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United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - April 18, 2021

4/16/2021

CHURCH SERVICES
at the
UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW

are shared ELECTRONICALLY
Contact unitedchurch@tds.net
or call 802-228-4211
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 those 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.
_________________________________________________________________________
ANNOUNCEMENTS

We wish to thank Rev. Hannah K. Sotak for leading our worship service this Sunday.

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, April 21, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on April 11 were $1265.
The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

George and Linda Thomson's daughter and granddaughter, Amanda and Hailey LaPlatte, and George's niece and her daughter, Chrissy and Emma Reynolds, tested positive for coronavirus, two weeks ago. Prayers for all would be appreciated.

We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

Lorraine Fitzgibbons, James Almond, Arthur Marin, Jean Eggleston,
Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Anne Oakes,
Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp,
Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

Carl Hagge celebrates a birthday on April 19
Dotti Humm celebrates a birthday on April 24
Bill Kneebone celebrates a birthday on April 25
_________________________________________________________________________
Let’s Say Thank You in a Big Way

Have you ever noticed when you arrive at the church in the winter, the driveway is always plowed? For as many years as we can remember Wayne Hammond has plowed the parking area at our church. He has never charged us for his services. It is his donation to the church.

We think it is way past time to thank him for his generosity. Let’s put together a gift basket for him with gift certificates, gift cards, homemade goodies, jams, syrups or whatever else you think would be appropriate. You can leave it in the church in the designated box on the table in the social hall or call George or Linda and they will come to you to pick it up.

If you would prefer to make a cash contribution, please send a check made out to the United Church, to Anne Oakes, 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149.
Write Wayne Hammond Gift in the memo line.
_________________________________________________________________________
Help Needed!

The Church Board is looking for someone to take a few photographs of the town of Ludlow with Okemo in the background, and of the Sanctuary as you first enter. They will be used to illustrate our church profile.

If interested contact
Laura (laura_lienhard@hotmail.com) or
Dean (diggerda@aol.com).
_________________________________________________________________________

April 18, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Service of Worship
Third Sunday of Easter

PRELUDE
(All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
  preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
  of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP * (Please Stand.)

  We gather here today, invited and loved by God to come as we are.
  Yet God loves us far too much to leave us this way…
  God has given all of God’s self that we may be made whole. Piece by pieces,
  moment by moment, breath by breath, we are made new.
  May God bind us together this day by the power of the Holy Spirit that
  together, we may be into the Sacred Space that is the Church.
  Let us pray:

OPENING PRAYER*
  God of all Creation and Recreation who makes us new again each day;
  gather us in and make from us the Body of Christ that we may, after we
  leave this time together, become the Body of Christ for the world. For it
  is in Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.

HYMN 480*   O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
READING OF SCRIPTURE Acts 3: 12-19

Psalm 4: 6-8

  There are many who say, “O that we might see some good! Let the light of
  your face shine on us, O LORD!”
  You have put gladness in my heart more than when their grain and wine
  abound.
  I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
  For you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.

GLORIA 70*

  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
  and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
  beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end. Amen. Amen.

THE GOSPEL LESSON   Luke 24: 36-48

SERMON                                                                             “When God Speaks in Silence”

HYMN 142*                                                            If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

  The Lord be with you.
  And also with you.
  Let us pray.

LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)

PRAYER RESPONSE                                   Hymnal, No. 473

  Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness;
  Make thy way plain before my face.
  For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
That makest me dwell in safety.

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY

  At the Presentation, Hymn 95*             Old 100th
  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
  Praise him, all creatures here below;
  Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION*

HYMN 363*                                                    And Can it Be That I Should Gain, vs. 1,2,4

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*
                   (written by Rev. Mindi Welton-Mitchell Used with Permission)
  The tomb is empty. The stone is rolled away. There is no darkness now, only light.
  God continues to renew us and restore us. We are forgiven, loved and restored,
  receiving the gift and promise of new life and resurrection now. Go and share the
  wondrous news of God’s love in Jesus the Christ. 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 April 18 Service

HYMN 480*                        O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go

O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths
its flow may richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee;
my heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine's blaze
its day may brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow thru the rain, and feel the promise is not vain,
that morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms
red life that shall endless be.

HYMN 142*                        If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee

If thou but suffer God to guide thee, and hope in God through all thy ways,
God will give strength, whate'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 whate'er thy Maker's pleasure and all-discerning love hath sent;
we know our inmost wants are known, for we are called to be God's own.

Sing, pray, and keep God's ways unswerving; so do thine own part faithfully,
and trust God's word; though undeserving, thou yet shalt find it true for thee.
God never yet forsook at need the soul that trusted God indeed.

HYMN 363*                         And Can it Be That I Should Gain, vs. 1,2,4

And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain! For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies! Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore; let angel minds inquire no more.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay, fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray; I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

PSALM 4                                 page 857-858
Reading Verses 6 – 8 only

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - April 11, 2021

4/7/2021

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, April 21, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on April 4 were $1235.
The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

George and Linda Thomson's daughter and granddaughter, Amanda and Hailey LaPlatte, and George's niece and her daughter, Chrissy and Emma Reynolds, tested positive for coronavirus, last week. Prayers for all would be appreciated.

We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

Lorraine Fitzgibbons, James Almond, Arthur Marin, Jean Eggleston,
Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Anne Oakes,
Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp,
Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

Carl Hagge celebrates a birthday on April 19
Dotti Humm celebrates a birthday on April 24
Bill Kneebone celebrates a birthday on April 25
_________________________________________________________________________
Let’s Say Thank You in a Big Way

Have you ever noticed when you arrive at the church in the winter, the driveway is always plowed? For as many years as we can remember Wayne Hammond has plowed the parking area at our church. He has never charged us for his services. It is his donation to the church.

We think it is way past time to thank him for his generosity. Let’s put together a gift basket for him with gift certificates, gift cards, homemade goodies, jams, syrups or whatever else you think would be appropriate. You can leave it in the church in the designated box on the table in the social hall or call George or Linda and they will come to you to pick it up.

If you would prefer to make a cash contribution, please send a check made out to the United Church, to Anne Oakes, 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149.
Write Wayne Hammond Gift in the memo line.
_________________________________________________________________________

Help Needed!

