March 2014

Mission Statement of this Church

Ebenezer United Church of Christ is a vibrant faith community that strives to…

Serve the spiritual needs of our neighbors.

Transform by walking in Jesus’ footsteps.

Openly reach out for opportunities to share God’s word at home and abroad.

Nurture our relationships with God and each other.

Empower and embrace faith, hope, and love in God!

Pastor’s Corner

Money is a topic that when it is mentioned from the pulpit more than once per year the minister is told “Stop preaching about money. That’s all you ever do.” If the preacher never mentions money then people become rigid in their giving and expenses continue to rise as they are inclined to do. The result is difficulty in paying the bills, ministries are cutback or eliminated and eventually the minister is fired because it’s his/her fault. That’s an extreme illustration but one that has occurred in many churches.

The graph below is from our church for 2013, it shows that nearly 40% of the givers gave less than $4.00 per week. The other 60% supplied the bulk of the money to run the church. Sometimes when people are living on fixed incomes it can be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to give much more to the church than what has been given in the past. To these people I say, “If you can give 10% more then please do. If you can’t I understand.” Most people though are not trapped in this exceedingly tight situation.

Cont. on pg. 2

Ebenezer United Church

of Christ

44 W. Washington Street

Chilton WI 53014

(920) 849-4331

Website:

www.webenezerchilton.

org/

Rev. Pastor Mike

Safford-Kennedy

Email: pastormike79@

hotmail.com

Office Email:

ebenezeroffice@

yahoo.com

The Eagle

Page 2

Cont. from pg. 1

For the rest of us a myth becomes reality when we don’t talk about money. The myth is that we don’t have enough to pay the bills. This is a destructive myth. If we say it often enough it becomes true. If one hears this often enough you start holding back money because the money must be being spent in foolish ways or I don’t want to give to something that might not be around in a few months. Well, let me tell you this is one terribly destructive myth! Nothing can be further from the truth. The truth about these giving numbers is…

If everyone gave 10% more than last year, you would be able to hire a full time minister.

Yes, I did say that. I did not say that you have to be giving 10% of everything you earn. I said, “If you give 10% more than you did last year you will be in a place to hire a full time minister.”

The myth is that there is never enough, that we can’t give more than last year that we are doomed to only have a part time minister. Setting a goal of hiring a part time minister is perpetuating the myth that you aren’t good enough for a full time minister. The myth says you aren’t important enough. And when the full time minister is let go for a part time minister, the offerings shrink. When the offering shrinks the ministries shrink. When the ministries shrink the people get upset because the church isn’t doing anything in the community and the giving goes down again. It is a spiral that fulfills the myth. At some point this has to stop. The myth must be buried.

You have a choice to make: listen to the myth and don’t increase your giving, or listen to the Holy Spirit who is at work in the church and increase your giving beginning this week. Is the Holy Spirit working in the church? Prove it Pastor Mike!

We are averaging more than 20 more people in worship this year than last year. We have doubled the size of Sunday School. The kids that come forward for Children’s time are excited and beg for the chance to take home Pastor Mike’s bag. Committees are returning to the scene as people want to work in and for the church! Yes, the Holy Spirit is rich in its presence here at Ebenezer.

I urge you to bury the myth that Ebenezer can only hope to have a part time minister and instead claim your faith in the Holy Spirit and add 10% to your weekly offering.

Peace and Grace, Pastor Mike

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Page 3

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Page 4

Communication!?

As the church grows and becomes more active we rejoice and look excitedly toward the bright future which God holds for us. Also, as the church grows we discover that the old ways of doing some things don’t work in the new times. One of those things that don’t work well anymore is the way we communicate, the way we share dates and information. Try as I might, I can’t remember all of the things I’m told.

We move from the old ways of telling me “not to forget,” or “please remember,” or even, “we’ve always done it this way.” I have enough going on with the church, my position as “Chair of Placement and Transition”, membership on the “Commission on Church and Ministry” and re-writing the Member in Discernment program that it is increasingly difficult to keep straight all of the different dates/deadlines/announcements. So, rather that becoming frustrated with each other let’s change the way we do a couple of things.

* If you send me an e-mail about a church function, please also send it to Heather…we double the chances we’ll accomplish the task!

* If you tell me something Sunday morning, leave me a note.

* On Heather’s desk we are placing a notepad. If you have something for her or me, jot it down on the pad with your name. We’ll put the pad out on her desk starting Thursday, March 6.

* I’ll try doubly hard to write down notes to help me keep it all straight.

Oh, I will always welcome a reminder about an upcoming date, event, or commitment!

Thanks for understanding and helping the church grow smoothly into a bright new future.

Peace and grace, Pastor Mike

Page 5

Council Meeting- February 16, 2014

Meeting called to order at 10:55. Members present: Karen Cmejla, Don

Waldvogel, Andrea Cmejla, Steve Stenz, Janene VanHoorn, Stephanie Adamietz,

and Pastor Mike. Janene made a motion to approve the December and January

minutes as well as the agenda for today. Karen seconded. Motion carried.

