Please review the document before attending in-person worship.
I sit in front of the computer facing the hard facts that the COVID-19 has radically changed Thanksgiving celebrations this year, and will also change how we celebrate Christmas at church and at home.

The virus has touched several church members in each church. Some people have experienced COVID-19 in a mild form, and some have been struck down with severe symptoms. Our youth and students have been in quarantine multiple times this school year. The virus is running rampant throughout Northeast Wisconsin. Experts see no immediate changes in our condition other than the pandemic becoming worse in the next couple of months.

Our church councils have worked hard to provide in-person services which are safe; minimum spacing of worshippers of six feet, face masks, hand sanitizing, no singing, restricted seating, and no gathering inside the church. Now we are faced with the most painful decision, what do we do with Christmas services?

It is with great sadness that I say at Ebenezer we will have only one Christmas Eve service at 4:30 p.m. All other services have been cancelled. At St. John, we will have one Christmas Eve service at 7:00 p.m. There will be no Christmas Day services at either church. These were painful decisions to make, no one wanted to limit the services. Family traditions have revolved around attending church services, some even attend late evening services so we could be together when it became Christmas morning.

I stare at the screen and can hardly believe I am typing these words. If you are tempted to become angry with me or council members, please pause for a moment and realize the councils and I are working with the latest recommendations from the CDC and the Wisconsin Conference of the UCC. Every member of the councils and I want to have in-person services with singing and all the parts of a traditional worship service. However, everyone will be in contact with many different people in the days leading up to Christmas and with each contact the chance of catching COVID-19 is increased. The councils and I, cannot in good conscience, risk exposing you to COVID-19 in a setting that is supposed to celebrate the joyous time of Christmas. We are greatly saddened to come to this conclusion

Peace and grace,
Christmas Eve Service ...

The church council has been discussing how to accommodate our congregation on Christmas
Eve while still under the strict requirements due to COVID. Many of you have contacted the
church office to let us know how many are planning to attend from your family.

Right now, the Sanctuary is at capacity as far as how many we can safely have in the pews. Any additional families, who hope to attend, will be led to an overflow area in the Fellowship Hall where the service can be viewed on a TV screen.

If the number of worshippers gets much higher, alternate plans will need to be made in
advance. Please LET US KNOW as soon as possible if you are planning to attend, but have not
yet contacted the office.

We will also have the service transmitted over the radio station so you can listen from the
comfort of your car in the parking lot.

We are hoping that the weather will allow us to gather in the parking lot after the service to sing
some favorite Christmas hymns together, as singing inside is not possible.

Our Christmas Eve service begins at 4:30 p.m.
Serve on the Council!
Our church council will be looking for two people to serve a three-year term beginning in January, 2021. The council meets monthly and is responsible for authorizing and paying bills, discussing any ongoing matters within the congregation, and serve as a liaison with one of the Ebenezer committees. If you are interested in serving our church in this way, please contact Ken Lisowe at (920) 418-0020.
Notes from the Music Corner ...
It is rather difficult to think ahead to Advent and Christmas without singing the familiar songs of the season. As many as possible will be included in the service music. A suggestion has been made to consider humming for the 4:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service, particularly “Silent Night” which is usually at the end of the service. Everyone would be wearing a mask to prohibit the spread of any verbal germs. There would be no need for printed words, just hum the melody and feel the message. The handbell choir will meet on December 2 to possibly organize to ring for Christmas worship. We will look forward to hearing them with whatever they can put together! If there are any instrumentalists that would like to add their talent, please notify Elaine or Jackie.

Continued prayers and well-wishes for Don Waldvogel and for his wife, Connie, as Don continues treatment. Don has been a faithful motivator and bass bell ringer since the handbell choir started. 

Elaine
Annual Report Time!!

Please have all reports for the 2020 Annual Report to the office NO later than Monday, January 4. At this time, how the annual meeting will work is up in the air, but the report booklet will still be done.
Join the Ushering Team!

We could use a few more volunteers to help with the ushering duties. Scheduling should not be more than every six or eight weeks. Obviously the more help we get, the less often you would be scheduled. Please give Shirley Lisowe (920) 418-1675 a call if you would be willing to help out!
Morning Bible Study

Pastor Mike continues to hold a daily morning Bible study Monday through Friday on his YouTube channel. The daily study is posted at 6:15 a.m. and can be viewed any time after that.
Thank You!

Thank you to Shirley Lisowe for the Saturday updates she e-mails. In this time when we isolate, it is so good to bond with communication that keeps us informed and connected. It is a way of staying informed about what is happening in our congregation, both positive and negative. The responses, though few in number, are always enlightening and a way of staying connected. It is almost like Sunday morning ‘coffee hour’ on Saturday! If you would like to receive these e-mails either call Shirley at 920-418-1675 or e-mail her at shirleylisowe@gmail.com.
Ebenezer Brass

Ebenezer Brass will be meeting on Wednesday, December 2 to talk about plans for Christmas Eve service. If anyone has any questions, please call Jill at (920) 418-1534.
Weekly Sermons

Pastor Mike will continue to offer the virtual service for as long as the COVID-19 is a danger to the community. The service is available anytime beginning at 8:45 a.m. Sunday mornings on YouTube and you are also welcome to view the service Live on Facebook.
Be mindful of the symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread:
Thank you to the Dexter Sattler family for the donation of the poinsettias in church!
Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: November 20, 2020
Meeting was called to order at 11:05 a.m.

