Ebenezer United Church of Christ

October Eagle Newsletter

Pastor’s Corner   It is hard to believe that summer is over. It seems that the passage of time accelerates during the warm months. We try to fit so much into a day or a week that the time flies by and before we know it the days are growing noticeably shorter, we are closing the windows, and turning on the furnace as autumn arrives with its promise of coming snow. Where does life go?   Each day we are given many blessings. Some of these we cherish and some we barely notice but all of them help to make our lives blessed by our God. Each day we are given a chance to grow deeper in our relationship with our Lord. Do you make the time in a typical day or week to spend time with God? At the end of the summer, do you have fond memories of vacations but an empty place where God could have been? It is so easy to forget God as you play with the kids, explore the pumpkin patch, take a hayride, or hike the trail. Making the preparations for these activities takes time and energy. Speaking with God takes time and energy as well. Did you devote sufficient time and energy to God this summer? Will you devote time in your day this autumn?   The practice of daily time with God is one of our most common spiritual disciplines. Daily Bible reading, prayer, and simply becoming aware of God’s blessings are examples of how to practice this spiritual discipline. When we spend part of each day with God, we find it is easier to experience the Holy Spirit in all places of our lives.   Invite God along with you on your next trip. (God is coming along with you whether you have invited God or not.) Place God in your life this autumn and experience the beauty and peace of wholeness with the Creator.       Peace,

Sunday School Corner

The kids have returned! Our Sunday School students and teachers met for the first time this school year on September 12th. We gathered as a group in the sanctuary and then after a short time together, broke out into our individual classes so everyone could get to know each other a little bit better. We put the responsibility of choosing our mission project for the year on our 5th and 6th graders. They were presented with two options and asked to vote on their favorite. They decided that “It’s Going to be a Soup-er Year!” We will be accepting cans of soup or dry soup mixes to be added to Ebenezer’s Blessing Box or given to the Salvation Army in Chilton. Any cash offerings will be used to purchase soup at the end of the school year. We’ll be doing all we can to keep everyone safe as we meet, and we believe that we’ll be blessed with a great year together.

Notes from the Music Corner

African- American spirituals are a special part of our religious musical repertoire. They truly are American folk songs. Despite their physical captivity, the enslaved of antebellum America expressed their emotions and sense of strong rhythm to express their beliefs and helped them survive the hard labor. Most of the spirituals are based on characters and stories from the Bible. It is amazing to think this music was not initially written down but passed on as they worked and gathered.  The hymn that was sung for September 19 worship permitted the slaves to sing” Glory, Glory Hallelujah since I laid my burdens down” in anticipation of their emancipation. Likewise, we can sing these spirituals with the same vigor and emotion for today’s setting.  The September 26 prelude was “Rock-a My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham” to coincide with the theme for that day, “Courage for Community”.  How many Spirituals can you recall?  Let me know if you have any favorites that you would like to have included in worship.                                                                    **A Special Thank you to Claudia Brown and Karen Cmejla for adding bell accompaniment to the hymn "God of Grace and God of Glory" on September 26. It certainly made "Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage" more vibrant as we sang it!                              Elaine

Notes from Bell Choir

We're back! We will be back in October to enhance your church experience with music.   Ebenezer Brass has been through a lot over the past year. We lost a very big part of our family, Don Waldvogel. He will be missed by all of us.     We are a "small but mighty" group. We do have one new member, Megan.  She is the Band Director at New Holstein High School. Welcome Megan!   Anyone interested in joining us?  Practices are Wednesday night from 6:30 to 7:30. If you have any questions, please contact Jill Sippel at 920-418-1534.  

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. October October 3: Council October 10: Mark October 17: Kelly October 24: Andy October 31: Zach November November 7: Council For questions on ushering duties please click here.

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Reader Schedule for October

Below is the upcoming reader schedule for the month of October October October 3: Mason October 10: Pastor Mike October 17: Spencer October 24: Aiden October 31: Carson November November 7: Caleb

Confirmation News

Confirmation has returned to the calendar. We have five young men at Ebenezer, all in their second, and final year, of Confirmation. We have three young women at St. John, two are new students and one is beginning her second year.   We will begin by combining the classes, meeting at Ebenezer at 5:30p on Wednesdays. As the year progresses, we will look at shifting the meeting place to St. John. Since we are meeting in person, I will be monitoring the COVID-19 numbers each week. (The number of active cases in Calumet County have dropped in each of the past two weeks.)   In past years, the Confirmands were the scripture readers most Sundays. We’ll be starting this again in each church starting Sunday, October 3.

