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Ebenezer United Church of Christ
April 2020 Eagle Newsletter
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The Morning of Resurrection!
Easter Sunday, April 12, we will proclaim and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. What does it mean to you? I’m asking more than what will you do, what you will eat, who you will have over for dinner Easter Sunday afternoon. What does the resurrection mean to you? Let me share just one of the meanings Jesus’ resurrection has for 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? 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 are the new ways you will see the world. Your worldview 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 this world a place of evil that must be tolerated or defeated until you are finally released and taken up to heaven? Or, is this 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, which is treated with care and love? Does each new day offer a chance to build a stronger, deeper relationship with God through Jesus?
Easter offers us a new life. Will you accept it?
See you on Easter morning.
Peace & Grace,
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During These Changing Times ...
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So many things are changing at a rapid speed. We at EUCC will do our best to communicate any news as quickly as possible.
When changes occur, we will send an email and share any news on our
Facebook page
.
Please feel free to
email the church
or
Pastor Mike
should you have any questions - both email addresses are being checked frequently.
As of March 31:
- Until further notice, the church office is closed. When we are able to resume office hours, we will let you know.
- With the office being closed, and no Sunday services, all donations will be counted at the next worship service. We appreciate all contributions to the church, and thank you for your continued support of EUCC.
- Due to the state and national recommendations, there will not be a Palm Sunday service as originally planned. Continue to follow Pastor Mike's YouTube Channel and check your email for worship services, meditations, bedtime prayers, and more!
- Sunday School, Confirmation, The Wired Word, and Bell Choir practice are all canceled indefinitely.
- You will notice that the Holy Week Services, as well as the April Calendar, April Confirmation Readers, and April Ushering schedule, have been removed from the April Eagle issue; since there is so much unknown, it was decided to remove these items. When a solid calendar is available, we will share it.
- An alternative to worship on Easter Sunday is in the works; stay tuned for details!!!!
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EUCC members/Chilton Community,
If anyone is concerned about heading into the community because they are in a high risk group (i.e. elderly, compromised immune system, etc.), Kelly and Ellie are happy to run any errands needed such as groceries, pharmaceutical needs, etc. Please don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
Kelly Brown
920-418-0351
Ellie Papendieck
920-418-4978
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Blessing Box
I know many paper, toiletry and food items are difficult to find, but if you have ANY you can spare, please remember that the Blessing Box
is still open
and is a valuable resource to those in need in our community.
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To the believers at Ebenezer UCC,
The NEA Annual meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday, May 2, has been moved to Saturday, October 17.
Several NEA committees are losing people on May 2 and those people need to be replaced. Therefore elections need to be held on or before the 2nd so committees can continue to function.
Ebenezer UCC must submit the names of 2 people to serve as delegates allowing them to vote for people to serve on committees before May 2.
I am asking for 2 people to volunteer to be delegates to vote before May 2 and to attend the October 17 meeting. There is no cost to you to vote or to attend the October 17 meeting.
I need the two volunteers before April 8.
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Pastor Parish Relations Committee
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One of the characteristics of a healthy church is good communication between Pastor and church, and church and Pastor. To help make the communication effective, we will be forming a Pastor Parish Relations Committee. The PPR will be an important piece in good communication.
The PPR will consist of 5-7 people and will meet with Pastor Mike on a regular basis. At these meetings, we will discuss concerns/questions/suggestions from the congregation and from the Pastor. This will be a good place to share ideas and solve problems.
If you would like to serve on this committee, please contact
Pastor Mike.
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Do you have a compassionate heart? Are you a good listener? Do you know several people in the church? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, I have a ministry for you; to be a member of the Pastoral Visitation Team.
Occasionally, a church member is hospitalized for several days. Hospital days can seem like weeks and those days can be lonely. Loneliness makes everything seem worse: the wondering about what will happen to you while in the hospital, when can you go home, the aches and pains, as well as the needles and blood draws. Hospital days and nights are not for the faint of heart. Would you like to offer a reassuring presence?
We need several people to make an occasional visit to a church member in the nearby hospitals. I expect the volunteers to visit just once while the church member is hospitalized. I always get to the hospital within 24 hours of being notified a member has been admitted. I would like the volunteers to visit after my visitation.
I will provide training to the volunteers, answer questions, do a little role playing and calm any fears. I will also check in with you after you do a visit looking for any insights you may have about the church member.
I ask you to consider volunteering for this rewarding ministry. Remember, Jesus calls us to visit the sick.
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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. See the article below as a refresher on what all the duties of an usher are.
May:
May 3: Council
May 10: Sunday School
May 17: Eric & Jamie Plate Family
May 24: Robert & Sheri Van Beek Family
May 31: Kelly Brown Family
If you/your family would like to be added to the ushering schedule, or if you're on and would like to be removed to serve the church in other ways, please let the
office
know.
