HYMN Nearer, My God, to Thee 528 vss.

Thee 528 vss. 1,3,5 The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the
Quote for Reflection: country. Then people came to see what it was that had
The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, OPENING TO GOD De Profundis 516 happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting
and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had
remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope. the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had
Wendell Berry happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then
-We Listen for Gods Word- they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighborhood. As he was
getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by
-We Gather as Gods People- HEBREW SCRIPTURE Genesis 32:25-30 demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus
refused, and said to him, Go home to your friends, and tell
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until
HYMN Gather Us In 2236 them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy
daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against
God has shown you. And he went away and began to proclaim
Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacobs hip was put
in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and
CALL TO WORSHIP out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, Let me go,
everyone was amazed.
Gather us in, for the day is breaking. But Jacob said, I will not let you go,
the lost and the lonely, the broken and breaking, unless you bless me. So he said to him, What is your name?
And he said, Jacob. Then the man said, You shall no longer
the tired and aching, who long for the nourishment
held in Your hands.
be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and -We Respond to Gods Word-
with humans, and have prevailed. Then Jacob asked him,
Gather us in, Please tell me your name. But he said, Why is it that you ask REFLECTION Whats in a Name
the done and the doubting, the wishing and wondering, my name? And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place
the puzzled and pondering, who long for the company Peniel, saying, For I have seen God face to face, and yet my HYMN Be Still, My Soul 534
life is preserved.
held in Your hands.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORDS PRAYER
Gather us in,
the proud and pretentious, the sure and superior, GOSPEL LESSON Mark 5:1-20 SHARING OF GIFTS & DOXOLOGY
the never inferior, who long for the leveling They came to the other side of the lake, to the country of the
held in Your hands. Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat,
Gather us in, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met -We Are Sent Into Gods World-
the bright and the bustling, the stirrers, the shakers, him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him
any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained ANNOUNCEMENTS
the kind laughter makers, who long for the deeper joys
with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and
held in Your hands. the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to BENEDICTION
Gather us in, subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the
from corner or limelight, from mansion or campsite mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with RESPONSE What Wondrous Love Is This? 292
from fears and obsession, from tears and depression, stones. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
from untold excesses, from treasured successes, When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down
before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, What have What wondrous love is this
to meet, to greet, be offered a seat,
you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure that caused the Lord of life
be joined to the vine, be offered new wine, to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
you by God, do not torment me. For he had said to him, Come
to become like the least to be found at the feast. out of the man, you unclean spirit! Then Jesus asked him, to lay aside his crown for my soul!
Gather us in!

j
What is your name? He replied, My name is Legion; for we
are many. He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the
HYMN Spirit of God 2117 country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was
feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, Send us into the
PASSING THE PEACE swine; let us enter them. So he gave them permission. And the
unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, Essex Eats Out Schedule
numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank Mar 17 - St. James Mar 24- EUMC Mar 31 - St. Pius
YOUNG PEOPLES MESSAGE into the lake, and were drowned in the lake.
 Welcome to worship at Essex United Methodist Church
Were working to make a sacred space for every person
whatever their color, age, ability, orientation,
or stage on the spiritual journey.
We love to hear the sound of children, and offer nursery &
Sunday School after the Young Peoples message.
Essex UMC is less a place than it is a people-
yearning to deepen their connections to God
and to live out Christs love in the community and in the world.
We take prayer seriously at Essex United Methodist Church.
We dont pray because we think God is absent and needs cajoling.
We dont pray because we think God is a celestial Santa Claus.
We pray because that is how humans begin to discern Gods will.
We pray because prayer changes us; prayer opens us up
more and more to Gods grace and the movement
of Gods Spirit in our hearts, our community, our world. Whats in a Name?
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.
Ongoing Prayers Lifted Up Last Sunday
Michael Parker Patty - brother with glaucoma, that his

