INSIDE THIS ISSUE Marvelous Marv s Margins 2 Calendar 3 News and Events 4 Schedules 6 Birthdays and Anniversaries 8

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1 Ebenezer Reformed Church 2997 N. German Church Road Oregon, IL Office: (815) Interim Pastor: Marv Jacobs Parsonage phone: (815) Cell phone: (480) Secretary: Dee Haak Treasurer Larry Seabold Bookkeeper Mark Lohman Prayer Chain Requests: Deb Boomgarden: or call Dee Haak (815) /(630) INSIDE THIS ISSUE Marvelous Marv s Margins 2 Calendar 3 News and Events 4 Schedules 6 Birthdays and Anniversaries 8 *Newsletter articles are due SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23 RD. Items can be ed to ercrays@gmail.com or put in the box in the Narthex. Thank you. CONSISTORY MEMBERS 2018 Pastor Marvin Jacobs President Elders John Smith Vice President of Consistory jwsconserv@aol.com Phone: (815) Council: Mission & Outreach (Co-Chairperson) Bill Reecher breecher1@comcast.net Phone: (815) Council: Discipleship & Education Anthony Berg aberg1959@yahoo.com Phone: (815) Council: Worship & Music Gary McDanel Mcdanel8754@comcast.net Phone (815) Council: Property & Stewardship (Chairperson) Steve Raine s.raine@comcast.net Phone: (815) Council: Discipleship & Education (Chairperson) Deacons Dale Boomgarden ddboomgarden@gmail.com Phone: (815) Council: Property & Stewardship Cara Stewart cara6485@yahoo.com Phone: (815) Council: Worship & Music (Chairperson) Marilyn Berg colafb@gmail.com Phone: (815) Council: Discipleship & Education Val Herriot dvherriot@frontier.com Phone: (815) Council: Mission & Outreach (Co-Chairperson) Skyler Martin blackhawkcattle@gmail.com Phone: (815) Council: Property & Stewardship "A body of believers glorifying God, outwardly focused, committed to growth in personal transformation and in number." 1

2 Marvelous Marv s Margins I ve set my December Margins for Christ s Coming! Sometimes, progress toward a goal is measured in seconds. Think about the Olympic Games where seconds or even fractions of seconds mark the distance between medalists and also-rans. Think about football games where seconds often find the Packers or Vikings lose and the Bears win! Sometimes, progress is measured in minutes. Soft-boiled egg? Hard-boiled egg? The difference is minutes! Soft boiled Marv? Hard boiled Marv? Sometimes that difference is minutes too! Sometimes, progress is measured in hours. A full eight hours of sleep or just a couple hours? Marvie gets kind of grumpy without at least seven hours of sleep. Sometimes, progress is measured in days. Our world was created in seven days! Jesus was tempted in the wilderness for forty days, and true to His prophecy, He rose from the dead after three days! Sometimes, progress is measured in weeks. That s what we ll be doing again this year as we countdown to Christmas! Four Sundays-each one bringing us closer to Jesus birth. We call this season Advent. It is a time of expectant waiting, but not the twiddle your thumbs kind of waiting. We have spiritual preparations to make! Jesus is coming! Let s make room for Him! His greatest desire is to born anew in the cradle of our hearts! Sometimes, progress is measured in months nine months, in the case of young Mary. The angel s message about giving birth to God s son must have come as quite a shock to both Mary and Joseph. Over the course of nine months, however, not only does the baby grow, so does their joy and thanksgiving! Sometimes, progress is measured in years. 40 years in the wilderness. That s how long the Israelites wandered in the desert before entering the promised land. I m 68. My promised land is getting closer! Sometimes, progress is measured in decades. Show a young person today, the dial phone we grew up with or the typewriter we once used to create our essays, and they ll think we must have grown up with the cavemen! Sometimes, progress is measured in eons. Think about the time it took for the Colorado River to carve the Grand Canyon. Sometimes, progress is measured in returns. Someday Jesus will return and take us home to be with Him forever. Amen! I m in!!! And sometimes, progress is measured by moments!. Moments aren t so much about time, as they are about encounters. This Christmas season, make your moments count. Enjoy your family, friends, and Jesus! Take time for what really matters! You matter to me so I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! 2

3 December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Every Sunday 8:30 am Prayer Meeting 9:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship 2 Food Pantry Collection Communion 3 Wonderful Women in the Word 4 5 Music & Worship Ladies Aid Council Noon :00 am 9 10 Wonderful Women in the Word 16 Caroling 3:00 pm 17 Wonderful Women in the Word

