Ellsworth United Methodist Church

A prayer poem and then a letter.

O, amazing God,
Your blessing comes with morning
as softly wild dove call,
dawn colors streak a white sky,
in the silence
before hectic day begins.

O, awesome God!
I wake with the morning
and reach out to climb upon Your wings,
to soar from East to West,
knowing I am Your child
and You are forever
always there
loving me.

In my heart, in my spirit,
I am open,
riding on the wonder of You in my life.
You have shown me Joy.
I shout out “Yes!”
My life is in You. Amen

Dear Friends,

Happy September! September brings clear bright skies, winds rustle aging leaves. All is bittersweet as we say our goodbye wishes to summer friends, hello hopes for new beginnings (school, careers). Anticipation, memories, laughter, tears; schedules, new adventures. September is the month of first steps.

For our family and for the EUMC church family, this September IS wedding month. On September 7 , our youngest daughter, Laura, will marry her boyfriend (of ten years), Max. The joyous celebration of a friendship that began when they were in High School Driver’s Ed. class, blossomed into a “fine romance.” A Maine coast, down-home wedding/reception is planned, and parents, family and friends could not be more thrilled.

Then on September 14, another beautiful bride, a member of EUMC, will marry her beloved. At both of these weddings, I get to sit back and enjoy listening to the words said by other minister pals of mine. After officiating at four weddings this past year, I am excited at the thought of sitting beside my husband.

The union of beautiful young adults, in each case, makes families that once had been two, now one family, united in the eyes of God and yes, the State of Maine.

As visitors come and go, as our towns begin to be a bit less crowded, may the “bliss” we found this summer continue to be part of our lives.

Now, should you find yourself in Ellsworth, Maine, at 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday morning this September, here’s a schedule of what you might discover should you come to a EUMC Worship. Know you will be greeted with open hearts by all members of our family-size church. Come as you are — there is no secret handshake or special dress code at EUMC. All are invited.

9/1 — Introit: “Breath on Me, Breath of God”, Psalm 112, Opening Hymn: “We’ll Understand It Better By and By”, Hymn of Preparation: “I Need Thee Every Hour”, Scripture: Proverbs 25:6-7; Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16; Luke 14:1, 7-14. Sermon: “Seating Arrangements”, The Great Thanksgiving (Holy Communion — all are invited to come and receive), Closing Hymn: “Just A Closer Walk with Thee”.

9/8 — Lay Leaders are in charge. Pastor’s day off.

9/15 — Introit: “There’ll Be Joy in the Morning”, Psalm 51, Opening Hymn: “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”, Hymn of Preparation: “O God Our Help in Ages Past”, Scriptures: Ex. 32:7-14; Tim. 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10. Sermon: “The Joy We Feel When the Lost is Reunited with Us”, Closing Hymn: “I Sing the Almighty Power of God”.

9/22 — Introit: “Honor and Praise”, Psalm 125, Opening Hymn: “How Great Thou Art”, Hymn of Preparation: “God of the Sparrow, God of the Whale”, Scriptures: 1 Tim.2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13. Sermon: “The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil”, Closing Hymn: “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise”.

9/29 — Introit: “Let Us With a Joyful Mind”, Psalm 146, Opening Hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, Hymn of Preparation: “O God Our Help in Ages Past”, Scriptures: 1 Tim. 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31. Sermon: “Having $ Can Be Dangerous”, Closing Hymn: “God Be With You Until We Meet Again”.

Every Sunday we have coffee fellowship before and after worship. Currently our goodies are made from recipes in our new cookbook — order forms upon request. Most Sundays, Gathering Music (Prelude) is played by Bruce Clark. Our choir is directed by Amy Briggs. Every Sunday we have “Time for the Young at Heart”, when our Sunday School children “wow!” us with their wisdom. After “pee-wee football” season, Sunday School begins in a “one-room schoolhouse” style, almost every Sunday, after “Time for the Young at Heart.”

I hope to meet you here on the web and yes, someday at EUMC.

See you, right here, in October? I hope so.

May God Bless,
Yours, Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young (Pastor Susan Y-Y)