Pastor’s Letter – May, 2012

Dear Friends, Happy May!

Let me begin with a short Prayer Poem:

You are here, God,
I feel you near.
Near when I feel the most alone,
there you are:
a voice, a sense of calm balm
soothing over me, a rainfall of grace,
letting me know I am no longer alone.
You are here, dear God,
in sweet spring days,
the nudge I feel encouraging me,
“take one step more” when I feel tired.
Your presence is everywhere:
the first bird song of the morning,
the brightest star on a black clear night,
in smiles I see on strangers’ faces
as we become friends.
When all else in my life seems dark and wrong,
there you are, dear God, comforting.
Faith is knowing your are.
Faith is believing and is allowing you
to enter fully into our lives.
Dear God, no matter how many mistakes I make,
you areÊwaiting for me to turn to you
and to fall into your loving arms
where I will find comfort
and joy. Amen
(April 30, 2012)

May has arrived with all its lush green beauty, bird songs, spring peepers ringing through the marsh lands, and flowers everywhere. Now, when I hear the sounds of a power motor, I know it is not just a chain saw cutting up wood for a fire, but it could also be a lawn mower or even the small dingy cruising out to a lobster boat anchored off shore. Flowers bring splashes of bright colors: red, purple, yellow, pink everywhere I look and in the woods, near our home. Fiddle heads are stretching their tall stalks, white and fuzzy. I can’t wait until I can get some for dinner, how yummy to be nibbling such a sweet “green” taste of May.

Yes, there are dark “nights of the soul’, and very truly beside the joy of new life and new beginnings there is also the sad times of goodbyes, last hugs, and prayers for those facing end times. But God’s many gifts of grace, like sweet spring rain, shower down and we soak up this great joy like new tilled soil and the opening petals of flower blooms both big and small.

And what will you find should you come to visit Ellsworth United Methodist Church 11:00 a.m. some Sunday this May?

Here’s a taste:
5/6: Introit: “Gather Us In”, Psalm 22, Opening Hymn: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”, Hymn of Preparation: “Abide with Me”, Scripture: John 4:7-21, Anthem: “Oh, I Know the Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me”, Sermon: “I Need Thee Every Hour”, Holy Communion, Closing Hymn: “The Gift of Love”.

5/13 Mother’s Day Worship: Introit: “Bind Us Together”, Psalm 98, Opening Hymn: “We are the Church”, Children will give out flowers to Moms during Time for the Young at Heart, Hymn of Preparation: “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”, Scripture 1 John 5:1-5, John 15:9-17, Anthem: “Servant Song”, Sermon: “Mothers’ Day/Joyful Noise Sunday”, Closing Hymn: “Amen, Amen”.

5/20 Ascension Sunday/Last Day of Sunday School, Introit: “He is Exalted”, Psalm 47, Opening Hymn: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”, Hymn of Preparation: “My Hope is Built”, Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23, Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:44-53; Anthem: “Christ is Risen”, Sermon: “Last Words and then Jesus Ascends into the Heavens”, Closing Hymn: “Sent Out In Jesus’ Name”.

5/27 Pentecost Sunday, Introit: “I’m Gonna’ Sing When the Spirit says Sing”, Psalm # 104, Opening Hymn: “Here I Am, Lord”, Hymn of Preparation: “God of Grace and God of Glory”, Scriptures: Acts 2:1-8, 11-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 16:12-15, Anthem: “The Summons” Sermon: “Imagine Being There. And then Imagine There is Now”, Closing Hymn: “Pass It On”.

Each Sunday we enjoy a Prelude played by Bruce on the piano, the beautiful voices of our choir and Choir Director, Amy Briggs (who lately has also been playing the organ!), and Time for the Young at Heart with our youngest, who always make me feel like tearing up my sermon as they answer my questions with such lovely ideas and truly the beauty of their fresh love of God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

And each Sunday morning we have coffee/tea/water/juice and some baked treats available, both before and after worship. So, come on in, our doors and hearts are open and ready to make new friends.

Have a wonderful May and may God Bless you!”See” you at this web site soon? I hope so.

Yours,
Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young

Published in: on April 30, 2012 at 1:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Pastor’s Letter – April, 2012

Dear Friends, happy April!

This month we celebrate Palm Sunday on April 1, Easter on April 8. Between these Sundays we will stride forward, remembering the last week of Jesus’ life. The joy  of Palm Sunday and Easter is the frame around those dark days. So, let me begin this month’s letter with an April Joy poem:

Joy, joy, joy

leaps up.

Is the sun splashing white

on black night rushing waters?

Are blooms reaching free from cold earth?

