Ellsworth United Methodist Church

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!

Palm Sunday Worship at Ellsworth United Methodist Church

Please plan on joining us on Sunday, April 1st for our Palm Sunday Worship Service at 11:00AM.

Ruth Torrey will be filling the sanctuary with the majestic sounds of  the organ for us on an EUMC favorite, Faure’s “The Palms” – you don’t want to miss it!

February Prayer Poem

Dear God, another Lenten Season

            Will soon begin

            Making memories swirl

            Circling years

At this moment

            The end of Jesus’ life

            Is anticipated

            As only a few months ago, during Advent,

            His birth was also impatiently longed for

Dear God, my mind, my heart, my spirit

            Fill as days inch longer,

            Dark nights become shorter

Dear God, You are all kindness,

            You are all love.

            This light that grows brighter and brighter

            Will startle us awake;

            Startle us into the new beginning

            As we begin our journey toward Easter.

Dear Friends,

Happy February!

February: a month of surprises. A month filled with the unexpected. A month, when we celebrate birthdays of famous Presidents and love on St. Valentine’s Day. February, the shortest month in our calendar year, which this year “a Leap Year” we add on an extra day as we do every four years. February a month when we can be buried by our biggest snow storms or we can enjoy the music of birds and joyfully watch as the tiniest, heartiest flowers (crocus and snow drops) begin to sprout up and even bloom. So, welcome in February and enjoy seeing what this February, 2012 will surprise you with. For me personally, it is a “Big” birthday, 60, which I will celebrate with my husband, adult children, some old friends and other family members down in the state of my birth, Maryland, on February 18^th. So, I have only 3 worship services to include here. On February 19, be surprised by what one of our amazing Lay Leaders has to offer.

In February Ellsworth United Methodist Church is planning two great times for fellowship fun: February 4: 3:30 BOWL-A-Thon (Ellsworth Bowling Center) followed by dinner at Pat’s Pizza (also in Ellsworth). February 12, immediately following worship enjoy delicious Maine and New Orleans favorites as we celebrate Mardi Gras fun with great food, music and games. All are welcome (but let us know ahead so we have enough food).

“GPYes” on February 6, (6:30-7:30) we will be singing hymns and favorite songs with the staff and residents at Courtland Rehabilitation and Living Center. Come and join us in our music ministry.

Worship for Sundays in February

2/5: Introit: “Guide My Feet”, Psalm #147, Opening Hymn “Praise To The Lord, The Almighty”, “Time for the Young at Heart: “Jesus healing”, Hymn of Preparation: “Precious Lord”, Scriptures: Isaiah 40:21-31, Mark 1:29-39, Anthem: “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart”, Sermon: “After healing, the desire to serve others”, Holy Communion, Closing Hymn: “And God Will Raise You Up on Eagle’s Wings”

2/12: Boy Scout Sunday, Introit: “O Lord, You’re Beautiful”, Psalm # 30, Opening Hymn: “Tis That Old Ship of Zion”, Time for the Young at Heart “What is a Boy Scout?”, Hymn of Preparation: “Blessed Assurance”, Scriptures: 2Kings 5:1-14, 1 Cor. 9:24-27, Mark 1:40-45, Anthem: “Guide My Feet” , Sermon: “Two Leapers, Two Different Stories”, Closing Hymn: “Marching to Zion”

2/26 Introit: “We Are Standing on Holy Ground”, Psalm # 25, Opening Hymn: “Lord, Who Through These Forty days”, Time for the Young at Heart: “Finding the Right Path”, Hymn of Preparation: “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go”, Scriptures: Gen. 9:8-17, Mark 1:9-15, Anthem: “Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley”, Sermon: “A Journey Through Lent, Which Path To Take?” Closing Hymn: “Tell Me the Stories of Jesus”.

May February be a wonderful month for all of you. May you be blessed with much love, God’s wondrous grace, and many joys.

See you in March? I hope so! Stop by I’d love to meet you face to face, but if that’s impossible, see us on Face Book!

May God Bless You All,

Yours,

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

Dear Friends, Happy September!

