United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - November 15, 2020

CHURCH SERVICES
at the 
UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW

Service are shared ELECTRONICALLY
(contact unitedchurch@tds.net for more information)
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​If you are comfortable attending in person, please join us.
The doors open at 9:45 am, and worship begins at 10:00 am.
We follow procedures to minimize the risk of exposure.
Please read and follow these procedures for the safety of all.

If you are not able to attend in person, a simultaneous Zoom stream is available.
Send an email to unitedchurch@tds.net to get Zoom access.  ​

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​
​A Warm Welcome to All Visitors.
 
        If any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the
        church office at 802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.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 church office at
       802-228-4211 or unitedchurch@tds.net.

Upcoming Meetings/Events  
 
          Windham Association Meeting, Sunday, November 15th at 3 pm
 
          Executive Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30 pm.

Weekly Offerings
 
          Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending November 8, 2020
          were $300.  Memorial donations to Pat Liao were $1,346.34.  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 November.​ 
 
Prayer Concerns
 
         We continue to keep the following in our prayers:
         James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards,
         Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone,
         Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and
         ​Evelyn Verro.


        If you are aware of someone in need of prayer, please leave a message at
        the church office by phone, 802-228-4211, or email, unitedchurch@tds.net.

Celebrations

            Otto Behrens celebrates a birthday on November 20.
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Zoom Church Services
at the United Church of Ludlow

​We 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.
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A New Way for Churches

For the past 7 months, Bob Kottkamp and George Thomson have participated in a weekly Zoom partnership called ECCO (Experiment in Covenantal Community Outreach).  It is an idea born of a need for pastoral leadership along the southern end of the Connecticut River Valley in both Vermont and New Hampshire.  It consists of four small churches (Acworth, NH, Bellows Falls, Ludlow and Springfield) all facing problems and trying to stay alive and vibrant to serve their congregations.  All the churches are dealing with the fact that they are looking for part time pastors with few if any candidates.  It is challenging if not impossible to even find interim pastors. 
 
We are working on establishing a collaborative covenantal cluster of possibly one ordained minister, and a combination of licensed lay ministers, semi-retired pastors and student pastors to support one another and our individual congregations.  We have been working with the Conference in developing this model of church leadership.  The goal would be to have a person in our houses of worship every Sunday to lead our worship services and then provide opportunities for all the churches to gather together for a wide variety of activities.  At the moment these other activities would be provided virtually through Zoom.  ​
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Looking for an Opportunity for Bible Study

​We have not had bible study offered in our sanctuary for a long time.  ECCO is a vehicle for this and in fact is already doing so on a weekly basis.   The exciting news is that anyone from all four congregations can participate from the comfort and safety of their own homes.  Currently Bible Study is on Thursday mornings from 10 am – 11 am. The current topic is “Into the Wilderness” and is available for everyone.  All you have to do is contact Diane at holmelaw@vermontel.net and she will make sure you get your Zoom invitation.  I understand that it is a very collegial group and everyone has an opportunity to participate.  It is not a lecture!  ​
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Coming Attractions

This Sunday, November 15th at 3 pm Windham Union Association meeting with Speaker, Rev. Dr. Stephen G. Ray Jr., President of Chicago Theological Seminary. “He is the President of the Society for the Study of Black Religion. Having written and lectured broadly in the areas of Systematic Theology, African American religion, human rights and the intersection of religion and politics, President Ray’s current work focuses on reinvigorating the public square as a place for all and reclaiming a vital expression of progressive religion in that project.” It will be via Zoom and the link sent out to you for your church’s participation.

Thursday, November 26th -Thanksgiving Gathering during Bible Study time. All are welcome. Content in progress. All you have to do is contact Diane at holmelaw@vermontel.net and she will make sure you get your Zoom invitation. 

Thursday, December 3rd at 7 pm- Advent Bible Study for 4 weeks. A Walk with Mary. All you have to do is contact Diane at holmelaw@vermontel.net and she will make sure you get your Zoom invitation. 
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If you have any questions and/or need information on how to connect via Zoom to any of these opportunities please feel free to contact Diane at holmelaw@vermontel.net and she will make sure you get your Zoom invitation or contact George at thomson131vt@gmail or Bob at rkottkamp@gmail.com
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Our Service this week is being offered by Peter Andrews, a member of the ECCO group, which is working to develop new ways to sustain our churches.

Our pianist the week is Martha Stretton, of Chester, VT, who has graciously agreed to help us while  Terry recuperates from her surgery.

November 15, 2020                                                                                        10:00 A.M.
 
                                                    Service of Worship
 
                                         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.)
 
        It is good to give thanks to you, O God,
        To declare your steadfast love in the morning;
        For you have made us glad by your work;
        ​At the works of your hands, we sing for joy.
 
HYMN 117*                                     O God Our Help in Ages Past
 
OPENING PRAYER*
 
RESPONSIVE READING
 
        One: Where should I look for help in my need?
 
        All: To the majestic mountain peaks that probe our skies or the giants
        of industry that hem in our cities?
 
        One: To the satellites that circle our world or the computers that store up
        our knowledge?
 
        All: The answer to my problems, the fulfillment of my needs must come
        from God himself, from him who created the skies and the mountains
        and man to dwell in their midst!
 
        One: He is the great God who knows our every desire, whose watchful eye is
        upon us night and day.
 
        ​All: We can make no move without his knowledge
 
        One: His concern for his children is constant; his love for them is eternal.
        And thus the Lord will keep you, shielding you from the forces of evil as a
        shade tree shields you from the rays of the blazing sun.
 
        All: He does care for you, and he will fight with you against the enemies
        of your soul.  Whether you be coming or going, he knows the course
        you take and he will go before you.
                                               
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.
 
PRAYER
 
THE CHILD IN US ALL
 
SERMON                                   “Practice Makes Perfect”
 
HYMN 110*                                                 A Mighty Fortress is Our God
 
PASTORAL PRAYER
 
LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”) 
 
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
 
OFFERTORY
 
        At the Presentation, Hymn 95*             Old 100th
                Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
                Praise him, all creatures here below;
                Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
                Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Amen.
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION*
 
HYMN 451*                                                 Be Now My Vision
 
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*
 
CLOSING ANTHEM                                     Spirit of Life
 
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
 
DISMISSAL
 
                Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
                Thanks be to God.
 
POSTLUDE
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*  All who are able may stand.

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Lyrics to the Hymns
for the
November 15 Service
 
 
117. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
 
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
 
Under the shadow of thy throne, still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.
 
Before the hills in order stood, or earth received her frame,
from everlasting, thou art God, to endless years the same.
 
A thousand ages, in thy sight, are like an evening gone;
short as the watch that ends the night, before the rising sun.
 
Time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all who breathe away;
they fly forgotten, as a dream dies at the opening day.
 
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come;
be thou our guide while life shall last, and our eternal home.

 
110.    A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
 
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
 
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
 
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
 
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours, thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
the body they may kill; God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.
 
 
451. Be Thou My Vision
 
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.
 
Be thou my Wisdom, and thou my true Word;  I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son,  Thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.
 
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.
 
High King of heaven, my victory won, May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.