Are the robins’ fat bellies

so filled with bingeing

they wobble when they fly?

Joy is today.

Joy is what fills us!

Joy is God!

Joy is God ever near.

On Easter at Ellsworth UMC we will be joy-filled and singing as many of the favorite hymns as time and breath will allow, as we leave the darkness, and painful memory of God’s beloved son dying on the cross, and the silence of Holy Saturday. Then the Scripture tells us: early on the first day the women found the stone rolled away and the burial cave empty. “Christ Lord Has Risen Today!” We sing. Those women on that first Easter felt fear, confusion, wonder.

As we travel through Sundays in April we hear more treasured stories of  Jesus appearing, wiping away doubt, comforting his followers. Yes, he did   over come death. Yes, he is the Joy that will always be with us.

Should you stop by to join us on a Sunday in April here is what you will find during our 11:00 am worships:

4/1/12: We welcome the “Ellsworth Assembly Internal Order of the Rainbow for   Girls” as they assist in our worship, sharing their gifts. We’ll also enjoy guest organist Ruth Torrey as she leads the choir in “The Palms.” Our Introit: “Hosanna! Hosanna!” Psalm 118, Opening Hymn “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”

Sunday School Children will give out palms during “Time for the Young at  Heart”, Hymn of Preparation “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” ,Scripture: Mark 11:1-11, Sermon: “Two Parades. Which One Would You have Attended?” Holy    Communion, Closing Hymn: “All Glory, Laud and Honor”

4/6/12, 7:00 pm Good Friday Service, leaders will be Mahlon Kennedy and me.

Hymns: “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”, “Were You There?”, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and the readings are: Psalm 22, Isaiah 52:12-53:12,   John:18:1-19:1-30 as we darken the sanctuary and end in candle light. Mahlon will read a powerful story at the very end.

4/8/12 Easter we will share the Easter story and sing many hymns.

4/15/12 Introit: “We Walk by Faith”, Psalm 133, Opening Hymn: “Now the Green Blade Has Risen”, Hymn of Preparation: “Breathe on Me Oh Breath of God”, Anthem: “Without Seeing You”, Sermon: “Thomas”, Closing Hymn: “He Lives”

4/22/12 Introit: “Christ Has Risen”, Psalm # 4, Opening Hymn: “This is the Day”, Scripture: 1 John 3:6-7, Luke 24:24-36b, Anthem: “At the Font We Start the            Journey”, Sermon: “Sin”, Closing Hymn: “Alleluia”

4/29/12: Introit: “God is so Good”, Psalm # 23, Opening Hymn: “He Leadth Me, O Blessed Thought”, Hymn of Preparation: “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us”  – Scripture: 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18, Anthem “The Lord is my Shepherd”, Closing Hymn: “Lord, Dismiss with Thy Blessing”

On Monday April 2 we will be singing at Courtland Rehab and Nursing Center, as has become our joyful practice. Many of the residents as those working sing with us, favorite hymns and songs. We meet at 6:30 pm and spend about an hour. What can I say, it is an “Amazing Grace” filled evening each month.

May this letter find you all well, but should you need to, please and come visit us. Our doors and hearts are open wide. We love to meet new people and toshare our family size church and the many joys and much grace that God has blessed us with.

See you in May? I hope so!

Yours,

Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young (Pastor Y-Y)

Published in: on April 4, 2012 at 5:52 pm  Leave a Comment  

Pastor’s Letter – March, 2012

The shadow of the crossHi Happy March!

To begin with, a poem written March 2007. I hope you enjoy it.

When the walls crack vines grow strong
pushing a path: green life arrives
(some courier rodent or feathered flitter
dashed by dropping seeds)
and soon tiny pink, purple, blue
flowers color the dark stones and grit.

This is faith
and this is how it happens:
in unexpected moments grace drips
or gushes over and new life springs.

God, Master Artist of Surprise,
discovering Your fresh tender new blooms
brings bursts of energy to all.
We, who have followed in Your footsteps for many years,
find our faith renewed.
We remember our Joy moments.
Together we rejoice!

This year March means Lent. My sermon themes, at Ellsworth UMC, are on journey and the paths we travel on. Each Sunday I will ask those, who drop in, to think of their journey and the paths they may be taking as they move towards Palm Sunday (April 1), Good Friday (April  6) and Easter on April 8. How will each of us be changed this year as we step by step move away from, maybe the person we have always been, to someone else? Will we be people blessed by grace, renewed, sparkling, and prepared to faithfully live as God’s beloved children?  This Lent may we think of ourselves as followers walking on the path first made for us by Christ.

