Thursday Thoughts, December 31, 2020

December 31, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in Thursday Thoughts

CLICK HERE to read the December 31 Thursday Thoughts

December 31, 2020

Dear Congregation:

I do not need to remind us that it has been a long and hard year. What I do want us to remember, lest we forget, that throughout it all, God’s grace and strength has been our guide. We have found comfort and hope in God’s word. We have experienced encouragement as we have walked with one another through fear and anxiety. We have learned how to be resilient in ways we never imagined.

May we enter the new year with hope and with the knowl3dge that no matter who we are or where we are on life’s journey, God is with us.

I invite you to share in this prayer from the UCC Worship Ways for the New Year:

God of Creation and Wonder, you formed us in your image.

You gave us your Son who taught us how to live out your teachings.

Give us the strength and wisdom to make this world your world.

Open our hearts to the possibilities of the new year.

Remove any cynicism or mistrust we may be clinging to

and fill us with the hope of a new beginning. Amen.

Worship Notes: Epiphany Sunday On this day our church will celebrate Epiphany, a name that comes from a Greek word meaning “to make manifest” or “to display.” During the season of Epiphany, Christians rejoice in the gift of saving love and the unfolding vision of wholeness that God has made manifest for all people in Jesus the Christ. Our call is to participate in proclaiming this good news. We will read from Isaiah 60:1–6 as the prophet declares that “nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” The Gospel lesson describes the story of the arrival of the magi to pay homage to Jesus, Matthew 2: 1-12. We will be sharing in Holy Communion.

Sunday, December 27 Bulletin

December 26, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in News / Weekly Bulletin

Please click HERE for the Sunday, December 27 Bulletin

Join us for worship in person at 8:30 a.m. in Historic Trinity Chapel or at 10:30 a.m. in our main Sanctuary.

You may also join us via live stream at: https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-1030-service-494442

Sunday, December 27 First Sunday After Christmas
Our first reading is from Isaiah 61:10—62:3. In this portion of the long book of Isaiah, we read of the people’s return from exile and encounter recurring themes of justice and righteousness, as well as the overarching theme of salvation. The prophet emphasizes God’s message of forgiveness, consolation, and hope, revealing God’s plan of blessing and salvation. The Gospel lesson from Luke 2:22–40 resounds with the salvation theme as the righteous and devout man Simeon encounters the newborn Christ child and breaks into his song of praise.
The service will conclude with the “Letting Go and Letting God” ceremony. 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 2020, 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.

Thursday Thoughts December 24, 2020

December 23, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in Announcements / Thursday Thoughts / Thursday Thoughts

CLICK HERE to read the Thursday, December 24 Thursday Thoughts

December 24, 2020

Dear Congregation:

Tonight, as we welcome the birth of Jesus, remembering and celebrating that God is with us, may we be blessed with these words:

In the beginning, the Word;

the Word was in God’s presence,

and the Word was God.

The Word was present to God from the beginning.

Through the Word all things came into being….

In the Word was life, and that life was humanity’s light-

a Light that shines in the night,

a Light that the night has never overtaken.

Go forth to witness to the Light, to the Word,

to the Glory of God dwelling in us;

Go forth to live in grace and truth.

(Rev. Susan A. Blain, Minister for Worship and Gospel Arts, Justice and Local Church Ministries, Faith INFO Team, UCC)

May you be blessed with the wonder of Christmas and the good news of light shining into our lives. The light of Christ shines and nothing, absolutely nothing, can ever put it out.

Worship Notes

Christmas Eve Services

5:30 p.m. Children’s Service in the main sanctuary (live streamed)

7:30 p.m. Candlelight & Carol Service in the main sanctuary (live streamed)

10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service (Trinity Chapel)

First Sunday After Christmas December 27

Our first reading is from Isaiah 61:10—62:3. In this portion of the long book of Isaiah, we read of the people’s return from exile, and encounter recurring themes of justice and righteousness, as well as the overarching theme of salvation. The prophet emphasizes God’s message of forgiveness, consolation, and hope, revealing God’s plan of blessing and salvation. The Gospel lesson is from Luke 2:22–40 resounds with the salvation theme as the righteous and devout man Simeon encounters the newborn Christ child and breaks into his song of praise.

The service will conclude with the “Letting Go and Letting God” ceremony. 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 2020, 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.

