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1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL
(773) 561-8496
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The visual prayer included here is
Christ in the Wilderness
by Stanley Spencer
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Lent has gotten off to a frightening start. For us, and in our scriptures for the week. We are reminded through the life of Jesus that the baptized life means dwelling in places that can be wild, if tempting.
Powerful forces seem to sweep humanity along a path of death and destruction. And it is there that we meet Jesus, wild with mercy and driven by grace. And unlike him, we are not alone.
See you Sunday.
+ Pastor Michael
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Morning Prayer:
God of our salvation, your bow in the clouds proclaims your covenant with every living creature. Teach us your paths and lead us in your truth, that by your Holy Spirit, we may remember our baptismal vows and be keepers of your trust with earth and its inhabitants.
Amen.
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Evening Prayer:
God of wilderness and water, your Son was baptized and tempted as we are.Guide us through this season, that we may not avoid struggle, but open ourselves to blessing, through the cleansing depths of repentance and the heaven-rending words of the Spirit.
Amen.
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Prayer with Children:
Dear God, sometimes we wish all the scary things in this world would just go away. Help us to care for each other when we are frightened, and to remember that you are with us always. Thank you Jesus! Amen.
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In our prayers:
Jennifer, Linda, Beverly, Lili, Gloria, Monroe, Don, Richard, Jody, Beth, Ashley, Bob and Nancy, Sue, Michael, Debbie, Dan, John and Sharon, Mary, Steve, Ione, Sasoun, Tom, Velda, Paul, Charlie, Ina, Kendra, Lorna, Patrick, Louis and Amanda, Ashley, Brian, Eric, Nikki, and Howard.
W
e also pray for our bishops, Elizabeth and Wayne.
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Celebrations, Concerns, and Condolences...
If you have items you'd like shared in this section, email
Pastor Michael
. Names may be added or removed from the prayer list by contacting
Pam S
.
Those in our community undergoing cancer treatments.
Barbara Ketter, Lorna Luebbers, and Kendra Thulin, who are recovering from surgery.
Ashley Frigerio, hospitalized for tests.
Ralph Conrad, who is recovering from cataract surgery.
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This Week's Commemorations
Martin Luther, renewer of the church, died 1546 Sunday, February 18, 2018
Though he began his adult church life as a simple Augustinian monk, Luther challenged the abuses he saw in the church, and his work eventually led to the Protestant Reformation. Luther's accomplishments included liturgical reform, translation of the Bible, and creation of the Small and Large Catechisms.
Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, died 156 Friday, February 23, 2018
Because he is said to have been known by John, the author of Revelation, as well as the important early church fathers Irenaeus and Ignatius, Polycarp serves as a vital link in church history. He was burned at the stake at age 86 for refusing to renounce his faith.
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Lent Evening Prayer
Continuing the Covenant of Baptism
Wednesdays Feb. 21 and 28; March 7, 14, and 21 at
6:30 p.m.
These 30 minute services of Evening Prayer will focus each week on a different Baptismal promise and living those out in our daily lives.
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Community Hour Schedule
Community Hour is usually from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sundays in the Education Center, following coffee fellowship. Childcare is available!
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Eyes on Islam Series with the Justice Team
February 18: Prof. Mark Swanson returns with more insights into Islam during community hour
February 25: Trip to Muslim Community Center on Elston Ave. We will leave from Ebenezer around 11:30 a.m.
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March 4: The Five Wishes with Marcia Smith, RN
Five Wishes has become America’s most popular living will because it is written in everyday language and helps start and structure important conversations about care in times of serious illness. You can learn more
here.
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March 11: Spring Cleanup!
That's right, wear your coveralls and favorite old jeans to church! Following fellowship time, we'll be cleaning and decluttering Ebenezer to prepare for Easter. There are many ways to help, so stick around and we'll find the right project for you!
Ebenezer commitees, teams, and groups that might also find it convenient to have a meeting following worship are also invited to do so on March 11.
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February Senior Ministry Events
Senior Poetry Group: Monday, February 26, 12:00 pm
Our Senior Poetry Group meets in the Cafe (below the Sanctuary ). This month we will br discussing One Thing Alone I Crave (excerpt) by Dame Catherine Gascoigne and We Awaken In Christ's Body by Saint Symeon the New Theologian. Bring a sandwich and join us for a great discussion. Desert will be provided.
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Introducing Ebenezer Refugee Support
Ebenezer's Refugee Support group works with newly settled refugee in the Rogers Park and Edgewater area in cooperation with their sponsoring agencies and St. Thomas of Canterbury School staff . The site will follow families to process and list specific needs of families. When you find you can fill a need, contact one of the administrators and donated items can be picked up. Cash donations can be made out to Ebenezer Lutheran Church with the notation of Refugee Fund on the memo line.
To learn more, visit the Facebook Page for the group
here.
