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

CLICK HERE for the December 3, 2020 Thursday Thoughts

This week’s Thursday Thoughts is written by the co-chairs of the Mission and Social Action Committee, Rebecca Shillingburg and Colleen Baldree.    They wish to provide information about an item on the agenda for the congregational meeting on December 13^th.

At the recommendation of the Mission & Social Action Committee, the Consistory approved bringing the following statement to the congregation:

“We, the members of Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, declaring that Black lives matter and acknowledging our complicity in systemic racism toward all people of color, commit to be an authentic reflection of God’s promises of peace through justice for all by working to become antiracist in all ministries of word, welcome, and deed.”

Our statement reflects our growing awareness of systemic racism and our call as Christians to work “to become antiracist.” ERUCC has begun this work with many opportunities to discuss and learn about racial injustice. Current events and ERUCC’s opportunities to learn and discuss what it means to be antiracist have awakened many of our members to the racial injustice that exists in our country today. We recognize how difficult this conversation can be, but together we can be the change our world needs. This is our opportunity to live into our call to be the church!

Rebecca Shillingburg and Colleen Baldree, Mission & Social Action Committee Co-Chairs

Worship Notes               Second Sunday in Advent

On this Second Sunday in Advent, the prophet Isaiah prophet proclaims to Israel that despite their present circumstances, God has not abandoned them.   Isaiah 40: 1-11 describes how we are as vulnerable as grass, and therefore we are at the mercy of forces beyond human control.  Yet God does intervene with salvation and deliverance.  John the Baptizer opens Mark’s Gospel with a scorching sermon in the Judean wilderness.  John calls people to change and, as a sign of that change, to submit to a baptism for repentance of sins as we read Mark 1: 1-8.                                                                                       We will share communion this morning.  If you are worshipping at home, please prepare bread or crackers along with a cup of wine, juice, or water for communion.  You are also invited to light the second candle on your advent wreaths as we light the candles in the sanctuary.

Food for Thought:               Prayer for Advent (Written by Kevin Coyle)

We approach this Advent season with trepidation. This winter will be hard on all of us for many of us are apart, unable to visit each other or suffering from this affliction or that. In this midst of all this turmoil, remind us that we are not alone. We cannot know for sure what will transpire in months ahead, but Your work is never done. There is always more we can do. Even as earthly troubles can seem insurmountable, You showed the power of little acts from the heart. You showed how sitting at a dinner table conversing with outcasts or laboring to fix a home, can make a difference. Above all, You showed what one person can do, when they are moved by faith and love, even in a world where injustices, hardships, and afflictions abound. As we move into this new month, dealing with our own struggles here, be with us, breaking through into our lives in unexpected moments as we move through these days of yearning, remembering, and waiting.

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

CLICK HERE to read Thursday Thoughts for October 29, 2020.

October 29,  2020

Dear Congregation:

In my sermon on October 11, I referred to a 1937 photo of shipyard workers in Hamburg offering the Nazi salute.  There was one man in the crowd who is pictured as having his arms folded, not participating with the crowd.  I encouraged us to be like that man,

Pastor Emeritus Fred Wenner sent an email connecting this story with Fran Wenner’s family.  I share it with you, with their permission:

In 2008, Fran and I, along with one of her brothers and his spouse, spent a couple weeks in Germany exploring places related to her family’s history. In the town of Thaleischweiler-Fröschen in the Palatinate we found a handwritten note from 1737 that confirmed family lore that a young blacksmith, Reinhard Alspach, had impregnated a teen-aged girl named Magdalena. They were effectively kicked out of Germany and emigrated to America, but not before they were married in the town’s Protestant Church.

            Here’s were Fran’s story and your sermon converge. When we approached that old church (1st photo), we were struck by a bronze plaque next to the church door (2nd photo). A translation of the plaque follows:

            HEINZ WILHELMY               

March 6, 1906 — May 16, 1980

From 1933 to 1953 Heinz Wilhelmy was pastor of the Protestant parish of Thaleischweiler. He was one of the few pastors in the Palatinate who courageously opposed the National Socialists (Nazis). In his sermons, he publicly denounced their godless and inhumane ideology. For him the standard was the biblical Word. Beginning in 1935 he was an active member of the Confessing Church. From 1953 until his retirement in 1969, he developed a strong program of Men’s Work for the congregations of the regional church of the Palatinate.

Imagine discovering this bit of family history — 200 years after the Alspach’s left Germany, the pastor of the church where Reinhard and Magdalena were married boldly preached the Gospel and “did not salute” the Nazi flag. In that place and in that time, he may have been the only one.

            That’s our story, brought back to life by the story you told on October 11. Thanks for triggering this bit of family history.

