New liturgy posted each Sunday morning.
Holy Communion Sunday, 3-5 p.m. in the east play lot or for delivery.
June 14, 2020
1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL
(773) 561-8496
From Pastor Michael...

Friends in Christ, we continue to live in extraordinary times, as our nation and city come to face the evils of racism and violence that have marked our shared history, and now demand our attention in appropriately urgent ways. Christ dwells in the cries for justice as well as the calls for peace. We will continue to pray and act, as we are called, for the transformation of our pain into equality, living deeply in the repentance (turning) that is so needed in these days.

As Chicago has moved into phase 3 of reopening, your Council has adopted a phase three set of guidelines, and affirmed those laid out by the Synod for safe, cautious, and deliberate reopening. Online worship will continue to be our primary worship experience. This Sunday, June 14, however, a new opportunity to come to one of Ebenezer's outdoor spaces, socially distanced, with masks, to collect consecreted communion elements for yourself or others will become available on Sunday afternoon. If you'd like to arrange for someone to drop communion elements off to you, please email caring@ebenezerchurch.org.

Use of only the largest spaces in our building by Ebenezer and shared space groups gather according to all city and state guidelines will be considered on a case by case basis.

Together, we are weathering these times with truth, a commitment to the well-being of one another and our neighbors, and carried by the Spirit.

Missing you all,
Pastor Michael

We will continue to follow the guidance of the ELCA, the CDC, and the City as we make decisions affirming the well being of our neighbors. Remember: If you can help someone out, we need to hear from you at caring@ebenezerchurch.org . This is where we are matching needs with those who can help.

Daily devotions are being posted on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ebenezerchicago/
 Greetings!
Emanuel Nine
Panhandle Slim, 2015
Second Sunday After Pentecost
"Moses tells the Israelites that they are called to be a priestly kingdom and a holy people. Jesus sends out the disciples as laborers into the harvest. In baptism we too are anointed for ministry, sharing God’s compassion with our needy world. From the Lord’s table we go forth to proclaim the good news, to heal the sick, and to share our bread with the hungry. "
Sharing Faith at Home
Morning Prayer: To fulfill the ancient promise of salvation, O God, you made a covenant with our ancestors and pledged them descendants more numerous than the stars. Grant that all people may share in the blessings of your covenant, accomplished through the death and resurrection of your Son and sealed by the gift of your Spirit. Amen.
Evening Prayer: God of the prophets and apostles, you greeted old Abraham and Sarah with news of wonder and life. Send us into the world to preach good news, as Jesus did, heal the sick, resist evil, and bring the outcast home. Amen.
Prayer with Children: Dear Jesus , you teach us to give thanks for the good things we have in life. Help us to remember that your love and the people we love are the most important of all. Amen.
In our prayers: Ken , Olivette, Jill, Jim, Judy, Johanna, Paul, Barbara, Bruce and Margo, David, Ben, Wes, Kyle, Ruth, John, Remy, Dem, Katherine, Jody, Linda, Carol, Ben, Scott and Laurie, Dick, Nancy, Debbie, Velda, Dorothy, Cierra, Bob, Gail, Michele. We also pray for our Bishops, Elizabeth and Yehiel.
Celebrations, Concerns, and Condolences...
If you have items you'd like shared in this section, email Pastor Michael .
Names may be added or removed from the prayer list by contacting Pam S .

For John Minor in physical and occupational therapy.

For Jim, Barbara Ketter's son, who awaits a heart transplant.

For Kyle, who is dealing with health concerns.

For the family and community of George Floyd, for the safety of protesters, and for Minneapolis, St. Paul, and all cities. For justice and for the safety of people of color, particularly black people..

For Midland, Sanford, and Edenville, Michigan, as they recover from historic flooding and dam failures.

