Ellsworth United Methodist Church

Editor’s Note: Pastor Susan had June’s letter done and sent in May (WAY before she left on vacation), and it should have been published on the first of the month. However, the Webmistress forgot! Sorry, folks (and Pastor Sue). Please enjoy June’s letter NOW and stay tuned for July’s soon. – Amy B. (aka “the forgetful webmistress”)
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Dear Friends, Happy June!

June, the month of long, beautiful days, green lush trees, lawns and warm breezes. High school gradations and summer vacations, camps opening up, bonfires (with s’mores), grilled goodies, laughter and story telling.

On warm June days (July and August, too), when I close my eyes, and sniff the scent of suntan lotion, many memories of summers past pop into my mind. My own childhood on our farm, yearly visits to Ocean City, Maryland, and to my Uncle and Aunt’s club for weeklong trips of catching blue fin crabs and watching my cousin water ski.

Or my mind goes to those summers in Maine, which seem not that far away, when my own four children (now ages 35, 32, 26, 24) were enjoying vacations in Lincolnville, Colonial Gables (near Belfast), and four years in a wonderful log cabin on a blueberry barren on Deer Isle. Then, beginning summer 1996, we made Maine our year-round home. Wonderful memories, and God’s good blessings, and I pray, many more wonderful summer memories to come.

During part of this June, I will be in Maryland enjoying family time and applauding the high school graduation of our granddaughter, Zoila. We will enjoy seeing beloved family and old friends, and visit the farm I grew up on (still a few acres belong in our family).

In June I will also attend The Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church held at Gordon College. At “A.C.” I will attend meetings, be involved in discussions, enjoy amazing worship with hymn sings and inspirational preaching. I will have a chance to meet with minister friends and make new friends among ministers and lay folk from Northern New England churches. The theme of this year’s conference is “Strangely Warmed: Formed by God.”

If the phrase “strangely warmed” sounds a bit familiar, it should. Check out Luke 24:13-35, particularly verse 32. You may also remember how John Wesley’s heart was “strangely warmed” one night in late May.

Feeling an amazing strangely warm feeling is when we are aware of God entering our lives in a powerful way. For many, this experience may happen once, or only a few times; for others it is more often. After you have felt God’s presence in your heart, you are left feeling empty, and you are left searching ways to have that wonderful feeling return. C.S. Lewis called these warm times “Joy Moments”. When we attend powerful worship, hear beautiful songs/hymns, are moved by powerful preaching, or the innocent wisdom of little children, and when we witness great faith lived by individuals who are living with very tough situations — AND when we share our God given gifts — joy re-enters our lives, maybe not as powerful as some God Moments, but certainly as flaming Holy Spirit power and the beauty of God’s love.

I hope all of you will enjoy June 2013, making new memories and delighting in treasured old ones, retelling the stories, and seeing the beauty of God in all our lives.

And should you arrive at Ellsworth United Methodist Church at 11:00 on a Sunday in June, here’s what you will see and hear:

June 2 — (I will be on vacation, so our wonderful Lay Leaders will be in change).

June 9 — Introit (by choir): “He is Exalted,” Psalm 146, Opening Hymn: “Praise to the Lord, The Almighty,” Hymn of Preparation: “Lord Divine, All Loves Excelling,” Scriptures: Gal. 1:11-24, Luke 7:11-17, Anthem (by choir): “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” Sermon: “Compassion, Love, Speaking with Authority,” The Great Thanksgiving, Closing Hymn: “Take My Life and Let it Be”.

June 16 — Father’s Day. Introit (by choir): “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry,” Psalm 32, Opening Hymn: “This is My Father’s World,” Hymn of Preparation: “God of Grace and God of Glory”, Scriptures: Gal. 3:15-21, Luke 7:36-8:3, Anthem (by choir): “Give Me The Faith Which Can Remove”, Sermon: “Memories of Father Figures in Our Lives,” Closing Hymn: “God Be With You Until We Meet Again”.