4 December is Ebenezer s month to deliver Meals on Wheels in Byron. Lifescape's Meals on Wheels is the only home-delivered, community-based meal program in our region. Without this service, thousands of homebound adults would have no way of remaining nutritionally healthy and independent. Meals on Wheels fulfills the nutritional needs of many homebound seniors and disabled individuals. Every day, the men and women who drive Lifescape's food delivery vehicles perform wonders. Not only do they provide a hot nutritious meal to homebound seniors who may not otherwise get one, but they also provide that social contact the senior may not have. The social and safety benefits of Meals on Wheels can become just as important as the food. For some seniors, the delivery driver is the only person they see all day, the only person to ask how they're doing, the only human voice they hear. If you have the noon hour free on weekdays, please consider volunteering to deliver meals to shut-ins in Byron. What a wonderful way to show Ebenezer cares! To sign up please contact Mark Lohman at (815) Food Pantry Collection Sunday, December 2 nd is the monthly food pantry collection for area food pantries. This month s collection will go to Lifeline in Oregon. They are in need of pork & beans, Hamburger Helper, frosting, kidney beans, pancake mix and syrup. Please place monetary or food donations in the grocery carts in the church foyer. WWW The Wonderful Women in the Word meet every Monday night at the church at 6:30 PM. They will be starting a study about advent called Awaiting the Already by Magrey devega on December 3 rd. Please let Melissa Reecher know if you d like a book. Join them and see what new revelations God has in store for you! Ladies Aid The Ladies Aid Missionary Society meets the first Wednesday of each month at the church. There is a Bible Study, devotions, refreshments and each member brings a scripture verse for roll call relating to a certain topic. Ladies Aid takes an offering to support various ministries throughout the community, denomination and the world. They also serve luncheons when requested by family members at the time of funerals in the church. Do you have a couple hours to give one afternoon a month? Age doesn t matter; this ministry is open to all women of the church. This month s meeting is Wednesday, December 5 th at noon with appetizers. Beryl Blumeyer is the hostess. Dee Haak will do the devotions. Roll call will be a Scripture verse on Promise. Bring your favorite ornament. Christian Fellowshipers Christian Fellowshipers will not meet in December. Children s Activity Bags There are activity bags in the Narthex on a wooden stand for young attendees to take into the pews during church service. If you see a visitor with young children, please offer these bags or help them find the nursery. Christmas Cards Instead of giving Christmas cards some of our congregation are donating to a charity of their choice. There is a list (in the narthex) for you to sign up if you would like to do this. Putting down your charity is optional. Dee will put your Christmas wishes in the bulletin all at one time. The deadline is Sunday, December 16. 4

5 Poinsettias are being ordered from County Market. The cost is $7.00 each and can be given in memory of a deceased loved one or in honor of a special living person or just because you want to give one to beautify the church. Please place order forms and payment in the decorated basket in the narthex. The deadline is Sunday, December 9. A thank you note from the prison ministry: Sometimes life just doesn t go right. I have been feeling that lately and I think at times a lot of people feel that too. When we were kids, maybe we had big plans, dreams or what we hoped for, but along the way something happened. But I do know that when things don t go right, I know who I can turn to, to help me get past my feelings. The disappointments, in life. That person is Jesus Christ, He says I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5 If you have a trust in Jesus He will always be there. He wants each of us to know Him..He loves each & every one of us NO MATTER WHAT!! Every single person on earth has sinned done something bad & not just one but continuously! God knew that would happen when He created each of us. He loves each of us and wants us to run into His outstretched arms, to be with Him forever. That is why Jesus came. To seek & save those who are lost. I know that whatever situation you are in if you trust in Him, He will give you strength. Read Proverbs 2:1-5; Jeremiah 29:13; John 3:16 is the good news in a nutshell and Psalm 23 for comfort. Praying that you will see how Jesus helps you & that you will know His great love for you C Thank you note from the family of Connie Bader: Dear Pastor Marv & Members of Ebenezer: I am sorry that I was unable to attend Mom s good-bye party. She was thrilled and touched by it and your praying over her meant a lot to her. I just want to tell you how much I have appreciated and treasured you over the past many years. I know it hasn t been all smooth sailing As an outsider looking in, it seems like you have been going through the Refiner s Fire (I Peter 1:7 and the end product is purification (well as much as we can in this world...) You all know where you stand with God s Word, the Bible as His inerrant truth. I have seen you standing firm on the Word as you have been through hardships. As you stand with Him, He will keep you strong (Ephesians 6:10-12). I have seen how you cared for your members too, you are always so welcoming!! Thank you for your love and care for my parents. Dad s beautiful service a tribute to God and Dan s talk. I believe it was just what Dad wanted all about God and His invitation to eternal life. Thank you all for your care for Mom as she was in Oregon dealing with selling the house and many unexpected issues?? You are stalwart and sincere and truly show the love of God. I have been honored to have been a little part of your fellowship, so I thank you. A chapter in Mom s life is changing but isn t it nice that some chapters you can go back and revisit! (which I know she plans to do!) I know she will be welcomed. (I hope to visit also!) Again, thank you all for your love, support and Christian testimony. Thank you for standing strong in the one true faith and firm in His Word. May you always see the blessings He has given to you! With love and joy in Jesus, Cindy Brey 5

