and who can stand when he appears?

HYMN I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light UMH 206

Quote for Reflection:
We Respond to God’s Word
For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap;
he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver,
A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes . . .
and he will purify the descendants of Levi
and is completely dependent on the fact that REFLECTION The People’s Good News
and refine them like gold and silver,
the door of freedom has to be opened from the outside,
until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness.
is not a bad picture of Advent. HYMN Blessed Be the God of Israel UMH 209
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, from a Nazi Prison "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem
will be pleasing to the Lord PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
as in the days of old, and as in former years.
We Gather as God’s People Then I will draw near to you for judgment;
I will be swift to bear witness . . . PRAYER FOR THE WEEK on insert
against those who swear falsely,
HYMN O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH 211, v.2 OFFERING AND DOXOLOGY
against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages,
the widow and the orphan,
CALL TO WORSHIP against those who thrust aside the alien, PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of the heavens, God of the earth,
 and do not revere me, says the Lord of hosts. Take what we offer, God, 

God of every moment of our lives: help us, we pray.
 “For I the Lord do not change; knowing that it is simply what you offer us.

Help us to wait.
 therefore you, O children of Jacob, have not perished.” Take our love. Take our hope.

In our waiting, help us to see.
 Take our questions and our answers.

In our seeing, help us to hope.
 GOSPEL Luke 3:1-6 Take all that we are, and make it into something new!

In our hoping, help us to love.
 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius We ask this in Christ’s name and in your Love. Amen.
Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and
In our loving, help us to act,

his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and
so that Christ’s Advent in our lives
might be a time of transformation for all.

Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and We Are Sent Into God’s World
Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the
Alleluia, amen! wilderness. ANNOUNCEMENTS
He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a
HYMN Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus UMH 196 baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in BENEDICTION
the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,
PASSING THE PEACE RESPONSE Rejoice! Rejoice! UMH 211
The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE Every valley shall be filled,

z
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
LIGHTING THE SECOND ADVENT CANDLE and the crooked shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth;
TAIZÉ Lord Jesus Christ, Your Light Shines W&S 3137 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ Announcements
We’ll be locking the doors to the fellowship hall when the
CANTICLE Of Light & Darkness UMH 205, r. 2 EPISTLE Philippians 1:3-6, 9–11 children go to Sunday School. Please arrive by 10 am if you need
I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying
the elevator as entry will be via the front door after that time.
We Listen for God’s Word
with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your
sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of
this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to The food shelf needs our help for the December distributions.
HEBREW SCRIPTURE Malachi 3:1-5a; 5c-6 completion by the day of Jesus Christ. The need around the holidays is always larger than normal. All
“See, I am sending my messenger
to prepare the way before me, And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more the churches in this ministry in Essex-Underhill & Jericho are
and the Lord whom you seek with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is asked to help. There are lots of different jobs assisting the clients
will suddenly come to his temple. best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and as they choose their groceries, move around the tables & carry
The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight— blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes things out to their vehicles. Saturday, 15 December from 9 am, at
indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, rte 15, Jericho. Park across the
“But who can endure the day of his coming, street at Clark’s Truck Center.
 The People’s
Parking: Our parking lot can get quite busy, so please consider Essex Eats Out Schedule
parking across the street; this will allow those with small children
and those that can’t walk as far to park close by the church. Dec 7 - 1st Congreg. Dec 14 - Holy Family

Good News
Dec 21 - St James Dec 28 - EUMC
Boxes and Donations for Heifer are due Sunday, Dec 16th.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Poinsettias: If you would like to purchase a poinsettia to help
Dec 12 - Don Strickland Dec 9 - Godfrey Anniversary
decorate our church for Christmas the flyers are inside the
bulletin. Please order by putting the flyer and the money in the
offering plate or on Heidi’s desk by Sunday, December 9. You Here are people, places, & concerns folk have recently lifted
are encouraged to take your poinsettia home after Christmas. up. Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
Calendar
Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont
All Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - noon Arlitha Susan
Church Office noon- 2 pm Tim
Callie
Mt Mansfield Bible Study 2 pm
Grace Naylor Lenore
Anne Kennison Michael Parker
All Thursdays: Church Office noon- 2:00 pm
Gloria McKeen Keenan
z Mary Willard
Norma Strickland Lifted Up Last Sunday
Mon, 10 Dec: Monday Companions, Final Discussion of Canoeing
the Mountains at Eve’s, 7:00 pm. (Unless Pastor Mitch Judy & Diezela Donna - thankful for baptism of Bella &
gets jury duty . . .) Matthew C. welcoming of 6 other members
Elissa & Leif Judy - Suzie & Jim, home and doing
Wed, 12 Dec: Advent Meditation Service 7 pm. Details in insert! better
Greg
Paula DeMichele Dawn - Dave Cluck passed away
Thu, 13 Dec: Food Shelf Set Up, GSLC 6:30 pm
Don Strickland Dawn - Mark Weber’s family
Sat, 15 Dec: Food shelf Distribution, GSLC 9:00 am Ellie Uckele Liz - Heather
Cole Liz - Bella’s grandma
Holiday Basket, details to follow Harley
Ken - 2 boys that have problems
Gordon Mitchinson
Sanctuary Decorating, details to follow

