|
|
Ebenezer United Church of Christ
October 2019 Eagle Newsletter
|
|
Greetings all,
October calls us to begin the most hectic time of the year. We start preparing for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We picture days and nights with goblins and ghouls, Thanksgiving feasts, peaceful snow, and children running and laughing through the day and night. We also spend some of the time looking back over the year wondering where it went. It sometimes seems as if we are so busy looking forward, we never get the chance to look back to see where we’ve been.
This month, before all the activity of the autumn, take time to remember those people who have been a blessing to you. Tell them they have been a blessing. Thank God for them and then thank them face-to-face if you can. If distance keeps you apart, jot them a note (not an e-mail, write a note so they see your handwriting) or call them via Skype. Thank God for all the blessings you have received through the year. Too often we let people go through our lives and neglect to mention to them they have been a blessing. We fail to mention specifically how they have changed our lives. This month thank at least one person a week who has been a blessing to you.
For some of you this has been a difficult year: the death of family members, loss of a job, estrangement from adult children, diminishing health, increasing stress, wondering if God is punishing you or has forgotten about you. If I may take a metaphor and literalize it for a moment: God is my rock and refuge. If I am standing next to my rock and fog rolls in so thick that I cannot see the rock does this mean my rock has abandoned me? Of course not. As time moves forward the fog lifts and my rock has remained steadfast, unmoved by the fog. God remains by your side during these difficult months. Don’t be afraid to tell someone how you feel. There is so much pressure in the culture to feel happy and to act happy that if you are sad you feel estranged from society. Speak to your friends about your feelings. Speak to God about the sadness in your heart. There is no shame in feeling sad. Seek a partner to walk with during these days leading to Christmas and the New Year.
Take time this month to sit and remember. Mourn and rejoice. Offer praise to God who gives us all good things.
Peace and grace,
|
|
Stewardship
As we return from a summer spent at the lake, visiting family across the state or the country, and family reunions, it’s time to return focus to the church. The church needs volunteers for just about every part of the church life. I know it’s tough to volunteer because the unknown of what might await you is powerful and sometimes a scary thought. If this is what is keeping you from helping out, please be assured we help our volunteers understand just what is needed and how to do it. We will never leave you on your own with no idea what to do, how to do it and when it needs to be done.
The church budget: The Council starts looking at the church budget in the autumn. We ask ourselves what we are trying to do as a church and how best can we do this and how much money will it take to do it. The Council examines every aspect of the budget because we know you want your offerings to be spent well, on important ministries, and vital items to keep the church functioning at a high level.
Sometimes the church counts it as a success when we reduce the budget from the previous year. This is a success if we find more efficient ways to do ministry. Our church budget needs to rise if we are to create new ministries to touch families and individuals who need our help. To increase our effectiveness in the community, we sometimes need to increase our budget. Increasing spending is something that is never taken lightly by the Council.
Please prayerfully consider how you can help the church grow this coming year through volunteerism, ideas for reaching into the community, and how to grow the budget.
|
|
Please note that the doors are programmed on Sunday morning as follows:
7:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. - open
8:51 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. - closed
9:46 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. - open
Beginning in September, the doors will also be open the following time on Wednesday night to accommodate Ebenezer Brass and Confirmation:
5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
If you have any questions about the current door schedule, please contact
Pastor Mike. If you need the doors adjusted for a specific date/time, please contact the
office.
|
Faith Formation(Bible Study)
The Wired Word returned to Ebenezer Tuesday, September 24 at 10:00 am. During the class, we will spend 90 minutes looking deeply into an item in the news. Judging from our conversations from last year we’ll have a great new year.
Everyone is welcome to come to the class. Each week’s topic is different so you can miss a week and not be lost. The cost of the class is free, all you need to bring is a Bible and if you don’t have one, we have plenty for you to choose from.
Beginning Thursday, September 19 at 6:30 we’ll be introducing a new Bible study.
"Moses," one of the great prophets of the Old Testament and the kid who was found in a basket floating in the river Nile, is much more than the subject of a few cute Sunday School stories. We’ll have a video to lead us through the study. Pastor Susan has volunteered to lead the class that will be held at the Parsonage.
