Quote for Reflection: -We Listen for Gods Word- Jesus began to weep.

for Gods Word- Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, See how he loved
him! But some of them said, Could not he who opened the eyes
So, friends, every day do something that won't compute. of the blind man have kept this man from dying?
Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. GOSPEL LESSON John 11:1-45
Take all that you have and be poor. Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a
Love someone who does not deserve it. . . . Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, Take away the
Practice resurrection. Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the stone. Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, Lord,
Wendell Berry Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother already there is a stench because he has been dead four days.
Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, Lord, he Jesus said to her, Did I not tell you that if you believed, you
whom you love is ill. . . . Accordingly, though Jesus loved would see the glory of God? So they took away the stone.
-We Gather as Gods People- Martha and her sister and Lazarus, after having heard that Lazarus . . . [Jesus] cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come out! The
was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. . . . dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth,
HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 384 When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, Unbind him,
the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two and let him go.
CALL TO WORSHIP Richardson & Africana miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary
We gather to worship you, to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus
O God who brings life where death has touched.
Lord, raise us up!
was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. -We Respond to Gods Word-
Martha said to Jesus, Lord, if you had been here, my brother
And breathe into us new life! would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you
REFLECTION Come Out, Wherever You Are
Blessed are you, O God, in whom nothing is wasted. whatever you ask of him. Jesus said to her, Your brother will
You salvage the remnant, the scrap, the shred. rise again. Martha said to him, I know that he will rise again in HYMN Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy 340
Lord, raise us up! the resurrection on the last day.
And breathe into us new life! Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Those PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE & THE LORDS PRAYER
You bless what is left from the consuming fire, who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone
the devouring flood, the shearing wind, the shifting earth. who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this? SHARING OF GIFTS & DOXOLOGY
Lord, raise us up! She said to him, Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah,
COMMUNION FWS 2257
And breathe into us new life! the Son of God, the one coming into the world.
All that remains returns to you and is reborn from you. When she had said this, she went back and called her sister
Blessed are you, O God, who brings life from the earth Mary, and told her privately, The Teacher is here and is calling
for you. And when she heard it, she got up quickly and went to
-We Are Sent Into Gods World-
and will return it to the earth once again.
Lord, raise us up! him. Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still at
And breathe into us new life! the place where Martha had met him. The Jews who were with BENEDICTION
her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary get up quickly and go
out. They followed her because they thought that she was going to RESPONSE What Wondrous Love Is This? 292
SPIRITUAL Oh, I Know the Lord 2139
the tomb to weep there. What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
SPIRITUAL Im So Glad 2151 When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at What wondrous love is this
his feet and said to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother that caused the Lord of bliss
YOUNG PEOPLES MESSAGE would not have died. to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!
QUIETING Precious Lord, Take My Hand 474
her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply

j
moved. He said, Where have you laid him? They said to him,
CONFESSION Psalm 130 848
Lord, come and see.
 Announcements
We take prayer seriously at Essex United Methodist Church.
We dont pray because we think God is absent and needs cajoling. One Great Hour of Sharing. The are envelopes in the bulletin
We dont pray because we think God is a celestial Santa Claus. today for the Special Offering, or you can put a check in the plate.
We pray because that is how humans begin to discern Gods will.
We pray because prayer changes us; prayer opens us up
This offering supports the work of UMCOR disaster relief. Come Out, Come Out
more and more to Gods grace and the movement
of Gods Spirit in our hearts, our community, our world.
Easter Flowers. If you would like to purchase & bring flowers to
decorate the altar for Easter, please have them here by 10 am on Sat, Wherever You Are:
15 April. Please put your name on the pot so that you can take it
Below are people, places, & concerns that folk have lifted up.
Please keep them in your prayers at home.
home after worship. There is a sign-up list for the names of loved
ones to be honored/remembered in the Easter bulletin.
The Raising of Lazarus
Please call or email the church office to add to the prayer list.
The Essex/Jericho/Underhill Food Shelf is in need of Vegetables
Ongoing Prayers Ongoing Prayers, cont.
(no green beans please though!), Soup, Peanut Butter, Tuna, Mac &
Tim Judy & Diezela Cheese, Baked Beans.
Lenore Matthew C.
Brenda Jars Needed! A collection box for small, clean, label free baby jars
Michael Parker
is downstairs for recycling. We will refill them with fresh jam for
Ralph & LeeAnn our holiday baskets. Questions, call Vickie (879-7515).
Keenan Lifted Up Last Sunday
Arlitha Family of EHS student who passed away Nursery Help Needed! Our church is blessed with toddlers and
Callie Kathryn - caregivers preschoolers! Our gallant nursery crew aim to provide the parents of
these children with some spiritual time away from their little ones.
Grace Naylor Judy M - friend, Joanne, surgery Sally Jablonski, our nursery coordinator, is looking for a couple
Anne Kennison Donna - Jason & Kirk more volunteers to help staff the nursery. If you would like to help
Gloria McKeen Emily - passing of Matt Young, who please contact Sally at sallyjablonski317@gmail.com or
Mary Willard advocated tirelessly for the homeless (319)321-2118 (volunteers will need to have a background check.)
Norma Strickland community
Prayer Cards are available on the narthex table-if you know
John & Nancy Bartlett Kathryn - Mary, loss of her mom someone who you think would like to 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
Birthdays & Anniversaries Kennison (new address: sticky labels with her new address available
on Heidis desk), Gloria McKeen, Mary Willard, Norma Strickland,
April 2 - Alan Nye April 6 - Kathryn Parker Nancy Bartlett. The other addresses are in the church directory.
April 8 - Steffen & Kathryn Parker Anniversary