June 23 — Introit (by choir): “As the Deer”, Psalm 42, Opening Hymn: “Lord, Speak to Me”, Hymn of Preparation: “Here I Am, Lord,” Anthem (by choir): “To Know You,” Sermon: “Jesus, Filled with Ways To Surprise Us…”, Closing Hymn: “Through It All.”

June 30 — Introit (by choir): “Together We Serve,” Psalm 16, Opening Hymn: “God of Grace and God of Glory,” Hymn of Preparation: “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” Scriptures Gal. 5:1, 13-25, Luke 9:51-62, Anthem (by choir): “Wounded World that Cries for Healing,” Sermon: “Practicing Social Holiness,” Closing Hymn: “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

Each week we begin our worship with a Prelude played usually by Bruce Clark. Each week our children “wow!” us with their wisdom during “Time for the Young at Heart.”

We are a small, warm, family size church. We invite all to “come as you are”, dressed as you feel most comfortable. We enjoy being “the church from away”, meeting many new faces of visiting summer folk (and actually we have vacationers stopping by all through the year). We love hearing your story, where you live, and we do our best to make your visit to EUMC be a happy experience.

Enjoy June. See you again in July right here on the web? I hope so.

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

April
Spring leaps up.
Joy, joy, joy:
is the sun splashing white
on dark rushing, ice-free waters;
is the bloom stretching
from new-fallen snows;
is the robins’ fat red bellies,
so filled from bingeing,
they wobble as they fly.
Joy rings and shimmers
when sweet loved ones call.
Joy is knowing soon everywhere here in Maine
our world will be waking from winter,
folks out and about enjoying the crisp, fresh warm.
Joy is today.
Joy is what fills me.
Joy is God, God is Joy,
Joy is God, Joy is God ever near.
(April 2007/revised April 2013)

Dear Friends,

Happy April. As you can see, I am filled with post-Easter joys!
The thrill of longer days, fresh sweet air, new life pushing free from dark earth to fill our flower beds, our fields, and roadsides with color. Maybe not yet, but soon. In Maine, Spring POPS! It is a sudden surprise, as sudden as God surprises. Each day is a blessing. Believe it.

At EUMC the congregation is filled with excitement as new ideas are springing like jonquils, new projects (painting our new doors red), planting flowers in our beds . . . all being planned. New members have joined and bring fresh ideas and their gifts. We are blessed. Some historical research has revealed we will be having some BIG anniversaries this year — so celebration plans are in the works. I will keep you posted of events as they arrive.

Let me share what you might find this April, should you stop by EUMC at 11:00 a.m. on a Sunday:

4/7/13 — I will be on vacation and worship will be done by one of our lay leaders, Mahlon Kennedy. It will be terrific, I am sure.

4/14/13 — Prelude: Bruce Clark, Introit: “Surely the Presence of the Lord”, Psalm #30, Opening Hymn: “Christ Who’s Glory Fills the Skies”, Hymn of Preparation: “Thine Be the Glory”, Scripture: Acts 9:1-20, John 21:1-19, Anthem: “Christ Has Risen”, Sermon: “Darkness and Light”, Holy Communion (all are welcome to come and receive), Closing Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns”.

4/21/13 — Prelude: Bruce Clark, Introit: “There’s a Spirit in the Air”, Psalm #23, Opening Hymn: “Fairest Lord Jesus”, Hymn of Preparation: “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”, Scriptures: Rev. 7:9-17, John 10:22-30, Anthem: “Lamb of God”, Sermon: “SNL (Shepherd N’ Lambs)”, Closing Hymn: “Jesus Loves Me”.

4/28/13 — Prelude: Bruce Clark, Introit: “Be Glorified”, Psalm #148, Opening Hymn: “Praise the Lord Who Reigns Above”, Hymn of Preparation: “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”, Scriptures: Rev. 21:1-6; John 13:31-35, Anthem: “Since Jesus Came Into My Heart”, Sermon: “Love in Heart is Singing Praises/Love is a Gift from God”, Closing Hymn: “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”.

