Worship on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.
January 26, 2020
1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL
(773) 561-8496
 Greetings!
Christ Calling the Apostles Peter and Andrew
Duccio de Buoninsegna, 1308-1311
Third Sunday After Epiphany
"Jesus begins his public ministry by calling fishers to leave their nets and follow him. In Jesus the kingdom of God has come near. We who have walked in darkness have seen a great light. We see this light most profoundly in the cross—as God suffers with us and all who are oppressed by sickness, sin, or evil. Light dawns for us as we gather around the word, the font, and the holy table. We are then sent to share the good news that others may be “caught” in the net of God’s grace and mercy. "

See you Sunday!
Sharing Faith at Home
Morning Prayer: O God, you spoke your word and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ. Fill all creation with that word again, so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen.
Evening Prayer: God of blazing light, through the power of the cross you shattered our darkness, scattering the fears that bind us and setting us free to live as your children. Give us courage and conviction that we may joyfully turn and follow you into new adventures of faithful service, led by the light that shines through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
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.
In our prayers: Jody, John and Sharon,Debbie,Velda,Howard,Gloria,Paul, Kevin, Dick, Barbara, Chuck, Susan, Bruce and Margo, David, Michael, Ben, Linda, Carol, Ben, Scott and Laurie, Sue, Dave, Michele, Jim, Judy, Frank, Johanna, Louis, Ruth, Mal, Ashley, Pam, Jim, Jim, Frank, John, Allison, Ken, Kare, Paul, Dem . We also pray for our Bishops, Elizabeth and Yehiel.
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 Louis, spouse of Vikki Ward-Martin, in physical and occupational therapy.
For John Minor, recovering from surgery.
For Jim, Barbara Ketter's son, who has been hospitalized.
For Jim, Carolyn's son.
This Week's Commemorations
Timothy, Titus, and Silas, missionaries
Sunday, January 26, 2020
These three early Christian men were missionary companions of the apostle Paul. Timothy became bishop of Ephesus, Titus bishop of Crete, and Silas was imprisoned with Paul at Philippi until they were delivered by an earthquake.

Lydia, Dorcas, and Phoebe, witnesses to the faith
Monday, January 27, 2020
Women as well as men were important Christian leaders from the beginning, as demonstrated by these coworkers of the apostle Paul. Lydia, a seller of purple goods, lent her home for a church; Dorcas was known for charitable works; and Phoebe was a deacon in the church at Cenchrae.

Thomas Aquinas, teacher, died 1274
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
One of the most brilliant and creative theologians in the church's history, Aquinas worked to bring together scripture and the philosophy of Aristotle. A member of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), Aquinas was also a hymnwriter.
Ebenezer in Mission
We gather on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for faith formation, learning, and spiritual growth. Childcare IS available!
Jan. 26: Congregational Meeting. We'll gather in the Dining Room to elect council members and receive ministry reports

Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23: "Interested in learning more about “Women in the Old Testament?  A new 4 session adult bible study during community hour to begin next month. The sessions will focus on 4 women of the Old Testament. Through them discovering God working in everyday life and how their lives connect with us today. Session 1 on February 2, “ Call the Midwives .” The sessions will be led by Vikki Ward Martin, MA, MDiv. All adults are welcome.  

February 23 & March 1: What can we do about forgiveness? We know that God forgives. We also know that living as Christians we are to forgive. We say it in the Lord’s Prayer. We also know how hard forgiveness is. Come, as we talk together about how forgiveness works or doesn’t. This 2 week discussion will be based on Lewis Smedes’ book , Forgive & Forget, Healing the Hurts We Don’t Deserve. Sessions will be led by Pastor Ann Hamilton Hicks.
Sunday is Reconciling in Christ Sunday
The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program is for congregations, synods, colleges, seminaries, and other Lutheran organizations and ministry communities who have made a public commitment to welcome, include and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA+) people. By having a statement affirming this welcome that specifically names either, "LGBTQIA+ people" or "people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions" in their statement, these faith communities are accepted into the RIC partnership with ReconcilingWorks. There are now around 910 RIC Partners throughout the United States and Canada. We recommit ourselves these  principles today during our liturgy.
Meet Intern Dan Beirne
Dan (he/him/his) is a Chicago native and the current Program Director for the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program. He went to Valparaiso University, and is a former ELCA missionary, having served in El Salvador for two years from 2007-2009. Dan worked as a translator with the Sister Parish office, and an English teacher during his time in El Salvador. Since then, he has been a youth director, and a Mission Developer for the Metro Chicago Synod. As a Mission Developer, Dan worked with Synod staff to start up Urban Acacia, a young adult urban mission for those who have been injured by, or estranged from, the Church. This was the ELCA’s first Affiliated Mission Community (AMC). 

Dan is passionate about creating authentic spaces for people to gather and encounter God and one another. He is also a passionate musician, wood worker and dog lover (though he does not yet have a dog). His spouse’s name is Asha, and they have been enthusiastically married for about three years. They love to backpack, cook, camp and kayak, and often their dinner discussions consist of where they’re doing one of those things next. Dan is a part time student at LSTC, pursuing a Master in Divinity, and he is “almost done.”
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 to learn how you can get involved and/or to sign up.
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.
Techny Conference Center, Techny, IL
Cost $90 Scholarships available
All are Welcome! Learning and fun for children on Saturday. Donations appreciated.
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. 

Contact Pastor Emily for questions or to sign up. 
SCHOLARSHIPS NEEDED FOR E.C.T. YOUTH RETREAT!
The Edgewater Congregations Together Youth Group and Confirmation Class will be attending the annual Metro-Chicago Synod winter retreat Friday, Feb. 7-Sunday, Feb. 9 at Lutherdale Bible Camp in Elkhorn, WI. During the retreat, youth will learn about and discuss the 10 Commandments and how they apply to our everyday lives, worship together, and have fun.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our youth to get to know one another, meet Metro-Chicago Synod Bishop Yehiel Curry, connect with other Lutheran youth from the Chicago Synod, and get out of the city and experience nature. 

26 E.C.T. Youth will be attending the retreat and 12 youth are in need of scholarship assistance.  (The cost of the trip is $125 per person.) If you would like to help with scholarship assistance, please write a check to "Immanuel Lutheran Church" and write "E.C.T. Youth Scholarship" in the memo. Checks can be placed in the offering plate or placed in Pastor Emily's box in the church office.  
Women's Book Group
Women's Book Group  meets at 7:00 p.m. in the Education Center Cafe. Come join the conversation!

February 17– Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
March 16 – Girl Woman Other by Bernadine Evaristo
April 20 – Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
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
Community and Announcements
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!
Office Hours
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday by appointment
Wednesday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday by appointment
Friday 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
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.
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).
Additional resources are available  suicidepreventionministry.org