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This visual prayer is Wisdom of the Universe by Christi Belcourt. From the Vanderbilt Digital Library.
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John, the prophet who comes to bear witness to what is to come, brings an untidy wisdom: one marked by wilderness, one that is wet with the muddied waters of the river Jordan. How is wisdom manifesting for us in those who surprise and even shock us? Who bid us to "wake up"?
Remember: Our table of welcome is set at 10:00 a.m.
AND 5:00 p.m.!
+ Pastor Michael
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Reading the Scriptures:
The Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12
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Morning Prayer:
God of timeless grace, you fill us with joyful expectation. Make us ready for the message that prepares the way, that with uprightness of heart and holy joy we may eagerly await the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer:
Laboring God, with axe and winnowing fork you clear a holy space where hurt and destruction have no place, and a little child holds sway. Clear our lives of hatred and despair, sow seeds of joy and peace, that shoots of hope may spring forth and we may live in harmony with one another. Amen.
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Prayer with Children:
Dear God, you promise that a little child will lead, and you care very much about those who are small but mighty! When we feel little, or like no one understands, help us to know that you are with us. Thank you Jesus! Amen.
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In Our Prayers: Sue and Heidi, Tina, Ina, Don, Ashley, Nikki, Lonnie, Ahmed, Denny, Theresa, Ken, Lili, Gabby, Rhonda, John and Sharon, Jared, Linda and Mara, Alex and Andy, Ione, Gene, Tom, Karin, Joe, Linda, Sue, Bill, Velda, Marlys, and Paul.
We also pray for our Bishops, Elizabeth and Wayne.
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Community Hour at Ebenezer: Sundays, 11:30am-12:30pm
Gather following worship for coffee, followed by Community Hour from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Childcare is provided!
December 4 and 11: Mental Health and the Gospels
Kristin Rodin will lead us through an exploration of the challenges and gifts of understanding mental illness in relationship to the stories in the Gospels.
December 18: Caroling
Join John Elmquist and friends as they spread comfort and joy! Meet downstairs for coffee fellowship, and then join in the fun in singing carols for folks homebound or in care facilities this season.
Reminder: There are no Community Hour gatherings on December 25 or January 1.
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Your 2017 Time and Talent Packets May Be Returned
Your stewardship packets provide important information to your church as we plan for the coming year. Our ministries depend on your commitments! In each packet you will find a letter on invitation, a time and talent form to let us know how to invite you to be involved in the things you care about, an estimate of financial commitments, and an opportunity to sign up for automatic giving from your checking account or a credit card.
Please return your materials by mail or at worship at your earliest convenience
. Thank you!
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Advent and Christmas at Ebenezer
Advent Evening Prayer December 7 & 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Sankta Lucia Community Festival December 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Caroling December 18 at 11:15 a.m.
Juldudstjänst A Christmas Service is Swedish December 18 at 4:00 p.m.
*no 5:00 p.m. service on December 18
Glögg and Carols at Simon's Tavern December 20 at 7:00 p.m.
Longest Night A service of hope in a hard season... December 21 at 6:30 p.m.
Christmas Eve
December 24 at 4:00 p.m. (with children in mind)
and 10:00 p.m. (Candlelight and Carols)
Christmas Morning
December 25 at 10:00 a.m.
*no 5:00 p.m. service on Christmas Day
Lessons and Carols for Christmas
New Year's Day, January 1, at 10:00 a.m.
*no 5:00 p.m. service on New Year's Day.
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Parish Nurse Michelle Knapp Retirement Celebration January 8th
Ebenezer has been blessed beyond measure by the ministry of Michelle Knapp. To say thank you, mark your calendars for January 8 to celebrate! If you’d like to make a contribution to a retirement gift for Michelle, mark a check to Ebenezer “Retirement Gift,” or, do so online in the giving category “other.”
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Glögg and Carols at Simon’s Tavern; 7-8 p.m., December 20th
Come join the fun at this new Ebenezer tradition, and invite your friends! Enjoy a beverage of your choice and singing at Simon’s, 5215 N. Clark St. We start promptly at 7 p.m., so get there early! (Remember: Simon’s is cash-only.)
