this rock, all else stands
God's love, His ever hopeful grace
we can depend on, we are assured.
God will open wide
Her arms of love, ready
to welcome us
when we return home.
Upon this strong foundation
we build our lives
of purpose, of service,
spreading the Creator's love
Building Your church
It is upon this Rock that I take refuge.
What is this Rock. . . this living stone. . . that Peter talks about? Well. . . let’s take a look at Peter’s letter to get a glimpse of his understanding of this Rock and Living Stone. How does this letter relate to us as Christians today? This is a Pastoral letter written by the apostle Peter to the exiles in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Scholars say that the letter was actually written by one of the disciples of Peter. They used Peters name because they wanted to establish the claim that its teaching reflects that of Peter. The letter addresses a critical situation. The people had become marginalized and abused since their conversion to Christ. The society they once belonged to now treats them as an unwelcome, even dangerous sectarian movement.
This reminds me of how we as Christians are unwelcomed and abused in many circumstances in this world. Some of our friends look at us differently after we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. They call us Jesus freaks, they are afraid to be “themselves” around us because they are afraid that we will “start preaching” to them. We are ridiculed and made fun of for our beliefs. The letter offers realistic encouragement and instructions to Christians attempting to live faithfully in such a situation.
The writer talks about Christ being like a stone, a foundation to build one’s life on. He calls Christ the living stone. Not cold and motionless like a rock but is the life giving quartz we need in life. As the scripture states “as you come”. . . it represents the circumstances under which believers are being built into a “spiritual house”. As the believer comes to Him. . . they are being built. . . being made into. . . the body of Christ. The passage shows the difference. . . the contrast. . . between mans thing of value and God’s thing of value.
++ Man rejected the stone as if it were dead and worthless
++ God has chosen this stone as living and valuable.
These Christians, like Christ and ourselves, are rejected by the world around them but they, and we, are elected. . . chosen. . . and are precious in God’s sight. Christ is the living stone and Christians are living stones as well, full of life and life giving.
Stones are built into houses, but houses are also temples, and in temples holy priest offer spiritual sacrifices. Spiritual sacrifices are surely a reference to the whole shape of the faithful life. . . the life of holiness. It underlines the close relationship between what God has done in Jesus Christ and what God is doing in these Christians and is still doing today through believers.
All Christians are living stones, built into the edifice. But the cornerstone is Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone because the whole building rests on Him. He is the cornerstone because the building takes its design from Him. Ergo. . . no Christ. . . no building. The chosen and precious turns the allusion in verse 4 into and explicit citation.
++ Christ is chosen - reminds us that the whole pattern of salvation is part of God’s electing plan from the beginning centering in Christ but including all believers.
++ Christ is precious - reminds us of the pervasive distinction between valuable and tawdry goods, the things of heaven and the things of this world.
God’s faithfulness requires responding faith. Those who have faith know that the stone is precious but those who do not have faith, the same stone is not a cornerstone. . . they reject the stone and lay it aside. . . as if it was worthless and it becomes a stumbling block in their lives.
You know. . . all this talk about rocks has gotten me thinking. This reminds me of the transforming work of God in our lives. You see. . . metamorphic rocks are rocks that have “morphed” into another kind of rock. These rocks were once igneous or sedimentary rocks. Now. . . how do sedimentary and igneous rocks change?
Well. . . the rocks are under tons and tons of pressure, which fosters heat buildup, and this causes them to change. If you examine metamorphic rock samples closely, you’ll discover how flattened some of the grains in the rock are. We as Christians. . . as living rocks. . . are put under pressure at times from the “outside.” We are in the process of being formed into. . . being morphed into. . . the likeness of Christ. We may feel the heat at times but it is in those times when we are being shaped into what God would have us be in Christ. . . not what the world would have us be without Christ. We are being built into God’s temple so that we may become ambassadors of Christ. It takes many shapes and sizes of rocks to build a house but they all fit exactly where the “plans” have put us and are all equally important to the whole building. We become a “new kind of rock.” God is continually at work in our midst and is ever building the character of the church and of the individuals who are followers of the Way.
The scripture from 1 Peter this morning reminds us of the difference between Christians and non-Christians is not that we see different things differently but that we see. . . we view. . . the same things differently. We both see Jesus Christ, the rock. But as Christians, the rock we see is the cornerstone, that living stone, of our lives as individuals and as a community. But. . . non-believers just simply reject the rock. The difference between the two views of the same scene is faith.
In this letter from Peter, they great story that feeds faith is absolutely public. It is a word that is declared aloud about the deeds seen clearly. The story of Jesus is not hidden. The language about Jesus is not esoteric, confined to insiders, like the secret languages of lodges or clubs. But when different people hear the very public story, each responds differently. Those who hear the story in faith praise God for God’s wonderful deeds while those who do not hear the story in faith laugh and stumble.
All Christians are called by God to a royal priesthood and all are called to offer sacrifices. Not the sacrifice on the alter (as they did long ago. . . that final sacrifice has already been made by Christ Jesus) but the sacrifice of faithful obedience and the life of love that goes with it. The sacrifice that Christians are called to live is a life without malice, guile, insincerity, envy or slander which 1 Peter 2:1 says we have to put off with our faith.
For believers, Christian identity is our identity. Christian community is our community, and Christian family our family. Especially in a time of ongoing racial tension, Christians (not Caucasians, African American, Hispanic, or Asian people) are a chosen race. For Christians that take 1 Peter seriously, the line on the application that asks for race ought to filled in: “Christian.”
I would like to end my sermon with another poem by my favorite poet. It is called Stones for the Kingdom, it really embodies what the body of Christ should be.
Each of us, irregular stones,
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to play
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
May we always be that living stone for Christ’s Church, may we always know that we are precious and chosen in God’s eyes, and may we always do our part for the Kingdom of God here on earth. As Christians. . . our motto. . . our slogan. . . in life should not be “Get a Piece of the Rock” but “Become a Piece of the Rock.”
