We Gather as God’s People We Respond to God’s Word

GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40

HYMN Spirit of God, Bright Wind FWS 2117 When the time came for their purification according to the law REFLECTION Not Just for Young People
vss.1,3,5 of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to
CALL TO WORSHIP the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every firstborn HYMN Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence UMH 626
God gives us the gift of the incarnation. male shall be designated as holy to the Lord”), and they offered
With one voice, let all people… a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, “a PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Praise God! pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
Today, the Christ Child is presented in the Temple. OFFERTORY & DOXOLOGY
Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was
With one voice, let all people…
Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to COMMUNION FWS 2257
Praise God!
the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It
Today, Anna and Simeon and all see God in Christ Jesus.
had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
With one voice, let all people…
see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the
Praise God!
Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents
brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary
HYMN I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light UMH 206
under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
saying,
PASSING THE PEACE
Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,

YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE according to your word;

for my eyes have seen your salvation,

BLESSING OF CANDLES which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,

a light for revelation to the Gentiles

and for glory to your people Israel. CHILDREN & PARENTS COME TO THE BAPTISMAL FONT
OPENING TO GOD Canticle of Simeon UMH 225
And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was
being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his EXTINGUISHING THE CANDLES
NICENE CREED UMH 880
mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the
rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so
that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword
We Listen for God’s Word will pierce your own soul too.”
We Are Sent Into God’s World
There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the ANNOUNCEMENTS
THE PROPHETS Malachi 3:1-4
tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her
See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, BENEDICTION
husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the
and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple.
age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there
The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed,

n
with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came,
he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the
and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who
day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?
were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap; he will sit as
When they had finished everything required by the law of the Birthdays
a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the
Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of
descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until Feb 4: Will Skolochenko
Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with
they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.[a] Then the Feb 6: Marilyn Almeida
wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him.
offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as Feb 9: Chloe Lemmel-Hay
in the days of old and as in former years.
 Office Hours Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11:30 am Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.

Thursdays: Church Office 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Ongoing Prayers Lifted Up Last Sunday
Callie Nancy - comfort for Becca and Bereket

Calendar
Anne Kennison
Mary Willard
Norma Strickland
on loss of daughter Eyerusalem at birth
Barb M - healing for Ruth B after knee
replacement
Candlemas:
Anna & Simeon
Mon, 3 Feb: Monday Companions at Eve’s, 7:00 pm
Judy & Diezel Emily - inspiration for next steps toward
Tue, 4 Feb: Nest, 10 am; Mansfield Bible Study, 2:00 pm. radical inclusion
Matthew C.
Elissa & Leif Josh - comfort for Jaimie, Ellie, & Ellyn
4-7 Feb: Mitch at Board of Ordained Ministry Interviews on loss of son, fiance, friend.
Greg
Roger Dodge: 75th anniversary of the
Wed, 5 Feb: No The Bible Project study. Paula DeMichele liberation of Auschwitz; thanks on
Don Strickland granddaughter’s acceptance to two
Thu, 6 Feb: Thursday Companions. Everybody’s Normal Ellie Uckele major ballet companies.
Until You Get to Know Them, ch. 1-2. 2 pm , Parlor Cole Kathryn: Prayers of strength for Tom as
Gordon Mitchinson he battles alcoholism and its effects.
Tue, 11 Feb: Mansfield Bible Study, 2:00 pm. Susan Mary: guidance for Audra who turns 18,
Tim for mom, getting a pacemaker Feb 3rd.
Administrative Board, 7 pm
Don Canady Lola Armstrong: Thanks for Gil's life, &
Wed. 12 Feb: Jericho/Underhill Blood Drive, 1-6 pm at Harley for church families and their support.
Catalyst Church on Raceway. Free pie for donors. Michael Parker Kevin: for his niece who lost a child
Joyce Moore Art: healing for Ruth, patience for his dad
Fri, 14 Feb: Kids Night Out, 4pm - 8pm. Pizza, milk and Dorothy & Alex Doug Ellen: family of Zachary Hackett who
chocolate milk for dinner. Crafts and games! Carolyn V, Elizabeth, passed away this week at 25 years old.
RSVP to Paula at mspaulapc@aol.com Charlotte, Madeline
Natalie and Joseph B.
Sat, 15 Feb: Food Shelf at Good Shepherd, 9 am - 12 pm

Mon, 17 Feb: Monday Companions at Eve’s, 7:00 pm Essex Center Un-Tied Methodist Church
A Reconciling Congregation
Tue, 18 Feb: No Nest; Mansfield Bible Study, 2:00 pm. essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
Trustee Board, 7 pm
Co-Lay Leaders: Joshua Knox & Donna Paffrath
Painting by Laura James
Ministers: entire congregation Equipping Pastor: Mitchell Hay
Wed, 19 Feb: The Bible Project study: Luke 9-19. 7:00 pm cell/text: 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net

Tue, 25 Feb: Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, 7:00 pm Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen
Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort
Wed, 26 Feb: Ash Wednesday; Lent Begins Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard

Fri, 28 Feb: WOWW Luncheon at Ray’s Seafood (Pinecrest

Song Leader: Dana LaClair
Drive in Essex), 11:30 AM Nursery Helper Sally J
Parent Helper: Emily F
Pulpit and Altar Coverings - given in memory of Greeters: Bill & Maureen W
Peggy Thompson by Norm Thompson. Ushers: Dawn H-F & Narda C
Projection: Bob McLane
Essex Center
next week: Gail G?
next week: Liz R Un-Tied Methodist Church
next week: Pat M
next week: Laurie & Mark K 2 February 2020 Fourth Sunday after Epiphany