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Notes from the Music Corner...
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Music can speak to the soul and lift the spirit as it certainly did during the March 15 worship when it was announced that we would not be gathering as a congregation for the next several weeks. The text to the hymns we sang that morning helped give perspective to our faith in these uncertain times - “We gather together to ask for God’s blessing, to live in community, seeking God’s will”; “What wondrous love is this! That Christ should come in bliss to bear the heavy cross for my soul!”; with the final hymn giving assurance – “Just as I am, you will receive, will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because your promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.”
It was disappointing to miss the ‘messages’ that the handbell music was going to provide for March 22 and 29 worship, but we’ll look forward to (hopefully) anticipate their music for Palm Sunday and Easter. For Palm Sunday, April 5, Karen Cmejla will offer a contrasting medley for Holy Week. We’re grateful for St. John’s Choir offering to provide special music for the 7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday service at Ebenezer. On Easter, April 12, Ebenezer Brass will offer rousing selections to exclaim the victory over death! Let’s pray for the welfare of our community and nation to be able to again worship together!
Don’t forget to help yourself to the March-April Upper Room devotional guides available in the Narthex. The daily devotions seem to speak directly to our present circumstances; although the church office is currently closed, you may
contact Pastor Mike
to arrange a time to pick this up.
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Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: March 15, 2020
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Opening:
Ken Lisowe called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.
Present:
Vern Gasch, Zach Platner, Joan Woelfel, Andy Hofmeister, Pastor Mike. Absent: Barb DeKerf and Dennis Winkler.
Approval of Agenda:
Zach made a motion to approve the agenda and last month's minutes. Vern seconded and it carried
Treasurer's Report:
Zach made a motion to approve the financial report, Andy seconded it and the motion carried.
Urgent Business:
There was then a motion made by Vern to cancel all church activities effective March 16 through April 4. This was seconded by Zach. We then discussed ways to still provide spiritual care during this time. The motion then was carried.
Meeting was suspended at 8:41 a.m. to be continued after service
Meeting was called back into session at 9:47 a.m.
Urgent Business (cont’d):
Discussion about church operations continued. The focus was on what will happen while activities are cancelled.
Committee Reports
- Property: there was discussion about the bathroom in the parsonage and about quotes on costs for repairs.
- Evangelism: We had some discussion about a picture directory for members. This will be taking place in the coming months - stay tuned for more information!!!!
- There were no other committee reports
New Business:
- New Zach made a motion to upholster the chairs in the Narthex, and Joan seconded. Dean and Ellie Papendieck offered a substantial discount and the council extends thanks. Motion carried.
Joan made a motion to adjourn, Andy seconded it and the meeting was adjourned at 10:29 a.m.
*Next meeting is Sunday, April 19 at 8:00 a.m.*
Minutes Submitted by:
Andy Hofmeister
Approved by: The Church council via email.
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Tod ~ David ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha ~
Pastor Sue
Arlene ~ Rebecca ~ Vern ~ Marlene ~ David
Audrey ~ Rod ~ Jeff ~ Steve ~ Janice
Ryann ~ Diana ~ Betty ~ Kathy ~ Don
Terri Ann ~ Mary ~ Bob ~ Audra ~ Patrice
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.
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United Church Camps
The calendar for the 2020 United Church Camps has been announced! There is a booklet on the Narthex table or check out their
web site to learn all about these amazing camp opportunities
for all ages! Budgeted funds are available through the church to help with registration fees -
talk to the office if you're interested.
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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.
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Dexter Sattler: April 1
Judie Giebel: April 1
Serenity Kubichka: April 3
Zach Platner: April 3
Kevin Lau: April 5
Rosemary Daun: April 10
Callie Woelfel: April 10
Jason Wagner: April 11
Kari Meyers: April 14
Jamie Plate: April 15
Frank Cmejla: April 16
Colleen Marx: April 18
Meghan Adamietz: April 20
Addison Brown: April 20
Sheri Van Beek: April 21
Sophia Bechlem: April 22
Lela Rona: April 23
James Gleason: April 26
Axel Schneider: April 30
May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
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- The May Eagle deadline is Tuesday, April 21.
- Save the date for the Interfaith Education event scheduled for November 14, 2020, at Lakeland University. See the board for information.
- In the coming months, LifeTouch will be coming to EUCC to take member/family pictures for a new picture directory. Stay tuned for details!
- Click here for an updated list of needed items for Pillars, Inc.
- Did you know the Chilton Library delivers? Learn more from the flyer on the board!
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Ebenezer Office Hours:
*Until further notice, the church office will be closed. When we are able to resume office hours, we will let you know.*
(920) 849-4331
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Pastor's Cell Phone: (920) 286-1956
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