A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 5/17/20 were $ 1070, which includes $150. received in memory of Pat Liao. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks. As always, please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________ Congregation Survey - Re-Opening Our Church Since the onset of the Covid-19 corona virus, churches throughout the world have been forced to close their physical doors and cease having church services in our sanctuaries. Thankfully, through modern technology, we have been able to continue to provide a worship service each week. While these Zoom services have been inspirational in many ways, it is not the same as worshiping together in person. To date, the State of Vermont has been very successful in keeping the spread of the virus to a minimum, although the United Church was indeed tragically affected with the death of Pat Liao. With current numbers of new cases hovering near zero, the governor of Vermont, Phil Scott, has given the okay for churches to reopen under certain guidelines. The Church Executive Board has been discussing and have met to see whether we are ready and willing to reopen the church for services each Sunday. While the Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ is unsure about when they think churches should reopen, some of the members of the board are in favor. We are in the process of preparing a plan that would, following guidelines of the State of Vermont and the CDC, allow us to do that while keeping the church building safe for public assembly. This plan will include keeping the church clean and sanitary, having guidelines as to the use of face masks and sanitizers, and maintaining seating and procedures that help us in practicing social distancing. We will extend a more detailed outline of the plan to everyone before our reopening. The plan will also include continuing to offer the service each week online, so that more members who are unable to attend in person will be able to share our worship with us. This plan is certainly contingent upon Pastor Harpster being willing to preach in person. We want to hear how the church members feel about this important decision, so we have put together a simple questionnaire which you will find at the end of this email. We ask you to please complete the survey, as this will help us to be sure we are offering the safest and most timely reopening possible. We would ask that each family member complete the survey. The Board will be meeting again on June 17 to discuss this matter and would appreciate your response ASAP so that we can include them in our discussion. We certainly encourage you to contact Laura Lienhard or Dean Alexander, if you have questions, comments or concerns about the survey. We do intend to follow this email with a phone call to be sure everyone has seen and understands the process. Dean Alexander Laura Lienhard diggerda@aol.com laura_lienhard@hotmail.com 802-228-2442 802-236-7310 Zoom Church Services Continue IMPORTANT… PLEASE NOTE Below: Beginning May 30th, 2020, Zoom will be enabling GCM encryption across the entire Zoom platform, providing increased protection for meeting data. In order to join the church service this Sunday, you will need to have Zoom 5.0 on your computer or device. If you do not have Zoom 5.0 when you try to join our church meeting on Sunday, you will receive notice of a required forced update. It should be simple and you will be directed to download the new version to your computer or device. You will get a message to do this and be asked to simply click yes to download the 5.0 version. We have not seen the directions but believe it will be self-explanatory and should only take a few minutes. We wanted to let you know this before you suddenly found out on Sunday. This is supposed to make the platform safer to use and help to reduce the possibility of intruders! Zoom Service United Church of Ludlow Although we will not be together in person for our Service, we will be having a Zoom service, complete with music, on May 31, 2020 at 10:00 am. If you would like to participate in the service, please do not hesitate to call us at one of the numbers below before Sunday: Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 Home phone: 802-228-6275 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also available as .pdf documents which you can download when you receive an email invitation to the Zoom service. Hopefully we will see you in church! George and Linda ____________________________________________________________ May 31, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP PENTECOST SUNDAY PRELUDE: Praise Him, Praise Him Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer John Troutman GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP Come together now in this time and in our homes joining hands and hearts. May each of us gather in from distant places to share a celebration of Pentecost, remembering the birth of the Christian Church. Holy Spirit, focus our love and weave us together holding fast to the mystery and preciousness of life. We praise God for the Holy Spirit which fills us at this moment. HYMN 192 There’s a Spirit in the Air” Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF INVOCATION One: Let us pray: Many: out loud, but muted Dear Creator of heaven and earth, be with us as we worship and praise your name. Be with us as we gather as a community of God, asking that the Holy Spirit to descend on us as it did in that upper room of our ancestors so many years ago. Dear Holy Spirit, sustain us and your world. WORDS OF CONFESSIONS, THANKSGIVING FOR FORGIVENESS One: We humbly come before you, authentically and fully as your children, including all that has separated us from you and each other. We asked for the healing of forgiveness for the ways in which we fall short. Silence Many: out loud, but muted Thank you for the assurance of forgiveness as we resolve to do better as a family of God with you and with one another. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE Lesson One Acts 2:1-21 Lesson Two 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 SERMON “Unraveled by Uncertainty” HYMN 420 Breathe on Me, Breath of God Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 500 Sprit of God, Descend Upon My Heart BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: Prelude in C Major Composer, J. S. Bach Lyrics to the Hymns for the Church Service on May 31, 2020 There's a Spirit in the Air 1. There's a spirit in the air, telling Christians everywhere: 'Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world!' 2. Lose your shyness, find your tongue, tell the world what God has done: God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today! Breathe on me, Breath of God 1 Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou doest love, and do what Thou would do. 2 Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours, to do and to endure. Spirit of God 1 Spirit of God, descend upon my heart, wean it from sin, through all its pulses move. Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, and make me love Thee as I ought to love. 2 Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King, love you with all our heart and strength and mind? I see thy cross there teach my heart to cling. O let me seek Thee and O let me find! No one can take your memories from you – each day is a new beginning, making good memories every day.” - Catherine Pulsifer Zoom Service United Church of Ludlow Although we will not be together in person for our Service, we will be having a Zoom service, complete with music, on May 24, 2020 at 10:00 am. If you would like to participate in the service, please do not hesitate to call us at one of the numbers below before Sunday: Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 Home phone: 802-228-6275 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also available as .pdf documents which you can download when you receive an email invitation to the Zoom service. Hopefully we will see you in church! George and Linda ____________________________________________________________________ A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns Phyllis Bont has been moved to the rehab facility at Mt Ascutney Pam Dundy is back at home recovering from pneumonia In our own community let us keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________ May 24, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY PRELUDE Duo On Hyfrydol Paul S Jones, Composer/arranger GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP In this land of freedom and beauty, let us give thanks to God. Let us praise the Holy One who created the blue lakes and grassy prairies, the vast desert lands, and the breathtaking mountains of our homeland. Let us unite in worship of the Creator who formed all lands and all people. And who declared without hesitation, “It is good.” HYMN 696 America the Beautiful Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF INVOCATION O God, who is, and was, and is to come, before whose face the generations rise and pass away: Be to us a cloud by day and a fire by night. O the Source of peace and righteousness take now the veil from every heart and join us in one fellowship with Your prophets and saints who have trusted in You; and in this hour of devotion accept our humble worship of Your great Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 46 THE GOSPEL LESSON John 17: 1-11 SERMON “The Creative Process” HYMN 710 Faith of Our Fathers Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 431 Let There Be Peace on Earth BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: Stars and Stripes Forever Composer, John Phillip Sousa United States Marine Band _______________________________________________________________ Hymns for May 24 Service America the Beautiful Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea. Oh, beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat, Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law. Faith of our Fathers Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword, Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy, Whene’er we hear that glorious word. [Chorus] Faith of our fathers, holy faith, We will be true to thee till death! Faith of our fathers, we will strive To win all nations unto thee, And thru the truth that comes from God, Mankind shall then be truly free. [Chorus] Faith of our fathers, holy faith, We will be true to thee till death! Let there be peace on earth Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me Let There Be Peace on Earth The peace that was meant to be With God as our Father Brothers all are we Let me walk with my brother In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me Let this be the moment now. With ev'ry step I take Let this be my solemn vow To take each moment and live Each moment in peace eternally Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me ______________________________________________________________ Attached is an interesting article from the VTCUCC (Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ) which hopefully you will find helpful and reassuring. Finding Our New Normal April 20, 2020 by Susan Beaumont Crisis moments call for strong, decisive action—people want to know that someone is in charge and things are being managed. But once the initial crisis calms, a