"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. “The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.” – G. K. Chesterton A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home: It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 6-21-20 were $1355 which includes $350 received in memory of Pat Liao. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). As always, please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns Continued prayers for Anne Matulonis, Dottie Humm and George Thomson as they continue to heal Keeping Arden Peplau in our thoughts and prayers as he will be getting a pacemaker. We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com Church Reopening At the meeting of the Executive Board, United Church of Ludlow on June 17, 2020, a motion to reopen the church building for worship on Sunday, July 19th was approved. While the exact format of the worship experience in church has not been worked out, we do have some basic plans in place. No matter what plan is enacted, attendance in person will not be necessary to share in the worship service. Services will continue to be offered online through Zoom or some other live streaming option, and we will continue to help those who will need assistance in signing on to these sites. We plan to have our organist/pianist Terry back in church to provide music and will continue to have Rev. Harpster share the message each Sunday via the internet. The plan will include the following procedures. We will ask everyone who might need water or other refreshment to please bring your own, as the kitchen will not be available. Everyone will enter and exit the church through the rear door. The entrance is now complete, along with the new walkway from Elm St. The LULA is operational and we expect to have inspections and operations training completed before our July 19 reopening. Masks will be required when entering the church and at all times when moving inside. Upon entering you will be greeted by a church member, offered a mask if you do not have one and instructed to sanitize your hands with the sanitizer located inside the doorway. You will then be instructed to proceed immediately to your pew in the sanctuary. There will be no congregating inside the church building. Other than the sanctuary and bathrooms, all other areas of the church are off limits except for those participating in the service. Upon entering the sanctuary, please look for cushions in the pews. These cushions indicate where seating may take place in order to maintain proper social distancing. They will be placed in pairs, but if any core family group is attending, please feel free to add space in your area, keeping in mind the location of those around you. While we are encouraging masks to be kept on at all times, at this time masks MAY be removed. Keep in mind that masks should be worn any time you are talking with your neighbor, speaking aloud during the service, and moving throughout the building. During the hymns, if you wish to sing, it must be done with the mask in place, and in a soft speaking voice. Announcements and prayers will be offered without microphones, so please stand and speak clearly wearing your mask. When communion is being celebrated, parishioners can bring their own "bread and wine". When services are over, the Deacon will instruct the congregation to leave in an orderly fashion by pew, and everyone will leave the church building immediately, again using the rear door, and only stopping to use the rest rooms, which are available at all times. For those choosing to mix socially after services, please do so away from the exit so as not to make others leaving feel uncomfortable. Keep in mind, this is the first phase of reopening our church building, and we are sure adjustments to practices will need to be amended as time and circumstances dictate. We encourage anyone with thoughts, fears or suggestions to contact either our President, George Thomson, Rev. Harpster, or Deacon Laura Lienhard. We look forward to worshiping together with all of you, whether in person or through the internet and pray that we soon will be able to return to a more normal worship experience together in God's house. Zoom Church Services Continue United Church of Ludlow We will continue until further notice to have Zoom services complete with music as an alternative. If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard. We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship. Read below to see how you can participate in the service. The invitation is listed below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at a number below. If you have used Zoom before and have it downloaded to your computer you do not need to contact us, but if you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can add you to the invitation we will be sending out Sunday morning. New to Zoom? We can help you navigate the program. Just ask. Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 or email: unitedchurch@tds.net The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. PLEASE NOTE: At any one location, you should only have one live microphone. Please make sure to NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer. Turn one off. When both are on, this causes rather unpleasant reverberations for everyone. Bulletin for June 28 Church Service June 28, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST PRELUDE: On Jorden’s Stormy Banks I Stand Played by John Troutman GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP O God, our God, how glorious is your name in all the earth! Your glory is sung by all of your creation! When we look to the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon, and the stars, we wonder – Who are we that you care for us and for this world? You are the God of life, crowning us with glory and honor to serve you all our days. O God, our God, how glorious is your name in all the earth! HYMN 152 I Sing the Almighty Power of God Stanzas 1- 3 PRAYER OF INVOCATION Creator God, most distant space shows traces of your touch. Sculptor God, you give galaxies their form, shape granite mountains, and design butterfly wings. You choreograph the paths of stars and the flight of snow geese. Your divine song is sung by sparrows, mountain streams, and the rushing winds. We human beings wonder all that you create and rejoice to be a part of the living world which you love and sustain. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE THE EPISTLE LESSON Psalm 77: 1-2, 11-20 THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 4: 35-41 SERMON “Promise Not to Blush” HYMN 509 Jesus, Savior Pilot Me Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 142 If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee Stanzas 1 & 2 BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: To God Be The Glory Written by William Howard Doane Lyrics by Fanny Crosby “The world will never starve for want of wonders,
