Ellsworth United Methodist Church

Dear Friends,

Happy October!

Late September and early October found me driving (and sauntering) in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, areas of Boston and her beautiful “burbs,” and, yes, in our lovely state of Maine, from the coastlines of Blue Hill to the northwestern areas around Bangor, and to the south. I traveled on many lovely country roads, where I saw wild turkeys more often than cars. I ventured through woodlands and new-mowed farm fields, followed rivers, looked across lakes and from harbor-to-harbor bays. My imagination was captured, as it always is, by many miles of stone fences.

Though I saw piles of pumpkins and scarecrow displays, I told myself, “Not yet!” The sun blazed on drying hardwood leaves, dazzling colors of greens, purples, yellows, oranges and reds, as mild autumn breezes lifted still-filled branches.

What beauty we enjoy during “leaf peeper” season! Clear blue skies, huge harvest moon, and “stained glass window-like” leaves. I know by the end of October many trees will have given up their leaves, and bare branches will be the norm. I suspect, too, our nights will be much cooler, and the smell of wood smoke will curl out from many chimney tops.

We live in a state where each season has a distinctive gift to give us if only we have eyes to look and see. Oh, I know, some of you are saying, “What about ‘mud season’ and ‘frost heave weeks’?” But even mushy mud means new growth will return. And, as for, frost heaves — well they make for great conversation starters when we go out to local shops.

“For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies, for the love, which from our birth over and around us lies. Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise.” This is the first verse of “For the Beauty of the Earth,” words written by Folliot S. Pierpoint in 1864.

This year, as we travel through October, let us give thanks for the beauty that surrounds us. Let us be open and grateful for the many gifts God has blessed us with, and let us joyfully spread the “autumn glow,” heart warmth of God’s love, to all we meet.

And should you happen to find yourself in Ellsworth, Maine, at 11:00 a.m. some Sunday morning, please know you are invited to open one of our new red doors and join in EUMC fellowship, and yummy treats to fill your tummy (both before and after worship). All are invited. We are a “come as you are,” family-size church. I can honestly say we will greet you with a warm smile — one almost as big as any seen on a jolly jack-o-lantern.

Here is a sampling of what you will find on Sundays in October:

10/06/13: Psalm 37, Opening Hymn: “Through it All,” Hymn of Preparation: “Be Still, My Soul,” Scriptures: Lamentations 1:1-6, Luke 17:5-10; Sermon: “When Will We Ever Learn?”, Holy Communion (all are welcome to come up and receive), Closing Hymn: “Sent Forth by God’s Blessing”.

10/13/13: Psalm 111, Opening Hymn: “Praise to the Lord, The Almighty,” Hymn of Preparation: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” Scriptures: 2 Tim.2:8-15, Luke 17:11-19; Sermon: “No One Can Chain The Word of God,” Closing Hymn: “Faith of Our Fathers”.

10/20/13: Psalm 19, Opening Hymn: “Go Down, Moses,” Hymn of Preparation: “This is My Song,” Scriptures: 2 Tim. 3:10-4:1-5, Luke 18:1-8; Sermon: “What Does God Require of Us?”, Closing Hymn: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”.

10/27/13: Psalm 805, Opening Hymn: “Now Thank We All Our God,” Hymn of Preparation: “The Gift of Love,” Scriptures: 2 Tim. 4:6-8, 16-18, Luke 18:9-14; Sermon: Humility Or Eating Humble Pie?”, Closing Hymn: “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”.

Every Sunday we enjoy Gathering music, often played on the piano by Bruce Clark. Our choir director, Amy Briggs, leads the choir in all hymns, including: Introit, Anthem, and Offering. Every Sunday we also have “Time for the Young at Heart” when our Sunday School children (ages 3-13 Wow us with their innocent wisdom).

I hope to see you some Sunday! I’ll be seeing you come November right here on the web. Until then, stay warm, enjoy the beauty, and may God’s many blessings fill your lives.

Yours,
Pastors Susan Yaruta-Young (Pastor Susan Y-Y)

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)

Dear Friends,

Happy August!

In late May and early June, we are always busy buying suntan lotion and bug “dope.”  Perhaps we also buy new beach towels or a bathing suit. We dig out our favorite flip flops, T- shirts and shorts. After really long deep digs, we unearth lawn chairs, coolers, “freezer blocks,” maybe even “noodles,” a row boat, rubber raft, or canoe with paddles.

