Quote for Reflection:

The light is a flood that will level your landmarks to a plain,


leaving you no shelter or familiar territory.

-We Respond to God’s Word-
All the good that you will do will not come from you but It will carry away the house of your comfortable darkness
 RESPONSE
from the fact that you have allowed yourself, in the and give you only holy ground to stand on.

obedience of faith, to be used by God’s love. Listen for the One amid the others,

It will fall like stone upon you.

the one who awakens something lovely in me.
Think of this more and gradually you will be free from the You will be the only thing that casts a shadow,

need to prove yourself, and you can be more open to the but your shadow will flee behind you where you cannot see it. If you don't turn from this clanging world to listen

power that will work through you without you knowing it. You will grope for definition like a climber in the fog,
 I won't hear him.
your hands will search for edges Listen for the voice that calls you Beloved,

Brother Thomas Merton
that tell you what is and what is not,
 the voice that calls me to love.
and you will not find them.

You will cling to frozen certainty for fear of falling.
 Listen to the voice that speaks of Creation's wholeness,

-We Gather as God’s People- Your map will be too small. that beckons me to completion.
The light will burn your skin.
 A voice that leads you toward others,

HYMN The God of Abraham Praise UMH 116 The light will bleach your bones.
 not my own rising above and away.
The light will leave you snowblind.

CALL TO WORSHIP Katherine Hawker Listen to the song of the immense flowering within you,

And you will not be the same.
the risk and passion I can dance to.
Where have we seen the light of God?
We have seen the light of God You will hear it in stillness, not in frenzy,

in silence, not in noise.
on high mountains of celebration
and in the ecstasy of a lover's embrace.
-We Listen for God’s Word- You will hear it from those who are belittled,

We have seen the light of God GOSPEL Matthew 17:1-9 not those who are honored by this besotted world.
through the bitter scorn of betrayal
and the searing chasm of grief. Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his The Beloved will not speak of success,

We have seen the light of God brother John and led them up a high mountain, by but death and resurrection.
with eyes that have been shaded, themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face Listen for one who speaks with hope and delight,

with eyes that have been opened, shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. We listen to him. I listen to him.
with eyes that have been blinded. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with
We have seen the light of God. him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; REFLECTION Mountain Tops in the Valley of Death
We have seen the light of God! if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one
for Moses, and one for Elijah.” HYMN Here, O My Lord, I See Thee 623
HYMN Gather Us In FWS 2236 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is
PASSING THE PEACE
my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to OFFERING & DOXOLOGY
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE him!”
THE LORD’S SUPPER on insert
When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were
TAIZÉ In God Alone W&S 3135 overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they
OPENING TO GOD Steve Collins
saw no one except Jesus himself alone. -We Are Sent Into God’s World-
How do you feel when the dark goes out?

Are you afraid of the light?
 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ANNOUNCEMENTS
Does it make your lies water?
 “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has
Do you screw up your heart and hide under the covers? been raised from the dead.” BENEDICTION

RESPONSE Let Our Earth Be Peaceful W&S 3159 v. 1

 Birthdays & Anniversaries We take prayer seriously at Essex United Methodist Church.
We don’t pray because we think God is absent and needs cajoling.
March 1: Ron Deming March 2: Patti Norton We don’t pray because we think God is a celestial Santa Claus.
March 10: Sarah Adorisio We pray because that is how humans begin to discern God’s will.
We pray because prayer changes us; prayer opens us up
more and more to God’s grace and the movement
Essex Eats Out Schedule of God’s Spirit in our hearts, our community, our world.
Mar 1 - 1st Congo Mar 8 - Holy Family
Mar 15 - St. James Mar 22 - EUMC Mar 29 - St. Pius X
Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
Mountain Tops in
Announcements
Altar Coverings: We hope to begin displaying your crafted altar
Ongoing Prayers
Arlitha
Ongoing Prayers, cont the Valley of Death
coverings soon! Dimensions are 47” wide and 31” or more for Harley
Callie
length. We can’t wait to see your talented works! Gordon Mitchinson
Anne Kennison
Susan
COTS request from Mission Committee: Winter frigid nights Mary Willard
continue. The staff really appreciated our contributions of new Tim
Norma Strickland
items. Biggest need is new linens, necessary toiletries, baby Lenore
Judy & Diezela
wipes and warm mittens (they have enough hats). Red Tub in Michael Parker
Fellowship Hall is open-- full list is beside it. Matthew C.
Elissa & Leif
Lifted Up Last Sunday
Calendar Greg
Judy - Donna, recovery from hip surgery
Paula DeMichele
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11 am David - Natalie & Hank, cancer diagnosis
Jericho Clergy Group 11:30-12:30 Don Strickland
Emily - Sally, recovering from pneumonia
Church Office 1 pm- 2 pm Ellie Uckele
Mitch - Cole, Make-A-Wish trip to FL
Mt Mansfield Bible Study 2 pm Cole