The Church Board is looking for someone to take a few photographs of the town of Ludlow with Okemo in the background, and of the Sanctuary as you first enter. They will be used to illustrate our church profile.
If interested contact
Laura (laura_lienhard@hotmail.com) or
Dean (diggerda@aol.com).
_________________________________________________________________________

April 11, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Service of Worship
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

PRELUDE
(All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
  preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
  of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP * (Please Stand.)

  It is good to give thanks to you, O God,
  To declare your steadfast love in the morning;
  For you have made us glad by your work;
  At the works of your hands, we sing for joy.

HYMN 327*                                                                        Crown Him with Many Crowns

OPENING PRAYER*

CONFESSION OF SIN

  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins
  and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (I John 1: 8-9)

  Let us confess our sins before God and one another.

  God of everlasting mercy hear our prayer today, as we bring our lives
  before you. We come as people who dwell on the past. We want to face
  your new day with life and hope in our hearts, but many times the events
  of our own lives weigh us down. We forget to forgive one another. We
  dwell on our own past mistakes. We refuse to bury dead issues and
  worn-out memories. Free us, free us from ourselves, God, so that we
  might walk new pathways, alive with grace. . .

SILENCE        (observed for reflection and prayer)

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

  The Good News in Christ is that God offers us life at every moment,
  forgiving us, and inviting us to the freshness of new beginnings. May
  God be praised for this gracious and loving gift.

READING OF SCRIPTURE                                                             Acts 1: 1-5

Psalm 145                                                                                      page 857, Response 1

GLORIA 70*

  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
  and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
  beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end. Amen. Amen.

THE GOSPEL LESSON                                                                    John 21: 1-14

SERMON                                                                              “The Door to the Future”

HYMN 382*                                                                        Have Thine Own Way, Lord

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

  The Lord be with you.
  And also with you.
  Let us pray.

LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)

PRAYER RESPONSE                                   Hymnal, No. 473

  Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness;
  Make thy way plain before my face.
  For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
  That makest me dwell in safety.

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY

  At the Presentation, Hymn 95*             Old 100th
  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
  Praise him, all creatures here below;
  Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION*

HYMN 600*                                                             Wonderful Words of Life

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
  Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.
_________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics to the Hymns and Responsive Reading
for the April 11 Service

HYMN 327*                                    Crown Him with Many Crowns

Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave,
and rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save.
His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high,
who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways
from pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round his pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side,
those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me;
thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

HYMN 382*                                    Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.

Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!

HYMN 600*                                     Wonderful Words of Life

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.

(Refrain)
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed one, gives to all wonderful words of life;
sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
all so freely given, wooing us to heaven.
(Refrain)

Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life;
offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever.
(Refrain)

_________________________________________________________________________

PSALM 145                                      page 857-858

_________________________________________________________________________

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - April 4, 2021

4/2/2021

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, April 28, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on March 28 were $515. The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

Lorraine Fitzgibbons, James Almond, Arthur Marin, Jean Eggleston,
Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Anne Oakes,
Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp,
Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

Bernie and Loren Stolp celebrate an anniversary on April 4
Nancy Hagge celebrates a birthday on April 5
Bob and Sally Watts celebrate an anniversary on April 5
Sally Watts celebrates a birthday on April 9
Christine Boardman celebrates a birthday on April 9

Let’s Say Thank You in a Big Way

Have you ever noticed when you arrive at the church in the winter, the driveway is always plowed? For as many years as we can remember Wayne Hammond has plowed the parking area at our church. He has never charged us for his services. It is his donation to the church.

We think it is way past time to thank him for his generosity. Let’s put together a gift basket for him with gift certificates, gift cards, homemade goodies, jams, syrups or whatever else you think would be appropriate. You can leave it in the church in the designated box on the table in the social hall or call George or Linda and they will come to you to pick it up.

If you would prefer to make a cash contribution, please send a check made out to the United Church, to Anne Oakes, 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149.
Write Wayne Hammond Gift in the memo line.
_________________________________________________________________________

April 4, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Service of Worship

Easter Sunday
Communion Sunday

PRELUDE
  (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
  preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOYS AND CONCERNS

GREETING

The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
  of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP *

  Easter begins in despair. Our life, our love, our hope forever dead, crushed by
  boulder, bottled up in a cave.

  Who will roll away the stone?

  Easter takes us by surprise, early in the morning. The obstacles we expect to
  face are removed. Where once death and despair lay locked in time, now the
  bright light of hope like wings flies out of emptiness. It is at first, too good to be
  true, unbelievable.

  Where has he gone? Where have you taken him?

  The unexpected, the fear might make us run away from the tomb.

  Be not afraid is a welcome response. We discover Jesus, the crucified,
  was risen. We recognize the one who loves us having given up his life for us.

  And all who encounter the Risen One whether gently aroused or doubting find
  a joy and purpose. What we thought was lost has been found and we are free
  to believe and to love God, ourselves and others.

  Christ is risen, risen indeed. Alleluia!

HYMN 307 *                                                            Christ Is Risen

INVOCATION (in unison)

  Giver of life, we come this morning with our alleluias, lilies, and song. We
  come to worship with beauty and in truth because we have found the faith to
  believe in Jesus. He has transformed our lives that we might love without
  fear. Accept our worship, bless the sacrament we share and be present in
  the coming time of Spring and the season of Easter. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

  Known in all of creation, God’s love is ancient and endures. Our faith may wax
  and wane while God is steadfast. Let us confess our sin and our need of God.

  God, we come before you as those who have been baptized into the death
  of Jesus, and who seek to be raised to new life in Christ. We live with fear,
  even of death itself. We cannot let go of what would separate us from
  others and our best selves. You value life and each person and all of
  creation. Lift us up that we might carry the light of Christ with courage
  and determination. Forgive us when we neglect our responsibility to serve
  others and to create a world of goodness, joy, justice, and gentleness.
  Through Jesus Christ who has promised to be with us always, Amen.

SILENCE

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

PSALM 118:14-24                                                  pp. 839-840 Response 2

GLORIA

  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.

GOSPEL LESSON                 Mark 16:1-8

SERMON                              “Now What?”