Every Sunday our choir is beautifully led by our amazing Choir Director, Amy Briggs. Every Sunday we have coffee hour before and after worship with yummy goodies. Every Sunday our children “Wow!” us with their innocent wisdom and faith during “Time for the Young at Heart” before going to Sunday School. And every Sunday different members (all ages) take part in worship.

So come visit us if you can, we would love to meet you face to face. You can also follow us on Facebook. We are a small family size church with members who truly live their faith through mission and fellowship, bringing smiles and good cheer all over.

See you here next month? I do truly hope so. May God Bless you all,

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

Golden peace of light
I hold you in my hand,
a gift,
an angel of movement.

I know I cannot keep this light.
I cannot hide it inside my closet,
bury it in my jacket pocket,
nor should I lock it within my heart.
I must give it away.
But how?

I must become quiet.
The golden rays are whispering
and I must listen.
(from “Where the Bloodroot Heals, Poems 1974-1986” by Susan Yaruta-Young)

Dear Friends,

Happy October.

I began with a poem I wrote long before I answered the call to attend seminary, yet when I re-read these old poems I see that God already was nudging me into ministry. Is God also nudging you to do something you are fighting? I’ll just let that question stay a question for you to think on. October arrives still whispering September harvest songs and ends with orange glowing pumpkins, children costumed in story book (or movie, t.v. or DVD game) characters,  hefting bags of sweets, knocking on doors and calling out that traditional tongue twister: “Trick or treat!”

October tricks us with warm summer days followed by frost on the pumpkin nights. It is a bit like a middle school age student: not quite sure if he/she should be wearing clothes  off the high school “rack” or still stay comfy in footed jammies, sipping hot cocoa and nibbling on homemade cookies baked by Mommy or Daddy. October is a “tweenie”, an in between month. Not summer anymore, yet not cold, icy, nip your nose, leafless November. In our church year October is also still, “low church time,” when lay and clergy can be a bit playful in picking hymns or Scriptures.

At the end of November we step into Advent and selected Scriptures with traditional hymns. But for now, it is October. Bright changing leaves October. And every place we go we encounter special October light. I’ve heard it said that photography teachers tell their students landscapes taken in October is cheating, because October light is so beautiful every picture is a “keeper!” October light filling our lives is a keeper. It is a light we turn to, as sunflowers in summer turn their heads to follow the sun.

Since this is a letter from a pastor, I’ll say it: October light is God light, warm, surprising, clear, glowing, making magnificent the simplest tree, stone; golden are the wings of gulls flying  across the blue cloudless sky.

Now, what will you discover? What golden October surprises await you, should you step into Ellsworth United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. one Sunday in October? Here’s our schedule:

10/7: “World Communion Sunday”
Introit: “Lord, Speak to Me”
Psalm #25
Opening Hymn: “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”
Prayer: “An Invitation to the Holy Spirit”
Hymn of Preparation: “Jesus Loves Me”
Scriptures: Hebrews 1:1-4; Mark 10:13-16;
Anthem: “Like a Child” Sermon: Children and World Communion Sunday”
The Great Thanksgiving (our Communion; all are welcome)
Closing Hymn: “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

10/14: Introit: “He Came Down”
Psalm #22
Opening Hymn: “Take My Life and Let it Be”
Prayer: “Prayer for a New Heart”
Hymn of Preparation: “The Summons”
Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
Anthem: “Cry of My Heart”
Sermon: “Committing Ourselves to Following the Path that Jesus Made”
Closing Hymn:”Sanctuary”

10/21 Introit: “Make Me a Servant”
Psalm #104
Hymn of Preparation:”The Servant Song”
Scriptures: Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark 10:35-45
Anthem: “Together We Serve”
Sermon:”God’s Wisdom, Jesus’ Wisdom, The Holy Spirit’s Wisdom, But Not Our Own”
Closing Hymn: “Standing on the Promises”

