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1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL
(773) 561-8496
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This visual prayer is
The Unforgiving Servant,
a Jesus mafa from Cameroon
. From the Vanderbilt Digital Library.
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Jesus teaches infinite forgiveness as a feature of the heart of God. And while a noble pursuit for the less-perfect and oft-broken human heart, Jesus does not instruct genuinely hurt people that they must forgive immediately even serious offenses. Rather his example points to human hypocrisy: holding other to account in ways we will not hold ourselves. God's forgiveness is the antithesis of that human hypocrisy.
See you Sunday!
+ Pastor Michael
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Reading the Scriptures:
The 15th Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 50:15-21 Psalm 103
Romans
14:1-2 Matthew 18:21-35
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Morning Prayer: God of freedom, you brought your people out of slavery with a mighty hand. Deliver us from our captivity to pride and indifference to the needs and gifts of others, that we may be ready to love as you have loved us, and to give even as we have received. Amen.
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Evening Prayer:
O God of Joseph and all his brothers, your forgiveness transcends whatever wrong exists between us. Grant us the courage to forgive others, and to practice reconciliation by the kindness of our speaking, the sharing of our resources, and the honoring of your desire for good. Amen.
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Prayer with Children:
Dear God, you forgive us when we get it wrong, because your love is perfect! Our love isn't always so perfect, and it can be hard to forgive. Help us to say when we are hurting, and teach us, even slowly, your forgiving ways. Thank you Jesus! Amen.
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In our prayers:
Velda, Paul, Charlie, Ina, Don, Kyle, Ashley, Brian, Eric, Nikki, Howard, Kassandra, Ahmed, Denny, Theresa , Richard, Jody, Debbie, Dan, Lili, John and Sharon,
Pastor Geoffrey, Joshua,
Steve, Ione, and Tom, and the Dahl family.
We also pray for our bishops, Elizabeth and Wayne.
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A Festival Weekend that has been 125 Years in the Making: The Ebenezer Quasquicentennial!
Plans are in the making for the weekend of September 30-October 1, and we want all members, friends and alumni of Ebenezer to celebrate 125 years of ministry in Andersonville:
Family Fun Fair featuring food, games, and crafts, Saturday, Sept. 30, 11 am--3 pm.
Dinner with Entertainment for the People of Ebenezer, Saturday, Sept. 30, Cocktails 6:30; Dinner 7 pm.
Festival Liturgy, Sunday, October 1, 10 am followed by brunch to close the 125th Capital Campaign.
All events are free and open to the public. All are welcome to attend, but we need your help to make the fun possible. If you can donate some time, sign-up in the Narthex or click
here.
We are also looking for donations for prizes and food for the Fun Fair and for Breakfast items for the Brunch. If you are a Thrivent member, you can apply to be part of an Action Team, which provides dollars to underwrite an outreach event.
If you would like more information, contact Chris Comella at
Ebenezerarchives@gmail.com or the contact the Church Office. Or mark the attendance sheet in your Sunday bulletin, and we will contact you!
God calls Ebenezer Lutheran Church 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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Lutheran Disaster Response: How you can help
Please stand by our neighbors as they begin the long road to recovering from Hurricane Harvey, one of the most catastrophic storms to hit the country in more than a decade. LDR is also preparing for a response to Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean and beyond. Click
here
to learn how you can support their efforts.
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In Memory: Herman Dahl
Former member Herman Dahl died on September 10 at the age of 87. Click
here for full biography and funeral information. Our prayers are with his family.
Even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia!
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Confirmation Begins THIS Thursday, September 21
Confirmation, faith formation for 7th and 8th graders, resumes on September 21. Contact
Pastor Michael if you have a returning student but have not yet received information, or would like to enroll a new student in the program.
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A new tutoring year begins on Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. - WE NEED YOU!
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.
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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Two Year Walk Through the Bible Begins this week
Have you wondered what exactly is in the Bible? Have you wanted to read through the Bible but it has seemed to daunting to you? Have you found the Bible to be a mystery for the most part?
If your answer is yes, to any of these questions, this two-year course may be an option for you. It designed for anyone who wants to learn more about the Bible. The course, led by Ralph Conrad, will take the participants through the narrative of the Bible. The classes will be on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the education center. The class will start on September 19 with breaks around Christmas and Easter. The class runs from October through May each of the two years with the summer between off.
To sign up for the classes you can call the Church office
(773-561-8496
), or indicate your interest in the class on the attendance sheets in the Sunday worship bulletins. You can also talk personally to Pastor Fick
(773-561-8496
) or Ralph Conrad
(773-386-4511
) if you have questions.
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Children's Sunday School Begins Sunday at 9:45 a.m.
This year, we are changing the location of Sunday school from the 2nd floor Auditorium to the Education Center (lower level below the sanctuary, or main church building). We will still begin with music at 9:45, and kids will return to the worship service during the Hymn of the Day (approximately 10:35) to join their families for the Children's Talk and Holy Communion. If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity (teaching, assisting, music, art, drama, other special skills, too!), please contact Kris May at
kristinehmay@gmail.com
.
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Consider Joining the Ebenezer Choir!
