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Ebenezer United Church of Christ
December 2018 Eagle Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
My favorite time of year is almost here! I look out the window and I see small flakes of snow dancing in the breeze. Their dance calls to me, calling me to come out and remember winters past and dream of winters to come. The flakes call to me to come out for an afternoon run (there is nothing quite like a run while it is snowing) and experience the solitude of a late autumn run.
Yes, the weather has quickly turned cold. Snow is just around the corner waiting to chill us and keep us indoors for a few long months. Something else is just around the corner but this doesn’t threaten to keep us indoors. This event calls us to leave the isolation of our homes and gather as a church. Advent is just around the corner.
Advent marks the beginning of a new church year. Advent marks a time of preparation as we await the coming of the Christ child.
Outside the temperatures drop and the snow falls. Inside the church we hear the stories of Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Zechariah. Inside the church we sing hymns of preparation and celebration. Children prepare for the annual Pageant and help the adults decorate the building.
Outside the church we are told to buy, buy and buy more even beyond our ability to pay. Inside the church we are told of the coming of one who will bring the presence of God in a way we have never imagined, one who will love us and love us beyond our ability to imagine.
Outside the church we push and shove and frantically try to get to the best sales. Inside the church we patiently wait while messengers prepare the way of the Lord.
Outside the church we look for the best product at the lowest cost. Inside the church we celebrate the coming of the ultimate free gift of love.
Outside the church we redeem coupons for trinkets. Inside the church our loving Creator redeems our lives.
I think I’ll go outside for that run … just me and my snowflake friends. I’ll welcome the quiet and the peace. As I run, I’ll open my heart to the God who warms my soul with love.
I look forward to spending Advent with all of you.
Peace and Grace,
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Below is the upcoming ushering schedule;
please note that the church office does not find a replacement,
but we are happy to help you get in contact with possible subs!
Please let the office know when any changes are made.
December:
December 2: Council
December 9: Sunday School
December 16: Vern & Ann Gasch, Dean & Ellie Papendieck
December 23: Kristi & Ryan Schnell, Kari Meyers, Kurt Knoespel
December 30: Steve & Chris Stenz, Don & Connie Waldvogel
January:
January 6: Council
January 13: Sunday School
January 20: Don & Donna Pingel, Kimberlee & Jennifer Pringle
January 27: Vern & Edith Knoespel, Kristi & Ryan Schnell
If you have any questions about your ushering duties,
click here for the instructions.
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Worship Events/Services
- December 2: St. John, Bell and Vocal Choirs will lead worship
- December 9: Ebenezer at 4:00 p.m., Bell Concert
- December 16: St. John Christmas Pageant at 10:15 a.m.
- December 16: Ebenezer Christmas Pageant at 8:45 a.m.
- December 24:
- Ebenezer at 4:00 p.m., worship
- St. John at 7:00 p.m., worship
- Ebenezer at 11:00 p.m., worship
- December 25: Ebenezer at 9:00 a.m., worship
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December Confirmation Readers
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December 2: Alex Greuel
December 9:
No reader
December 16:
No reader
December 23: Caitlynn Paulson
December 30: Claudia Brown
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Thank you, again, to our committees who are hosting coffee hour each month! Below is the schedule; please note that this should be
a light snack to enjoy after church.
December: Council
January: Women's Guild
February: Mission Committee
March: Council
April: Worship/Continuing Education Committee
May: Bell Choir
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Mission Education News ...
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Our Cookie/Candy Walk is coming up on Saturday, December 8, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Cookies or Candy can be dropped off anytime during the week of December 3 during office hours (M - T 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) or on Thursday, December 6 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
We will also be selling new or gently-used Christmas items that you no longer need or want. This is our big fundraiser for Missions so please give generously!
We have been having a special collection in December for several years for people or groups that have had some hardship during the year. It seems like there has been one disaster after another in the USA in the last couple months, so this year we have decided that the best plan would be to give whatever we collect to the American Red Cross and let them distribute it where it is needed most.
We will be collecting these donations on the Sundays in December.
We will also be collecting items for The Eastshore Humane Society in Chilton to help out cats and dogs in need. Items always needed are: cat litter, Purina Cat Chow or Purina Complete, Purina Dog Chow, laundry detergent, bleach, dog or cat toys, and monetary donations (which are tax deductible). Please help our furry friends!
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A big thank you goes out to our Sunday School children and their families who have brought donations for Ebenezer's Blessing Box! Through your efforts, we have been able to fill the box on several different occasions. Please keep in mind that the list of appropriate items will change as the colder temperatures arrive. Rather than canned goods, better suggestions are: dry, boxed goods or paper products.
We are beginning to prepare for the Christmas program which will be presented on Sunday, December 16.
We'll be squeezing in rehearsal times during our Sunday School hour as much as we can; however, there will be the need for a Saturday practice the day before the program (December 15). Shirley will be able to give you a specific time for that rehearsal as the date gets closer.
