PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THURSDAY THOUGHTS FOR DECEMBER 17

 

Dear Congregation:

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”  (Matthew 11: 28)

Tonight you are invited to bring your weary self, and your burdens to our Longest Night Service.  The service will begin at 7:30 in the main sanctuary and will also be live streamed.  There will be gentle music, readings, and a time for quiet reflection.  There will also be an opportunity to light a candle in memory of a loved one, as a sign of hope.  A time of refreshment and fellowship will follow the service.

“Here is a helpful reminder to all who fear the dark. Darkness does not come from a different place than light; it is not presided over by a different God. The long nights of Advent and the early mornings of Easter both point us toward the God for whom darkness and light are alike. Both are fertile seasons for those who walk by faith and not by sight.   Even in the dark, the seed sprouts and grows—we know not how—while God goes on giving birth to the truly human in Christ and in us.”   (Barbara Brown Taylor)

 

Worship Notes               Fourth Sunday in Advent

As the Advent season draws to a close, we celebrate our annual lessons and carols service with our college students reading the scriptures.

 

Food for Thought:               Dark Moments — by Ann Lewin, UK

A reflection on Dame Julian of Norwich’s text from Revelations of Divine Love:

‘All shall be well. You shall see yourself that all things shall be well. That which is impossible for you is not impossible for me. I shall keep my word in all things and I shall make all things well.’

 

‘All shall be well’…

She must have said that

Sometimes through gritted teeth.

Surely she knew the moments

When fear gnaws at trust,

The future loses shape,

Gethsemane?

 

The courage that says

‘All shall be well’

Doesn’t mean feeling no fear,

But facing it, trusting

God won’t let go.

 

‘All shall be well’

Doesn’t deny present experience,

But roots it deep

In the faithfulness of God,

Whose will and gift is life.

Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel, Senior Pastor

Evangelical Reformed Church, United Church of Christ

15 West Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701

301-662-2762

E-mail: bkdaniel@erucc.org