AMEN
How many of you remember that old Prudential Insurance commercial? There was this beautiful background scenery of mountains and the Rock of Gibraltar was right in the middle of it. You remember that Jingle that they had? “Get a piece of the rock” (sing). It was the best insurance. You could stand on this rock for all of your insurance protection needs. The scripture from 1 Peter this morning talks about another rock. . . a living rock. . . a cornerstone to Christians. That rock has a name and its name is Jesus. I don’t know about you. . . but this rock is the one I want to trust in times of trouble. When I need assurance in life. . . it is this stone that I turn to. . . not some insurance company that makes promises they would rather not keep.
This feeling of trust in my “foundation” is eloquently put in a poem from my favorite author, Ray Foss; it is called A Foundation of Love. It reads:
In the beginning
there was God's love
upon this strong foundation,
this rock, all else stands
God's love, His ever hopeful grace
we can depend on, we are assured.
God will open wide
Her arms of love, ready
to welcome us
when we return home.
Upon this strong foundation
we build our lives
of purpose, of service,
spreading the Creator's love
Building Your church
It is upon this Rock that I take refuge.
What is this Rock. . . this living stone. . . that Peter talks about? Well. . . let’s take a look at Peter’s letter to get a glimpse of his understanding of this Rock and Living Stone. How does this letter relate to us as Christians today? This is a Pastoral letter written by the apostle Peter to the exiles in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. Scholars say that the letter was actually written by one of the disciples of Peter. They used Peters name because they wanted to establish the claim that its teaching reflects that of Peter. The letter addresses a critical situation. The people had become marginalized and abused since their conversion to Christ. The society they once belonged to now treats them as an unwelcome, even dangerous sectarian movement.
This reminds me of how we as Christians are unwelcomed and abused in many circumstances in this world. Some of our friends look at us differently after we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. They call us Jesus freaks, they are afraid to be “themselves” around us because they are afraid that we will “start preaching” to them. We are ridiculed and made fun of for our beliefs. The letter offers realistic encouragement and instructions to Christians attempting to live faithfully in such a situation.
The writer talks about Christ being like a stone, a foundation to build one’s life on. He calls Christ the living stone. Not cold and motionless like a rock but is the life giving quartz we need in life. As the scripture states “as you come”. . . it represents the circumstances under which believers are being built into a “spiritual house”. As the believer comes to Him. . . they are being built. . . being made into. . . the body of Christ. The passage shows the difference. . . the contrast. . . between mans thing of value and God’s thing of value.
++ Man rejected the stone as if it were dead and worthless
++ God has chosen this stone as living and valuable.
These Christians, like Christ and ourselves, are rejected by the world around them but they, and we, are elected. . . chosen. . . and are precious in God’s sight. Christ is the living stone and Christians are living stones as well, full of life and life giving.
Stones are built into houses, but houses are also temples, and in temples holy priest offer spiritual sacrifices. Spiritual sacrifices are surely a reference to the whole shape of the faithful life. . . the life of holiness. It underlines the close relationship between what God has done in Jesus Christ and what God is doing in these Christians and is still doing today through believers.
All Christians are living stones, built into the edifice. But the cornerstone is Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone because the whole building rests on Him. He is the cornerstone because the building takes its design from Him. Ergo. . . no Christ. . . no building. The chosen and precious turns the allusion in verse 4 into and explicit citation.
++ Christ is chosen - reminds us that the whole pattern of salvation is part of God’s electing plan from the beginning centering in Christ but including all believers.
++ Christ is precious - reminds us of the pervasive distinction between valuable and tawdry goods, the things of heaven and the things of this world.
God’s faithfulness requires responding faith. Those who have faith know that the stone is precious but those who do not have faith, the same stone is not a cornerstone. . . they reject the stone and lay it aside. . . as if it was worthless and it becomes a stumbling block in their lives.
You know. . . all this talk about rocks has gotten me thinking. This reminds me of the transforming work of God in our lives. You see. . . metamorphic rocks are rocks that have “morphed” into another kind of rock. These rocks were once igneous or sedimentary rocks. Now. . . how do sedimentary and igneous rocks change?
Well. . . the rocks are under tons and tons of pressure, which fosters heat buildup, and this causes them to change. If you examine metamorphic rock samples closely, you’ll discover how flattened some of the grains in the rock are. We as Christians. . . as living rocks. . . are put under pressure at times from the “outside.” We are in the process of being formed into. . . being morphed into. . . the likeness of Christ. We may feel the heat at times but it is in those times when we are being shaped into what God would have us be in Christ. . . not what the world would have us be without Christ. We are being built into God’s temple so that we may become ambassadors of Christ. It takes many shapes and sizes of rocks to build a house but they all fit exactly where the “plans” have put us and are all equally important to the whole building. We become a “new kind of rock.” God is continually at work in our midst and is ever building the character of the church and of the individuals who are followers of the Way.
The scripture from 1 Peter this morning reminds us of the difference between Christians and non-Christians is not that we see different things differently but that we see. . . we view. . . the same things differently. We both see Jesus Christ, the rock. But as Christians, the rock we see is the cornerstone, that living stone, of our lives as individuals and as a community. But. . . non-believers just simply reject the rock. The difference between the two views of the same scene is faith.
In this letter from Peter, they great story that feeds faith is absolutely public. It is a word that is declared aloud about the deeds seen clearly. The story of Jesus is not hidden. The language about Jesus is not esoteric, confined to insiders, like the secret languages of lodges or clubs. But when different people hear the very public story, each responds differently. Those who hear the story in faith praise God for God’s wonderful deeds while those who do not hear the story in faith laugh and stumble.
