CHURCH SERVICES
at the
UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW
Service are shared ELECTRONICALLY
(contact unitedchurch@tds.net for more information)
_________________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________
at the
UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW
Service are shared ELECTRONICALLY
(contact unitedchurch@tds.net for more information)
_________________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________
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
Executive Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30 pm
Weekly Offerings
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending November 22, 2020, were $1045. 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.
_________________________________________________________________________
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
Executive Board Meeting, Wednesday, December 9, at 6:30 pm
Weekly Offerings
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending November 22, 2020, were $1045. 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.
_________________________________________________________________________
A New Way for Churches
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. Now these other activities would be provided virtually through Zoom.
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. Now these other activities would be provided virtually through Zoom.
 | ECCO EXPERIMENT IN COVENANTAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH |
Advent Bible Study
“A Walk with Mary” during Advent, starting Thursday, December 3rd at 7 pm by Zoom for three weeks.
E-mail Diane Holme at holmelaw@vermontel.net if you would like to join in or try it out.
_________________________________________________________________________
“A Walk with Mary” during Advent, starting Thursday, December 3rd at 7 pm by Zoom for three weeks.
E-mail Diane Holme at holmelaw@vermontel.net if you would like to join in or try it out.
_________________________________________________________________________
This link provides a quick and easy way to support a second COVID Relief Bill. Across the country COVID cases are rising dramatically. The fall and winter ahead of us hold significant challenge, especially at a time when many people are already facing extreme hardship. People in every community are facing hunger and the threat of eviction or homelessness, in alarming numbers. Since May more than eight million more people have been forced into poverty; many of them Black people and children. The pandemic and the resultant economic disaster won’t go away anytime soon, and Congress needs to start acting like they care by passing a COVID relief bill that is significant in scope; addressing: childcare, paid leave, housing and nutrition assistance, as well as providing funding for state/local/tribal governments to keep essential services running,
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November 29, 2020 10:00 A.M.
Service of Worship
First Sunday of Advent - Hope
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.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE – HOPE
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world. With
the coming of this light there is hope. Because of Christ we not only have hope,
but believe that good is stronger than evil. God wants us to work for good in
this world.
CALL TO WORSHIP * (Please Stand.)
After such suffering,
We watch for a sign, any sign.
The sun seems to dim, the moon fails, the stars fall.
We need a sign, any sign.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming.
We hope that the Human One is on the way,
gathering the faithful from the four winds,
into a place of peace –
We need a sign, any sign.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming.
Nature once offered signs to depend on:
The fig tree put out tender leaves,
and we knew summer was near--
But climate today
Is hurting, and unpredictable.
We need a sign, any sign.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming.
So together we search for a sign of the One who is coming--
Clarity in confusion.
Green shoot in a barren landscape. Song arising in a weary soul.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming
Come, let us worship!
HYMN 131* We Gather Together
Invocation
Come into our midst, O Holy One,
Rider of the Clouds of Heaven,
Surprising answer to heartfelt prayer.
In whatever way you choose--
Come. Shake us up.
Help us find you at work in our lives
Showing the way to make all things new.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
READING OF SCRIPTURE
PSALM 80: 1 – 7, Hymnal page 801
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 of Confession
This has been a year to lament--
Grief and loss,
Crisis when social structures have failed the common good
Complicity when age-old prejudices found new and cruel expression:
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
This has been a year to wake up--
To read the “signs of the times”
To wake up to painful truths, and give them voice
To ponder the changes needed for a just world for all:
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
This has been a year to call God into our sorry midst--
Show us your face!
Encourage us in the face of brutal realities,
Empower us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you
On the way in which you make all things new.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Silence
Assurance of Grace
God is faithful,
and gives us grace in Christ Jesus.
In this fellowship we can count on being in enriched
In speech, in knowledge, in every spiritual gift.
Let us give thanks, in Christ, we are forgiven
and sent forth to work for God’s reign among us.
SERMON “Watching and Waiting”
HYMN 196* Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE 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
In struggle and in joy, God is faithful to us.
We bring forth our offerings – our tithes, our treasures, our least coins –
to demonstrate our faithfulness to God.
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*
O Faithful One,
accept these gifts of our hearts and hands.
May they be multiplied and magnified
as the living presence of Christ in the world. Amen.
HYMN 210* Toda la Tierra – All Earth is Waiting
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*
Send us into the world refreshed in hope,
Awake, alert, attuned to your presence
ready to join your work of blessing for all. Amen.
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
* All who are able may stand.
Service of Worship
First Sunday of Advent - Hope
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.
LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT CANDLE – HOPE
We light this candle to proclaim the coming of the light of God into the world. With
the coming of this light there is hope. Because of Christ we not only have hope,
but believe that good is stronger than evil. God wants us to work for good in
this world.
CALL TO WORSHIP * (Please Stand.)
After such suffering,
We watch for a sign, any sign.
The sun seems to dim, the moon fails, the stars fall.
We need a sign, any sign.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming.
We hope that the Human One is on the way,
gathering the faithful from the four winds,
into a place of peace –
We need a sign, any sign.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming.
Nature once offered signs to depend on:
The fig tree put out tender leaves,
and we knew summer was near--
But climate today
Is hurting, and unpredictable.
We need a sign, any sign.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming.
So together we search for a sign of the One who is coming--
Clarity in confusion.
Green shoot in a barren landscape. Song arising in a weary soul.
Be aware, stay awake, change is coming
Come, let us worship!
HYMN 131* We Gather Together
Invocation
Come into our midst, O Holy One,
Rider of the Clouds of Heaven,
Surprising answer to heartfelt prayer.
In whatever way you choose--
Come. Shake us up.
Help us find you at work in our lives
Showing the way to make all things new.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
READING OF SCRIPTURE
PSALM 80: 1 – 7, Hymnal page 801
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 of Confession
This has been a year to lament--
Grief and loss,
Crisis when social structures have failed the common good
Complicity when age-old prejudices found new and cruel expression:
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
This has been a year to wake up--
To read the “signs of the times”
To wake up to painful truths, and give them voice
To ponder the changes needed for a just world for all:
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
This has been a year to call God into our sorry midst--
Show us your face!
Encourage us in the face of brutal realities,
Empower us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you
On the way in which you make all things new.
Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Silence
Assurance of Grace
God is faithful,
and gives us grace in Christ Jesus.
In this fellowship we can count on being in enriched
In speech, in knowledge, in every spiritual gift.
Let us give thanks, in Christ, we are forgiven
and sent forth to work for God’s reign among us.
SERMON “Watching and Waiting”
HYMN 196* Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
SHARING JOYS AND CONCERNS
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
THE 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
In struggle and in joy, God is faithful to us.
We bring forth our offerings – our tithes, our treasures, our least coins –
to demonstrate our faithfulness to God.
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*
O Faithful One,
accept these gifts of our hearts and hands.
May they be multiplied and magnified
as the living presence of Christ in the world. Amen.
HYMN 210* Toda la Tierra – All Earth is Waiting
BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*
Send us into the world refreshed in hope,
Awake, alert, attuned to your presence
ready to join your work of blessing for all. Amen.
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
DISMISSAL
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
* All who are able may stand.
Lyrics to the Hymns
and Responsive Reading
for the
November 29 Service
HYMN 131 We Gather Together
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
he chastens and hastens his will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be thine!
We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
HYMN 196 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
HYMN 210 Toda la Terra – All Earth is Waiting
All earth is waiting to see the Promised one,
And the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
Thus says the prophet to those of Israel,
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”
for his name is “God with us,“ our brother shall be,
with him hope will blossom once more with-in our hearts.
Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain;
open new highways, new highways for the Lord.
He is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
In lowly stable the Promised one appeared,
Yet, feel his presence throughout the earth today,
For he lives in all Christians and is with us now;
again, with his coming he brings us liberty
and Responsive Reading
for the
November 29 Service
HYMN 131 We Gather Together
We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing;
he chastens and hastens his will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to his name; he forgets not his own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
ordaining, maintaining his kingdom divine;
so from the beginning the fight we were winning;
thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be thine!
We all do extol thee, thou leader triumphant,
and pray that thou still our defender wilt be.
Let thy congregation escape tribulation;
thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
HYMN 196 Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.
HYMN 210 Toda la Terra – All Earth is Waiting
All earth is waiting to see the Promised one,
And the open furrows, the sowing of the Lord.
All the world, bound and struggling, seeks true liberty;
it cries out for justice and searches for the truth.
Thus says the prophet to those of Israel,
“A virgin mother will bear Emmanuel”
for his name is “God with us,“ our brother shall be,
with him hope will blossom once more with-in our hearts.
Mountains and valleys will have to be made plain;
open new highways, new highways for the Lord.
He is now coming closer, so come all and see,
and open the doorways as wide as wide can be.
In lowly stable the Promised one appeared,
Yet, feel his presence throughout the earth today,
For he lives in all Christians and is with us now;
again, with his coming he brings us liberty
