Join Evangelical Reformed UCC’s 10:30 AM Worship Service in our Main Sanctuary and online.

First Sunday after Christmas

We root ourselves in ritual

After eight days have passed, Mary and Joseph circumcise their child and give him the name Jesus. They return to the temple in Jerusalem to enact the sacred birth rituals of their culture and tradition. While they are doing what is customary, the unexpected occurs. A man named Simeon is led by the Spirit into the temple to proclaim Jesus as the “light of revelation.” Then, a prophet named Anna suddenly approaches them; she praises God and speaks about Jesus to everyone longing for redemption. Rituals mark sacred turning points in our lives. They can help us make meaning of celebrations, losses, and transitions. As new parents to Jesus, Mary and Joseph could feel weary for what lies ahead, but perhaps these sacred rituals—and those who bear witness to them—bolster them and give them courage for the journey. How do our sacred rituals root us and help us live into new chapters with courage?

The service will include the “Letting Go and Letting God” ritual. This is a time when the congregation will be invited to write down on a piece of paper those things which each person wants to let go of from the old year of 2023, receive God’s grace and move into the new year with divine blessing and hope. The dissolving pieces of paper will be placed in a bowl of water at the front of the chancel. The Rev. Rebecca Shillingburg will be preaching. The Senior Choir will be singing.

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ERUCC also holds a healing worship service with Holy Communion at 8:30 AM.