All Christians are called by God to a royal priesthood and all are called to offer sacrifices. Not the sacrifice on the alter (as they did long ago. . . that final sacrifice has already been made by Christ Jesus) but the sacrifice of faithful obedience and the life of love that goes with it. The sacrifice that Christians are called to live is a life without malice, guile, insincerity, envy or slander which 1 Peter 2:1 says we have to put off with our faith.
For believers, Christian identity is our identity. Christian community is our community, and Christian family our family. Especially in a time of ongoing racial tension, Christians (not Caucasians, African American, Hispanic, or Asian people) are a chosen race. For Christians that take 1 Peter seriously, the line on the application that asks for race ought to filled in: “Christian.”
I would like to end my sermon with another poem by my favorite poet. It is called Stones for the Kingdom, it really embodies what the body of Christ should be.
Each of us, irregular stones,
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to play
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
May we always be that living stone for Christ’s Church, may we always know that we are precious and chosen in God’s eyes, and may we always do our part for the Kingdom of God here on earth. As Christians. . . our motto. . . our slogan. . . in life should not be “Get a Piece of the Rock” but “Become a Piece of the Rock.”
AMEN
The Pastor’s (wife) Husband
Standing beside her,
before the congregation
feeling their love for her
washing over me, in reflection
hearing his voice saying it was unanimous
a living affirmation of her call
My joy made real, in their belief in her
something I have known for so long
She is called to your ministry
to be your shepherd, in community
bringing your love, for the rest of her life
Proud, I am, to be the Pastor’s (wife) husband.
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
before the congregation
feeling their love for her
washing over me, in reflection
hearing his voice saying it was unanimous
a living affirmation of her call
My joy made real, in their belief in her
something I have known for so long
She is called to your ministry
to be your shepherd, in community
bringing your love, for the rest of her life
Proud, I am, to be the Pastor’s (wife) husband.
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
Words that Heal, that Challenge, that Guide
The words rolled off the page, off her tongue
oh so familiar joyous words
words of the scriptures, ancient and alive
for us in the congregation, words of assurance,
of God’s love, of God’s call,
of the challenge to be disciples
to be parts of the body, to live out our faith
in the community of believers
each a part of the creator’s plan
the hands, the feet, the parts of the body
ever bound in community
better together than apart
oh so familiar joyous words
words of the scriptures, ancient and alive
for us in the congregation, words of assurance,
of God’s love, of God’s call,
of the challenge to be disciples
to be parts of the body, to live out our faith
in the community of believers
each a part of the creator’s plan
the hands, the feet, the parts of the body
ever bound in community
better together than apart
April 21, 2008
Words that Heal, that Challenge, that Guide
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon,
“Ever Bound in Community
“Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights
reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 35,430+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
The Parts of the Body
It doesn’t matter which part we are
what role we each play
in the body, the church
the living person of Christ
together doing the Master’s will
following the path we have embarked upon
as a community of faith,
not merely a collection of individuals
all parts of the one body
working together
for the creator’s glory
all are valued, all are needed
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
what role we each play
in the body, the church
the living person of Christ
together doing the Master’s will
following the path we have embarked upon
as a community of faith,
not merely a collection of individuals
all parts of the one body
working together
for the creator’s glory
all are valued, all are needed
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
All Are Needed
We are the eyes, the nose, the fingers,
the body of the church,
the body of Christ
each church, in its place
a role to play, each one of us,
each in community, together able
together the church
the body of Christ alive in this time
doing the work of the kingdom
for the Father’s glory
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
the body of the church,
the body of Christ
each church, in its place
a role to play, each one of us,
each in community, together able
together the church
the body of Christ alive in this time
doing the work of the kingdom
for the Father’s glory
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
All Parts
Without each other, parts
parts of a puzzle,
clear in completion only
each a member, valuable, needed
finding purpose in the word,
in the life of faith,
using our minds, our hands,
what we know, what we have learned
to build up the body, to be the parts
be the church, together
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
parts of a puzzle,
clear in completion only
each a member, valuable, needed
finding purpose in the word,
in the life of faith,
using our minds, our hands,
what we know, what we have learned
to build up the body, to be the parts
be the church, together
April 21, 2008
Acts 12:12-20 and sermon, “Ever Bound in Community
by Caroline Wiggin,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
An Affirmation
Joy welled up, filled our cups to overflowing
a day long sought after,
Being affirmed by our family of faith
in the sanctuary, in community
feeling their love, their certainty
Hearing their support, their faith
in her call, to ministry, their belief
She is called by God to the pulpit,
to service, to care for a flock
to bring God’s message, as an elder
a shepherd for the savior
His messenger of love
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
a day long sought after,
Being affirmed by our family of faith
in the sanctuary, in community
feeling their love, their certainty
Hearing their support, their faith
in her call, to ministry, their belief
She is called by God to the pulpit,
to service, to care for a flock
to bring God’s message, as an elder
a shepherd for the savior
His messenger of love
April 21, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me
at Ray Foss
for usage. See all 27,100+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Before the Congregation
Another hurdle, a step on the path
to ministry, to her calling
They met in the sanctuary, somber, orderly
But joy was in the offing, in the results
the vote of affirmation, unanimous
all the gathered community
affirming her call, now,
those who have known her
who know her heart, her faith
her trust in God
saying yes, she is ready
She can lead a flock
She is called to be a shepherd
April 20, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
to ministry, to her calling
They met in the sanctuary, somber, orderly
But joy was in the offing, in the results
the vote of affirmation, unanimous
all the gathered community
affirming her call, now,
those who have known her
who know her heart, her faith
her trust in God
saying yes, she is ready
She can lead a flock
She is called to be a shepherd
April 20, 2008
Results of the Church Charge Conference,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH
40 to nothing, saying yes, Ruth is ready
called for ordained ministry
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Glorified in Betrayal
The Son, the Father, glorified
in the act of betrayal
betrayal by the Judas
His life transformed,
fulfillment of the prophesy
his life a sacrifice, turned over
brought before them
but glorified in his obedience
his living out that which was foretold
even the betrayal predestined
a part of his story
from the very start
April 19, 2008
John 13:31
John 13:31-36
John 13
in the act of betrayal
betrayal by the Judas
His life transformed,
fulfillment of the prophesy
his life a sacrifice, turned over
brought before them
but glorified in his obedience
his living out that which was foretold
even the betrayal predestined
a part of his story
from the very start
April 19, 2008
John 13:31
John 13:31-36
John 13
Intellectually Disabled
“Retard!” That was the cutting word
they would call him
Cut him to the quick
Different enough, without the words
mentally retarded, or so he has been known
A change in language,
not nearly enough
to heal his pain
Cruel words can break our hearts
more than sticks ever could
Words can hurt us
April 19, 2008
Change in the language from “mentally retarded”
to “intellectual disability” in NH law,
Senate Bill 529. Hopefully it will
make a real difference.