Everyone
is welcome to participate in singing and fellowship Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the choir room. Can't always make it to rehearsal? Don't let it be a barrier to your participation. Speak to John Elmquist with any questions.
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September 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!
September 10
- God's Work, Our Hands Sunday.
No Community Hour program; come out to Loyola Park at 5 p.m. for worship and dinner in the park!
September 17
-
Clarifying the Confusing State of Health Insurance.
Our health care insurance system can be confusing in the best of times. It is especially so when our government is conflicted in its attempts to change it. Private insurance, ObamaCare, the ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, COBRA, long term care insurance . . . How do we sort it all out?
Join Parish Nurse Marcia Smith, RN, as she welcomes Lori Martin of Envision Benefits Specialists, who will help us do just that. Lori is a licensed independent health insurance professional who is knowledgeable about current health care legislation and trends. She will help untangle the web of our current health insurance system.
September 24
- What, exactly, is music?
And what contributes to our feelings - positive and negative - about different kinds of music? Join John Elmquist for a discussion, among other things, of some examples of the work of John Cage, one of the great musical philosophers of our time. Your "homework" before the session: Think about how YOU would describe what music is to someone who has never heard it before.
October 8 : Justice Team Book Discussion: The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone.
They put him to death by hanging him on a tree. Acts 10:39. The cross and the lynching tree are the two most emotionally charged symbols in the history of the African American community. Both the cross and the lynching tree represent the worst in human beings and at the same time a thirst for life that refuses to let the worst determine our final meaning. While the lynching tree symbolized white power and black death, the cross symbolizes divine power and black life, God overcoming the power of sin and death. For African Americans, the image of Jesus, hung on a tree to die, powerfully grounded their faith that God was with them, even in the suffering of the lynching era.
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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!
Please come join us OCTOBER 12!! 7:00 pm—8:30 pm
For more information , please call Ashley at 773-428-1521
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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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Wednesday Morning Devotions and Evening Prayer
We gather at 9 a.m. for 30 minutes of Bible study, and at 6:30 p.m. for Vespers (Evening Prayer). Everyone's welcome!
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Women's Book Group
The Women's Book Group invites participation in their upcoming discussions:
at 7:15 p.m. Happy reading!
September 18:
Woman of God by James Patterson
October 16:
Euporia
by Lily King
November 20:
Commonwealth
by Ann Patchett
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Spirituality Small Groups at Ebenezer – That’s It!
Who hasn’t search for something but simply don’t know what it is? Sometimes stepping into a small circle allows us to get off that perimeter.
If you’re nodding in agreement, Ebenezer Spirituality Small Groups may be a find for you. Groups of 6 - 9 people meet twice a month for 5 months to talk, share, listen, study, and pray. Our purpose is to know another and support one another through listening, sharing, praying, and being present. The schedule starts up again this month and if you are ready now or want to at least get on the interest list, please let us know (Bev Albert, Darlene Erickson, Janet Lundblad, Don McCrary, or Pastor Michael).
"We need places to pray as if someone were listening, to study as if we might learn something worth writing on our hearts....."
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Stained Glass Restoration and Preservation: UPDATE!
The first work run for the sanctuary stained glass restoration began on July 31 and ended on August 12th. This first run included the restoration and repair of the Gothic windows (tall skinny ones). The second run will cover the remaining larger windows. 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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September Senior Ministry at Ebenezer
Here we are September 2017 and the beginning of our Ebenezer Senior Programs for 2017-18. At Ebenezer we have two monthly programs for the senior members of our congregation. All senior members are welcome to participate in the two program listed below. All that is needed is to call the church office at
773-561-8496
and let us know you are coming.
Monthly Luncheon:
Thursday, September 21, 12:00 pm.
Join us in the Cafe (the room below the sanctuary) for lunch and the next episode of our 2017-18 program series:
The Gift of Years: Productivity and Memories.
Lunch will be provided and you can give a free will donation if you wish. Also remember, our Parish Nurse, Marcia, will check blood pressures and Ralph will anoint and offer prayers.
Monthly Poetry Reading and Discussion:
Monday, September 25, 12:00 pm
. Bring a sandwich and join us in the Cafe (the room below the sanctuary) as we discuss two poems this time:
For the Time Being: Xmas Oratorio (excerpt)
by Denise Jarman and
Love III
by George Herbert. Desert will be provided.
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Caregivers Support Group Resumes
Caregivers seldom get a break. Our caregivers group, however, took a break over the summer. Our meetings will resume on
Tuesday, October 3. We meet the first Tuesday of each month at
7:15 p.m. at Ebenezer.
If you or someone you know could use a short break from caregiving this is a great opportunity. We offer support and camaraderie, a chance to share our stories and to learn from others’ experiences. All are welcome.
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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.
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Youth Group Begins a New Program Year on Wednesday!
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.
Edgewater Youth Coalition Pumpkin Craze Event
@Abbey Farms in Aurora, IL
,
Sat., Oct. 21
.
We will meet at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 5 p.m. to leave by 5:15 p.m. We will return by 11:15 p.m. (Eat before you come or bring extra money to pay for food at the farm.)
Cost: $7 per person. Let Pastor Emily know if you need scholarship for this event.
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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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Do you or someone you know need someone to talk to?
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