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Sunday, June 21 Bulletin

Sunday, June 21 Bulletin

June 19, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in /

Join us for worship on Sunday, June 21 at 10:30 a.m. at https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-1030-service-654874 

CLICK HERE for the Bulletin

June 21

Jeremiah 20:7-13 contains a lament from the prophet a prayer for help.  The language of our reading from Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18 is also that of a lament or prayer for help.

In our Gospel lesson for this Sunday, Matthew 10: 24-39, Jesus teaches about the demands of discipleship, including the ways in which it places disciples under great stress in their families.

The Rev. Michelle Beadle will be preaching.  Her sermon title is, “The Blessing of Forced Choice.”

Sunday, June 14, 2020 Bulletin

Sunday, June 14, 2020 Bulletin

June 12, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in /

Join us for worship on Sunday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. at https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-1030-service-654874 

CLICK HERE for the Bulletin

June 14

Matthew 9:35-10:8 describes the ministry of Jesus and his disciples. There are many in need of Jesus’ healing ministry. Jesus acknowledges that he cannot do this work alone and calls disciples to join him. However, the authority to cast out unclean spirits and cure disease requires that the disciples sacrifice their former lives and any hopes of wealth or prestige.

June 11 Thursday Thoughts

June 11 Thursday Thoughts

June 11, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in /

CLICK HERE to read the June 11 Thursday Thoughts

 

Dear Congregation:

Since the beginning of March, life at and with ERUCC and our community has been a constant barrage of new experiences.  Whether it’s been how to worship or how to conduct the church’s business or how to have fellowship and educational programs, every day brings new challenges in meeting the needs of the congregation and the community.

In this new environment, I have participated in at least 3 webinars or calls every week about COVID, technology, cleaning, mental health in these days, and meeting spiritual needs when we cannot gather or engage in our usual rituals.  I must admit that these resources have been very helpful but so much new information all at the same time is taxing on my brain.

Then we had the murder of George Floyd and the unleashing of anger, frustration, and energy to say, “Enough is enough.”  The past few weeks have engaged our congregation in even deeper work on anti-racism.   This, too, is taxing on the heart as we open ourselves to identifying and dismantling our behaviors as individuals and as a community that contribute to institutional racism.

All this is to say that I recognize the challenges of dealing with COVID will be with us for months.  Our work in dismantling institutional racism will be before us for years.  These challenges are not a sprint, but a long-distance run, and we all need to pace ourselves for this meaningful and hard work.

I am grateful that Ken and I will be able to take some time off to rest, renew, and refresh. I will be leaving for vacation tomorrow, June 12th and returning on July 1st.  Please contact Amy Aguilar at the church office with any questions or concerns. (aaguilar@erucc.org)

This Sunday, June 14th, if the technology works, you will hear a sermon that I recorded.  Rev. Michelle Beadle will be preaching on June 21st and Rev. Carolyn Roberts on June 28th.

I look forward to seeing you upon my return – in person in worship on July 5th or virtually in worship and on zoom calls.  Take care and peace.

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

Sunday, June 7, 2020 Bulletin

Sunday, June 7, 2020 Bulletin

June 5, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in /

Join us for worship on Sunday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. at  https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-1030-service-525168

CLICK HERE for the Bulletin

June 7             Trinity Sunday                                                                                  

Genesis 1: 2:4a reminds us that in the beginning, God expressed delight in creation and declared it “very good.”  In Matthew 28:16–20, Jesus bestows authority upon followers to carry the good news of God’s love to all places. The promise in verse 20 asserts that Jesus is the assurance that God will not abandon the community of creation.

On this Trinity Sunday, the readings invite us to explore and celebrate the many ways God is revealed in and through continuing relationships within this good creation. God entrusts remarkable potential to all that is created. New beginnings emerge as the community of creation lives into such promise.

 

 

June 4, 2020 Thursday Thoughts

June 4, 2020 Thursday Thoughts

June 4, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in /

Click HERE for your June 4, 2020 Thursday Thoughts

Dear Congregation:

We know that we are dealing with two viruses.  COVID 19 and the virus of racism.  We have been living in fear and anxiety with a virus that can lurk inside some of us without symptoms.  A virus that preys upon the most vulnerable.  A virus that keeps manifesting itself in new ways and with new symptoms.

