T F. here is much information about the church in this bulletin and our website: Donate online by scanning this code: Thank you.

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2 T F hank you for worshiping 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. or Children: We have trained nursery staff (paid nursery attendant as well as adult volunteers) for children ages 0-3. During our building renovation and construction project, the nursery is located across the street at Trinity Chapel, 10 West Church Street. Enter by front center door of the Chapel or the via the left side walkway entrance of the Chapel. Children age 4 through 2nd grades are welcome to participate in Children s Church which follows a special Children s Thought for the Day. Children s Church is also located in Trinity Chapel during construction. The teachers escort the children to the Chapel after the Thought for the Day and parents will pick their children up in the Chapel after the 10:30 service has ended. Children are also welcome to remain in the sanctuary with their parents. Children s programs, books, crayons and colored pencils are available in the rear of the sanctuary near the welcome table. 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 worshiping with us. A ll are invited to join us for refreshments and conversation following the service. Weather permitting we will be meeting on the sidewalk outside the main sanctuary building or in the basement of the church. W e ask that you please silence your cell phones during our worship service. We also ask that you refrain from applause after our choirs sing or the bell choirs play and allow the music to resonate in the quiet of the sanctuary and in your hearts. Our musicians are playing and singing for the glory of God. They know you appreciate their efforts and their gift. T Thank you. here is much information about the church in this bulletin and our website: Donate online by scanning this code:

3 EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH United Church of Christ - An Open and Affirming Congregation - December 3, 2017 First Sunday of Advent 10:30 a.m. The numbered hymns are from The New Century Hymnal All who are able may stand. Bold print indicates responses by all. ANGELS AMONG US: #DONOTBEAFRAID FLYING IN THE FACE OF FEAR AT ADVENT Advent 1: Make Ready a People: #morehope Threshold Moment The angels that appear in the story of Jesus birth would have been very comfortable in our world of tweets and hashtags. Their messages were often short and to the point their favorite line being #DoNotBeAfraid. As we look at the stories of these winged messengers to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the Shepherds, we will contemplate what messages we can offer that will fly in the face of a culture of fear and bring more hope, more peace, more joy, and more love to the world. We begin with an angelic visit to Zechariah. It was just another day at the temple for Zechariah. It was his priestly turn to make sure everything was done properly and in good order. But it turned into something quite different when an angel showed up at the altar. Chimes Concert at 10:00 a.m. from Trinity Chapel s steeple Welcome and Announcements Greeting One Another with the Peace of Christ I invite you to pass the hope of Christ with your neighbors, for each time we connect with one another, hope grows. Prelude O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - arr. Van Valey and Berry Chancel and Cambridge Handbell Choirs

4 Lighting of the Advent Candle - Hope Veronica Beadle, Marj Bernstein Alex Cumber, Austin Byrd Andrei Hoffman God of justice and of peace You color the world with mercy and kindness. We stand in awe and wonder before your marvelous artistry. God of promise and of love You illuminate the skies with rainbow and sun-ray. We rejoice in the majesty of your creation. The spectrum of your love reveals light all around. The hues of your love warm our spirits. The vibrancy of your love saturates us with hope. We light this candle in abundant hope that the radiance of you, O God, will shine in our hearts, coloring us with hope, as we anticipate the coming of Jesus Christ, We who wait on the Lord are filled with hope. (The candle of Hope is lit.) There are angels among us. There are angels among us that may not meet the eye. There are messages of hope coming from a choir on high. But don t just look up; for the way God works is to plant more hope right here on earth just like it was with Jesus birth. Do not be afraid. Opening Prayer Holy Living God, Blessed Jesus, Guiding Spirit, alight within us your flame of hope this day. Grant us openness to hear your message. Grant us courage to be your messengers in the world, creating more hope in the midst of fear. Opening Hymn Come, O Long-Expected Jesus - No. 122 Anthem Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus arr. Van Valey and Berry Chancel and Cambridge Handbell Choirs Thought for the Day The Lord s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.