10/28: “Disability Sunday”
Introit: “Open Our Eyes”
Psalm #34,
Opening Hymn:”Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”
Prayer: “The Serenity Prayer”
Hymn of Preparation: “My Hope is Built”
Scripture Mark 10:46-52
Anthem: “Wounded World that Cries for Healing”
Sermon:”Beyond All Expectations”
Closing Hymn: “Dona Nobis Pacem”

Every Sunday we enjoy a Prelude played on the piano by Bruce, “Time for the Young at Heart,” when our children always surprise us with their wise questions/answers or if no child is in the sanctuary all (as we are all children of God) are invited to respond, our Offering includes a “loose change bowl” to collect money for “The Penny Challenge” and our Mission Shares. And every Sunday all are invited to offer up prayers of Joy and Concern.

Come and visit us, you know you will always be welcomed in as a long lost friend  to our family size worship. No special dress is required. Come as you are. And at Ellsworth United Methodist, I promise you will not be “tricked” only “treated’ with love and respect.

See you here come November? I hope so.

May God bless you all. Yours, Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young

Dear Friends, Happy August!

Let me begin with a short prayer poem:

God of compassion and love,
You are the bond between us.
Your hand unites us:
it is the tingle we feel,
when we join palm to palm,
standing in a circle of prayer,
or when we are alone,
left and right palms pressed together,
that wondrous
energy we feel, dear God,
is You. Amen

Once again, happy August, dear friends old and new and may we all be blessed as we enter the last offical month of summer. Even on the first day, first week, it seems as if when we say: “August” we can’t help but add, “Where has the summer gone?” Too fast, always too fast.

During our beautiful Maine summers we delight in the warmth: ponds, lakes, bays and ocean are places to enjoy splashing, swimming, boating and all sorts of water play.

August: we gush over lush fresh orchard and garden grown veggies, berries, fruits, while, something inside whispers: “Prepare! Prepare!” So, we freeze and/or can our overflow of goodies.

August is the month of fairs with ferris wheels and fireworks, challenging toss the hoop, throw darts, break balloons, “Shoot those basketballs”, “Show off your highest speed fast ball.” Sticky carmel apples and/or spun sugar cotton candy must be eaten! So many choices: lobster or crab rolls, grilled sausages with onions and peppers, hamburger, hot dogs, bar-be-q chicken, “walking” sandwiches, stuffed baked potatoes;  or vinegar sprinkled, hand cut French fries. Recipes from India, Italy, Japan, China, Mexico . . . and wonderful Maine whoopie pies or waffle cones filled with locally churned ice cream.

In late August the Folk Festival arrives on Bangor’s Water Front, a combination of players from worlds away with local talent performing music and dance under sunny skies into late nights with starry constellations. Next month I’ll describe Labor Day Weekend — this year it is late but a tidbit: on that great end of summer weekend I’ll be listening to The George Stevens Academy Jazz Band as they play at 12:00 noon between the sulkie races. And I will be visiting stalls where 4 H young people display ribbons won by their soaped clean and perfectly freshly sheared sheep, scrubbed lop eared goats, their litters of piglets, flocks of chickens and ducks, bunnies, puppies, ponies and baby calves.

As I do every year, I’ll duck in to see  who won a “blue” for the best beans or biggest squash.  It would not be the Blue Hill Fair without freshly made short cake soggy in either blueberry or strawberry juices topped by home made whipped cream.

Why do I write about end of summer festivals and fairs in my Pastor’s Letter? Because, I feel the pulse beat and energy of the Holy Spirit, when I step back (maybe sit down at a picnic table),  making new friends with some folks I’ve never met. Here, I see all ages, shapes, sizes, kinds of people gathered to have a good time, to share the thrills and joys of music, rides and games, to laugh and, dare, I say it, to love the day, love each other, as God so loves us.