Food for Thought:

“Joy to the world!” Anyone for whom this sound is foreign, or who hears in it nothing but weak enthusiasm, has not yet really heard the gospel. For the sake of humankind, Jesus Christ became a human being in a stable in Bethlehem: Rejoice, O Christendom! For sinners, Jesus Christ became a companion of tax collectors and prostitutes: Rejoice, O Christendom! For the condemned, Jesus Christ was condemned to the cross on Golgotha: Rejoice, O Christendom! For all of us, Jesus Christ was resurrected to life: Rejoice, O Christendom! … All over the world today people are asking: Where is the path to joy? The church of Christ answers loudly: Jesus is our joy! (1 Pet. l:7-9). Joy to the world! (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

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

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES and BULLETINS

December 23, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in Christmas Eve Services / News

Thursday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services

5:30 p.m. Children’s Service in the main Sanctuary

CLICK HERE for the livestream of the Children’s Service at 5:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE for the 5:30 p.m. BULLETIN

7:30 p.m. Candlelight & Carol Service in the main sanctuary

CLICK HERE for the livestream of the Candlelight Service at 7:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE for the 7:30 p.m. Bulletin

10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service (Trinity Chapel)

CLICK HERE for the 10:30 p.m. bulletin

Thursday Thoughts, December 17, 2020

December 17, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in Thursday Thoughts / Thursday Thoughts

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

Longest Night Service

December 17, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in Longest Night Service

Thursday, December 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Main Sanctuary

Watch LIVE STREAMED CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE for the bulletin

(This service will also be live streamed)

The holiday season can be filled with excitement and anticipation. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, we await the birth of the Christ Child within us. However, the holidays can also be a time of sadness, stress, and busy-ness that leave little room for praise and thanksgiving. The death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, recovery from addiction, illness, and financial struggles all mirror the lengthening of the nights at this time of the year.

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.

Sunday, December 20 Bulletin

December 17, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in News / Weekly Bulletin

Please click HERE for the Sunday, December 20 Bulletin

Join us for worship in person at 8:30 a.m. in Historic Trinity Chapel or at 10:30 a.m. in our main Sanctuary.

You may also join us via live stream at:https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-1030-service-874401

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.

Wednesday, December 16 Advent Bulletin

December 14, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in News / Special Services

Wednesday Advent Services Via Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83151572425?pwd=emJJL25DV2dtSVBLOWl3WlFkRTdtZz09
CLICK HERE FOR THE BULLETIN
Meeting ID: 831 5157 2425 Passcode: 812725
December 16 and 23
12 noon – 12:15 p.m. Service of Prayer

Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas

We will gather virtually for prayer and reflection on the names for Jesus.

In Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas, best-selling author Adam Hamilton examines the names of Christ used by the gospel writers, exploring the historical and personal significance of his birth.
In the face of uncertainty and conflict, Christians reclaim the Christ Child who brings us together, heals our hearts, and calls us to bring light into the darkness.

Sunday, December 13 Bulletin

December 10, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in Weekly Bulletin

Click HERE for the Sunday, December 13, 2020 bulletin.

Join us for worship in person at 8:30 a.m. in Historic Trinity Chapel or at 10:30 a.m. in our main Sanctuary.

You may also join us via live stream at:https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-1030-service-699164

Worship Notes Third Sunday in Advent

Isaiah the prophet beautifully portrays that day of deliverance when God will come and deliver suffering Israel in Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11. Isaiah’s is the same promise that Jesus will use for his first sermon in Nazareth in Luke’s Gospel. God sends forth good news, especially to the oppressed, the broken-hearted, the prisoners, and the poor. In the final verses, Isaiah breaks forth into a song of hope. The Gospel lesson is from Luke 1: 46b-55 and is known as the Magnificat or Mary’s Song.

We are pleased to welcome new members this Sunday: Angela Brittain, Al Mannus, and Scott Harris.

Thursday Thoughts, December 10, 2020

December 10, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in Thursday Thoughts

CLICK HERE to read Thursday Thoughts

December 10, 2020

Dear Congregation:

This Sunday is our annual meeting, at which time we will adopt the 2021 Mission Spending Plan. This plan serves as a statement of who we are as a church, what we value, and how we hope to serve one another, the wider community, and the world.

In the United Church of Christ, the local congregation has the responsibility and power to make its own decisions. Each of us, as a member of ERUCC, has a voice and vote in determining our future. We need your voice and participation in the life of our congregation to enable us to continue to be a faithful witness to the love and hope we know in Jesus Christ. While the coronavirus may have canceled and stopped many things in our lives, the mission and ministry of ERUCC has continued through worship, education, fellowship, and mission. This Sunday, you will hear about some of these programs and initiatives. You will receive an update on progress made on repairing our historic buildings. You will be invited to affirm our commitment to be an antiracist congregation. You will hear the exciting news about a permanent family shelter. You’ll hear that while some of our 275^th anniversary activities were canceled; we are hoping to move some of those activities into next year. On the third Sunday in Advent, our theme is joy. Even in the midst of the challenges of this past year, we have a lot to celebrate. Hope you will be present for the annual December as we celebrate God’s work in and through us and imagine the year ahead.

Worship Notes Third Sunday in Advent

We are pleased to welcome new members this Sunday: Angela Brittain, Al Mannus, and Scott Harris.

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

Author: Evangelical Reformed UCC

Click HERE for the Sunday, December 13, 2020 bulletin.