j
Thursdays: Church Office 10:00 am- noon

j
Mon, 4 Mar: Living the Questions 7:00 pm Subject: Trinity

Wed, 6 Mar: Ash Wednesday Taizé & Meditation, 7 pm

Essex Center United Methodist Church
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
Sat, 9 Mar: Memorial Service for Gloria McKeen 2:00 pm
Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Sun, 10 Mar: Time Change! Move clocks ahead one hour. Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
Adult Sunday School 8:45 a.m. cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
Lent Begins Worship at 10 am Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen
Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort
Mon, 11 Mar: Monday Companions at Eve’s home, 7 pm. Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Sam Evans
Tue, 12 Mar: Administrative Board 7 pm
Ushers: Dawn, Donna, Claire Next Week: Marilyn, Donna P
Essex Center
Sat, 16 Mar: Courageous Conversations Post-GC2019
Greeters: Barb & Gill M
Nursery Helper: Jody
Next Week: Sally J
Next Week: Liz R
Un-Tied Methodist Church
Circle-process, Lebanon UMC, 1-3 pm Sun. Sch. Helper: Ashley Next Week:
Shoveling: Julia D Next Week: Joe M Transfiguration 3 March 2019
Tue, 19 Mar: Trustees Meeting 7 pm
 -The Great Thanksgiving-
God of love, Creator of all that is and is yet to be,
your power shines in each person on earth,
each an image of your love.
You who breathe in us with love,
you give us the strength of your mercy.
You do not give up on your people,
though we struggle to find our way.
You invite us to this feast, to renew your Covenant with us,
so here at your table we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and love,
all Creation shimmers with your presence.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed are all who come in your love.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
who healed those who were wounded,
who bore the scars of injustice.
He came into dangerous neighborhoods,
and was killed there for his love.
But you raised him from the dead, and he lives with us still.
The Blessings and Covenant
In your Spirit you sustain us with your mighty grace;
you empower us with tender care.
Even when our hearts are broken,
even when our hands grow tired,
the might of your love is our power,
our joy, that carries us on.
In praise we remember this gift
as we proclaim the mystery at the heart of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ.
Bring into being by your grace
what only your grace can create.
Your listening heart be our hearts, your love be our nerve.
Send us into the neighborhoods of the world,
with your radiant presence at our center.
Amen.
-The Great Thanksgiving-
God of love, Creator of all that is and is yet to be,
your power shines in each person on earth,
each an image of your love.
You who breathe in us with love,
you give us the strength of your mercy.
You do not give up on your people,
though we struggle to find our way.
You invite us to this feast, to renew your Covenant with us,
so here at your table we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and love,
all Creation shimmers with your presence.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed are all who come in your love.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
who healed those who were wounded,
who bore the scars of injustice.
He came into dangerous neighborhoods,
and was killed there for his love.
But you raised him from the dead, and he lives with us still.
The Blessings and Covenant
In your Spirit you sustain us with your mighty grace;
you empower us with tender care.
Even when our hearts are broken,
even when our hands grow tired,
the might of your love is our power,
our joy, that carries us on.
In praise we remember this gift
as we proclaim the mystery at the heart of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ.
Bring into being by your grace
what only your grace can create.
Your listening heart be our hearts, your love be our nerve.
Send us into the neighborhoods of the world,
with your radiant presence at our center.
Amen.
-The Great Thanksgiving-
God of love, Creator of all that is and is yet to be,
your power shines in each person on earth,
each an image of your love.
You who breathe in us with love,
you give us the strength of your mercy.
You do not give up on your people,
though we struggle to find our way.
You invite us to this feast, to renew your Covenant with us,
so here at your table we sing your praise.
Holy, holy, holy One, God of power and love,
all Creation shimmers with your presence.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed are all who come in your love.
Amazing and beautiful! You save us!
Blessed is Jesus, your Christ,
who healed those who were wounded,
who bore the scars of injustice.
He came into dangerous neighborhoods,
and was killed there for his love.
But you raised him from the dead, and he lives with us still.
The Blessings and Covenant
In your Spirit you sustain us with your mighty grace;
you empower us with tender care.
Even when our hearts are broken,
even when our hands grow tired,
the might of your love is our power,
our joy, that carries us on.
In praise we remember this gift
as we proclaim the mystery at the heart of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ.
Bring into being by your grace
what only your grace can create.
Your listening heart be our hearts, your love be our nerve.
Send us into the neighborhoods of the world,
with your radiant presence at our center.
Amen.