Ellsworth United Methodist Church

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)

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