A W. ll are invited to come down to the Social Room for refreshments and conversations following the service.

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2 T hank you for worshipping with us this morning. We extend a special welcome to our guests and ask that you complete a blue or yellow visitor s card and place it in the offering plate. I n the pew racks, are folders with information about the various aspects of the service. If you are visiting, please feel free to reach out to someone sitting near you and ask them questions about the service. Many of our visitors ask us about the time of offering. This is a time in our service when we respond to God s gifts of love by offering the gifts of our lives. For many of us, this is when we make a financial gift towards the ministries and programs of our church. We also use this time to ask God how we might use the gifts of our hands and hearts in sharing God s love. If you are visiting, there is no obligation to give a financial gift. We are just glad you are worshipping with us. A W T ll are invited to come down to the Social Room for refreshments and conversations following the service. e ask that you please silence your cell phones during our worship service. here is much information about the church in this bulletin. For more information on our history, programs, and recent photos, you can go to our website: T hank you.

3 EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH United Church of Christ - An Open and Affirming Congregation December 21, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Advent 10:30 a.m. Today s hymns are from the red hymnal All who are able may stand. Chimes Concert at 10:00 a.m. from Trinity Chapel s steeple Greetings and Announcements Prelude Heavenly Peace (Mary Huegel, oboe; C. Douglas Remsberg, clarinet) The Lighting of the Fourth Advent Candle: Love One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: One: Many: - John F. Wenner The Weakly Family There is a light drawing near a light that will soon enter this world in the most unlikely of places, by the most unlikely of mothers. It is a light that promises hope. It is only a faint glow in the distance, like a new star blooming in the night, but it cannot be contained. It will topple empires, heal the sick, and touch the weary heart. It is a light that brings peace. The light is a promise, the same promise that the angel Gabriel whispered to Mary so long ago: Emmanuel, as if to say, The Eternal is right here with us. It is a light that promises joy. The light is coming, as surely as God s love is steadfast. Its radiant reach is limitless, enveloping each one of us with a love that knows no bounds. It is a light that brings us love.

4 One: Today we light four candles, four small beacons in a sea of shadow. May they be signs for us, shining into our everyday lives with a spark of hope for Monday s worries, a warm glow of peace for Tuesday s spats and squabbles, a glimmer of joy for Wednesday s holiday melancholy, and a love that welcomes, like a brightly-lit doorway, at the weary week s end. (Light the fourth candle) One: Many: Let us pray. Gracious God, we give thanks for the light that is dawning, even as the days grow so short. Open us to your nearness, to Gabriel s good news. Help us to trust, like Mary, that you are actually and truly with us. Help us to say, Here we are. Let it be with us according to your word. Breathe upon the spark of your love that is in each of us, until the light and warmth of it can be felt by all those we meet. We pray in the shining name of Jesus. Amen. Anthem O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Chancel Handbell Choir) FIRST LESSON: The prophet Isaiah foresees the coming of the Lord Isaiah 60: 1-3, Isaiah 9: 2-7 Sienna Schmid & Ad Howard Processional Carol O Come, O Come, Emmanuel SECOND LESSON: - No. 88 The peace that Christ will bring is fore-shown Jeremiah 23: 5-6; Isaiah 11: 1-2, 4, 6-9 Anthem The Dream Isaiah Saw (Senior Choir) Katie Gigante - G. L. Rudolph THIRD LESSON: John the Baptist heralds the coming of the Messiah Matthew 3: 1-6, Carol Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus Tyler Schaeberle - No. 89

5 FOURTH LESSON: The angel Gabriel salutes the blessed Virgin Mary Luke 1: 26-35, 38 Eliane Coates (Senior Choir) Carol Behold, A Branch is Growing - No. 113 FIFTH LESSON: The evangelists tell of the birth of Jesus Matthew 1: 19-23; Luke 2:1, 3-7 Alec Pain & Tatiana Sorenson Anthem O Come Little Children Still, Still, Still (Childrens Choir) Meditation Anthem Away In A Manger (Chancel Handbell Choir) SIXTH LESSON: The shepherds go to the manger Luke 2: 8-16 Catie Sexton Anthem Christmas Angels Mary C. Huegel, C. Douglas Remsberg - arr. L. Larson SEVENTH LESSON: The wise men are led by the star to Jesus Matthew 2: 1-11 Alex Schaeberle Carol The First Noel - No. 118, stanzas 3, 4, 5 EIGHTH LESSON: St. John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation John 1: 1-14 Gareth Weakly Anthem What Child Is This? English traditional, arr. L. Larson Mary Huegel, C. Douglas Remsberg The Morning Offering Offertory In the Bleak Midwinter Senior Choir, Mary Huegel, C. Douglas Remsberg - R. Lau