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Looking Back at the 2018 Retreat
On the evening of February 2 and Saturday February 3, forty Ebenezer folks gathered at St. Mary's of the Lake. Yes, this is a new location, nestled in the woods in Mundelein. All found their way and enjoyed the new wooded location. We sang, listened, were challenged, and talked. Our leader Rev. Heidi, led us in exploring the challenging theme, "The Spirituality of Resistance”.
There are many people to thank. Thanks to Michel Lathrop for designing the stunning flyer and program, thanks to those who gave extra money for scholarships, thanks to Chad Sohl for printing 500 copies of the program, (no cost to us), thanks to Chuck Obendorf for guiding folks from the parking lot, thanks to John Elmquist for choosing moving music and inspiring us to SING! , thanks to Jen Debner, Kris May, and Dion Walton for giving inviting announcements at worship, thanks to Pastor Michael for being a source of wisdom and leading the closing Eucharist.
And of course thanks to our leader, Pastor Heidi Neumark, for challenging us in many ways. We will not forget.
Be sure to look for reflections on the retreat from attendees in the March Messenger Newsletter!
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Women's Book Group
The group meets at 7:15 p.m. at Ebenezer.
February 19:
Cane River
by Lalita Tademy
March 19:
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
by Gail Honeyman
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Lutheran Disaster Response: How you can help
Please stand by our neighbors as they begin the long road to recovering from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, as well as earthquake victims in Mexico, and fire recovery efforts in California.
Click
here
to learn how you can support their efforts.
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Esprit:
A Support Group for People Recovering from Mental Health Issues
We at Ebenezer welcome everyone into our spiritual circle. We know that most everyone has experienced or supported someone with mental health issues. We also recognize that we all need a circle of support in our lives. Ebenezer strives to create a place where all can come, share, listen, learn and be renewed.
We meet the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each Month! 7:00 pm—8:30 pm
For more information , please call Ashley at 773-428-1521
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Youth Group Update
Edgewater Congregations Together Youth Group!
Youth Group consists of youth in grades 6
th
-12
th
from Unity, Immanuel, and Ebenezer Lutheran Churches in the neighborhood of Edgewater. During the school year, they gather on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at Immanuel Lutheran Church for a meal, games, faith discussions, and worship. For more information, contact Pastor Emily at pastoremilyh@gmail.com.
Help send our Edgewater Congregations Together youth to Lutherdale Bible Camp this February 2-4 for the annual ELCA Metro-Chicago Synod Confirmation and
Senior High Retreat!
This year, 23 E.C.T. youth will be attending the retreat. The cost is $115 per person,
and 12 full scholarships are needed.
If you would like to contribute to our youth scholarship fund: write a check to
Immanuel Lutheran Church (and include a note in the memo: “ECT Youth
Scholarship.”) You can place checks in the offering or leave them in Pastor Emily’s
box in the church office.
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“Parent’s Night Out!” –
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Saturdays: March 3, and April 21 from 4:00-8:00pm
@Immanuel Lutheran Church (1500 W. Elmdale Ave.)
Ages: 2 1/2 years-5th grade
Suggested Donation:
$15 for one child, $20 for two children, $25 for more than two children.
Enjoy a night out for a good cause! While parents/guardians have a night out, children will be in a safe environment doing fun activities led by Pastor Emily Heitzman, the church youth group, and several other adult church members.
Children should bring a sack dinner to eat during the evening.
All proceeds will help send several of our youth group high schoolers to travel to Houston, Texas this June for the triennial ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) Youth Gathering. This is a powerful and life-changing event, where our youth will gather with 30,000+ other Lutheran youth for worship, justice, and service work in and around Houston. As we have seen this fall, Hurricane Harvey has devastated Houston and its surrounding areas. Thus, not only will your financial contribution help our youth get to the youth gathering, but it will also help Houston get back on its feet post-Harvey. Imagine how much of an impact 30,000+ people can make in doing service projects, Hurricane relief work, and by putting money into Houston’s economy: hotels, transportation, food, hired workers for the event, etc.?!
To register or inquire with any questions:
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Facilities Feedback
Ebenezer's facilities are busier than ever, which is both a gift and a challenge! To help us understand areas where cleaning and repair could be improved, you are invited to use this
form to provide feedback to Jesse, our sexton. This is a more reliable method than verbal reports to staff or volunteers on Sundays, when our focus in on worship. Please let us know how we can continue to make Ebenezer a place of hospitality for all! The link is also available at any time at the Ebenezer Facilities
webpage.
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Community and Announcments
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Give with Goodshop and Amazon Smile
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!
Also, Ebenezer is designated as a recipient for Smile dollars on Amazon.
Any shopping you do on Amazon can benefit Ebenezer! Simply register at smile.amazon.com and designate us... same great shopping, but we receive .5% of your purchase amount!
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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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Do you or someone you know need someone to talk to?
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