they would call him
Cut him to the quick
Different enough, without the words
mentally retarded, or so he has been known
A change in language,
not nearly enough
to heal his pain
Cruel words can break our hearts
more than sticks ever could
Words can hurt us
April 19, 2008
Change in the language from “mentally retarded”
to “intellectual disability” in NH law,
Senate Bill 529. Hopefully it will
make a real difference.
A Swimmer’s Hump
His most defining feature
a swimmer’s hump
years of the butterfly
practice after practice
supple muscle, an arch to his back
long after he left the water
April 19, 2008
a swimmer’s hump
years of the butterfly
practice after practice
supple muscle, an arch to his back
long after he left the water
April 19, 2008
A Bassett out the Window
An old valued friend, riding in the front seat
brown and white, chin turning grey
hanging out the black pickup
standing on the door’s window
catching the cool air
his ears each a sail in the wind
out for a drive with his human
aware of my gaze, smiling
coming through the crossroads
a commercial for Spring
April 19, 2008
brown and white, chin turning grey
hanging out the black pickup
standing on the door’s window
catching the cool air
his ears each a sail in the wind
out for a drive with his human
aware of my gaze, smiling
coming through the crossroads
a commercial for Spring
April 19, 2008
An Empty Field
Brown-yellow long grasses
rising again,
after the weight of the snow
gone away for another year
an empty fallow field
ringed by young white pine
standing still behind the fence by the road
a square of open space
between the houses
before the woods beyond
April 19, 2008
rising again,
after the weight of the snow
gone away for another year
an empty fallow field
ringed by young white pine
standing still behind the fence by the road
a square of open space
between the houses
before the woods beyond
April 19, 2008
Transparent Leaves
Skeletons, transparent leaves
of last season, still hanging
on the maple’s branches
soon to fall to earth
as buds burst into life
Echoes of the fall,
the winter just ended
soon they will fall
and renew the earth
April 19, 2008
of last season, still hanging
on the maple’s branches
soon to fall to earth
as buds burst into life
Echoes of the fall,
the winter just ended
soon they will fall
and renew the earth
April 19, 2008
A Clump of Daffodils
A clump of daffodils
cups of bright canary
atop their swaying stems
rising from the gray-brown mulch
green and yellow,
renewal of this spring morning
beside the parking lot, the road beyond
living spring, next to the blacktop
color and life, affirmation
rebirth in their rising
love in their presence
year after year
April 19, 2008
cups of bright canary
atop their swaying stems
rising from the gray-brown mulch
green and yellow,
renewal of this spring morning
beside the parking lot, the road beyond
living spring, next to the blacktop
color and life, affirmation
rebirth in their rising
love in their presence
year after year
April 19, 2008
Sudden Forsythia
Forsythia, yellow bush aflame
springtime bursting
into sudden bloom
Memories of my childhood home
the taste of the yellow petals
their feel on my tongue
cascade of thought, memory
a rush of my history
flooding in my mind
captured in these words,
inspired by sudden forsythia
April 19, 2008
springtime bursting
into sudden bloom
Memories of my childhood home
the taste of the yellow petals
their feel on my tongue
cascade of thought, memory
a rush of my history
flooding in my mind
captured in these words,
inspired by sudden forsythia
April 19, 2008
Red over White
A hillside,
white birch, maples, poplar
red patina, wash
overlaid over the white, the gray
buds erupting, a hillside ablaze
in the awakening of Spring
April 19, 2008
white birch, maples, poplar
red patina, wash
overlaid over the white, the gray
buds erupting, a hillside ablaze
in the awakening of Spring
April 19, 2008
A Flock of Turkeys
Up on the ridge line
the farthest part of the hill
a flock of turkeys
eating in the grass
Out of place,
in the city, unexpected
Wild things, outside
the urban jungle
catching my eye,
my attention driving along
April 19, 2008
the farthest part of the hill
a flock of turkeys
eating in the grass
Out of place,
in the city, unexpected
Wild things, outside
the urban jungle
catching my eye,
my attention driving along
April 19, 2008
For Affect Alone
He took a quick puff
as he walked along
headphones on, a quick puff
not really breathing in
for affect alone
the cigarette hung by his side
a foreign element, out of place
incongruous, trying to look cool
for affect alone
April 19, 2008
as he walked along
headphones on, a quick puff
not really breathing in
for affect alone
the cigarette hung by his side
a foreign element, out of place
incongruous, trying to look cool
for affect alone
April 19, 2008
Everyday Gifts
Treasures of the king
given to us, without merit, not earned
gifts of grace, each day,
given to us by the creator
for our blessing, our cup running over
grace upon grace, heaped on our lives
Failing to see, to feel him with us;
there nonetheless, always present
waiting for us, our awareness
our turning to him
grace ready when we are
for our whole life long
the promise of eternity
with our brother, our God
April 19, 2008
Psalm 23, Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
given to us, without merit, not earned
gifts of grace, each day,
given to us by the creator
for our blessing, our cup running over
grace upon grace, heaped on our lives
Failing to see, to feel him with us;
there nonetheless, always present
waiting for us, our awareness
our turning to him
grace ready when we are
for our whole life long
the promise of eternity
with our brother, our God
April 19, 2008
Psalm 23, Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
Ordinary Grace
Each moment, each thought, each image before our eyes
magical seconds, instances of time
revelations of God’s grace
present now, all around us
swirling round our vision, our lives
Take the moments, the time to see them
feel God’s presence in the sights, the sounds,
