The past year will forever be marked by the Covid pandemic. We have all faced special burdens as our lives and families and businesses have been effected. I especially think of the elderly in our congregation who have had to take special precautions but as a result face long and lonely days with little contact from friends and family. Let us not forget those we know and those in need.
However, in spite of it all we have endured. Our live streaming technology has been a great blessing in this time. Whether connecting with us on Facebook or our Ebenezerflc.org website a large group mostly from our Northwood area but also from many states across the country have joined us in Sunday worship. We thank God for the technology to ‘preach the word’ (2 Timothy 4:2) and ‘not forsake the assembling together’ (Hebrews 10:25) even if our assembling together is virtual. Many of you have shared your thanksgiving in this ability to stay in touch with our Ebenezer family and be able to participate in virtual worship.
As you know, our church body has taken what we’ve felt to be necessary steps of suspending a number of ministries we offer our Ebenezer family. However, with the peak of the pandemic seemingly in our past, the Council has felt we can begin a restart and bring back some of the ministries we had previously suspended. One significant ministry we’re excited to announce is the restart of Sunday School on January 10th at 9:30. Sunday School will be available for all ages with the adult class meeting in the Dining Hall. Bring your children to Sunday School and stay for Adult class. Worship will follow at 10:30.
We are also restarting our Men’s Breakfast Bible Study on Friday January 8th at 7:00. Each Friday morning, a hardy breakfast is served combined with a time to open our bibles and look into the Words of God. I really enjoy how the men conduct this Bible Study. We simply go around our table taking turns reading a chapter from the Bible and then the men share something interesting to them from the text. It’s always an interesting conversation. Then, before we get to 8:00, a prayer is offered and are off to our jobs. It’s a great way to being the day. We invite anyone who wishes to come.
It’s been encouraging over the last few weeks to see more and more of our people returning to the church facility for worship. It is our hope and prayer that soon you will feel comfortable in returning to corporate worship. I realize this decision is one that each individual must make given their circumstances and feelings. Hopefully soon, the chairs of Ebenezer will fill with your presence as we come to worship before the Audience of One.
Pastor Mark
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