Quotes for Reflection: -We Listen for God’s Word- biggest of the shrubs.

or God’s Word- biggest of the shrubs. It becomes a tree, and the birds in the sky
can then come and nest in its branches.’
When I lean over the chasm of myself-- HEBREW SCRIPTURES Psalm 139 He told them another parable.
it seems paraphrase by Nan Merrell
my God is dark ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast,’ he said, ‘which a woman
and like a web: a hundred roots O my Beloved, You have searched me and known me! took and hid inside three measures of flour, until the whole
silently drinking. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; thing was leavened.’
Rainier Maria Rilke You discern my innermost thoughts.
You find me on the journey and guide my steps;
You know my strengths and my weaknesses.
-We Gather as God’s People- Even before words rise up in prayer, -We Respond to God’s Word-
HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling UMH 384 Lo, You have already heard my heart call.
REFLECTION Dogs & Cats Living Together!
You encompass me with love where’er I go,
CALL TO WORSHIP and your strength is my shield. HYMN Sois ls Semilla UMH 583
We’ve come to worship God, Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high;
who loved us before we were yet born, boundless gratitude is my soul’s response. PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
who knows us even better than we know ourselves,
whose presence never leaves us, HYMN Let Our Earth Be Peaceful W&S 3159 OFFERING & DOXOLOGY
and whose love for us never ceases.
This is our God. Let’s worship together! GOSPEL Matthew 13:24-33
He put another parable to them. -We Are Sent Into God’s World-
BLUEGRASS In the Morning When I Rise W&S 3140 ‘The kingdom of heaven’, he said, ‘is like this! Once upon a
ANNOUNCEMENTS
time a man sowed good seed in his field. While the workers
PASSING THE PEACE
were asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds in among the BENEDICTION
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE wheat, and went away. When the crop came up and produced
corn, then the weeds appeared as well.
TAIZÉ Wait for the Lord W&S 3049 ‘So the farmer’s servants came to him. “Master,” they said, RESPONSE Let Our Earth Be Peaceful W&S 3159 v. 1
“didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where have the weeds
PRAYER OF CONFESSION come from?”

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We worship You, O transcendent God,
‘ “This is the work of an enemy,” he replied.
who yet inhabits our world and indwells our lives.
We need not look up to find You; ‘ “So,” the servants said to him, “do you want us to go and pull
we need only to look around: them up?”
within ourselves, ‘ “No,” he replied. “If you do that you’ll probably pull up the
beyond ourselves, wheat as well, while you’re collecting the weeds. Let them both
into the eyes of another. grow together until the harvest. Then, when it’s time for harvest, Birthdays & Anniversaries
We need not listen for a distant thunder to find You; I will give the reapers this instruction: ‘First gather the weeds
we need only listen to the music of life, and tie them up in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat Feb 17: Ashley Heffernan Feb 19: Lisa Kirchberg
the words of children, into my barn.’ ” ’
the questions of the curious,
the rhythm of a heartbeat. He put another parable to them.
Essex Eats Out Schedule
We worship You, O transcendent God, ‘The kingdom of heaven’, he said, ‘is like a grain of mustard
Feb 22 - EUMC Mar 1 - 1st Congo Mar 8 - Holy Family
who yet inhabits our world and indwells our lives. seed, which someone took and sowed in his field. It’s the
Mar 15 - St. James Mar 22 - EUMC Mar 29 - St. Pius X
smallest of all the seeds, but when it grows it turns into the
 Announcements We take prayer seriously at Essex United Methodist Church.
We don’t pray because we think God is absent and needs cajoling.

Wheat and Weeds

Altar Coverings: We hope to begin displaying your crafted altar We don’t pray because we think God is a celestial Santa Claus.
We pray because that is how humans begin to discern God’s will.
coverings by early summer! Dimensions are 47” wide and 31” or
We pray because prayer changes us; prayer opens us up
more for length. We can’t wait to see your talented works! more and more to God’s grace and the movement
of God’s Spirit in our hearts, our community, our world.
COTS request from Mission Committee: Biggest need is new
linens, necessary toiletries, baby wipes and warm mittens (they Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
have enough hats). Red Tub in Fellowship Hall is open-- full list Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
is beside it.
Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont
August Garage Sale! Be collecting good stuff for the sale!
Arlitha Gordon Mitchinson
Callie Susan
Calendar Anne Kennison Tim
Gloria McKeen Lenore
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11 am Mary Willard Michael Parker
Norma Strickland Keenan
Jericho Clergy Group 11:30-12:30
Judy & Diezela
Matthew C. Lifted Up Last Sunday
Church Office 1 pm- 2 pm
Elissa & Leif Donna H- brother Reggie, radiation
Greg treatments
Mt Mansfield Bible Study 2 pm
Paula DeMichele Dana- friend whose mother is in a coma;
Don Strickland remembrance of Gloria
Thursdays: Church Office 10:00 am- noon
Ellie Uckele Nancy- Nick Flora, had a stroke (passed
j Cole away)
Harley Lisa- Peace for self and for the world

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Mon, 18 Feb: Living the Questions 7:00 pm Subject: Trinity

Tue, 19 Feb: Trustees Mtg 7:00 pm

Mon, 25 Feb: Monday Companions at Eve’s home, 7 pm. Essex Center United Methodist Church
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
Finish Everything Happens for a Reason www.essexumc.com
and Other Lies I have Loved by Kate Bowler.
Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
26-28 Feb: Mitch @“Gateways to God” in North Andover, Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
No Nest, Office, or Mansfield Study
Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen
Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort
Wed, 6 Mar: Ash Wednesday Taizé & Meditation, 7 pm Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard

Sat, 9 Mar: Memorial Service for Gloria McKeen 2:00 pm

Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Sam Evans
Essex Center
Sun, 10 Mar: Time Change! Move clocks ahead one hour.
Greeter: Marilyn A, Bella R
Ushers: Judy M, Craig &
Next Week: Bob McL, Vickie C
Next Week: Kristine E, Fred H United Methodist Church
Heidi E

Adult Sunday School for Lent 8:45 am

Nursery Helper: Barb L
Sun. Sch. Helper: Elissa
Next Week: Sally
Next Week: Emily
Epiphany 6 17 February 2019
Shoveling: Art B Next Week: Bob McL