Please sign up for the class in the Narthex and we’ll get a book ordered for you. Can’t attend every class? Don’t worry, each lesson is a stand-alone lesson so you can still be part of the class even if you can’t attend each class.
|
New Member Class
A New Member class will be offered
Tuesday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m. (
note that the date has been changed to the 8th; it was previously reported as the 1st). Anyone interested in joining Ebenezer is welcomed to attend.
|
|
A reminder that the following office hours will continue through the New Year:
Tuesday – Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Pastor Mike and Ruth (THANK YOU!!!) will be handling all office tasks while Jackie is out September 11 – October 10.
|
Coffee Hour Sponsors
October: Property Committee
November: Evangelism Committee
December: Church Council
January: Women's Guild
February: Mission Committee
March: Church Council
April: Worship/Christian Education Committee
May: Bell Choir
|
Confirmation Class
Confirmation began Wednesday, September 18 at 5:30 p.m. This year we will be studying the New Testament with a concentration in the Gospels. We’ll look into the other books, letters, and histories. The New Testament is so much more than the familiar stories we remember from Sunday school and perhaps even an occasional sermon.
The Confirmands will be assisting in the Sunday services through the scripture readings and the unexpected sharing of something that we talked about the previous Wednesday.
Parents, you are invited to stop in and watch the class. You are also invited to help me teach the class through a story or something else to share which would help the students understand a lesson.
Confirmation is one of the highlights of my week. I look forward to spending time with the youth. I like teaching them and I like when they teach me.
|
A Big Thank You
We asked, and you came through! We were looking for a rug for the Sunday School rooms and we got that - and more. Thanks to those who so generously donated to help meet our needs.
Shirley
|
|
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.
October:
October 6: Council
October 13: Sunday School
October 20: Don & Donna Pingel, Kimberlee & Jennifer Pringle
October 27: James & Penni Gleason Family
November:
November 3: Council
November 10: Sunday School
November 17: Zach & Carolyn Platner Family
November 24: Robert & Sheri Van Beek Family
If you have any questions about your ushering duties,
click here for the instructions.
|
|
We kicked off our Sunday School year on September 8 at an early 8:00 a.m. We were so happy to see all our returning students and teachers and especially happy to welcome several new students and four new volunteers. The mission project for this school year will be collecting “kid Band-Aids” - those with colorful superhero or cartoon characters, or even fancy glittery ones. It’s been proven that kids recover faster when their spirits are lifted by these fun Band-Aids instead of the plain tan ones. We are partnering with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to provide them with as many as we are able to collect throughout the year. If anyone in our congregation would like to join our project, we’d love your help. All we ask is that you check to be sure these Band-Aids are latex free.
We’re off to an exciting year. Thanks to Melissa Kuhn, Ashley Porsche, Terra Head and Tami Brown who will join our returning teachers, Kristi Schnell and Shirley Lisowe. Any interest in being an occasional sub? Please let Shirley know and we’ll keep you in mind. Once in a while we may need your help.
|
|
Annual Brat Fry Fundraiser
|
|
It’s that time of year again when we have our Annual Brat Fry fundraiser at the Heritage Orchard Apple Farm in conjunction with the Rural Arts Roadshow. This year the dates are Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th. We are looking for volunteers to help serve a shift or two on either of those days.
If you have a couple of hours to spare on either of those days, or even if you could make a cash donation to go toward food and supplies, please contact the
church office
or contact Karen Cmejla at 920-375-0244. The proceeds from this fundraiser get split up between the several different organizations within our own church.
PLEASE support your own church. Any questions, please contact committee chairperson, Karen Cmejla.
Thank you.
Karen Cmejla
|
|
Notes from the Music Corner ...
|
|
It was great to have the bell choir, Ebenezer Brass, return for a new season on September 22. Their medley of two familiar hymns gave the congregation a time of reflection. THANK YOU to the ten dedicated ringers and director, Jill, for faithfully giving of their time for rehearsal every Wednesday and Sunday ringing. It is always great to have returning ringers plus two new members, Tom and Allen Birschbach. They continue to welcome new ringers. Their planned schedule is to ring at St. John UCC the 2nd Sunday and Ebenezer UCC the 4th Sunday of every month.
Thank you to Ann Arbuckle for joining Elaine to offer a piano – organ duet for rally Sunday on September 8. Ann has studied organ at Silver Lake College and is presently an organist at Holy Rosary in New Holstein and St. Gregory’s in St. Nazianz. She also is a regular ringer with Ebenezer Brass. We are grateful for her diligence and musical background.
|
|
Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: September 15, 2019
|
|
Opening:
The meeting of the Ebenezer Church Council was called to order at 8:02 am by Kari Meyers.
Present:
Colleen Marx, Kari Meyers, Vern Gasch, Andy Hofmeister Ken Lisowe. Pastor Mike, Barb DeKerf and Zach Platner
Approval of Agenda:
Ken Lisowe made a motion to approve the agenda. Barb DeKerf seconded. The motion carried.
