Pastor’s Corner
April was a month filled with special services! We gathered for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and finally two Easter services. Thank you to Elaine Hessil, Linda Hau and Sandy Hauman for bringing inspiring music to our Lenten and Easter services; the music was wonderful! During Lent, we followed Jesus as he approached Jerusalem and then we watched helplessly as he faced the religious authorities in that great city. We cried as he was arrested, convicted and then crucified. We were struck with awe and confusion when the women returned from the tomb and declared it to be empty. And when Jesus appeared to his disciples we shouted with joy! 

It can be comforting to look to the past, revel in the memories, relive the moments of triumph. But we are an “Easter people.” Being an Easter people, we know that we aren’t limited to the past. We can see the future with its unlimited possibilities. We see hope where others see only hopelessness. We feel love where others feel hate. We know that with the risen Christ we are called to be more, we are called to live in the present with a hope filled and grace filled future awaiting us. I believe we will need to live with grace and love as a summer filled with unknowns awaits us here in Wisconsin.

Summer ushers in vacations, time at the cabin, visiting relatives, family reunions, ball games and sometimes just sitting in the backyard enjoying the songbirds. Wherever you go this summer, remember that all around you are the blessings of our Lord. These blessings are not only at the destination, they are along the path. All you need to do is look about, listen, take in the smells of the woods or an open field.

If you encounter someone consumed in the politics of the day, filled with pain and suspicious of the future, say a prayer for that person, ask for a quiet heart so that person may find peace and rest. There will be plenty of political stress next summer. Be at peace this summer - let no one come between you and the peace of Christ.

Throughout the summer never lose sight of the fact that we are an Easter people. Always remember; there is nothing in all Creation that can separate us from the love of God through Jesus Christ. This is what we learned on Easter morning. 

Shout with joy each and every day that Christ is risen and we are saved. This is a good way to greet the days of summer.

Peace and Grace,
Confirmation Sunday
We will be confirming four wonderful young people on May 5. Claudia Brown, Riley Schneider, Emily Roehrig and Max Mueller have completed a two-year program of study with emphasis on the Old and New Testaments, the Creeds, how the faith has transformed through the ages, and finally the questions of today and how the Bible addresses those questions.

It has been a pleasure having these fine people in class each week. I will miss them, their questions, their insights, and their laughter. 

To their parents, you have done a superb job preparing your children for adulthood. I hold you in my highest regard.

Pastor Mike
Farewell to Beloved Members
It was with great sadness that we bade farewell to two faithful members: Alice Kinley and Nancy Rusch. They were born into heaven in February and March respectively. Each were able to light up a room when they entered. Each had wisdom and love to share.

Alice, as the longest living member of the church, knew so much church history, her knowledge and love will be greatly missed.

Nancy had a voice that boomed with love and happiness. Her presence will also be missed.

Heaven has been richly blessed with their homecomings. 
Summer Hours
Pastor's Move
Please note that EUCC Summer Office Hours begin on Tuesday, May 28 and run through Thursday, August 30 (Memorial Day - Labor Day):

Tuesday - Thursday
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Thank you
Pastor Sue and I send a grateful and heartfelt thank you to all who have shared well wishes, prayers and food with us after her heart surgery earlier this year. You have made a very difficult time less difficult through the sharing of your blessings.

Thank you all!
Coffee Hosts
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. 

May: Bell Choir

*There is no coffee hour during the summer months*
Pastor Sue and I will be moving from Sheboygan Falls to the Ebenezer parsonage May 10. The Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church decided to appoint Pastor Susan to medical leave from May 1, 2019 through at least May 1, 2020. This means that we need to leave her parsonage by May 8. Sue and I will need many prayers as this was an unexpected appointment. Her heart surgery and now a move have introduced quite a bit of stress into our lives.

Frank and Karen Cmelja deserve many thanks for the wonderful work and love they have given to the parsonage. They have been faithful stewards of the parsonage for the past 5 years. Thank you, Karen and Frank.
Karen and Claudia performing "The Gift of Love" on March 31.
EUCC Ushering Schedule
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.

May:
May 5: Council
May 12: Sunday School
May 19: Eric & Jamie Plate Family
May 26: Robert & Sheri Van Beek Family

June:
June 2: Council
June 9: Zach & Carolyn Platner Family
June 16: Vern & Ann Gasch, Dean & Ellie Papendieck
June 23: Steve & Chris Stenz, Don & Connie Waldvogel
June 30: Don & Donna Pingel, Kimberlee & Jennifer Pringle

If you have any questions about your ushering duties, click here for the instructions.
Mission Education News ...
The Mission Committee would like to thank everyone that helped with our March Rummage Sale. Thank you to Nan, Jeanne, Janet, Ruth, Karen, Bea and Rosemary for all their help sorting, pricing and hauling. Thank you to the Confirmation students and their parents for hauling the items up to the Fellowship hall. And thank you to everyone for bringing items to sell - we made $621.46! All this money goes to the Missions. We would also ask that you do not bring in any more rummage items; we have no plans for another sale at this time .

