Ebenezer United Church of Christ
September 2020 Eagle Newsletter
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Please review the document before attending in-person worship.
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Last month I used this space to talk about the resumption of services at Ebenezer. This month I share my thoughts with how the first several services have been received.
Thank you to everyone who has come to the services. Thank you to all who have waited patiently as those in front of you were asked health screening questions. Your cooperation has been appreciated by myself and everyone on the Council who spent many hours preparing requirements for in-person worship.
Thank you to all who have worn masks in the church. It was difficult for me to accept the recommendation to recommend masks and not require masks. I accepted this based upon the overall context of the number of infections in the county, and by the seriousness with which congregation members were treating all the issues surrounding wearing masks. I am happy to report to you that nearly everyone attending the services has worn a mask. I especially want to point out that people who argued passionately against requiring masks have been wearing masks during the services. The power of listening to neighbors instead of arguing with them is a gift from God.
Thank you to all who have volunteered to be ushers during this time. Normally, the ushers hand out a bulletin and welcome people to the church. Now, they are tasked with helping people avoid the virus by seating people in the best locations to avoid possible infection. The ushers also are responsible for leading people out of the church after services - again helping minimize possible exposure.
Thank you to Elaine Hessil for adapting the music program so we can continue to have music before, during and after the service. Her contribution and choice of music has been truly uplifting.
Thank you to Jackie Kempf for her work keeping the office functioning, and sending out bulletins for our worship services whenever and wherever they have been held.
Finally, thank you to all the Council members for their heartfelt conversations concerning whether to keep the church closed or open it. Normally a conversation about cancelling a service is the result of a winter storm. If we make the call to close and the storm hits, we look like heroes. If we close the church and the storm fizzles, we have egg on our faces but no harm is done. During this year, the stakes have been as high as they could be. Our decisions to close and then to reopen after four months were matters of life and death. No one was willing to open the church unless we could do everything within our power to protect each one of you. At every Council meeting we discuss the state of the county, and listen as others share from their readings from the CDC and newspaper articles regarding the virus, where it is now and where it is thought to be going.
Thank you to everyone for keeping the Council in your prayers.
Peace and grace,
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Worship at the Drive-In... |
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The worship time at the drive-in is 10:00 am. The St. John bulletin will be sent weekly with the EUCC email.
For those attending the Drive-In, please bring all communion elements with you on September 6. Grape juice and a cracker are certainly good options.
For those attending EUCC, please bring grape juice or wine with you on September 6; individually wrapped communion wafers will be available.
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The reopening of Sunday School has been on the minds of the teachers and our church council for some time now. There has been a plan established; however, when that plan will be launched is still somewhat up in the air. The council members discussed it at their most recent meeting, and have decided that there will be a delay in opening compared to years past. Therefore, don’t look for our first gathering to be in early September. I will be in touch with families to keep everyone updated, and will also be asking for comments and suggestions as we go along. I am anxious to see all the kids again and can’t even imagine how much they must have grown in the past six months!! Stay safe everyone.
Shirley Lisowe
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Ice Cream Social Supper Follow-up! |
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Thank you, again, to everyone that supported the Ice Cream Social Supper in July. Our proceeds from the Ice Cream Social came to $1,753.09.
Have a safe and enjoyable remainder of the summer!
On behalf of the Ebenezer Women’s Guild,
Joan Woelfel and Ruth Aebischer
Co-Chairs
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Notes from the Music Corner... |
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Services at the drive-in was always, and continues to be, a fulfilling alternative to worship on Sunday. Although returning to Sunday worship in the sanctuary has been different, it has been uplifting. Attendance has been very limited, but has been gratifying. Everyone will look forward to being able to again sing during the service. I’ve attempted to add familiar hymns during the meditative music time that the congregation can ‘internalize’. These have included “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”, “The Lord is My Shepherd”, “On Eagles’ Wings”, etc. Organ music continues to set the stage for worship with pre-service selections and a familiar postlude hymn.
Jill Sippel, Handbell Choir Director, has invited current ringers and any new ringers to attend a planning meeting in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, September 2, at 6 p.m. Ways of going forward with the handbells following CDC guidelines will be discussed. Please call Jill at 920-418-1534 if you have any questions. Don Waldvogel, a charter member of Ebenezer Brass for 28 years, has undergone major foot surgery this summer. He is continuing therapy at home. We sincerely hope and pray that he will be back ringing those bass bells soon!
Accolades need to be extended to the church council members and the special committee that have put in extra time and effort during this COVID time to provide many opportunities to worship and stay ‘connected’. Thank you also to Pastor Mike for conducting the various services in different settings. Let’s hope and pray all of this will pass soon.
Elaine
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A Feel Good Story from Connie W ... |
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When I left St. Elizabeth's on Thursday it was after 7:00 p.m., so Valet parking was closed. The Security Guard gave me my keys and walked me to the parking lot. I was the only car there. As he walked back into the CLOSED building, I noticed the Valet had the emergency brake pulled ALL the way up in my car and I could not dislodge it, even after trying for 15 minutes.
So, I walked back to the doors, and pushed the emergency button. I waited for 15 minutes, to no avail, and decided my only recourse was to sleep in the car until morning.
As I was walking back to the parking lot, out of the corner of my eye I saw three young men shooting 'hoops', so with tears in my eyes, I gathered the strength to walk across the street, and up their driveway.
One of them immediately asked if they could help me. I told them my story, and asked if one of them could try to dislodge the emergency brake. The taller of the three walked across the street with me and tried, from the outside, to dislodge it but could not, so I suggested he get into the driver's seat and try - it worked! I was so grateful! I handed him a $20 bill to which he replied he could not take it. Then, I told him that if he had not dislodged it, I would have had to sleep in my car all night! He took it then, bumped elbows with me and replied, "That is what I'm talking about! And if you ever need help again, you know where I live!"