but for want of wonder.” – G. K. Chesterton Lyrics of the Hymns for the Church Service on June 28, 2020 I Sing the Almighty Power of God page 152 stanzas 1,2,3 I sing the almighty power of God, that made the mountains rise, That spread the flowing seas abroad, and built the lofty skies. I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day; The moon shines full at God’s command, and all the stars obey. I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food, who formed the creatures thru the Word, and then pronounced them good. Lord, how thy wonders are displayed, wher-e’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky. There’s not a plant or flower below, but makes thy glories known, And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from thy throne; While all that borrows life from thee is ever in thy care; And everywhere that we can be, thou, God art present there. Jesus Savior Pilot Me page 509 stanzas 1,2 Jesus, Savior, pilot me over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, hiding rock and treacherous shoal. Chart and compass came from thee; Jesus, savior, pilot me. As a mother stills her child, thou canst hush the ocean wild; Boisterous waves obey thy will, when thou sayest to them, ”Be still.” Wondrous sovereign of the sea, Jesus, Savior, pilot me. If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee page 142 stanzas 1,2 If thou but suffer God to guide thee, and hope in God through all thy ways, God will give strength, what’er betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days. Who trusts in God’s unchanging love builds on the rock that naught can move. Only be still and wait God’s leisure in cheerful hope, with heart content to take what’e’er thy Maker’s pleasure and all discerning love hath sent. We know our in most wants are known, for we are called to be God’s own. “If the Kingdom of God is in you, you should leave a little bit of heaven wherever you go.” – Cornel West A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 6/14/20 were $ 1755. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). As always, please continue your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Joys & Celebrations Larry and Dotti Humm - Anniversary on June 24 George and Linda Thomson - Anniversary on June 24 Herb and Sandra Van Guilder - Anniversary on June 25 Prayer Concerns Prayers of healing for Ann Matulonis who fractured her arm in a fall and Dottie Humm who fractured her foot Prayers for George Thomson who is recovering from surgery Arden Peplau, Jim’s brother also needs our prayers Prayers for the family of Phyllis Bont as her Memorial service will be held at the Bont home on Saturday, June 20th. We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com Zoom Church Services Continue United Church of Ludlow We will continue until further notice to have Zoom services complete with music as an alternative. If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard. We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship. Read below to see how you can participate in the service. The invitation is listed below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at a number below. If you have used Zoom before and have it downloaded to your computer you do not need to contact us, but if you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can add you to the invitation we will be sending out Sunday morning. New to Zoom? We can help you navigate the program. Just ask. Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. PLEASE NOTE: At any one location, you should only have one live microphone. Please make sure to NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer. Turn one off. When both are on, this causes rather unpleasant reverberations for everyone. June 21, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST PRELUDE: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing John Troutman GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP The morning light has broken through the darkness of the night once again. In such a manner God’s light and word breaks into our lives. God breaks though all the confusion, doubt, and loneliness which absorb us at times. God’s light shines on us and reveals all that is within us, and within God’s creation. We are promised this continued in-breaking of the Spirit. The Spirit breaks in on us today with the glad news: Today is God’s day. In this day we delight in praising the One who loves us. All praises for God’s re-creation of this new day. HYMN 145* Morning Has Broken Stanzas 1- 3 PRAYER OF INVOCATION We give you all praise, O God of salvation. We come with devotion to you, O Christ our redeemer. We honor you, O Holy Spirit, our source of encouragement; one God who sustains us with your love and your presence. Hear our words of reverence as we bow down before you. Grace us with your presence, that we may learn of your way. In name of Jesus we pray. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE THE EPISTLE LESSON Galatians 4: 1-7 THE GOSPEL LESSON Mark 4: 26-34 SERMON “Keys to the Kingdom” HYMN 358* Dear Lord and Father of Mankind (Don Announce) Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 144* This Is My Father’s World Stanzas 1 & 2 BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: The Great Fugue in G J. S Bach Performed by Cameron Carpenter “If the Kingdom of God is in you, you should leave a little bit of heaven wherever you go.” – Cornel West Lyrics of the Hymns for the
