OPENING TO GOD Steve Garnaas-Holmes “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me

Quote for Reflection: for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to
You don’t see me according to my performance,

By salvation I mean, not barely according to how well I’ve done.
 give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to
(according to the vulgar notion) do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious
You see me with pure love, 

deliverance from hell, or going to heaven, because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first
but a present deliverance from sin, with perfect compassion.

will be last.’
a restoration of the soul to its primitive health … So I can throw away the dirty rags of my sin,

the renewal of our souls after the image of God dry the tears of my shame.

in righteousness and true holiness, There is only delight.

in justice, mercy, and truth. There is only blessing.
 -We Respond to God’s Word-
John Wesley
Help me to behold that love,
 REFLECTION A Prevenient Provocation
receive that compassion,

rest in that embrace,
 HYMN Depth of Mercy UMH 355
-We Gather as God’s People- let it become me.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORD’S PRAYER
HYMN God of Grace and God of Glory UMH 577
OFFERING & DOXOLOGY
CALL TO WORSHIP based on Psalm 65 -We Listen for God’s Word-
Come and worship,
GOSPEL Matthew 18:15-35
everyone on earth,
‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went -We Are Sent Into God’s World-
everywhere the sun shines,
out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After
let’s praise God together! ANNOUNCEMENTS
agreeing with the workers for a denarius per day, he sent them
For hearing when we call, into his vineyard.
answering our prayers, forgiving our mistakes, BENEDICTION
When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others
and providing what we need:
standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also RESPONSE What Wondrous Love Is This UMH 292, v. 1
let’s praise God together!
go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So
Come and worship, they went. When he went out again about noon and about three

j
everyone on earth, o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out
everywhere the sun shines, and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why
let’s praise God together! are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because
no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the
HYMN We Are Called FWS 2172 vineyard.” Birthdays & Anniversaries
When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his March 17: Sally Jablonski March 18: Steffen Parker
HYMN There’s a Spirit of Love in This Place W&S 3148 manager, “Call the workers and give them their pay, beginning March 20: Judy Hatin, Mitchell Hay March 21: Leif Johnsen
with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired March 24: Grant Corson, Vickie Casazza
PASSING THE PEACE about five o’clock came, each of them received a denarius. Now
when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but March 16: Richard and Marilyn Almeida anniv.
each of them also received a denarius. March 17: Sarah and Alexander Kepchar anniv.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE
And when they received it, they grumbled against the
TAIZÉ Lord Jesus Christ, Your Light Shines W&S 3137 landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you
have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the Essex Eats Out Schedule
day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them,
Mar 22 - EUMC Mar 29 - St. Pius X
 Announcements
COTS request from Mission Committee: Winter frigid nights
continue. The staff really appreciated our contributions of new
items. Biggest need is new linens, necessary toiletries, baby
wipes and warm mittens (they have enough hats). Red Tub in
We take prayer seriously at Essex United Methodist Church.
We don’t pray because we think God is absent and needs cajoling.
We don’t pray because we think God is a celestial Santa Claus.
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

PREVE
of God’s Spirit in our hearts, our community, our world.
Fellowship Hall is open-- full list is beside it.
Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
JUMP has requested donated items, needed by early April. Please keep them in your prayers at home.
Please bring any items you are able to donate to church and Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
leave in box labeled JUMP in fellowship hall. (List is on insert)

NIENT
Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont
Wood for Stricklands We need stacking help March 24 Arlitha Harley
Callie Gordon Mitchinson
Calendar Anne Kennison Susan

JUSTIF
Tuesdays: Pastor Is In @ Nest Coffee Shop 10 am - 11 am Mary Willard Tim
Jericho Clergy Group 11:30-12:30 Norma Strickland Lenore
Church Office 1 pm- 2 pm Judy & Diezela Michael Parker
Mt Mansfield Bible Study 2 pm Matthew C.

YINGS
Elissa & Leif Lifted Up Last Sunday
Thursdays: Church Office 10:00 am- noon Judy McDonald : Family of Theresa
Greg
j Paula DeMichele Randall who passed away and for her
traveling companion, Lorna.
Don Strickland
Mon, 18 Mar: Living the Questions 7:00 pm Subject: Trinity Marlene: Prayers that no one was hurt in

ANCTI
Ellie Uckele
Reading The Divine Dance by Richard Rohr Cole AM crash that she and Fred saw on way
to church
Tue, 19 Mar: No Nest, Office (DCOM Meeting)

j
No Mt. Mansfield (music event)

FYING
Trustees Meeting 7 pm

Wed, 21 May: Lenten Taizé & Lectio Divina Service, 7 pm Essex Center United Methodist Church
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304

GRACE
Sun, 24 Mar: Adult Sunday School: Wesley pt 3 8:45 am. www.essexumc.com

Dawn Leads Worship, 10 am. Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
Spiritual Gifts Class 1-4 pm cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net

Office Manager: Elissa Johnsen

Mon, 25 Mar: Monday Companions at Eve’s home, 7 pm.
Sunday School Coordinator: Krista Rochefort
Wesley Discussion
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard

Essex Center
Song Leader: Dana LaClair Projection: Sam Evans
Tue, 26 Mar: Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, 7 pm
Ushers: Barbara A, Eve, Janet Next Week: Liz & David R
Fri, Mar 29: WoWW Luncheon, at Mimmo’s, 11:30 am. Greeters: Claire N
Nursery Helper: Gail G
Next Week: Bill & Maureen W
Next Week: Claire N
Un-Tied Methodist Church
Tue, 2 April: No Nest, Office (Education event in NH) Sun. Sch. Helper: Emily Next Week: Liz R
Shoveling: Kevin H Next Week: Barb L 2nd Sunday of Lent 17 March 2019