6 December 2018 SCHEDULE 12/2 Greeters Coots Family Tom & Lisa Gale Ushers Norma Flanagan and Grace Henley Nursery Rosalyn Smith and Myrna Lohman 12/9 Greeters Grygiel Family Dan & Val Herriot Ushers Kim & Tyler Carow and Grace Henley Nursery Brittany Clawson and Marilyn Berg 12/16 Greeters Craig & Karen Hummel Mark & Myrna Lohman Ushers Christenson s and Grace Henley Nursery Annette and Allissa Martin 12/23 Greeters Martin Family Gary & Giner McDanel Ushers Dale & Deb Boomgarden and Grace Henley Nursery Melissa Reecher and Jen Christenson 12/30 Greeters Steve Raine Bill & Melissa Reecher Ushers Beryl Blumeyer, Nancy Gale & Grace Henley Nursery Mary Goerks and Jen Grygiel 6

7 Dear Partners In Mission, Thank you for your prayers, notes of encouragement and financial support. The campus has been a hub of activity. We have been aided by volunteers this fall from Illinois and Michigan. They worked on improving the homes of some of our area residents. They also helped on campus working in the trade stores, in the office, and helping to advance the Lincoln Hall rehabilitation project. This fall we also hosted two health fairs on our campus. The fair on September 8 was for veterans and their families. Several new veterans attended this year. The purpose of the fair is to provide the best updated information on services provided by the Veterans Administration, Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies. This was hosted by our veterans outreach committee. This committee is now working with the VA to conduct workshops for local pastors to help with the growing epidemic of veterans suicides. The second fair was held on October 18 for local students and their families. This event was also well attended. Both events were blessed with great weather. Soon the campus green will start to be transformed into the community of Bethlehem. We will again be hosting the Journey to Bethlehem. This year we will have 8 evening productions from Nov. 29 Dec.2. Three years ago, we had six performances with over 1,500 in attendance. We had great weather then and are praying for the same this year. It is our desire that the attendees will come to know the reality of Jesus as the Lord of their lives. If you have any questions or concerns, we would be happy to discuss them with you. If you so desire, we will make ourselves available to have a video or teleconference with your mission committee at a time convenient to you. You can contact us at We also have an mailing called the Prayer Warrior that we can to you and anyone in your congregation who you think would be interested in what is happening with our ministry efforts. Just send us the addresses and we will gladly add them to the mailings Thank you for your support and prayers. Your generous support is helping us to make a difference, one opportunity at a time, to the people we have been called to serve. Sincerely, Jacob Jake L. Moss Development Director, Annville Institute/Grace Covenant Ministries jlmossky@outlook.com 7

8 1 Mike Ruthe 3 Jim Rosenbalm 4 Kim Carow Mason Zabran 11 Adrian Considine 12 Matthew Meyers 13 Cade Bertsch 18 Val Herriot 21 Sarah Smith 23 Jeff Ruthe 24 Jamee Wolf 29 Eric Berg 30 Jennifer Christianson 31 Amy King 2 Mr. & Mrs. Gary McDanel 30 Mr. & Mrs. James Rosenbalm (1949) We are trying to keep the birthday and anniversary list up to date. If your birthday or anniversary is incorrect or missing, please send an to ercrays@gmail.com or put a note in the newsletter box in the Narthex. Thank you!!!! Show our shut-ins your love they need our contact!!! Keep them in your prayers as well as drop by for a visit or send a note to give them a lift. See list on bulletin board for addresses and birthdays! 8