Ken shared with the council an update on the parsonage. Damages were

estimated by the insurance company in excess of $80,000. Other than the

$1,000 deductible, all expenses will be covered by the insurance. Ken asked for

an approval to buy supplies to renovate the closet in the west foyer for more

storage. Karen made a motion for Ken to get supplies for the renovation. Steve

seconded. Motion carried.

Finances Report

Our January revenue is $10,824.

Our January expenditures are $7,550.

Our general fund balanced as of January 31, 2014 is $24,982.

Our current balance is $69,312.

Stephanie made a motion to accept the financial reports. Steve seconded.

Motion carried.

Janene made a motion of approval for the bills in the amount of $6,090.73,

including payroll. Steve seconded. Motion carried.

Karen made a motion to approve the October treasure reports. Don seconded.

Pastoral Reports

Pastor Mike shared with us a written synopsis of what he has done from mid-

January through mid-February, including funerals, visitations, counseling,

and Sunday School/ confirmation.

Cont. on pg. 7

Page 6

Cont. from pg. 6

Committee Reports

Christian Ed/Music- No new news.

Evangelism- The committee will be meeting next Sunday after church service. If anyone is

wanting to get involved, please see Don Waldvogel or Geri Van Oss.

Mission- The committee will be meeting on Tuesday. The rummage sale is coming up. If you

have things to donate to the church, please contact Nan Popp or Jeanne Koehler.

Women’s Guild- No new news.

Men’s Breakfast- No new news.

Property- Steve is now the council representative for the property committee.

Old Business:

The search committee is finishing up with the profile and will soon be submitting it to the

association.

Pastor’s salary was presented to the council.

The council has decided that the money raised from United Community will go towards our

church’s “Wish List” instead of OCWM. Andrea will be giving an update next Sunday

during announcements about our monthly contributions and our number of members who

are participating in the program.

New Business

The church is going to start moving in the direction of electronic record keeping.

Pastor’s presented his vacation schedule.

Cleaning out the lounge was also discussed on how to make it more presentable. Things will

be organized and more appealing to the visiting eyes.

Next council meeting will be Sunday, March 16th, following the church service. Karen made a

motion to adjourn the meeting. Steve seconded. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at

12:29.

Council Secretary,

Andrea Cmejla

Page 7

Christian Ed / Worship Committee Summary The committee began their meeting on February 9 by positively reflecting on the Sunday School Christmas program. Thank you to Shirley and the Sunday School staff. There are 22 youngsters enrolled in Sunday School. Thank you to the students for being actively involved in worship the 2nd Sunday of each month. The last day of Sunday School will be May 18. The 3 confirmands will be confirmed on May 4. Tiffany, with assistance from others, will plan special favors for Mothers on May 11. Plans were made for the upcoming Lenten – Easter season. Following is an outline of proposed plans: March 5 – Ash Wednesday 1:30 Services with ashes at Century Ridge; All residents and congregation are welcome. 7 PM Service with ashes at Ebenezer Lenten worship every Sunday April 13 – Palm Sunday Special participation of Sunday School April 17 – 7 PM Maundy Thursday worship, communion April 18 – Good Friday – Pastor Mike is checking about an ecumenical service April 20 – Easter – No Sunday School 7:30 Light Breakfast; Shirley will plan and enlist help from others 9:30 Worship Shirley will be sure to publicize this info in the local papers and on the Ebenezer website. Thank you to Mary Thompson for excellent care of the plants. It is a dedicated weekly task! Other worship suggestions were to have the “greeting” time at a different point in the worship service and to have more servers for communion. Next meeting will be May 18. Committee members present: Pastor Mike; Tiffany K; Shirley L; Bea P; Don & Diane S; Kristi S; Mary T; Elaine H.

Page 8

Page 9

Over the course of the past several months people have asked about meeting dates or church availability. Instead of memorizing dates and times we re-introduce Heather’s wall calendar.

Yes, the wall calendar has finally arrived and is hanging in the church office behind the door. If you have a meeting, even if it is a recurring meeting, please jot down the date and time for your meeting. This will help ensure meetings make it into the Eagle and the weekly bulletins.

Remember, we’d rather hear about a meeting or event 50 times than for 50 people to assume someone else has told us about the event.

Newsletter

Articles Please get your articles to Heather by the

3rd Tuesday of the month so she can get the Eagle published before the start of the next month. That means the deadline for the April 2014 Eagle is Tuesday, March 18.

Weekly bulletin announcements are due each Tuesday morning.

Let’s let everyone know what is happening at Chilton’s best church!

USHERS

March 2 Church Council

March 9 Sunday School

March 16 Mark Rusch, Mike Redig,

Ralph Schmid, Terry Schenkus

March 23 Vern & Edith Knoespel, JoAnn Lakin,

Keri Meyers

March 30 Don & Diane Sattler, Don & Donna Pingel

Page 10

March Birthdays Peter Hofmeister 02

Kevin Marx 03

Wayne Kress 04

Donna Kuba 06

Kelly Kress 07

Heather Hall 07

Patricia Ploeckelmann 10

Eleanor Augsburger 11

Michael Redig 13

Pastor Mike 14

Hannah Verrier 15

Don Waldvogel 16

Dean Beyer 16

Diane Buechel 19

Edith Knoespel 21

James Scholz 21

Karen Cmejla 22

Sue Riesterer 23

Dean Pingel 25

Harold Neuhaus 28

Gary Elliott 28

Roger Kloehn 28

If you have a February birthday, and it was

missed, please let the office know so we can

get it right next time.

