Quote for Reflection: We Listen for God’s Word The Slanderer said to him, ‘If you are the

The Slanderer said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God,
command this stone to become a loaf of bread.’
What are all these insane borders we protect? TORAH Genesis 2-3 excerpts Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, One does not live by bread
What are all these different names for the same church of love YHWH God formed the human one (adam) from the dust alone.’
we kneel in together?   For it is true, together we live; and only
at that shrine where all are welcome will God sing of the ground (adamah), and breathed into its nostrils the Then the Slanderer led him up and showed him in an instant
loud enough to be heard. ruach, the breath of life; and the human one became nephesh,
all the kingdoms of the world. And the Slanderer said to him,
a living being . . . ‘To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has
St. Teresa of Avila
YHWH God took the human one and put it in the garden been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you,
of Eden to till it and keep it. And YHWH God commanded then, will worship me, it will all be yours.’
We Gather as God’s People the human one, “You may freely eat of every tree of the
garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you
Jesus answered him, ‘It is written, Worship the Lord your
God, and serve only the Lord.’
HYMN Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days UMH 269 shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” . . .
Then the Slanderer took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of
CALL TO WORSHIP Desert Prayer Jan L. Richardson animal that YHWH God had made. It said to the woman, “Did
God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, He will
O God, we come stumbling into the desert wilderness of Lent. God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The
command his angels concerning you, to protect you, and On
We come lost, confused, doubting, wondering, wandering. woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your
trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit
But we come trusting the hand that made the world: foot against a stone.’
of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you
Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. touch it, or you shall die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, Do not put the Lord your God
We come trusting the Spirit that breathes life: “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your to the test.’
Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief. eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good When the Slanderer had finished every test, he departed from
We come trusting the love that will not let me go: and evil.” him until a more opportune time.
Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief.
We come trusting the promise of the Word made flesh. MUSIC Hymn for the Exiled Anais Mitchell
Lord, we believe. Help our unbelief.
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, We Respond to God’s Word
SPIRITUAL Come Out the Wilderness UMH 416 and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be
desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she REFLECTION This Lonesome Valley
also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they SPIRITUAL Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley FWS 2112
were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made
OPENING TO GOD Desert Prayer Jan L. Richardson loincloths for themselves PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
I am not asking you to take this wilderness from me,
 OFFERING & DOXOLOGY
They heard the sound of YHWH God walking in the
to remove this place of starkness
 garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man (Ish)
where I come to know the wildness within me,
 and the woman (Isha) hid themselves from the presence of
where I learn to call the names
 YHWH God among the trees of the garden. But YHWH God We Are Sent Into God’s World
of the ravenous beasts that pace inside me,
 called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said,
to finger the brambles that snake through my veins,
 ‘I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, ANNOUNCEMENTS
to taste the thirst that tugs at my tongue. because I was naked; and I hid myself.’ BENEDICTION
But send me tough angels, sweet wine,

strong bread:
 PSALTER Psalm 25:1-10 UMH 756 R2 RESPONSE What Wondrous Love Is This? UMH 292
just enough. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!

GOSPEL Luke 4:1-13 What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and What wondrous love is this

SILENT PRAYER was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he that caused the Lord of bliss

was tempted by the Slanderer. He ate nothing at all during those to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,

WORDS OF ASSURANCE & PARDON days, and when they were over, he was famished.
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
 Calendar Here are people, places, & concerns folk have recently lifted
up. Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Mon, 19 Feb: Monday Companions: The Book of Joy Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
pp. 81-190, at Eve’s home, 7:00 pm.
Ongoing Prayers Lifted Up Last Sunday
Tue, 20 Feb: Pastor is In- The Nest Coffee Shop 10am - noon
Tim Dawn - Nancy Nye, Marjorie & Judy M
Church Office noon-2:00pm Lenore Wes - son-in-law, David, cancer &
Michael Parker collapsed lung
Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm
Keenan Judy - grandson will, celebrating his 7th

Lonesome Valley
Trustees Meeting at 7 pm Arlitha birthday
Callie Judy M - sleep issues following surgery
Sun, 25 Feb: Adult Class, Understanding the Bible, 8:45 am Grace Naylor
Second Sunday in Lent, worship at 10:00 am Anne Kennison
Gloria McKeen
Mary Willard
Tue, 27 Feb: Pastor is In- The Nest Coffee Shop 10am - noon
Norma Strickland
Church Office noon-2:00pm Judy & Diezela
Matthew C.
Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm
Elissa & Leif
Thu, 1 Mar: Church Office noon-2:00pm Greg
Paula DeMichele
Thursday Companions, The Book of Joy
in Church Parlor, 2:00 pm Don Strickland
Ellie Uckele
Sun, 4 Mar: Adult Class, Understanding the Bible, 8:45 am

Third Sunday in Lent, worship at 10:00 am

Mon, 5 Mar: Town Meeting; No Monday Companions

Tue, 6 Mar: Pastor is In- The Nest Coffee Shop 10am - noon
Church Office noon-2:00pm

