Ebenezer United Church of Christ |
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Pastor’s Corner
Sunday, April 17 we will proclaim and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. How does Jesus’ resurrection change you? Let me share how the resurrection changes me.
Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection has many meanings for Christians, one of which is that Jesus is showing us “the way.” This way is a path of dying to your old self and being reborn to a new self. This way is leaving behind old maybe harmful ways and behaviors. The new way is found through opening yourself to new ways of living. Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) Thus, the resurrection experience, “the way,” is lived out each day.
If this seems to be a bit too difficult, Jesus never said it was an easy path to follow. There will be choices to make each day. How will you treat your spouse when the day has been long and you’re feeling tired and sick? Will you tell your children you love them or tell them to “shut-up?” How will you respond to the rude coworker? When a “little white lie” is the easy way out will you tell it or the truth? Will you pass along the latest gossip? When it is easier to stay home than to help at the church sale, which path will you choose? Will you watch TV or will you read a chapter from the Bible? Will you stay home or attend the Bible study? Will you tithe or will you not?
These are just a few of the practical, everyday choices you will face when you follow Jesus on “the way.” Deeper than these examples is the new way in which you will see the world. Your world view will change. Is the world a dark place where there is violence and treachery at every turn, a place where you must look out for yourself first because no one else will look out for you? Is the world a place of evil that must be tolerated until you are finally released and taken up to heaven? Or, is the world a place that was created good and remains a place where we meet the presence of the Holy One each day? Is this life a gift from God filled with blessings, which is treated with care and love? Does each new day offer a chance to build a stronger, deeper relationship with God through Jesus?
The resurrection changes me because I know what I did or did not do yesterday does not forever define me in the eyes of God. I have a new chance at life each day because of the resurrection. Each day I can become more completely the person God intends me to be. Each day I can live “the way” in a more meaningful way because I have grown the day before in my relationship with Jesus. I can become a better Christian because through the resurrection I have been given a second chance.
Easter offers us new life with new blessings. Will you accept it?
See you on Easter morning.
Amen.
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The kids’ mission project for this school year is to load up our Blessing Box with soup for our community. Every week we’ve been receiving cans and cans of every variety of soup you could ask for. But we’ve not been able to put those cans into the Blessing Box during the very hot or the very cold days of the seasons because the extreme temperatures may compromise the quality of the food inside. Earlier this month Addison Brown helped to shop for dried soup mixes with the cash donations that we have received. We bought Walmart completely out of every flavor of soup mix they had on their shelves, as well as several cases of Ramen noodles. We now have enough soup to stock the box until the temperatures warm up so the cans can be added. Thank you, Addison, for your help and thank you Sunday School families for your generosity. This has turned into a really “souper” project for our kids. |
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The 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class, along with Don Pingel, sang the spiritual “Amen” on March 20. It got everyone’s toes tapping. Thanks, singers! |
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Notes from the Music Corner |
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It was a wonderful addition to have Don Pingel conclude the Pastoral Prayer by singing the “Lord’s Prayer” from the balcony on March 6. It was especially gratifying after the lung issues Don was having about one year ago. We were also privileged to have him sing the solo verses for the hymn, “Amen”, that was sung on March 20. A special ‘thank you’ also goes to the fifth and sixth grade Sunday School class for leading the congregation in singing “Amen”! We may not have a choir but it sure was wonderful to blend everyone’s voices to tell the story of Christ’s ministry on earth!!!
It is always interesting to see the different techniques the bell choir uses. For their anthem, “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me”, played on March 13, they did a ‘singing bell’ technique. This used a wooden dowel gently touching the bell and then circling it to make it ‘sing’. This is not easy to do correctly! Thank you bell choir for your dedication. Besides the ‘singing bell’ they will occasionally ‘mart’, ‘pluck’, ‘ring –touch’, ‘thumb damp’, etc. . It is always enlightening to watch, as well as listen to them ring. We’ll look forward to hearing and watching them ring for Easter.
At the time this article is being written, we are looking forward to the Pine Haven Men’s Chorus, however, by the time you are reading this we hope you attended and were inspired by the joyous vocal presentation on March 27. This group truly enjoys singing praises to the Lord and, hopefully, you were in attendance to feel that spirit.