We have had great participation with our SCRIP program so far this year. Since

January 1, we have earned over $670 for the church. We have been able to do that

with less than 15 families participating. Just think of the possibilities if we all would use scrip for our

groceries, gas, gifts and dining out. Stop by the office or check out www.glscrip.com to see how you can

help support our church. Once you get started, you will see how easy it really is. To encourage you to try using scrip, each time you buy scrip between now and

Easter you will be entered to win a $50 scrip gift certificate of your choice.

Page 11

NOTES FROM THE MUSIC

CORNER…

The music focus is on Lent for the month of March. Ebenezer Brass is working on some very intensive selections including one that will be

done with a guitar accompaniment. William & Karen will participate in a mass ringing festival in Fond du Lac on Feb. 23. Karen is a featured with the bell tree. William will be also accompanying some selections on the trumpet. This is exhilarating to listen to and for them to participate in. The public is welcome to attend. It will take place at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, 20 Wisconsin American Drive, Fond du Lac. Sunday School is preparing special music for Palm Sunday (April 13). It will involve a trumpet and adult vocalists. If anyone is interested in singing this special song please see Shirley or Elaine. It is easy and triumphant to go with the day!! Thank you to Don Pingel for offering one of his favorite songs, “His Eye is on the Sparrow”, accompanied by daughter Kimberlee on Feb. 23. Kimberlee will be leaving the area so this was special for them and us! Vocal and instrumental offerings are welcome from anyone – Elaine is always glad to hear an offer!!!

Page 12

Offering Envelopes

You may have noticed a small change to your newest set of offering

envelopes. When you receive your new packet of offering envelopes you will

notice the red sticker that says you are almost out of envelopes has been

moved to the week before you use your final envelope. This small change will allow Heather to get your new packet out to the table before you use your

last envelope.

This change helps in a couple of ways. First, the office will have two weeks to get the new envelopes to you. Second,

you will always have an envelope at the ready for your offering, no more

arriving at church and hoping you have

new envelopes for that Sunday.

Thanks for the suggestions that have helped us make improvements to an

already good system!

Eva Frank

Joyce Tod

Louise Dennis

Charlaine

Due to privacy laws, we can no longer list last names of members of our congregation on the prayer list above because our Eagle goes on the church website which can be viewed by anyone on

the internet. Thank you.

Scrip

Please keep in mind to buy scrip if you plan on making a shopping trip, gassing the car, or having dinner out!! It helps our church meet our goals!

United Community

We have partnered with United Community to help

raise funds needed to help our church. We are using

the funds towards our OCWM contributions and the

General Fund. Many of you have been using your

United Community Card at the partnered businesses

and we thank you for doing that. If you do not have

a United Community card and would like more

information on how to obtain one, please contact

the church office at 849-4331.

THE PURPOSE STATEMENT OF THIS CHURCH

Loving, living, and serving faithfully – uniting God

and our neighbors.

Thank you for your

continuing prayers for

my wife’s health. I am

happy to say she is

doing well and weekly

gets stronger. Thank

you for your thoughtful

care for her.

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Mike

Page 13

Mission Rummage Sale Reminder

It is that time of year again when we start

thinking about spring cleaning! Please think of

the church when you are cleaning those cup-boards and closets. We are planning a rum-

mage sale sometime in April and need your

items. Bring them to church or call one of us if

you need assistance. Thanks! Nan 920-418-

0149 or Jeanne 920-203-4137.

The rummage sale is April 11 and 12 (bag

sale on the 12th).

Page 14

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Music in Our

Schools Month

National

Women's

History Month

1

2

9:30 am

Worship

3

4

Church office

open 9-5

5 Church

office open 9-5

Ash Wednesday

Ctry Rdg 1:30

Church 7:00PM

6

6:30 Handbell

Rehearsal

7

8

9

9:30 am

Worship

10

11

Church office

open 9-5

12

Church office

open 9-5

13

8:30 am

Men’s

Breakfast @ 7

Angels

6:30 Handbell

Rehearsal

14

National Pi

Day

15 Ides of

March

16

9:30 am

Worship

Church Council

Mtg

17

St. Patrick’s

Day

18

Church office

open 9-5

Eagle Articles

Due

19

Church office

open 9-5

First Day of

Spring

20

1:00 pm

Women’s

Guild @

7 Angels

6:30 Handbell

Rehearsal

21

22

23 9:30 AM

Worship

30 9:30 am

Worship

Ev. Comm Mtg

24

31

25

Church office

open 9-5

26

Church office

open 9-5

27

6:30 Handbell

Rehearsal

28 29