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CHURCH SERVICES at the UNITED CHURCH of LUDLOW Service will be shared ELECTRONICALLY (contact [email protected] for more information) Church services continue at the United Church of Ludlow. This week we celebrate Communion. Parishioners may bring their own "bread and wine". The doors open at 9:45 am, and worship begins at 10:00 am. If you are comfortable attending in person, please join us. Procedures designed to minimize the risk of exposure are described later in this newsletter. Please read and follow these procedures for your own, and your fellow congregants', safety. If you are not able to attend in person, the service will be streamed simultaneously using our church Zoom access to allow you to participate. Send an email to [email protected] to get information about Zoom access. 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, October 28, 7:00 pm. Reformation Sunday, Sunday, October , 10:00 am. Annual Meeting, Sunday, November 8, following the service. Weekly Offerings Offerings and other cash receipts for the week ending October 4, 2020, were $675. The costs for each week are $1,118 (derived by dividing the annual budget by 52 weeks). Altar Guild Linda Alexander will do the Altar Guild duties for the month of September. Prayer Concerns Please keep Sheila Kafer in your prayers as she recovers from surgery. Please keep Pam Dundy and Jean Eggleston in your prayers, as they recuperate from recent hospitalizations. We continue to keep the following in our prayers: James Almond, Terry DeYoung, Kathy Doyle, Judy Edwards, Carolyn Gauthier, Susan Kneebone, Ginny Kottkamp, Anne Oakes, Evelyn Tucker, Herb Van Guilder, and Evelyn Verro. If you wish to add someone to the Prayer List, please send an email to [email protected]. Celebrations If you wish to add someone to the Celebrations List, please send an email to [email protected]. _________________________________________________________________________ Reformation Sunday, October 25th On Reformation Sunday, we will remember deceased friends and members who died this past year and dedicate gifts that have been made to the church. There is still time for members and friends of the church to present monetary gifts in memory or in honor of individuals. A dedication form is provided below. To be included in the bulletin for Reformation Sunday, all gifts should be made out to the United Church of Ludlow and be mailed to the church office by Wednesday, October 21st. For more information, you can contact Anne Oakes, Receiver of Offerings, at [email protected]. Memorials for Reformation Sunday In memory of _________________________________________ Presented by _________________________________________ or In honor of _________________________________________ Presented by _________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ Giving Time - Pledge Time!! Anne Oakes, the Receiver of Offerings of the United Church of Ludlow, recently sent out a statement of contributions to the church through September 30 and the Estimate of Giving (EOG) Form to all those who gifted to the church in the past year. We hope that you will prayerfully and promptly fill out the EOB and return it to Anne in the envelope that was conveniently self- addressed and included with her correspondence. Please understand that this is considered a good faith estimate to allow us to prepare a budget for the church. If your circumstances change, we fully understand, and no explanation is expected or necessary. If you did not receive a letter from Anne and have not recently given to the church and are able, please simply drop her a note and indicate such. Her address is Anne Oakes, 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. As usual, your support is greatly appreciated and fully deductible for tax purposes to the extent permitted by law. _________________________________________________________________________ CHURCH REOPENING PROCEDURES The following procedures were developed to minimize the risk of attending services at the United Church of Ludlow. Everyone will enter and exit the church through the rear door. The new entrance is now complete, along with the new walkway from Elm St. The LULA is operational to facilitate access by those with difficulty managing stairs. Masks are required and should be worn when entering the church and at all times when moving about inside. We ask anyone who might need water or other refreshment to please bring your own, as the kitchen will not be available. 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 should contract tracing be required. You will then 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 to those participating in the service. Upon entering the sanctuary, please look for the cushions placed 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 encourage keeping masks on at all times, masks MAY be removed when you are seated in your pew. 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. If you wish to sing during the hymns, 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 celebrated, parishioners may bring their own "bread and wine". Offerings will not be collected during the service. We ask that you continue your weekly offering by writing a check to The United Church and mailing it to Anne Oakes, 145 Merrill Rd., Ludlow, VT 05149. When services are over, everyone should leave the church building using the rear door. You should only stop if you need to use the rest rooms, which will be available at all times. If you wish 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 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 at the United Church of Ludlow We will continue to offer access to our church service using Zoom. 