Essex Center United Methodist Church

Essex Eats Out Schedule
Apr 7 - First Congreg.
Apr 21 - St. James
Apr 14 - Holy Family
Apr 28 - EUMC
essex_umc@comcast.net tel. 878-8304
www.essexumc.com
Ministers: the entire congregation Lay Leader: Joshua Knox
Equipping Pastor: Rev. V. Mitchell Hay
cell tel. 881-3268 (feel free to call) mitchellhay@comcast.net
Office Manager: Heidi Evans
Organ: Kathryn Parker Piano: June Packard Essex Center
Guitar: Richard Randazzo Song Leader: Dana Thomas
Projection: Sam Evans
United Methodist Church
Greeters - Ron & Linda Deming
Ushers - Fred & Marlene Hodgdon, Dawn Hill-Fleury Fifth Sunday of Lent 2017
 Calendar Calendar Calendar
Sun, 2 April: One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering Sun, 2 April: One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering Sun, 2 April: One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering

Mon, 3 Apr: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 3 Apr: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 3 Apr: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm.
Finish The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis Finish The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis Finish The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis

Tue, 4 Mar: Office Hours Tue, 4 Mar: Office Hours Tue, 4 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

Wed, 5 Apr: Green Mountain Nursing Home service 2:30 pm Wed, 5 Apr: Green Mountain Nursing Home service 2:30 pm Wed, 5 Apr: Green Mountain Nursing Home service 2:30 pm

Lenten Cinema: Documentary-13th Lenten Cinema: Documentary-13th Lenten Cinema: Documentary-13th

at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm. at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm. at Essex UMC, 6:30 pm.

Thu, 6 Apr: Thursday Companions in Lounge. 2:00 pm. Thu, 6 Apr: Thursday Companions in Lounge. 2:00 pm. Thu, 6 Apr: Thursday Companions in Lounge. 2:00 pm.
Studying Paul Was Not a Christian Studying Paul Was Not a Christian Studying Paul Was Not a Christian

Food Shelf Set Up, GSLC 6:30 pm (note date) Food Shelf Set Up, GSLC 6:30 pm (note date) Food Shelf Set Up, GSLC 6:30 pm (note date)

Sat, 8 Apr: Food Shelf Distribution, GSLC 9:00 am Sat, 8 Apr: Food Shelf Distribution, GSLC 9:00 am Sat, 8 Apr: Food Shelf Distribution, GSLC 9:00 am
Lenten Supper w/ Coptic Orthodox friends, 5 pm Lenten Supper w/ Coptic Orthodox friends, 5 pm Lenten Supper w/ Coptic Orthodox friends, 5 pm

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

Mon, 10 Apr: Taiz Service Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Mon, 10 Apr: Taiz Service Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Mon, 10 Apr: Taiz Service Cathedral Church of St. Paul,
Cherry Street, Burlington 7:00 pm Cherry Street, Burlington 7:00 pm Cherry Street, Burlington 7:00 pm

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.

Mon, 17 Apr: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 17 Apr: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm. Mon, 17 Apr: Monday Companions at Eves 7:00 pm.