Most of this August I will be away from Ellsworth UMC. Two Sundays my husband and I will be traveling through France (our first time in Europe). We’ll be guests of Frank, an old friend,
who lives there, so he’s our host, travel guide, and interpreter. The last Sunday in August we will be back in New England, but busy settling our son into his apartment close to the graduate school he will be attending, I know EUMC will be in wonderful hands, while I’m away. And my intention is to return to the sanctuary/pulpit,  renewed, refreshed, and ready to see where God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit  will lead us next.

Here is the worship for August 5:
“Friendship Sunday”
Introit: “Change My Heart, O God”, Psalm # 51, Opening Hymn “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”
Prayer: “Canticle of Love”, Time for the Young at Heart: “A true friend is someone who. . . .”
Hymn of Preparation “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”, Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35,
The Gloria, Anthem: “Lord, Speak to Me”, Sermon: “We  are to Love”, The Great Thanksgiving, Closing Hymn: “The Gift of Love”.

So, until September, may God bless and “happy trails to you, until we meet again!”

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

Happy June!

I look over my laptop and out my window and everything is green, green, green: hardwoods are nearly all leafed out, fiddleheads have become full floppy ferns, and the grass is lush. Another place in our yard I find yellow dandelions and forget-me-nots, while along roadsides and at the base of Blue Hill mountain, blue, purple and rose-colored lupines tower on their slim stalks. Cool nights, sun burning through morning fog, warm early afternnons, here along the Maine coast each day brings many changes. Change is good — all kinds. We may wonder at some of God’s plans. We may question God. But as time goes by, we begin to understand all that God has planned for us — times of sun, fog, cold, rain and then rainbows. God blesses us with grace in a variety of ways.

Let us open our hearts, minds and arms to embrace our spiritual journey through these fresh green lovely June days.

Now, should you pop into Ellsworth United Methodist Church some Sunday (11:00) in June, this is a smapling of what you might experience in worship:

June 3: Trinity Sunday, Peace with Justice Sunday, Introit: “What Does the Lord Require of You?”, Psalm #29, Opening Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”, Prayer: “Trinity Sunday”, Hymn of Preparation: “Here I am”, Scripturess: Is. 6:1-8, Romans 8:13-14, John 3:1-17; Anthem: “Song of Hope”, Sermon: “God, Jesus, The Holy Spirit, We Need All Three”, Holy Communion, Closing Hymn: “Sent Out in Jesus’ Name”.

June 10: Worship will be led by Mahlon Kennedy — Pastor Susan Y-Y off after attending Annual Conference.

June 17: Introit: “The Kingdom of God”, Psalm 92, Opening Hymn: “The Church is One Foundation”, Prayer: “An Invitation to the Holy Spirit”, Hymn of Preparation: “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”, Scripture: 1 Sam. 16:1-13, Mark 4:26-34; Anthem: “We Walk by Faith”, Sermon: “God’s Surprising Ways”, Closing Hymn: “Pass It On”.

June 24: Introit: “Awesome God”, Psalm 9, Opening Hymn: “Nobody Knows the Trouble I See”, Prayer: “Prayer for a New Heart”, Hymn of Preparation: “It is Well with My Soul”, Scriptures: 2 Cor. 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41, Anthem: “Blessed Quietness”, Sermon: “When We Fail in Our Faith”, Closing Hymn: “Dona Nobis Pacem”.

Every Sunday enjoy Bruce Clark playing our Prelude, Time for the Young at Heart when our Sunday School children WOW us with their wonderful, pure God thoughts, and the powerful moments when joys and concerns are shared as we enter a time of deep prayer. Enjoy music sung by our choir under the direction of Amy Briggs, who truly has a voice like a nightingale.

As black fly season ends and warm sunny days take over, we will be using our outside sanctuary for special gathering times. Know this lovely space is open 24/7 for anyone who wishes to sit on the bench and have some blessed quietness. It is also the spot our children love to play in and sometimes where we picnic.

I hope to meet you at EUMC some June morning. Until then, may God Bless you all.

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

P.S. See you in July? I hope so!