I would LOVE everyone to know that God 'comes' in many places and many faces. That young man is my HERO!! :)
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Tuesday Morning Bible Study
(All dates and mask requirements are my best guess and are subject to change based upon the virus)
We will resume Bible Study classes Tuesday, September 15 in the Fellowship Hall at 10:00 am. All participants will be required to wear masks.
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Thank You!
Thank you to the Council for providing a chair lift in the parsonage. This lift has provided Pastor Sue with the ability to get upstairs and have full use of the house. Your work in finding an affordable option and installation have made a difference in our lives.
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A happy flower customer! Thank you again to the Evangelism Committee! |
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Ebenezer Brass
Ebenezer Brass Handbell Choir will be having a meeting on Wednesday, September 2, at 6 p.m. to discuss possibilities for music in church. Social distancing and masks are required. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please contact Jill Sippel at 920-418-1534.
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Confirmation 2020-2021
(All dates and mask requirements are my best guess and are subject to change based upon the virus)
Confirmation will be held in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesday evenings 5:30 – 6:30 pm. beginning September 23. We will use the Fellowship Hall until the Bell Choir is able to resume practices. All Confirmands, as well as Pastor Mike, will be required to wear masks to each class and wear them throughout the class time.
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ADRC Newsletter
Click here to view the September/October issue of the THE ADRC CONNECTION: AGING & DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER NEWSLETTER
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Ebenezer Church Council
Meeting Minutes: August 16, 2020
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Meeting was called to order at 11:06 a.m.
Present: Ken Lisowe, Zach Platner, Vern Gasch, Andy Hofmeister, Joan Woelfel, Pastor Mike
Joan Woelfel made a motion to approve the agenda and last month's minutes. Zach Platner seconded that motion, and it carried.
Treasurer's Report:
Other expenses included purchase of a streaming media player to broadcast church services, a chairlift at the parsonage, a chairlift at the church, and payment to Mark Fredrickson for chairlift service. Joan Woelfel made a motion to approve the Treasurer's Report. Andy Hofmeister seconded, and it carried.
There was discussion about the proposed plan to operate Sunday School. Joan Woelfel made a motion to approve the plan for Sunday School operations. Zach Platner seconded the motion, and it carried.
There was then discussion about an opening date for Sunday School, and the discussion was tabled until September's meeting.
Committee Reports:
- Christian Ed - Plan for reopening Sunday School with safety precautions was presented to the Council.
- Property - Ken Lisowe will find out the cost of cement and gutters for parsonage.
- Joan Woelfel shared that there will be a Women's Guild meeting on August 20, 2020. She noted that the Ice Cream Social made $1,753.09, which is $100 more than 2019.
- There was discussion about allowing the Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts to use the church for Fall meetings. Joan Woelfel made a motion to allow the Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts to use the church for Fall meetings so long as a church leader is present. Vern Gasch seconded the motion, and it carried.
- There was discussion on allowing the Salvation Army to use the church on August 20-21 to provide school supplies and November 12-13 for a Coats for Kids event. Joan Woelfel made a motion to allow the Salvation Army to use the church on the discussed dates with the request for them to wipe down hard surfaces when finished. Zach Platner seconded the motion, and it carried.
- There was discussion about how to thank Mark Fredrickson for his chairlift service. Vern Gasch made a motion to give Mark Fredrickson a $100 gas card for his work with the chairlifts. Joan Woelfel seconded that motion, and it carried.
Zach Platner made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Joan Woelfel seconded the motion, and the meeting was adjourned at 12:19 p.m.
Minutes Submitted by:
Andy Hofmeister
Approved by: The Church council via email.
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Tod ~ David ~ Lorraine ~ Da’Nisha ~ Vern
Pastor Sue ~ Zachary ~ Da'Monique
DeKerf Family ~ Norm ~ Patrice
Diane ~ Arlene ~ Rebecca ~ Vern ~ Gary
David ~ Audrey ~ Rod ~ Jeff ~ Kathy
Steve ~ Janice ~ Ryann ~ Diana ~ Betty
Don ~ Terri Ann ~ Mary ~ Bob ~ Audra
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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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!
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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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Wayne Pagel: Sep 3
Shirley Lisowe: Sep 4
Barbara Dekerf: Sep 4
Tami Brown: Sep 7
William Elliott: Sep 8
Abigail Kuhn: Sep 16
Jim Jaeger: Sep 16
Jake Propson: Sep 17
Nan Popp: Sep 19
Casey Stephenson: Sep 22
Melissa Kuhn: Sep 23
Emily Roehrig: Sep 23
Breanne Woelfel: Sep 24
Tim Brown: Sep 26
Jerry Giebel: Sep 26
Gerri Van Oss: Sep 27
Christie Kuhn: Sep 27
Owen Platner: Sep 28
Dale Hintz: Sep 29
May God bless your years and may you continue to bless Ebenezer!
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Ebenezer Office Hours:
*Until further notice, the church office remains closed.*
(920) 849-4331
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Pastor's Cell Phone: (920) 286-1956
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The September/October Upper Room is available in the Narthex.
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St. John will continue to hold Sunday Worship at the Drive-In in Chilton at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome!
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September 2: Ebenezer Brass meeting at 6:00 a.m.
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September 10: Men's Breakfast
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September 15: Wired Word Begins
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September 17: Women's Guild Meeting @ 9:00 a.m. (7 Angels)
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The October Eagle deadline is September 22.
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September 23: Confirmation Begins
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Save the date for the Interfaith Education event scheduled for November 14, 2020, at Lakeland University. See the board for information.
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