6 Presentation of Tithes and Offerings Offertory Response As with Gladness Those of Old - tune- DIX As they offered gifts most rare at that manger plain and bare, So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ, to you from whom they spring. Prayer of Dedication We offer to you, O God, these gifts of our lives and service. Keep us close, Lord, to all who need your love, justice, compassion, and healing; help us to show them that you are known in Jesus Christ, whose compassion lives in all of us. Amen. Recessional Carol Angels, We Have Heard on High -No. 105 The Blessing The Amens Postlude Christmas Fanfare - No C. Callahan

7 The flowers on the altar this morning are in honor of our seven grandchildren: Hannah, Emma, Mady, Cole, Hayden, Zoe, and Ryder. The yellow rose bud on the stand is given by Susan Kreh and is in honor of the men and women who have served or are serving in the armed forces. (If you are interested in sponsoring the yellow rose, contact the church office.) The Lay Visitors for this week are Pat Sunday and Anne Hoffmann. Lay visitors are members of the congregation who share friendship and visits with members of our congregation who are unable to join us for worship on Sunday mornings. These Faithful Friends visit members in their homes, hospitals, assisted living, and nursing homes. Faithful friends can also send cards or make phone calls to our homebound members. We can provide you with all contact information if you are interested in helping out. If you are interested in being involved in this ministry, please contact Pastor Daniel. Attendance last Sunday: 8:30 not available; 10: Anticipating a stay in the hospital? Please call the Church Office at If you are admitted unexpectedly, please have a family member or friend notify the office. Hospital and Prayer List your pastors want to be available when members of ERUCC are in the hospital. Please let us know so that we can visit with you and your family and provide support. We always ask permission before adding a name to be included in the prayer list or in the verbal announcements on a Sunday morning. There are many for whom we pray and visit whose names are not listed in the bulletin by their request. Prayer List - Please remember the following people in your prayers this week: Linda Marsh, Jack Mens, Cindy Castellucci, Barbara Kreh, Trish Carey, Peter Alley (son of Katharine & David Alley), Betsy Martin (mother of Rodney Martin), Richard Robinson (nephew of Renae & Marc Kline), Paul Howsare (father of Christine Crutchley), Joe Jahoda (Kim Jahoda s dad), Mickey Jahoda (Kim Jahoda s uncle), Tiara Leone Hitt (friend of Suzanne Marsh), Marcia Einstein (friend of Susan Kreh), and Chris Judd (father of Jason Judd & son of Cherry Dottore), Andrea Robison (granddaughter of Judy Bowman).

8 On-going prayer concerns are listed on pink paper and can be found at the back of the church. We also ask you to remember all of those currently serving in the Armed Forces. Your prayers and cards are welcomed and appreciated by those on our prayer list. Jack Mens 5192 Maitland Terrace Frederick Cindy Castellucci Homewood at Crumland Farms 7407 Willow Road Frederick ERUCC ADULT LEARNING OPTION (9:30-10:15a.m.) The advent film series scheduled for this time will be a three-week series on Christmas films. (Social Room near the stage) REMINDER: There is a meeting today for volunteers of the candlelight tour following the service. The meeting will be held in the basement of the Parish House. O COME ALL YE FAITHFUL! - To our Annual Christmas Pageant! Join us on Sunday, December 21st, at 5:00PM for our Intergenerational Christmas Pageant: The Nativity of the Holy Family. Written and directed by Thomas Morris with the support of Barbara Biser. A monetary donation will be collected to support The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs

9 THIS WEEK WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE 5:30 p.m. Children s Service in the main sanctuary 7:30 p.m. Family Candlelight & Carol Service (Main Sanctuary) 10:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service (Trinity Chapel) ERUCC will mark the 100th Anniversary of the unofficial truce that soldiers observed on Christmas Eve, 1914 in Belgium, near Ypres, and on other fronts. At 7:14 pm on Christmas Eve, Allen Flora will play "Silent Night" on the bells from Trinity Chapel. Please plan to arrive early for the Christmas Eve service and have a seat, as we will be requesting silence as we open the doors of the sanctuary and together listen to the bells and remember that night so long ago. NEXT SUNDAY DECEMBER 28, 2014 WORSHIP NOTES: 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 2014, 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. We will also share in healing prayers. SCHEDULE CHANGE - 12/28/2014 There will be one multi-age Sunday School class in the Social Room at 9:30a.m. We ll be showing photos of a Year in the Life of ERUCC. Bring some cookies to share.

