Persevere - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

We are to strive
confident in the future
the rest of the story
known only to God

Persevere in adversity
through the slings and arrows
faithful as was Christ
to the plan of almighty God

We can be secure
at peace within ourselves
God’s redeeming power
greater than all on earth

We are the children
safe in the sheepfold
coming home to our father
when our time here is done

September 19, 2010
Luke 16:1-12
Romans 5:1-11
Hebrews 12:2
Psalm 27:1, 4, 5, 7, 14 (Call to Worship)
Prayer of Confession (UMH #892)
“Eternal and Loving God, who by thy love has made us, and through thy love has kept us, and through thy love wouldst make us perfect: We humbly confess that we have not loved Thee with all our heart and soul and mind and strength, and that we have not loved one another as Christ hath loved us. Thy life is within our souls, but our selfishness hath hindered Thee. We have not lived by faith. We have resisted thy spirit. We have neglected thine inspirations. Forgive what we have been; help us to amend what we are; and in thy Spirit direct what we shall be; that thou mayest come into the full glory of thy creation, and in us and in all the people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Worship Theme: “We only fully live by grace”
and sermon, “Sinners Wanted”,
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson, including
- discussion of common lectionary
- extensive quote from Winston Churchill’s speech
while British Prime Minister, at Harrow School on October 29, 1941,
to never give in and
- paraphrase of quote from Jim Collins’ book,
How the Mighty Fall and Why Some Companies Never Give In,
“The path out of darkness begins with those exasperatingly
persistent individuals who, because they know the future is in
the hands of God, are constitutionally incapable of capitulation.
It’s one thing to suffer a staggering defeat–as will likely happen
in some form to everyone. I have know a few. It is an entirely another
to give up on the values and aspirations that make our life worthwhile.
Failure is not so much a physical state as a state of mind;
success is falling down–and getting up again and again.”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
September 19, 2010
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.