As I sit on my deck mild breezes are blowing and occasionally the humming bird hovers close by, trying to decide flowers? Or a sip of sweet water in our feeder. My husband Luther’s tomatoes are finally beginning to turn red! In my head I hear the melody and words “Try to remember the days of September” along with “Autumn Leaves.” Though I’m hoping, as I’m sure many of you are too, for a lovely autumn, forest vistas filled with leaves glittering like stain glass windows, after our most recent Hurricane, Irene, and with threats of others, my thoughts too quickly slide away from peaceful beauty to fierce winds, trees and branches blown into houses cars, people, downed elecrical wires, raging rivers and terrific flooding. My heart goes out to all who are dealing with hard times due to storms. Today, in my prayers particulartly, are for those living in North Carolina, New Jersey, Maine and Vermont.

This September, as we enjoy the quiet times between summer busy company and family gatherings and “leaf peeper” season, let us use these still moments to pray for so many who are hurting in our country, America, and all over the world. For the many families who were torn with grief on 9/11/01 and lives which will never be the same. And too, let us not forget the many heroes of 9/11,  and others who continue doing good works, helping to create wonderful changes in the lives of others.

What’s new at Ellsworth United Methodist Church? Well, in August “GPYes!” began “Caroling in August”, with choir members and non-singing pastor (me) visiting some elder members of our congregation.  On Labor Day Monday, no meal, but we will meet at 6:00 and a singing visit will be made at 6:15 at Courtland Nursing Home. On September 12 we will meet at 6:30 for a meal and to see where the spirit will move “GPYes!” next in its energy filled fellowship times, when we really ReThink church. In August members of the congrgation, as well as summer friends, collected many school supplies, donated to children, so they could begin school with the supplies they needed. This out-reach mission was a tremendous success and this pastor had tears when she saw the great out pouring of generous love freely given.

It is very exciting to see and hear the plans our children, youth and young adults groups are making and their energy spreads throughout the sanctuary touching the hearts of all ages from our 5 year old to our 80 + and all in between in this small but growing family size church. Stop by some Sunday and visit us! All are welcome and we can’t wait to meet you.

So what will you find some Sunday in September should you stop by? Here’s a sampling:

– Sept 4: Opening Hymn will be “All Creatrures of Our God and King” Time for Young at Herat: “Put on a Light Armor”, Hymn of Preparation: “Through it All”, Scfriptures: Romans 13:8-14 and Matthew 18:15-20, Anthem “Light of the World”,  Sermon: “Putting on an Armor of Light”, The Great Thanksgiving (all are welcome to come and feast at our meal remembering Jesus’ Last Supper), Closing hymn: “God Be With You Until We Meet Again”

– Sept. 11: Psalm 114, Opening Hymn “O, Mary, Don’t You Weep”, Unison Prayer: “Canticle of Moses and Miriam”, Hymn of Preparation: “Lord, Speak to Me”, Scriptures: Ex. 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35, Anthem “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”, Sermon: “Christ’s Death Gave Us a Fresh Start, Are We Ready To Make that Step?” Closing hymn: “Trust and Obey”

– Sept. 18: Introit: “My Life is in You Lord”, Psalm 105, Opening Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, Hymn of Preparation: “He Leadth Me”, Scriptures Ex. 16:2-15, Matthew 20:1-6, Anthem “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”, Sermon: “God feeding us, an ancient tradition”, Closing Hymn: “El Shaddai”

– Sept.25: Introit “He is Exalted”, Psalm 78, Opening Hymn “Jesus is All The World To Me”, Time for the Young at Heart: “Sunday School, when does it end?”, Anthem “My Life is in You Lord”, Sermon:”Spiritual Journies”, Closing Hymn: ” Sanctuary.”

The above is only a taste of what happens. Each Sunday we do have: Gathering Music, an Introit, “Time for the Young at Heart”, many hymns always an Anthem (sometimes music to surprise in other places). Prayers of Joys and Prayers of Concern follows each sermon (Hmmmm) and our “loose change bowl” is a special part of our collection. Many of all ages are involved in some part of the service, and as pastor, I really enjoy seing the gifts God has blessed Ellsworth United Methodist church folk with.

So please know you are invited as someone we can’t wait to meet. May God bless you all and I’ll see you soon and will be writing to you again in October!

Yours,
Pastor Susan Yaruta-Young (sometimes known as Pastor Susan Y-Y)