Hope in this Condemnation - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

In the pattern of worship
the way of our church
the liturgist, pastor saying the words
“the word of God for the people of God”
and the people responding,
“thanks be to God.”

Such is our honoring,
as with the people
the joy in our hearing,
understanding,
God’s holy word

But harder in the words
the condemnation of creation
harder to hear hope
in the condemnation of man

Only in knowing
the rest of the teaching
the saving of Noah
and the others on the ark

God’s love greater
than his anger at the creation
even in knowing
that man would sin for eternity
Loving enough to set the rainbow
to remind himself
of the promise he made

Never again, to destroy all creation
by the flood of heaven
washing clean the earth
Instead the creator
sent down the savior
walking as a human
reclaiming us all
washing us clean with his blood

January 24, 2010
Genesis 8:21b-22,
Genesis 9:12-16
Genesis 6:5-8, 11-13
Psalm 20:1-3 (Call to Worship)
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Worship Theme: There is Hope in God
and sermon, “I Shall Not Be Moved”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
January 24, 2010