Approval of Minutes:
The August 2019 meeting minutes were previously approved via email with the correction of the next council meeting date of 09/15/2019.
Treasurer’s Report:
Colleen Marx made a motion to approve the September bill list, Andy Hofmeister seconded. The motion carried.
Minister’s Report:
Attendance is 65 on average for a Sunday. The UCC Wisconsin Conference Health Insurance fund will end December 31
st
. All of the teaching ministries start in the next week.
Committee Reports
- Christian Education and Music: No new news.
- Evangelism: No new news.
- Mission: No new news.
- Property: A basement window will be replaced. The PA system needs repair. At the next council meeting, we will discuss replacing the west sidewalk and refreshing the basement space and bathrooms.
- Stewardship: No new news.
- Membership: No new news.
Continuing Business:
- Pastor Mike’s Health Insurance: Pastor will bring in a hard copy of his health insurance premium amount to put on file at Reinl accounting.
- Pastoral visitation card: Cards were approved but should be a larger 3X5 card.
New Business:
- Bat mitigation: There have been bats found in the church. Ken will contact a Bat removal consultant.
- Safe Church Forms: Council members took home forms to review and discuss at next council meeting.
*Next council meeting is on October 20, 2019, at 8 a.m.*
Adjournment: Vern made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Barb seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 a.m.
Minutes submitted by:
Colleen Marx
Approved by: The Church council via email.
|
|
Tod ~ David Daun ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha ~ Terri
Arlene ~ Rebecca ~ Vern ~ Marlene
Beverly ~ Rod ~ Jeff ~ Steve ~ Janice ~ Ryann
Diana ~ Betty ~ Kathy ~ Don ~ Mark ~ Kevin
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.
|
Visitation List: If you know someone who is ill/homebound that you would like to add to Pastor Mike's Visitation List,
please contact the office (include a contact number and address).
Building Use Form:
If you would like to use the 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:
(through the New Year)
Tuesday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
*Note that Jackie will be out of the office starting September 11, returning on October 15; Pastor Mike & Ruth (THANK YOU!!!!) will be covering the office during her absence.
(920) 849-4331
Pastor's Ebenezer Hours:
Monday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (September 17 - October 8)
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 NONE (September 17 - October 8)
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
*Pastor Mike will be on vacation October 14 & 15*
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
.
|
|
Garrett Ditter: October 1
Donna Pingel: October 1
Dawson Kuhn: October 2
Gabriel Goodrich: October 2
Tony Hintz: October 3
Elaine Hessil: October 4
Kay Hertel: October 8
Krysta Roehrig: October 9
Sue Verrier: October 11
Shirley Ramey: October 15
Oliver Porsche: October 16
Delmar Riesterer: October 18
Vernon Thede: October 19
Mackenzie Brown: October 21
Kelly Goodrich: October 21
Sterling Brown: October 21
Kurt Knoespel: October 24
Steve Dvorak: October 25
Ann Gasch: October 26
Riley Schneider: October 28
Aubrey Plate: October 28
Gerald Pagel: October 30
Trinity Kubichka: October 30
Kelly Kloehn: October 31
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.
- A list of needed items for Pillars Adult & Family Shelter has been added to the board.
- The Memory Cafe meets on the second Thursday of the month at the Chilton Public Library - see the board for details!
- Did you know the Chilton Library delivers? See the flyer on the board for details!
- Bethel UCC is hosting a Chili Supper on Wednesday, October 2; see the board for info!
- Sunday, October 6 will be the Neighbors in Need Offering. Cards will be placed in the pews for September 29, and in the bulletins September 29 and October 6.
- A New Member Class will be offered Tuesday, October 8 (note date change from October 1) at 6:30 p.m., in the church lounge. Anyone interested in joining Ebenezer is welcome to attend.
- The Annual Brat Fry fundraiser held at the Heritage Orchard Apple Farm during the Rural Arts Roadshow is October 11 and October 12.
- Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Appleton will be featuring organ recitalist, Andrew Schaeffer, on October 18 at 7 p.m.; see board for more details!
- Emergency Relief is needed in the Bahamas for victims left stranded without food, clean water, or medical care from Hurricane Dorian. If you want to help, you can donate online or send a check made payable to Food For The Poor, Inc. to: 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073.
- Brochures are on the Narthex table regarding Fairhaven Senior Services.
- Information about The Appleton Visually Impaired Support Group is located on the bulletin board for anyone interested in the topic of vision loss.
- The September/October 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
