Expecetur sicut pluvia eloquium Domini:

et descendet super nos sicut ros Deus noster.

We open our hearts to that light,
and ask for help to shine with the brilliance of love.
-We Are Sent Into God’s World-
We light a second candle to remind us ANNOUNCEMENTS
We wait for the word of the Lord as we wait for the rains
of the light of justice in the words of the prophets
and our God shall down come upon us like gentle dew. BENEDICTION
We open our hearts to the light of justice,
Monastic Liturgy
and ask for help in making a just world.
RESPONSE Until Jesus Comes W&S 3050
We light a third candle to remind us of the magi,

j
-We Gather as God’s People- who call us to travel beyond our comfort to find the Christ
We open our hearts to your light,
CAROL O Come, O Come, Emmanuel UMH 211 and ask for help to carry that light into a dark world.
vss. 1, 3-5
CALL TO WORSHIP We light a fourth candle to remind us Essex Eats Out Schedule
Here we are in your house, Lord. that visions and angels may still light our way. Dec 29 - St. Pius X
Dare we ask you to move us? We open our hearts to light from heaven, and ask for help
Dare we ask you to fill us?
 in waking to your dream for creation. Birthdays & Anniversaries
Dare we ask you to build our souls
 four candles are lit Dec 25 - Art Bristol Dec 28 - Wendy Wright
into a home for you, Lord? All our waiting is a waiting for God. Dec 30 - Micah Lemmel-Hay
Rejoice like Mary! Dance from the depths of your soul!
 God of our hearts, we wait for you alone.
The Mighty One has done great things! Announcements
Holy is God's name.
 CANTICLE OF LIGHT & DARKNESS UMH 205, R3 Directories for 2018 are available in the narthex.
God showed mercy to our ancestors, mercy to our children.

God dethroned the masters and crowned the slaves.
 -We Listen for God’s Word- Food Shelf Needs: Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Mac &
Cheese, Canned Fruit
The Mighty One has done great things!
Mercy is God's name.
 NEW TESTAMENT LESSON Revelation 22
Behold, I am coming soon Prayer Cards on the narthex table-let someone know we are
God shone light on the tears of the dispossessed.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, thinking and praying for them.
God turned their sorrows into dancing.

the beginning and the end . . .
The Mighty One has done great things! I have sent my angel to you Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no
Redeemer is God's name.
 with this testimony for the churches. longer get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor,
God filled the mouth of the child in famine.
 I am the root and the bright morning star. Anne Kennison, Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma
God filled the promise of saving this world.
 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” Strickland, Nancy Bartlett.
The Mighty One has done great things! And let the hearers say, “Come.”
Fulfiller is God's name. And let the thirsty come, let the one who desires
take the water of life without price. Calendar
CAROL God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen W&S 3052 The one who testifies to these things says, Sun, 24 Dec: Christmas Eve Candle Light Service 6:00 pm
Surely I am coming soon.”
Tue, 26 Dec: Pastor is In- The Nest Coffee Shop 10am - noon
PASSING THE PEACE Church Office noon-2:00pm
-We Respond to God’s Word- No Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm
CAROL Like a Child FWS 2092
DRAMA A Night in Bethlehem Sun 31 Dec: Heifer Bank Collection
LIGHTING THE ADVENT CANDLE Wed, 3 Jan: No Green Mountain Nursing Home Service
CAROL What Child Is This UMH 219
The evening of the year is upon us.
We enter the darkness and wait for light’s return. Mon, 8 Jan: Monday Companions: Read to the end of The
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER Year of Small Things; at Eve’s home, 7:00 pm
We light one candle to remind us of God’s light
which has come to us all in Christ. Tue, 9 Jan: Admin. Board, 7:00 pm
OFFERING OF GIFTS & DOXOLOGY
 Here are people, places, & concerns folk have recently lifted up.
Christmas Poinsettias Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
Given by: in honor of: Ongoing Prayers Lifted Up Last Sunday
Roger & Kathy Dodge
Sarah Kepchar
Mark, Deborah & Evelyn Dodge
Janet
Tim
Lenore
Michael Parker
Wesley - son-in-law, David, cancer
diagnosis
Bob - friends & family of John Antos,
A Night in
Bethlehem
Wes & Ruth Bristol Our Children & Grandchildren
Keenan who passed
Chuck LaClair Jeremy & Dana LaClair
Arlitha Claire - family of Benjamin Brooks, who
Judy McDonald Greg & Jesse Churchill passed
Callie
Judy McDonald Emily & Nathan McDonald Grace Naylor Donna - thankful that now released from
Pat & John Mitchell Our Family Anne Kennison care of surgeon
Gloria McKeen David - thankful that family is back
Mary Willard home after end of semester
in memory of:
Norma Strickland Mitch - Chloe
Peggy White Jack White
Judy & Diezela Dawn - Richard, healing
Ron & Linda Deming Judy Deming
Matthew C.
Marjorie St John Stanley St John
Elissa & Leif
Heffernan Family Jane Elwood
Greg
Heffernan Family Kevin & Greta Heffernan Paula DeMichele
Wendy Wright Mary Moore Don Strickland
Evans Family Edith & Edwin Parsonage
Evans Family Maureen & Lindsey Evans
Mary Willard George C. and George M.
Willard & loved ones
Norm Thompson Peggy Thompson
Sally Jablonski Glen & Gene
Sarah Kepchar Janet
Wes & Ruth Bristol Our Parents
Bill & Maureen Wiegner Loved Ones
Chuck LaClair Larry LaClair
Vickie Casazza Joe Casazza, Bud & Ruth Roberts, Essex Center United Methodist Church
Charlotte Brown essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
Judy McDonald Dick McDonald, Marjorie Young www.essexumc.com
Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Gail Godfrey Wilma Patton, Gary & Jim Patton Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
Gail Godfrey Hector Boutin, Bill Godfrey cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
Office Manager: Heidi Evans
Claire Noble Douglas & Grace Jewett Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
Joe & Sherry Marcoux The Marcoux family & Guitar: Richard Randazzo Song Leader: Dana LaClair
Projection: Sam Evans, Bob McLane
The Sheltra family
Greeters - Bob McLane
Essex Center United Methodist Church
Nancy Nye & Barbara Hartshorn Richard & Irene Wood Ushers - Judy Wright, Barbara Audet, Larry Holmes 24 December 2017 Fourth Sunday of Advent