Essex Center UMC Bulletin 12/9/2018
Essex Center UMC Bulletin 12/9/2018
Essex Center UMC Bulletin 12/9/2018
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and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
LIGHTING THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
TAIZÉ Lord Jesus Christ, Your Light Shines W&S 3137 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ Announcements
We’ll be locking the doors to the fellowship hall when the
CANTICLE Of Light & Darkness UMH 205, r. 2 EPISTLE Philippians 1:3-6, 9–11 children go to Sunday School. Please arrive by 10 am if you need
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying
the elevator as entry will be via the front door after that time.
We Listen for God’s Word
with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your
sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of
this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to The food shelf needs our help for the December distributions.
HEBREW SCRIPTURE Malachi 3:1-5a; 5c-6 completion by the day of Jesus Christ. The need around the holidays is always larger than normal. All
“See, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me, And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more the churches in this ministry in Essex-Underhill & Jericho are
and the Lord whom you seek with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is asked to help. There are lots of different jobs assisting the clients
will suddenly come to his temple. best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and as they choose their groceries, move around the tables & carry
The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight— blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes things out to their vehicles. Saturday, 15 December from 9 am, at
indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, rte 15, Jericho. Park across the
“But who can endure the day of his coming, street at Clark’s Truck Center.
The People’s
Parking: Our parking lot can get quite busy, so please consider Essex Eats Out Schedule
parking across the street; this will allow those with small children
and those that can’t walk as far to park close by the church. Dec 7 - 1st Congreg. Dec 14 - Holy Family
Good News
Dec 21 - St James Dec 28 - EUMC
Boxes and Donations for Heifer are due Sunday, Dec 16th.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Poinsettias: If you would like to purchase a poinsettia to help
Dec 12 - Don Strickland Dec 9 - Godfrey Anniversary
decorate our church for Christmas the flyers are inside the
bulletin. Please order by putting the flyer and the money in the
offering plate or on Heidi’s desk by Sunday, December 9. You Here are people, places, & concerns folk have recently lifted
are encouraged to take your poinsettia home after Christmas. up. Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
Calendar
Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont
All Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - noon Arlitha Susan
Church Office noon- 2 pm Tim
Callie
Mt Mansfield Bible Study 2 pm
Grace Naylor Lenore
Anne Kennison Michael Parker
All Thursdays: Church Office noon- 2:00 pm
Gloria McKeen Keenan
z Mary Willard
Norma Strickland Lifted Up Last Sunday
Mon, 10 Dec: Monday Companions, Final Discussion of Canoeing
the Mountains at Eve’s, 7:00 pm. (Unless Pastor Mitch Judy & Diezela Donna - thankful for baptism of Bella &
gets jury duty . . .) Matthew C. welcoming of 6 other members
Elissa & Leif Judy - Suzie & Jim, home and doing
Wed, 12 Dec: Advent Meditation Service 7 pm. Details in insert! better
Greg
Paula DeMichele Dawn - Dave Cluck passed away
Thu, 13 Dec: Food Shelf Set Up, GSLC 6:30 pm
Don Strickland Dawn - Mark Weber’s family
Sat, 15 Dec: Food shelf Distribution, GSLC 9:00 am Ellie Uckele Liz - Heather
Cole Liz - Bella’s grandma
Holiday Basket, details to follow Harley
Ken - 2 boys that have problems
Gordon Mitchinson
Sanctuary Decorating, details to follow
z z z
An Advent Invitation from Joshua An Advent Invitation from Joshua An Advent Invitation from Joshua
Advent, the liturgical season we're about to enter, isn't "The Advent, the liturgical season we're about to enter, isn't "The Advent, the liturgical season we're about to enter, isn't "The
Christmas Season." It's the season in which we await the coming of Christmas Season." It's the season in which we await the coming of Christmas Season." It's the season in which we await the coming of
Christ in three ways: our celebration of his birth on December 25th; Christ in three ways: our celebration of his birth on December 25th; his Christ in three ways: our celebration of his birth on December 25th; his
his arrival into our hearts on a daily basis; and his ultimate return. arrival into our hearts on a daily basis; and his ultimate return. arrival into our hearts on a daily basis; and his ultimate return.