Church Service on June 21, 2020 Morning Has Broken page 145 verses 1 ,2,3 Morning has broken like the first morning; Blackbird has spoken like the first bird. Praise for the singing! Praise for the morning! Praise for them springing, fresh from the Word. Sweet the rain’s new fall sunlit from heaven, Like the first dewfall on the first grass Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden, Sprung in completeness where his feet pass. Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning Born like the one light Eden saw play! Praise with elation, praise every morning, God’s recreation of the new day! Dear Lord and Father of Mankind page 358 verses 1,2 Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, forgive our foolish ways; reclothe us in our rightful mind, in purer lives thy service find, in deeper reverence praise. In simple trust like theirs who heard, beside the Syrian Sea, the gracious calling of the Lord; let us like them, without a word, rise up and follow thee. This is My Father’s World page 144 verses 1,2 This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and around me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world: he shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King, Jr. A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 6/7/20 were $ 1260 which includes $100 received in memory of Pat Liao. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). As usual Please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns Prayers for the family of Phyllis Bont who died this week. Prayers of healing for Anne Matulonis, who fractured her arm in a fall. Prayers for George Thomson who is having surgery on Monday, June 15th. Prayers for Jim Peplau’s brother. We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com. Building Addition Update. There has been some great progress with our building project this week. The LULA lift has been installed and the parking area expanded making way for the walkway. Soon this project will be behind us and ready for us to use. Thanks so much to Dean for all his hard work to see this project through to completion. NOTE: The lyrics for the first Hymn on Sunday will not appear on the screen. Please refer to the printed lyric sheet below. Church Re-Opening Survey If you have not responded to the email requesting your opinion about when and how we reopen our church for services, please do so. You should be receiving a reminder email in the next day or so. The Church Board will be meeting on June 17 to make plans for this event, and we would greatly appreciate your input. Zoom Church Services Continue United Church of Ludlow We will continue until further notice to have Zoom services complete with music as an alternative. If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard. We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship. Read below to see how you can participate in the service. The invitation is listed below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at a number below. If you have used Zoom before and have it downloaded to your computer you do not need to contact us, but if you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can add you to the invitation we will be sending out Sunday morning. New to Zoom? We can help you navigate the program. Just ask. Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also attached as .pdf documents which you can download. You may wish to print them out prior to the meeting. PLEASE NOTE: At any one location, you should only have one live microphone. Please make sure to NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer. Turn one off. When both are on, this causes rather unpleasant reverberations for everyone. George Thomson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Zoom Sunday Church Service 6/14/2020 Time: Jun 14, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87606760603?pwd=T0lpZG0zbk85SjZ3ZmxhUGpHWEpSUT09 Meeting ID: 876 0676 0603 Password: 346246 One tap mobile +16465588656,,87606760603#,,1#,346246# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 876 0676 0603 Password: 346246 June 14, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST PRELUDE Teach Me to Walk in the Light GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP God has been acting in our lives and in the world around us this past week. We have come for this hour of worship to make ourselves more aware of God and to give thanks for God’s presence with us. . God is here even now, ready to strengthen us and to urge us to greater faithfulness. Fill us with your goodness, O God. Draw us into the orbit of your activity in the world that we might fulfill the purpose for which you created us. Amen. HYMN 66 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF INVOCATION Most gracious God, you who have created us and who sustains us: We come with thanksgiving for these moments when we can ease the pace of our lives and listen for your voice. Create a spirit within us that truly draws us toward you and toward our brothers and sisters, a spirit deep, perceptive, gentle, and bold. Clear our minds, open our hearts, and touch us with your presence and your power. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our friend and our Savior. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 121 THE GOSPEL LESSON John 14: 15-21 SERMON “I Want to Hold Your Hand” HYMN 175 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 430 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee Stanzas 1 & 2 BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE Pezzi di Concerto, Op. 50: No. 2, Preludio in forma di studio Massimo Nosetti Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Martin Luther King, Jr. Lyrics for the Hymns for the
Church Service on June 14, 2020 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (page 66 stanzas 1 & 2) Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, In the throne thy tribute bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Ever more God’s praises sing. Alleluia, Alleluia, Praise the everlasting King. Praise the Lord for grace and favor, To all people in distress. Praise God , still the same as ever, Slow to chide, and swift to bless, Alleluia, Alleluia, Glorious now God’s faithfulness. Jesus, the very thought of Thee (page 175 stanzas 1 & 2) Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills my breast But sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest. No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find A sweeter sound than Thy blest name, O savior of mankind. O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (page 430 stanzas 1 & 2) O master , let me walk with Thee, In lowly paths of service free; Tell me Thy secret; help be bear The strain of toil, the fret of care. Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee In closer, clearer, company, In work that keeps faith sweet and strong In trust that triumphs over wrong. "Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” ~ Reinhold Niebuhr A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 4/31/20 were $ 700 which includes $ 50 received in memory of Pat Liao. Costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). As usual Please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Birthdays & Anniversaries June 10 Bob Watts June 12 Herb VanGuilder Prayer Concerns We pray for healing for our country and all the innocent victims of violence. Bless those who spread peace and love. The family of Brenda and Dick who live and work in Minneapolis, a city torn apart by violence. As white middle class citizens we really don’t have a clue about the experiences of people of color. We need to learn and listen and participate in the healing. What an amazing world we would live in if we could spread love as quickly as we spread hate and negativity. Martin Luther King said “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that Prayers for Phyllis Bont who is a patient in hospice at Mt Ascutney Hospital. Prayers for Jim Peplau’s brother. We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com . “Right Spirit” The following poem was printed in this week’s edition of the Conference E-Kit. It was written by Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes. I thought it fitting during these times of turmoil and decided to share. When you send forth your spirit all beings are created; and you renew the face of the ground. His name was George Floyd. I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. He was God’s beloved, breathing God’s Spirit. In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body. He was black, the Body of Christ. When you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. He was slowly choked to death By a white cop. His life didn’t matter. We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Please, I can’t breathe… Create in me a clean heart, O God and put a new and right spirit within me. Congregation-wide Survey – Reopening Our Church As mentioned in last week’s newsletter, we are inviting all members of our church family to answer a few questions to help the church board develop a plan to reopen the church for services, which is safe and equitable to all members. This weekend, you will receive a separate email invitation to respond to the on-line survey. It also contains information about how you can respond to the survey on paper. Your response is particularly important, so please have every member of your family take a turn answering the questions. Zoom Church Services Continue IMPORTANT… PLEASE NOTE Below: Beginning May 30th, 2020, Zoom will be enabling GCM encryption across the entire Zoom platform, providing increased protection for meeting data. In order to join the church service this Sunday, you will need to have Zoom 5.0 on your computer or device. If you do not have Zoom 5.0 when you try to join our church meeting on Sunday, you will receive notice of a required forced update. It should be simple and you will be directed to download the new version to your computer or device. You will get a message to do this and be asked to simply click yes to download the 5.0 version. We have not seen the directions but believe it will be self-explanatory and should only take a few minutes. We wanted to let you know this before you suddenly found out on Sunday. This is supposed to make the platform safer to use and help to reduce the possibility of intruders! Zoom Service United Church of Ludlow Although we will not be together in person for our Service, we will be having a Zoom service, complete with music, on May 31, 2020 at 10:00 am. If you would like to participate in the service, please do not hesitate to call us at one of the numbers below before Sunday: Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 Home phone: 802-228-6275 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also available as .pdf documents which you can download when you receive an email invitation to the Zoom service. Hopefully we will see you in church! George and Linda ____________________________________________________________ June 7, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP TRINITY SUNDAY SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION PRELUDE: O God Almighty Father tune: Gott Vater sei Gepriesen GREETING Peace be to this house and to all for whom this is home. The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13) CALL TO WORSHIP Come, let us worship Almighty God. Let us lift up our songs, our prayers, and our praises. Come, let us honor Christ Jesus. Let us love Christ with our hearts, our minds, and our spirits. Come, let us be filled with the Spirit of the Living God. Breathe in us, breath of God. Alleluia. HYMN 64 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF CONFESSION Merciful God, whose care never ceases, we come to you as we are. We are tired from trying to do more than we can manage. We are anxious about problems that go unresolved. We are worried about events beyond our control. We do not easily let go. For mistakes we cannot redeem, for tasks left undone, for uncertain goals, we need your forgiveness and ask for your understanding. For recovery of strength and enthusiasm, we pray for your Spirit. For fullness of life, generous hearts, contented souls, we seek to be followers of Christ Jesus. In your mercy, restore us . . . ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS There is no chasm that cannot be bridged, no loss that cannot be recovered, no mistake that cannot be forgiven, no life than cannot be redeemed – by the grace of God in Christ Jesus! All you who reject vain desires and put away unwarranted fears and who put your confidence in the mercies of God whose presence is always with us may assuredly know that you are forgiven and that the ability to begin again is yours. Glory be to the Holy One who can make all things new! Alleluia! READING OF SCRIPTURE THE EPISTLE LESSON Romans 8: 14-17 THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 28: 16-20 SERMON “The Gift of Sight” JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 618 Let Us Break Bread Together Stanzas 1-3 THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION INVITATION BLESSING OF THE ELEMENTS THE LORD’S PRAYER BREAKING THE BREAD AND LIFTING THE CUP THE COMMUNION PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Let us give thanks. Bountiful God, we give you thanks that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen. HYMN 634 Now Let Us from This Table Rise Stanzas 1 & 2 BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: Intermezzo In B Flat Minor, Op. 117 No.2 Johannes Brahms "Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” ~ Reinhold Niebuhr Lyrics of the Hymns for the