Prayer List Update It has been awhile since the prayer list has been updated and we are in the process of doing that at the present time. The names listed below are in question of being removed. If any of these names should remain on the Prayer List or can be removed, please call the church office at 920-849-4331 or send an email to ebenezeroffice@yahoo.com by October 15th. If a name has been dropped in error as you look over the list in a Sunday bulletin or the upcoming October “Eagle”, please let the church office know that also. Thank you for your help.  Betty                           Lorraine Bob                             Pam Gary                           Sharon Janice                        Virginia Kathy                          Zachary

Wired Word - Morning Bible Study

Wired Word has resumed with some big topics that have drawn many great discussions. We meet Tuesdays at 10:00 am in Chilton and Wednesdays at 10:00 am in New Holstein. Printed copies for the weekly topics are in the Narthex the Sunday before the meeting each week at both locations. Everyone is welcome to attend, join the discussion or simply sit and watch to get a feel for what we do in the class.

Bathroom Renovations

We are currently in the process of getting bids to renovate the downstairs bathrooms. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Neighbors in Need Special Mission Offering

The Neighbors in Need Special Offering Envelopes and loose change box will be received on October 3, 2021 as part of our World Communion Sunday Observance. Thank you to those who participated.

Annual Reports

We will be starting to gather information for the annual report at the beginning of November. Please start handing in your information as soon as you can. Thank you so much for your help on this. Nikki

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!

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 richardbrown462@msn.com

Ann ~ Arlene ~ Audra ~ Audrey ~ Betty ~ Bob ~ De ’Monique Da’Nesha ~ Dean ~ Diana Gary ~Janice ~ Kari ~ Kathy Lorraine ~ Pam ~Pastor Sue Rebecca ~ Rod ~ Sharon ~ Steve ~Tod ~ Tony ~ Vern ~ Virginia ~ Zachary 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. Administrative Assistant - Nikki: ebenezeroffice@yahoo.com (920) 849-4331 Office Hours: Monday: 9-2:30p Wednesday: 9-2:30p Friday: 9-2:30p Pastor Michael Safford - Kennedy: ebenezerchiltonpastor@gmail.com 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.

Donna Pingel 10/1 Dawson Kuhn 10/02 Tony Hintz 10/03 Elaine Hessil 10/04 Cici Catalan 10/07 Kay Hertel 10/08 Krysta Roehrig 10/09 Sue Verrier 10/11 Oliver Porsche 10/16 JorJa Ninneman 10/18 Delmar Riesterer 10/18 Vernon Thede 10/19 Steve DeKerf 10/20 Mackenzie Brown 10/21 Sterling Brown 10/21 Lexi Pagel 10/22 Kurt Knoespel 10/24 Ann Gasch 10/26 Wyatt Porsche 10/27 Aubrey Plate 10/28 Riley Schneider 10/28 Gerald Pagel 10/30 Kelly Kloehn 10/31 May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer! Neighbors in Need Offering for World Communion Sunday is October 3rd. Men's Group Breakfast: 8:30a on October 14 at 7 Angels! Women's Guild Breakfast 9a on October 21 at 7 Angels! Wired Word is on Tuesdays at 10a. Confirmation Classes are on Wednesday nights at 5:30p. October 17: Council Meeting 11a. Eagle Newsletter: Articles are due October 19. . Thank You Thank you very much to the congregation for the beautiful birthday flowers. Nikki

Ebenezer Church Council Meeting Minutes: September 26, 2021

Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m.    Prayer was led by Joan.   Present: President Zach Platner, Vice President Ken Lisowe, Secretary Stacey Vernon, Joan Woelfel, Dennis Winkler   A Motion for approval of agenda and to take out "Last Month's Minutes" going forward by Zach, seconded by Dennis, all in favor.    A Motion to approve the Treasurer report by Joan and seconded by Dennis, all members in favor.    Treasurer’s Report:  August Revenue: $5,339.00 August Expenses: $5,810.73 August Ending Checking Balance: $66,014.47 August Money Market Acct: $251,681.32 August Total Cash Equity: $77,777.96 August Cambridge Investment: $66,133.44   Ministers Report: Visitation Log   Committee reports: ·       Christian Ed/Music: None ·       Mission: None ·       Property: Motion to keep concrete work under $3,000.00 by Joan, seconded by Dennis. All in favor  ·       Stewardship: None ·       Evangelism: None ·       Membership: None ·       Pastor-Congregation Relations Committee: None    Old/Continuing Business: ·       We are waiting on quotes for remodeling the downstairs bathrooms. ·       Pastor Pension: There was a motion by Joan to pay total amount due in the amount of $7,998.68, seconded by Stacey.  All in favor ·       COVID-19 update.     New Business:  ·       Ushering schedule ·       Tellers  ·       Sidewalks ·       Ebenezer Brass considering Christmas Concert    Other Business:   Next Regular Council Meeting: Next regular council meeting - October 17, 2021 @11am    Motion to adjourn made by Ken, 2nd by Dennis, all in favor at 11:45 a.m. All in favor Minutes Submitted by: Stacey Freund Approved by: The Church council via email.

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