If you are interested in joining this committee, talk to one of the members! 
Notes from Ebenezer Brass ...
Another year of handbells is coming to a close (last practice is May 22; last performance is May 26). We will start back up again in fall. Anyone interested in joining us? You do not need to know how to read music. 

A big congratulations to Claudia Brown on her Confirmation and for being selected to participate in the National Handbell Ensemble. Way to go, Claudia!!
Notes from the Music Corner ...
As this is being written, Claudia Brown is preparing to participate in the National Honors Handbell Ensemble in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Claudia, with the help of Karen Cmejla, has been working diligently on ten very difficult selections. A weekend of intense rehearsals will culminate with a Sunday afternoon concert in the Washington Pavilion on April 28. By the time this Eagle is published, Claudia will be able to tell us about her experience and, hopefully, a video will be available of the concert . What an amazing experience for Claudia to ring with 29 other top teen bell ringers from all over the United States!

During May worship services, we will be privileged to have several young musical participants. On May 10, Mother's Day, we will have musical offerings from several Sunday School students. Young people, please take note of the article that follows, which invites children to participate in a chorus for the General Synod to be held in Milwaukee. It would be wonderful to have some participants in this special event! Karen Cmejla has prepared a special tribute to the confirmands on May 5. On May 19, Katharina Keller will return to Ebenezer to offer vocal selections. On May 26, the bell choir will conclude their ‘ringing’ season with patriotic music and possibly the song they played at St. John for Mother's Day, one that is a favorite of many of our members.

WOW, do we have a special musical group scheduled for June 30 – watch for details!   
Sunday, June 23, at 2:30 p.m. is the community worship celebration at General Synod 32, which is open to all in the Wisconsin Conference. A children’s mass choir is going to be a part of that service. Children singers in 4th - 8th grades are being sought in the Wisconsin Conference for this choir. There is a specific song national worship leaders want the children to sing. 
 
Sheet music, an audio of the song, and other details will be sent to churches who have committed to having children a part of this choir. A general rehearsal will be held earlier on that Sunday (time to be determined). Mr. Tom Scott, Music Director for General Synod, will be directing this choir. The service will be streamed, so media releases will be required for participating children.
 
If you would like children singers in grades 4 - 8 in your congregation to be a part of this choir, please contact Tom (tscott@hudsonucc.org) by May 1!
Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: April 15, 2019
Opening: The meeting of the Ebenezer Church Council was called to order at 5:35 p.m. by Kari Meyers. 

Present: Pastor Mike, Colleen Marx, Kari Meyers, Vern Gasch, Zach Platner, Andy Hofmeister Barbara DeKerf and Ken Lisowe 

Approval of Agenda: Colleen Marx made a motion to approve the agenda. Ken Lisowe seconded. 

Approval of Minutes: The March 2019 meeting minutes were previously approved via email. 

Treasurer's Report: 
Our March revenue was $13,695.54. Our March expenditures were $11,586.06. Our balance as of March 31 was $335,188.46. Our equity as of March 31 was $89,923.10. Our stocks went up to $33,926.44. Vern Gasch made a motion to move $250,000.00 from our checking account at National Exchange Bank to a money market account. Zach Platner seconded. The motion carried. We will earn $1,500 in interest yearly by making the switch. Colleen Marx made a motion to accept the March financial report. Barb DeKerf seconded. The motion carried. Ken Lisowe made a motion to accept the April bill list, Andy Hofmeister seconded. The motion carried. 

Minister’s Report: Attendance is 69 on average for a Sunday. Averaging $1,950 in weekly contributions. Confirmation is May 5. There will be four confirmands. Pastor is taking vacation May 20-23 and May 28-30. 

Committee Reports 
  • Christian Education and Music: No new news. 
  • Evangelism: Posting sign for flower pots in community. 
  • Mission: The Rummage sale brought in $621.46. There are no plans for another sale at this time. Congregation members should not bring any more items at this time. The committee is looking for members. 
  • Property: A request was made to remodel the bathrooms in the basement. Ken will get quotes. The parsonage will be updated with carpet cleaning and painting prior to Pastor Mike and Pastor Susan moving in. A donation of $1,000.00 will be used to purchase and install a gas stove in the parsonage. 
  • Stewardship: No new news.  
  • Membership: No new news.  
 
