BELLOWS FALLS
First Baptist Church
In this Sunday's gospel Jesus asks those with Him, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" One wonders if He was asking because He simply wanted to know, or did Jesus want to draw the disciples into a conversation around this provocative question, examining their responses. Either way, Jesus was taking a sort of temperature check, allowing Him to understand more precisely how things were progressing. The name of the sermon is "Taking a Peek Under the Hood."
As a precaution, the Sunday Service for First Baptist Church of Bellows Falls has moved back online with a live interactive service at 10 a.m. Contact the pastors for details. Everyone is welcome to join in for worship, music and community. Everyone is also welcome to join in at https://sites.google.com/view/fbcbellowsfalls/home-page-announcements for an inspirational mid-week message and recorded portions of each Sunday Service.
For more information, contact Pastors Steven and Terri at 802-275-8879. Offerings and donations can be mailed to 9 Church Street, Bellows Falls, VT.
BRATTLEBORO
Centre Congregational Church
Join in this Sunday at 10 a.m. for a Zoom service offered by Centre Congregational Church. The Rev. Scott Couper will be preaching, continuing with the sermon series entitled "Many Perspectives: The Other Gospels." The focus will be 'The [Infancy] Gospel of James', brother of Jesus with the Gospel reading from Matthew 1:18-25. The title of the sermon is "'The Protoevangelium of James': A Preface to Christmas." It will be a bit of a 'Christmas in August'. Music is offered by Mary Milkey-May. If you would like to join in, request the login information from Reverend Couper at centrepastor@centrechurchvt.org.
The church continues to support those in need through takeout meals and Groundworks. The church office and minister are available, as is the congregation, even though we are not physically meeting at 193 Main St. The congregation will continue to meet via Zoom for the month of August, including the last Union Service for the summer on August 30.
For more information, call the church at 802-254-4730 and/or our Administrative Assistant Bruce Landenberger and pastor Rev Scott Couper at admin@centrechurchvt.org.
First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church, located at 18 Town Crier Drive, has continued to postpone worship services due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Also canceled are the Thursday evening Bible Studies. A
Special Task Force has decided to open on the first Sunday of Advent, which will be on November 29. Safety guidelines will be implemented according to the advice of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
For Thought and Prayer: (excerpt from "I Hear God's Whisper," revised.) "I am the God of the brokenhearted. When the pain of life beats you up, I am your safe refuge. Hide yourself in me. Come away and rest in me. I am your healer, and I am kind. I am merciful, and I am good. I love you, and know how to heal your tender heart. Don't doubt, beloved. Believe in my healing Grace. Believe in my mercy. Believe in my mighty power. I am the King of glory. I am bigger and more magnificent than you can possibly imagine. Even when you fall or disappoint yourself, I am with you. Rest in my wisdom. Open your heart to me. Let me flood you with healing and peace once again. I will lift you up and resuscitate your faith. You will go through seasons of grief and weariness and I will strengthen you. Take my hand and walk with me. I will not neglect you! Joy will come again. This is my promise."
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for this moment of prayer where I can give you all my concerns and fears. I believe in your Power and trust you will grant me healing peace. Please protect me from the negative vibrations of a destructive world and bring me into your Holy embrace where I can drink deeply of my faith. Amen.
Worship services have been taped and can be viewed on BCTV channel 1075 and channel 1085. Pastor Sue is writing a weekly column entitled "Words of Encouragement." To be added to the mailing, contact pastorsue412@gmail.com. To speak with Pastor Sue, call the church office at 802-254-9566.
St. Michael's Episcopal Church
After two outdoor, in-person services on the grounds of Christ Church in Guilford, Rector Mary Lindquist of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattlboro had this to say: "Even though it was church unlike any we have ever experienced before (with masks, physically-distant), it felt so good to be together. I would not have expected that this small gathering would make me feel so happy. At least once this summer or fall, I encourage you to come to Christ Church to experience being together in worship. It is an act of hope!"
Throughout August and early September, St. Michael's plan to hold the 8 a.m. service outdoors at Christ Church in Guilford. Attendance is by reservation only for up to 25 participants. Restrictions for attendance include: all wearing masks at all times, seating only in the chairs set up and designated for each individual, no singing, and physically distancing at all times. If you wish to make a reservation or have questions, contact the church office at 802-254-6048, ext 104 or jeanie@stmichaelsvermont.org.
This Sunday, St. Michael's Episcopal will also have an 8 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. service available on Zoom. Links for both digital and telephone access are on the church website, www.stmichaelsvermont.org under "Sunday Morning" on the home page.
On Sunday, Aug. 30 at 9 a.m., St. Michael's will have a community Service of Remembrance. The congregation will gather outside at Christ Church at 9 a.m. (following the 8 a.m. service) for a Service of Remembrance for those loved ones who have died during this COVID time whose funerals loved ones were not able to attend or for whom there have been no funerals. If there is someone who has died during these last few months that you would like to be remembered during this service, email Rector Mary Lindquist at mary@stmichaelsvermont.org or call the church office 802-254-6048, extension 104. You do not need to make a reservation to attend this service.