Tue 18 AprilThu, 27 April: Pastor Mitch will be in KS for his Tue 18 AprilThu, 27 April: Pastor Mitch will be in KS for his Tue 18 AprilThu, 27 April: Pastor Mitch will be in KS for his
fathers 80th birthday. He then will be in MA for Board of fathers 80th birthday. He then will be in MA for Board of fathers 80th birthday. He then will be in MA for Board of
Ordained Ministry Interviews of Candidates. Ordained Ministry Interviews of Candidates. Ordained Ministry Interviews of Candidates.

Sun, 23 Apr: Zach Hoag leads worship. 10:00 am Sun, 23 Apr: Zach Hoag leads worship. 10:00 am Sun, 23 Apr: Zach Hoag leads worship. 10:00 am

Fri, 28 Apr: WoWW Luncheon - at Pork & Pickle (behind Fri, 28 Apr: WoWW Luncheon - at Pork & Pickle (behind Fri, 28 Apr: WoWW Luncheon - at Pork & Pickle (behind
Karen's Kloset on Park Street) 11:30am Karen's Kloset on Park Street) 11:30am Karen's Kloset on Park Street) 11:30am
 Lenten Questions: Week Five
God said to me, Mortal, can these bones live?
I answered, O Lord God, you know.
Then God said to me, Prophesy to these bones,
and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Thus says the Lord God to these bones:
I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
Ezekiel 37.3-5
Take time this week to think about the following challenge:
The second traditional reading for this Sunday is the famous Dry
Bones scene from Ezekiel. Take a few minutes to to read it. (Out
loud is best!) Then spend some time with the reflections and
questions below from Steve Gaarnaas-Holmes:
There are parts of you,
maybe great parts,
that have withered and died.
Maybe spiritual gifts that you have buried,
a face of yourself you have closeted,
wounds ignored, hopes starved.
Some have passed on, forever.
But some, God may breathe life into.
God may bring bone to bone and sinew to sinew.
You may be aware of it; a daily ache.
Or it may be unknown to you,
a hidden mystery.
What part of you is God bringing back to life?
Where is God's breath blowing,
the dry bones moving?
Don't direct the wind.
Don't even worry where it is.
Just prophesy to the dry bones.
Speak hope.
Be open to the miracle.
Let God breathe, and wait.
j j
Lenten Questions: Week Five
God said to me, Mortal, can these bones live?
I answered, O Lord God, you know.
Then God said to me, Prophesy to these bones,
and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Thus says the Lord God to these bones:
I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
Ezekiel 37.3-5
Take time this week to think about the following challenge:
The second traditional reading for this Sunday is the famous Dry
Bones scene from Ezekiel. Take a few minutes to to read it. (Out
loud is best!) Then spend some time with the reflections and
questions below from Steve Gaarnaas-Holmes:
There are parts of you,
maybe great parts,
that have withered and died.
Maybe spiritual gifts that you have buried,
a face of yourself you have closeted,
wounds ignored, hopes starved.
Some have passed on, forever.
But some, God may breathe life into.
God may bring bone to bone and sinew to sinew.
You may be aware of it; a daily ache.
Or it may be unknown to you,
a hidden mystery.
What part of you is God bringing back to life?
Where is God's breath blowing,
the dry bones moving?
Don't direct the wind.
Don't even worry where it is.
Just prophesy to the dry bones.
Speak hope.
Be open to the miracle.
Let God breathe, and wait.
Lenten Questions: Week Five
God said to me, Mortal, can these bones live?
I answered, O Lord God, you know.
Then God said to me, Prophesy to these bones,
and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.
Thus says the Lord God to these bones:
I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.
Ezekiel 37.3-5
Take time this week to think about the following challenge:
The second traditional reading for this Sunday is the famous Dry
Bones scene from Ezekiel. Take a few minutes to to read it. (Out
loud is best!) Then spend some time with the reflections and
questions below from Steve Gaarnaas-Holmes:
There are parts of you,
maybe great parts,
that have withered and died.
Maybe spiritual gifts that you have buried,
a face of yourself you have closeted,
wounds ignored, hopes starved.
Some have passed on, forever.
But some, God may breathe life into.
God may bring bone to bone and sinew to sinew.
You may be aware of it; a daily ache.
Or it may be unknown to you,
a hidden mystery.
What part of you is God bringing back to life?
Where is God's breath blowing,
the dry bones moving?
Don't direct the wind.
Don't even worry where it is.
Just prophesy to the dry bones.
Speak hope.
Be open to the miracle.
Let God breathe, and wait.
j