In gratitude for the life of Curt Stensrud. In addition to the many gifts of time, care, and faith he give while with us, Ebenezer is honored that Curt has left the church a $110,000 gift as a bequest. The Church Council will soon consider how this gift might be used though our stewardship to bless others.
This Week's Commemorations
Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, died 379; Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, died around 385; Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, died around 389; Macrina, theologian, died around 379
Sunday, June 14, 2020
The Cappadocian fathers, as the three men in this group are known, explored the mystery of the Holy Trinity. Basil's monastic rule forms the basis for Eastern monastic life. Gregory of Nazianzus defended orthodox Christianity in Constantinople. Gregory of Nyssa, Basil's younger brother, wrote on the spiritual life. Macrina, older sister of Basil and Gregory of Nyssa, was the leader of a community dedicated to asceticism, meditation, and prayer.

Emanuel Nine, martyrs, died 2015
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
On June 17, 2015, Clementa C. Pinckney, Cynthia Marie Graham Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lee Lance, DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Tywanza Sanders, Daniel Lee Simmons, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, and Myra Thompson were murdered by a self-professed white supremacist while they were gathered for Bible study and prayer at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (often referred to as Mother Emanuel) in Charleston, South Carolina. Pastors Pinckney and Simmons were both graduates of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. A resolution to commemorate June 17 as a day of repentance for the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine was adopted by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on August 8, 2019. Congregations of the ELCA are encouraged reaffirm their commitment to repenting of the sins of racism and white supremacy which continue to plague this church, to venerate the martyrdom of the Emanuel Nine, and to mark this day of penitence with study and prayer.
Ebenezer in Mission
Wednesday Bible Study to Begin and At-Home Children's Sunday School Resources
Wednesday Bible Study, meeting online weekly at noon.
Pastor Michael will lead a weekly, 40 minute scripture study of the week's texts online. Look for an email Wednesday morning with a link to the study hangout. Hope to see you there!

Spark Sunday School at home. Click here for weekly, free Sunday School videos and downloadble materials. In addition, children's bulletins are now being posted along with the Sunday bulletin each week at ebenezerchurch.org.
Children's Tuesday Time with Pastor Emily
Join Pastor Emily for a candle ritual, Bible story, song, prayer, and hear about an activity your household can do together during the week. Videos will be posted on Ebenezer  Youtube Channel  and  Facebook page  on Tuesdays but can be viewed at any time.  
Flower Orders for Online Liturgy
Interested in ordering flowers for online liturgy? Contact Pastor Michael via email at least 10 days before your desired date. The flowers will appear in the liturgy video along with any dedication you may like. You have two options: A live plant suitable for replanting in the flower boxes at church, or, a cut flower arrangement you may arrange pick up from the parsonage front porch after the liturgy has been filmed.
Sharing the Peace
You and/or your family can appear in upcoming liturgies offer the peace to the Ebenezer community and beyond! Here's how:

  1. Film yourself/yourselves saying the words "peace be with you!" using your phone. Film horizontally (sideways), leave a three-count of silence at the beginning and end of the clip, and make sure not to have photos of others in the background who have not consented to appear online.
  2. Email the video as an attachment to Rick S. Include in the body of your email consent to use your image online only for the puropses on Ebenezer worship on YouTube.
Virtual Choir
We have been having a lot of fun with our virtual choir for the recorded online worship. This will be continuing at least for as long as we are not having services in the building. Of course we miss terribly being together but there have been benefits to doing it this way, one of which being that people who would normally be unable to participate have been joining in. We currently have someone in Japan singing with us!
If this is something you would like to participate in we would LOVE to have you. Even if you want to just try a song one time for kicks let John Elmquist know. There are clear instructions, the process is very straightforward and he will be available to assist as needed.
Ebenezer Mental Health Team
June 15-21  is  National Men’s Health Week  observed every year since 1994 leading up to Father’s Day. Men's Mental Health is important and raising awareness is crucial not just in June but all year long. This coming week is a reminder for men to take steps to be healthier with focus on mental health as well as physical health.
* Center on Halsted  serves Chicago's LGBTQ community and caring allies meet their behavioral health needs. Behavioral Health phone line,  773.472.6469 EXT 460 , and Behavioral Health email,  behavioralhealth@centeronhalsted.org .   All therapists are answering their voicemails, emails, and responding to the electronic health patient portal. 
* Lutheran Social Services  M-F, 9 a.m.-5p.m. Project IMPACT including mobile support that comes to your location, if you’re on the north side of Chicago including individuals with or without insurance. There is no charge for crisis services. Call 773-878-8200 ext. 5064 or 5045. Contact  lssi.org  for more information. Staff will follow CDC guidelines on social distancing and infection control precautions.