HYMN 311 * Now the Green Blade Riseth

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY*

  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 *

INVITATION

COMMUNION PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses…)

BREAKING BREAD AND POURING WINE

SHARING THE ELEMENTS

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *

  For the healing you have given us in the brokenness of bread and the
  pouring out of cup, we thank you. For the community that you have
  restored in us through the sharing of life, we thank you. For the courage
  and strength that you have promised to us, even as we have honored the
  ones of courage in our past, we thank you. Send us forth from this place in
  love, freeing us to work out justice with gentleness and power known in the
  presence of the Risen Christ, Amen.

CLOSING HYMN 310 *   He Lives

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
  Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.
_________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics to the Hymns and Responsive Reading
for the April 4 Service

HYMN 307 *                                                Christ Is Risen

Christ is risen! Shout Hosanna! Celebrate this day of days.
Christ is risen! Hush in wonder; all creation is amazed.
In the desert all-surrounding, see, a spreading tree has grown.
Healing leaves of grace abounding bring a taste of love unknown.

Christ is risen! Raise your spirits from the caverns of despair.
Walk with gladness in the morning. See what love can do and dare.
Drink the wine of resurrection, not a servant, but a friend;
Jesus is our strong companion. Joy and peace shall never end.

Christ is risen! Earth and heaven nevermore shall be the same.
Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain.
Tell its grim, demonic chorus: "Christ is risen! Get you gone!"
God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna everyone!

HYMN * 311                                    Now the Green Blade Riseth

Now the green blade riseth, from the buried grain,
Wheat that in dark earth many days has lain;
Love lives again, that with the dead has been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

In the grave they laid Him, Love who had been slain,
Thinking that He never would awake again,
Laid in the earth like grain that sleeps unseen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

Forth He came at Easter, like the risen grain,
Jesus who for three days in the grave had lain;
Quick from the dead my risen Lord is seen:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.

When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain,
Jesus' touch can call us back to life again,
Fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
Love is come again like wheat that springeth green.
HYMN * 310                                                            He Lives

I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He's always near

(Refrain)
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me Along life's narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart

In all the world around me I see His loving care
And though my heart grows weary I never will despair
I know that He is leading, through all the stormy blast
The day of His appearing will come at last
(Refrain)

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian Lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find
None other is so loving, so good and kind
(Refrain)
_________________________________________________________________________

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - March 28, 2021

3/26/2021

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, April 28, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

  Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on March 21 were $1165.
  The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by
  52 weeks).

  Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes,
  at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

  Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

  Lorraine Fitzgibbons, James Almond, Arthur Marin,
  Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards,
  Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer,
  Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker,
  Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

Brenda Dansingburg celebrates a birthday on March 30th
  Bernie and Loren Stolp celebrate an anniversary on April 4
  Nancy Hagge celebrates a birthday on April 5
  Bob and Sally Watts celebrate an anniversary on April 5
  Sally Watts celebrates a birthday on April 9

Let’s Say Thank You in a Big Way

Have you ever noticed when you arrive at the church in the winter, the driveway is always plowed? For as many years as we can remember Wayne Hammond has plowed the parking area at our church. He has never charged us for his services. It is his donation to the church.

We think it is way past time to thank him for his generosity. Let’s put together a gift basket for him with gift certificates, gift cards, homemade goodies, jams, syrups or whatever else you think would be appropriate.

You can leave it in the church in the designated box on the table in the social hall or call George or Linda and they will come to you to pick it up.

ECCO Lenten Bible Study in March

Diane Holme invites you to a Lenten Bible Study organized by the ECCO group, continues today and next Sunday at 12:30 pm.

To join the Bible Study Group click the following link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82274055795?pwd=UVZJRzlhcXVoYWdvbmFJREJTSDNEZz09
or join the meeting using your Zoom App with
Meeting ID: 822 7405 5795 and
Passcode: 810856

or using your phone, the one tap mobile number is +13017158592,,82274055795#,,,,*810856#
_________________________________________________________________________

March 28, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Service of Worship
Sixth Sunday In Lent
Palm Sunday

PRELUDE
  (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation
  in preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
  communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP
            Cry out, people of faith; rejoice and praise God!
            If we did not sing praise, the very stones would cry out!
            Cry out, people of faith; for your Savior draws near to Jerusalem.
            Hosanna! God saves! Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name.
            Blessed is Jesus Christ, who did not turn back for fear of the Cross.
Praising God who loves us, and lets us share Christ’s sufferings and face
  our path of faith with courage and hope.
            Hosanna! God saves! Blessed is the One who comes in God’s name.

SOLO                                                 "The Holy City"                       Weatherly and Adams

INVOCATION

  As crowds of people welcomed Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem,
  acclaiming him as their ruler, so we welcome you, Creator, Christ and Spirit.
  Above all human powers and dominions, you lay rightful claim to our lives.
  We have come to share the way of the Cross wherever it might lead us.
  Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

  Let us confess before God our tendency to profess our faith when we feel
  enthusiastic and deny our faith when we are afraid or unwilling to risk our lives.

  O God, we are like the people of Jerusalem so long ago.
  We are hungry for a hero. We crave some glimpse of greatness
  and the spectacular. You call us into a world of suffering and ask us
  to stand for peace and justice and speak out for those who have little
  power and influence. Forgive us when we feel inadequate and weak,
  indifferent and silent in the face of horror. Bring to us your Presence
  of wisdom, courage and love creating a world of promise and hope.
  Amen.

SILENCE

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

READING OF SCRIPTURE

  Hebrew Testament                                  Isaiah 50:4—9a

            Psalm 31: 1-16   pp.764-765 response 1

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.

Gospel Lesson                                            Liturgy of the Palm and Passion

SERMON                                          “Where have we been and where are we going?”

HYMN * 292                                                What Wondrous Love Is This

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

  The Lord be with you.
  And also with you.
  Let us pray.

LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)

PRAYER RESPONSE                                   Hymnal, 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.

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY SOLO “The Crucifixion”                            S. Barber

DOXOLOGY *

  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 *

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
  Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.

We appreciate our soloists, Lisha Klaiber and Janice Edwards, for sharing their gifts of music this morning.

May HOLY WEEK be a time of prayer and reflection. Read the Bible passages from John18-19 as we await the coming of EASTER.
_________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Reading
for the March 28 Service

HYMN * 292 What Wondrous Love Is This

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of life
to lay aside his crown for my soul, for my soul,
to lay aside his crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing,
to God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
to God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
while millions join the theme I will sing, I will sing;
while millions join the theme I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
and when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
and through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
and through eternity I’ll sing on.