St. Michael's continues to offer morning prayer, evening prayer and a Thursday contemplative service through Zoom. The digital and telephone links are found on the website through the "Prayer" section on the front page.
St. Michael's now has a Vimeo channel where you can watch or listen to your choice of past sermons or past whole services. The link is: https://vimeo.com/channels/1603817.
For weekly news of St. Michael's, you can subscribe to the Thursday eNews from the front page of the website or find weekly announcements and the monthly newsletter "The Guardian" under "News" on the website. If you do not have access to the website, call the church office at 802-254-6048, ext 104 for the telephone links to services. All are welcome at the services and activities of St. Michael's Episcopal Church.
St. Michael Catholic Church
St. Michael Roman Catholic Parish, 47 Walnut St., offers weekend Mass on Saturdays at 4 p.m., and Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The weekday Mass schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m.; Wednesdays at 8:45 a.m.; and Fridays at 8 a.m. Confessions are held Saturdays from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. or by appointment. The Rosary is prayed Tuesday through Friday one half hour before each Mass.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Trinity Luthran Church, 161 Western Ave., offers Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. The congregation returns to the sanctuary with masks and proper distancing, and individual, safe communion. The worship service may be seen on YouTube on Sunday afternoon. Look for Trinity Lutheran Church, Brattleboro, VT, Pastor Randy Wilburn. Pastor Wilburn may be reached at 413-687-5568. Church office: 802-254-4220.
DUMMERSTON
Congregational Church
Dummerston Congregational Church will worship together on the Dummerston Church Facebook live stream at 10 a.m. Home worship devotions will be sent via email and on request, via snail mail. The scripture lesson for this week is Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14.22-33).
EAST DOVER
Baptist Church
East Dover Baptist Church welcomes everyone to worship service this Sunday at 34 Dover Hill Road, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The congregation is following restrictions of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. The Rev. Robert McIntyre is preaching through the book of Job. The service is also being simulcast. For more information call 802-348-6366 or visit the church website, eastdoverbaptistchurch.org
GRAFTON
Grafton Community Church
Grafton Community Church, 55 Main St., is offering virtual worship services via Zoom. Visit the church website at graftoncommunitychurch.org or on Facebook (The Grafton Church).
GUILFORD
Community Church
Guilford Community Church continues this Sunday with worship online at 10 a.m. and on BCTV at 8 a.m. and again on Wednesday at 6:30 a.m. The link to the livestream can be found on the church homepage at guilfordchurch.org or on the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/guilfordVTUCCchurch/.
Sunday's service marks the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Lise Sparrow after 20 years of ministry. Sparrow has served the Guilford Church since February 2000, first as a licensed minister, and later as an ordained pastor of the United Church of Christ. Preceding her ministry, from 1982 to 2005, she was a professor of language teacher training and intercultural communication at the School for International Training.
Church musicians have created a surprise musical tribute which will open the service and other music will include two original compositions by Peter Amidon "Beatitudes" which was dedicated to Reverend Sparrow in 2002 and "Magnificat" based on Luke 1: 46-55. Other music includes "On the Road Again" put together by Patty Meyer and the youth of the church, "All Shall be Well," chant by David Keller, favorite hymn "Blest be the Tie That Binds" and "Aloha O'e" written by Queen Lili uokalani. The children's story touches on the meaning of "Aloha" and the sermonfor the day by Reverend Sparrow has the same title. The service will be a bittersweet combination of gratitude and farewell. After the service church members and friends are invited to drive around the church and wave farewell. If you have trouble finding the links, call Fred Breunig at 802-254-9019. For more information call the church at 802-257-0994.
HALIFAX
Union Society
This Sunday, the Rev. Dr. Marcia Dorey continues her discussion of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah for the Halifax Union Society. The service will be by teleconference and commences at 5 p.m. For more information call 802-368-2455 or visit the Halifax Union Society page on Facebook.
JAMAICA
Community Church
The Jamaica Community Church, located in the "Heart of the Village," welcomes all on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. (new time). The bell in the steeple calls out to the community, both members and visitors, to come and worship. Peter Carlson is the new Pastor; he is from West Townshend and has been preaching in the area for over 30 years. Pastor Pete holds church service in both Wardsboro and Jamaica. If you would like to meet with Pastor Pete, call the church at 802-874-7109 to schedule an appointment. The Message for this Sunday is titled "Death," and the Scripture is John 20:1-9. At 11:15 a.m. there is a Sunday School program available in the children's room of the church. All COVID-19 precautions are being met.
MARLBORO
Meeting House
The Marlboro Meeting House is closed for worship services until further notice due to health and safety concerns during the pandemic. Pastor Michael Mario records worship services that are available on Sundays. They can be found on the church website at https://marlboromeetinghouse.com/ and YouTube, MMH Pastor Michael channel. For questions or information, email marlboromeetinghouse@gmail.com. Offerings and donations can be sent to Marlboro Meeting House, PO Box 64, Marlboro, VT 05344.