In late May and early June, our thoughts dance with plans of days at the pool, ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, or ocean.  We exercise in preparation for hikes on trails where we will hear nothing but our own breath, our own footsteps, bird calls, and the movement of animals through the woods. At the start of August, we still mark our calendars with “beach days” and woodland escapes, bonfire, bbq and sparklers, outside concerts and dances under the stars. We tend our gardens: flowers and veggies planted after the last threat of frost. We pick berries, harvest our early crops. In the first days of August, there’s a “nagging” feeling: “The Lazy Days of Summer” are becoming fewer and we’ll no longer be humming “Summer Time,” but perhaps “Autumn Leaves.”

As always, we must appreciate each new day and try to make it special. In August, I always take the challenge of making each day wonderful very seriously. Here’s a confession: in August I
open up my clothes drawers and dig deep to the bottom for my oldest and most favorite T- shirts, ones which I have pledged to wear every year but maybe I have forgotten until,  “whoopsie daisey,” it is now August. “Every favorite must be worn,” I think. “What a shame to skip a year without putting each one on, at least once.” One I yank out is “Coyote Moon.” I have worn this shirt ever since my baby (who is turning 25 this August) was still riding around in a “Snugglie.” Wearing the favorite “old memory” outfit is a must.

Each August my stomach muscles clench up and in the deep cells of my brain I imagine a clock is ticking. I know the reason. For many years (about 18 years) before 1996, I spent summers in Maine. Sometimes we stayed 4-6 weeks. And, at the end of those visits, there were always many tears shed knowing we had to pack up and leave the special place we loved so much. Even now, after nearly 17 years of being year-round Maine residents, the old “nudge” of “we have to leave” returns. Silly, but true.

August begins as an extension of July with fun, sun, picnics, walks, and care-freeness. As the days go by and fairs begin, veggies ripen, “School Supplies Sale” signs go up in stores, August begins to feel more and more like Autumn gold. As August deepens, newly mown fields are sweet, meteor showers are brilliant displays across our dark skies, and cords of seasoned firewood is delivered ready to be split and stacked.

This August, enjoy blueberries, all those wonderful farm fair delights from sheep herding to fried dough and go to the music festivals with dearest family and friends. Record each amazing day in your heart. Press four leaf clovers, purple asters, Queen Anne’s lace and beach rose blooms in your favorite book or the journal you keep. And treasure the memories of long ago and those yet to be made — the wonderful times of celebration, new beginnings begun on the last official month of summer.

And should you be in Ellsworth, Maine, on a Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m., please stop in for worship at EUMC. We would love to meet you! Here’s the schedule for August:

8/4 — Introit: “Bind Us Together,” Psalm 107, Opening Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds Us”;
Hymn of Preparation: “We Are the Church”; Scriptures: Ecc. 1-2, 12-14; Col. 3:1-17; Luke 12:13
-21; Sermon: “A Team Works Together”; The Great Thanksgiving (Holy Communion open to all);
Closing Hymn: “Go Now in Peace”.

8/11 — Introit: “Gather Us In,” Psalm # 33, Opening Hymn: “This is my Father’s World”; Hymn of
Preparation: “Be Still, My Soul”; Scriptures: Isaiah 1:1, 10-20; Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16; Luke 12:
32-48; Sermon: “Faith is Patience in the Night”; Closing Hymn: “Wonderful Words of Life”

8/18: Introit: “In His Time,” Psalm # 82 Opening Hymn “In The Midst of New Dimensions,”
Hymn of Preparation: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” Scriptures: Hebrews 11:29-12:2; Luke
12:49-56; Sermon: “How to Interpret the Present Time?”; Closing Hymn: “Lord, Speak to Me”.

8/25 — Introit: “Cry of My Heart”, Psalm # 71, Opening Hymn: “What a Friend We Have in
Jesus”; Hymn of Preparation: “We’ll Understand it Better By and By”; Scriptures: Hebrews
12:18-29; Luke 13:10-17; Sermon: “Living in Community”; Closing Hymn: “Sanctuary”.

