Dear Friends and friends yet to meet,
Happy November!
As I sit down to write this letter the sun is gleaming through the few golden, yellow scarlet, and still green leaves. Nearby, there is snow, but somehow our lane, located on by Blue Hill Bay, was missed. Still, at 36 degrees there has been a change in the seasons since last I wrote to you.
I walk around my home and the words from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 are ringing in my head mixed with words from an old favorite hymn – can you guess which one?
First Ecclesiastes:
3:1-2 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted.”
And from “Turn, Turn, Turn”: “For every season turn, turn, turn, turn.”
Our season of warm autumn is turning into the cold, bare hardwood days of cold. More wood smoke scents the air on chilly mornings and late into the night. We layer up in long sleeves and warm sweaters hands cradle cups of soup, hot tea, coffee, cocoa, cider.
It is a time also when our little Maine villages are becoming less crowded and locals chat, moan, laugh over weather predictions as they gather supplies for predicted ice/snow storms: “This is how were celebrate come the cold days, crowding the stores looking for food supplies.” But there is a sense of worry and fear, for those who will lose power in storms, for those with little to eat, or those, who cannot afford to heat homes and must go for help.
In November we celebrate Thanksgiving and I wonder if, this Thanksgiving we will be do lots more “giving” to those so desperately in need? I know we will at Ellsworth UMC, where soon we will have our traditional “Sub Sale” (its a way of helping by offering for a real bargain): we take orders on Monday, then Thursday we make and deliver subs to those working in Ellsworth. This fund/;mission will be closely followed by a gathering in of non-perishable foods and on Thanksgiving adding a turkey to be given to a local mission.
Our Young Adult Group has already begun a mission: gathering new warm socks, hats, mittens for all ages, which will be given to those most in need. We pray for the lives and spirits of others as we attempt to be God’s good instruments: feeding and tending to both lambs and sheep as Jesus so bid us to do.
Should you pop in on a Sunday morning this November, and please know you are invited to come as you are, this is what you’ll see/hear as we worship together:
Nov. 6: Gathering music by Bruce, Introit “What Does the Lord Require of You,” Psalm 107, Opening Hymn: “Make Me a Servant” Time for the Young at Heart: “What is a Sanctuary”, Prayer “For a True Heart,” Hymn of Preparation: “Trust and Obey,” Scripture: Josh 3:7-17; 1 Thess. 2:9-13; Matthew 23: 1-9, Anthem “Together We Serve” Sermon: “Making Ourselves into a Sanctuary” The Great Thanksgiving (Holy Communion – our table is open to all), Closing Hymn “Sanctuary”
Nov. 13: Gathering music by Bruce, Introit: “Shine Jesus Shine,” Psalm 121, Opening Hymn “Take My Life and Let it Be,” Prayer “Canticle of Light,” Time for the Young at Heart: “Flash lights.” Hymn of Preparation: “I Need you Every Hour.” Scriptures: 1 Thess. 5:1-11; Matthew 25: 14-30, Anthem: “We are Called,” Sermon: “Come into the Light,” Closing Hymn Lord, Be Glorified”
Nov. 20 Thanksgiving Sunday: Gathering music: Bruce, Introit: “Come, Come Everybody Worship.” Psalm 100, Time for the Young at Heart: “What’s Best About Thanksgiving?,” Hymn of Preparation: “We Gather Together,” Scriptures: Ez. 34:11-24; Eph. 1:115-23; Matthew 25: 31-46, Anthem “Cuando El Pobre (When the Poor Ones),” Sermon: “Eyes of Your Heart,” Closing Hymn “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing.”
Nov. 27 First Sunday in Advent, Gathering Music: Bruce, Introit: “Change My Heart, Oh, God,” Psalm 80, Prayer “Advent” “Time for the Young at Heart: “Lighting the Advent Candle, Hymn of Preparation: “People Look East,” Scriptures: Is. 64:1-9; Mark 13:24-37 Anthem “Wake, Awake for Night is Flying,” Sermon “Wake Up, Wake Up You Sleepy Head” for a New Day is Dawning” Closing Hymn “The King of Glory Comes.”
Stay warm and healthy of heart, mind and soul. Come and visit, we would love to meet you. And may God bless you all. See you in December? I hope so!
Yours
Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young (Pastors Y-Y)
Subscribe