The music for Lent helps us to follow Jesus’ journey to the cross. We are grateful to have St. John’s Chancel Choir participate in the April 14th Maundy Thursday worship at Ebenezer. The prelude for Easter on April 17th will be played by a St. Paul’s recorder trio. Stephanie Shepherd (rings bells with Ebenezer Brass), Craig Shepherd (Stephanie’s son) and Mark Shubert will be playing an Easter medley which Mark arranged. What joyous music we will be privileged to have with bell choir playing and the congregation singing in full voice!!!
Congratulations to Claudia Brown and Karen Cmejla on the concerts they performed with Silver Lake Conservatory Bell Ensemble. The first concert performed on March 13 was a real thrill because it was done at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay. The second concert was done at Silver Lake Conservatory of Music. This was an exciting example of the music the bells are capable of.
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Notes from the Christian Ed/ Worship Committee Meeting - February 27, 2022
Lent – Easter Schedule
- Palm/Passion Sunday, April 10; Shirley & Nikki have ordered palms
- Maundy Thursday, April 14, 7PM service at Ebenezer; communion
- Good Friday, April 15, 12:30PM service at St. John
- Easter, April 17, 8:45AM (regular time) service at Ebenezer; Communion; no Sunday School
Daylight Saving Time begins March 13
March 27: Pine Haven Men’s Chorus will present a service of song for worship
May 1: Confirmation; 5 to be confirmed at Ebenezer
May 8 / June 19: Shirley and Karen will collaborate to provide Mothers’ & Fathers’ Day tokens
May 15: Last day of Sunday School; presently about 9 attend each Sunday
June 5: Pentecost – suggest everyone attending worship wear red to signify Holy Spirit; Baccalaureate Sunday, please inform the office of any high school or college graduate.
August 21: Sharon Bethel Quartet to participate in worship
The committee highly recommended that children’s time (Pastor Mike’s bag) return with children gathering together in front, also return coffee hour with chairs returned to narthex. This is based on COVID declining.
Committee members present: Pastor Mike (beginning), Shirley Lisowe, Jamie Plate, Kristi Schnell, Chris Stenz, Elaine Hessil
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Bible Readings
I’m sure you have noticed the past few weeks we have had the readings printed in the worship bulletins. I decided to make this change so that it would be easier to follow the reading of the scripture.
When it is time for the reading, the reader says a few words to introduce the reading or themselves. Then we proceed with the reading assuming everyone has located the reading in their Bibles and can hear the reader. These two assumptions are always correct. It takes some time to find the correct page and then find the verses. For most of us by the time we have found the passage, the reader is nearly done with the reading. If you can’t hear the reader, you are completely missing out. Not a good way to dive into the scriptures.
Having the readings in the bulletin allows us to increase the size of the print, making it easier to read and to follow along with the reader.
I hope you enjoy this change and that it helps you to worship each Sunday.
Pastor Mike
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One Great Hour of Sharing Offering
Thank you so very much to those of you that were able to donate for this offering.
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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.
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April
April 3: Council
April 10: Ken
April 17: Council
April 24: Ralph
May
May 1: Council
For questions on ushering duties please click here.
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We are currently in the process of getting bids to renovate the downstairs bathrooms. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to those who have donated already! |
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Eagle Articles
Eagle articles are due April 19th. Please have them in at that time. We like to get them out to members before the end of the month. Thank you for your help on this!!
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VIRTUAL SERVICE
If you are unable to make it to service, you are welcome to view the service Live on Facebook. As a reminder, you can always tune into 95.5 within a block of the church during the service!
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Scrip: If you are in need of Scrip, please let Kelly know. If you are interested in re-loadable cards and direct pay to avoid contact, there is a small fee for credit card charge and bank withdrawal.
Kelly Brown
920-418-0351
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Arlene ~ Audra ~ Audrey Da’Monique~ Da’Nisha ~ Ellie
Dean ~ Diana ~ Kari
Pastor Sue ~ Rebecca ~ Janice Rod~ Carrie ~ Steve ~ Tod
Tony ~ Vern ~ Dennis~Glen
Joan and Family~ Stephanie
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.