So here’s a “taste” of what you will find should you join us on Sundays during March:

As is our custom, each Sunday we will have a terrific Prelude by Bruce Clark and “Time for the Young at Heart.” when our Sunday School children bless us with their innocent wisdom. Enjoy hymns and special music sung by our choir led music director Amy Briggs.

3/4/: Introit: “Come and Find a Quiet Corner”, Psalm 22, Opening Hymn “He Leadeth Me: O Blessed Thought”, Hymn of Preparation “Take My Life and Let it Be”, Scripture: Mark 8:31-38, Anthem “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, Sermon: “Are We Stuck or Are We Willing to Be Led?”, Holy Communion, Closing Hymn “We Are Marching”

3/11: Girl Scout Sunday, Introit: “Lord I Lift Your Name on High”, Psalm # 19, Opening Hymn “How Great Thou Art”,  Hymn of Preparation “This is My Father’s World”, Scripture: John 2:13-22, Anthem “I’m Gonna’ Live So God Can Use Me”, Sermon :“A Forgotten Message?”,  Closing Hymn “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”

3/18 One Great Hour of Sharing, Introit: “Woke Up This Morning”, Psalm 107, Opening Hymn “Now Thank We All Our God”, Hymn of Preparation ”Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”, Scriptures: Numbers 21:4-9; John 3: 14-21 Anthem “Light of the World”, Sermon: “Out of darkness we follow a path of light” Closing Hymn “Standing on the Promises.”

3/25 Introit: “Change My Heart, O God”, Psalm 51, Opening Hymn “Where He Leads Me”, Hymn of Preparation “Take Up Thy Cross”, Scriptures: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33 Anthem “Give Me a Clean Heart” Sermon: “Sacrifices” Closing Hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth”

PLEASE NOTE: At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21 EUMC will be the host church for one of the Ellsworth Ecumenical Lenten Services. Rev. Sara Huisjen of the Unitarian Universalist church will preach on the theme of “A Call to Repair and Rebuild Relationships.” The offering for this service will be donated to “Church Discretionary Fund” administered by the Emmaus Homeless Shelter.

May you all have a wonderful March. Don’t let those wild March winds blow you off your chosen course!

See you in April? I hope so! May God bless you all!

Yours,

Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young (Pastor Susan Y-Y)

Published in: on March 1, 2012 at 6:00 am  Leave a Comment  

EUMC Hosts Lenten Service – March 21, 2012

At 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21 EUMC will be the host church for one of the 2012 Ellsworth Ecumenical Lenten Services. Rev. Sara Huisjen of the Ellsworth Unitarian Universalist Church will preach on the theme of “A Call to Repair and Rebuild Relationships.” The offering for this service will be donated to “Church Discretionary Fund” administered by the Emmaus Homeless Shelter.

More about the Ellsworth Ecumenical Lenten Services

We here in the Ellsworth area are blessed with a group of clergy from a wide range of faith expressions who work together collegially to provide worship experiences for this community.

As has been the tradition, we will again provide weekly worship during the Lenten period. At 7:00 PM on the five Wednesdays of Lent, there will be an opportunity to worship with your neighbors in five different churches. Each service  will reflect the style of worship that is customary for the host church, and will include a message from a clergyperson who is the pastor of another local church. Each week there will be an offering which will be donated to the Church Discretionary Fund administered by the Emmaus Homeless Shelter.

The theme this year is “A Call to Repair & Rebuild Relationships:”

1.  With the world;
2. With our faith;
3.  With the church;
4.  With the Lord and the Holy;
5. With others, oneself, and community.

All services are at 7:00 PM and the schedule is as follows:

  • Feb.  29   St. Andrew Lutheran Church , Junction of Routes #1  and #184    Preacher:   Pastor Joanne Douglass of Community of Christ Church
  • Mar. 7     Union Congregational Church of Ellsworth Falls, UCC ,   Junction of Routes #1A and #179  Preacher: Rev.  Keith Bowie of  Union Congregational Church of Hancock
  • Mar. 14   First Congregational Church of Ellsworth,     Junction of State and Church Street    Preacher:  Fr. Scott Mower of St. Joseph Catholic Church
  • Mar 21     United Methodist Church,  Hancock  Street Preacher:  Rev.  Sara Huisjen  of Unitarian Universalist Church
  • Mar. 28    St. Dunstan Episcopal Church,   State Street  Preacher:  Pastor James Heard,  of Church of Life and Praise

We hope to see you on March 21st or at any of the other Lenten services offered this year.

Published in: on February 28, 2012 at 9:42 am  Leave a Comment  
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Pastor’s Letter – January, 2012

Dear God,
Wow!
Thanks.
Breath.
Relax.
Thanks
and thanks again
for
Your Love
Patience
Peace
Insight
Silence
Words
and for
Believing
in me,
Your child.
Always,
Your child.
Amen

Dear Friends and Friends I have yet to meet, Happy 2012!