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Edgewater Congregations Together Intergenerational Community Dinner and Advent Stations
Get to know other families and our youth by joining the Youth Group for a potluck dinner and interactive Advent prayer stations!
Wed., Dec. 14 at Immanuel Lutheran Church (1500 W. Elmdale Ave.)
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6:15-7:15pm - Potluck Dinner (please bring a dish to share)
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7:15-8:00pm – Interactive Advent Prayer Stations
Please let Pastor Emily know at
pastoremilyh@gmail.com if you plan to attend and if/what you can bring for potluck dinner.
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2017 Ebenezer Spirituality Retreat: Plan to attend!
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Remember Our Capital Campaign as the Fiscal Year Closes
Quarterly giving statement from Ebenezer reflect your giving from January through September in support of our goals and mission for this year. If you have questions or would like to verify any of the information on this statement, please contact Nathan T. in the office.
If you have made a contribution to the ongoing capital campaign, Caring for the Home Where All Find Caring, you will see that detailed at the top of your enclosed statement.
The campaign continues through 2017 when we will celebrate the 125th anniversary of Ebenezer’s place in the community. If you have not yet joined this campaign with a gift or a pledge, prayerfully consider it as part of your partnership in the Ebenezer community.
Thank you for your partnership in the mission of our church and we hope you will continue to give with a joyful heart.
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Faith, Hope & Recovery (FHR) is a gathering open to anyone affected by mental health conditions, including families and friends. This gathering focuses on spirituality. Many people with mental health conditions are given attention to their physical, psychological, and emotional needs. FHR makes space for the soul. Spiritual practices such as using mindfulness, imaging, journaling, reflecting, reading scripture and wisdom literature, and blessings are used in FHR. Ebenezer is pleased to be able to offer this safe space so that people in our congregation and surrounding neighborhoods, affected by mental health conditions, can come together. If you know someone for whom such a gathering might fill a need in his or her life, please extend an invitation for them to come to Ebenezer Lutheran Church on the 2nd Tuesday of the month through April 11th, 2017, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. RSVP REQUIRED to Ashley at 773-428-1521 or ashley.frigerio@gmail.com.
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Morning & Evening Prayer with Bible Study
Gather on Mondays at 9 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. The prayer service and Bible study combined last around 45 minutes, using the scriptures for the upcoming Sunday. Join us!
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Consider a short-term Teaching
Commitment with Ebenezer's Sunday School
Ebenezer's Sunday School is a place for kids age PreK-Grade 6 to learn that God is love and that God's love works through all of us. The Sunday School Leadership Team (Chris Korn, Karen Miley, and Kris May) is looking for volunteers who are interested in signing up for a maximum 6-week commitment to teach, assist, sub, or help with music/art. Warning: the rewards may surprise you! Lesson plans, teaching tips, and supplies are all provided. You can access our sign-up Volunteer Chart via the following
link.
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Community and Announcments
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John Elmquist and 5th House Ensemble to perform December 8
On Thursday, December 8 at 8:30 p.m. at the Constellation music venue, 3111 N. Western, John Elmquist will be performing his spoof on the Nutcracker:
Buttcracker... Sweet! with Chicago's 5th House Ensemble. It's a winter classic that has received rave reviews from the 11-14-year-old demographic. Admission is $15.
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Lifeline Screening Event at Ebenezer
Ebenezer Lutheran Church will be hosting a Life Line Screening preventive health event on
Monday, December 5, 2016.
This event is also being sponsored by Ingalls Health System. Protect your health by registering today for the 6 for Life Health Assessment for $79. Call
1-888-653-6441 or visit
www.lifelinescreening.com/community-partners to schedule your appointment.
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Give with Goodshop
Shopping online at
goodshop.org allows you to do the shopping you'd do anyway at your favorite sites, while supporting the ministry at Ebenezer! Simply register and then select Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Chicago, as the beneficiary of the donation Goodshop makes when you shop through their site. Check it out today!
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Office Hours
Monday-Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Closed Friday.
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Our Mission:
God calls Ebenezer to be a Christian home for all who seek the sustaining nature of the Holy Spirit, to demonstrate faith and trust in God through the ministry of its people, and to let Christ's model of service, justice and love give expression to how we share God's gift with the world.
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