From Pastor Michael...

First, please note that Communion pick-up this Sunday is from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Second, a word about our own evolving reopening plans for the church. There has been some talk that Chicago may move to Phase 4 by the end of the month of June. Your council and I will discuss what implications that may have for how and when we worship together, but I am quite confident that nothing would change for us until sometime in July at the very earliest. It is very important to me, and I know to all of you, that we continue to make the choices that protect the most vulnerable among us and our neighbors. You can expect your leadership to continue to be thoughtful, diligent, and faithful in their deliberations.

Finally, today, Saturday, June 27, Adam Nelson is hosting an all-request Facebook Live Fundraiser for Ebenezer Refugee Support! Be sure to tune in and be generous if you can.

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 [email protected] . 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/

Morning Prayer: Through dreams and visions, O God, you broaden the horizon and hope of your people, that they may discover the meaning of your covenant, even in the midst of trial and exile. Increase the number of those who believe in your word so that all people may joyfully respond to your call and share in your promises. Amen.

Evening Prayer: Ruler of the universe, you call us to radical loyalty beyond all earthly claim. Grant us strength to offer ourselves to you as people who have been raised from death to life through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. 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: Jane, Kyle, Ruth, John, Remy, Dem, Katherine, Jody, Linda, Carol, Ben, Scott and Laurie, Dick, Nancy, Debbie, Velda, Cierra, Bob, Gail, Michele, Jill, Jim, Judy, Johanna, Paul, Barbara, Bruce and Margo, David, Ben, Wes . We also pray for our Bishops, Elizabeth and Yehiel.

Jeremiah 28:5-9  •  Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18  •  Romans 6:12-23  •  Matthew 10:40-42

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 Mike Neff's mother and her family, as her health is rapidly declining.

For the safety of protesters. For justice and for the safety of people of color, particularly black people.

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

Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons, died around 202

Sunday, June 28, 2020

This important early church leader tried very hard to hold to the faith handed down by the apostles. An opponent of the movement known as gnosticism, Irenaeus was one of the first to speak of the church as catholic, or linked together.

Peter and Paul, Apostles

Monday, June 29, 2020

These two strong-willed apostles are the pillars of the church in the first generation after Christ. Peter was one of the Twelve, one who both offered a glorious confession of faith and later denied knowing Jesus. Paul once led the persecution of Christians, then was converted and helped bring the faith to non-Jewish people.

Catherine Winkworth, died 1878; John Mason Neale, died 1866; hymn translators

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Neale was an English priest who specialized in the translation of Latin and Greek hymns into English. Winkworth lived in Manchester, England, and devoted herself to translating German hymns. Almost all English-speaking hymnals include many of their translations.

Thomas, Apostle

Friday, July 3, 2020

Though frequently remembered as "doubting Thomas," this apostle also demonstrated a willingness to suffer and die with Jesus (John 11:16), and finally claimed the risen Christ as "my Lord and my God!" By tradition, he later worked as a missionary in India. Long commemorated on December 21, Thomas's celebration is moved to July 3 in agreement with ecumenical calendars.

Adam Nelson Performs an Online Fundraiser for Ebenezer Refugee Support TONIGHT Saturday, June 27 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Check out Adam's promo and here and on YouTube. Join the event live on the 27th at facebook.com/AdamANelsonMusic/live

ELCA Celebrates 50 years or Ordained Lutheran Women in North America!

Click here to view a special message from our Presiding Bishop, The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton.

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:

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

It’s June and that means its Pride Month! A time to recognize LGBTQAI+ and youth mental health awareness and well-being. Although annual 2020 celebrations in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan looked a little different than in previous years due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the psychological impact of the experiences of many LGBTQAI+ continue to place individuals at statistically significant higher risk for several mental health conditions according to Mental Health America (MHA). The deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history up to that time at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, FL. June 12, 2016 is lamented. Insofar as mental health and mental health awareness is a social justice issue as much as it is a healthcare issue this year Reconciling Works ( formerly Lutherans Concerned ) joins others around the church to declare " the holy ministry of LGBTQIA+ justice .” Pride 2020, Aubrey Thonvoid Executive Director  https://www.reconcilingworks.org . 

* 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,  [email protected] .   All therapists are answering their voicemails, emails, and responding to the electronic health patient portal. 

*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

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.

 

Click here for more information on the CDC’s recommendations for wearing, and making homemade masks.

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. Consider joining the Fair Tax Phonebank Program Launch on Wednesday July 1 & 8 from 5:30-7:30 PM on Zoom. Sign up to attend here:  bit.ly/fairtaxphonebank  or reach out to Justice Team member Sue Swinger-Ellbogen  here  with questions.

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:

 

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.

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 :

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