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United Church of Ludlow eNewsletter - June 26, 2020

6/26/2020

0 Comments

 
“The world will never starve for want of wonders,
but for want of wonder.”
 – G. K. Chesterton 

​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 6-21-20 were $1355 which includes $350 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
 
Continued prayers for Anne Matulonis, Dottie Humm and George Thomson as they continue to heal
 
Keeping Arden Peplau in our thoughts and prayers as he will be getting a pacemaker.
 
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
 
Church Reopening
 
At the meeting of the Executive Board, United Church of Ludlow on June 17, 2020, a motion to reopen the church building for worship on Sunday, July 19th was approved.  While the exact format of the worship experience in church has not been worked out, we do have some basic plans in place.  No matter what plan is enacted, attendance in person will not be necessary to share in the worship service.  Services will continue to be offered online through Zoom or some other live streaming option, and we will continue to help those who will need assistance in signing on to these sites.  We plan to have our organist/pianist Terry back in church to provide music and will continue to have Rev. Harpster share the message each Sunday via the internet.
 
The plan will include the following procedures.  We will ask everyone who might need water or other refreshment to please bring your own, as the kitchen will not be available.  Everyone will enter and exit the church through the rear door. The entrance is now complete, along with the new walkway from Elm St.  The LULA is operational and we expect to have inspections and operations training completed before our July 19 reopening.  Masks will be required when entering the church and at all times when moving inside. 
 
Upon entering you will be greeted by a church member, offered a mask if you do not have one and instructed to sanitize your hands with the sanitizer located inside the doorway.  You will then be instructed to proceed immediately to your pew in the sanctuary.  There will be no congregating inside the church building.  Other than the sanctuary and bathrooms, all other areas of the church are off limits except for those participating in the service. 
 
Upon entering the sanctuary, please look for cushions in the pews.  These cushions indicate where seating may take place in order to maintain proper social distancing.  They will be placed in pairs, but if any core family group is attending, please feel free to add space in your area, keeping in mind the location of those around you. 
 
While we are encouraging masks to be kept on at all times, at this time masks MAY be removed.  Keep in mind that masks should be worn any time you are talking with your neighbor, speaking aloud during the service, and moving throughout the building.  During the hymns, if you wish to sing, it must be done with the mask in place, and in a soft speaking voice.  Announcements and prayers will be offered without microphones, so please stand and speak clearly wearing your mask.  When communion is being celebrated, parishioners can bring their own "bread and wine".  When services are over, the Deacon will instruct the congregation to leave in an orderly fashion by pew, and everyone will leave the church building immediately, again using the rear door, and only stopping to use the rest rooms, which are available at all times. 
 
For those choosing to mix socially after services, please do so away from the exit so as not to make others leaving feel uncomfortable.  Keep in mind, this is the first phase of reopening our church building, and we are sure adjustments to practices will need to be amended as time and circumstances dictate.  We encourage anyone with thoughts, fears or suggestions to contact either our President, George Thomson, Rev. Harpster, or Deacon Laura Lienhard.  We look forward to worshiping together with all of you, whether in person or through the internet and pray that we soon will be able to return to a more normal worship experience together in God's house. 

​​
Zoom Church Services Continue
United Church of Ludlow

We will continue until further notice to have Zoom services complete with music as an alternative.  If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard.  We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship.  Read below to see how you can participate in the service.  The invitation is 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
 or email: unitedchurch@tds.net
​
The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. 

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.  
         
Bulletin for June 28 Church Service
 
June 28, 2020                                                                                                          10:15 A.M.
                                                   SERVICE OF WORSHIP
 
                                      FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
PRELUDE:    On Jorden’s Stormy Banks I Stand                      Played by John Troutman
  
GREETING
 
      In the name of the triune God:  the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.
 
CALL TO WORSHIP
 
     O God, our God, how glorious is your name in all the earth!
 
     Your glory is sung by all of your creation!
 
     When we look to the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars,
      we wonder –
 
     Who are we that you care for us and for this world?
 
      You are the God of life, crowning us with glory and honor to serve you all our days. 
      O God, our God, how glorious is your name in all the earth!
 
HYMN  152                  I Sing the Almighty Power of God
                                    Stanzas 1- 3
 
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
 
     Creator God, most distant space shows traces of your touch.  Sculptor God, you give
     galaxies their form, shape granite mountains, and design butterfly wings.  You
     choreograph the paths of stars and the flight of snow geese.  Your divine song is
     sung by sparrows, mountain streams, and the rushing winds.  We human beings
     wonder all that you create and rejoice to be a part of the living world which you love
     and sustain.  Amen.
           