Wed, 19 Dec: Advent Meditation Service 7 pm. Details in insert! z

Essex Center United Methodist Church
Sun, 23 Dec: Children’s Christmas Pageant, 10 am essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com José y Maria Nativity by Everett Patterson
Mon, 24 Dec: Family Christmas Eve Service, 4:30 pm Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
Traditional Lesson & Carols, 8:00 pm cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
Office Manager: Heidi Evans Essex Center
United Methodist Church
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
Wed, 26 Dec: Last Meditation Service 7 pm. Details in insert!
Song Leader: Dana Thomas Projection: Sam Evans
Greeter - Eve Thorsen & Janet Bedard
Sun, 30 Dec: Celtic Prayer Service, 10 am Ushers - Maureen & Bill Wiegner, Judy McDonald 9 December 2018 Second Sunday of Advent
Wednesday Advent Meditation Services
One antidote to the craziness of the season is to take some
time to sloooow down. An ancient and effective tool for quieting
the chaos is Prayer and Meditation. Julia Davenport and Pastor
Mitch invite you to four Wednesdays of worship and meditation
for Advent and Christmas. We will bring together Eastern and
Western spiritual practices: Buddhist meditation, Taizé chant,
Ignatian Lectio Divina, Guided Meditation, Benedictine liturgy,
and more to help bring a sense of peace as we await the Prince of
Peace. Come join us!
Wednesday Advent Meditation Services
7:00 pm on December 5, 12, 19, 26
Wednesday Advent Meditation Services
One antidote to the craziness of the season is to take some
time to sloooow down. An ancient and effective tool for quieting
the chaos is Prayer and Meditation. Julia Davenport and Pastor
Mitch invite you to four Wednesdays of worship and meditation
for Advent and Christmas. We will bring together Eastern and
Western spiritual practices: Buddhist meditation, Taizé chant,
Ignatian Lectio Divina, Guided Meditation, Benedictine liturgy,
and more to help bring a sense of peace as we await the Prince of
Peace. Come join us!
Wednesday Advent Meditation Services
7:00 pm on December 5, 12, 19, 26
Wednesday Advent Meditation Services
One antidote to the craziness of the season is to take some
time to sloooow down. An ancient and effective tool for quieting
the chaos is Prayer and Meditation. Julia Davenport and Pastor
Mitch invite you to four Wednesdays of worship and meditation
for Advent and Christmas. We will bring together Eastern and
Western spiritual practices: Buddhist meditation, Taizé chant,
Ignatian Lectio Divina, Guided Meditation, Benedictine liturgy,
and more to help bring a sense of peace as we await the Prince of
Peace. Come join us!
Wednesday Advent Meditation Services
7:00 pm on December 5, 12, 19, 26