Thank you.
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Administrative Assistant - Nikki:
(920) 849-4331
Administrative Hours:
Monday: 9-2:30p
Wednesday: 9-2:30p
Please note: Nikki is not always in the office and often works from home but the phones are forwarded to her. You may contact her via email as well.
Pastor Michael Safford - Kennedy:
Cell: (920) 286-1956
Hours:
Monday: 9-12p
Tuesday: 9-4p
Wednesday 1-3p
Thursday 9-12p
The office phone messages are checked during office hours; if you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Mike at (920) 286-1956 or via email.
If you have a non-emergency, send the office an email or leave a voicemail.
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Judie Giebel 4/1
Dexter Sattler 4/1
Zach Platner 4/3
Rosemary Daun 4/10
Callie Woelfel 4/10
Jason Wagner 4/11
Kari Meyers 4/14
Jamie Plate 4/15
Frank Cmejla 4/16
Colleen Marx 4/18
Meghan Adamietz 4/20
Addison Brown 4/20
Sherry Van Beek 4/21
Sophia Bechlem 4/22
Marshall Head 4/22
James Gleason 4/26
May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
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Men's Group Breakfast: 8:30a on April 14 at 7 Angels.
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Maundy Thursday Service is on April 14 at 7p. Chancel Choir from St. John will be here.
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Good Friday Service is on April 15 at St. John at 12:30p. There is also an Ecumenical Service at Bethel UCC in Ada at 7p
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Easter is April 17. Ebenezer Brass will play during worship service.
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Church Council Meets on April 24 at 11a.
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Eagle Articles are due April 19.
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Women's Guild Breakfast 9a on April 21 at 7 Angels
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Wired Word is on Tuesdays at 10a.
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Confirmation Classes are on Wednesday nights at 5:30p.
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Bell Choir Practices are on Wednesday nights at 6:30p.
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Ebenezer Council Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2022 at 11a
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Members present: Joan Woefel, Dean Papendieck, Mark Rusch, Don Pingel, and Karen Cmejla. Missing: Dennis Winkler, Stacy Freund and Pastor Mike.
Vice president, Joan Woelfel, called the meeting to order and said the opening prayer.
Dean Papendieck stated the financial report. Don Pingel made a motion to accept the financial report and Mark Rusch seconded it. Motion carried.
Christian Ed/Worship Committee meeting was held on Feb 27 and the report was handed out to all members present. Bringing back “Coffee Hour” after service and “Children’s Time” with Pastor Mike’s bag back into the service was discussed. Dean Papendieck made a motion to bring back the coffee hour after the service and the children’s time during the service. Don Pingel seconded the motion. Motion carried. Karen stated that Shirley Lisowe and her will be in charge of next week, March 27th, coffee hour when the Pine Haven Men’s Chorus will be here to present a service of song for worship.
There were no other committee reports available.
It was noted that Zach has heard no word from Alber Glass about the stained glass project and Don and Mark will be seeing Ken Lisowe at the next dart ball gathering and inquire about the bathroom remodeling progress.
Presenting Holy communion for shut-ins during the Easter season was discussed. It was stated Pastor Mike will make every effort to do Communion to all the shut-ins during the Easter season but Joan Woelfel is trained and qualified and has volunteered to do communion if Pastor Mike is unavailable. Dean stated that his wife, Ellie, could come along as she has been visiting the shut-ins on a regular basis lately.
COVID rules and regulations were discussed. Karen made a motion that with the decline in numbers of cases, the plexiglass in front of the pulpit could now be taken down and to re-write the COVID regulations that are written in the bulletin. Masks will still be worn during the presentation of communion during service. Don Pingel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Pastor Mike was present toward the end of meeting and presented his Pastoral report.
Mark Rusch made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:39. Don Pingel seconded it. Motion carried.
Next council meeting is April 24th at 11 AM.
Council Approved via email
Respectfully submitted,
Council Secretary,
Karen Cmejla.
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