Church Service on June 7, 2020 Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty page 64 (Stanzas 1 & 2) Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and mighty, God in three persons, blesses Trinity. Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore thee, casting down their golden crowns, around the glassy sea; cherubim an seraphim falling down before thee, Which wert, and art, and ever more shall be. Let Us Break Bread Together page 618 (Stanzas 1-3) Let us break bread together on our knees, Let us break bread together on our knees, When I fall down on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me. Let us drink wine together on our knees, Let us drink wine together on our knees, When I fall down on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me. Let us praise God together on our knees, Let us praise God together on our knees, When I fall down on my knees with my face to the rising sun, Oh Lord, have mercy on me. Now Let Us from This Table Rise page 634 (Stanzas 1 & 2) Now let us from this table rise renewed in body, mind and soul; With Christ we die and live again, his selfless love has made us whole. With minds alert, up held by grace to spread the word in speech and deed, We follow in the steps of Christ, at one with all in hope and need. To fill each human house with love, it is the sacrament of care, The work that Christ began to do we humbly pledge ourselves to share. A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 5/17/20 were $ 1070, which includes $150. received in memory of Pat Liao. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks. As always, please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________ Congregation Survey - Re-Opening Our Church Since the onset of the Covid-19 corona virus, churches throughout the world have been forced to close their physical doors and cease having church services in our sanctuaries. Thankfully, through modern technology, we have been able to continue to provide a worship service each week. While these Zoom services have been inspirational in many ways, it is not the same as worshiping together in person. To date, the State of Vermont has been very successful in keeping the spread of the virus to a minimum, although the United Church was indeed tragically affected with the death of Pat Liao. With current numbers of new cases hovering near zero, the governor of Vermont, Phil Scott, has given the okay for churches to reopen under certain guidelines. The Church Executive Board has been discussing and have met to see whether we are ready and willing to reopen the church for services each Sunday. While the Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ is unsure about when they think churches should reopen, some of the members of the board are in favor. We are in the process of preparing a plan that would, following guidelines of the State of Vermont and the CDC, allow us to do that while keeping the church building safe for public assembly. This plan will include keeping the church clean and sanitary, having guidelines as to the use of face masks and sanitizers, and maintaining seating and procedures that help us in practicing social distancing. We will extend a more detailed outline of the plan to everyone before our reopening. The plan will also include continuing to offer the service each week online, so that more members who are unable to attend in person will be able to share our worship with us. This plan is certainly contingent upon Pastor Harpster being willing to preach in person. We want to hear how the church members feel about this important decision, so we have put together a simple questionnaire which you will find at the end of this email. We ask you to please complete the survey, as this will help us to be sure we are offering the safest and most timely reopening possible. We would ask that each family member complete the survey. The Board will be meeting again on June 17 to discuss this matter and would appreciate your response ASAP so that we can include them in our discussion. We certainly encourage you to contact Laura Lienhard or Dean Alexander, if you have questions, comments or concerns about the survey. We do intend to follow this email with a phone call to be sure everyone has seen and understands the process. Dean Alexander Laura Lienhard diggerda@aol.com laura_lienhard@hotmail.com 802-228-2442 802-236-7310 Zoom Church Services Continue IMPORTANT… PLEASE NOTE Below: Beginning May 30th, 2020, Zoom will be enabling GCM encryption across the entire Zoom platform, providing increased protection for meeting data. In order to join the church service this Sunday, you will need to have Zoom 5.0 on your computer or device. If you do not have Zoom 5.0 when you try to join our church meeting on Sunday, you will receive notice of a required forced update. It should be simple and you will be directed to download the new version to your computer or device. You will get a message to do this and be asked to simply click yes to download the 5.0 version. We have not seen the directions but believe it will be self-explanatory and should only take a few minutes. We wanted to let you know this before you suddenly found out on Sunday. This is supposed to make the platform safer to use and help to reduce the possibility of intruders! Zoom Service United Church of Ludlow Although we will not be together in person for our Service, we will be having a Zoom service, complete with music, on May 31, 2020 at 10:00 am. If you would like to participate in the service, please do not hesitate to call us at one of the numbers below before Sunday: Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 Home phone: 802-228-6275 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also available as .pdf documents which you can download when you receive an email invitation to the Zoom service. Hopefully we will see you in church! George and Linda ____________________________________________________________ May 31, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP PENTECOST SUNDAY PRELUDE: Praise Him, Praise Him Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer John Troutman GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP Come together now in this time and in our homes joining hands and hearts. May each of us gather in from distant places to share a celebration of Pentecost, remembering the birth of the Christian Church. Holy Spirit, focus our love and weave us together holding fast to the mystery and preciousness of life. We praise God for the Holy Spirit which fills us at this moment. HYMN 192 There’s a Spirit in the Air” Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF INVOCATION One: Let us pray: Many: out loud, but muted Dear Creator of heaven and earth, be with us as we worship and praise your name. Be with us as we gather as a community of God, asking that the Holy Spirit to descend on us as it did in that upper room of our ancestors so many years ago. Dear Holy Spirit, sustain us and your world. WORDS OF CONFESSIONS, THANKSGIVING FOR FORGIVENESS One: We humbly come before you, authentically and fully as your children, including all that has separated us from you and each other. We asked for the healing of forgiveness for the ways in which we fall short. Silence Many: out loud, but muted Thank you for the assurance of forgiveness as we resolve to do better as a family of God with you and with one another. In Jesus’ Name. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE Lesson One Acts 2:1-21 Lesson Two 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 SERMON “Unraveled by Uncertainty” HYMN 420 Breathe on Me, Breath of God Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 500 Sprit of God, Descend Upon My Heart BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: Prelude in C Major Composer, J. S. Bach Lyrics to the Hymns for the Church Service on May 31, 2020 There's a Spirit in the Air 1. There's a spirit in the air, telling Christians everywhere: 'Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world!' 2. Lose your shyness, find your tongue, tell the world what God has done: God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today! Breathe on me, Breath of God 1 Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what Thou doest love, and do what Thou would do. 2 Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until my will is one with yours, to do and to endure. Spirit of God 1 Spirit of God, descend upon my heart, wean it from sin, through all its pulses move. Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art, and make me love Thee as I ought to love. 2 Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King, love you with all our heart and strength and mind? I see thy cross there teach my heart to cling. O let me seek Thee and O let me find! No one can take your memories from you – each day is a new beginning, making good memories every day.” - Catherine Pulsifer Zoom Service United Church of Ludlow Although we will not be together in person for our Service, we will be having a Zoom service, complete with music, on May 24, 2020 at 10:00 am. If you would like to participate in the service, please do not hesitate to call us at one of the numbers below before Sunday: Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 Home phone: 802-228-6275 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also available as .pdf documents which you can download when you receive an email invitation to the Zoom service. Hopefully we will see you in church! George and Linda ____________________________________________________________________ A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings Please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns Phyllis Bont has been moved to the rehab facility at Mt Ascutney Pam Dundy is back at home recovering from pneumonia In our own community let us keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com ______________________________________________________________________ May 24, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER MEMORIAL DAY SUNDAY PRELUDE Duo On Hyfrydol Paul S Jones, Composer/arranger GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP In this land of freedom and beauty, let us give thanks to God. Let us praise the Holy One who created the blue lakes and grassy prairies, the vast desert lands, and the breathtaking mountains of our homeland. Let us unite in worship of the Creator who formed all lands and all people. And who declared without hesitation, “It is good.” HYMN 696 America the Beautiful Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF INVOCATION O God, who is, and was, and is to come, before whose face the generations rise and pass away: Be to us a cloud by day and a fire by night. O the Source of peace and righteousness take now the veil from every heart and join us in one fellowship with Your prophets and saints who have trusted in You; and in this hour of devotion accept our humble worship of Your great Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 46 THE GOSPEL LESSON John 17: 1-11 SERMON “The Creative Process” HYMN 710 Faith of Our Fathers Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 431 Let There Be Peace on Earth BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE: Stars and Stripes Forever Composer, John Phillip Sousa United States Marine Band _______________________________________________________________ Hymns for May 24 Service America the Beautiful Oh, beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, From sea to shining sea. Oh, beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat, Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law. Faith of our Fathers Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword, Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy, Whene’er we hear that glorious word. [Chorus] Faith of our fathers, holy faith, We will be true to thee till death! Faith of our fathers, we will strive To win all nations unto thee, And thru the truth that comes from God, Mankind shall then be truly free. [Chorus] Faith of our fathers, holy faith, We will be true to thee till death! Let there be peace on earth Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me Let There Be Peace on Earth The peace that was meant to be With God as our Father Brothers all are we