2005 Mercury Mountaineer Electronic Message Center

On Monday, when I started the vehicle it was cold (below freezing), the electronic message center displayed a "Testa". It then displayed a "Check Gauges" and all the gauges arms began to move up and down until they settled into a normal position. The electronic message center then displayed a series of code like messages with letters and numbers. Because I have not experienced this type of thing before, I pushed the reset button. This only advanced the system through its "Test." Once it started repeating itself (the gauges going up and down) I decided to hold the reset button down to see if it would reset itself back to the normal displays (i.E. Mileage, temp, fuel info etc.) And it did. I should also note that at this point that the car hesitated a bit before turning over. Again after work the same thing happened with the electronic message center and the starting up. Today, the temperature is just above freezing and I did not have any of the message center issues but the car hesitated slightly when I started it. I am thinking it is time for a new battery. The battery has never been replaced. Any other thoughts, ideas?