As We Prosper - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

as we prosper
in the ways of the earth
we gather a burden of things
sapping joy from our lives
leading to pain and sin
driving us away from our kin
our brothers and sisters alike
taking us to exalt our wealth
our possessions the central thing
These chains, this love,
the focus of our lives
corrosive in the end
stealing us from
the way of the cross
away from a life with Him
giving out of our wealth
meager gifts indeed
instead to give of ourselves
all that we are
trusting in God for life
all of the bounty, all of our gifts
from the creator alone
his provision is enough
in faith we abundantly give

November 22, 2009
Christ the King Sunday
Luke 6:37-38
Psalm 92:1-4
Hymn: “Come, Ye Thankful People Come”,
by Henry Aford,
United Methodist Hymnal, # 694,
based on Mark 4:26-29 (Parable of the Growing Seeds)
and Matthew 13:36-43 (Parable of the Weeds)
& sermon “Defined by Generosity”
(including the story of Millard and Linda Fuller,
founders of Habitat for Humanity)
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 22, 2009
His sermon is the final of a four-part series based in part on
Reverend Adam Hamilton (http://www.cor.org/about-resurrection/adam/)’s book,
“Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” (http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9781426702334)
&
Luke 12:15-21
and Psalm 16
and “The Prayer of St. Francis”,
United Methodist Hymnal #481;
and sermon, “I Want It All . . .”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 15, 2009
Her sermon is the third of a four-part series based in part on
Reverend Adam Hamilton (http://www.cor.org/about-resurrection/adam/)’s book,
“Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” (http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9781426702334