We Gather as God’s People GOSPEL LESSON Mark 2:1-12

When he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was

have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. The days
will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and
HYMN This Is a Day of New Beginnings UMH 383 reported that he was at home. So many gathered around that then they will fast on that day.
there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the
“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak;
CALL TO WORSHIP door; and he was speaking the word to them. Then some
otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old,
One: In the beauty of this moment
 people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four
and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old
All: We worship you.
 of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because
wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the
One: In the fellowship of your people
 of the crowd, they removed the roof above him; and after
wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into
All: We worship you. having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the
fresh wineskins.”
One: In the presence of your Spirit
 paralytic lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the
All: We worship you.
 paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
SILENT REFLECTION
One: In the company of all creation
 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in I prayed sweeping debris away

All: We worship you.
 their hearts, “Why does this fellow speak in this way? It is "Please Lord, All those broken branches

One: Source, Savior, Spirit; Trinity in Unity
 blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” At once my life is a mess rust-encrusted items

All: We worship you. Jesus perceived in his spirit that they were discussing these let your love flow through me and accumulated debris

questions among themselves; and he said to them, “Why do and bring healing" which were holding
SPIRITUAL Over My Head FWS 2148 you raise such questions in your hearts? Which is easier, to And like a river back the flow

say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Stand cool refreshing water swept aside in a torrent of love

HYMN Standing on the Promises UMH 374
up and take your mat and walk’? But so that you may know you flowed through me. flooding through my veins

that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”— Not as a gentle stream pouring into my heart

PASSING THE PEACE
he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, stand up, take your a rivulet of hope filling my life.

mat and go to your home.” And he stood up, and immediately but a torrent This is healing.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE
took the mat and went out before all of them; so that they . Thank you, Lord
were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We have never
TAIZÉ In God Alone W&S 3135
seen anything like this!”
OPENING TO GOD ancient Scottish prayer
Deep peace of the running wave to you (breathe)

Jesus went out again beside the sea; the whole crowd gathered
around him, and he taught them. As he was walking along, he
We Respond to God’s Word
Deep peace of the flowing air to you (breathe)
 saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said REFLECTION Healed into Community
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you (breathe)
 to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you (breathe)
 HYMN Just a Closer Walk with Thee UMH 2158
And as he sat at dinner in Levi’s house, many tax collectors
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you, for ever.
and sinners were also sitting with Jesus and his disciples—for
there were many who followed him. When the scribes of the PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
Pharisees saw that he was eating with sinners and tax
We Listen for God’s Word collectors, they said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with OFFERTORY & DOXOLOGY
tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this, he said to
HEBREW SCRIPTURE Isaiah 43:18-21 them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but
Do not remember the former things, or consider the things
of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do
those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but We Are Sent Into God’s World
sinners.”
you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and ANNOUNCEMENTS
rivers in the desert. Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and
The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and BENEDICTION
ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not
desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I fast?” Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast RESPONSE What Child Is This UMH 219 vs. 1
formed for myself so that they might declare my praise. while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they
 Birthdays Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Jan 12: Sandra Sinkewicz; Moses Cleveland
Jan 15: Paua DeMichele
Jan 16: Ruth Bristol, Wally Skolochenko
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.

Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont.

Healed Into
Jan 18: Kristine Ericksen Callie
Anne Kennison
Mary Willard
Dorothy & Alex Doug
Carolyn V, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Madeline
Natalie and Joseph B.
Community
Office Hours
Norma Strickland
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11:30 am Judy & Diezel
Thursdays: Church Office 1:00 pm- 3:00 pm Matthew C. Lifted Up Last Sunday
Elissa & Leif Marilyn - Evelyn fell, has multiple
Calendar Greg fractures

Tue, 14 Jan: Memorial for Arlan Elwood, 11:00 am Paula DeMichele Dawn - Heffernan family on the loss of
Don Strickland Jody’s dad; prayers of support for
Mt. Mansfield Bible Study, 2 pm
Ellie Uckele Australia
Admin Board 7 pm
Cole Vickie - loss of Arlitha, comfort for her
Wed, 15 Jan: Mission Team Meeting at Paula’s, 11:30 am Gordon Mitchinson husband
Susan Mary - Kathy and family on the loss of
Thurs, 16 Jan: Thursday Companions, 2 pm Tim their father
Don Canady Judy - travelling mercies as Brian goes to
Sat, 18 Jan: Food Shelf. Essex UMC in charge! Harley Taiwan
Michael Parker Kathryn - for all struggling with
Sun, 19 Jan: Ecumenical Prayer Service and Meal, Faith Joyce Moore addiction; Jeremiah & Ashley as they
UMC, 4 pm (RSVP to info@vecncc.org) quit smoking

Mon, 20 Jan: Monday Companions at Eve’s, 7:00 pm

Tue, 21 Jan: Mansfield Bible Study, 2:00 pm.
Trustees Mtg, 7 pm.
Wed, 22 Jan: The Bible Project Read through Luke 9,7:00 pm.
27-29 Jan: Mitch will be at the Marie Josef Retreat Center
in Biddeford, ME for Innovate 2 class.
Essex Center Un-Tied Methodist Church
A Reconciling Congregation
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
Co-Lay Leaders: Joshua Knox & Donna Paffrath
Ministers: entire congregation Equipping Pastor: Mitchell Hay
cell/text: 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net

Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen

Tue, 28 Jan: No Nest; No Mansfield Bible Study Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard
Mon, 20 Jan: Monday Companions at Eve’s, 7:00 pm Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Bob McLane

4-7 Feb: Mitch at Board of Ordained Ministry Interviews Nursery Helper Gail G
Parent Helper: Danielle S
next week: Liz R
next week: Jan J
Essex Center
Greeters: Gail G
Ushers: Donna P & Paula P
next week: Jan J
next week: Heidi & Craig E
Un-Tied Methodist Church
Pulpit and Altar Coverings - given in memory of
Peggy Thompson by Norm Thompson.
12 January 2020 First Sunday after Epiphany