j
John & Nancy Bartlett vision can be saved
Judy & Diezela Dana - 8th grader with cancer
Matthew C. Midge - Ruthie
Birthdays & Anniversaries Brenda
Tim
Mar 12 - Marshall Stein Mar 14 - Jeremy LClair
Lenore
Mar 17 - Sally Jablonski Mar 18 - Steffen Parker
Ralph & LeeAnn
Keenan
Announcements
Arlitha
The Essex/Jericho/Underhill Food Shelf is in need of Vegetables Callie
(no green beans please though!), Soup, Peanut Butter, Tuna, Mac & Grace Naylor
Cheese, Baked Beans. Anne Kennison
Gloria McKeen
Jars Needed! A collection box for small, clean, label free baby jars
Mary Willard
is downstairs for recycling. We will refill them with fresh jam for
our holiday baskets. Questions, call Vickie (879-7515). Norma Strickland

Nursery Help Needed! Our church is blessed with the presence of

a number of toddlers and preschoolers. Our gallant nursery crew
aim to provide the parents of these children with some spiritual time
away from their little ones. Sally Jablonski, our nursery coordinator,
is looking for a couple more volunteers to help staff the nursery. If
you would like to help with this ministry please contact Sally at
sallyjablonski317@gmail.com or (319)321-2118 and she will take it
from there. (note: volunteers will need to have a background check.) Essex Center United Methodist Church
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
Prayer Cards are available on the narthex table-if you know www.essexumc.com
someone who you think would like to know we are thinking and Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
praying for them. Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no longer
get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor, Anne
Office Manager: Heidi Evans
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard Essex Center
Guitar: Richard Randazzo Song Leader: Dana Thomas
Kennison (new address: sticky labels with her new address available Projection: Sam Evans United Methodist Church
on Heidis desk), Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma Strickland, Greeters - Sally Jablonski
Nancy Bartlett. The other addresses are in the church directory. Ushers - John & Patty Mitchell, Jody Heffernan Second Sunday of Lent 2017
 Calendar Calendar Calendar
Mon, 13 Mar: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 13 Mar: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 13 Mar: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm.
The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

Tue, 14 Mar: Mitch is in Boston while Chloe is having Tue, 14 Mar: Mitch is in Boston while Chloe is having Tue, 14 Mar: Mitch is in Boston while Chloe is having
shoulder surgery, so no Office Hours, Phoenix shoulder surgery, so no Office Hours, Phoenix shoulder surgery, so no Office Hours, Phoenix
Books, or Mansfield Bible Study Books, or Mansfield Bible Study Books, or Mansfield Bible Study

Wed, 15 Mar: Administrative Council 6:30 pm (date change) Wed, 15 Mar: Administrative Council 6:30 pm (date change) Wed, 15 Mar: Administrative Council 6:30 pm (date change)

WoWW Luncheon, 11:30 AM at Pork & Pickles WoWW Luncheon, 11:30 AM at Pork & Pickles WoWW Luncheon, 11:30 AM at Pork & Pickles
(behind Karen's Kloset, 34 Park Street Essex Jct) (behind Karen's Kloset, 34 Park Street Essex Jct) (behind Karen's Kloset, 34 Park Street Essex Jct)

Thu, 16 Mar: Food Shelf Set Up 6:30 pm GSLC Thu, 16 Mar: Food Shelf Set Up 6:30 pm GSLC Thu, 16 Mar: Food Shelf Set Up 6:30 pm GSLC

Sat, 18 Mar: Food shelf Distribution 9:00 am, GSLC Sat, 18 Mar: Food shelf Distribution 9:00 am, GSLC Sat, 18 Mar: Food shelf Distribution 9:00 am, GSLC

Mon, 20 Mar: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 20 Mar: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 20 Mar: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm.
The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

Tues, 21 Mar: Office Hours Tues, 21 Mar: Office Hours Tues, 21 Mar: Office Hours
Phoenix Books: 10:00 to noon Phoenix Books: 10:00 to noon Phoenix Books: 10:00 to noon
Church: noon-1:30 pm Church: noon-1:30 pm Church: noon-1:30 pm

Mansfield Bible Study 2:00 pm Mansfield Bible Study 2:00 pm Mansfield Bible Study 2:00 pm

Trustees 7:00 pm Trustees 7:00 pm Trustees 7:00 pm

Wed, 22 Mar: Lenten Cinema: The Way Wed, 22 Mar: Lenten Cinema: The Way Wed, 22 Mar: Lenten Cinema: The Way
at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm. at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm. at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm.

