United Church of Ludlow - Weekly Email News - March 30, 2014

A warm welcome to all visitors.  If the Pastor or any member of the congregation may be of service to you, please contact the church office at 802-228-4211or Rev. Harpster at 802-875-8895. His email is [email protected].  Please be sure to sign the guestbook located at the entrance to the church.  

Upcoming Meetings
Women’s Group - Every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.

Weekly Offerings
Offerings and other cash receipts for the week of March 23 were $1,174.00. The costs for each week are $1,385.00.  (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks).

Altar Guild
Brenda Dansingburg is serving as the Altar Guild person during the month of March. 

Coffee Hour
A time of fellowship following the service of worship is held in the social hall. Coffee, juice and refreshments will be served.

HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Palm Sunday – April 13th – 10:15 AM
Maundy Thursday – April 17th – 7:00 PM
        Service of Tenebrae
        The Lord’s Supper
Easter Sunday – April 20th  – 10:15 AM 
 
Lenten Bible Study –
     Topic: The Last Week of Jesus’s Life
Schedule for Lenten Bible Study:
Session 5 – April 8         Ch. 6
Session 6 – April 15        Chs. 7 & 8
Book:  Marcus J. Borg & Dominic Crossan, The Last Week
 
Palm Sunday
United Church of Ludlow will present a play, “Whose Cross Is It, Anyway?” as part of its celebration of Palm Sunday on April 13, 2014 at 10:15 A.M. The play deals with a cross being delivered by a JPS (Jerusalem Parcel Service) man.  Though the cross makes its rounds to many people, only one accepts its delivery. 

By blending biblical familiarity with contemporary society,  the scenes reveal how people across all generations make excuses for not wanting Jesus in their lives. All are welcome to attend this presentation which is often humorous and definitely inspiring.

 Ushers and Communion Servers for the months of March and April
This is a reminder for those of you who have signed up and a notice of those Sundays that are open. Thank you for your service to the church. 

                     Ushers             Communion       

March 30     Kathy & Laura
April 6          Ginny & Bob           Laura
April 13         *Open
April 20         *Open
April 27         Sandy & Jim

 Lenten Banner
The banner hanging in the front of the sanctuary represents the wilderness, reminding us of the forty days that Jesus spent there, fasting and being tempted by the devil. The palms are for Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  The purple, the color of royalty is a reference to Christ the King.  The variety of purples and the black lettering remind us of the pain, suffering and passion that we remember as we pray during this season.  Bordering the banner is the color of white that represents the anticipation of the Easter season.

 One Great Hour of Sharing Offering - This year the theme for One Great Hour of Sharing is “We Are One.”
The focus is on sharing with our brothers and sisters in need around the world because we are connected with them in Christ Jesus.
 
Our offering makes the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffer from disaster, conflict, or poverty.  One Great Hour of Sharing ministries reach people worldwide, including the United States.  Together we provide disaster relief, health care, education, job training, shelter, schools clean water, and food.   

Our offering to One Great Hour of Sharing helps meet the needs that make the headlines and needs that headlines ignore. We give to this ministry on Palm Sunday, but the good work done by our gifts gives life again, and again, and last much longer. With your generous support, these vital ministries of life can continue.  United Church of Ludlow will dedicate our OGHS offering on Palm Sunday, April 13.
 
The 219th Annual Meeting of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rooted and Grounded in Love
Where: Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, Vermont
When: Friday and Saturday, April 25 & 26

The Annual Meeting is happening in April this year and it is going to be a retreat.  Gregory Norbet, retreat leader and prolific song writer, will guide us on our retreat.  Rev. Anthony Acheson, working with Gregory, will lead our music while we are there.  Gregory Norbet composed the setting for the “Holy, Holy, Holy” United Church of Ludlow uses for communion on the first Sunday of each month.  Bob and Ginny Kottkamp are planning to attend the conference meeting.  Other members of the congregation are welcome to attend as well.

Workshop coordinator, Gail Compton, is planning events that will be available to move our bodies, minds and spirits and the Worship Committee are designing worship experiences that will engage our spirit and our senses.

We hope that we will see you there.  Annual Meeting registration is on-line this year, with the help of Lynn Thomas of the conference office, if you need it.  Room registration is directly through the Lake Morey Resort.  Lynn Thomas has all of the information you need to complete your plans.  Check the Annual Meeting web site (see link) for all the details.  http://www.vtcucc.org/annual meeting.html                  

Easter Flowers
Flowers really contribute to the beauty and sacredness of our Church on Easter Sunday.
Donations for Easter Flowers can be given to Brenda Dansingburg.  If the donation is in memory or in honor of individuals, please include a written notation of how you wish it to appear in the Easter bulletin. Pease help to decorate our Church. 

FOLA Follies, March 29, 7:00 PM, Ludlow Town Auditorium
As last year, the United Church is well represented in the second FOLA Follies.
Linda and George Thomson, Lisha Klaiber, Andy Ohotnicky, and Bob Kottkamp will sing and dance. Admission free; donations appreciated.