Thank you to the 1st and 2nd graders: Riley Roehrig, Jordan Propson, Jennifer Pringle, and their teacher, Tiffany Porsche, for the special gifts they made for all the veterans of our congregation, and for presenting the veterans with their gifts during Children's Worship Sunday on November 11. Thank you, kids, and thank you, veterans!
We hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving and ask that you count your blessings every day.
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Notes from the Music Corner ...
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It was wonderful to feel the vibrant music, both vocal and instrumental, for Veterans’ Day on November 11. The November 18 worship was also invigorated with the vocal solo,
“Thanks Be to God,”
sung by Katharina Keller. Katharina was presented with the Jeris Waldvogel Scholarship at that service. She is attending UW-Green Bay with a minor in music performance. She will be singing with one of the UWGB choirs performing Handel’s
“Messiah”
at the Weidner Center at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1.
Click here
for details on this performance!
Looking ahead to the music of Advent and Christmas, there will be a variety of solos (vocal and instrumental), handbell choir and solos, and piano/organ duets during December, and for the Christmas services. Ebenezer Brass will share the “Good News” of Christ’s birth with their Christmas concert at EUCC on Sunday, December 9, at 4 p.m. The concert will be followed by a time of food and fellowship. Please come to this presentation with your family and friends to get a true feeling of Christmas!
On Sunday, December 16, we will be treated to the Sunday School program during regular worship. This will include several group and solo musical presentations – so exciting for the children to use the microphone to spread the message of Christmas!!!
There will be abundant opportunities to recall and sing familiar carols at all of the special Christmas services:
- Christmas Eve: 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
- Christmas Day: 9:00 a.m.
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Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: November 18, 2018
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Opening: The meeting of the Ebenezer Church Council was called to order at 8:06 a.m. by Kelly Brown.
Present: Kelly Brown, Pastor Mike, Colleen Marx, Kari Meyers, Andy Hofmeister, Vern Gasch, Dale Hintz, and Jamie Plate.
Approval of Agenda: Kari Meyers made a motion to approve the agenda. Andy Hofmeister seconded.
Approval of Minutes: The October 2018 meeting minutes were previously approved via email.
Treasurer's Report: Our October revenue was $14,723.91. Our October expenditures were $9,230.97. The Equity as of October 31st was $91,920.89. Our balance as of October 31st was $291,592.94. Our stocks went down to $30,465.61. Dale Hintz made a motion to accept October financial report Andy Hofmeister seconded. The motion carried. Kari Meyers made a motion to accept the November bill list, Vern Gasch seconded. The motion carried.
Minister’s Report: Attendance is 71 on average for a Sunday. Averaging $1,908/week in contributions. Wired word has 3-4 people attending per week. Confirmation has 10 students.
Committee Reports:
- Christian Education and Music: No new news.
- Evangelism: No new news.
- Mission: Will be accepting donations to the Red Cross for disaster relief and for the Eastshore Humane society.
- Property: Congregational meeting November 25th to review and approve bid for roof repairs. Walk through of parsonage was completed. It is in excellent condition. Motion was made by Vern Gasch to install a water softener Colleen Marx seconded. Motion was approved.
- Stewardship: No new news.
- Membership: No new news.
Continuing Business:
- Braille System Update: No new news.
- Church Security: Security proposal to be discussed at Annual meeting.
- Spanish Ministry: No new news.
- Shared Ministry: Shared ministry committee to meet before January annual meeting.
New Business: None
**Next council meeting is on December 16, 2018, at 8:00 a.m.**
Adjournment: Kari Meyers made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Colleen Marx seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 8:47 a.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Colleen Marx
Approved by: The Church council via email.
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Tod ~ Katy ~ Terri ~ James
Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha ~Arlene ~ Larry
Vern ~ Laura ~ Pat ~ Rod
David ~ Gracie ~ Sue ~ Linda
Scott ~ Marlene ~ Steve ~ Terry
Shelly ~ Alice ~ Pastor Susan ~ Jeff
Due to privacy laws, last names cannot be printed on the prayer list because the Eagle goes on the church website which can be viewed by anyone on the Internet.
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Building Use Form:
If you would like to use Fellowship Hall, please fill out the
Building Use Form
and return it to the office.
We require a completed form for all events in the Fellowship Hall that are not related to EUCC
(if you are planning multiple events, i.e. a recurring meeting, you only need to fill the form out once.)
Newsletter Articles
are due to the
office
on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (unless posted otherwise); be sure to check the calendar for the month’s due date. Please also share any pictures for inclusion!
Weekly Bulletin Announcements
are due to the
office
by Tuesday mornings.
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Ebenezer Office Hours:
(Labor Day - Memorial Day)
Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(920) 849-4331
Pastor's Ebenezer Hours:
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Pastor's St. John Hours:
Monday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
2111 Church St
New Holstein, WI 53061
(920) 898-4259
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Pastor's Cell Phone: 920-286-1956
Please make sure to write a note on the pad on Sunday mornings if you need to communicate with the office. Pastor Mike is a little preoccupied on Sundays, so use this pad to assure these tasks are completed. Thank you!!!
