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1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL
(773) 561-8496
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Lost Drachma
James Tissot, c.1890
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Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
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"The grumbling of the Pharisees and the scribes in today’s gospel is actually our holy hope: This Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them. That our God wills to seek and to save the lost is not only a holy hope, it is our only hope. As Paul’s first letter to Timothy reminds us, 'The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' Thanks be to God.
"
See you Sunday!
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Morning Prayer:
Merciful God, your desire to bring us into your commonwealth is so great that you seek us in the places of our ignorance, and the forgotten corners where we hide in despair. Gather us into your loving embrace, and pour upon us your wise and holy Spirit, so that we may become faithful servants in whom you rejoice with all the company of heaven. Amen.
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Evening Prayer:
God of power and justice, like Jeremiah you weep over those who wander from you, turn aside to other gods, and enter into chaos and destruction. By your tears and through your mercy, teach us your ways and write them on our hearts so that we may follow faithfully the path you show us. Amen.
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Prayer with Children:
Dear Jesus
, we are your disciples, and you visit us in small and big ways each and every day. Help us to look for signs that you are with us. Amen.
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In our prayers:
Michele, Eileen, Judy, Max, Velda, Paula, Susan, Lili, Bob, Sean, Gloria, Monroe, Sandra, Johanna, Frank, John and Sharon, Beth, Dan, Chuck, Howard, Jody, Barbara, Ruth, Dennis, Dick, Ashley, Debbie, Linda, Mal, Emerson, Dave, Dan, Belita, Wayne, Don
.
We also pray for our bishops, Elizabeth and Wayne, and our Bishop-elect, Yehiel.
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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
.
For Lili, who is recovering from an illness
For baby Emerson
For The Bahamas and all recovering from Hurricane Dorian
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This Week's Commemorations
Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, martyr, died around 258
Monday, September 16, 2019
Cyprian served as a bishop during a time of great persecution of Christians. He insisted on receiving back those who had left the faith under duress. He also provided medical care during a severe epidemic.
Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, died 1179
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
A mystic who was widely influential within the church, Hildegard advised and reproved kings and popes, wrote poems and hymns, and produced treatises in medicine, theology, and natural history. She was also a musician and artist.
Dag Hammarskjöld, renewer of society, died 1961
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
A Swedish diplomat, Hammarskjöld served as the second Secretary General of the United Nations until his death in a plane crash while trying to negotiate peace in present-day Zambia. His journal, published as Markings, revealed the depth of his Christian faith.
Nelson Wesley Trout, bishop, died 1996 (TFF)
Friday, September 20, 2019
A native of Ohio, Trout served parishes in several parts of the United States before being elected bishop of the South Pacific District of the American Lutheran Church, the first African American Lutheran to serve in such a capacity.
Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Matthew (or Levi) was a tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government. Tax collectors were frequently despised for dishonesty and for assisting the occupiers. Jesus nevertheless showed love for them, and chose Matthew to be a disciple.
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Fall Fun Fair: Save-the-Date and Join the Fun
It’s starting to feel like autumn around Chicago so mark your calendar for Ebenezer’s Fall Fun Fair on Saturday, September 21, 12:00 - 4:00!
We’ll have a bounce-house, petting zoo, games, snacks and more! This event is free of charge and open to the congregation and entire community.
You can help make this all of this fun possible by giving your time or a donation to support the event. We need volunteers to: set-up, keep the kitchen, get crafty, mind the games, help things run smoothly, and close-down. Click
here
to sign up for a spot.
To make a donation supporting related expenses for this event, you can donate
online
or in-person.
Thank you!
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Ebenezer Sunday School Has Begun
Families and kids aged 4-12, get ready to get back in the swing of our All Kids Sunday school. We start the Sunday after Labor Day. We meet at 9:45 (15 minutes before Worship Service starts) in the Education Center for games, lessons, music, light crafts, and most of all, sharing our ideas about how God wants us to live in this world. Our time together lasts about 40 minutes, with ushers and teachers escorting kids back to families right after the sermon, before the Children's Message and the Meal. Check it out! Any questions, feel free to email
Chris Korn,
Kris May,or
Karen Miley. We welcome volunteers of all sorts: moms, dads, non-parents, teens, grandparents. We provide light training, curriculum, and materials. Most of the time, you will assist a lead teacher. Come join us!
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Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response is working to help those dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Dorian. Visit
community.elca.org/hurricane-relief
to learn more and donate. Designated checks and cash gifts to Ebenezer will be forwarded to LDR.
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New Member Class
Exploring Ebenezer
is a two-session orientation for those exploring church membership. We'll meet during Community Hour (after morning worship) on Sept. 15 and 22, with new members received on Sept. 29. Contact Pastor Michael for more information.
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Communion Instruction
Communion instruction for kids will be after morning worship on Sept. 29. All ages are welcome to commune, and to learn more!
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Fight the Flu!
Get your flu shot at Ebenezer on Sunday October 6, 9:00 a.m. till noon.
Pharmacists from Mariano’s will again offer this service for us. Insurance is accepted. Anyone without insurance or with questions contact Marcia Smith.
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Prayer Team
Do you listen for a name you recognize during the reading of the names of people for whom we pray? Maybe you listen for a friend who might want prayers for the family. Maybe you listen for your own name because you have asked your congregation to pray for you. That list includes members, families, strangers, those who have suffered atrocities, even evildoers, each of whom is a child of God.
If you want a person prayed for please contact
Pastor Michael or
Pam Edelmann Sall give them the first name of the person for whom you want prayers said and, if you want, the reason the person needs prayers. You should know that even before this person is named the next Sunday in the prayers of the people, a group of Ebenezer members prays for them.