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. If you have used Zoom before and have it installed on your computer you are ready to go. If you have never used Zoom, please contact us before Sunday so we can help you navigate the program. For help send an email to: Laura Lienhard (L[email protected]) or Dean Alexander ([email protected]) PLEASE NOTE: You should only have one live microphone at any one location. Please DO NOT use your phone AND the microphone on your computer at the same time. Turn one off. When both are on, rather unpleasant feedback noise can be produced. _________________________________________________________________________ October 11, 2020 10:00 A. M. Service of Worship NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 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 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 this morning to seek the presence of God. With openness and humility, we seek wisdom and strength for our life’s journey. We gather to remember we are called and challenged to serve with Jesus as an example. Let us trust in a God of changing seasons, of abundance and of abiding grace. We gather to marvel at God’s expanding universe and the vision of all inclusive love that unites us as a community of faith here and around this fragile and precious planet. HYMN 657 * This Is the Day INVOCATION For earth, we give you thanks, O God. For rest and work, we give you thanks. For meaning that is simple and sacred, for bonding of family, friends, and the church, for the possibility to hope and live into the future, we give you thanks. For the light of day and the darkness gentle into the night, for the turning of the seasons of the year and celebrations by which we mark our days, we give you thanks. For the gospel story, the salvation of souls, the promise of eternal life, we give you thanks and praise. God of inclusive love, holiness, and splendor guide us as we journey through unchartered paths that we may spread love of you, ourselves, this earth, and of others as if lives depended on it. Amen. CONFESSION OF SIN God pours blessings upon us, even as we choose to go our own way. God is present and seeks to bring healing and wholeness to all. Therefore, I invite you to confess all that would separate you from God or one another. Let us pray. Living God, at times you seem so distant; help us know you are near. At times we stray; invite us as your guest. Being mindful of your presence, we know there are people we keep at a distance; help us bridge the gap between your presence and every person. We pray in the name of Christ who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. SILENCE (Silence may be observed for reflection and prayer) ASSURANCE OF PARDON READING OF SCRIPTURE PSALM 106:1-6, 19-23 Hymnal, pp. 829-830 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 Matthew 22:1-14 SERMON “The God Who Isn’t” HYMN 427* Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life OFFERTORY SENTENCE Moses stood in the breach between God and humanity. It’s our turn to do the same. What will you give to extend God’s love and care to others? 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 DEDICATION* Gracious God, receive the gift of our lives and this offering of our service to carry your love from this place to a world in need. This we pray in the name of Christ, whom with you and the Holy Spirit, reign in our hearts and lives, one God now and forever. Amen. The Sacrament of Holy Communion Invitation Communion Prayer Breaking Bread and Pouring Wine Call to the Supper Sharing the Elements Prayer of Thanksgiving Let us pray Eternal God, we thank you for your presence in the simplicity and splendor of this sacred meal. For the healing you have given us in the broken bread and the pouring out of the 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 us, we thank you. By the loving power of your Holy Spirit we have been nourished to be the servant church of the servant Christ. Well-fed, may we continue to share your goodness that others may know your love by the lives we live. Amen. HYMN OF THANKSGIVING 192* There’s a Spirit in the Air 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 for the October 11 Service 657 This Is the Day This is the day, this is the day. That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice, Let us rejoice, And be glad in it, and be glad in it. This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is the day, this is the day That the Lord has made. 427 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life Where cross the crowded ways of life, where sound the cries of race and clan, above the noise of selfish strife, we hear your voice, O Son of man. In haunts of wretchedness and need, on shadowed thresholds dark with fears, from paths where hide the lures of greed, we catch the vision of your tears. From tender childhood's helplessness, from woman's grief, man's burdened toil, from famished souls, from sorrow's stress, your heart has never known recoil. The cup of water given for you still holds the freshness of your grace; yet long these multitudes to view the sweet compassion of your face. O Master, from the mountainside make haste to heal these hearts of pain; among these restless throngs abide; O tread the city's streets again. Till all the world shall learn your love and follow where your feet have trod, till, glorious from your heaven above, shall come the city of our God! 192 There’s a Spirit in the Air There's a Spirit in the air, telling Christians everywhere: Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world. Lose your shyness, find your tongue; tell the world what God has done. God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today! When believers break the bread, when a hungry child is fed, praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world. Still the Spirit leads the fight, seeing wrong and setting right: God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today! When a stranger's not alone, when the homeless find a home, praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world. May the Spirit fill our praise, guide our thoughts and change our ways: God in Christ has come to stay. Live tomorrow's life today! There's a Spirit in the air, telling Christians everywhere: Praise the love that Christ revealed, living, working, in our world.  Comments are closed.
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