In the spirit of solidarity with our persecuted brother- and sister- In the spirit of solidarity with our persecuted brother- and sister- In the spirit of solidarity with our persecuted brother- and sister-
Christians of the Middle East, I will be keeping the Oriental Orthodox Christians of the Middle East, I will be keeping the Oriental Orthodox Christians of the Middle East, I will be keeping the Oriental Orthodox
fast on Wednesdays and Fridays (days on which they traditionally fast on Wednesdays and Fridays (days on which they traditionally fast). fast on Wednesdays and Fridays (days on which they traditionally fast).
fast). But there are various ways to fast. Here's how you can join me But there are various ways to fast. Here's how you can join me this first But there are various ways to fast. Here's how you can join me this first
this first week of Advent! Do one or all of the following: week of Advent! Do one or all of the following: week of Advent! Do one or all of the following:
*Keep the Oriental Orthodox fast this Wednesday and Friday: no *Keep the Oriental Orthodox fast this Wednesday and Friday: no *Keep the Oriental Orthodox fast this Wednesday and Friday: no
animal products in your diet (no meat, no dairy, no eggs). Ask me animal products in your diet (no meat, no dairy, no eggs). Ask me animal products in your diet (no meat, no dairy, no eggs). Ask me
about recipes! about recipes! about recipes!
*On Wednesday, read Isaiah 2. On Friday, read Isaiah 4. *On Wednesday, read Isaiah 2. On Friday, read Isaiah 4. *On Wednesday, read Isaiah 2. On Friday, read Isaiah 4.
*Pray the following every morning this week: Almighty God, give *Pray the following every morning this week: Almighty God, give *Pray the following every morning this week: Almighty God, give
us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put
upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in
which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that
that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to
majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life
life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
*Either refrain from social media or use social media in a way *Either refrain from social media or use social media in a way that *Either refrain from social media or use social media in a way that
that suits this season. suits this season. suits this season.
Have a blessed Advent! Have a blessed Advent! Have a blessed Advent!
Grant me Your Sense of Timing Grant me Your Sense of Timing Grant me Your Sense of Timing
O God of all seasons and senses,
O God of all seasons and senses,
O God of all seasons and senses,
grant me your sense of timing
grant me your sense of timing
grant me your sense of timing
to submit gracefully
to submit gracefully
to submit gracefully
and rejoice quietly
and rejoice quietly
and rejoice quietly
in the turn of the seasons. in the turn of the seasons. in the turn of the seasons.
In this season of short days and long nights,
In this season of short days and long nights,
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
of grey and white and cold,
of grey and white and cold,
teach me the lessons of waiting:
teach me the lessons of waiting:
teach me the lessons of waiting:
of the snow joining the mystery
of the snow joining the mystery
of the snow joining the mystery
of the hunkered-down seeds
of the hunkered-down seeds
of the hunkered-down seeds
growing in their sleep
growing in their sleep
growing in their sleep
watched over by gnarled-limbed, grandparent trees
watched over by gnarled-limbed, grandparent trees
watched over by gnarled-limbed, grandparent trees
resting from autumn’s staggering energy;
resting from autumn’s staggering energy;
resting from autumn’s staggering energy;
of the silent, whirling earth
of the silent, whirling earth
of the silent, whirling earth
circling to race back home to the sun. circling to race back home to the sun. circling to race back home to the sun.
O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
In this season of short days and long nights,
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
of grey and white and cold,
of grey and white and cold,
teach me the lessons of endings:
teach me the lessons of endings:
teach me the lessons of endings:
children growing
children growing
children growing
friends leaving
friends leaving
friends leaving
jobs concluding
jobs concluding
jobs concluding
stages finishing
stages finishing
stages finishing
grieving over
grieving over
grieving over
grudges over
grudges over
grudges over
blaming over
blaming over
blaming over
excuses over. excuses over. excuses over.
O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
In this season of short days and long nights,
In this season of short days and long nights,
of grey and white and cold,
of grey and white and cold,
of grey and white and cold,
teach me the lessons of beginnings:
teach me the lessons of beginnings:
teach me the lessons of beginnings:
that such waitings and endings
that such waitings and endings
that such waitings and endings
may be a starting place,
may be a starting place,
may be a starting place,
of planting seeds
of planting seeds
of planting seeds
which bring to birth
which bring to birth
which bring to birth
what is ready to be born—
what is ready to be born—
what is ready to be born—
something right and just and different,
something right and just and different,
something right and just and different,
a new song,
a new song,
a new song,
a deeper relationship,
a deeper relationship,
a deeper relationship,
a fuller lover—
a fuller lover—
a fuller lover—
in the fullness of your time. in the fullness of your time. in the fullness of your time.
O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing.
-Ted Loder -Ted Loder -Ted Loder