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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 C. J. King 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 [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, May 26, 7:00 pm Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending May 9, were $2150. 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 Bob Kottkamp celebrates a birthday on May 17 Richard Stewart celebrates a birthday on May 24 _________________________________________________________________________ Exciting News! The United Church of Ludlow will adopt the following rules of operation, consistent with the latest CDC Guidelines and the third step of the Vermont Forward Plan described by Governor Scott, today.
If you have any questions or are unsure about anything, please contact Dean or Laura. Please refer to vermont.gov for complete guidance and additional detail. _________________________________________________________________________ May 16, 2021 10:00 A.M. Service of Worship Ascension 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. UNISON CALL TO WORSHIP* (Please Stand.) God of love, help us to remember That Christ has no body now on earth but ours, No hands but ours, no feet but ours. Ours are the eyes to see the needs of the world. Ours are the hands with which to bless everyone now. Ours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. -- Saint Teresa of Avila prayer HYMN 75* All People That on Earth Do Dwell OPENING PRAYER* UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION Dear Lord, you call us to proclaim a gospel we find difficult to practice. We watch our clocks to make sure we get on to the next thing when the service ends, and sometimes we forget to take you with us. We are hesitant to witness to your power and healing love. Sometimes, we miss the signs that you are near us, in us. Forgive our moments of blindness, dear God of Light and Holy Sight. Fill us with the healing presence of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your good news, as we participate in the life and suffering of our world, following the example of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. SILENCE (Silence may be observed for reflection and prayer.) ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND FORGIVENESS Choosing to set aside judgment, God gives us forgiveness; choosing to let go of punishment, God fills us with grace; choosing to set aside anger, God's steadfast love rests upon us. Forgiven, redeemed, restored—we will tell everyone, through the lives we lead, what God has done for us. Thanks be to God. Amen. READING OF SCRIPTURE SCRIPTURE READING Acts 1: 1-11 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: 44-53 SERMON “Why Stand Looking to Heaven?” HYMN 475* Come Down, Oh Love Divine 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 “And whatsoever you do in word and deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3: 17) OFFERTORY 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 THANKSGIVING* Let us give thanks. Holy God of mercy, redemption and grace, this morning we bring our gifts and pray that you will help us dedicate them to your work of love and reconciliation. These gifts are small compared to what you have given us -- the gifts of creation, Christ’s sacrifice, and the ongoing inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In our giving, may we grow in gratitude, trust, and faithfulness. In the name of Christ, who gave all for us, we pray. Amen. HYMN 157* Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun BENEDICTION AND BLESSING* BENEDICTION RESPONSE Dear Lord, Let us go out into the world humbled by our call, yet bold because of the grace of God. Let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no.” And when we miss the mark, help us to acknowledge our shortcomings, to accept your grace, and continue to rise again in your service. 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
for the May 16 Service HYMN 75* All People That on Earth Do Dwell All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell; come ye before him and rejoice. Know that the Lord is God indeed; without our aid he did us make; we are his folk, he doth us feed, and for his sheep he doth us take. O enter then his gates with praise; approach with joy his courts unto; praise, laud, and bless his name always, for it is seemly so to do. For why! the Lord our God is good; his mercy is forever sure; his truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure. HYMN 475* Come Down, Oh Love Divine Come down, O Love divine, seek thou this soul of mine, and visit it with thine own ardor glowing; O Comforter, draw near, within my heart appear, and kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing. O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn to dust and ashes in its heat consuming; and let thy glorious light shine ever on my sight, and clothe me round, the while my path illuming. And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long, shall far outpass the power of human telling; for none can guess its grace, till Love create a place wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling. HYMN 157* Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun Jesus shall reign where'er the sun does its successive journeys run; his kingdom spread from shore to shore, till moons shall wax and wane no more. To Jesus endless prayer be made, and endless praises crown his head; his name like sweet perfume shall rise with every morning sacrifice. People and realms of every tongue dwell on his love with sweetest song; and infant voices shall proclaim their early blessings on his name. Blessings abound where'er he reigns; all prisoners leap and loose their chains; the weary find eternal rest, and all who suffer want are blest. Let every creature rise and bring honors peculiar to our King; angels descend with songs again, and earth repeat the loud amen! Comments are closed.
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