the things of this earth, the sharing of our lives
the wonderful surprises, the moments
of ordinary grace, extraordinary
only because we fail to see
how much is heaped on us
each day, amid the clutter of our lives
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
magical seconds, instances of time
revelations of God’s grace
present now, all around us
swirling round our vision, our lives
Take the moments, the time to see them
feel God’s presence in the sights, the sounds,
the things of this earth, the sharing of our lives
the wonderful surprises, the moments
of ordinary grace, extraordinary
only because we fail to see
how much is heaped on us
each day, amid the clutter of our lives
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5 and reflections on
Ann Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
Which is the Holy Ground
Which is the holy ground, when is the ground holy
a place to take off my sandals, to walk barefoot on holy ground
We miss so much, limiting ourselves
if we do not see the holy in our midst
everyday grace, ordinary, real, right before our eyes
All the ground is holy
feel the rich earth, the hard ground, the rock
beneath our bare feet. Walk, run, play, kneel
on the holy ground
all around us
a place to take off my sandals, to walk barefoot on holy ground
We miss so much, limiting ourselves
if we do not see the holy in our midst
everyday grace, ordinary, real, right before our eyes
All the ground is holy
feel the rich earth, the hard ground, the rock
beneath our bare feet. Walk, run, play, kneel
on the holy ground
all around us
====
edited
February 13, 2017
Which
is the Holy Ground – v4
(merging
edits to original and version 3)
edited
December 2, 2015
Which
is the Holy Ground – v3
(editing
original again)
edited
October 29, 2014
Which
is the Holy Ground – v2
April
19, 2008
Which
is the Holy Ground
Exodus
3:5 and reflections on
Ann
Weems’s poem, “Holy Ground”
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, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See
all 43,200 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Ann
Weems, Christ, creator, earth, Exodus 3, eyes, Faith, feet, God, grace, hope,
Methodist, Nature, NEUMC, play, poem, poetry, rock, sandals, senses, walking,
Moses,
#Christ
#creator #earth #Exodus3 #eyes #Faith #God #grace #hope #Nature #UMC #poem
#poetry #senses #Moses
The Road was Holy Ground
That road, holy ground
where they walked with the risen savior
our Lord, our brother, the stranger
In his presence, with the father, the son
walking on holy ground
on a journey, a pilgrimage
the road to Emmaus,
holy ground, walking with the Lord
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
Luke 24:13-35
where they walked with the risen savior
our Lord, our brother, the stranger
In his presence, with the father, the son
walking on holy ground
on a journey, a pilgrimage
the road to Emmaus,
holy ground, walking with the Lord
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
Luke 24:13-35
Holy Ground
The Lord called
where he walked holy ground
But all the ground is holy,
where we each walk
oh take off your sandals,
feel the earth under your feet
walk barefoot on holy ground
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
where he walked holy ground
But all the ground is holy,
where we each walk
oh take off your sandals,
feel the earth under your feet
walk barefoot on holy ground
April 19, 2008
Exodus 3:5
Rahab and the Wall
She hid the spies
and the walls came down
Down around the city
the people lost
but she was saved
for she helped them
believed in them
Oh the walls
came tumbling down
April 19, 2008
Joshua 2:1-6:27
and the walls came down
Down around the city
the people lost
but she was saved
for she helped them
believed in them
Oh the walls
came tumbling down
April 19, 2008
Joshua 2:1-6:27
He is the Way
The narrow gate, the doorway, the portal
He is the means, through him
we see the Father, none but through him
he is the way to redemption, reconciliation
the way to the father, through the son
our faith, the creed of us all
April 19, 2008
John 14:1-14
He is the means, through him
we see the Father, none but through him
he is the way to redemption, reconciliation
the way to the father, through the son
our faith, the creed of us all
April 19, 2008
John 14:1-14
Stones for the Kingdom
Each of us, irregular stones,
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to place
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
April 19, 2008
1 Peter 2:2-10
living stones, for the kingdom
each with a place, a part to place
to build up the foundations, the walls
the body of Christ, revealed, proclaimed
living in the church, in each of us together
quartz and sandstone, onyx and sapphire
clay and coal, diamonds and granite
Everyone has a niche, a spot
in the wall, the building
the living stones,
brothers and
sisters of
the cornerstone
our Lord Jesus,
the rock
on which we stand
April 19, 2008
1 Peter 2:2-10
Living Angels
The little pieces, bits of grace
some which could easily go unnoticed
people, living angels, helping us
making our days a little easier
our path a little straighter
They lift us up, watch our ways
Help us to rise up, to fly
to navigate the struggles, the challenges
of this life; who share our joys
our love, in unexpected ways
Living angels that cross our path
and make our lives better
in so many ways
April 19, 2008
Psalm 91 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=19&year=2008&x=107&y=6
some which could easily go unnoticed
people, living angels, helping us
making our days a little easier
our path a little straighter
They lift us up, watch our ways
Help us to rise up, to fly
to navigate the struggles, the challenges
of this life; who share our joys
our love, in unexpected ways
Living angels that cross our path
and make our lives better
in so many ways
April 19, 2008
Psalm 91 and
Upper Room daily devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=19&year=2008&x=107&y=6
Tucked in the Blanket
The moon, three-quarters full
shining in the afternoon blue
she and I walking along
“Where does the rest of the moon go?”