5 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Teachers and children ages 4 through 2 nd grades may be dismissed for Children s Church, located in the back left classroom of the Kindergarten to 2 nd grade classroom in Trinity Chapel.) Hymn Now Bless the God of Israel - No. 110 The Scriptures Sermon Luke 1: 5-25, NT page 56 (adapted from The Voice translation) The Word of God for the people of God. Glenn Wallace, Jim Weitz Kelly and Matt Hueting Thanks be to God. Prayers of the People In this moment we pray for all those who are in need of hope. We hear the message of God, Do not be afraid. In this moment we give thanks for all the ways we have experienced God s presence among us, in the words and actions that bring hope in the midst of despair. For all who proclaim your reign on earth, we join their refrain, Do not be afraid. Prayer Response Lord, Hear Our Prayer Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Come and break the chains that keep your people bound. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, hear our prayer. May your kingdom come and reign through all the earth. Lord, hear our prayer. Offering of Tithes, Gifts and Lives to Christ s Service Offertory My Hope Is In the Lord Presentation of Gifts - W. Day - J. M. Martin Senior Choir

6 Offertory Response We Give You But Your Own - No. 785 We give you but your own, whate er the gift may be; All that we have is yours alone, we give it gratefully. Prayer of Dedication (in unison) In this season of waiting, loving God, we offer this offering of gifts of money as we offer ourselves as bearers of the light of your hope in the world. Amen. SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION INVITATION TO THE TABLE AND GREAT THANKSGIVING PRAYER Paul s letter to the Hebrews includes a wonderful word: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. As we enter this season of Advent, it is right and good that we gather at the table of Jesus Christ, whose ministry was centered in showing hospitality inviting us all, no matter whether we feel at home in our faith or at times feel like strangers, to know the grace of God that is already and always awaiting us if we will but open to it. Let us set aside any hesitation, any obstacle to the invitation. In this silence, we offer to God our confession of the ways we turn away from the fullness of love. Silence Know this: The things you have confessed before God, and even those things you have no words for at this moment, are all being lifted away on the wings of God s love. Be assured of your freedom as forgiven and beloved children of the Most Gracious God, and all God s people say, Amen! God be with you! And also with you! Lift up your hearts! We lift them up to God! Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. In the beginning you set everything in motion, Creator of heaven and earth. With bold ingenuity you splashed the sky with light and stars, sun and moon; wind and clouds, rainbows and wing-ed ones. With a word you brought forth

7 the waters, the waves, the mountains and valleys. And you called forth our lives from the dust and called it good. And so we proclaim this ancient song with all of the saints and angels: Holy, holy, holy God! God of power! God of might! Heaven and earth are full of your glory! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed are you! Blessed are you! You sent your Son, Jesus your message-made-flesh to dwell among us: Harbinger of Hope, Prince of Peace, Cup of Joy, Bread of Love. Through Jesus you gave birth to your church and sealed a new covenant by water and the Spirit. On the night in which he gave himself up for us, he took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. When the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said: Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. And so as we anticipate the birth of hope anew, we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Touch us, O Spirit, with your transforming power. Open us to your promise of resurrection from fear and death. In partaking of these elements, make us a people ready as your Body in and for an anxious world. Let us become your messengers of hope in all that we say and do. Make us one in this purpose, O God. The Mission to the Messengers

8 Closing Hymn Jesus, the Joy of Loving Hearts - No. 329 Stanzas 1,2,5 Benediction Sevenfold Amen Postlude O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - No P. Manz Worship Notes: Today s liturgy has been adapted from Marcia McFee s Angels Among Us. Copyright 2017 Compilation Worship Design Studio. The lighting of the advent candle liturgy is from the Pension Boards of the UCC, The flowers on the altar this morning are in loving memory of my daughter, Janice Durante- Cowan, on the 12 th anniversary of her passing by Mary Meyer. The yellow rose bud on the stand is in honor of Maj. Megan M. L McClung, USMC- KIA in Al Anbar, Iraq on December 6, 2006 by Tom and Evie Frazier. If you are interested in sponsoring the yellow rose, please contact the church office.