NEWFANE
First Congregational Church
Worship at the First Congregational Church of Newfane has been suspended in response to the need for social distancing in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Sunday morning's service will be recorded and available on Newfane Congregational Church's website (https://newfanechurch.com/) by 10 a.m. Click on Ministry, and Audio Links, to listen. Special thanks to Jim Kyle for recording the service.
Missions for the month of August are the Valley Cares and West River Habitat for Humanity. The church continues to collect donations of canned goods and non-perishable foods for the Townshend Food Shelf; donations can be left in the basket in the entryway of the church.
No events, or rehearsals are scheduled in the church for the upcoming week. For more information or to leave messages, call the church office at 802-365-4079. Church office hours are Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit the church website at newfanechurch.com or check out the Facebook page.
PUTNEY
Putney Friends
The Putney Friends Meeting (Quaker) community is using technology in order to gather for worship. The meetinghouse will be closed, but unprogrammed worship will be hosted online at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. To join in using the Zoom platform, email Roger Jasaitis at clerk@putneyfriendsmeeting.org. For more information, visit putneyfriendsmeeting.org.
TOWNSHEND
Townshend Church
Townshend Church on the Common this Sunday will host Bill Dagle and his wife, Linda. Bill brings to life through drama the stories behind the familiar hymns and songs we sing. Seth Phoenix, who grew up playing the Townshend Church organ, will be the "music man." A mask for the whole service is a requirement and a cow's length apart. The service begins at 10 a.m. at 34 Common Road. Call the church at 802-365-4321.
WALPOLE, N.H.
Walpole Unitarian Church
Walpole Unitarian Church is holding Sunday worship via Zoom online. A link will be posted on the church website http://walpoleunitarianchurch.org on Saturday before the service. For the duration, join in on a Sunday morning between 9:45 and 9:55 a.m. to get settled. Service begins at 10 a.m.
WEST BRATTLEBORO
All Souls Church
This Sunday, All Souls Church will offer a special program, Expressive Arts: An Elixir for our Times, beginning just before 10 a.m. at www.ascvt.org.
Join Darlene Jenson, Leslie Kinney and Laura Lawson Tucker from Theatre Adventure to experience the power of song, music, poetry, color exploration, movement, and sound to awaken our senses. Our muse? Connecting with nature. It is hoped that the journey in the expressive arts during this online service might offer surprise opportunities for connecting with self and others. This interactive multi-generational service will be woven together with a parallel story describing the Theatre Adventure online summer three-week foray into the expressive arts. There were many welcomed surprises for students and teachers alike - an alchemy occurred, delight and joy were in abundance.
Bring either colored pencils, or crayons, or markers, and paper to the online service.
All Souls Church is located at 29 South St. For more information, call 802-254-9377.
First Congregational Church
There will be both an outdoor worship and Youtube service offered by First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave. Worship will be in person, under a tent and following the "Caring Guidelines for Safely Meeting Together" based on state and UCC guidelines. This service will be recorded and available on Youtube Monday and BCTV the following week. Search for Rev. Audrey Walker. Her sermon this week is entitled "Dare to Deviate" based on scripture Romans 12:1-8. Organist Bill McKim will play for the prelude "Second Theme from "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" by E Grieg and the postlude will be "First Theme from "Troldhaugen" by E Grieg.
The mission this month is Women's Freedom Center.
Email is fccwb1770@gmail.com. Telephone is 802-254-9767. The office is open Thursday and Friday, 8 to 11 a.m. and by appointment. Pastor hours are by appointment.
There is an on-going collection of canned fruit and vegetables, soups, tuna fish, peanut butter and pasta for the local food shelf. Donations can be dropped off Thursday and Friday mornings. Free Veggies from Vermont Food Bank are distributed the first Monday of each month at Brattleboro Union High School. To receive the monthly newsletter," The Parish Visitor" or weekly bulletin, send your email address or call the office.
Jewish Community
The Brattleboro Area Jewish Community will hold Saturday morning services at 10 a.m. on Aug. 22 and 29 in the BAJC Zoom Room while the synagogue on Greenleaf Street is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Services will be led by Cantor Kate Judd and all are welcome to connect with her and participate in these virtual services. The pages of the prayer book will be visible on the Zoom screen and people will be able to follow the service in Hebrew, English, or transliteration. For a link to the Zoom Room check the website (bajcvermont.org) or e-mail kate@bajcvermont.org
Quaker
The West Brattleboro Quaker Worship Group is meeting outdoors for unprogrammed worship on Sundays from 10 to 11 a.m. during fair weather, and via Zoom if the weather is inclement. For information on how to join in, send an email request to WestBrattQuakers@gmail.com prior to Sunday.
WEST CHESTERFIELD, N.H.
First Universalist Church
The First Universalist Church of West Chesterfield at 10 Main St. is closed until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic. No services are planned for July and August.
WESTMINSTER
First Congregational Church
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all activities at the First Congregational Church of Westminster are canceled until further notice. If you visit the Facebook page, you will find a link to the current sermons. First Congregational is having church via Zoom. To join in, send a request for the Zoom link to westminstercongoline@gmail.com