*For information about any mental health topic, call  NAMI Chicago ’s free helpline 7 days a week at 833-626-4244.* National Domestic Violence Hotline  24/7, confidential and free: 1-800-799-7233 and through chat at  www.thehotline.org  *Chat with someone by  texting LOVEIS to 22522 – but only if you know your phone or computer is not monitored. 

* Veteran’s Crisis Line , A free confidential helpline resource for Veterans of all ages and circumstance. Call 1-800-273-8255, press”1”; text 838255 or chat online to connect with 24/7 support.

* National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  24/7 1-800-273-8255 or through chat at  https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
WELLNESS SCREENING Are you interested? 
Ebenezer will again have a Wellness Screening IF we have enough people who want to participate. Health Maintenance Institute will facilitate this for us using the off-site format. Individuals can have the bloodwork done at the most convenient location among numerous labs after registering with HMA and paying the fee for the screening. You decide where and when to have the testing any day during a 3 week period.

The basic screening includes a complete blood count and blood tests for coronary heart disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease. This costs only $60, hundreds of dollars less than what would usually be charged. Additional tests are available at additional cost.

If you have questions or know you are interested please contact Marcia Smith, R.N. at 773-743-1831. There is a minimum of 15 people required to hold this Wellness Screening so please let us know if you are one of those 15!
Edgewater Congregations Together Youth Group 
(Grades 6th-12th)
Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00pm
via zoom

During this time of social distancing and sheltering in place, the E.C.T. Youth Group will continue to gather on Wednesday nights over zoom to catch up, play games, have a short devotion, and “hang out” together. 

Contact  Pastor Emily  if you would like to join the event.
Edgewater Congregations Together Young Adults 
(18-mid-30 year olds)
Thursdays 4:00-5:30pm
via zoom

The E.C.T. Young Adults are gathering over zoom to catch up, check in with each other, and play some games together. Grab a beverage and/or a snack and join them!   
  
To join our next zoom meeting, contact  Pastor Emily
Ebenezer Seniors Meetings Resume on Zoom
Despite the stay-at-home orders in Illinois, the Ebenezer seniors have resumed monthly meetings. We have faced the technical challenges and won! We now will meet virtually on Zoom, the third Thursday of the month at noon. The next meeting will be June 18 at 12:00 pm.

Anyone who’d like to connect with others from Ebenezer are welcome to join us. It’s easy to do, even if you don’t have a computer. There are basically two ways to join the meeting:

On your computer simply click on this link.

Or by phone dial:  1 312 626 6799
When you hear the prompt enter the meeting ID #:
           273 178 4219

We hope you will zoom with us. We really miss seeing you!

If you have questions contact Marcia Smith 773-743-1831.
Face Masks
We want to say a huge thank you to Sue Swinger-Ellbogen, Jackie Wood, and Bev Albert for making face masks for several of our community members who need them!  This week Ebenezer Tutoring Director Norm Dynneson was able to deliver 38 of these face masks to Ebenezer's refugee families and in the next few days, Pastor Emily will be able to deliver over 25 masks to youth group members and their families.  

NEED A FACE MASK?
The CDC guidance states that cloth masks are recommended when going out on necessary trips like to the grocery store, pharmacy, or to work.
 