Psalm 31: 1-16 pp.764-765 response 1

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - March 21, 2021

3/19/2021

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 - Wednesday, March 24, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

  Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending on March 14 were $735.
  The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget by
  2 weeks).

  Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes,
  at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

  Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

      We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

      James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Arthur Marin, Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle,
      Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier,
      Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes,
      Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

  Dalene Behrens celebrates a birthday on March 22nd
  Brenda Dansingburg celebrates a birthday on March 30th

Let’s Say Thank You in a Big Way

  Have you ever noticed when you arrive at the church in the winter, the driveway
  is always plowed? For as many years as we can remember Wayne Hammond
  has plowed the parking area at our church. He has never charged us for his
  services. It is his donation to the church.

  We think it is way past time to thank him for his generosity. Let’s put together
  a gift basket for him with gift certificates, gift cards, homemade goodies, jams,
  syrups or whatever else you think would be appropriate.

  You can leave it in the church in the designated box on the table in the social hall
  or call George or Linda and they will come to you to pick it up.

ECCO Lenten Bible Study in March

  Diane Holme invites you to a Lenten Bible Study organized by the ECCO group,
  which continues today and next Sunday at 12:30 pm.

  To join the Bible Study Group, click the following link

  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82274055795?pwd=UVZJRzlhcXVoYWdvbmFJREJTSDNEZz09

  or join the meeting using your Zoom App with

  Meeting ID: 822 7405 5795 and
  Passcode: 810856

or using your phone, the one tap mobile number is +13017158592,,82274055795#,,,,*810856#
_________________________________________________________________________

March 21, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Service of Worship
Fifth Sunday In Lent

   PRELUDE
   (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
   preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

   The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
   of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

   And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP

   Let us gather to worship.
   O God, we wish to see Jesus!
   We come to worship, to pray, and learn.
   We come looking for Jesus in Scripture lessons,
   in our own life experiences, in helping our world,
   in prayers for each other.
   We seek to follow in the way of Jesus.
   We lay bare before God and one another our own wilderness journey
   filled with some gladness and hope, with reluctance and sorrow,
   with fear and confusion.
   O God, speak to us, show us, touch us with your presence!
   Let our Lenten journey lead us to Jesus, so that we may show Jesus forth
   in our lives, our faith community, and our world.         Amen.

HYMN * 153            Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose

INVOCATION

   God of the journey, you invite us, the church,
   “to accept the cost and joy of discipleship”
   and “to be your servants in the service of others.”
   In so doing, may your presence be our guide and Jesus our model.
   May we respond to you in loving faithfulness. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

   God, you seek us and we flee. You offer us an easy yoke, and we tie
   ourselves with cares and burdens. You forgive us, and we hoard our
   complaints against our brothers and sisters. Give us conversion that
   turns us into the light; teach us a repentance alive in works of love;
   lead us into the narrow path; guide us through the valley of the shadow.
   Call us to follow Jesus Christ and in his way to live and suffer, die and
   rise again. Amen.

SILENCE

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

READING OF SCRIPTURE

      HEBREW TESTAMENT                        Jeremiah 31:31-34

      PSALM 51:1-17            pp.785-786 Response 2

GLORIA 70*

   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
   and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
   beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
   world without end. Amen. Amen.

      THE GOSPEL LESSON             John 12:20-33

SERMON                                          “We wish to see Jesus”

HYMN * 592                        When the Church of Jesus

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
   The Lord be with you.
   And also with you.
   Let us pray.

LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)

PRAYER RESPONSE                                   Hymnal, 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.

CALL TO OFFERING

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY *

   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 *

   God, there are many who “wish to see Jesus.” In joy and celebration of
   the many gifts that we share, we ask you to bless all of our offerings.
   May Jesus shine in all the world. Amen.

CLOSING HYMN * 586      Let My People Seek Their Freedom

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL
    Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
   Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.

Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Reading
for the March 21 Service

HYMN * 153            Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose

Thou hidden source of calm repose, thou all-sufficient love divine,
my help and refuge from my foes, secure I am if thou art mine;
and lo! from sin and grief and shame I hide me, Jesus, in thy name.

Thy mighty name salvation is, and keeps my happy soul above;
comfort it brings, and power and peace, and joy and everlasting love;
to me with thy dear name are given pardon and holiness and heaven.

Jesus, my all in all thou art, my rest in toil, my ease in pain,
the healing of my broken heart, in war my peace, in loss my gain,
my smile beneath the tyrant's frown, in shame my glory and my crown,

In want my plentiful supply, in weakness my almighty power,
in bonds my perfect liberty, my light in Satan's darkest hour,
in grief my joy unspeakable, my life in death, my heaven in hell.

HYMN * 592                        When the Church of Jesus

When the church of Jesus shuts its outer door,
lest the roar of traffic drown the voice of prayer,
may our prayers, Lord, make us ten times more aware
that the world we banish is our Christian care.

If our hearts are lifted where devotion soars
high above this hungry, suffering world of ours,
lest our hymns should drug us to forget its needs,
forge our Christian worship into Christian deeds.

Lest the gifts we offer, money, talents, time,
serve to salve our conscience, to our secret shame,
Lord, reprove, inspire us by the way you give;
teach us, dying Savior, how true Christians live.

CLOSING HYMN * 586                Let My People Seek Their Freedom

“Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile,
from the slave pens of the Delta, from the ghettos on the Nile”:
So God spoke from out of Sinai, so God spoke and it was done,
and a people crossed the waters toward the rising of the sun.

“Let my people seek their freedom in the wilderness awhile,
from the aging shrines and structures, from the cloister and the aisle”:
so the Son of God has spoken, and the storm clouds are unfurled,
for God’s people must be scattered to be servants in the world.

When we murmur on the mountains for the old Egyptian plains,
when we miss our ancient bondage, and the hope, the promise, wanes;
then the rock shall yield its water and the manna fall by night,
and with visions of a future shall we march toward the light.

In the maelstrom of the nations, in the journeying into space,
in the clash of generations, in the hungering for grace,
in the agony and glory, we are called to newer ways
by the Lord of our tomorrows and the God of earth’s todays.