she asked, wondered, daydreamed
“it is tucked up under the blanket”
was my answer, that thought
and so the eye attests
the cool white reflected light
tucked up under the blue
a blanket of the dome
the moon nestled
under the covers
April 19, 2008
shining in the afternoon blue
she and I walking along
“Where does the rest of the moon go?”
she asked, wondered, daydreamed
“it is tucked up under the blanket”
was my answer, that thought
and so the eye attests
the cool white reflected light
tucked up under the blue
a blanket of the dome
the moon nestled
under the covers
April 19, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Bread and Wine
In remembrance, bread and wine
your sacrifice, of your life for all of ours
your body broken for the sins of man
the creator becoming the savior
the shepherd the sheep
obedience to the master’s voice
going even to death, because of the master
his faith strong enough, despite awareness
knowledge before the passion
We break the bread we share the cup
so we can see Jesus, as Cleopas and the other did
sharing with Christ the holy meal
Bread and wine, simple food
blessed are we when we share
April 16, 2008
Psalm 23
Luke 24:13-35
your sacrifice, of your life for all of ours
your body broken for the sins of man
the creator becoming the savior
the shepherd the sheep
obedience to the master’s voice
going even to death, because of the master
his faith strong enough, despite awareness
knowledge before the passion
We break the bread we share the cup
so we can see Jesus, as Cleopas and the other did
sharing with Christ the holy meal
Bread and wine, simple food
blessed are we when we share
April 16, 2008
Psalm 23
Luke 24:13-35
Stephen’s Prayer
Like our Lord, Stephen’s prayer
was for the leaders
the scribes, the Pharisees,
the chosen people, stoning him
while they were killing him
praying for their forgiveness
for their blindness, for their deaf ears
that they would see Christ
would know as he does, that He is Lord,
the Messiah the prophets foretold
Echoing Jesus’ prayer,
a reflection of the savior
his faith, even in martyrdom
April 15, 2008
Acts 7:55-60
Acts 6:1-8:3
was for the leaders
the scribes, the Pharisees,
the chosen people, stoning him
while they were killing him
praying for their forgiveness
for their blindness, for their deaf ears
that they would see Christ
would know as he does, that He is Lord,
the Messiah the prophets foretold
Echoing Jesus’ prayer,
a reflection of the savior
his faith, even in martyrdom
April 15, 2008
Acts 7:55-60
Acts 6:1-8:3
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Easter Message
Our days, all of our days,
to spread the Easter message
the singular day, reclaiming us all
rising from the dead
we rise with Him
we are no longer captives
set free to live
He came, he died
to wipe away our stain
But He rose
so we may live
Tell the world, the good news
He is risen; Christ is risen indeed!
April 15, 2008
to spread the Easter message
the singular day, reclaiming us all
rising from the dead
we rise with Him
we are no longer captives
set free to live
He came, he died
to wipe away our stain
But He rose
so we may live
Tell the world, the good news
He is risen; Christ is risen indeed!
April 15, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Her Walk With Christ
I pray she finds him
by her side
walking that dusty road
With the disciples
on the road to Emmaus
Walking with our Savior
feeling his presence
hearing the story of his grace
as if for the first time
The love of God
wrapping around you
like a prayer shawl
Your life changed forever
by the walk with Christ
April 10, 2008
by her side
walking that dusty road
With the disciples
on the road to Emmaus
Walking with our Savior
feeling his presence
hearing the story of his grace
as if for the first time
The love of God
wrapping around you
like a prayer shawl
Your life changed forever
by the walk with Christ
April 10, 2008
I am Hers
How easy it is to say,
“I am hers”;
but it is true
My life makes sense
because of her
Her smile starts my day
Her love makes the doubts fade
Her faith in me my strength
Her joy melts my fears
Her arms hold me tight
her body close to mine
as I fall asleep at night
April 10, 2008
“I am hers”;
but it is true
My life makes sense
because of her
Her smile starts my day
Her love makes the doubts fade
Her faith in me my strength
Her joy melts my fears
Her arms hold me tight
her body close to mine
as I fall asleep at night
April 10, 2008
Our Girls
So much a part of us, of our lives
our life together, with each other, with them
Constant reminds, gifts from our father
to add sparkle and joy to our days
Challenges aplenty, but joy abounds
sharing our lives together
with the Mighty Tiny Titans
April 10, 2008
our life together, with each other, with them
Constant reminds, gifts from our father
to add sparkle and joy to our days
Challenges aplenty, but joy abounds
sharing our lives together
with the Mighty Tiny Titans
April 10, 2008
A New Beginning
I feel the rumble just beyond
the far horizon line
change is coming
to our family, to your ministry
something is about to happen
a new beginning
Somewhere else to plant our roots
another field to sow the seeds
to water and to prune
to grow in another season.
April 10, 2008
the far horizon line
change is coming
to our family, to your ministry
something is about to happen
a new beginning
Somewhere else to plant our roots
another field to sow the seeds
to water and to prune
to grow in another season.
