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"It is an age-old question: why is there evil in the world? In the parable of the wheat and the weeds Jesus suggests that both grow together until the harvest. With Paul, we long for the day that all creation will be set free from bondage and suffering. Having both weeds and wheat within us, we humbly place our hope in the promises of God, and from the Lord’s table we go forth to bear the fruit of justice and mercy."
See you Sunday!
+ Pastor Michael
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This visual prayer is Soon for the Harvest, a photograph by Jorge Alonzo, taken in Uruguay.
From the Vanderbilt Digital Library.
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Reading the Scriptures:
The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
Isaiah 44:6-8 Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
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Morning Prayer: Faithful God, you care for us with compassion and firmness, urging us to grow in love for you. Through Christ, may we hear more deeply your call to be rooted in your way.
Amen.
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Evening Prayer:
Steadfast God, teach us your way and your truth. Root us in you alone, help us to grow in grace and love, that we may fulfill our role and our work in the reign of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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Prayer with Children:
Dear God, learning the difference between weeds and other plants and flowers isn't easy... and sometimes, it depends on who is deciding! Thank you for seeing me as a plant that is loved and growing. No matter what anyone calls me! Thank you Jesus! Amen.
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In our prayers: John, Joshua, Nancy, Jinny, Mary Laura, Steve, Ione, Tom, Velda, Paul, Charlie, Ina, Don, Kyle, Ashley, Brian, Eric, Nikki, Howard, Ahmed, Denny, Theresa, Richard, Dan, Lili, John and Sharon, Pastor Geoffrey, Lynda, Chris, Sofia, and Olivia. We also pray for our bishops, Elizabeth and Wayne.
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Project Promise School Kits: You can help!
Here's a handy supply list (a complete description of the project is available by the collection box in the Narthex):
70-sheet notebooks of wide- or college-ruled paper, approximately 8” x 10 ½”; no loose leaf paper
30-centimeter rulers, or a ruler with centimeters on one side and inches on the other
pencil sharpeners
pairs of blunt scissors (safety scissors with embedded steel blades work well)
unsharpened #2 pencils with erasers
black or blue ballpoint pens (no gel ink)
boxes of 16 or 24 crayons
2 ½” erasers
sturdy drawstring backpack-style cloth bags, approximately 14” x 17” with shoulder straps (no standard backpacks)
Please, no religious or patriotic symbols on any items. Thanks!
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Parking and Trumbull Redevelopment Update.
Trumbull School’s sale to a development company has closed. The plan for residential apartments and a professional theatre in the existing building is moving forward. This is a reminder that as of now, Ebenezer does not have an agreement with the new owners for use of the parking lot. We’ll keep you updated should an arrangement become possible.
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No Wednesday Morning Devotions or Evening Prayer in August
As Pastor Michael will be away and our sanctuary filled with workers during the week in August, morning devotions (9 a.m.) and Evening Prayer (6 p.m.) will not meet July 26 or during the month of August. Both will resume on September 6th.
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Women's Book Group
The Women's Book Group invites participation in their upcoming discussions:
July 17 and August 21 at 7:15 p.m. Happy reading!
August 21:
The Last Chinese Chef by Nicole Mones
September 18:
Woman of God by James Patterson
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Stained Glass Restoration and Preservation Begins August 1
Generous support for Ebenezer's 125th Anniversary Capital Campaign and a remarkable gift from the estate of Yvonne Johnson have made it possible to begin long needed, comprehensive work on the Sanctuary stained glass, as well as the large window in the Auditorium. This project will ensure many more years of beauty and light in a sacred space that serves our neighbors.
You can still support this exciting project! Make a gift to the 125th Anniversary Capital Campaign today!
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Sabbatical Coverage July 25 – August 23
Pastor Michael will be taking a one month sabbatical beginning July 25. During this time he will catch up on much needed professional and academic reading and finalize materials for Ebenezer’s New Member process. Excellent ministers are in place for Sundays (so come enjoy wonderful worship each week!)
For emergencies and pastoral care needs that are urgent, please leave a message for Pastor Michael at (773) 561-8496 ex. 102. Messages left there are immediately forwarded to his cell phone, and he will quickly contact a pastor on call to assist you. Please note that messages and emails that are not of a time-sensitive nature will be returned at the conclusion of his sabbatical.
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Celebrate the Ebenezer Quasquicentennial!
What’s a
Quasquicentennial? It’s Ebenezer’s 125th Anniversary! A task force is forming now to plan a celebration that has been 125 years in the making. You’ve felt the joy at Sunday service and many other programs housed at 1650 Foster. Help share that joy in a celebration weekend, September 30-October 1. We need your time, talent and special touch. If interested in helping plan the party weekend, contact Pastor Michael, check the box on the Connection Card, send an email to
ebenezerarchives@gmail.com.
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A new tutoring year begins on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m.
Ebenezer’s tutoring program serves children in grades 1 -12. Our students come from 16 area schools. 45 children attend each Thursday last year and nearly that many are on a waiting list. Ebenezer folks and their friends and neighbors can be involved at several different levels.
1. Individuals or small groups prepare a meal which is served to children and tutors at 6 PM. Meals can be simple and kid-friendly but These meals allow tutors and kids who are just coming from work and school to continue to work until 8 PM. Meal preparers serve a meal once or twice a year.
2. Substitute tutors serve when a tutor can’t attend. Often this is on short notice. Substitutes often prefer certain age ranges and are free to say so. Substitutes are folks who want to help kids learn but can’t make a weekly commitment
3. Tutors work with the same children or child all year. They develop a relationship with their student and often work in a small group with other tutors. Tutors’ skills and interests are matched with the needs of the children. A training and orientation session for tutors is planned for Sept. 14 at 7 PM. About a third of the tutors last year were Ebenezer members. If you can’t tutor but know someone who can, talk us up.
Please mark the green sheet with your interest or contact the tutoring facilitator, Norm Dynneson, with any questions at normdynneson64@gmail.com or 773-218-8729.
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STOP the BLEED: Save a life! What everyone should know.
Come to a 1 hour training and learn how you can save a life in the event of serious bleeding from an injury or accident. Trauma surgeon Liz Gwinn from Illinois Masonic Hospital will be our expert instructor.
When: Saturday, August 12 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Immanuel Lutheran Church
1500 W. Elmdale, Chicago
Space is limited. Reserve yourself a spot by contacting Marcia Smith, RN, BSN, parish nurse, at 773-561-8496 or marcia.smith@advocatehealth.com
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Parish Nurse Seeks Helpers!
Our parish nurse ministry is developing and evolving. Inspiration is moving us to try some new things. In order to help meet the needs of parishioners and to help make new programs succeed, it would be great to know who is able and interested in volunteering. There are many ways to help. For example:
Giving people rides, to church, the store, doctor appointments, etc; Bringing meals to people when needed due to surgery, illness, family crisis, etc; Being a banquet bearer, that is, taking communion to people unable to come to church; Assisting in organizing events, programs.
Volunteering can be very occasional or frequent, whatever works for you. The more folks we have to draw from the less often anyone would be called on to do so.
If you are interested or have questions please contact parish nurse Marcia Smith at 773-561-8496, ext.103 or at Marcia.smith@advocatehealth.com.
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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
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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