PSALM 51:1-17 pp.785-786 Response

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - March 14, 2021

3/12/2021

March 14, 2021 10:00 A.M.

Service of Worship
FOURTH Sunday IN LENT

PRELUDE
(All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
  preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
  of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP * (Please Stand.)

  It is good to give thanks to you, O God,
  To declare your steadfast love in the morning;
  For you have made us glad by your work;
  At the works of your hands, we sing for joy.

HYMN 57*                                                               O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

OPENING PRAYER*

CONFESSION OF SIN

  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins
  and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   (I John 1: 8-9)

  Let us confess our sins before God and one another.

  God of everlasting mercy hear our prayer today, as we bring our lives before
  you. We come as people who dwell on the past. We want to face your new
  day with life and hope in our hearts, but many times the events of our own
  lives weigh us down. We forget to forgive one another. We dwell on our
  own past mistakes. We refuse to bury dead issues and worn-out memories.
  Free us, free us from ourselves, God, so that we might walk new pathways,
  alive with grace. . .

SILENCE        (observed for reflection and prayer)

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS

  The Good News in Christ is that God offers us life at every moment, forgiving us,
  and inviting us to the freshness of new beginnings. May God be praised for this
  gracious and loving gift.

READING OF SCRIPTURE                                     Isaiah 60: 1-3

PSALM 1                                                                   page 738, Response 2

GLORIA 70*

  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
  and to the Holy Ghost;
  as it was in the beginning,
  is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end. Amen. Amen.

THE GOSPEL LESSON                                            Luke 16: 19-31

SERMON                                                                  “True Belief”

HYMN 514*                                                            Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

  The Lord be with you.
  And also with you.
  Let us pray.

LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)

PRAYER RESPONSE                                   Hymnal, No. 473

  Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness;
  Make thy way plain before my face.
  For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
  That makest me dwell in safety.

OFFERTORY SENTENCE

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY

  At the Presentation, Hymn 95*             Old 100th
  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
  Praise him, all creatures here below;
  Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION*

HYMN 568*                                                             Christ for the World We Sing

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
  Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.
_________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Reading
for the March 7 Service

HYMN 57                 O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing

O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King, the triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God, assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad the honors of thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears, that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears, 'tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin, he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean; his blood availed for me.

He speaks, and listening to his voice, new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice, the humble poor believe.

Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb, your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your Savior come, and leap, ye lame, for joy.

In Christ, your head, you then shall know, shall feel your sins forgiven;
anticipate your heaven below, and own that love is heaven.

HYMN 514*                        Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory his army shall he lead,
till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict, in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle, the next the victor's song.
To those who vanquish evil a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.

HYMN 568*                        Christ for the World We Sing

Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with loving zeal;
the poor, and them that mourn, the faint and overborne, sin-sick and sorrow-worn,
whom Christ doth heal.

Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with fervent prayer;
the wayward and the lost, by restless passions tossed, redeemed at countless cost,
from dark despair.

Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with one accord;
with us the work to share, with us reproach to dare, with us the cross to bear,
for Christ our Lord.

Christ for the world we sing, the world to Christ we bring, with joyful song;
the newborn souls, whose days, reclaimed from error's ways, inspired with hope and praise,
to Christ belong.

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - March 7, 2021

3/5/2021

_________________________________________________________________________
March 7, 2021 10:00 AM
Service of Worship
Third Sunday of Lent
Communion Sunday

PRELUDE
(All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
  preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SHARIING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

GREETING

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion
  of the Holy Spirit be with you all.       (2 Corinthians 13: 13)
  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP*                                                                      (Please stand)

  We gather this day to worship our God, whose words and ways challenge us.
  God invites us to lose our selfishness to find ourselves.
  God calls us to be fools in the world to show forth the wisdom of Christ.
  God urges us to empty ourselves to discover life’s fullness.
  God bids us to be obedient to a divine will so we might know true freedom.
  We come to worship our Creator, seeking to have our faith challenged
  into growth.
  We root our faith in worship, seeking to find nourishment for our spirits
  in this growing season of Lent.

HYMN 368 *                                                            My Hope Is Built

INVOCATION (Unison)

  Thankful are we for all the blessings of this life; love, freedom, bounty
  and beauty. We celebrate the many ways you have come to us sharing
  our common life. We celebrate this day our spiritual ancestors and the
  teachings of Jesus. Be close to us as we seek to follow Jesus in the
  shadow of the cross and as we commune with you and your whole
  human family. May your divine care for us always empower us to care
  for all of Creation. Keep close as we walk in the way that brings life. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

  In this season of Lent we reflect on those things that lead us away from
  the life we desire. We focus on whatever we do that oppresses and
  enslaves others who, like us, are created in the image of the divine. And
  now we seek the grace that frees us to live in faithfulness to holy love.

SILENCE

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

  The God of who brought the Israelites out of Egypt, is the power that frees us
  from our sin. Live in the grace of God’s love as you walk in the way of Jesus
  and surely you shall find mercy at the end of that road. Amen.

READING OF SCRIPTURE

OLD TESTAMENT                                                   Exodus 20: 1-17

PSALM 19                                                                pp. 750-751 Response 1

GLORIA 70

  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
  and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
  beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end. Amen. Amen.

THE GOSPEL LESSON                                            John 2:13-22

SERMON                                                                  “Captured by Sin”

INTRODUCTION TO OUR OFFERING

  Our tokens offered here are but symbols of our lives of sacrifice lived every day.
  May we give ourselves to the world as a holy offering acceptable to you,
  O God, our rock and our redeemer. Amen.

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY *

  At the Presentation, Hymn 95*                         Old 100th
  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
  Praise him, all creatures here below;
  Praise him above, you heavenly host;
  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION *

  Receive these gifts, Holy One. Sanctify them by your Spirit and drive
  away any ill motives. Accept, we pray, our humble offering. Amen.

COMMUNION HYMN 617 *                               I Come with Joy

A CALL TO COMMUNION

THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER (trespasses….)

THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

SHARING THE BREAD AND WINE

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

CLOSING HYMN 670 *                                         Go Forth for God

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING *

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

            Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
            Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.
_________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Reading
for the March 7 Service

HYMN 368 *                                                            My Hope Is Built

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name.

Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)

His oath, his covenant, his blood supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)

When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!
(Refrain)

COMMUNION HYMN 617 *                               I Come with Joy

I come with joy to meet my Lord, forgiven, loved and free,
in awe and wonder to recall his life laid down for me,
his life laid down for me.

I come with Christians far and near to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love in Christ's communion bread,
in Christ's communion bread.

As Christ breaks bread and bids us share, each proud division ends.
The love that made us makes us one, and strangers now are friends,
and strangers now are friends.

And thus with joy we meet our Lord. His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known; we see and praise him here,
we see and praise him here.

Together met, together bound, we'll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world, we'll live and speak his praise,
we'll live and speak his praise.

CLOSING HYMN 670 *                                         Go Forth for God

Go forth for God; go to the world in peace;
Be of good courage, armed with heavenly grace,
In God's good Spirit daily to increase,
Till in his kingdom we behold his face.
Go forth for God; go to the world in peace.

Go forth for God; go to the world in love;
Strengthen the faint, give courage to the weak,
Help the afflicted; richly from above
God's love supplies the grace and power we seek.
Go forth for God; go to the world in love.

Go forth for God; go to the world in strength;
Hold fast the good, be urgent for the right,
Render to no man evil; Christ at length
Shall overcome all darkness with his light.
Go forth for God; go to the world in strength.

Go forth for God; go to the world in joy,
To serve God's people every day and hour,
And serving Christ, our every gift employ,
Rejoicing in the Holy Spirit's power.
Go forth for God; go to the world in joy.
_________________________________________________________________________

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - February 28, 2021

2/26/2021

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, March 24, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

  Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending February 21, 2021,
  were $1550. The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the
  annual budget by 52 weeks).

  Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes,
  at 145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

  Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

  Please keep Bob Kottkamp in your prayers as he recovers at home from surgery.

  We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

      James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Arthur Marin,
      Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Jean Eggleston,
      Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone,
      Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker,
      Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

  Marge Macintyre celebrates a birthday on February 28th
  Susan Kneebone celebrates a birthday on March 5th
  Jean Eggleston celebrates a birthday on March 11th

  In honor of Susan Kneebone’s birthday, we want to ensure she has lots and
  lots of Birthday Cards to mark the day. There's still time to get a card and put
  it in the mail - all you need is her mailing address, which is:

              Attention Susan Kneebone
              Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community
              49 Cedar Hill Drive
              Windsor, VT 05089

  The rest is up to you.
_________________________________________________________________________

February 28, 2021                                                                                                 10:00 AM

                    Service of Worship
                    Second Sunday of Lent

PRELUDE
  (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
  preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of
  the Holy Spirit be with you all.       (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP*                                                                      (Please stand)

  “Walk before me, and be blameless,” said God to Abram, “And I shall
  make my covenant between me and you.” Quite openly, we’ve measured
  that distance.

  Quite openly, we’ve stayed away.
  Quite openly, we’ve distanced ourselves.

  Quite openly, we didn’t want to be closer.
  Quite openly, we are not blameless.

  Quite openly, we are here. We are here to open ourselves to our
  In-between God.

HYMN 560*                                                                         Help Us Accept Each Other

INVOCATION (Unison)

  We gather to worship, O God, under the shadow of the cross, sign of
  human shame and divine wisdom. Like Jesus, we would follow faithfully
  in your covenant way; like Jesus we would live to you and die to you.
  We are your people; we belong to you. We offer you our worship and our lives.
  Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

  We are quite open about our successes.
  We feel free to boast when we have done well,
  but we are not quite so open when things have gone wrong.
  We do not praise God anyway. Instead, we recognize the distance
  between me and you, between you and God, between God and me.
  Let’s be quite open about it as we open ourselves
  to our Living God in silence.
                        This is the time for our prayerful silence.

WORDS OF ASSURANCE

READING OF SCRIPTURE

OLD TESTAMENT                                                   Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

PSALM 22:25–31                                                              pp. 752-753 Response 2

GLORIA 70

  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
  and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
  beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end. Amen. Amen.

THE GOSPEL LESSON                                            Mark 8:31-38

SERMON                              “Covenant: From Generation to Generation”

HYMN 266*                                                 Heal Us, Emmanuel, Hear Our Prayer

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

            The Lord be with you.
            And also with you.
            Let us pray.

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

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY

  At the Presentation, Hymn 95*                         Old 100th
  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
  Praise him, all creatures here below;
  Praise him above, you heavenly host;
  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION*

  In-between God,
  Bless these gifts with your love
  So that we might share them quite openly
  With all who need your change. Amen.

HYMN 133*                                                            Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

            Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
            Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.
_________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Reading
for the February 28 Service

HYMN 560                           Help Us Accept Each Other

Help us accept each other as Christ accepted us;
teach us as sister, brother, each person to embrace.
Be present, Lord, among us, and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O Lord, your lessons, as in our daily life
we struggle to be human and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people, for all, not just for some,
to love them as we find them, or as they may become.

Let your acceptance change us, so that we may be moved
in living situations to do the truth in love;
to practice your acceptance, until we know by heart

Lord, for today's encounters with all who are in need,
who hunger for acceptance, for righteousness and bread,
we need new eyes for seeing, new hands for holding on;
renew us with your Spirit; Lord, free us, make us one!

HYMN 266               Heal Us, Emmanuel, Hear Our Prayer

Heal us, Emmanuel, hear our prayer; we wait to feel thy touch;
deep-wounded souls to thee repair, and Savior, we are such.

Our faith is feeble, we confess we faintly trust thy word;
but wilt thou pity us the less? Be that far from thee, Lord!

Remember him who once applied with trembling for relief;
"Lord, I believe," with tears he cried; "O help my unbelief!"

She, too, who touched thee in the press and healing virtue stole,
was answered, "Daughter, go in peace: thy faith hath made thee whole."

Like her, with hopes and fears we come to touch thee if we may;
O send us not despairing home; send none unhealed away.

HYMN 133               Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms;
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms.
(Refrain)

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.
(Refrain)

PSALM 22:25–31                                                    pp. 752-753 Response 2

R
25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
     my vows I will pay before those who worship the Lord.
26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
     those who seek the Lord shall praise the Lord. May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord;
     and all the families of the nations shall worship before the Lord.
28 For dominion belongs to the Lord who rules over the nations.
29 All who sleep in the earth shall bow down to the Lord.
    All who go down to the dust shall bow before the Lord, and I shall live for God.
30 Posterity shall serve the Lord;
    each generation shall tell of the Lord,
31 and proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn.