April 10, 2008
Living in His House All Our Days
Welcoming the savior into our house,
into our hearts, after the long journey
the walk to Emmaus, the story of his life
We open the door to the father’s house
to his offer of grace, when we let him in
a joining, a baptism, of the spirit, in the offer
the acceptance of love, of grace
Living in his house, all of our days
receiving the gift of grace
over and over
on the journey of faith
our ministry to the world
sharing Christ in all we do
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
into our hearts, after the long journey
the walk to Emmaus, the story of his life
We open the door to the father’s house
to his offer of grace, when we let him in
a joining, a baptism, of the spirit, in the offer
the acceptance of love, of grace
Living in his house, all of our days
receiving the gift of grace
over and over
on the journey of faith
our ministry to the world
sharing Christ in all we do
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Open the Door
Open the door, step through the threshold
enter the house of the father
accepting his gift of grace
his reconciliation, relationship once more
saying yes to the father, living in his grace
confession and repentance
becoming his sheep, his disciple
being the hands and feet, the voice
of the savior, the living Christ
for the world
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
enter the house of the father
accepting his gift of grace
his reconciliation, relationship once more
saying yes to the father, living in his grace
confession and repentance
becoming his sheep, his disciple
being the hands and feet, the voice
of the savior, the living Christ
for the world
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Walk to Emmaus
On the walk, the journey
the road to Emmaus
they learned from the master
the story of his life, his ministry
the fulfillment of all the prophets
in the living of his days
Sharing an afternoon with them
but so much more
Changing their lives
in the instant of awareness
the stranger the Christ
discovered in his holy sacrifice
remembered in the blessing,
in the bread, the wine,
just as we do when we share
when we partake of that holy meal
When we share the memory
of his saving grace
And, like Cleopas and the other,
we must tell the good news
proclaim it; Christ is risen!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
the road to Emmaus
they learned from the master
the story of his life, his ministry
the fulfillment of all the prophets
in the living of his days
Sharing an afternoon with them
but so much more
Changing their lives
in the instant of awareness
the stranger the Christ
discovered in his holy sacrifice
remembered in the blessing,
in the bread, the wine,
just as we do when we share
when we partake of that holy meal
When we share the memory
of his saving grace
And, like Cleopas and the other,
we must tell the good news
proclaim it; Christ is risen!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Run to Jerusalem
Run to Jerusalem
to the eleven, the apostles
tell his disciples the good news
the Lord is risen, he walked with us
on the road home, revealed in the blessing,
the bread and wine, the savior risen
alive with us on the road
sharing all the scripture, the prophets
his story told to us proof by proof
our hearts burning within us
joy walked with us
his grace heaped upon us
on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
to the eleven, the apostles
tell his disciples the good news
the Lord is risen, he walked with us
on the road home, revealed in the blessing,
the bread and wine, the savior risen
alive with us on the road
sharing all the scripture, the prophets
his story told to us proof by proof
our hearts burning within us
joy walked with us
his grace heaped upon us
on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Breaking Their Bread
It was his act of sharing, this honored guest
a stranger revealed as the savior
the risen messiah, breaking their bread
welcomed into their home, sharing the sacrifice
the saving of his grace, his gift
disciples whose eyes were opened
the pilgrims on the road home
learning directly from the master
but made to see in his communion
his sharing of the bread and wine
with them in their home
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
a stranger revealed as the savior
the risen messiah, breaking their bread
welcomed into their home, sharing the sacrifice
the saving of his grace, his gift
disciples whose eyes were opened
the pilgrims on the road home
learning directly from the master
but made to see in his communion
his sharing of the bread and wine
with them in their home
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Their Eyes Were Opened
His blessing, his act of sacrifice
revealed his identity
to the shocked disciples
they who had walked the road to Emmaus
with the stranger that day
Suddenly aware of the savior
in that split second of realization
before he disappeared from their presence
Tell the eleven! The savior lives!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
revealed his identity
to the shocked disciples
they who had walked the road to Emmaus
with the stranger that day
Suddenly aware of the savior
in that split second of realization
before he disappeared from their presence
Tell the eleven! The savior lives!
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
A Stranger Unknown to Them
He was for them,
a stranger, unknown to them
this man, joining them on the road home
Lost in pain, in doubt, confusion
they walked the dusty trail
He fell into their gait, walking with them
asking questions, probing questions
Sharing scripture, his story
burning hearts within them,
in the telling of the story,
reclaiming, renewing their spirits
In the breaking of the bread, the blessing,
the cup of salvation, awareness, joy
a stranger no more, our savior revealed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
a stranger, unknown to them
this man, joining them on the road home
Lost in pain, in doubt, confusion
they walked the dusty trail
He fell into their gait, walking with them
asking questions, probing questions
Sharing scripture, his story
burning hearts within them,
in the telling of the story,
reclaiming, renewing their spirits
In the breaking of the bread, the blessing,
the cup of salvation, awareness, joy
a stranger no more, our savior revealed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Entering into Their House
As they did, calling him, asking him in
we call Christ, into our homes, into our hearts
to dwell in us, with us, to be in communion
to share our lives, our days; hot, tired from the road
they begged him to stay a while longer
to enter their house, to bless them with his presence
Entering in, they saw the risen Christ
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
we call Christ, into our homes, into our hearts
to dwell in us, with us, to be in communion
to share our lives, our days; hot, tired from the road
they begged him to stay a while longer
to enter their house, to bless them with his presence
Entering in, they saw the risen Christ
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Walk with Jesus
We too must be aware
hear the message there is for us
to walk with Jesus, as God intended
to share the road, the journey with him
walking the path of life, following the shepherd
the master’s call for us; feeling his presence
on the way with him
We are free to choose,
to accept the offer of grace
always there, always ready
constantly new, arms wide open
Walk with Jesus, be his disciple
so the rest of the world
will know his saving grace
and come home to the Father
each one of us a prodigal child
Each one wanted by the father
each one valued, very good
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
hear the message there is for us
to walk with Jesus, as God intended
to share the road, the journey with him
walking the path of life, following the shepherd
the master’s call for us; feeling his presence
on the way with him
We are free to choose,
to accept the offer of grace
always there, always ready
constantly new, arms wide open
Walk with Jesus, be his disciple
so the rest of the world
will know his saving grace
and come home to the Father
each one of us a prodigal child
Each one wanted by the father
each one valued, very good
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Dust on Our Feet
If we are ready, prepared to enter into the house
our father’s house, into the rooms with our names
we have dust on our feet, with the disciples,
