No In-Person Worship Services Until Further Notice
March 22, 2020
1650 W. Foster Ave., Chicago IL
(773) 561-8496
A message from Pastor Michael:

Friends in Christ, as I write this message, we have just learned of the shelter in place order effective Saturday, March 21. Our facility will remain closed, per our policy, through at least April 20. I yearn for your company in these days, and am especially saddened that we will be unable to gather in person for our Holy Week and Easter liturgies. Rest assured an online experience will be provided, and when we can get back together around the font and table, even the angels will hear our rejoicing.

But while the facility is closed, the Communion of Saints remains open. Open to the Spirit, open to one another, and open, in our hearts and minds, if not homes or building, to the world.

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.

You can use the buttons above to link to our new YouTube channel to watch a modified Sunday worship service. You can also link to where you can download the bulletin to follow along. I ask your patience this Sunday, as I am learning to edit together the video, so the service may be posted later than 10 a.m. this week. John Elmquist and Bev Albert will be recording the music for the liturgy and I will be recording the rest of the liturgy, all from home, now that the shelter in place order is a reality. You'll also see and hear from some other musical guests, so be sure to tune in!

These are unprecedented times, but you are an extraordinary people, blessed with the gifts of the Spirit. Together, we will continue to pray, sing, hear God's word, serve as we are able, and love fiercely in Christ's name.

Take good care,
Pastor Michael Fick
 Greetings!
Jesus Cures the Man Born Blind
JESUS MAFA, Cameroon
Fourth Sunday in Lent
"Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to the light of Christ in our daily lives. "
Sharing Faith at Home
Morning Prayer: Artist of souls, you sculpted a people for yourself out of the rocks of wilderness and fasting. Help us as we take up your invitation to prayer and simplicity, that the discipline of these forty days may sharpen our hunger for the feast of your holy friendship, and whet our thirst for the living water you offer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Evening Prayer: Discerner of hearts, you look beneath our outward appearance and see your image in each of us. Banish in us the blindness that prevents us from recognizing truth, so we may see the world through your eyes and with the compassion of Jesus Christ who redeems us. 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: Betty, Louis, Ruth, Ashley, Pat, Jim, Jim, John, Allison, Kari, Dem, Katherine, Jody, John and Sharon, Debbie, Velda, Dorothy, Bob, Howard, Gail, Gloria, Paul, Barbara, Chuck, Bruce and Margo, David, Michael, Ben, Linda, Carol, Ben, Scott and Laurie, Sue, Pam, Dick, Michele, Jim, Judy, Frank, and Johanna.
We also pray for our Bishops, Elizabeth and Yehiel.
1 Samuel 16:1-13   •   Psalm 23   •   Ephesians 5:8-14   •   John 9:1-41
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 Betty Obendorf, who has been diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing tests.
For Pastor Emily and her family, upon the death of her grandmother, Mary.
For John Minor; and Louis, spouse of Vikki Ward-Martin, both in physical and occupational therapy.
For Jim, Barbara Ketter's son, who awaits a heart transplant.
For Jim, Carolyn's son.
This Week's Commemorations
Jonathan Edwards, teacher, missionary to American Indians, died 1758
Sunday, March 22, 2020
A Puritan minister in Connecticut, Edwards is remembered as being a great preacher. Though his most famous sermon talks at length about hell, he was more concerned with God's love. He served both as missionary to the Housatonic people in Massachusetts, and as president of the future Princeton University.

Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Bishop of El Salvador, martyr, died 1980
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Romero was deeply concerned with injustices evident toward the poor and powerless in El Salvador, and worked forthrightly against political repression. He was assassinated while presiding at the eucharist in a chapel near the cathedral in San Salvador.

Annunciation of Our Lord
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Nine months before Christmas we celebrate the annunciation, in which the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. The ancient church believed that this was also the date of the world's creation and of Jesus' death on the cross.
Ebenezer in Mission
Lenten book discussion
Join us to consider together what meaning “sabbath” might have for us in the 21 st century. In his book Sabbath as Resistance author Walter Brueggemann writes that the Sabbath is not simply about keeping rules but rather about becoming a whole person and restoring a whole society. Brueggemann calls out our 24/7 society of consumption, a society in which we live to achieve, accomplish, perform, and possess. We want more, own more, use more, eat more, and drink more. Brueggemann shows readers how keeping the sabbath allows us to break this restless cycle and focus on what is truly important: God, other people, all life. 
 
For more info contact Marcia Smith , parish nurse, or Sue Swinger-Elbogen
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
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