READING OF SCRIPTURE
 
     THE EPISTLE LESSON               Psalm 77:  1-2, 11-20
 
     THE GOSPEL LESSON               Mark 4:  35-41
 
SERMON                     “Promise Not to Blush”
 
HYMN 509                   Jesus, Savior Pilot Me
                                    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 142                   If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee
                                    Stanzas 1 & 2
 
BENEDICTION
 
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
 
POSTLUDE: To God Be The Glory                                     Written  by William Howard Doane
                                                                                            Lyrics by Fanny Crosby            
“The world will never starve for want of wonders,
but for want of wonder.”
 – G. K. Chesterton

 

Lyrics of the Hymns for the
Church Service on June 28, 2020
 
I Sing the Almighty Power of God
page 152 stanzas 1,2,3
 
I sing the almighty power of God, that made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies.
I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey.
 
I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
who formed the creatures thru the Word, and then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, wher-e’er I turn my eye,
If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.
 
There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne;
While all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care;
And everywhere that we can be, thou, God art present there.
 

Jesus Savior Pilot Me
page 509 stanzas 1,2
 
Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll, hiding rock and treacherous shoal. 
Chart and compass came from thee; Jesus, savior, pilot me.
 
As a mother stills her child, thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey thy will, when thou sayest to them, ”Be still.”
Wondrous sovereign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

​ 
If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee
page 142 stanzas 1,2
 
If thou but suffer God to guide thee, and hope in God through all thy ways,
God will give strength, what’er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days. 
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love builds on the rock that naught can move.
 
Only be still and wait God’s leisure in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take what’e’er thy Maker’s pleasure and all discerning love hath sent.
We know our in most wants are known, for we are called to be God’s own.
 
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United Church of Ludlow eNewsletter - June 19, 2020

6/19/2020

0 Comments

 
 
“If the Kingdom of God is in you,
you should leave a little bit of heaven wherever you go.”
 – Cornel West

 
A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter.  
 
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 6/14/20 were $ 1755.  The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

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.
 
Joys & Celebrations
 
Larry and Dotti Humm - Anniversary on June 24
George and Linda Thomson - Anniversary on June 24
Herb and Sandra Van Guilder - Anniversary on June 25
 
Prayer Concerns
 
Prayers of healing for Ann Matulonis who fractured her arm in a fall and Dottie Humm who fractured her foot
 
Prayers for George Thomson who is recovering from surgery
 
Arden Peplau, Jim’s brother also needs our prayers
 
Prayers for the family of Phyllis Bont as her Memorial service will be held at the Bont home on Saturday, June 20th.
 
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
 
Zoom Church Services Continue
United Church of Ludlow
We will continue until further notice to have Zoom services complete with music as an alternative.  If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard.  We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship.  Read below to see how you can participate in the service.  The invitation is 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. 

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.  
 
June 21, 2020                                                                                                          10:15 A.M.
                                                    SERVICE OF WORSHIP
 
                                      THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
PRELUDE:     Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing                              John Troutman
  
GREETING
 
In the name of the triune God:  the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
 
CALL TO WORSHIP
 
The morning light has broken through the darkness of the night once again.
 
In such a manner God’s light and word breaks into our lives.
 
God breaks though all the confusion, doubt, and loneliness which absorb us at times.  God’s light shines on us and reveals all that is within us, and within God’s creation.
 
We are promised this continued in-breaking of the Spirit.  The Spirit breaks in on us today with the glad news:  Today is God’s day.
 
In this day we delight in praising the One who loves us.  All praises for God’s re-creation of this new day.
 
HYMN  145*                        Morning Has Broken
                                                Stanzas 1- 3
 
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
 
We give you all praise, O God of salvation.  We come with devotion to you, O Christ our redeemer.  We honor you, O Holy Spirit, our source of encouragement; one God who sustains us with your love and your presence.  Hear our words of reverence as we bow down before you.  Grace us with your presence, that we may learn of your way.  In name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
           
READING OF SCRIPTURE
 
THE EPISTLE LESSON                     Galatians 4: 1-7
 
THE GOSPEL LESSON                     Mark 4:  26-34
 
SERMON                   “Keys to the Kingdom”
 
HYMN 358*                         Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (Don Announce)  
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 144*                         This Is My Father’s World
                                                Stanzas 1 & 2
 
BENEDICTION
 
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
 
POSTLUDE:               The Great Fugue in G                                                        J. S Bach
                                                                                    Performed by Cameron Carpenter 
“If the Kingdom of God is in you,
you should leave a little bit of heaven wherever you go.”
 – Cornel West

 
Lyrics of the Hymns for the
Church Service on June 21, 2020
Morning Has Broken
page 145 verses 1 ,2,3
 
Morning has broken like the first morning;
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird.
Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning!
Praise for them springing, fresh from the Word.
 
Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven,
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden,
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass.
 
Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born like the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God’s recreation of the new day!
 
 
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
page 358 verses 1,2
 
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence praise.
 
In simple trust like theirs who heard,
beside the Syrian Sea,
the gracious calling of the Lord;
let us like them, without a word,
rise up and follow thee.
 
This is My Father’s World
page 144 verses 1,2
 
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and around me rings the music of the spheres. 
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
 
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: he shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere.
 
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United Church of Ludlow eNewsletter - June 12, 2020

6/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.      
Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
 
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 6/7/20 were $ 1260 which includes $100 received in memory of Pat Liao.  The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

As usual 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
 
Prayers for the family of Phyllis Bont who died this week.

Prayers of healing for Anne Matulonis, who fractured her arm in a fall.
​
Prayers for George Thomson who is having surgery on Monday, June 15th.
 
 Prayers for Jim Peplau’s brother.
 
 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.
 
Building Addition Update.
 
There has been some great progress with our building project this week.  The LULA lift has been installed and the parking area expanded making way for the walkway.  Soon this project will be behind us and ready for us to use.   Thanks so much to Dean for all his hard work to see this project through to completion.
 
NOTE: The lyrics for the first Hymn on Sunday will not appear on the screen. Please refer to the printed lyric sheet below.
 
Church Re-Opening Survey
 
If you have not responded to the email requesting your opinion about when and how we reopen our church for services, please do so.  You should be receiving a reminder email in the next day or so.  The Church Board will be meeting on June 17 to make plans for this event, and we would greatly appreciate your input.
 
 
Zoom Church Services Continue
United Church of Ludlow
 
We will continue until further notice to have Zoom services complete with music as an alternative.  If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard.  We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship.  Read below to see how you can participate in the service.  The invitation is 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 .pdf documents 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.  
George Thomson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Zoom Sunday Church Service 6/14/2020
Time: Jun 14, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87606760603?pwd=T0lpZG0zbk85SjZ3ZmxhUGpHWEpSUT09
 
Meeting ID: 876 0676 0603         Password: 346246
 
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,87606760603#,,1#,346246# US (New York)
 
Dial by your location
        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
       
Meeting ID: 876 0676 0603         Password: 346246
 

 
 

 
 

 

June 14, 2020                                                                                               10:15 A.M.
                                              SERVICE OF WORSHIP
 
                                SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
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 66                     Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
                                    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, Preludio in forma di studio 
                         Massimo Nosetti
​

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.      
Martin Luther King, Jr.
​
​

Lyrics for the Hymns for the
Church Service on June 14, 2020
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven     (page 66 stanzas 1 & 2)
 
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
In the throne thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Ever more God’s  praises sing.
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Praise the everlasting King.
 
Praise the Lord for grace and favor,
To all people in distress.
Praise God , still the same as ever,
Slow to chide, and swift to bless,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Glorious now God’s faithfulness.
 
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.
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United Church of Ludlow eNewsletter - June 7, 2020

6/5/2020

0 Comments

 
"Man’s capacity for justice
makes democracy possible,
but man’s inclination to injustice
makes democracy necessary.”
~ Reinhold Niebuhr

 


 
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 4/31/20 were $ 700 which includes $ 50 received in memory of Pat Liao.  Costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

As usual 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.
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
 
June 10           Bob Watts
June 12           Herb VanGuilder
 
Prayer Concerns
 
We pray for healing for our country and all the innocent victims of violence.  Bless those who spread peace and love.
 
The family of Brenda and Dick who live and work in Minneapolis, a city torn apart by violence.  As white middle class citizens we really don’t have a clue about the experiences of people of color. We need to learn and listen and participate in the healing.  What an amazing world we would live in if we could spread love as quickly as we spread hate and negativity.
 
Martin Luther King said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness.  Only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate.  Only love can do that
 
Prayers for Phyllis Bont who is a patient in hospice at Mt Ascutney Hospital.
 
Prayers for Jim Peplau’s brother.
 
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 .
 
“Right Spirit”
 
The following poem was printed in this week’s edition of the Conference E-Kit.  It was written by Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes.  I thought it fitting during these times of turmoil and decided to share.
 
               When you send forth your spirit
               all beings are created;
               and you renew the face of the ground.
               His name was George Floyd.
 
               I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.
               He was God’s beloved, breathing God’s Spirit.
 
               In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.
               ​He was black, the Body of Christ.
 