CLICK HERE to read Thursday Thoughts for October 22, 2020.

Dear Congregation:
From the Stewardship/Generosity Committee – Faces of Love
This Sunday we will bring our month’s spiritual journey to completion as we pledge our financial commitment to the mission and ministries of ERUCC for the coming year.
As we offer our pledges, we invite people also to reflect on what God is calling you to give or do this year as a renewal of your commitment to continue to grow in faith and love. What is one step that you might take?
At the 10:30 Service, Felecia Bishop will speak, after which we will offer our pledges and commitments. There will be paper, post-it hearts you can use to write down the step you have chosen and place it in the plate along with the pledge cards and offerings. Since there are no longer pencils in the pews, please bring something to write with.
To celebrate this day of appreciation and commitment, a boxed, tasty treat for each family member will await you after the 8:30 and 10:30 services and at our socially distanced “Consecration Sunday Drive-by” between noon and 2 p.m. During this time our gloved and masked team members will safely greet you with your treat and a cheery welcome! Please enter the church parking lot from West Church Street. You can then exit through the alley to West Second Street. If you are not able to pick up your treat in person, let us know and we will deliver it to your home.
If you need a gluten-free option or need it delivered to your home, email, call, or text David Howard, dehowardcello@gmail.com; 202-841-5061.
Pledges can also be dropped off on Sunday, during the 12-2 drive-by
YOU are the Faces of Love. Our bulletin covers have reflected some faces; please be sure to add your face to these images. We are all the church together.

Worship Notes
As the community of Jesus’ disciples, we are called to find ways to proclaim the love of God to our neighbors. The Gospel lesson in Matthew 22: 34-46 reminds the emerging Christian community of Jesus’ rules – unconditional love for God and neighbor. Today’s reading from the Hebrew scriptures, Deuteronomy 34: 1-12, brings to an end the life of Moses. He is given a glimpse of the promised land, but he will not cross over into it. Felecia Bishop will be speaking as part of our Faces of Love campaign. We will also be dedicating our pledges for our 2021 financial support of the mission and ministry of ERUCC. Pledges can be made in person, via the web page, via mail, or dropped off at the church office or brought to worship this Sunday to be received during the offering.
Don’t forget to come by the church between noon and 2 to pick up your tasty treat lovingly prepared by David Howard. A thank you for your ongoing prayer and support.
Food for Thought:
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.” (Soren Kierkegaard)

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

CLICK HERE to read Thursday Thoughts for October 15, 2020

Dear Congregation:

Do you have your ballot?  Do you know how to vote?  Would you be willing to join an energetic group of people trying to get as many people to the polls as possible?  Please join us on Friday evening as we celebrate our right to vote and the importance of participating in our democratic process.  This Friday, October 16th,  we will welcome musicians from the Frederick School of Rock, Pizza Llama, and Jay Mason from the FCPS Board of Education.

The ERUCC Faith and Democracy group completed 3000 postcards that were handwritten and sent to voters in Georgia, encouraging these voters to get to the polls.  We’re hoping that the record turn-out for early voting in that state can be attributed, in part, to the efforts of our work and that of others.

Many in the congregation are working with various groups such as the League of Women Voters to get out the vote.  These efforts include committing  to or encouraging at least  three friends to vote on or before Election Day. Because of the changing rules and procedures amidst the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we know our voting rights and that we have a plan vote.

I recognize that we, as individual members and friends of ERUCC, have a variety of thoughts and opinions with this election and with many other aspects of life.  What I really appreciate is our willingness to share those perspectives with one another.  It is not always easy to stay in community when we share differences of opinion but we are called to love one another as God has loved us.

Please continue to share your perspectives with me.  I sincerely want to learn what all of us value and how we can make ERUCC stronger and more welcoming as a community.  I also want us to explore how we can embody those values in the larger community of Frederick that we love.

Worship Notes               

In Exodus 33:12–23 , we are privy to a conversation between God and Moses. Reminiscent of last week’s struggle of the Hebrew people with an idea or presence of God vs. a tangible, physical god, Moses also asks for proof of God’s presence – to see what God looks like. Matthew 22:15–22 tells the story of discerning taxes, where the stamping of Caesar on the coinage settles the question – “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and unto God the things that are God’s” (v. 21). While this can be seen as an example of the separation of church and state it also harkens back to the wilderness experiences of discerning and following God’s guiding presence.

Food for Thought:   

“The thing about light is that it really isn’t yours; it’s what you gather and shine back. And it gets more power from reflectiveness; if you sit still and take it in, it fills your cup, and then you can give it off yourself.”   (Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith)

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