walking the ancient road home
walking with our Lord, our savior,
our shepherd, following his footsteps
hearing his story anew for us
offering him welcome in our homes
recognizing him in the breaking of the bread
the drinking of the wine
just as they did that Easter day
Feeling their joy
in that moment of awareness
when their blindness was transformed
into joy; He is risen indeed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
our father’s house, into the rooms with our names
we have dust on our feet, with the disciples,
walking the ancient road home
walking with our Lord, our savior,
our shepherd, following his footsteps
hearing his story anew for us
offering him welcome in our homes
recognizing him in the breaking of the bread
the drinking of the wine
just as they did that Easter day
Feeling their joy
in that moment of awareness
when their blindness was transformed
into joy; He is risen indeed
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Not Merely Studying
Living history, living ministry
the story of the walk to Emmaus
the disciples on the road,
real for me, in the truth
their blindness real to me
the failure to see Christ
in the stranger walking with them
that Easter day, their hearts too heavy
to know the joy beside them
immersed in the story,
the steps they walked
not merely studying the words
walking the road with Cleopas,
with his companion
and with our risen savior
joining them on the journey of grace
all the days of our lives to come
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
the story of the walk to Emmaus
the disciples on the road,
real for me, in the truth
their blindness real to me
the failure to see Christ
in the stranger walking with them
that Easter day, their hearts too heavy
to know the joy beside them
immersed in the story,
the steps they walked
not merely studying the words
walking the road with Cleopas,
with his companion
and with our risen savior
joining them on the journey of grace
all the days of our lives to come
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Being There With Them
On the walk, we are there, with them
on the road with our savior
feeling his story, his message
real and alive for us
hearing the words of his life
his mission, ours now
in new and right ways
Feeling the presence
of our Lord,
our hearts burning as theirs were
so long ago, on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
on the road with our savior
feeling his story, his message
real and alive for us
hearing the words of his life
his mission, ours now
in new and right ways
Feeling the presence
of our Lord,
our hearts burning as theirs were
so long ago, on the road to Emmaus
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Squatter's Rights
By grace, we enter in,
into our Father’s house
We have squatter’s rights
immediately given, by grace
living in our Father’s house
day by day learning, growing
knowing more of the treasures there
the hidden rooms, the joys
of living there, day by day
growing in grace
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
into our Father’s house
We have squatter’s rights
immediately given, by grace
living in our Father’s house
day by day learning, growing
knowing more of the treasures there
the hidden rooms, the joys
of living there, day by day
growing in grace
April 13, 2008
Luke 24:13-35, the Walk to Emmaus,
and the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“Seven Miles to Eternity: Recognized Him”,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Psalms 23
In our Middle High Sunday School today, April 13, 2008
we read 8 different versions of Psalm 23, from The Message,
the New Jerusalem Bible, the Revised Standard Version,
the New Revised Standard Bible, the New International Version,
the Good News Bible, the King James Bible, and “A psalm for learners”.
We then each wrote our own psalm, using a template of:
God is my . . .
God leads me . . .
God restores . . .
Even when . . . I will not . . . for God . . .
God sets . . .
Surely . . .
And I will . . . my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Erica
God is my savior; he saves me from sin.
God leads me through the valley of sin and death.
God restores me with his words of live
Even when I have hatred in my heart
I will not leave him for God is
my salvation
God sets a pace for him to pace me.
Surely he will lead me home
And I will listen and love him with
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Sara
God is my sense of direction
God leads me along the path right to take
God restores my soul and my confidence
Even when I start to stray
I will not be disobedient for God is love.
God sets the pace
Surely he will lead the way
And I will follow him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ian
God is my chef
God leads me to the dinner table
God restores my stomach to a state of happiness
Even when there are brussel sprouts
I will not lament for God will
replace them with green beans
God sets my place with lots of good food
Surely I will never miss a meal
And I will eat well my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ryan
God is my guardian who helps me when I need help
God leads me to believe what is true.
God restores my want to learn
Even when I lose all hope
I will not fail for God is on my side
God sets challenges for me in every new experience
And I will keep an open mind on how to get through
these challenges my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Jessica
God is my shepherd
God leads me home when lost
God restores hope
Even when feeling down
I will not hate for God is my God
God sets a path for me
Surely he loves me
And I will always love him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ray
God is my master, the guide for my life
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
we read 8 different versions of Psalm 23, from The Message,
the New Jerusalem Bible, the Revised Standard Version,
the New Revised Standard Bible, the New International Version,
the Good News Bible, the King James Bible, and “A psalm for learners”.
We then each wrote our own psalm, using a template of:
God is my . . .
God leads me . . .
God restores . . .
Even when . . . I will not . . . for God . . .
God sets . . .
Surely . . .
And I will . . . my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Erica
God is my savior; he saves me from sin.
God leads me through the valley of sin and death.
God restores me with his words of live
Even when I have hatred in my heart
I will not leave him for God is
my salvation
God sets a pace for him to pace me.
Surely he will lead me home
And I will listen and love him with
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Sara
God is my sense of direction
God leads me along the path right to take
God restores my soul and my confidence
Even when I start to stray
I will not be disobedient for God is love.
God sets the pace
Surely he will lead the way
And I will follow him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ian
God is my chef
God leads me to the dinner table
God restores my stomach to a state of happiness
Even when there are brussel sprouts
I will not lament for God will
replace them with green beans
God sets my place with lots of good food
Surely I will never miss a meal
And I will eat well my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ryan
God is my guardian who helps me when I need help
God leads me to believe what is true.
God restores my want to learn
Even when I lose all hope
I will not fail for God is on my side
God sets challenges for me in every new experience
And I will keep an open mind on how to get through
these challenges my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Jessica
God is my shepherd
God leads me home when lost
God restores hope
Even when feeling down
I will not hate for God is my God
God sets a path for me
Surely he loves me
And I will always love him
my whole life long.
Psalm 23 – by Ray
God is my master, the guide for my life
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
Psalm 23
God is my master, the guide for my life
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
God leads me through the trials and joys of my days
God restores my troubled spirit
when I am afraid or unsure
Even though I seem to lose my way
I will not despair for God is
always with me
God sets a table for me, my daily bread
Surely he will use me for his purposes
And I will walk with my savior
my whole life long.
April 13, 2008
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