               When you take away their breath,
               they die and return to their dust.
               He was slowly choked to death
               By a white cop. His life didn’t matter.
 
               We do not know how to pray as we ought,
               but the Spirit intercedes
               with sighs too deep for words.
               Please, I can’t breathe…
 
               Create in me a clean heart, O God
               and put a new and right spirit within me.
 
 
Congregation-wide Survey – Reopening Our Church
 
As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we are inviting all members of our church family to answer a few questions to help the church board develop a plan to reopen the church for services, which is safe and equitable to all members.
 
This weekend, you will receive a separate email invitation to respond to the on-line survey.  It also contains information about how you can respond to the survey on paper.
 
Your response is particularly important, so please have every member of your family take a turn answering the questions.
 

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
​____________________________________________________________

 

 
June 7, 2020                                                                                                            10:15 A.M.
                                                  SERVICE OF WORSHIP
                                                        TRINITY SUNDAY
                                          SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

 
PRELUDE:                       O God Almighty Father               tune: Gott Vater sei Gepriesen
GREETING
       Peace be to this house and to all for whom this is home.
       The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the
       Holy   Spirit be with you all.
            (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

CALL TO WORSHIP
       Come, let us worship Almighty God.
       Let us lift up our songs, our prayers, and our praises.
       Come, let us honor Christ Jesus.
       Let us love Christ with our hearts, our minds, and our spirits.
       Come, let us be filled with the Spirit of the Living God.
       Breathe in us, breath of God.  Alleluia.

HYMN 64                        Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
                                        Stanzas 1 & 2

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
       Merciful God, whose care never ceases, we come to you as we are.  We are tired from
       trying to do more than we can manage.  We are anxious about problems that go
       unresolved.  We are worried about events beyond our control.  We do not easily let go.
       For mistakes we cannot redeem, for tasks left undone, for uncertain goals, we need
       your forgiveness and ask for your understanding.  For recovery of strength and
       enthusiasm, we pray for your Spirit.  For fullness of life, generous hearts, contented
       souls, we seek to be followers of Christ Jesus.  In your mercy, restore us . . .

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

       There is no chasm that cannot be bridged, no loss that cannot be recovered, no
       mistake that cannot be forgiven, no life than cannot be redeemed – by the grace
       of God in Christ Jesus!  All you who reject vain desires and put away unwarranted
       fears and who put your confidence in the mercies of God whose presence is always
       with us may assuredly know that you are forgiven and that the ability to begin again is
       yours.  Glory be to the Holy One who can make all things new!  Alleluia!

​READING OF SCRIPTURE

THE EPISTLE LESSON               Romans 8:  14-17

THE GOSPEL LESSON               Matthew 28:  16-20

SERMON                                             “The Gift of Sight”

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  618                              Let Us Break Bread Together
                                                Stanzas 1-3

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION

INVITATION

BLESSING OF THE ELEMENTS

THE LORD’S PRAYER

BREAKING THE BREAD AND LIFTING THE CUP

THE COMMUNION

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
       Let us give thanks.

       Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table by 
       granting us the presence of Christ.  Strengthen our faith, increase our love for
       one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing
       in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

HYMN  634                              Now Let Us from This Table Rise
                                                Stanzas 1 & 2
BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

POSTLUDE:                  Intermezzo In B Flat Minor, Op. 117 No.2          Johannes Brahms       
"Man’s capacity for justice
makes democracy possible,
but man’s inclination to injustice
makes democracy necessary.”
~ Reinhold Niebuhr

 
Lyrics of the Hymns for the
 Church Service on June 7, 2020


​Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty

page 64 (Stanzas 1 & 2)
 
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blesses Trinity.
 
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore thee,
casting down their golden crowns, around the glassy sea;
cherubim an seraphim falling down before thee,
Which wert, and art, and ever more shall be.
 
Let Us Break Bread Together  
page 618  (Stanzas 1-3)
 
Let us break bread together on our knees,
Let us break bread together on our knees,
When I fall down on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me.
 
Let us drink wine together on our knees,
Let us drink wine together on our knees,
When I fall down on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me.
 
Let us praise God together on our knees,
Let us praise God together on our knees,
When I fall down on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me.
 
Now Let Us from This Table Rise  
page 634  (Stanzas 1 & 2)
 
Now let us from this table rise renewed in body, mind and soul;
With Christ we die and live again, his selfless  love has made us whole.
 
With minds alert, up held by grace to spread the word in speech and deed,
We follow in the steps of Christ, at one with all in hope and need.
 
To fill each human house with love, it is the sacrament of care,
The work that Christ began to do we humbly pledge ourselves to share.
​
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