In the Face of Adversity - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

Our finest hour
when we recognize the challenges
the struggles in life
and stand firm in the Lord

In the face of adversity
never giving up
turning to the Lord
the strength in which we trust

Turning our course over
the path of our lives
over to the Lord
in his arms our rest

Serving faithfully
following the Christ
loving our neighbors
as we love ourselves

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.