10 MANY THANKS To the poinsettia crew who picked up, carried up and arranged the poinsettias that appeared in the church last Sunday. To Ed Hoffman, Larry Leister, Will Duncan, Phil and Betsy Selby, your cheerful donation of time is greatly appreciated. Thanks also to Martha Kline, who made arrangements with the Scott Key Center, helped with the pick-up, and provided direction and support in placing the poinsettias in the Sanctuary and Trinity Chapel. To the many people who helped with this year s Christmas Fair. We had pricers, organizers, cashiers, raffle-ticket sellers plus all of you who donated and purchased items. It was truly a congregational effort, a lot of fun, and to top it all off, we helped the homeless. Money is still coming in so there is no final tally yet, but we will let you know as soon as all the shekels have settled. A special shout-out to those who assisted at the Calvary United Methodist craft fair, where we sold some additional items: Beanie and Gaylon Cornell, Beth Suydan, Ed Hoffman, and Mary Lou Blessing. Everyone s help and support is greatly appreciated, and we know there is a special place in heaven for each and every one of you!! Every Wednesday during Advent we had noon services in Trinity Chapel followed by a soup and dessert lunch and meaningful discussion. Thank you so much to our members who made soup, desserts, breads, and served as hosts and hostesses Mary Lou Blessing, Lavenia Cornell, Jack Mens, Alice Hatch, Larry Hatch, Nancy Leister, Barbara Prescott, Barbara Biser, and Jean Fish. As coordinator, my special thanks to Bud Rossig for assisting folks with getting their food into the chapel. Sandra Trout P.S. Thank you, Sandra, for organizing this. John Wenner for taking leadership in constructing the Putz this year and for everyone who helped Jeff Schaeberle, Gerry Blessing, Will Duncan, Kathy Johnston, Fred Wenner, and Ed Hoffman. Gaylon Cornell and Milt Crutchley for redesigning and rebuilding the nativity platform for the sanctuary.

11 HOLY QUILT RACK AVAILABLE: A quilt rack, built (and blessed) by our own Pastor Emeritus Fred Wenner, is available for sale. Fred made it with wood from the old kneelers in the church. It is in the Green Room downstairs, and you can view it anytime by asking Bud Rossig, Mary Meyer, or Mary Lou Blessing. This quilt rack was used in the Wenner s home before they downsized and moved to Homewood. Asking price is $20, or make us an offer. We want someone to own this beautiful piece. Actually, this is a double-holy item, made by a holy man out of holy wood. What a great deal! NEWS FROM SPIRITUAL COUNCIL: In 2014 Spiritual Council Elders completed the yearly evaluation process for our Senior Pastor Barbara K, Daniel and our Interim Associate Pastor Gerry Hanberry. We used the same focus group questions from the 2013 focus group evaluation process. The evaluation was comprised of 12 questions concerning various aspects of pastoral service to our congregation. Each question had a range of from 1 for Not Observed to 5 for Excellent. Our Senior Pastor had no score average under 4.67 and our Interim Associate Pastor had no score average under 4.4. There were no areas that received a mark indicating Needs Improvement. We are blessed to have two very capable pastors at ERUCC. In discussion with Pastor Gerry Hanberry he stated that he would be willing to continue in the Interim role for 2015 and perhaps beyond if our needs dictate his continued presence past Spiritual Council took this recommendation to Consistory and the motion to retain him for 2015 was approved. In addition to him remaining as our Interim Pastor for 2015 his weekly hours will be increased to 30 hours. This will enable him to continue doing what he has already done and the increased hours will enhance his ability to better serve the church during 2015 as our building initiative becomes a reality in late spring. The building initiative will require some of Pastor Daniel s time and with Pastor Hanberry we have back-up for any needs that might develop. Pastor Hanberry s agreement to continue into 2015 further allows us the time to evaluate our current and future needs for an Associate Pastor and develop a job description that will meet our needs into the future. Respectfully submitted, Milt Crutchley Chair-Spiritual Council