The prayer team or prayer circle is a dedicated group who know prayer works. Many of those who pray are members or former members of Ebenezer. If you would like to become one of those “prayers” we welcome you to notify Pam (see above) and give her your email address. The group respects confidentiality for both the person being prayed for and their families. That is why we only use the first name.
Being a member of this group is so rewarding. It means so much that someone knows he or she is being prayed for.
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Edgewater Congregations Together Youth Group
Edgewater Congregations Together 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.
Edgewater Congregations Together Fall Kick-Off Back-To-School BBQ/Party and Youth Gathering Parent Meeting
@Immanuel Lutheran Church (1500 W. Elmdale Ave.)
Wed., Sept. 11, 6:15-9:00pm
Community members are invited to join.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! The Edgewater Congregations Together Youth Group is in need of volunteers for cooks, drivers, chaperones, small group leaders, etc. for various events throughout the year. Please contact Pastor Emily if you would like to learn more about how to get involved.
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Ebenezer Senior Luncheon
Joke day and planning for the year
September 19, 2019 at 12 noon in the cafe
Join us for our first fall senior luncheon. Bring a joke or funny story to share and enjoy food, fellowship and laughter. After lunch we will plan future senior gatherings so bring ideas.
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Edgewater Congregations Together Confirmation
E.C.T. Confirmation is a two-year program for youth from Ebenezer, Unity, and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in grades 7-8. (Youth above 7
th
-8
th
grade who are have not been through confirmation and would like to join are also welcome.) Confirmation begins in Sept. and will meet the 1
st
and 3
rd
Thursdays of the month at Ebenezer. Contact Pastor Michael or
Pastor Emily
if you would like to sign up or would like more information.
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Choir Schedule Change for the Fall
Beginning September 3, Ebenezer’s choir will rehearse on Tuesday nights from 7-8:30 pm in the Choir Room. This is instead of Thursday nights as in the past. All are welcome to participate! Speak to or email
John
if you have any questions.
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Ebenezer Tutoring Program: Fall Volunteers Needed!
Each Thursday during the school year 50 students from 14 different area schools meet for 90 minutes of homework help. The children range from grades 1 to 12. Learning takes place in pairs to small groups of 5-7 students and tutors working together.
The tutors and students depend on a meal at 6 PM to recover from their day and fuel up for tutoring. The program has a way to use your skills! Tutoring needs individuals or small groups to provide a meal or two during the school year. Contact Anne Goeltzer at
annegoeltzer@gmail.com
or 773-960-2866 if you are able to help with a meal.
The program can also use tutors who can commit to the year and substitutes who can fill in when available. Contact Norm Dynneson at
normdynneson64@gmail.com
or 773-218-8729 if you are interested in tutoring.
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Women's Book Group
Women's Book Group
meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Education Center Cafe. Come join the conversation!
September 16 –
Educated
by Tara Westover
October 21 –
The Keeper of Lost Causes
by Jussie Adler-Olsen
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Back to School!
We’re collecting school supplies for
Lutheran World Relief
. Grab the list of items in the narthex and bring your donation to church through Sunday, September 22. We’ll assemble the bags on October 6. THANKS!
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Ebenezer Small Groups
Challenged by large issues in our world right now, sometimes stepping into a small circle can help. If you're searching for a circle, Ebenezer Small Groups may be for you.
Small Groups start again in September, twice a month for 5 months, to talk, question, share, listen, study, and pray--learning things that we write on our hearts.
Interested? Talk to Pastor Michael, or a small group leader (Bev Albert, Dar Erickson, Ann H. Hicks, Janet Lundblad).
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Ebenezer Parents Group
Join us for a gathering of parents of infants and toddlers on September 15. We will share parenting joys, frustrations and ideas, as well as offer support to one another. For more information contact Marcia Smith, parish nurse at
parishnursemarcia@gmail.com
or 773-743-1831.
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Edgewater Congregations Together Young Adults Group
Young adults (18 years old through early 30s) from Unity, Ebenezer, and Immanuel Lutheran churches, as well as others from the community, will be gathering once a month for social events, service projects, and faith and life discussions.
If you are a young adult and would like to connect with other young adults in the area, please contact Pastor Emily Heitzman at
pastoremilyh@gmail.com
to learn how you can get involved and/or to sign up.
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Ebenezer Refugee Support
Ebenezer’s support group works with newly arrived refugees in the Rogers Park and Edgewater area. Sponsoring agencies offer a minimum of initial help when families first arrive. Ebenezer’s group works to fill the gap until families are self-supporting.
Follow the Ebenezer Refugee Support Group on
Facebook
to see updates on families and the what the current needs are. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Norm Dynneson or Jackie Wood, as well.
Cash donations can be made out to Ebenezer Lutheran Church with the notation of Refugee Fund on the memo line. Questions can be directed to
Jackie Wood
or text at 773-484-3923. or call
Norm Dynneson
at 773-218-8729
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Esprit:
A Support Group for People Recovering or Supporting Others with Mental Health Challenges Coming This Fall
Every September
,
SAMHSA (the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
) sponsors
Recovery Month
to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and to celebrate the people who recover. The 2019 theme is
Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger
. For additional information see
recoverymonth.gov
Esprit welcomes anyone affected by mental health issues and makes available a spiritual circle to share, listen, learn, and be renewed.
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Community and Announcements
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Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent
This month marks the 400th anniversary of the beginning of the slave trade in English-speaking North America. The “Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent” was presented to representatives of the African Descent Lutheran Association (ADLA) during the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. View the full text here:
http://bit.ly/2GSiMpj
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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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September Office Hours
Monday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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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?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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