Mansfield Place Bible Study 2:00pm

Wed, 7 Mar: Green Mountain Nursing Home, 2:30 pm Essex Center United Methodist Church
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
Sun, 4 Mar: Daylight Savings Time Begins. Spring forward! Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
Adult Class, Understanding the Bible, 8:45 am cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net

Fourth Sunday in Lent, worship at 10:00 am

Office Manager: Heidi Evans
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard Essex Center
Guitar: Richard Randazzo Song Leader: Dana Thomas
Thu 15 Mar: Food Shelf Set Up, 6:0 pm GSLC Projection: Sam Evans United Methodist Church
Greeter - Norm Thompson
Sat, 17 Mar: Food Shelf Distribution, 9:00 am, GSLC Ushers - Bill & Maureen Wiegner, Wes Bristol 18 February 2018 First Sunday of Lent
Dear members and friends of EUMC,
The groundhog saw his shadow, so we know there’s at least
another 6 weeks of winter headed our way.....tough times for the
homeless. But places like COTS provide emergency shelter,
prevention assistance, transitional and permanent housing for
those who are homeless and marginally housed. The open hearts
of our church have provided enough for 2 carloads, and we’re
getting ready to make another trip soon.
Here’s a partial list of things they welcome, NEW only please:
Bath towels, wash cloths
Full and twin sheets, blankets, comforters, pillow cases
Gift cards for: groceries, clothing, shoes, pharmacy, gas.
Shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, toothbrushes, deodorant,
foot powder, lotion, baby wipes, sunscreen, pads, tampons
Adults hats and gloves, socks
Thanks for all your past, present and future kindness and gifts!
Paula Pickering
Essex Eats Out Schedule
Feb 16 - St James Feb 23 - EUMC Mar 1- 1st Congreg.
Mar 9 - Holy Family Mar 16 - St James March 23 - EUMC
Mar 30 - St Pius
Announcements
2018 Directories & New Usher Greeter Schedule for March &
April 2018 are in Narthex
Food Shelf Needs: Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Mac &
Cheese, Canned Fruit
Prayer Cards on the narthex table; let someone know we are
thinking and praying for them.
Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no
longer get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor,
Anne Kennison, Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma
Strickland, Nancy Bartlett.
Dear members and friends of EUMC,
The groundhog saw his shadow, so we know there’s at least
another 6 weeks of winter headed our way.....tough times for the
homeless. But places like COTS provide emergency shelter,
prevention assistance, transitional and permanent housing for
those who are homeless and marginally housed. The open hearts
of our church have provided enough for 2 carloads, and we’re
getting ready to make another trip soon.
Here’s a partial list of things they welcome, NEW only please:
Bath towels, wash cloths
Full and twin sheets, blankets, comforters, pillow cases
Gift cards for: groceries, clothing, shoes, pharmacy, gas.
Shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, toothbrushes, deodorant,
foot powder, lotion, baby wipes, sunscreen, pads, tampons
Adults hats and gloves, socks
Thanks for all your past, present and future kindness and gifts!
Paula Pickering
Essex Eats Out Schedule
Feb 16 - St James Feb 23 - EUMC Mar 1- 1st Congreg.
Mar 9 - Holy Family Mar 16 - St James March 23 - EUMC
Mar 30 - St Pius
Announcements
2018 Directories & New Usher Greeter Schedule for March &
April 2018 are in Narthex
Food Shelf Needs: Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Mac &
Cheese, Canned Fruit
Prayer Cards on the narthex table; let someone know we are
thinking and praying for them.
Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no
longer get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor,
Anne Kennison, Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma
Strickland, Nancy Bartlett.
Dear members and friends of EUMC,
The groundhog saw his shadow, so we know there’s at least
another 6 weeks of winter headed our way.....tough times for the
homeless. But places like COTS provide emergency shelter,
prevention assistance, transitional and permanent housing for
those who are homeless and marginally housed. The open hearts
of our church have provided enough for 2 carloads, and we’re
getting ready to make another trip soon.
Here’s a partial list of things they welcome, NEW only please:
Bath towels, wash cloths
Full and twin sheets, blankets, comforters, pillow cases
Gift cards for: groceries, clothing, shoes, pharmacy, gas.
Shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors, toothbrushes, deodorant,
foot powder, lotion, baby wipes, sunscreen, pads, tampons
Adults hats and gloves, socks
Thanks for all your past, present and future kindness and gifts!
Paula Pickering
Essex Eats Out Schedule
Feb 16 - St James Feb 23 - EUMC Mar 1- 1st Congreg.
Mar 9 - Holy Family Mar 16 - St James March 23 - EUMC
Mar 30 - St Pius
Announcements
2018 Directories & New Usher Greeter Schedule for March &
April 2018 are in Narthex
Food Shelf Needs: Spaghetti Sauce, Peanut Butter, Mac &
Cheese, Canned Fruit
Prayer Cards on the narthex table; let someone know we are
thinking and praying for them.
Cards & Calls: The following church members, who can no
longer get out, would appreciate a card or a call - Grace Naylor,
Anne Kennison, Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma
Strickland, Nancy Bartlett.