9 Attendance Last Sunday: 8:30-17; 10: Every Sunday at 10:30 Want to listen to the sermon again? Visit our youtube channel: You can get to the link on our homepage at December 10 Second Sunday in Advent In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin s name was Mary The angel said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God For nothing will be impossible with God. - Luke 1: Zechariah freaked out when the other-worldly creature appeared to him. But Mary was simply perplexed. Why would such an incredible message come to a common girl just barely a woman? Then her reply to such a foretelling about her purpose in life was also simple: Let it be so. Have you ever struggled with finding your purpose and being at peace with it? Or are you yearning for more peace in your life and relationships? #morepeace in the world happens when all of us feel #morepeace within ourselves and live out that message each day. This morning we will be receiving new members. Spirit and Young Spirit will be sharing their music gifts this morning. December 21 Longest Night Service -- Trinity Chapel -- 7:30 pm The purpose of this service is to provide a setting where people can come together and acknowledgment that for many this is a difficult time of the year. The service includes scripture, meditations, hymns, prayers, and the lighting of candles. 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)

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 pastor wants 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: Bob Lambie, Kristen Lee(niece of Dan Smith), Matthew Brunner, Daniel Miller (friend of Schaeberle s), Jack Patterson, Carol Lambie, Renata Shorter (friend of the Spear family), Daniel Miller (friend of the Schaeberle family), Laura Shillingburg(daughter of John and Rebecca), Linda Howard, Bonnie Devilbiss, Tina Wiles (sister of Pat Hevner),Jack Mens, Julie Clark, Tom Hueting, Susan Palmer (sister-in-law of Carolyn Roberts),Heleen (sister of Karin Mens), Kathy Blue Shores (friend of Jean Fish and Barb Biser), Cliff Harrison, Kirstin Homborg (friend of Katherine Penick), Christopher Furry (friend of Cindy Smith, Jenna & Cindy Duranko), Paul Ways (friend of Kim Jahoda), Terry Smiley (uncle of Scott Smiley), Joe Jahoda (Kim Jahoda s dad), Gretchen Manuel (niece of Audrey Rayfield), Marcia Eisenstein (friend of Sue Kreh), and Carol Cone (friend of the Slades). Jack Patterson Cliff Harrison Bonnie Devilbiss Kristen Lee Grangerford Court 7407 Willow Rd.-AL West 14th. Street 7 Trey Court New Market MD Frederick, MD Frederick, MD Fredericksburg, VA Bob Lambie Laura Shillingburg 105 Sandstone Drive PO Box 275 #127 Jefferson, MD Walkersville MD We 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. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING TODAY! December 3 Our regularly scheduled December church business meeting will take place on December 3 rd following the 10:30 a.m. service. The principal agenda items will be the Mission Spending Plan for 2018 and updates on the building project. Lunch will be provided. Please consider staying after services for this important meeting and fellowship opportunity. Today is the final day to purchase the 2018 Coupon Book! Please consider this $25 purchase in support of our youth activities. They make great Christmas gifts!

11 Weekly Education Opportunities SUNDAY: 9:30-10:15 a.m. in Trinity Chapel Let s Talk - in Trinity Chapel Sunday, December 3, 10, and 17 Names for The Messiah Our Sunday morning Advent study will be Names for The Messiah, a book by Walter Brueggemann. Over the course of three weeks we will look at the names used in Isaiah 9:2-7. From the introduction to Brueggemann s book: Isaiah 9:2-7 is a well-known oracle, a divine utterance given to us, that uses four royal titles in verse 6 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. This Advent study will ponder each title and how the people understood it then, how Jesus did or did not fulfill the title, and how Christians interpret Jesus as the representative of that title. Join us on one, two, or every Sunday morning as we ponder together. (Led by Pastor Daniel) FOR THE CHILDREN & YOUTH Christian Education classes are located in Trinity Chapel. Wednesday Evening Discussion Group. 7 p.m. in Trinity Chapel West Classroom. We are watching a DVD of lectures by Professor Amy-Jill Levine on Great Figures of the New Testament. This study will run through December and January. This group is facilitated by Esther Ziegler. Tuesday Morning Bible Study 11:00 am Noon The Lodge at Willow Ponds (Homewood) Classroom A Through December 19 Six Week Study on the Book of Romans with Pastor Daniel Paul s Letter to the Romans is the first of Paul s letters in the New Testament canon, the longest of them (16 Chapters), and, in many respects, the most significant. The Letter to the Romans is written to a congregation Paul neither founded nor knew, but was hoping to visit soon. For this reason, Romans both introduces Paul and also the major themes of his mature thinking about what God has done in Jesus Christ. In making his case to the Romans, Paul addresses some of the great themes of the Christian story: sin and grace, salvation, election, and the trustworthiness of the promises of God. Paul also writes at length about what the implications of the Gospel and the new life in Jesus Christ are for Christians and their congregations. Study books available in the church office. Tuesday, December 5 Romans 5: 1-21 Justification: The Company of Forgiven Sinners Tuesday, December 12 Romans 6: 1-7:25 The Transformed Life: Struggling With Sin Tuesday, December 19 Romans 8: 1-39 The Transformed Life: Patient Hope Disaster Recovery Work Trip Daytona Beach, Florida April 8-14 Contact Pastor Daniel for more information