Fri, 24 March: Essex Eats Out at EUMC 5:30 pm Fri, 24 March: Essex Eats Out at EUMC 5:30 pm Fri, 24 March: Essex Eats Out at EUMC 5:30 pm

Tues, 28 Mar: Pastor-Parish Relations Team 7:00 pm Tues, 28 Mar: Pastor-Parish Relations Team 7:00 pm Tues, 28 Mar: Pastor-Parish Relations Team 7:00 pm

Wed, 5 Apr: Lenten Cinema: Documentary-13th Wed, 5 Apr: Lenten Cinema: Documentary-13th Wed, 5 Apr: Lenten Cinema: Documentary-13th
at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm. at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm. at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm.

Holy Week Holy Week Holy Week

Sun, 9 Apr: Palm Sunday Service Sun, 9 Apr: Palm Sunday Service Sun, 9 Apr: Palm Sunday Service

Thur, 13 Apr: Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm Thur, 13 Apr: Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm Thur, 13 Apr: Maundy Thursday Service 7 pm

Fri, 14 Apr: Good Friday Tenebrae 7 pm Fri, 14 Apr: Good Friday Tenebrae 7 pm Fri, 14 Apr: Good Friday Tenebrae 7 pm

Sun, 16 Apr: Easter Sunday Sun, 16 Apr: Easter Sunday Sun, 16 Apr: Easter Sunday
Sunrise Service 6 am Sunrise Service 6 am Sunrise Service 6 am
Resurrection Celebration 10 am. Resurrection Celebration 10 am. Resurrection Celebration 10 am.
 Lenten Questions: Week Two
In the Bible, ones name is seen as a gateway to ones inner being.
In Genesis, the divine being asks Jacob, What is your name?
(Jacob means he who grabs the heel or supplanter.)
In Marks gospel, Jesus asks the Gerasene demoniac his name and
he answers My name is Legion, for we are many.
Because of his experience, Jacob is given a new name: Israel,
one who wrestles with God. The healed demoniac, we may
assume, regains his former name.
Take time this week to think about the following challenge:
If you could choose a name that reflected you inner being or
your relationship with God, what would it be? It might be a
proper name or an adjective or a title. Think of more than
one, and reflect on why you chose them.
_____________________________________________________
Lenten Questions: Week Two
In the Bible, ones name is seen as a gateway to ones inner being.
In Genesis, the divine being asks Jacob, What is your name?
(Jacob means he who grabs the heel or supplanter.)
In Marks gospel, Jesus asks the Gerasene demoniac his name and
he answers My name is Legion, for we are many.
Because of his experience, Jacob is given a new name: Israel,
one who wrestles with God. The healed demoniac, we may
assume, regains his former name.
Take time this week to think about the following challenge:
If you could choose a name that reflected you inner being or
your relationship with God, what would it be? It might be a
proper name or an adjective or a title. Think of more than
one, and reflect on why you chose them.
_____________________________________________________
Lenten Questions: Week Two
In the Bible, ones name is seen as a gateway to ones inner being.
In Genesis, the divine being asks Jacob, What is your name?
(Jacob means he who grabs the heel or supplanter.)
In Marks gospel, Jesus asks the Gerasene demoniac his name and
he answers My name is Legion, for we are many.
Because of his experience, Jacob is given a new name: Israel,
one who wrestles with God. The healed demoniac, we may
assume, regains his former name.
Take time this week to think about the following challenge:
If you could choose a name that reflected you inner being or
your relationship with God, what would it be? It might be a
proper name or an adjective or a title. Think of more than
one, and reflect on why you chose them.
_____________________________________________________