period of disorientation sets in as we find our way to a new normal. The resolute leadership style that worked well during the initial crisis won’t work well in this ongoing unsettled space. We are in a liminal season, stuck between an ending and a new beginning. The pathway forward is not knowable. The way we “did church” even two months ago is done. We have literally been thrown out of our buildings by a pandemic. We can reassure people (and ourselves) by pretending the disruption is temporary. “We will resume all normal activity soon.” That reassurance is not helpful or truthful. No one knows what normal looks like after sheltering in place. Likely, we will resume many familiar things, but congregational life will not be the same. We are disoriented and confused. There is grief and loss. This season requires a different leadership stance. Our actions must originate from a new center—a less busy and more yielding, soulful place. The following five practices can help you lead more effectively as you discover the next, new normal with your congregation. 1. Surrender To surrender is to yield. We accept this moment as “just the place we need to be” to learn what is most important now. To surrender does not mean giving up or giving in. It does not mean we languish or grow lazy—quite the opposite. It means we lean into the disorientation and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit. Striving, rather than surrender, was the mood of the first season of this crisis. Striving is the act of working harder and longer to prove mastery, merit and worth. We hoped that our industriousness could protect people from the difficult, adaptive work ahead. Through our own hard work and determination, we figured out how to put church online. We toiled to demonstrate our care for people when we could not be physically present with them. We learned new ways to connect those in need. We’ve done good industrious work. But now we find ourselves beyond the limits of our own resourcefulness and knowing. This next season requires adaptive learning—for leaders and followers alike. Learning begins with surrender. I acknowledge that I don’t have answers. I yield my spirit to God’s leading and invite my congregation to do the same. We attend to all that arises in response to our surrender. 2. Use the Disorientation All innovation begins with disorientation. People must let the old status quo fail before we can embrace innovation. We should acknowledge that the status quo failed us some time ago. We’ve been falsely clinging to the old normal because there was too much pain in letting go. The pandemic has thrown us into deep disorientation. Now, we have no choice but to let go of the old normal. We occupy space on both sides of a threshold. One foot is rooted in something trying to end; another is planted in a thing not yet defined, something waiting to begin. We cling to structures, identities and relationships formed by our old experiences, although we know that those processes and practices will not serve us adequately moving forward. It would be a mistake to shore up the old structures and practices as things get “back to normal.” We need to take advantage of this moment to let old things die, to experiment, to take risks and learn. 3. Invite Meaning-Making Humans cannot live without meaning. The greater our sense of uncertainty, the more desperately we grasp for a handhold, a shred of something that reminds us of who we are and where we have been. People need help interpreting the present moment given their shared past. Part of this work is theological in nature. People grapple with the deep questions of our faith. Where is God when people are suffering? Why are we here? Is God punishing the world? Listen. Sharpen your theological edge and shape the conversations happening around you. Beyond that, locate this moment in the history of your specific context. When have your people endured a moment reminiscent of this one? What higher values did they bring to that moment? How might those same values guide them now? 4. Define One Good Next Step People need to know that they are pursuing something that matters now; worthy work, a shared common cause, or a sense of rootedness to something enduring. This is especially important when we can’t plan our next steps in one, three, and five-year increments. Who even knows what tomorrow will bring in this environment? Systematic planning won’t serve you well in liminality, but you don’t have to wander aimlessly. Help people remember their passions and connect those passions to their gifts and resources. Develop a shared sense of what you are trying to learn together. Then, claim one good next step in the general direction of your shared aspirations. 5. Attend to the Yearning Rational decision making assumes that human knowledge is enough to address the challenges we face. Rational decisions can’t guide us through the deep disorientation we face now. Instead, we need to pay attention to yearning. Yearning is the language of the human soul. When we listen to others at soul level, we sense a collective longing that will guide us to the other side of chaos. Letting go of what once was, we let ourselves be led by God who is drawing us forward and into our future. Discernment is the tool we use to attend the yearning. It’s a wisdom way of knowing. We drop beneath rational decision making, directly into the knowing planted in our souls. Make space in your congregation for this expression of collective yearning. What is God calling us to do or become next? Our new normal is already with us and it is also just beyond our reach. This is an exciting time to be the church if we are willing to stay in the disorientation for the time it takes to discover our next chapter. Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. - Albert Einstein A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings As always, please continue your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns Prayers for Phyllis Bont who is a patient at DHMC Pam Dundy continues to recover at DHMC Condolences to the family of Ellen Parrish who lost her long battle with cancer In our own community let us keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com _________________________________________________________________ The May 7 issue of the Vermont Standard had a very nice article describing the work Sandy Peplau does, not only as the Volunteer Coordinator for Springfield Hospital, but also in the community. Recently, she coordinated a group of volunteers whose goal was to produce 1,000 face masks for staff and patients. The end result was over 2,000 masks to enhance the safety of medical personnel and patients. She also organized a group of volunteers and donors to create gift bags given to local nurses during National Nurses Week. These are just a few of the many things Sandy does to make a difference in the community. (Thanks to Carl Hagge for pointing out this story.) ____________________________________________________________________ Zoom Church Services Continue United Church of Ludlow We will continue to have Zoom services, complete with music, until further notice. If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard to join. We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship. Read below to see how you can participate in the service using the invitation listed below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at a number below. If you have used Zoom before and have it downloaded to your computer you do not need to contact us, but if you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can add you to the invitation we will be sending out Sunday morning. New to Zoom? We can help you navigate the program. Just ask. Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also attached as a .pdf document, which you can download. You may wish to print them out prior to the meeting. PLEASE NOTE: At any one location, you should only have one live microphone. Please make sure to NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer. Turn one off. When both are on, this causes rather unpleasant reverberations for everyone. PLEASE NOTE WE WILL BE USING A PASSWORD TO HELP WITH SECURITY. George Thomson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: United Church of Ludlow Sunday Service 5/17/2020 Time: May 17, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89026267471?pwd=K0pqZkVEdzNHN0wrcHI4aTdDdmpPUT09 Meeting ID: 890 2626 7471 Password: 323493 One tap mobile: +16465588656,,89026267471#,,1#,323493# US (New York) Dial in to the meeting: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 890 2626 7471 Password: 323493 May 17, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER PRELUDE : Teach Me to Walk in the Light GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP God has been acting in our lives and in the world around us this past week. We have come for this hour of worship to make ourselves more aware of God and to give thanks for God’s presence with us. God is here even now, ready to strengthen us and to urge us to greater faithfulness. Fill us with your goodness, O God. Draw us into the orbit of your activity in the world that we might fulfill the purpose for which you created us. Amen. HYMN 61 Come, Thou Almighty King Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF INVOCATION Most gracious God, you who have created us and who sustains us: We come with thanksgiving for these moments when we can ease the pace of our lives and listen for your voice. Create a spirit within us that truly draws us toward you and toward our brothers and sisters; a spirit deep, perceptive, gentle and bold. Clear our minds, open our hearts, and touch us with your presence and your power. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our friend and our Savior. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 121 THE GOSPEL LESSON John 14: 15-21 SERMON “I Want to Hold Your Hand” HYMN 175 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 430 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee Stanzas 1 & 2 BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE Pezzi di Concerto, Op. 50: No. 2, Massimo Nosetti Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. - Albert Einstein Hymns for Church Service on May 17,2020 Come Thou Almighty King (page 61 stanzas 1 & 2) Come, Thou Almighty King, Help us Thy Name to sing, Help us to Praise: Father! All glorious, O’re all victorious, Come, and reign over us, Ancient of Days. Come, Thou Incarnate Word, Gird on Thy mighty sword, Our prayer attend! Come, and Thy people bless, And give Thy word success: Spirit of Holiness, On us descend. Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (page 175 stanzas 1 & 2) Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills my breast But sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest. No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find A sweeter sound than Thy blest name, O savior of mankind. O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (page 430 stanzas 1 & 2) O master , let me walk with Thee, In lowly paths of service free; Tell me Thy secret; help be bear The strain of toil, the fret of care. Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee In closer, clearer, company, In work that keeps faith sweet and strong In trust that triumphs over wrong. "Kind hearts are the garden, |