Ellsworth United Methodist Church

Dear Friends, let me begin with a prayer poem:

Last night, O Glorious God,
the sky was black boot polish shiny
and filled with stars bright as stage lights.
Bitterly cold, sharply clear,
icy snow banks; shimmery powder crystals
swirled across black tar roads,
like muslin dresses,
when music makers inspire dancers to whirl into blurs.
O Glorious God,
to live here is a blessing.
Each season has its own shocker
to awaken dreaming, arrogant idlers
and sullen poets; we fall on our knees,
clasp our hands, drop our heads
and know
yes, know,
You are encouraging us,
Your children,
to enjoy Your lovely gifts.

February, our shortest month, often feels like the longest month in the year. Metaphorically, we paw at iron-hard ground, anxious for winter to end and for Spring, in all her wonder and beauty, to arrive.

Here in Maine, it is not likely that daffodils will begin blooming, a yellow celebration to warmer weather. “Daffys” may be an entrance call to February spring weather in southern states, but usually not here in Maine.

February IS the holiday month. Valentines Day and Presidents’ Day are part of February Break, when schools close, releasing K-12th graders. Some families head south: Florida is a big destination. For others, a ski trip is the way to go. And there are those who seek a trip to a big city, like Boston or Portland (ME), for museums, music, movies, and hotels with heated pools.

Many families, with school-age kiddies, head north, to Bangor, for it is the town of clock-stopping, heart-beating, hands-clapping BASKETBALL games. Bleachers are filled, jazz bands play rousing school songs, and all ages yell for their home teams.

February is sometimes the beginning of Lent, but not this year, as Ash Wednesday is not until March 5. February is also, as it has been for the last 62 years, my birthday month, and I say “God, bless!” to all my family and friends, those departed to wonderful spiritual lives, and those cheering by my side.

February is a month of watching for signs: “Is the ice out yet?” “I saw a smudge of yellow with a green blade under the snow, I think it’s a crocus trying to perk up.” And God signs: “I awoke knowing God is near.”

This February, as I often and most sincerely write, if you happen to find yourself some Sunday morning, at say 11ish, in Ellsworth, Maine, I invite you to stop in at EUMC. I know the folks would love to meet you. Me too. Come dressed in comfy clothes and be prepared to smile, laugh, fill up on tasty goodies, good cheer, and be sincerely made to feel like a long-lost friend or member of the family.

So, here’s a preview of our Sunday worships this February:

2/2/14: Introit, Psalm 15, Opening Hymn: “Blest Are They”, Prayer: “For Courage to Do Justice”, Hymn of Preparation: “Be Thou My Vision”, Scriptures: Micah 6:6-8, 1 Cor. 1:18-31, Mt. 5:1-12; Sermon: “To Know, Know, Know You, Is to Love, Love, Love You”, The Great Thanksgiving, Closing Hymn: “Sent Forth in Jesus’ Name”.

2/9/14: Boy Scout Sunday, Introit: “Woke Up this Morning with My Mind”, Psalm 112, Opening Hymn: “This LIttle Light of Mind”, Prayer: “Canticle of Light and Darkness”, Time for the Young at Heart: “Scout Prayer”, Hymn of Preparation: “Here I am, Lord”, Scriptures: Is. 8:1-9, 1 Cor. 2:1-13, Mt. 5:13-20; Sermon: “Waking to the Light”, Closing Hymn: “Pass it On”.

2/16/14: Introit: “God, How Can We Forgive?”, Psalm 119, verses 1-8; Opening Hymn: “Near to the Heart of God”, Prayer: “For God’s Gifts”, Time for the Young at Heart: “Reconciliation”; Hymn of Preparation: “Let There Be Peace on Earth”, Scriptures: Deut. 30:15-20, 1 Cor. 3:1-9, Mt. 5:21-33; Sermon: “How Can there Be Peace on Earth?”, Closing Hymn: “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”.

2/23/14: Introit: “Make Me A Channel of Your Peace”, Psalm 119, verses 3-40; Opening Hymn: “For Grace to Labor”, Hymn of Preparation: “Come Thy Font of Every Blessing”, Scriptures: Lev. 19:1-2, 9-18, 1 Cor. 3:10-11, 16-23, Mt. 5:38-48; Sermon: “God’s Love is Tough Love”, Closing Hymn: “We Are Marching to Zion”.

May you have a blessed and wonderful month. I hope to see you next month, March, right here on the web.

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

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)