_________________________________________________________________________

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - February 21, 2021

2/19/2021

_________________________________________________________________________

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 to leave a message or send an email to
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, Feb. 24, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

  Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending February 14, were $1575.
  The costs for each week are $1,320 (derived by dividing the annual budget
  by 52 weeks).

  Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at
  145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

  Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

  Please keep Bob Kottkamp in your prayers as he recovers at home from surgery.

  We ask that you keep David and Beth Almond's son, James, in your
  prayers as he continues his recovery at home.

  We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

      James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Arthur Marin, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards,
      Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone,
      Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder,
      and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

Lee Potter celebrates a birthday on February 25th
Linda and Lee Potter celebrate an anniversary on Feb 26th
Marge Macintyre celebrates a birthday on February 28th
  Susan Kneebone celebrates a birthday on March 5th_________________________________________________________________________

February 21, 2021                                                                                                 10:00 AM
                Service of Worship
                First Sunday of Lent

PRELUDE
  (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in
  preparation for the worship service which follows.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the
  communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.       (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

            And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP* (adapted from Ps 25, 1-3)                     (Please stand)

  To you, O GOD, we lift up the spirit of our whole selves.
  O God, we trust unashamedly in you;
  seeking that you be not ashamed of us;
  May we begin our Lenten journey together in right relationships;
  Teach us. Show us. Guide us in your paths.
  Grow us to know your ways more clearly.
  You are the God of our salvation and the Sustainer of good relations.
  For you we wait.
  May integrity, a clean conscience, and upright living preserve us.
  Amen.

HYMN 269*                                                 Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days

INVOCATION: (Unison)

  As in days of old, Creator God,
  we come to look for your signs of covenant promises.
  Like the rainbow days of Noah,
  we see and know your signs
  and hear your voice again
  directing us to places
  of preparation and transformation
  in our lives and in our world.
  Thank you God,
  for your covenant signs
  in this season of Lent. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION:

  Sisters and Brothers, in our daily lives
  we need the gift of the season of Lent.
  These 40 days can help us restore right relationships
  with God and with others.
  This is a fine time to focus,
  clear our hearts and minds of distractions,
  and re-orient and restore our whole selves.
  May God be with us. Let us pray:

PRAYER:

  Creating and Renewing God.
  In this Lenten season we each need the opportunity
  to clear our eyes of the glaze of indifference and apathy.
  Help us get our minds off distractions, obsessions and self-pity
  so that we don’t feel helpless.
  Help us to start over.
  Re-orient head and heart
  so that we may fill our whole selves
  with life-affirming activities and thoughts.
  (Silence)
  May I be in right relationship with you and all your creation
  and join the United Church of Christ
  in over-coming violence, hunger, and injustice.
  May I find courage and clarity to assist me
  in works of justice and compassion
  which make daily life bearable for many.
  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

SILENCE         (observed for reflection and prayer.)

ASSURANCE OF GOD’S STEADFASTNESS:

  Brothers and Sisters,
  God hears our prayers and, even in our human frailty,
  promises to be with us in the wilderness times.
  Observe, find comfort, and offer with courage
  to restore and build relationships among God’s people.
  Experience a new and renewed sense of hope. Amen.

READING OF SCRIPTURE

OLD TESTAMENT                                                    Genesis 9:8-17

PSALM 25:1-10                                                       Hymnal, pages 756-757

GLORIA 70

  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
  and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the
  beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
  world without end. Amen. Amen.

THE GOSPEL LESSON                                             Mark 1:9-15

SERMON                               “Covenant: Signs of Promise”

HYMN 430*                                                             O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

SHARING OUR JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

            The Lord be with you.
            And also with you.
            Let us pray.

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

  Psalm 25:10 reminds us,
  “All the paths of God are steadfast love and faithfulness
  for those who keep God’s covenant and decrees.”
  Our church’s ministries are extensions of God’s love
  and faithfulness made possible through the generous giving
  of our time, energy, and money. With love let us offer our gifts to God.

OFFERTORY

DOXOLOGY

  At the Presentation, Hymn 95*                         Old 100th
  Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
  Praise him, all creatures here below;
  Praise him above, you heavenly host;
  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION*

  God of all bounty and blessing,
  receive our lives and our gifts
  to be bounty and blessings
  to you, our church, and the world. Amen.

HYMN 256*                                                             We Would See Jesus

BENEDICTION AND BLESSING*

  Mindful of your mercy, forgiveness, and instruction, O God,
  we go into the world renewed, refreshed,
  and full of courage to be your people.
  We go in peace to work for justice. Amen.

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

            Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
            Thanks be to God

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.
_________________________________________________________________________

Prayers for the Journey: Service Prayers for the First Sunday of Lent were written by the Rev. Rosemary McCombs Maxey, a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, who is retired clergy and a member of Fellowship Congregational United Church of Christ, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
_________________________________________________________________________

Lyrics to the Hymns and
Responsive Readings
for the February 21 Service

HYMN 269               Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days

Lord, who throughout these forty days for us didst fast and pray,
teach us with thee to mourn our sins and close by thee to stay.

As thou with Satan didst contend, and didst the victory win,
O give us strength in thee to fight, in thee to conquer sin.

As thou didst hunger bear, and thirst, so teach us, gracious Lord,
to die to self, and chiefly live by thy most holy word.

And through these days of penitence, and through thy passiontide,
yea, evermore in life and death, Jesus, with us abide.

Abide with us, that so, this life of suffering over past,
an Easter of unending joy we may attain at last.

HYMN 430               O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee

O Master, let me walk with thee in lowly paths of service free;
tell me thy secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care.

Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way.

Teach me thy patience; still with thee in closer, dearer company,
in work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong;

In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broadening way,
in peace that only thou canst give, with thee, O Master, let me live.

HYMN 256               We Would See Jesus

We would see Jesus; lo! his star is shining above the stable while the angels sing;
there in a manger on the hay reclining; haste, let us lay our gifts before the King.

We would see Jesus, Mary's son most holy, light of the village life from day to day;
shining revealed through every task most lowly, the Christ of God, the life, the truth, the way.