12 HEALTHY FOOD FOR THE FOOD BANK - You may have read the recent article in the local paper about the need for donating healthy items to food banks for the hungry. The writer made some great suggestions for choosing more healthful food for those who need it the most. As you shop for your family and for the Food Bank during this holiday season, consider these choices: brown rice, whole wheat pasta, dried beans, peanut butter without additional oils or sugar, fruit canned in water, rolled oats instead of instant oatmeal. Collection bins for the Frederick Food Bank are located at the entrances to Trinity Chapel and the main sanctuary, and under the Mission Table in the Social Room. Many thanks for your generous contributions! 2015 CHURCH ENVELOPES When you come to worship, please pick up your church envelopes. They are on the tables in the back of the sanctuary. Please note that there is an extra packet for 2015 whereby you can place your contributions to the capital campaign pledges, as well as any additional gifts you would like to make. $10,000 CHALLENGE REACHED! - The Ausherman Family Foundation s $10,000 challenge for our GROWING IN FAITH, BUILDING IN HOPE: NOW IS THE TIME building project has been achieved. We have received to date $10, in gifts designated for the Ausherman Challenge. This is yet another sign of our radical generosity and commitment to the future of ERUCC. Also, if you are thinking about alternative Christmas gifts this year, how about a donation to the Campaign in someone s name! Our current total amount pledged is $931, Blessings and thanks to all that have contributed -- Will Duncan & Connie Golleher, co-chairs ALTAR FLOWERS: The cost for altar flowers will be increasing to $40 in February Flower Fashions began supplying our flowers when Sharp s closed, and generously agreed to keep the cost the same ($30/week) until the end of If you have any questions or concerns please speak with Kris in the church office or Cindy Smith.

13 Pastor Barbara will be one of the speakers.

14 LOOKING AHEAD TO JANUARY 2015 SATURDAY. JANUARY 3-8: 00 NOON DO YOU LIKE CLEANING? ORGANIZING? We Need You! DO YOU NOT LIKE CLEANING? ORGANIZING? We Still Need You! We need as many people as possible to help clean out the basement of Trinity Chapel so that we can store items during construction. We need to do it on January 3rd so that we can move all the Putz and Christmas stuff into Trinity Chapel as our garage will be demolished in the spring as part of the new building construction. We can use people with the capability of carrying and lifting stuff. We can use people who can discern what is truly something we need to keep and what can be repurposed or taken to the landfill. We need people with trucks and trailers that can haul this stuff to the dump. We need people who have a good eye for how we can store things in a way that will provide access to items when needed. We need you! We ll have coffee and doughnuts and good stuff for lunch. SUNDAY, JANUARY 4 De-decorating. Sadly, after church this Sunday, we will be packing up our Christmas decorations for another year. Please consider helping. THURDAY, JANUARY 8 - CHIMES GROUP MEETING: The Chimes Learning and Service Group will meet on Thursday, January 8, at 9:30a.m. in the social room. Our speaker is Mary Ellen Mitchell, Community Relations Director of the Interfaith Housing Alliance in Frederick. Mary Ellen will explain to our group the workings of her organization and how it fits in with all the other housing groups in Frederick; i.e., Habitat for Humanity, Advocates for the Homeless, the Community Action Agency, to name just a few. ALL ARE WELCOME at our meeting women, men, youth. Light refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there.

15 SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 Looking Ahead, Building Your Legacy: A Walk through Estate Planning With Cheri Lovell and Don Hill of the United Church of Christ 9:00 - noon followed by lunch in the Social Room This workshop will offer lots of practical information such as the importance of making a will and what to include in your will, how to talk about medical directives, tax benefits when making a gift to the church, and financial giving options through the UCC. As we begin a new year, it is a good time for all of us to review our finances and our goals. God calls members of the church not only to be faithful stewards now, but also to join the mission into the future. There will be break-out sessions for those persons who are retired. There will also be a breakout session for those who are still earning to address issues such as paying for college while saving for retirement. Information about planned giving will also be presented. A planned gift (sometimes called a deferred gift) is a gift that is planned for during the donor s lifetime but not actually received by the church or charity until after the donor s death. These include bequests, life income gifts, and certain life insurance arrangements. Life income gifts include gift annuities, pooled funds, and charitable remainder trusts, and provide the donor with income for life. Following the death of the donor, the remaining principal of the gift is paid out to that part designated in the donor s agreement. Each participant will receive an estate planning booklet and lunch. In order for us to be prepared with enough materials and food, please register for this event with the church office by Tuesday, January 6. JANUARY FRANKLINTON CENTER WORK TRIP Open to Adults and Youth (3rd through 12th grade) Franklinton Center, Bricks, NC $60 per person (includes housing and meals) Housing Hospitality House #2 (three to four to a room) (This trip is being subsidized by budgeted funds for mission trips.) Meeting on Sunday, January 4th at 1p.m. in the social room. JANUARY ERUCC WILL BE HOSTING THE FAMILY SHELTER again. This is in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist

16 Congregation and members of Congregation Kol, Ami. If you are interested in serving please click on the link below to view the online sign up sheet. To sign up, go to: ERUCC will provide training for the Family Shelter program on Thursday, January 8th from 7-8 pm in Trinity Chapel, 10 West Church Street. All volunteers must be trained before volunteering with the program. We are also looking for people willing to prepare a healthy dinner while ERUCC is hosting the shelter from January Please contact Pastor Barbara Kershner Daniel at bkdaniel@erucc.org or if you are willing to help with cooking and/or providing food or with any questions about volunteering.

17 When winter weather hits, we may be uncertain about what will take place at church and what won t. To take some of the uncertainty out of the quandary, here s our winter weather policy: You decide whether a drive or walk to the church is safe enough. We do not encourage you to risk life and limb to get to church at all costs, but we expect to hold services for those who can plan to arrive safely, unless the Frederick roads are closed. Our Senior Pastor and Organist can walk to the church, so they will always be present for Sunday morning services.. Evening activities are generally governed by the public school schedule; for instance, if schools are closed on a Monday, there will be no Monday Mess Hall, Children s Choir, or bell choir rehearsal. The same policy applies to committee meetings and any other regularly scheduled church activities. Ministers - All the People of Evangelical Reformed Church Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel, Senior Pastor (bkdaniel@erucc.org) Rev. Dr. Gerry Hanberry, Interim Associate Pastor (ghanberry@erucc.org) Rev. Fred Wenner, Pastor Emeritus Alison E. Shafer, Organist & Choir Director Tricia Coffey, Head Chimer & Young Spirit Choir Director Nancy Doll, Bell Choir Director Marj Menchey Bernstein, Children s Choir Director Kim Sexton, Associate for Children s Ministry (ksexton@erucc.org) Bud Rossig, Facilities Manager

18 Choir Cantata I Hear the Prophet Callin Sunday, December 14, 2014

19 TODAY (12/21) 8:30a.m. Worship in Trinity Chapel 9:30a.m. Sunday School & Adult Education 10 a.m. Chimes Concert 10:30a.m. Morning Worship 11:30a.m. Coffee Hour 12N Historic Houses of Worship Tour Mtg. 5p.m. Christmas Pageant WEDNESDAY Christmas Eve 9a.m. Bell Rehearsal 5:30p.m. Children s Service (Sanctuary 7:30p.m. Family Candlelight & Carol Service (Sanctuary) 10:30p.m. Christmas Eve Communion Service (Trinity Chapel) FRIDAY 4-9p.m. Historic Houses of Worship Tour SUNDAY (12/28) 8:30a.m. Worship in Trinity Chapel 9:30a.m. Multi-Age Education Class 10a.m. Chimes Concert 10:30a.m. Morning Worship 11:30a.m. Coffee Hour SERVING YOU 12/21 Deacons: Kelly Spurrier & Jaci Clayton Greeters: Cliff & Ave Barr Jack Stush & Audrey Rayfield Elder: Allen Flora Sound System: Jeff Baker Nursery Schedule: Acolyte: Justin Chappell Chimer Schedule: Nancy Doll on Sat. Matt Hueting on Sun. Welcome Table: Pat & Mike Condo Coffee Hour: SERVING YOU ON 12/28 Deacons: Chris Baker & Tom Perlet Greeters: Will & Cathie Duncan Betsy Fisher Elder: Gerry Blessing Scripture Reader: Glenn Wallace Sound System: Doug White Nursery Schedule: Chimer Schedule: Dick Williams on Sat. Maddie Martin on Sun. Welcome Table: Pat Sunday & Charlotte Henderson Coffee Hour:

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