If you need a mask, contact Pastor Emily  with the number of masks and the sizes needed (adult or child).
Justice Team
Did you know that everyone in Illinois -- regardless of income -- pays the same rate of taxes (4.95%)? In November, we'll have an opportunity to change that with the Fair Tax: the wealthiest 3% of people in Illinois will pay a higher rate and 97% will pay less. Learn more about the Fair Tax  here   or join the  Fair Tax Phonebank Program Launch  this Wednesday, Jun 17 th , from 5:30-7:30 PM on Zoom. We'll also phonebank the following Wednesdays (6/24, 7/1, 7/8) at the same time. Sign up to attend here:  bit.ly/fairtaxphonebank
Lutheran World Relief Needs Your Fabric!
If you're cleaning out your closets while you're social distancing, consider donating any cotton fabric in clean condition to Ebenezer's Lutheran World Relief (LWR) ministry for mission quilts! The cotton fabric currently needed includes used sheets, table cloths, washable drapes and cotton shower curtains. Any fabric donations can be set aside until they can be safely picked up at a later time. If you'd like to further partner in the work of LWR beyond our annual school kits and quilts, consider a monetary donation: visit  lwr.org/lifesaver , lwr.org/coronavirus , or  ebenezerlutherchurch.org .
Refugee and Tutoring Support Needed
Many of our refugee and tutoring families have extra needs during the covid-19 pandemic. If you are in a position to assist, please consider helping in one of the following ways:
 
  • Financial support for groceries or other needed items during this time. Visit www.ebenezerchurch.org and click “Give Online.” 100% of funds entered in the “Other” line and labeled “Refugee Support” will assist our refugee families.

  • Helping adults fill out Medicaid, unemployment, and job applications over the phone.

  • Tutor youth and children virtually.

We celebrate that a generous donation has now been made to support a struggling family with rent for the next several months!
 
If you are able to offer support in any of these ways, contact Norm Dynesson.
Ebenezer Refugee Support
Ebenezer’s support group works with newly arrived refugees in the Rogers Park and Edgewater area. Sponsoring agencies offer a minimum of initial help when families first arrive. Ebenezer’s group works to fill the gap until families are self-supporting. Follow the Ebenezer Refugee Support Group on Facebook to see updates on families and the what the current needs are. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Norm Dynneson or Jackie Wood, as well. Cash donations can be made out to Ebenezer Lutheran Church with the notation of Refugee Fund on the memo line. Questions can be directed to  Jackie Wood or Norm Dynneson.
Community and Announcements
Remember to participate in the 2020 Census!
A reminder that filling out your Census form is vitally important. Here are 5 reasons why, from  census.gov :
  1. Local communities use the data to guide public improvements, and non-profits use the information to identify beneficiaries and find donors and volunteers.
  2.  Emergency services are based on maps created using Census data.
  3. Federal funds are distributed based on Census population data.
  4. Businesses use the data to reduce financial risk and find new markets for their products and services.
  5. Your own family can ask for confidential records that can be used as proof to establish your age, residence or relationship, information that could help you qualify for a pension, establish citizenship or obtain an inheritance.
Give with Goodshop and Amazon Smile
Shopping online at  goodshop.org allows you to do the shopping you'd do anyway at your favorite sites, while supporting the ministry at Ebenezer! Simply register and then select Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Chicago, as the beneficiary of the donation Goodshop makes when you shop through their site. Check it out today!

Also, Ebenezer is designated as a recipient for Smile dollars on Amazon. Any shopping you do on Amazon can benefit Ebenezer! Simply register at smile.amazon.com and designate us... same great shopping, but we receive .5% of your purchase amount!
Office Hours
Closed until further notice
Our Mission:
God calls Ebenezer to be a Christian home for all who seek the sustaining nature of the Holy Spirit, to demonstrate faith and trust in God through the ministry of its people, and to let Christ's model of service, justice and love give expression to how we share God's gift with the world.
Do you or someone you know need someone to talk to?  
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Additional resources are available  suicidepreventionministry.org