Every Sunday we enjoy coffee hour before and after worship — currently we are featuring goodies from our new cookbook! We welcome everyone and invite you to come as you are to meet our family-size church. Most Sundays, Bruce Clark plays “Gathering Music.” Our choir is directed Amy Briggs. No Sunday School until fall, but we have plenty of things to keep young children busy. AND every Sunday, during “Time for the Young at Heart”, the children are usually our best teachers.

Have a wonderful August. See you in September right here on the web? I hope so. Until then, May God Bless you all.

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

Dear Friends,

Happy July!

This is the month of fireworks and fireflies; family gatherings, cookouts, church fellowship picnics; swimming in pools, ponds, lakes, bays and oceans. The beauty of the earth awaits us when we wander woodland trails, climb hills, explore lovely beaches, seek cool waters.

Recently, a doe and her fawn crossed my path as I sauntered on a car-less shady lane. I waited, staying still, watching them, until they slipped back into their world of ferns, moss, firs and leafy hardwood wilds. When we walk “awakened,” listening, watching, so often God’s amazing surprise enters our lives.

Grace showers on us like sweet rain and we bloom — if only for a moment, for after all, we are all merely mortals. But (as we say in that call and response prayer) “God is good all of the  time. All of the time, God is good.”

The following lyrics are from an original song, “Firefly Waltz”, by Maine musician Bill Gawley, from his 1996 CD “Renovation Man.” It is a lovely folk-style song with haunting melody and  lyrics that stay in my heart. Let me share a bit with you here:

“Now I remember the night of the 4th of July
walking back up from the river
with nature in all of her glory for us alone.
And we danced to the tune of the firefly waltz
and the fields were as bright as the day,
and the stars in the sky met their match,
as did the moon on the bay.
And I loved you back then, and I love you right now,
and I’ll love you when we’re old and gray.”

As we experience the wonder of natural beauty this July, let us take time to pause and remember the many meaningful moments in our lives: family moments; brief encounters with strangers, who become for ten minutes, hours, a friend; our life-long relationships; the ever presence of God in our lives.

This July, enjoy fireflies, fireworks, and the stars shining in the skies.

And if should you happen to be in Ellsworth, Maine, at 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday, I invite you to come visit us at 21 Hancock Street. Come as you are, our church family and I would love  to meet you!

Here’s the worship schedule for July (and some other highlights planned):

7/7/13: Psalm #30, Opening Hymn: “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations,” Hymn of Preparation: “The Summons,” Scriptures: Gal. 6:1-11; Luke 10:1-11,16-20. Sermon: “Spirit,
Stir Me from Placidness”, The Great Thanksgiving (Holy Communion — our table is open to all), Closing Hymn: “Pass it On”.

7/14/13: Psalm 82, Opening Hymn: “Blest Be the Tie That Binds”, Hymn of Preparation: “This is My Song”, Scriptures: Amos 7:7-17; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37. Sermon: “Love Thy Neighbor. God does not always Make Easy Requests”, Closing Hymn: “Rescue the Perishing”.

7/21/13: Psalm 15, Opening Hymn: “Come Thou Font of Every Blessing”, Hymn of Preparation: “Take My Life and Let it Be”, Scriptures: Genesis 18:1-16; Luke 10:38-42. Sermon: “The Role of Women”, Closing Hymn: “Every time I Feel the Spirit”.

7/28/13: I shall be in Vermont blessing the wedding of a son of dear friends. Our wonderful lay leaders will be in charge.

Almost every Sunday we enjoy a Prelude by Bruce Clark, our choir sings an Introit, Anthem, and Offering Hymn. During “Time for the Young at Heart”, our Sunday School age children  WOW! us with their wisdom, usually preparing us for the Scripture messages to be preached on later. Both before and after worship, we enjoy delicious goodies prepared by church  members. These goodies are now based on recipes from our new cookbook, which will be available for purchase later this year.

On July 14 we will enjoy after-church fellowship at the pastor’s home in Blue Hill (my home).  On July 26, in celebration of Ellsworth’s 250 Anniversary, the Ellsworth United Methodist
Church will host an “Ice Cream Social.” Come and enjoy making your own sundae!

All are invited to join us for worship or other events.

Have a wonderful July and I’ll see you right back here come August? Hope so. May God Bless you all.

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