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1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL
(773) 561-8496
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"At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.
"
See you Sunday!
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Morning Prayer:
God of timeless grace, you fill us with joyful expectation. Make us ready for the message that prepares the way, that with uprightness of heart and holy joy we may eagerly await the kingdom of your Son, Jesus Christ, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
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Evening Prayer:
Laboring God, with axe and winnowing fork you clear a holy space where hurt and destruction have no place, and a little child holds sway. Clear our lives of hatred and despair, sow seeds of joy and peace, that shoots of hope may spring forth and we may live in harmony with one another. Amen.
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Prayer with Children:
Dear Jesus
,
you teach us to give thanks for the good things we have in life. Help us to remember that your love and the people we love are the most important of all. Amen.
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In our prayers:
Bruce and Margo, David, Michael, Ben, Linda, Dave, Michele, Wayne, Judy, Frank, Johanna, Ruth, Mal, Ashley, Allison, Kare, Pat, Dem, Jody, John and Sharon, Debbie, Velda, Howard, Gloria, Paul, Kevin, Brian, Belita, Dick, Barbara, Chuck, Susan
.
We also pray for our Bishops, Elizabeth and 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
.
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This Week's Commemorations
Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, died 397
Saturday, December 7, 2019
While a governor of northern Italy, Ambrose was elected bishop of Milan on the same day he was baptized. He was a famous preacher, a writer of hymns we still sing today, and helped lead St. Augustine to faith.
Lucy, martyr, died 304
Friday, December 13, 2019
Lucy was a young Christian of Sicily who was martyred during the persecutions under Emperor Diocletian. Her celebration became particularly important in Sweden and Norway, perhaps because the feast of Lucia (whose name means "light") originally fell on the shortest day of the year.
John of the Cross, renewer of the church, died 1591
Saturday, December 14, 2019
John was a member of the Carmelite monastic order, and worked to reform it. His writings reflect a deep interest in mystical thought and meditation.
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We gather on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for faith formation, learning, and spiritual growth.
Childcare IS available!
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Dec. 8 and 15: Advent Bible Series.
Join Ralph Conrad for a study of the biblical texts for Advent about John the Baptist, Mary, and Elizabeth, and of course, Jesus!
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Caroling This Sunday
Friends from Ebenezer will gather in the Cafe following worship to prepare for an afternoon of caroling. All are welcome!
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Advent Evening Prayer
There will be an Advent Evening Prayer Service each of the 3 Wednesdays of Advent
(December 4, 11, and 18)
Join us in the sanctuary at 7:00 pm
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Visioning Worskshop Saturday, Dec. 7., 12:30 - 3:45 P.M.
We have exciting times ahead as God leads this church. YOU have exciting opportunities to serve God and enrich your life and the lives of those around you.
Join us for a Saturday afternoon together seeking God’s guidance in our ministry.
Everyone
in the congregation is invited to participate, including young adults and youth. Please do encourage others to participate. RSVP to
council@ebenezerchurch.org
or contact Jessica Daniels to help us prepare.
Supervised childcare will be provided for kids, toddlers and little ones during the session.
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Senior Lunch December 19
Our next senior lunch will be on Thursday, Dec. 19th at noon. We will be meeting in the Cafe (below the sanctuary ). Pastor Michael will bring the main course and attendees who want can bring side dishes and or dessert. After lunch we will be discussing what Christmas means to us and singing Christmas carols.
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Children’s Message Volunteers
We love to tell the story! That’s how we feel as we get ready for Children’s Message. We would be happy to expand our list of Children’s Message volunteers. We just ask you prepare a short message to present to our youngest or young at heart congregants, based on one of the week’s bible lessons. The rotation is based upon the number of volunteers. Right now we have 6 members. If you have any questions see Rick Stuckey or Pastor Michael or email
Rick.
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It is time for our second annual Ebenezer Congregational Survey!
This 10-minute survey is intended to help us see who we are and what we value, both as individuals and as a body of Christ. We will not be using this for
any
purposes outside Ebenezer Lutheran Church.
No identifying information is being collected. Your answers will be totally anonymous, so we're asking you to be as thoughtful and honest as possible. And we encourage each member of a household (even the kids!) to fill the survey out independently, to ensure that our picture of our congregation is as complete as possible.
Your participation will help Ebenezer create and strengthen our bold and loving vision!
Please click
here
to take the survey, or -- if you would prefer -- there are paper copies available in the narthex. The survey will be open until
Sunday, December 1
.
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Mental Health Matters
Ebenezer Mental Health Team
Physical and mental health is an essential component of a Christian vocation and is God's intention for every human being. It is vital to our well-being and helps strengthen relationships and enhance our Christian service in our communities and world.
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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.
Glogg & Carols at Simon's Tavern, 7 p.m. (21+ young adults) and Apps at Lady Gregory's, 8:15 p.m. (18+ young adults). Tuesday, Dec. 17. Appetizers will be covered. Drinks and dinner are on your own.
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Lucia Bun Baking
Saturday, December 7th, join Ebenezer members as we make traditional Lussekatter to be served at the annual Sankta Lucia Festival at Ebenezer. The process will start at 8:00am in the dining room and go through noon. No baking experience necessary!
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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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Techny Conference Center, Techny, IL
Cost $90 Scholarships available
All are Welcome! Learning and fun for children on Saturday. Donations appreciated.
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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.
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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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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Ebenezer Tutoring Program
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
if you are able to help with a meal.
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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!
Dec. 16 –
The Foundling: The true Story of a Kidnapping, a Family Secret, and My Search for the Real Me
by Paul Joseph Froncziak
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Ebenezer Parents Group
Join us for a gathering of parents of infants and toddlers. 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
.
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Share your photo memories with Ebenezer
Ebenezer Archives is creating a digital library of your photos and videos. If you have Ebenezer photos or videos on your phone, on your accounts like Facebook or Instagram, or on your personal computer, please share them by emailing
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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
Norm Dynneson
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Community and Announcements
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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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Fall 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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