Church services have begun on site, again. The doors will open at 9:45 am, and worship will begin at 10:00 am.   If you are comfortable attending in person, please join us.

Procedures designed to minimize the risk of exposure are described later in this newsletter.  Please read and follow these procedures for your own, and your fellow congregants’ safety.

If you are not able to attend in person, the service will be streamed simultaneously using our church Zoom access to allow you to participate.   ​

​The following procedures were developed to minimize the risk of attending services at the United Church of Ludlow.

Everyone will enter and exit the church through the rear door.  The new entrance is now complete, along with the new walkway from Elm St.  The LULA is operational to facilitate access by those with difficulty managing stairs. 

Masks are required and should be worn when entering the church and at all times when moving about inside. We ask anyone who might need water or other refreshment to please bring your own, as the kitchen will not be available.  
 
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 be asked some questions about your health and your name and address will be recorded should contract tracing be required.
 
You will then 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 to those participating in the service. 
 
Upon entering the sanctuary, please look for the cushions placed 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 encourage keeping masks on at all times, masks MAY be removed when you are seated in your pew.  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.  If you wish to sing during the hymns, 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 celebrated, parishioners may bring their own "bread and wine". 

Offerings will not be collected during the service.  We ask that you continue your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and mailing it to Anne Oakes, 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149.  

When services are over, everyone should leave the church building using the rear door.  You should only stop if you need to use the rest rooms, which will be available at all times. 
 
If you wish 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, and we are sure 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, Deacon Laura Lienhard or Trustee Dean Alexander.  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.

August 2, 2020                                                                                                   10:00 A. M.
 
                                                     Service of Worship
 
                                      NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
PRELUDE
          (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
          ​preparation for the worship service which follows.)
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING
 
          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)
 
          And also with you.
 
CALL TO WORSHIP*   (Please stand.)
 
          Come, let us gather in the awareness of God’s love.
 
          God’s love has brought us to this place; it has made us a church.
 
          We can live with confidence and hope, in the assurance that we are
          forgiven and accepted by a power greater than ourselves.
 
          Because we are forgiven, we too can forgive.  Let us praise this
          God of endless grace, and offer our hearts’ true worship.
 
HYMN 383*                           This Is a Day of New Beginnings
 
CONFESSION OF SIN
 
          If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
 
          If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins
          and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1: 8-9)
 
          Let us confess our sins before God and one another.
 
          Most loving God, we can scarcely comprehend the scope of your
          forgiveness, we can hardly believe your amazing care for us.  We
          confess that often we close ourselves off from your saving presence;
          and in our pride, we withhold forgiveness from other people.  Through
          the power of your Holy Spirit, grant us the assurance of your love. 
          May our hearts be filled with gratitude for your grace that overflows
          with love toward others. . . .
 
SILENCE       (Silence may be observed for reflection and prayer>)
 
ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FOREGIVENESS
 
          God hears our cries and forgives all who are penitent and believing.  God
          provides the resources for our rescue and redemption.  Whoever trusts
          God will not be disappointed.  Whoever reaches out to others in the Spirit of
          Christ will know the joy of God’s love.  You are forgiven.  You are accepted. 
          You are loved.  Share these gifts.
 
READING OF SCRIPTURE
 
PSALM 98                                          Hymnal, pages 818-819
 
GLORIA 70
 
          Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
          and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
          beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
          world without end.  Amen. Amen.
 
THE GOSPEL LESSON                                Luke 12:  13-21 (Laura)
 
SERMON                               “What Am I 'Here After' ”?
 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
 
          The Lord be with you.
           
          And also with you.
 
          Let us pray.
 
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
 
          “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us and prosper for us the
          work of our hands—O prosper the work of our hands!”  Psalm 90: 17
 
OFFERTORY
          ​At the Presentation, Hymn 95*                                  Old 100th
           
          Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
          Praise him, all creatures here below;
          Praise him above, you heavenly host;
          Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION*
 
HYMN   599*                         Break Thou the Bread of Life
 
INVITATION
 
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING     
 
          Lift up your hearts
 
          We lift them up to the Lord.
 
          Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
 
          It is meet and right so to do.
 
          We give thanks to you, O holy Lord. . . .
 
          With patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, with your church on
          earth and with all the company of heaven, we magnify and praise you, we
          worship and adore you, O Lord Most Holy:
 
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY                                    Hymnal, page 21
 
WORDS OF INSTITUTION
 
THE LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)
 
BREAKING THE BREAD AND LIFTING THE CUP
 
THE COMMUNION
 
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
 
          Let us give thanks.
 
          We thank you, God, for inviting us to this table where we have
          known the presence of Christ and have received all of Christ’s gifts. 
          Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and let us
          show forth your praise in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Savior. 
          Amen.
           
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING  451*            Be Thou My Vision
 
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*
 
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
 
DISMISSAL
 
          Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
 
          Thanks be to God
 
POSTLUDE
 
          *  All who are able may stand.
 

Lyrics of the Hymns
for the
August 2 Service
 
383. This Is a Day of New Beginnings
 
1 This is a day of new beginnings,
time to remember and move on,
time to believe what love is bringing,
laying to rest the pain that's gone.
 
2 For by the life and death of Jesus,
God's mighty Spirit, now as then,
can make for us a world of difference,
as faith and hope are born again.
 
3 Then let us, with the Spirit's daring,
step from the past and leave behind
our disappointment, guilt, and grieving,
seeking new paths, and sure to find.
 
4 Christ is alive, and goes before us
to show and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.
 
5 In faith we'll gather round the table
to taste and share what love can do.
This is a day of new beginnings;
our God is making all things new.
  
599. Break Thou the Bread of Life
 
1. Break thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
as thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
beyond the sacred page I seek thee, Lord;
my spirit pants for thee, O Living Word!
 
2. Bless thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,
as thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;
then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;
and I shall find my peace, my all in all.
 
​
451. Be Thou My Vision
 
1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art--
thou my best thought by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.
 
2 Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word;
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
thou my great Father, I thy true son;
thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
 
3 Be thou my battle shield, sword for my fight;
be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tow'r:
raise thou me heav'n-ward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.
 
4 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
thou mine inheritance, now and always:
thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.
 
5 High King of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'n's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

We will continue to offer access to our church service using Zoom.  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.  If you have used Zoom before and have it installed on your computer you are ready to go.

If you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can help you navigate the program.  For help send an email to: 

                    Laura Lienhard  (Laura_Lienhard@hotmail.com)
                    or 
                    Dean Alexander (DiggerDa@aol.com)
 
PLEASE NOTE: You should only have one live microphone at any one location.  Please DO NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer at the same time.  Turn one off.  When both are on, rather unpleasant feedback noise can be produced.

​_________________________________________________________________________

July 26, 2020                                                                                                           10:00 A. M.
 
                                                        Service of Worship
 
                                        EIGHTH  SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
PRELUDE
            (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation
             in preparation for the worship service which follows.)
                       
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING
 
            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)
 
            And also with you.
 
CALL TO WORSHIP*
 
            God has made this day.
 
            Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
 
            Let us worship the living God.
           
            To God, Fountain of Life, Living Word, and Spirit of Holiness, be praise
            in all the earth.
 
 HYMN  400*             Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
 
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
 
            Creating God, who brought us into this world, breathed your Spirit into us,
            and endowed us with your likeness: we give thanks to you for our creation
            and for the cords of love that bind us and nourish us in the community you
            have created.  We pray for your continued presence to feed and sustain us
            as a family you have formed, and which bears your name.   This we ask in
            the name of Jesus Christ.   Amen.
 
READING OF SCRIPTURE
 
PSALM 145                                                   Hymnal, pages 857-858
 
GLORIA 70*
                       
            Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
            and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
            beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
            world without end.  Amen.  Amen.
 
THE GOSPEL LESSON                                John 6:  1-14
 
SERMON                               “Always Leftovers”
 
HYMN 402*               Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
 
JOYS AND CONCERNS
 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

            The Lord be with you.
 
            And also with you.
 
            Let us pray.
 
LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)
 
PRAYER RESPONSE                                   Hymnal, 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
 
            “I will freely sacrifice to you.  I will praise your name, O Lord;
            for it is good.”
                   Psalm 54: 6
-       
OFFERTORY
            At the Presentation, Hymn 95*                                  Old 100th
            Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
            Praise him, all creatures here below;
            Praise him above, you heavenly host;
            Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION*
 
HYMN 133*                 Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*

​BENEDICTION RESPONSE
 
DISMISSAL
 
            Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
 
            Thanks be to God
 
POSTLUDE
​
*  All who are able may stand.

Lyrics of the Hymns
for the
July 26 Service
 
 
 
400. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
 
 
1. Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
 
 
2. Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I'm come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
 
 
3. O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.
 

 
402. Lord, I Want to Be a Christian
 
1 Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.
 
2 Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.
 
3 Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
 
4 Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart;
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.
In my heart, in my heart,
Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.
 
 
133. Leaning on the everlasting arms
 
1 What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
 
Refrain:
Leaning, leaning,
safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning,
leaning on the everlasting arms.
 
2 O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]
 
3 What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
leaning on the everlasting arms. [Refrain]

We 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.  Masks will be required when entering the church and at all times when moving about 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 be asked some questions about your health and your name and address will be recorded for any potential contract tracing.
 
You should then 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 encourage keeping masks on at all times, masks MAY be removed when you are seated in your pew.  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 celebrated, parishioners may 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, using the rear door, and only stopping to use the rest rooms, which are available at all times. 
 
For the time being, we are asking that people 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.
 
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, 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, Deacon Laura Lienhard or Trustee Dean Alexander.  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.
 ​

 
For the past 4 months, Bob Kottkamp and George Thomson have been participating in a Covenantal Group meeting via Zoom.  The group consists of representatives of four small churches in our area who are exploring alternative and innovative approaches to meeting the religious needs of our communities.  Two of the churches are looking for (or will soon) a pastor; one has a part time pastor and the other has just hired a pastor.  Rev. Paul Sangree the Associate Conference Minister of the Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ, has attended the sessions as well. We know from the Conference that there is a serious shortage of ordained ministers to fill all the current openings.  We have been putting our creative minds together to design a different delivery system.
 
For the summer, we have hired a Summer Intern as part of our Experimentation in Covenantal Community Outreach (ECCO) to try something different.  Please read the Newsletter below and meet Ana Kelsey-Powell.  Ana has listed several things that she is spearheading this summer.   Any member of a congregation from any of the four churches is welcome and encouraged to participate in the activities. Please feel free to join in on a Bible Study, a book study, “Just Mercy” study or informal pastoral chats about anything!  Contact information is available in the July Newsletter.

We will continue until July 19, 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.  

 


 
July 12, 2020                                                                                               10:15 A.M.
                                                 SERVICE OF WORSHIP
     
                                    SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
PRELUDE: Wonderful Peace                                                               Williams G. Cooper
                                                                                                   Played by Larry Shackley  
 
GREETING
 
       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
           
      Behold, God is doing a new thing.
 
      Here.  Now.  In the midst of our routines.
 
      The Holy One who created heaven and earth forms us afresh today.
           
       Let our spirits rise to greet our Maker.  Let us worship God.
 
HYMN 89                     Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
                                    Stanzas 1 & 2
 
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
 
     O God of steadfast love, we thank you for the lessons of the past.  We remember
     all that you have done for us; make us truly thankful.  We remember times of joy
     and sorrow; may these experiences make us compassionate toward others.  We
     share the memory of your people as they have journeyed though time; it is our
     story as well.  May the richness of our past be the ground out of which love, hope,
​     and faithfulness blossom; through the grace  of Jesus Christ.  Amen.
 
READING OF SCRIPTURE
 
     THE FIRST READING                Revelation 21:  1-7
 
     THE GOSPEL READING            Luke 10:  25-37

SERMON                     “Coming Home”
 
HYMN   189                      “Fairest Lord Jesus”
                                          Stanzas 1 – 3
 
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  664                              Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
                                                Stanzas 1 & 2
 
BENEDICTION
 
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
 
POSTLUDE: Postlude on Old Hundredth                                 arranged by Fred Brock
                                                                                                Played by Jeff Brummel     
 
 

We will continue until July 19, 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.  ​

 
Lyrics for the Hymns for the
Church Service on July 5, 2020
 
America
Page 697 stanzas 1 & 2
 
My Country, tis of Thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing
Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride,
from every mountain side let freedom ring!
 
My native country, thee, land of the noble free, thy name I love; 
I love thy rocks and rills, thy woods and templed hills;
my heart with rapture thrills, like that above.
 
 
Take Our Bread
Page 640 Stanzas 1 & 2
 
Refrain: Take our bread, we ask you; take our hearts, we love you.
Take our lives, O Father, we are yours, we are yours.
 
Yours as we stand at the table you set; yours as we eat the bread our hearts can’t forget.
We are the sign of your life with us yet. We are yours, we are yours.
Refrain
 
Your holy people standing washed in your blood, Spirit filled yet hungry we await your food.  
We are poor, but we’ve brought ourselves the best we could; we are yours, we are yours.
Refrain
 
 
God of the Ages
page 698  Stanzas 1 & 2
 
God of the ages, whose almighty hand leads for the in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
 
Thy love divine hath led us in the past; in this free land with thee out lot is cast;
Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay, thy Word our law, thy paths our chosen way.