CLICK HERE to read the May 6, 2021 Thursday Thoughts
May 6, 2021
Dear Congregation:
I am continually grateful for the gifts our members and friends bring to our congregation’s life and in the community. Last week during the 10:30 service we gave thanks for members who have served in leadership roles, some for many, many years. They have given considerable time and energy, sweat and tears, to the mission and ministry of ERUCC.
Those of you who were able to participate in the congregational meeting following the service, know how blessed we are to have Jeff Schaeberle, who has given countless hours to our sound system in the sanctuary as well as in the Community Room. We ask Jeff to make something happen and he does.
You know there are some congregations who have not held annual meetings during COVID because they just could not figure out how to do a large Zoom meeting and or a hybrid meeting. Sunday was the third congregational meeting we have had. Each time, Jeff has figured out how we can see and hear better and how we can maximize participation. Thank you, Jeff. Jeff was ably assisted by Owen York who prepared a slide deck of visuals to keep us on track. Then we had the leadership of Peter Brehm, Allen Flora, and Phil Selby to present large portions of the meeting. Thank you all.
We officially voted to become a Creation Justice Church with the great leadership of Linda Coyle, Chair, and members of the Green Committee. We heard a report about the 275th anniversary events that will be happening this fall. A schedule of those events will be included in the worship packets you will be receiving next week.
On Sunday, we also proceeded to move forward with conceptual work on a columbarium behind the main sanctuary building. Information about that project will also be included in the worship packets.
Lots of exciting news for ERUCC.
Worship
John 15:9–17 “…love one another.”
These are the words of Jesus to his followers. So simple, and yet not always so easy. Jesus’ commandment to love one another in John, chapter 15, verse 12, is one of the strongest themes of Jesus’ teaching. Not only does Jesus “command” us “to love one another,” he shows us how: To love each other “as I have loved you.” Jesus then “pushes the envelope” in verse 13: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:9-17).
Today, we will ordain and install the newly elected elders, deacons, and committee chairs and honor those who have been serving as deacons and greeters during the past year.
Food for Thought:
“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tired into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one destiny, affects all indirectly.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
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