A new year filled with new resolutions, hopes, dreams (schemes),
a chance to envision new plans. Then comes the tough part – keeping those resolutions, making those dreams come true, turning the visions of  new plans into actuality. We can do it. It may take some effort. It may take saying “I’m sorry, please forgive me.” Or “I forgive you.” It may mean being brave enough to put your hand up at a meeting and saying: “You know, I think we need to try something new here because what we’ve been doing just isn’t working.”

Wow. Making 2012 a Wow year may take courage; may take extra breath in-takes-out-takes. But if change needs to happen then one must have the courage to make it happen.

Change in a Maine church? Well, you know, change might simply look like having the Scripture reader be a child once and awhile (one who IS a good reader). Maybe it means serving not just white bread at Holy Communion but also offering gluten free blessed crackers. And maybe change might be having a collection of food and warm hats, mittens, scarves, new socks (in all sizes) as well as non-food items (that cannot be bought with food stamps) as a mission done all year and not just for special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

These are some of the plans being made at Ellsworth United Methodist Church as we work to be more inclusive and to reach out beyond our doors to do mission in our community. Two Monday nights a month all are welcome to join the growing number of Young Adults and others for “GPYes!” when we ReThink Church and enter the community: singing at Courtland Center (first Monday nights 6:30-7:30 and gathering at “The Meadows” on the third). As more children and youth have arrived at EUMC new ideas are being created as to how to serve them, how to listen, how to help them know the stories of our faith, the Old and New Testaments, to help them discover Jesus, to introduce to the path that Jesus made for us.

January. It may be cold outside but “baby it is warm” inside the hearts of EUMC members. I invite you to stop by at EUMC some Sunday at 11:00 and see for yourself what the “Mighty Mustard Seeds” are up to now, stay for yummy goodies, something warm to drink and I am sure you will enjoy meeting a congregation, who welcomes the stranger as a long lost friend or family member.

Worship snippets for January:
1/1/2012 Epiphany, Introit: “Carol of Epiphany”, Psalm 72, Opening Hymn: “We Three Kings”, Time for the Young at Heart: “The gift you would like to give baby Jesus”, Hymn of Preparation: “Once in Royal David City”, Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6; Matthew 2:1-13, Anthem: “There’s a Song in the Air” Sermon: “They Were Overwhelmed by Joy”, Holy Communion (with gluten free option), Closing Hymn: “Joy To the World”

1/8/2012 Introit: “Wade in the Water”, Psalm 29, Opening Hymn: “When Jesus came to Jordan”, Hymn of Preparation: “Spirit Song”, Scriptures: Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11, Anthem: “Spirit of God”, Sermon: “The Spirit descended upon Him like a dove” Closing Hymn: “Spirit, Spirit of gentleness.”

1/15/2012 Introit: “The Lone Wild Bird”, Psalm 139, Opening Hymn: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Leads Me”, Time for the Yong at Heart: “Hide and Seek”, Hymn of Preparation: “Be Thou My Vision”, Scriptures: 1 Sam 3:1-10, John 1:43-51, Anthem: “Oh, I Know the Lord’s Laid His Hands on Me”, Sermon: “Those Who Have Vision”, Closing Hymn: “Lord, Speak to Me.”

1/22/2012: Introit: “O God Beyond All Praising”, Psalm # 62, Opening Hymn: “Tu Has Venido a la Orilla (Lord You Have Come to the Lakeshore), Time for the Young at Heart: “What makes someone good at fishing?”, Hymn of Preparation: “Jesus Calls Us”, Scripture: Mark 1:14-20, Anthem: “Two Fishermen”, Sermon: “Why did Jesus pick fisher people to be his followers?” Closing Hymn: “the Summons.”

1/29/2012 Introit: “We Sing of Your Glory (Tuya Es la Gloria), Psalm # 111, Opening Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie that Binds”, Time for the Young at Heart: “God speaks through you.”, Hymn of Preparation: “Fairest Lord Jesus”, Scriptures: Deut. 18:15-20, 1Cor. 8:1-6, Mark 1:21-28, Anthem: “Wounded World that Cries for healing”, Sermon: “Not puffed up with selfish chatter”, Closing Hymn: “Wonderful Words of Life.”

I hope you have a wonderful January. Stay warm! See you next month? I hope so! May God bless all of you.
Yours,
Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young (Pastor Susan Y-Y)

Published in: on January 7, 2012 at 3:10 pm  Leave a Comment  
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