12 Wednesday Advent Services Trinity Chapel 10 West Church Street December 6, 13 and noon 12:15 p.m. Service of Prayer 12:15 12:50 Soup Lunch & Reflection The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem A simple girl An ordinary man An unforgettable destination Our Wednesday noon services will take us on a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem through the stories of Mary, Joseph, and Elizabeth. Our resource guide for these series is the work of Adam Hamilton using historical information, archaeological findings, and personal reflections, Hamilton illuminates this most amazing moment in history. BABYSITTING NIGHT Friday, December p.m. At the Church Members of the ERUCC Youth Group are willing and able to care for your children while you enjoy an evening out. Please call the church office if you wish to take advantage of this opportunity. Donations will be accepted towards our trips to the UCC Regional Youth Event and our hosting of our German partners in July of Cantata On Sunday, December 17, during our 10:30 a.m. worship service, the Senior Choir will present Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saën ( ). The oratorio will be sung in English. Saint-Saëns s Oratorio de Noël (Christmas Oratorio ) is brief and yet provides memorable melodies. This piece is his first major choral work. The opening prelude is reminiscent of Bach, specifically the Sinfonia in Bach s Christmas Oratorio and in fact Saint-Saëns s original score indicates in the style of J.S. Bach. The text comes from various biblical texts; the soloists represent characters in the story and the chorus provides the sounds of the multitude of angles. The final movement mimics old French Christmas songs and is a praise of all creation. Christmas Family Event December 17 from 4 to 6 p.m. We will gather in the choir room for a Carol Sing, then move to the Liz Coffey Room for a family keepsake craft, a light dinner of soup, salad and bread and then move up to the Sanctuary for a readers theater production of Rachel Sees the Manger. We have speaking parts for 5 people. We will have practice on December 15 th at 6 p.m. during the babysitting night. If you would like to help or be a reader please contact Kim Sexton at ksexton@erucc.org

13 BUILDING NEEDS Would You Consider a Gift? Air conditioning repairs for main sanctuary A few days before Easter, we learned that one of two air handlers for the sanctuary was no longer able to be repaired. The air conditioning in the sanctuary was installed in 1987 as a gift and it has served us well. As this is an unbudgeted expense, we would appreciate any extra mile gifts towards replacing the air conditioning. We re looking at around a $45,000 price tag. We have received $8,950 toward this project and the donors would like to challenge members of the congregation to consider a second-mile gift towards replacing the air handlers. ANNOUNCEMENTS ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKS are available in the back of the sanctuary and chapel. This year we are making available Watch from the UCC Still Speaking Writers Group. Each book contains a devotion including a verse from scripture and a prayer for every day in Advent beginning December 3 rd through Christmas Day. Please help yourself to a copy. If you desire, a suggested donation is $5.00. ERUCC YOUTH SCHEDULE December 2017 Sunday, December 3 Dress-up Christmas Dinner 6:00 7:30 p.m. At Edenton Put on your finest and come for a special dinner. Kim Sexton is working on this and will provide more details later. Youth needs for upcoming fundraiser: 9 inch round or square foil pans with clear lids, 22 oz. festive tumblers, 8 inch boxes, plastic clamshells from fruits or veggies, small plastic containers with lids from restaurants or grocery stores, 9-12 inch odd plates you may have around your home, small orchard boxes with handles. Please have to church by November 27 th. Youth Cookie Fundraiser the youth will be selling cookies(in batches of 3 dozen) on Dec. 10 th after the 10:30 service. If you are interested in pre-ordering some of these deliciously, made with love cookies, see any youth. A smaller quantity may also be available on the day of the sale. Please consider some for your family or to gift to others. Thank you. Looking Ahead Sunday, January 28 th Catawba College Musicians 10:30 Worship Service Afternoon Concert at ERUCC ***We will be looking for housing for 20 students Sunday, February 4 th Following Worship Visit and Fellowship Event Junior Fire Company, 535 N Market St, Frederick

