Quote for Reflection: Real prayer leads to involvement; real involvement leads to prayer. At that very time there were some present who told him about Beloved, I give you my soul. the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their Deep spirituality impels to action; action impels a deep spirituality Beloved, I give you my soul: sacrifices. and the circle continues and deepens. my mystery, my self, my divine presence. The mystic becomes prophet, the prophet becomes mystic. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans Make them into love for you. Sr. Katherine Marie Dyckman suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Beloved, I give you my mind. Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all Beloved, I give you my mind: perish as they did. We Gather as God’s People my thoughts, my wisdom, my beliefs. “Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam Make them into love for you. fell on them—do you think that they were worse offenders than HYMN Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise UMH 103 all the others living in Jerusalem? Beloved, I give you my strength. CALL TO WORSHIP Beloved, I give you my strength: “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish just as We come to this time, to this place I give you my strength: they did.” with our loves and our losses, my gifts, my ability, my being. with our almost given-up hopes, Make them into love for you. with our long frustrations and unexpected joys. Beloved, We Respond to God’s Word We come before God We come before God in praise and thanksgiving! may all that we do, all that we care or think about, REFLECTION What Is God Really Like? Part 3 all that we are, be love for you. Amen. Pascal’s Wager vs. Divine Participation We come to this time, to this place, trusting in the God we meet in Jesus Christ, HYMN Come and Find the Quiet Center FWS 2128 the God who will not leave us in discouragement and doubt, We Listen for God’s Word PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER but lifts up our hearts to the hope of new life. HEBREW SCRIPTURE Jeremiah 3:1-3 We arrange our lives as best we can, We come before God. . . to keep your holiness at bay, We come before God in praise and thanksgiving. Thus says the Lord: with our pieties, our doctrines, our liturgies, The people who survived the sword our moralities, our secret ideologies, We come to this time, to this place found grace in the wilderness; safe, virtuous, settled. when Israel sought for rest, with hands hungry for a closer touch, (silence) the Lord appeared to them from far away. with hearts yearning for a transforming experience, I have loved you with an everlasting love; with souls aching for what only God can provide. And then you-- therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. you and your dreams, you and your visions, We come before God. . . . you and your purposes, you and your commands, We come before God in praise and thanksgiving. GOSPEL John 9:1-7 you and our neighbors, you and the stranger. You. SPIRITUAL Over My Head FWS 2148 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his We find your holiness not at bay, parents, that he was born blind?” but probing, pervading, insisting, demanding. PASSING THE PEACE And we yield—sometimes gladly, sometimes resentfully, Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he sometimes too late . . . or soon. YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in (silence) him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is OPENING TO GOD Through It All UMH 507 day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in We yield because you, beyond us, are our God. the world, I am the light of the world.” We are your creatures met by your holiness; OPENING TO GOD Steve Garnaas Holmes When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud by your holiness made our true selves. Beloved, I give you my heart. with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to Walter Brueggemann Beloved, I give you my heart: my willingness, my passions, my desires. him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see. OFFERING & DOXOLOGY Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up. We Are Sent Into God’s World Please keep them in your prayers at home. Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list. ANNOUNCEMENTS Ongoing Prayers Lifted Up Last Sunday BENEDICTION Arlitha Barb Audet: Prayers for Barb,Steve and
RESPONSE Let There Be Peace on Earth UMH 431
Callie Ellen who lost a friend What Is God Really Like? Anne Kennison Mary Willard Part 3: Pascal’s Wager Kathryn: Prayers for our many gifts, for Norma Strickland the ability to stay cool, prayers for j Judy & Diezela Matthew C. those who can't Prayers for everyone attending the vs. Divine Participation Birthdays and Anniversaries Elissa & Leif BSA National Jamboree. Greg August 3: Arthur Skolochenko August 4: Maureen Wiegner Paula DeMichele July 29: Josh Knox and Melanie Brown anniversary Don Strickland July 31: Don and Norma Strickland anniversary Ellie Uckele Cole Harley Calendar Lenore Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11:30 am Michael Parker Jericho Clergy Group 11:30-12:30 Gordon Mitchinson Thursdays: Church Office 10:00 am- noon Susan
j Tim
Sun, 28 July: March against Family Separation Gather 2:30
pm at the Williston branch of Vermont Technical College j (Helena Drive & Essex Rd) March to the ICE Data Center 188 Harvest Lane. For those unable to march, please meet at destination point between 3:45 and 4PM. Dice by Pablo Picasso Essex Center United Methodist Church Sun, 4 Aug: Adult Sunday Class 9:00 am essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304 www.essexumc.com Sat, 10 Aug: The Garage Sale That Ate Essex! Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox Please have all donations at the church by August 6. All Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay proceeds for a new Fellowship Hall roof. Call Linda or cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net Ron with questions or for help with large items: 878-2926 Please no textbooks, encyclopedias, computer gear, or clothing! Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort Fri, 23 Aug: WOWW Luncheon - at the Lighthouse, Colchester Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard at 11:30 AM. Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Bob McLane Essex Center Nursery Helper Gail G Parent Helper: Liz R next week: TBD next week: Elissa J Un-Tied Methodist Church Greeters: Dorothy B & kids next week: Ron & Linda B Thanks to Donna Holmes for the Beautiful Altar Covering Ushers: Gil & Barb M next week: Dawn & Donna 28 July 2019 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost