CHURCH SERVICES RESUME at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW Service will be shared ELECTRONICALLY (contact unitedchurch@tds.net for more information) 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. When you live in the light of eternity, your values change. - Rick Warren A warm welcome to all visitors. 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. Upcoming Meetings/Events
Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending July 26 were $675 The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). Altar Guild Linda Alexander will do the Altar Guild duties for the month of July. Prayer Concerns Please pray for Margo Marrone and family on the passing of her husband, Tom. Also keep Pam Dundy who is in Dartmouth Hospital with pneumonia in your prayers. 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. CHURCH REOPENING PROCEDURES 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. Zoom Church Services to Continue at the United Church of Ludlow 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. _________________________________________________________________________ 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. CHURCH SERVICES RESUME at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW Service will be shared ELECTRONICALLY (contact unitedchurch@tds.net for more information) 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. “Love is the bread of life: you have to make it everyday if you want it fresh.” - James Arthur Baldwin A warm welcome to all visitors. 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. Upcoming Meetings/Events -Executive Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 29, 7:00 pm. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 7-19-20 were $1655 which includes $50 received in memory of John Reavis. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). Altar Guild Linda Alexander will do the Altar Guild duties for the month of July. Prayer Concerns Anne Matulonis is at The Pines, 99 Allen Street, Rutland, VT 05701. She is in room 203 B. Prayers for her as she begins this next chapter in her life. 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. Celebrations Otto and Dalene Behrens will be celebrating a wedding anniversary on July 27th. Laura Lienhard will be celebrating a birthday on July 28th. CHURCH REOPENING PROCEDURES 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. Zoom Church Services to Continue at the United Church of Ludlow 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. “Love is the bread of life: you have to make it everyday if you want it fresh.” - James Arthur Baldwin 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] “God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginnings of prayer.” - Mother Theresa A warm welcome to all visitors. 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. Please be sure to sign the guestbook located at the entrance to the church. 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. Upcoming Meetings/Events -Executive Board Meeting, Wednesday, July 29, 7:00 pm. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 7-12-20 were $930. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). Altar Guild Linda Alexander will do the Altar Guild duties for the month of July. Prayer Concerns Anne Matulonis is at The Pines, 99 Allen Street, Rutland, VT 05701. She is in room 203 B. Prayers for her as she begins this next chapter in her life. 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. Celebration CHURCH SERVICES RESUME at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW This Sunday, July 19th, church services on site will begin, again. If you are comfortable attending in person, the doors will open at 9:45 am, and worship will begin at 10:00 am. Procedures have been designed to minimize the risk of exposure. Please read and follow these procedures for your own, and your fellow congregants’ safety. CHURCH REOPENING PROCEDURES 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. Zoom Church Services Continue at the United Church of Ludlow We will continue to offer access to the 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. The invitation will be sent separately. 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. Laura Lienhard Laura_Lienhard@hotmail.com Dean Alexander DiggerDa@aol.com 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 19, 2020 10:00 A. M. Service of Worship SEVENTH 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 * Listen, for the voice of God comes near! Listen, for God’s voice is not obtrusive. We come to worship the God who became one of us, Who calls us by name, Who is Love Incarnate, Who is! Let us gather together in joy and hope. Let us worship the God of Love! HYMN 496* Sweet Hour of Prayer PRAYER OF INVOCATION O God, most loving Parent, we thank you that you are not a faraway God, hidden in magnificence in the heaven; we thank you that you commune with us in the depths of our souls. You know us through and through; you hear our prayers; you heal our sorrows. Like a father, you are compassionate; like a mother, you comfort us. Help us to live in childlike trust in you, that we may be free to live with courage as your children on earth. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE PSALM 46, Response #2 Hymnal, pages 780-781 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 11: 1-13 SERMON “Pause Awhile” HYMN 404* Every Time I Feel the Spirit 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 “Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40 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 707* Hymn of Promise 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. “God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginnings of prayer.” - Mother Theresa Lyrics of the Hymns for the Church Service on July 19, 2020 496. Sweet Hour of Prayer 1. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! that calls me from a world of care, and bids me at my Father's throne make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter's snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer! 2. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! the joys I feel, the bliss I share of those whose anxious spirits burn with strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place where God my Savior shows his face, and gladly take my station there, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! 3. Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! thy wings shall my petition bear to him whose truth and faithfulness engage the waiting soul to bless. And since he bids me seek his face, believe his word, and trust his grace, I'll cast on him my every care, and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! 404. Every Time I Feel the Spirit Refrain: Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. Yes, every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray. 1 Upon the mountain, my Lord spoke, out his mouth came fire and smoke. All around me looks so shine, ask my Lord if all was mine. (Refrain) 2 Jordan river runs right cold, chills the body, not the soul. Ain't but one train on this track, runs to heaven and right back. (Refrain) 707. Hymn of Promise 1 In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 2 There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there's a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. 3 In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. More Opportunities for Religious Engagement This Summer 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. "I long, as does every human being, to be at home wherever I find myself.” ~ Maya Angelou 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 7-6-20 were $1085. 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 Ann Matulonis was a patient at Springfield Hospital this week. Prayers for her as she begins this next chapter in her life. 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. CHURCH REOPENING - Procedures 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. 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 be asked some questions about your health and your name and address will be recorded for any potential contract tracing. 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 the time being, we are asking that people 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. 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. Zoom Church Services Continue United Church of Ludlow 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. Bulletin for July 12 Church Service 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 "I long, as does every human being,
to be at home wherever I find myself.” ~ Maya Angelou "May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” ~ Peter Marshall Chaplain of the United States Senate (1946-1949) A warm welcome to 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 6/30/20 were $1,800. 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. Prayer Concerns Prayers for Doris Reavis who lost her husband, John this past week. Prayers for the Damus family who lost Linda. 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 Celebrations Laura and Jeff Lienhard celebrated their wedding anniversary on July 3rd. 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 restrooms, 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. Wear Red! We will be celebrating Independence Day on Sunday so you are encouraged to wear red for the occasion. Zoom Church Services Continue United Church of Ludlow 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. Communion Sunday - Today Don will be providing a service of Communion during our Zoom service Sunday, July 5. The Communion portion of the service will be condensed. Everyone in the Zoom service will serve themselves and be responsible for their own bread or crackers and beverage. At the appointed time we will partake together. Bulletin for July 5 Church Service July 5, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST INDEPENDENCE DAY SUNDAY PRELUDE: Prelude on Rhosymedre Composer: Vaughan Williams 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 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom God has chosen for God’s own inheritance. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son of God therefore, shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. For freedom Christ has set us free: stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Let us worship God. HYMN 697 America Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF CONFESSION Christ is with us! He is with us indeed! In joy and contrition, we come before God. Let us confess our sins. God our Creator: you led men and women to this land, and, out of conflict, created in us a love of peace and liberty. We have failed you by neglecting rights and restricting freedoms. Forgive pride that overlooks national wrong or justifies injustice. Forgive divisions caused by prejudice or greed. Have mercy, God, on the heart of this land. Make us compassionate, fair, and helpful to each other. Raise in us a right patriotism that sees and seeks this nation's good, through Jesus Christ the Lord. . .. SILENCE (Silence may be observed for reflection and prayer.) ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3: 16) READING OF SCRIPTURE THE FIRST READING Leviticus 25: 8-12 THE SECOND READING Isaiah 58: 6-11 SERMON “Unfinished Business” 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 640 “Take Our Bread” Stanzas 1 & 2 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 698 God of the Ages Stanzas 1 & 2 BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Composer G.F Handel "May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” ~ Peter Marshall Chaplain of the United States Senate (1946-1949) 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. |