not just our minds: my dear people, but allow God’s anger room to work.

The Bible
Quotes for Reflection: our hands and eyes, says, after all, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, our breath and loins, Lord.’ No: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. our hungers and our energies, give him a drink. If you do this, you will pile up burning coals
Hosea 6:6 our skin and its secrets, on his head.’ Don’t let evil conquer you. Rather, conquer evil
our frailties and weaknesses with good. (N T Wright)
and their graces.
We Gather as God’s People Strengthen us to put ourselves on the line,
GOSPEL Luke 13:10-16
our meat and bone.
HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling UMH 384 let us offer ourselves on your altar of love and mercy, One sabbath, Jesus was teaching in one of the
given over entirely, synagogues. There was a woman there who had had a spirit of
CALL TO WORSHIP based on a John Wesley quote every word and every move, weakness for eighteen years. She was bent double, and couldn’t
What does God call us to do? a living, complete dedication to you. stand fully upright. Jesus saw her and called to her.
To do all the good we can, by all the means we can! Help us trust that we are more than acceptable to you: ‘Woman,’ he said, laying his hands on her, ‘you are freed
How do we do it? that we are a holy gift, delightful to you. from your affliction.’ At once she stood upright, & praised God.
In all the ways we can! All our worship in pew and in private The synagogue president was angry that Jesus had healed on
Where do we do it? is prelude to this: the sabbath.
In all the places we can! Today our bodies are the vessels of God.
When do we do it? ‘Look here,’ he said to the crowd, ‘there are six days for
At all the times we can! people to work! Come on one of those days and be healed, not
To whom do we do it? We Listen for God’s Word on the sabbath day!’
To all the people we can! ‘You bunch of hypocrites!’ replied Jesus. ‘You would all be
EPISTLE Romans 12
How long do we do it? quite happy to untie an ox or a donkey from its stall on the
So, my dear family, this is my appeal to you by the mercies of
As long as ever we can! sabbath day and lead it out for a drink! And isn’t it right that
God: offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
By whose power can we do it? this daughter of Abraham, tied up by the satan for these 18
God. Worship like this brings your mind into line with
By the power of God who is within us! years, should be untied from her chains on the sabbath day?’
God’s. What’s more, don’t let yourselves be squeezed into the
Let us worship the God who calls us to do good.
shape dictated by the present age. Instead, be transformed by
HYMN As a Fire Is Meant for Burning FWS 2237
the renewing of your minds, so that you can work out what
God’s will is, what is good, acceptable and complete . . .
We Respond to God’s Word
SPIRITUAL I’ve Got Peace Like a River FWS 2145 Be truly affectionate in showing love for one another; REFLECTION What Is God Really Like? Part 6:
compete with each other in giving mutual respect. Don’t get Bent: Un-Wrathing the Gospel
PASSING THE PEACE tired of working hard. Be on fire with the spirit. Work as slaves
HYMN We Are God’s People FWS 2220
for the Lord. Celebrate your hope; be patient in suffering; give
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE
constant energy to prayer; contribute to the needs of God’s PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
OPENING TO GOD Steve Garnaas-Holmes, modified people; make sure you are hospitable to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless them, don’t curse OFFERING & DOXOLOGY
I appeal to you, beloved siblings, by the mercies of God, 

to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, 
 them. Celebrate with those who are celebrating, mourn with the
holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. mourners. Come to the same mind with one another. Don’t give We Are Sent Into God’s World
yourselves airs, but associate with the humble. Don’t get too
Romans 12.1 ANNOUNCEMENTS
clever for yourselves.
Loving God, we your people are all one in this:
Your Spirit is yearning in us, Never repay anyone evil for evil; think through what will
BENEDICTION
Your mercy birthing in us. seem good to everyone who is watching. If it’s possible, as far
Help us to give all of ourselves to you, as you can, live at peace with all people. Don’t take revenge,
RESPONSE Let There Be Peace on Earth UMH 431

Birthdays and Anniversaries
August 26: Papa Baah
August 28: Ken Yates, Joshua Knox
Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
Please keep them in your prayers at home. What Is God Really Like? Pt. 6
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.

August 26: Fred & Marlene Hodgdon

Ongoing Prayers
Arlitha
Lifted Up Last Sunday
Sally - Joy for the birth of baby Piper Bent:
August 27: Emily Franz & Will Skolochenko
Un-Wrathing the Gospel
Callie Jenna - Thankful for EUMC community
Anne Kennison Nancy - healing for Kay after stroke,
Mary Willard continued prayers for Ken and Midge
Calendar Norma Strickland Kathryn - birth of John Robert and sister
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11:30 am Judy & Diezel moving closer, and for the safety of
Jericho Clergy Group 11:30-12:30 Matthew C. father after tree fall
Mt Mansfield Bible Study 2 pm (starts 17 Sept) Elissa & Leif Donna - Judy M, in hospital with
Greg infection and will need to move into a
Thursdays: Church Office 10:00 am- noon home
Paula DeMichele

j Don Strickland
Ellie Uckele
Ruth - thankful to have family in town
Vickie - grandchild going to college
Cole David - healing for Mike, that VA will
Buy a bag! During August, Hannafords in Essex will donate $1
to our food shelf for every “Fight” reusable bag purchased! Harley find a way to send him home to
Lenore recuperate
Sun 25 Aug: Adult Sunday Class 9:00 am Michael Parker Sarah - new job, opportunity to visit
Worship 10:00 am “Un-Wrathing the Gospel” Gordon Mitchinson family, and for support for sister
Susan Melissa
After Worship Discussion: Small Group Plans
for 2019/2020 Tim
Don Kennedy
Sun, 1 Sept: Adult Sunday Class 9:00 am

Worship 10:00 am, Communion j

Thu, 5 Sept: Stonewall 50th Anniv. Interfaith Pride Service
at the UVM Interfaith Center, 7:00 pm. Essex Center United Methodist Church
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
Tue, 10 Sept: Admin Board, 7:00 pm www.essexumc.com

Sun, 15 Sept: Sunday School Begins Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
Worship: Narrative Lectionary Resumes cell/text: 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net

Tue, 17 Sept: Mt. Mansfield Bible Study Begins, 2:00 pm Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen
Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort

Essex Center
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
Trustee Board, 7:00 pm
Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Bob McLane

Un-Tied Methodist Church

Mon, 23 Sept: Monday Companions Begins, 7 pm Nursery Helper Paula P
Parent Helper: Barb L
Greeters: Dorothy B & kids
Thanks to Kathy Dodge for the Beautiful Altar Covering
Ushers:
next week: Liz R
next week: Emily F
next week: Sarah K
25 August 2019 11th Sunday after Pentecost
next week: Dawn HF & Paula P