Then, GOSPEL Matthew 9:1-13, 35-38

Quotes for Reflection: only then! And getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own
Jesus did not tell the world to go to church Can we know that the way forward is with you, town. And behold, they brought to him a paralytic lying on a
but for the church to go to the world. our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come. stretcher, and when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the
Then, paralytic, Have courage, child, your sins are forgiven. And
only then! behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, This man is
-We Gather as Gods People- Can we know that our way forward is through you, blaspheming! And knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, Why
the Way, the Truth, the Life. do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier to say,
HYMN Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy UMH 340
God help us! Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Get up and walk? But in
Help us! order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on
CALL TO WORSHIP based on Psalm 65
Help us as we take the small faithful next step forward earth to forgive sins, then he said to the paralytic, Get up,
Come and worship, to reflect your grace and glory, pick up your stretcher and go to your home. And he got
everyone on earth, to embody the Word made flesh, up and went to his home. But when the crowds saw this, they
everywhere the sun shines, to move freely by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen! were afraid and glorified God who had given such authority to
lets praise God together! men.
For hearing when we call,
And as Jesus was going away from there, he saw a man called
answering our prayers, forgiving our mistakes,
and providing what we need: -We Listen for Gods Word- Matthew sitting at the tax booth and said to him, Follow me!
And he stood up and followed him.
lets praise God together!
Come and worship, And it happened as he was dining in the house, behold, many
HEBREW SCRIPTURE Hosea 6:1-6
everyone on earth, tax collectors and sinners were coming and dining with Jesus
everywhere the sun shines, Come, let us return to the Lord; and his disciples. And when they saw it, the Pharisees began to
lets praise God together! for it is God who has torn, and God will heal us; say to his disciples, Why does your teacher eat with tax
God has struck down, and God will bind us up. collectors and sinners? And when he heard it, he said, Those
HYMN We Are Called FWS 2172 After two days the Lord will revive us; who are healthy do not have need of a physician, but
on the third day God will raise us up, those who are sick. But go and learn what it means, I want
SPIRITUAL Over My Head FWS 2148 that we may live before the Lord. mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; righteous, but sinners.
PASSING THE PEACE Gods appearing is as sure as the dawn; And Jesus was going around all the towns and the villages,
God will come to us like the showers, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of
YOUNG PEOPLES MESSAGE like the spring rains that water the earth. the kingdom and healing every disease and every sickness.
What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? And when he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them,
OPENING TO GOD Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar because they were weary and dejected, like sheep that did not
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
God help us! Your love is like a morning cloud, have a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, The
Help us! like the dew that goes away early. harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the
to take the next faithful step forward Lord of the harvest that he send out workers into his harvest.
not based on doctrine, tradition, or theology, Therefore I have shaken them awake by the prophets,
judgments, fears, or convictions; I have cut them to the quick by the words of my mouth,
and my judgment goes forth as the light.
or notions of who are the righteous and unrighteous.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, -We Respond to Gods Word-
God help us!
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Help us!
to take the next small faithful step forward out of love. REFLECTION Compassion: Mercy, not Sacrifice
Only love; nothing less, nothing more;
just love; undiluted love. HYMN Hope of the World UMH 178
 Here are people, places, & concerns folk have recently lifted up.

Compassion
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
THE LORDS PRAYER
Ongoing Prayers Lifted Up Last Sunday
OFFERING Tim Judy - Joyce & John, John now in respite

DOXOLOGY
Lenore
Michael Parker
Ralph & LeeAnn
Wes - family of Dwight, who passed
away suddenly
Paula - friend, Stephanie, in abusive
Week 5:
OFFERING PRAYER Zach Kerzee Keenan marriage
May we hear the cries of the poor today, Lord. May we not be
crushed by the burdensome load of our possessions, but may
we extend our hands in joyful giving.
Arlitha
Callie
Grace Naylor
Mercy,
Not Sacrifice
Anne Kennison
May we not be crushed by the weight of closets full of Gloria McKeen
clothes we do not wear. By food that rots and wastes away Mary Willard
in our storehouses. By money hoarded and clutched to our Norma Strickland
chests.
John & Nancy Bartlett
Help us to see that what is ours is not our own, but yours Judy & Diezela
given in trust. Matthew C.
Brenda
Help us to forgive our enemies. Free us to live into the joy
of reconciliation long denied. Let us see our brothers and Elissa & Leif
sisters as mirrors that reflect Christ's face. Mary-Ann Paris
Greg
Give us the courage to seek justice in all creation. Help us to
Paula DeMichele
recognize that we have wounded sisters and brothers in the
name of Christ.
Let us not squander our role as stewards of your creation,
but make us reconciled with one another, and with your
good world. Amen.

-We Are Sent Into Gods World-

Essex Center United Methodist Church
ANNOUNCEMENTS essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
BENEDICTION Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
RESPONSE Shalom to You UMH 666 Office Manager: Heidi Evans
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
Guitar: Richard Randazzo Song Leader: Dana LaClair
Projection: Sam Evans Essex Center United Methodist Church
Greeters - Norm Thompson 15 October 2017 19th Sunday After Pentecost
Ushers - Art & Wes Bristol, Judy Hatin
 Birthdays & Anniversaries
Oct16 - Max & Cooper Cleveland, Dawn Hill-Fleury
Oct 17 - Midge Yates
Oct 19 - Chris McDonald
Oct 15 - Bill & Maureen Wiegner Anniv.
Oct 15 - Brec & Patti Norton Anniv.
Oct 19 - Grant & Mutsumi Corson Anniv.
Oct 20 - Barb & Gil Myers Anniv.
Essex Eats Out Schedule
Oct 20 - St James Oct 27 - EUMC Nov 3 - 1st Cong. Ch.
Nov 10 - Holy Fam Nov 17 - St James Nov 24 - EUMC
Announcements
Furniture Move: We need some strong bodies and a truck to
move a cabinet from the pie room to storage! See Mitch
Food Shelf Needs: Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Mac &
Cheese, Canned Fruit
Respond to the hurricane - UMCOR Advance #901670
Flood Relief Bucket Ingredients: Available in Narthex (we
already have buckets from Ben & Jerrys!)
Prayer Cards are available on the narthex table-if you know
someone who you think would like to know we are thinking and
praying for them.
Holiday Basket Jars Needed! Please leave Ball 4 oz. jelly jars
in the designated collection box located at the foot of the stairs as
you enter the hallway. Questions? Call Vickie (879-7515).
Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no
longer get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor,
Anne Kennison (new address: sticky labels with her new address
available on Heidis desk), Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard,
Norma Strickland, Nancy Bartlett.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Oct16 - Max & Cooper Cleveland, Dawn Hill-Fleury
Oct 17 - Midge Yates
Oct 19 - Chris McDonald
Oct 15 - Bill & Maureen Wiegner Anniv.
Oct 15 - Brec & Patti Norton Anniv.
Oct 19 - Grant & Mutsumi Corson Anniv.
Oct 20 - Barb & Gil Myers Anniv.
Essex Eats Out Schedule
Oct 20 - St James Oct 27 - EUMC Nov 3 - 1st Cong. Ch.
Nov 10 - Holy Fam Nov 17 - St James Nov 24 - EUMC
Announcements
Furniture Move: We need some strong bodies and a truck to
move a cabinet from the pie room to storage! See Mitch
Food Shelf Needs: Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Mac &
Cheese, Canned Fruit
Respond to the hurricane - UMCOR Advance #901670
Flood Relief Bucket Ingredients: Available in Narthex (we
already have buckets from Ben & Jerrys!)
Prayer Cards are available on the narthex table-if you know
someone who you think would like to know we are thinking and
praying for them.
Holiday Basket Jars Needed! Please leave Ball 4 oz. jelly jars
in the designated collection box located at the foot of the stairs as
you enter the hallway. Questions? Call Vickie (879-7515).
Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no
longer get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor,
Anne Kennison (new address: sticky labels with her new address
available on Heidis desk), Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma
Strickland, Nancy Bartlett.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Oct16 - Max & Cooper Cleveland, Dawn Hill-Fleury
Oct 17 - Midge Yates
Oct 19 - Chris McDonald
Oct 15 - Bill & Maureen Wiegner Anniv.
Oct 15 - Brec & Patti Norton Anniv.
Oct 19 - Grant & Mutsumi Corson Anniv.
Oct 20 - Barb & Gil Myers Anniv.
Essex Eats Out Schedule
Oct 20 - St James Oct 27 - EUMC Nov 3 - 1st Cong. Ch.
Nov 10 - Holy Fam Nov 17 - St James Nov 24 - EUMC
Announcements
Furniture Move: We need some strong bodies and a truck to
move a cabinet from the pie room to storage! See Mitch
Food Shelf Needs: Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Mac &
Cheese, Canned Fruit
Respond to the hurricane - UMCOR Advance #901670
Flood Relief Bucket Ingredients: Available in Narthex (we
already have buckets from Ben & Jerrys!)
Prayer Cards are available on the narthex table-if you know
someone who you think would like to know we are thinking and
praying for them.
Holiday Basket Jars Needed! Please leave Ball 4 oz. jelly jars
in the designated collection box located at the foot of the stairs as
you enter the hallway. Questions? Call Vickie (879-7515).
Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no
longer get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor,
Anne Kennison (new address: sticky labels with her new address
available on Heidis desk), Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma
Strickland, Nancy Bartlett.
 Calendar Calendar Calendar

