United Church of Ludlow
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United Church of Ludlow Weekly eNewsletter - July 10, 2020

7/10/2020

 
"I long, as does every human being, 
to be at home wherever I find myself.” 
~ Maya Angelou 
A warm welcome to all visitors to our church email newsletter.  
 
If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211 or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is harpsterd@vermontel.net. 
 
Regarding Individuals in the Hospital or Sick at Home
 
It would be greatly appreciated if you know of individuals or family members in the hospital or sick at home, to kindly inform the pastor, Rev. Harpster.  
 
Weekly Offerings 
 
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending 7-6-20 were $1085. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

As always, please continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149.  Thank you so much.
 
Prayer Concerns
 
Ann Matulonis was a patient at Springfield Hospital this week.  Prayers for her as she begins this next chapter in her life.
 
We continue to keep the following in our prayers:
James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Pam Dundy, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone,  Ginny Kottkamp, Annie Oakes, Evelyn Tucker,  Herb Van Guilder, and  Evelyn Verro.
 
 
CHURCH REOPENING - Procedures
 
The plan will include the following procedures.  We will ask everyone who might need water or other refreshment to please bring your own, as the kitchen will not be available.  Everyone will enter and exit the church through the rear door. The entrance is now complete, along with the new walkway from Elm St.  The LULA is operational.  Masks will be required when entering the church and at all times when moving inside. 
 
Upon entering you will be greeted by a church member, offered a mask if you do not have one and instructed to sanitize your hands with the sanitizer located inside the doorway.  You will be asked some questions about your health and your name and address will be recorded for any potential contract tracing.
 
You will then be instructed to proceed immediately to your pew in the sanctuary.  There will be no congregating inside the church building.  Other than the sanctuary and bathrooms, all other areas of the church are off limits except for those participating in the service. 
 
Upon entering the sanctuary, please look for cushions in the pews.  These cushions indicate where seating may take place in order to maintain proper social distancing.  They will be placed in pairs, but if any core family group is attending, please feel free to add space in your area, keeping in mind the location of those around you. 
 
While we are encouraging masks to be kept on at all times, at this time masks MAY be removed.  Keep in mind that masks should be worn any time you are talking with your neighbor, speaking aloud during the service, and moving throughout the building.  During the hymns, if you wish to sing, it must be done with the mask in place, and in a soft speaking voice.  Announcements and prayers will be offered without microphones, so please stand and speak clearly wearing your mask.  When communion is being celebrated, parishioners can bring their own "bread and wine".  When services are over, the Deacon will instruct the congregation to leave in an orderly fashion by pew, and everyone will leave the church building immediately, again using the rear door, and only stopping to use the rest rooms, which are available at all times. 
 
For the time being, we are asking that people continue with your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and sending it in to Anne Oakes at 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149.  Thank you so much.
 
For those choosing to mix socially after services, please do so away from the exit so as not to make others leaving feel uncomfortable.  Keep in mind, this is the first phase of reopening our church, and we are sure adjustments to practices will need to be amended as time and circumstances dictate.  We encourage anyone with thoughts, fears or suggestions to contact either our President, George Thomson, Rev. Harpster, Deacon Laura Lienhard or Trustee Dean Alexander.  We look forward to worshiping together with all of you, whether in person or through the internet and pray that we soon will be able to return to a more normal worship experience together in God's house.
Zoom Church Services Continue
United Church of Ludlow
We will continue until July 19, to have Zoom services complete with music as an alternative.  If you are not already in the “Zoom Community” it is not very hard.  We would love to have you join us for Sunday worship.  Read below to see how you can participate in the service.  The invitation is listed below.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us at a number below.  If you have used Zoom before and have it downloaded to your computer you do not need to contact us, but if you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can add you to the invitation we will be sending out Sunday morning. New to Zoom?  We can help you navigate the program.   Just ask.
 
Linda: 802-558-9055                                                                                  
George: 802-558-9057
 or email: unitedchurch@tds.net
​
The Bulletin for the service and the words to the hymns are at the end of the newsletter. 

PLEASE NOTE: At any one location, you should only have one live microphone.  Please make sure to NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer.  Turn one off.  When both are on, this causes rather unpleasant reverberations for everyone.  
Bulletin for July 12 Church Service
 


 
July 12, 2020                                                                                               10:15 A.M.
                                                 SERVICE OF WORSHIP
     
                                    SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
 
PRELUDE: Wonderful Peace                                                               Williams G. Cooper
                                                                                                   Played by Larry Shackley  
 
GREETING
 
       The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy           Spirit be with you all.
            (2 Corinthians 13: 13)
 
CALL TO WORSHIP
           
      Behold, God is doing a new thing.
 
      Here.  Now.  In the midst of our routines.
 
      The Holy One who created heaven and earth forms us afresh today.
           
       Let our spirits rise to greet our Maker.  Let us worship God.
 
HYMN 89                     Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee
                                    Stanzas 1 & 2
 
PRAYER OF INVOCATION
 
     O God of steadfast love, we thank you for the lessons of the past.  We remember
     all that you have done for us; make us truly thankful.  We remember times of joy
     and sorrow; may these experiences make us compassionate toward others.  We
     share the memory of your people as they have journeyed though time; it is our
     story as well.  May the richness of our past be the ground out of which love, hope,
​     and faithfulness blossom; through the grace  of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 
READING OF SCRIPTURE
 
     THE FIRST READING                Revelation 21:  1-7
 
     THE GOSPEL READING            Luke 10:  25-37

SERMON                     “Coming Home”
 
HYMN   189                      “Fairest Lord Jesus”
                                          Stanzas 1 – 3
 
JOYS AND CONCERNS
 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE 
 
PRAYER RESPONSE                              Hymnal, No. 473

            Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness;
            Make thy way plain before my face.
            For it is thou, Lord, thou, Lord only,
            That makest me dwell in safety.
 
OFFERTORY SENTENCE
 
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
 
HYMN  664                              Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
                                                Stanzas 1 & 2
 
BENEDICTION
 
BENEDICTION RESPONSE
 
POSTLUDE: Postlude on Old Hundredth                                 arranged by Fred Brock
                                                                                                Played by Jeff Brummel     
 
 

"I long, as does every human being, 
to be at home wherever I find myself.” 
~ Maya Angelou 


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