Present: Ken Lisowe, Zach Platner, Andy Hofmeister, Dennis Winkler, Pastor Mike

Zach Platner made a motion to accept the agenda and last month's minutes. Dennis Winkler seconded that motion, and it carried.

Treasurer's Report:
Dennis Winkler made a motion to approve the treasurer's report. Zach Platner seconded that motion, and it carried.

Pastor's Report:
  • Wired Word postponed until further notice
  • Confirmation classes are being done via Zoom
  • Pastor has a morning prayer time on his YouTube channel. The lessons/prayers are released at 6:15 a.m.
  • Virtual worship services are Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m.
  • We averaged around 20 people for in-person service attendance last month

Committee Reports:
  • Christian Ed Committee:
  • Motivational emails sent to teachers and parents
  • Weekly lesson emailed to each child
  • Did Trick or Treat bags (special thanks to Zach Platner)
  • Can also do Christmas Treat bags

Old Business:
  • Gutter helmets for parsonage are on schedule. Sidewalks on hold for now

New Business:
  • COVID data is still not good. County Health Department, as well as UCC Wisconsin Conference don't recommend services.
  • There was discussion about seeking new church council members for the coming year.
  • There was discussion about a request for a donation from the UCC Wisconsin Conference. Zach Platner made a motion to donate to the UCC Wisconsin Conference for Community of Practice Program. Dennis Winkler seconded that motion, and it carried.
  • There was discussion about a slight increase to our property insurance. Andy Hofmeister made a motion to accept a 1.2% increase to property insurance for terrorism premium. Dennis Winkler seconded that motion, and it carried.
  • The Women's Guild made a donation to OCWM.
  • There was discussion about the Christmas Eve service and what to do if more than our capacity at church come.

**The next church council meeting was moved to Sunday, December 13, 2020.**

Dennis Winkler made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Andy Hofmeister seconded that motion, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:11 p.m.

Minutes Submitted by:
Andy Hofmeister
Approved by: The Church council via email. 
Tod ~ David ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha ~ Vern 
Pastor Sue ~ Zachary ~ Da'Monique ~ Terry
DeKerf Family ~ Norm ~ Patrice ~ Shirley
Diane ~ Arlene ~ Rebecca ~ Vern ~ Gary
David ~ Audrey ~ Rod ~ Jeff ~ Kathy ~ Sharon
Steve ~ Janice ~ Ryann ~ Diana ~ Betty ~ Virginia
Don ~ Terri Ann ~ Mary ~ Bob ~ Audra ~ Kari

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.
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
Ebenezer Office Hours:
*Until further notice, the church office remains closed.*

(920) 849-4331
(the office phone messages are not monitored daily; if you have an emergency, contact Pastor Mike on his cell phone. If you have a non-emergency, send the office an email. )
Pastor's Cell Phone: (920) 286-1956
Follow Ebenezer UCC Chilton on Facebook to be sure you're getting the latest news!
Dennis Winkler: December 1
Blake Carle: December 1
Beverly Baltz: December 1
Mark Rusch: December 1
Glen Pingel: December 2
Wyatt Schneider: December 2
Chelsa Schneider: December 3
Tyler Giebel: December 3
Rita Pingel: December 5
Kerry Duchow: December 6
Kristi Schnell: December 6
Judy Kurscheidt: December 6
Noel Kuhn: December 8
Nick Kuhn: December 8
Christopher: Marx December 14
Jeanne Keuler: December 15
Brian Adamietz: December 19
Heidi Pringle: December 20
Janet Andrews: December 21
Norman Pautz: December 21
Sandy Marx December: 23
Tricia Roehrig: December 25
Logan Platner: December 28
Serenity Ditter: December 29
Gretchyn Goodrich: December 30
Dean Papendieck: December 30
Riley Roehrig: December 30
Robert Van Beek: December 30
Kourtney Payne: December 30

May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
  • Christmas Eve Worship Service at EUCC will be at 4:30 p.m.
  • The Delightfully Calumet, Inc. Holiday Light Show will be held in December 2020 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday's in December from 5:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Admission is a can food donation.
  • Are you looking for ways to get involved in a religious studies community during your time at college? Do you have a passion to speak out for justice in our communities and world? Lakeland University offers a full-tuition scholarship competition opportunity to students with these interests called the Ulrich Scholars Scholarship Program. Apply at lakeland.edu/portal
  • The November/December Upper Room is available in the Narthex.
  • December 2: Ebenezer Brass Meeting 6:00 p.m.
  • Join the EUCC men for breakfast on Thursday, December 10 @ 7 Angels at 8:30 a.m.!
  • The Christmas Fund Special Offering will be on Sunday, December 20.
  • Monday, January 4, 2021: All Annual Reports due to the office.