Today: Installation of Jill Colley-Robinson as District Today: Installation of Jill Colley-Robinson as District Today: Installation of Jill Colley-Robinson as District
Superintendent, Faith UMC, S. Burlington, 3 pm Superintendent, Faith UMC, S. Burlington, 3 pm Superintendent, Faith UMC, S. Burlington, 3 pm

Tue, 17 Oct: Tuesday Office Hours: Tue, 17 Oct: Tuesday Office Hours: Tue, 17 Oct: Tuesday Office Hours:
Nest Coffee, Five Corners, 10am - noon Nest Coffee, Five Corners, 10am - noon Nest Coffee, Five Corners, 10am - noon
Church Office noon-2:00pm Church Office noon-2:00pm Church Office noon-2:00pm

Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm

Trustees, 7:00 pm Trustees, 7:00 pm Trustees, 7:00 pm

Wed-Fri, 18-20 Oct: Mitch at Board of Ordained Ministry Wed-Fri, 18-20 Oct: Mitch at Board of Ordained Ministry Wed-Fri, 18-20 Oct: Mitch at Board of Ordained Ministry
Meeting interviewing pastor candidates. Meeting interviewing pastor candidates. Meeting interviewing pastor candidates.
For Pastoral Emergencies, call Mitchs cell (802)881-3268 For Pastoral Emergencies, call Mitchs cell (802)881-3268 For Pastoral Emergencies, call Mitchs cell (802)881-3268

Thu, 19 Oct: Food Shelf Set Up, 7:00 pm Thu, 19 Oct: Food Shelf Set Up, 7:00 pm Thu, 19 Oct: Food Shelf Set Up, 7:00 pm

Sat, 21 Oct: Food Shelf Distribution, 9:30 am Sat, 21 Oct: Food Shelf Distribution, 9:30 am Sat, 21 Oct: Food Shelf Distribution, 9:30 am

Mon, 23 Oct: Monday Companions: Read Intro and Ch 3-4 of Mon, 23 Oct: Monday Companions: Read Intro and Ch 3-4 of Mon, 23 Oct: Monday Companions: Read Intro and Ch 3-4 of
The Year of Small Things: Radical Faith for the The Year of Small Things: Radical Faith for the The Year of Small Things: Radical Faith for the
Rest of Us by Arthur and Wasinger, at Eves home Rest of Us by Arthur and Wasinger, at Eves home Rest of Us by Arthur and Wasinger, at Eves home
on Browns River Road, 7:00 pm. on Browns River Road, 7:00 pm. on Browns River Road, 7:00 pm.

Wed, 25 Oct: Pastor-Parish, 7:00 pm Wed, 25 Oct: Pastor-Parish, 7:00 pm Wed, 25 Oct: Pastor-Parish, 7:00 pm

Fri, 27 Oct: Essex Eats Out at EUMC, 5:30 pm Fri, 27 Oct: Essex Eats Out at EUMC, 5:30 pm Fri, 27 Oct: Essex Eats Out at EUMC, 5:30 pm

Wed, 1 Nov: Green Mtn. Nursing Home Worship 2:30 pm Wed, 1 Nov: Green Mtn. Nursing Home Worship 2:30 pm Wed, 1 Nov: Green Mtn. Nursing Home Worship 2:30 pm

Sat, 4 Nov: Holiday Bazaar, 9:00 am Sat, 4 Nov: Holiday Bazaar, 9:00 am Sat, 4 Nov: Holiday Bazaar, 9:00 am

Sun, 5 Nov: All Saints Sunday; Daylight Savings Time Ends Sun, 5 Nov: All Saints Sunday; Daylight Savings Time Ends Sun, 5 Nov: All Saints Sunday; Daylight Savings Time Ends
Heifer Project banks distribution Heifer Project banks distribution Heifer Project banks distribution

Sun, 12 Nov: Pledge Sunday with pot-luck luncheon Sun, 12 Nov: Pledge Sunday with pot-luck luncheon Sun, 12 Nov: Pledge Sunday with pot-luck luncheon

Wed-Fri, 15-17 Nov: The Ripple Effect: workshops to inspire Wed-Fri, 15-17 Nov: The Ripple Effect: workshops to inspire Wed-Fri, 15-17 Nov: The Ripple Effect: workshops to inspire
and equip laity for mission and ministry. and equip laity for mission and ministry. and equip laity for mission and ministry.
Sudbury UMC, Mass. Sudbury UMC, Mass. Sudbury UMC, Mass.

Tue, 28 Nov: Annual Church Conference Tue, 28 Nov: Annual Church Conference Tue, 28 Nov: Annual Church Conference