Let me walk with my brother In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me Let this be the moment now. With ev'ry step I take Let this be my solemn vow To take each moment and live Each moment in peace eternally Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me ______________________________________________________________ Attached is an interesting article from the VTCUCC (Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ) which hopefully you will find helpful and reassuring. Finding Our New Normal April 20, 2020 by Susan Beaumont Crisis moments call for strong, decisive action—people want to know that someone is in charge and things are being managed. But once the initial crisis calms, a period of disorientation sets in as we find our way to a new normal. The resolute leadership style that worked well during the initial crisis won’t work well in this ongoing unsettled space. We are in a liminal season, stuck between an ending and a new beginning. The pathway forward is not knowable. The way we “did church” even two months ago is done. We have literally been thrown out of our buildings by a pandemic. We can reassure people (and ourselves) by pretending the disruption is temporary. “We will resume all normal activity soon.” That reassurance is not helpful or truthful. No one knows what normal looks like after sheltering in place. Likely, we will resume many familiar things, but congregational life will not be the same. We are disoriented and confused. There is grief and loss. This season requires a different leadership stance. Our actions must originate from a new center—a less busy and more yielding, soulful place. The following five practices can help you lead more effectively as you discover the next, new normal with your congregation. 1. Surrender To surrender is to yield. We accept this moment as “just the place we need to be” to learn what is most important now. To surrender does not mean giving up or giving in. It does not mean we languish or grow lazy—quite the opposite. It means we lean into the disorientation and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit. Striving, rather than surrender, was the mood of the first season of this crisis. Striving is the act of working harder and longer to prove mastery, merit and worth. We hoped that our industriousness could protect people from the difficult, adaptive work ahead. Through our own hard work and determination, we figured out how to put church online. We toiled to demonstrate our care for people when we could not be physically present with them. We learned new ways to connect those in need. We’ve done good industrious work. But now we find ourselves beyond the limits of our own resourcefulness and knowing. This next season requires adaptive learning—for leaders and followers alike. Learning begins with surrender. I acknowledge that I don’t have answers. I yield my spirit to God’s leading and invite my congregation to do the same. We attend to all that arises in response to our surrender. 2. Use the Disorientation All innovation begins with disorientation. People must let the old status quo fail before we can embrace innovation. We should acknowledge that the status quo failed us some time ago. We’ve been falsely clinging to the old normal because there was too much pain in letting go. The pandemic has thrown us into deep disorientation. Now, we have no choice but to let go of the old normal. We occupy space on both sides of a threshold. One foot is rooted in something trying to end; another is planted in a thing not yet defined, something waiting to begin. We cling to structures, identities and relationships formed by our old experiences, although we know that those processes and practices will not serve us adequately moving forward. It would be a mistake to shore up the old structures and practices as things get “back to normal.” We need to take advantage of this moment to let old things die, to experiment, to take risks and learn. 3. Invite Meaning-Making Humans cannot live without meaning. The greater our sense of uncertainty, the more desperately we grasp for a handhold, a shred of something that reminds us of who we are and where we have been. People need help interpreting the present moment given their shared past. Part of this work is theological in nature. People grapple with the deep questions of our faith. Where is God when people are suffering? Why are we here? Is God punishing the world? Listen. Sharpen your theological edge and shape the conversations happening around you. Beyond that, locate this moment in the history of your specific context. When have your people endured a moment reminiscent of this one? What higher values did they bring to that moment? How might those same values guide them now? 4. Define One Good Next Step People need to know that they are pursuing something that matters now; worthy work, a shared common cause, or a sense of rootedness to something enduring. This is especially important when we can’t plan our next steps in one, three, and five-year increments. Who even knows what tomorrow will bring in this environment? Systematic planning won’t serve you well in liminality, but you don’t have to wander aimlessly. Help people remember their passions and connect those passions to their gifts and resources. Develop a shared sense of what you are trying to learn together. Then, claim one good next step in the general direction of your shared aspirations. 5. Attend to the Yearning Rational decision making assumes that human knowledge is enough to address the challenges we face. Rational decisions can’t guide us through the deep disorientation we face now. Instead, we need to pay attention to yearning. Yearning is the language of the human soul. When we listen to others at soul level, we sense a collective longing that will guide us to the other side of chaos. Letting go of what once was, we let ourselves be led by God who is drawing us forward and into our future. Discernment is the tool we use to attend the yearning. It’s a wisdom way of knowing. We drop beneath rational decision making, directly into the knowing planted in our souls. Make space in your congregation for this expression of collective yearning. What is God calling us to do or become next? Our new normal is already with us and it is also just beyond our reach. This is an exciting time to be the church if we are willing to stay in the disorientation for the time it takes to discover our next chapter. Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. - Albert Einstein A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter or web page. If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster. Weekly Offerings As always, please continue your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. Thank you so much. Prayer Concerns Prayers for Phyllis Bont who is a patient at DHMC Pam Dundy continues to recover at DHMC Condolences to the family of Ellen Parrish who lost her long battle with cancer In our own community let us keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. We know the power of prayer. If you have others to add to our prayer concerns, please email Thomson131VT@gmail.com _________________________________________________________________ The May 7 issue of the Vermont Standard had a very nice article describing the work Sandy Peplau does, not only as the Volunteer Coordinator for Springfield Hospital, but also in the community. Recently, she coordinated a group of volunteers whose goal was to produce 1,000 face masks for staff and patients. The end result was over 2,000 masks to enhance the safety of medical personnel and patients. She also organized a group of volunteers and donors to create gift bags given to local nurses during National Nurses Week. These are just a few of the many things Sandy does to make a difference in the community. (Thanks to Carl Hagge for pointing out this story.) ____________________________________________________________________ Zoom Church Services Continue United Church of Ludlow We will continue to have Zoom services, complete with music, until further notice. If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard to join. We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship. Read below to see how you can participate in the service using the invitation listed below. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at a number below. If you have used Zoom before and have it downloaded to your computer you do not need to contact us, but if you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can add you to the invitation we will be sending out Sunday morning. New to Zoom? We can help you navigate the program. Just ask. Linda: 802-558-9055 George: 802-558-9057 The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. They are also attached as a .pdf document, which you can download. You may wish to print them out prior to the meeting. PLEASE NOTE: At any one location, you should only have one live microphone. Please make sure to NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer. Turn one off. When both are on, this causes rather unpleasant reverberations for everyone. PLEASE NOTE WE WILL BE USING A PASSWORD TO HELP WITH SECURITY. George Thomson is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: United Church of Ludlow Sunday Service 5/17/2020 Time: May 17, 2020 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89026267471?pwd=K0pqZkVEdzNHN0wrcHI4aTdDdmpPUT09 Meeting ID: 890 2626 7471 Password: 323493 One tap mobile: +16465588656,,89026267471#,,1#,323493# US (New York) Dial in to the meeting: +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 890 2626 7471 Password: 323493 May 17, 2020 10:15 A.M. SERVICE OF WORSHIP SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER PRELUDE : Teach Me to Walk in the Light GREETING In the name of the triune God: the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. CALL TO WORSHIP God has been acting in our lives and in the world around us this past week. We have come for this hour of worship to make ourselves more aware of God and to give thanks for God’s presence with us. God is here even now, ready to strengthen us and to urge us to greater faithfulness. Fill us with your goodness, O God. Draw us into the orbit of your activity in the world that we might fulfill the purpose for which you created us. Amen. HYMN 61 Come, Thou Almighty King Stanzas 1 & 2 PRAYER OF INVOCATION Most gracious God, you who have created us and who sustains us: We come with thanksgiving for these moments when we can ease the pace of our lives and listen for your voice. Create a spirit within us that truly draws us toward you and toward our brothers and sisters; a spirit deep, perceptive, gentle and bold. Clear our minds, open our hearts, and touch us with your presence and your power. We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our friend and our Savior. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Psalm 121 THE GOSPEL LESSON John 14: 15-21 SERMON “I Want to Hold Your Hand” HYMN 175 Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Stanzas 1 & 2 JOYS AND CONCERNS PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE PRAYER RESPONSE Hymnal, No. 473 Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness; Make thy way plain before my face. For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only, That makest me dwell in safety. OFFERTORY SENTENCE PRAYER OF DEDICATION HYMN 430 O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee Stanzas 1 & 2 BENEDICTION BENEDICTION RESPONSE POSTLUDE Pezzi di Concerto, Op. 50: No. 2, Massimo Nosetti Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty. - Albert Einstein Hymns for Church Service on May 17,2020 Come Thou Almighty King (page 61 stanzas 1 & 2) Come, Thou Almighty King, Help us Thy Name to sing, Help us to Praise: Father! All glorious, O’re all victorious, Come, and reign over us, Ancient of Days. Come, Thou Incarnate Word, Gird on Thy mighty sword, Our prayer attend! Come, and Thy people bless, And give Thy word success: Spirit of Holiness, On us descend. Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee (page 175 stanzas 1 & 2) Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills my breast But sweeter far Thy face to see And in Thy presence rest. No voice can sing, no heart can frame, Nor can the memory find A sweeter sound than Thy blest name, O savior of mankind. O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee (page 430 stanzas 1 & 2) O master , let me walk with Thee, In lowly paths of service free; Tell me Thy secret; help be bear The strain of toil, the fret of care. Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee In closer, clearer, company, In work that keeps faith sweet and strong In trust that triumphs over wrong. "Kind hearts are the garden, |