14 RALLY TO END GUN VIOLENCE On the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, members of Frederick Area faith communities and community leaders will be joining together to remember the victims of America s gun violence epidemic. A gun violence awareness vigil will be held on Thursday, December 14 from 5:30-6:00 pm on the front steps of Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 11 West Church Street, Frederick, MD. We are looking for organists to play in Trinity Chapel during the Candlelight Tour of Historic Houses of Worship, on Tuesday, December 26. If interested in playing, contact Dick Williams (even if you played last year). rlw113@aol.com or th Annual Lung Cancer Symposium Wednesday, December 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. James M. Stockman Cancer Center, 1562 Opossumtown Pike Featuring : New Approaches to Thoracic Surgical Oncology Update in Radiation Therapy Treating Pain with Acupuncture Smoking Cessation Strategies and Resources This event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments provided. Register at endcancer@fmh.org or

15 CALENDAR December 3 through December 10 SUNDAY 12/3 8:30 a.m. Worship in Trinity Chapel 9:30 a.m. Education for All Ages 10:00 a.m. Chimes Concert 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship 12:00 p.m. Congregational Meeting 6:00 p.m. Youth Dress Up Dinner MONDAY 12/4 9:30 a.m. Evangelism 5:00 p.m. Monday Mess Hall 5:30 p.m. Children s Choir Youth Bells 6:00 p.m. Young Spirit 6:30 p.m. Adult Bells TUESDAY 12/5 11:00 a.m. Bible Study 6:00 p.m. Stewardship WEDNESDAY 12/6 12:00 p.m. Advent Service 5:00 p.m. Open House at Parish Offices 7:00 p.m. Bible Study THURSDAY 12/7 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice SATURDAY 12/9 9:00 a.m. Youth Cookie Baking SUNDAY 12/10 8:30 a.m. Worship in Trinity Chapel 9:30 a.m. Education for All Ages 10:00 a.m. Chimes Concert 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship 11:30 a.m. Fellowship 5:30 p.m. Youth Serving you on 12/3/2017: Deacons: Marc Kline and Linda Coyle Greeters: Charles and Patti Garst Holly and Emma Davis Elder: Allen Flora Scripture Reader: Glenn Wallace Acolyte: Kali Chappell Sound System: Jeff Baker Nursery: Laura Rhoderick Chimers: TBD- Sat. TBD - Sun. Welcome Table: Pat Condo and Charlotte Henderson Coffee Fellowship: Congregational Meeting Serving you on 12/10/2017: Deacons: Jenna Duranko & Catherine Zier Greeters: Patti Patterson & Pat Hevner Will and Cathie Duncan Elder: Laura Rhoderick Scripture Reader: Barbara Heverley Acolyte: Kali Chappell Sound System: Mike Sexton Nursery: Chimers: Laura Baker TBD- Sat. TBD - Sun. Welcome Table: Pat Hevner and Jeanellen Kallevang Coffee Fellowship: TBD Ministers - All the People of Evangelical Reformed Church Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel, Senior Pastor (bkdaniel@erucc.org) Rev. Fred Wenner, Pastor Emeritus (faw500@msn.com) Kim Sexton, Associate for Children s Ministry (ksexton@erucc.org) Alison E. Shafer, Organist & Choir Director Tricia Coffey, Head Chimer & Children & Youth Choir Director TBD, Bell Choir Director Amy Aguilar, Office Administrator (erucc@erucc.org) Sherry Murray, Nursery 15 West Church Street, Frederick, MD (ph)

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