Please schedule any appointments with Pastor Mike through the
office
.
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Monday, December 24
Tuesday, December 25
Wednesday, December 26
Tuesday, January 1
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EYEWEAR DRIVE FOR HAITI - A HUGE SUCCESS
Ebenezer UCC, St. John UCC and St. Paul's UCC worked together this fall on a joint mission project to collect eyewear items for the citizens of Haiti. The eyewear that has been collected will be delivered to Dr. Cheryl Roers, OD, in support of her "Medical Mission to Haiti" volunteer work. Dr. Roers is the owner of four eye care clinics including the Chilton and New Holstein Family Eye Care Clinic. In January 2019, Dr. Roers
will make her ninth trip to Haiti and take with her the eyewear collected by the three churches.
134 pairs of eyeglasses (includes sunglasses) and 52 eyewear cases were collected in our 45-day eyewear drive. A huge thank you to all the donors. If members or friends of the three churches ever have eyewear to donate, you can drop off at the Chilton and New Holstein Family Eye Care Center. Please let the staff know the eyewear donations are for the "Medical Mission to Haiti" project.
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Beverly Baltz: Dec 1
Dennis Winkler: Dec 1
Mark Rusch: Dec 1
Glen Pingel: Dec 2
Chelsea Schneider: Dec 3
Tyler Giebel: Dec 3
Rita Pingel: Dec 5
Judy Kurscheidt: Dec 6
Kristi Schnell: Dec 6
Kerry Duchow: Dec 6
Noel Kuhn: Dec 8
Nick Kuhn: Dec 8
Christopher Marx: Dec 14
Jeanne Keuler: Dec 15
Brian Adamietz: Dec 19
Heidi Pringle: Dec 20
Norman Pautz: Dec 21
Janet Andrews: Dec 21
Sandy Marx: Dec 23
Tricia Roehrig: Dec 25
Logan Platner: Dec 28
Serenity Ditter: Dec 29
Gretchyn Goodrich: Dec 30
Dean Papendieck: Dec 30
Riley Roehrig: Dec 30
Kourtney Payne: Dec 30
Robert Van Beek: Dec 30
May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
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- Handbell Practice: Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join; contact Jill Sippel at 920-418-1534 with questions!*there is no Handbell practice on December 26.
- See the poster or flyers on how you can support the Happy Hour Yankee Candle Sale. Use Group #: 999987724 when ordering online.
- Friday, November 30, begins the Wonder of Christmas Nativity Scene at Lakeshore United Methodist Church in Manitowoc. See the board for dates and times!
- Delightfully Calumet: Head out to Hobart Park to check out the 1,500 feet of lights on Fridays and Saturdays. Donations of food will be collected to serve Calumet County Food Banks.
- Drop off cookies, candy or Christmas items will be on Thursday, December 6, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. or anytime during regular office hours (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday) the week of December 3.
- You are invited to Lakeland University’s Holiday Reception on Friday, December 7, followed by the 'Christmas at Lakeland concert.'
- The Cookie/Candy Walk is on Saturday, December 8 from 9:00 a.m. - Noon in Fellowship Hall!
- The Handbell Concert is Sunday, December 9, at 4:00 p.m. at EUCC, followed by food and refreshments in Fellowship Hall.
- Sunday, December 16 is the Children's Christmas Program!
- On December 23, EUCC will be collecting for the Christmas Fund. Your gift to the Christmas Fund assists pastors, and provides for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks next December to lower-income retirees.
- The Evangelism Committee is meeting on Sunday, December 23, at 8:00 a.m. We are always looking for new members so please join us!
- Christmas worship times are:
- Monday, December 24:
- 4:00 p.m. (EUCC) family/candlelight worship
- 7:00 p.m. (St. John) worship
- 11:00 p.m. (EUCC) candlelight worship
- Tuesday, December 25: 9:00 a.m. (EUCC) worship
- There is No Confirmation on Wednesday, December 26.
- Details for the Elder Rights Project/ADRC monthly program titled “Know Your Rights Workshop” can be found on the bulletin board.
- The January/February Upper Room devotional guide is available in the Narthex book rack. Help yourself!
- Appleton Visually Impaired Support Group: Learn how to live with vision loss from others who have been there. Discover different methods to accomplish those activities that are important to you.
- Become a Chilton ADRC Meal Site Volunteer; check the board for details!
- Affinity Hospice could use your help; see the flyer on the board.
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Blessing Box Reminder
With the colder temperatures, please do not put anything in the Blessing Box that could freeze. Welcomed items include:
- paper products
- hygiene supplies
- diapers
- boxed meals
- cereal
Thank you for taking the time to check box to make sure it is stocked! I
f you have any questions, contact the
church office
.
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