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CHURCH SERVICES at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW are shared ELECTRONICALLY Contact [email protected] 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 [email protected] to get Zoom access. _________________________________________________________________________ ANNOUNCEMENTS We wish to thank Jeremy Schrauf for leading our worship service this morning. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. Upcoming Meetings/Events Executive Board Meeting - Wednesday, August 25, 7:00 pm Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending July 11, 2021 were $635. 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 continue to keep Bridget Janney in your prayers, and add Tony Cuteri to your prayers. We ask that you keep Lee and Sheila Kafer in your prayers as Sheila continues recovery from complications of her back surgery. Cards may be sent to them at 173 Hesperus Ave., Magnolia, MA 01930. We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Jean Eggleston, Kathy Doyle, Rick Doyle, Mindy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Matulonis, Anne Oakes, Hannah Sotak, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. Celebrations Jim and Sandy Peplau celebrate an anniversary on July 18 Annual Church Picnic The Church Picnic will take place at the home of the Thomsons on Sunday, August 1, following our church service. As always, this is a pot-luck event, so get out your lucky pot and cook your favorite 'afternoon by the lake' dish. A NOTE ABOUT COFFEE HOUR At a recent Church Board Meeting it was decided that only disposable plates, cups and utensils will be used for food service. It was noticed that clean-up has too often been left to be done by a deacon or trustee assisting at the service. This is not fair to those individuals, who have already taken on extra obligations to make the church services happen. To reduce the work necessary at clean-up, only disposable items will be used. _________________________________________________________________________ July 18, 2021 10:00 am Service of Worship EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST PRELUDE (All are encouraged to use the prelude as a quiet time of meditation in preparation for the worship service which follows.) ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13: 13) And also with you. CALL TO WORSHIP* (Please stand.) LEADER Who is it we seek as we come to this place? PEOPLE We seek our God and for God’s guidance in our lives. LEADER And to what purpose do we seek God’s guidance? PEOPLE We seek to discern God’s intent for us in all that we do. LEADER Let us sing praise to our God. HYMN 430* O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee 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. Faithful God, we rejoice that you have sent your promised Christ. And yet, O God, we confess that we are still not ready for Christ’s coming; we are reluctant to live as if the whole earth were your domain. We know the story – the shepherds, the angels, and the magi – but we don’t fully understand what it means. Awaken us to your Spirit, let Christ’s birth make a difference in our lives and in the lives of our brothers and sisters everywhere and grant us your peace . . .. SILENCE (Silence may be observed for reflection and prayer.) ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS Remember that we are chosen by Christ, who reconciles us to God. Christ presents us holy and blameless before God. May we continue in the faith, remain stable and steadfast and not shift from the hope of the gospel which we have heard. For in Christ we are forgiven. Amen READING OF SCRIPTURE PSALM 89: 1-4, 19-37 Hymnal, pages 807 and 808 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 OLD TESTAMENT LESSON 2 Samuel 7: 1-14a SERMON “Discerning God’s Will” HYMN 375* There is a Balm in Gilead 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, you heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. PRAYER OF DEDICATION* HYMN 474* Precious Lord, Take My Hand 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 July 18 Service HYMN 430* 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 375* There is a Balm in Gilead Refrain: There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. Some times I feel discouraged, and think my work’s in vain. But then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again. (Refrain) Don't ever feel discouraged, for Jesus is your friend, and if you look for knowledge he'll ne'er refuse to lend. (Refrain) If you can’t preach like Peter, if you can’t pray like Paul, just tell the love of Jesus, and say he died for all. (Refrain) HYMN 474* Precious Lord, Take My Hand Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand I'm tired, I’m weak, I’m lone, Through the storm, through the night Lead me on to the light Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home When my way grows drear precious Lord linger near When my light is almost gone Hear my cry, hear my call Hold my hand lest I fall Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home When the darkness appears and the night draws near And the day is past and gone At the river I stand Guide my feet, hold my hand Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home PSALM 89   _________________________________________________________________________
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