We already knew that black and brown communities are disproportionately  affected by the virus.  We also know that  black and brown communities are disproportionately affected by police brutality.  Those communities are disproportionately represented in the prisons of our country.  We know that black and brown communities face institutional racism in education, government, business, and the faith communities.  Truth is that those communities face racism everywhere.

It has not gone unnoticed that the confluence of COVID 19 and the response to the death of George Floyd has pushed our country to a deeper conversation about racism.  I am grateful for t your willingness to go deeper into that conversation.  The response to the classes Rev. Michelle Beadle led earlier this year demonstrated a willingness to become vulnerable and examine our own prejudices.  That has broadened more in these recent weeks.

Thank you for taking this journey of faith.  We all have prejudices and it is important that we identify them.  It is important for us to examine how our white privilege has socialized us in ways that have given us advantages that our black and brown siblings do not have.  This is our work to do and I am grateful for our friends of color who have been so patient with us.

If we stay on this path of learning and understanding and dismantling what is getting in the way for all people to live in security and peace, we can be the change.  Our friends of color are tired, fed up, and asking us, “How long?”  Do you hear them?  Are we willing to take the difficult, painful journey of examining our own lives and what we may be doing that contributes to racism?  Jesus said to us, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”

Change is challenging.  Change can be painful.  But imagine with me, a country where we really do live up to all that we say that we value.

Special Announcement

Special Announcement

June 3, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in

Special Announcement –  In Response to the Death of George Floyd

Dear Congregation:

I wanted to make sure that you received this information as soon as possible.

While we are seeing many around our nation and community responding to the death of George Floyd, we are aware that he is just among the many who have died as a result of institutional racism.

Many of you have asked, “What can I do?”

First of all, we can all educate ourselves by exploring our own lives and how we, as white people, have benefitted from the system.  On Monday, we sent out a list of resources – books, articles, podcasts and movies – that can empower you with greater understanding of racism in our country.

Tomorrow evening, Thursday, June 4 at 7 pm, my colleague, The Rev. Dr. Carl Gregg, Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church, will be offering a program on anti-racism resources.

“For Such a Time as This: Anti-racism Resources for Building the Beloved Community”                          Rev. Dr. Carl Gregg                                                                                                                         Thursday, June 4 at 7:00 p.m.

Zoom: uuma.zoom.us/j/98156575224

One tap mobile: +13017158592,,98156575224#

Dial: +1 301 715 8592

(Meeting ID: 981 5657 5224)

This program is being offered to other congregations in Frederick, as well.

Secondly, if you are comfortable participating in a peaceful demonstration, one is scheduled for Friday, June 5th.  This event is being planned by young adults.  Here’s a link to their video conversation to give you an idea of their vision for the event:  https://www.facebook.com/rougexroyal/videos/3002024893213420/

The demonstration on Friday will begin at Mullinix Park with people gathering at 4:30. If you wish, you can come to the church at 4:15 and walk down with a group from ERUCC.  Please make sure you wear a mask and bring a water bottle.  If you wish, make a sign to bring along.  Come at 3:30 if you need sign making materials – we have plenty of paper and markers at the church.  And yes, we will be maintaining physical distancing.

Pam Shepp invites us to watch the movie, “Just Mercy,” and join a discussion about on Sunday, June 7th at 7 pm.  Warner Bros. has made, “Just Mercy” free this month to stream on digital platforms in order to educate viewers on systematic racism.    To join the discussion follow these links: Barbara Daniel is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Just Mercy Conversation

Time: Jun 7, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87067537643?pwd=ZDJ3SEkrZ3JWcTR4WlZWVjFNNFhWQT09

Meeting ID: 870 6753 7643

Password: 827642

 

Pastor Daniel 

Sunday, May 31 Bulletin

Sunday, May 31 Bulletin

May 29, 2020 by Evangelical Reformed UCC in /

Join us for worship on Sunday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m. at  https://boxcast.tv/view/sunday-1030-service-525168

CLICK HERE for the Bulletin

Pentecost Sunday

Despite what appears to be chaos in the amazing account of this day of Pentecost, Acts 2: 1-21, order rests in God’s hands. God’s Spirit pours abundantly on the community of disciples, renewing them with a diversity of gifts for the common good. Jesus promises his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit in John 7: 37-39.
We traditionally invite people to wear red on Pentecost to symbolize the fire of the Holy Spirit.  Would you consider wearing red this Sunday as we gather for worship?  Please add the paper flames you received in your packets.  Don’t forget to send us a photo of your worship and/or you decked out in red to bkdaniel@erucc.org