Continuing Business: 
  • Church Security: CEC security has ordered the system and will set installation date. Installation will include any wiring that is needed. 
  • Worship service recordings: Zach Platner is the council representative in charge of the recording. Pastor Mike will reach out to those he visits who are not able to come to church to see if they are interested in a recording. Please contact the church office if you desire a recording. 

New Business:  
  • Upcoming changes with Pastor Mike moving into parsonage: Frank and Karen will be moving out on April 26. Pastor Mike will be moving in May 9 - 10. Council will contact Spectrum cable for service at the Parsonage which will be included in the utilities that Ebenezer will pay for. Ebenezer will no longer have to pay property taxes on the parsonage once Pastor Mike moves in. 
  • The new health insurance rate for Pastor Mike and Pastor Susan will be $239/month for Ebenezer which is down from $416.00/month.  
  • Zach Platner made a motion to have St. John continue to pay $8,000/year in a housing allowance for Pastor Mike for a 3-year period. Vern Gasch seconded. The motion carried. 
  • Pastors budgeted mileage allowance will remain $1,000/year for Ebenezer. 

**Next council meeting is on May 19, 2019, at 8 a.m.**

Adjournment: Vern Gasch made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Andy Hofmeister seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm. 

Minutes submitted by:

Colleen Marx 

Approved by: The Church council via email. 
Tod ~ Katy ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha
Arlene ~ Rebecca ~ Vern ~ Marlene
Beverly ~ Rod ~ David ~ James
Jeff ~ Steve ~ Shelly ~ Janice
Pastor Susan ~ Sue ~ Diana ~ Janine

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. 

If you want someone added or removed, please contact the church office . Thank you.
The Wired Word: The final Wired Word was Tuesday, April 30. It has been a fun class with many interesting topics and a handful of duds! 😊 Thank you to all who attended offering questions, answers and inspirations. We’ll see you in September.

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.
Ebenezer Office Hours:
(Labor Day - Memorial Day)
Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
(Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Tuesday - Thursday 9:30 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.
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
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 .
Follow Ebenezer UCC Chilton on Facebook to be sure you're getting the latest news!
Samantha Mitchell: May 1
Donald Pingel: May 1
Ralph Schmid: May 2
Ken Lisowe: May 3
Jennifer Pringle: May 4
Barb Pautz: May 5
Talena Popp: May 6
Stacey Sabish: May 7
Joel Propson: May 9
Joe Dorn: May 11
Connie Waldvogel: May 11
Teagan Sabish: May 12
David McGinnis: May 12
Breanna Cook: May 12
Emily Kolbe: May 12
Paula Pingel-Rona: May 17
Alex Ditter: May 19
David Miller: May 20
Johanna Bechlem: May 24
Lynn Merino: May 30

May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
  • Large Print Bulletins are available every Sunday (including music); please see an usher if you would like a copy!
  • The Mission Committee is looking for some new members; talk to Nan, Jeanne, Janet, Ruth or Karen if interested. Thank you!
  • You are invited to attend the "The Eat Healthy, Be Active Workshop" at Fox Valley Tech. The 6-part series is for those over 60; see the board for dates & times! 
  • Information on the "Know Your Rights Workshops" are on the board.
  • Sunday, May 5, the Evangelism Committee will be meeting at 8:00 a.m. in the Lounge - all are welcome!!!
  • May 5 is Confirmation Sunday!
  • May 5 is the 'Stomp Out Stigma Run/Walk' sponsored by the Chilton High School Suicide Prevention Committee; to learn more and/or to register, see the flyer on the board for details! 
  • May 8 is the St. James UCC (Newton) Brat Fry from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Check the board for details! 
  • The Community UCC (Elkhart Lake) Fish Fry is on May 10; see the flyer on the board for details! 
  • May 12 is the Last Day of Sunday School!
  • Join advocates on May 14 in Madison for the “Aging Advocacy Day!” to help educate state legislators about issues affecting older adults and caregivers in Wisconsin! See the board for information on how to register & receive training! 
  • Saturday, May 19, is the Sunday School Bowling Event from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.!
  • The Memory Café meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month at the Chilton Public Library. See the board for details.  
  • If you are interested in learning more about Fairhaven Senior Services, there are brochures located on the table in the Narthex. 
  • Upcoming events at Lakeland College have been posted to the bulletin board. 
  • Information about The Appleton Visually Impaired Support Group is located on the bulletin board for anyone interested in the topic of vision loss. 
  • The May/June Upper Room devotional guide is available in the Narthex book rack. Help yourself!
  • A pew card for those that give electronically is available for placement in the offering plates on Sunday morning. 
  • Please call the office to schedule any needed appointments with Pastor Mike.
  • EUCC will be video recording select worship services; please contact the church office for details. 
The EUCC Calendar can be viewed online anytime at: https://churchtraconline.com/public_calendar?ui=FDBEB63