z z
An Advent Invitation from Joshua An Advent Invitation from Joshua
Advent, the liturgical season we're about to enter, isn't "The Advent, the liturgical season we're about to enter, isn't "The
Christmas Season." It's the season in which we await the coming of Christmas Season." It's the season in which we await the coming of
Christ in three ways: our celebration of his birth on December 25th; Christ in three ways: our celebration of his birth on December 25th; his
his arrival into our hearts on a daily basis; and his ultimate return. arrival into our hearts on a daily basis; and his ultimate return.
In the spirit of solidarity with our persecuted brother- and sister- In the spirit of solidarity with our persecuted brother- and sister-
Christians of the Middle East, I will be keeping the Oriental Orthodox Christians of the Middle East, I will be keeping the Oriental Orthodox
fast on Wednesdays and Fridays (days on which they traditionally fast on Wednesdays and Fridays (days on which they traditionally fast).
fast). But there are various ways to fast. Here's how you can join me But there are various ways to fast. Here's how you can join me this first
this first week of Advent! Do one or all of the following: week of Advent! Do one or all of the following:
*Keep the Oriental Orthodox fast this Wednesday and Friday: no *Keep the Oriental Orthodox fast this Wednesday and Friday: no
animal products in your diet (no meat, no dairy, no eggs). Ask me animal products in your diet (no meat, no dairy, no eggs). Ask me
about recipes! about recipes!
*On Wednesday, read Isaiah 2. On Friday, read Isaiah 4. *On Wednesday, read Isaiah 2. On Friday, read Isaiah 4.
*Pray the following every morning this week: Almighty God, give *Pray the following every morning this week: Almighty God, give
us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put
upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in
which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that
that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to
majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life
life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
*Either refrain from social media or use social media in a way *Either refrain from social media or use social media in a way that
that suits this season. suits this season.
Have a blessed Advent! Have a blessed Advent!
z
An Advent Invitation from Joshua
Advent, the liturgical season we're about to enter, isn't "The
Christmas Season." It's the season in which we await the coming of
Christ in three ways: our celebration of his birth on December 25th; his
arrival into our hearts on a daily basis; and his ultimate return.
In the spirit of solidarity with our persecuted brother- and sister-
Christians of the Middle East, I will be keeping the Oriental Orthodox
fast on Wednesdays and Fridays (days on which they traditionally fast).
But there are various ways to fast. Here's how you can join me this first
week of Advent! Do one or all of the following:
*Keep the Oriental Orthodox fast this Wednesday and Friday: no
animal products in your diet (no meat, no dairy, no eggs). Ask me
about recipes!
*On Wednesday, read Isaiah 2. On Friday, read Isaiah 4.
*Pray the following every morning this week: Almighty God, give
us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put
upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in
which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that
in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to
judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life
immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Ghost, one God, now and for ever.
*Either refrain from social media or use social media in a way that
suits this season.
Have a blessed Advent!
 Grant me Your Sense of Timing Grant me Your Sense of Timing Grant me Your Sense of Timing
O God of all seasons and senses,
 O God of all seasons and senses,
 O God of all seasons and senses,

grant me your sense of timing
 grant me your sense of timing
 grant me your sense of timing

to submit gracefully
 to submit gracefully
 to submit gracefully

and rejoice quietly
 and rejoice quietly
 and rejoice quietly

in the turn of the seasons. in the turn of the seasons. in the turn of the seasons.
In this season of short days and long nights,
 In this season of short days and long nights,
 In this season of short days and long nights,

of grey and white and cold,
 of grey and white and cold,
 of grey and white and cold,

teach me the lessons of waiting:
 teach me the lessons of waiting:
 teach me the lessons of waiting:

of the snow joining the mystery
 of the snow joining the mystery
 of the snow joining the mystery

of the hunkered-down seeds
 of the hunkered-down seeds
 of the hunkered-down seeds

growing in their sleep
 growing in their sleep
 growing in their sleep

watched over by gnarled-limbed, grandparent trees
 watched over by gnarled-limbed, grandparent trees
 watched over by gnarled-limbed, grandparent trees

resting from autumn’s staggering energy;
 resting from autumn’s staggering energy;
 resting from autumn’s staggering energy;

of the silent, whirling earth
 of the silent, whirling earth
 of the silent, whirling earth

circling to race back home to the sun. circling to race back home to the sun. circling to race back home to the sun.
O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
 In this season of short days and long nights,
 In this season of short days and long nights,

of grey and white and cold,
 of grey and white and cold,
 of grey and white and cold,

teach me the lessons of endings:
 teach me the lessons of endings:
 teach me the lessons of endings:

children growing
 children growing
 children growing

friends leaving
 friends leaving
 friends leaving

jobs concluding
 jobs concluding
 jobs concluding

stages finishing
 stages finishing
 stages finishing

grieving over
 grieving over
 grieving over

grudges over
 grudges over
 grudges over

blaming over
 blaming over
 blaming over

excuses over. excuses over. excuses over.
O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing.
In this season of short days and long nights,
 In this season of short days and long nights,
 In this season of short days and long nights,

of grey and white and cold,
 of grey and white and cold,
 of grey and white and cold,

teach me the lessons of beginnings:
 teach me the lessons of beginnings:
 teach me the lessons of beginnings:

that such waitings and endings
 that such waitings and endings
 that such waitings and endings

may be a starting place,
 may be a starting place,
 may be a starting place,

of planting seeds
 of planting seeds
 of planting seeds

which bring to birth
 which bring to birth
 which bring to birth

what is ready to be born—
 what is ready to be born—
 what is ready to be born—

something right and just and different,
 something right and just and different,
 something right and just and different,

a new song,
 a new song,
 a new song,

a deeper relationship,
 a deeper relationship,
 a deeper relationship,

a fuller lover—
 a fuller lover—
 a fuller lover—

in the fullness of your time. in the fullness of your time. in the fullness of your time.
O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing. O God, grant me your sense of timing.
-Ted Loder -Ted Loder -Ted Loder