We would see Jesus, on the mountain teaching, with all the listening people gathered round;
while birds and flowers and sky above are preaching
the blessedness which simple trust has found.

We would see Jesus, in his work of healing, at eventide before the sun was set;
divine and human, in his deep revealing of God made flesh, in loving service met.

We would see Jesus, in the early morning, still as of old he calleth, "Follow me!"
Let us arise, all meaner service scorning; Lord, we are thine, we give ourselves to thee.

PSALM 25:1-10                                            Hymnal, pages 756-757

R
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
  2 O my God, in you I trust;
     let me not be put to shame;
     let not my enemies exult over me.
  3 Let none that wait for you be put to shame;
      let them be ashamed who are clothed with treachery.

  4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
      teach me your paths.
  5 Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
      for you are the God of my salvation;
      for you I wait all the day long.                      R

  6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
      for they have been from of old.
  7 Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions;
      according to your steadfast love remember me,
      for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

  8 Good and upright is the Lord;
      therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
  9 and leads the humble in what is right,
      and teaches them their way.
  10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
      for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.        R

United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - February 14, 2021

2/12/2021

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 to leave a message or send an email to
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, Feb. 24, 7:00 pm

Weekly Offerings

  Please continue to mail your offerings to our Receiver of Offerings, Anne Oakes, at
  145 Merrill Road, Ludlow, Vermont 05149.

Altar Guild

  Linda Alexander and Carol Wu provide our Altar Guild services.

Prayer Concerns

Please keep Bob Kottkamp in your prayers as he recovers at home from surgery.

  We ask that you keep David and Beth Almond's son, James, in your
  prayers as he continues his recovery at home.

  We continue to keep the following in our prayers:

      James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Arthur Marin, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards,
      Jean Eggleston, Carolyn Gauthier, Sheila Kafer, Susan Kneebone,
      Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder,
      and Evelyn Verro.

Celebrations

Lee Potter celebrates a birthday on February 25th
Linda and Lee Potter celebrate an anniversary on Feb 26th
Marge Macintyre celebrates a birthday on February 28th
_________________________________________________________________________

This Week's Service continues our journey to define who we are in the 21st Century. We will seek to answer the following:

What will be the most important needs for ministry in and around the church that will claim our new pastor’s abilities, gifts and time?
Identify the five most important and how they might be met by the new pastor.
What will be the most important needs for ministry that will be met by the ministry of the congregation?
Identify the five most important and how they might be met by members of the church.

Please consider these points as we gather for this week's service.
_________________________________________________________________________

February 14, 2021                                          2:00 P.M.

SERVICE OF WORSHIP
SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY

PRELUDE
(All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in preparation
  for the worship service which follows.)

  Innumerable times a whole Christian community has been shattered because it
  has lived on the basis of a wishful image. Christians…will often bring with them
  a very definite image of what Christian communal life should be and will be
  anxious to realize it. But God’s grace quickly frustrates all such dreams …
  Every human idealized image that is brought into the Christian community is a
  hindrance to genuine community and must be broken up so that genuine
  community can survive. Those who love their dream of a Christian community
  more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian
  community even though their personal intentions may be ever so honest,
  earnest and sacrificial.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE

  The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of
  the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13)

  And also with you.

CALL TO WORSHIP* (Please stand)

  Pastor: We are together today because Christ has claimed us. We are called to
  be the body of Christ in today’s world.

  People: Who are we to make such a claim? Who would see Jesus Christ
  when they look at us?

  Pastor: It is not our claim that brings us together. The church is not our private club.

  People: We are not here just for ourselves, for our own needs. We are
  drawn together by a larger purpose.

  Pastor: We are called by Christ for a mission. The gathered community is sent
  out into the world.

  People: We are here to be equipped for ministry. We have been chosen
  as apostles of good news.

HYMN 421*   (see insert)   We Gather Together

HOLY SCRIPTURE Acts 1: 15, 21-26

CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATION

  Pastor: The time came, for those who knew Jesus, to choose another to join
  them in their witness to the resurrection.
  All:       O Lord, You know our hearts.
  Pastor: And so they prayed.
  All:       O Lord, You know us inside and out. Help us to know who you
  send to us, to walk among us, to witness to the living love of Christ.

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.

HYMN 451* Be Now My Vision

  You will be placed into small groups in Zoom Break Out Rooms to discuss
  each of the following questions. Then we will gather again to hear what has
  been discussed.

What will be the most important needs for ministry in and around the church that will claim our new pastor’s abilities, gifts and time?
Identify the five most important and how they might be met by the new pastor.
What will be the most important needs for ministry that will be met by the ministry of the congregation?
Identify the five most important and how they might be met by members of the church.

A CONFESSION OF WHO WE ARE (Romans 12:4-8)

  Pastor: For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members
  have the same function,
  ALL: …so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we
  are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the
  grace given to us:
  Pastor: …prophecy,
  All: …in proportion to faith;
  Pastor: …ministry,
  All: …in ministering;
  Pastor: …the teacher,
  All: …in teaching;
  Pastor: …the exhorter,
  All: …in exhortation;
  Pastor: …the giver,
  All: …in generosity;
  Pastor: …the leader,
  All: …in diligence;
  Pastor: …the compassionate,
  All: …in cheerfulness.

PERSONAL REFLECTION

  During these sessions we have been seeking how we might become the most
  faithful body of Christ we can be as we lean forward into God’s Kingdom.

  Now take a few moments of silence to contemplate what gifts of God do I think
  I am bringing to this work in progress?

  One:      And one was chosen.
  All:       And was counted along with the rest. Thanks be to God!
  Together in this place, by the grace of God may we be committed to
  becoming members of the household of God, built upon the foundation
  of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.
  In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple
  in the Lord; in whom we also are built together spiritually into a dwelling
  place for God. Thanks be to God! Amen

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PASTORAL PRAYER

LORD’S PRAYER (“trespasses”)

PRAYER RESPONSE                           Hymnal, No. 473

  Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness;
  Make thy way plain before my face.
  For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
  That makest me dwell in safety.

WE OFFER OURSELVES & OUR GIFTS

OFFERTORY

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

HYMN 398 *   Shadow and Substance

BENEDICTION

BENEDICTION RESPONSE

DISMISSAL

  Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
  Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE

* All who are able may stand.

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