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Music Ministry |
Children's Ministry |
Youth Ministry |
Senior's Ministry |
Men's Ministry
Women's Ministry | DivorceCare Ministry | DivorceCare for Kids | GriefShare Ogle County Young Moms | Sunday School & Bible Studies Councils | Other Opportunities  Choir Our choir has an important part of leading our congregation in worship. The choir meets to practice September through May on Wednesday evenings. They sing twice a month during this time. They also have a Christmas and Easter program for the congregation. Anyone fourteen and older who enjoys singing is welcome to join! Worship Teams Ebenezer enjoys a blended worship service. Each week our worship team leads the congregation in worship. We have presently have two teams that rotate every other week. If you play an instrument or enjoy singing you are welcome to join. - Contact: Worship/Music Council  Adventure Club (2 years through 5th grade) Wednesdays 6:30-7:45PM October through April Adventure Club is an exciting program for children. Adventure Club is a combination of small group Bible Study, games, crafts, songs and skits. The goal is to bring each child closer to Christ. A variety of adults and high school students work together to produce a program that every child loves. Vacation Bible School (2 years through 5th grade) - Summer One week each summer the church hosts a Vacation Bible School for children. This is a chance to meet together with friends and learn about God. Watch the newsletter, the Ebenezer Rays, for details!! Young Children and Worship (3 years through 2nd grade) During Sunday Worship September through June This is a program that teaches young children how to worship the Lord. The children leave the congregational worship service after the Children's sermon. They spend time learning a Bible Story and worshipping God. - Contact: Discipleship/Education Council  The Youth Ministry is committed to winning, building, and equipping youth for Jesus Christ. Our goal is to produce disciples who reflect the characteristics and priorities of Christ. The programming balances community building, worship, Bible Study, and service. We want each student to have a save place to be real at all of our youth events. Winning - We seek to win the lost through prayer, outreach events, and building relationships. Whether they grew up inside or outside of the church, the lost are those who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Building - We build the believer through prayer, youth group meetings, Sunday school and individual discipleship with students. We seek to establish students in basic spiritual disciplines and to create a generation that worships God in spirit and in truth. Equipping - We equip students through prayer, evangelism training and leadership development. Students who are fully equipped are able to win the lost and build the believer. Weekly Meetings
Some of our events and activities:
- Contact: Dave Brondyke (815-732-6313) Senior's MinistryJolly SeniorsJolly Seniors was started by a group of seniors in January of 1988. They felt a need for the seniors to get together for Christian Fellowship and fun. They meet the 1st Thursday of every month at noon. There are no officers or dues. Each month a couple or two singles plan and serve the event. There is scripture reading and prayer. Outings to local restaurants or other activities are scheduled. Married or single, come and enjoy our fun and fellowship. Anyone over the age of fifty is always welcome to attend. Men's MinistryMen's Small Group meets every Saturday for breakfast at 7:30 A.M. and every other Thursday evening at 7:30 P.M.Women's MinistryNaomi Ruth Mission SocietyNaomi Ruth meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month (except July & August) at 7:00 P.M. for Bible Study and fellowship. Ladies Aid The Ladies Aid Missionary Society meets the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 P.M. at the church. Ladies Aid takes an offering to support various ministries throughout the community, denomination and the world. They serve luncheons when requested by family members at the time of funerals in the church. Coffee Break Coffee Break is an interdenominational women's Bible Study designed to reach women of the community who are unbelievers, unchurched or new in the faith and to bring people into a personal, vital and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible Studies are low key and easy for everyone to complete. The small group Bible Study provides a warm, relaxed atmosphere in which women can study God's Word together and allow God's Spirit to work in each person's heart at her own pace. Coffee Break meets during the school year on Thursday mornings at 9:00 A.M. and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Children's programs are provided.  Find help at DivorceCare.DivorceCare is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are separated or divorced. It's a place where you can be around people who understand what you are feeling. It's a place where you can hear valuable information about ways to heal from the hurt of divorce.What's Happening to Me? - Session 1 This introductory seminar helps answer the question, "Why do I feel the way I do?" It helps participants become comfortable with the support group concept. The Road to Healing/Finding Help - Session 2 This video segment helps the participants identify the losses that occur as the result of divorce. It also discusses ways to begin the process of healing from the hurt of divorce. Facing Your Anger - Session 3 This video seminar deals with the subject of anger, a nearly universal reaction by both spouses during a divorce, and offers constructive suggestions for dealing with anger. Facing Your Depression - Session 4 Depression can paralyze a person going through divorce. Despite this, it can be a "healing emotion," and this video seminar explores constructive responses to depression. Facing Your Loneliness - Session 5 After divorce, many people respond to their loneliness in ways that will cause them even deeper pain. This segment explores healthy ways to overcome loneliness. What Does the Owner's Manual Say? - Session 6 This video seminar explores real-world answers from the Bible on issues related to separation, divorce and remarriage, presented in an easily understandable format. New Relationships - Session 7 This seminar will help viewers understand the hurt that can come from a premature new relationship and how to know when they are ready to enter a new relationship. Financial Survival - Session 8 Most people are stretched financially during divorce. This video segment offers practical help on how to survive and ways to deal with the many money issues that arise in divorce. KidCare - Session 9 This video seminar helps parents understand the effects of divorce on children and offers tips on being an effective single parent. Single Sexuality - Session 10 This important video segment will help viewers understand sexuality from God's perspective and will discuss how to deal with sexual urges and desires. It is possible to be single again and satisfied. Forgiveness - Session 11 The hurt that comes with divorce is a barrier that prevents many people from forgiving their former spouse. This seminar shows that healing cannot occur without forgiveness. Reconciliation - Session 12 This video seminar profiles the different types of reconciliation that can occur after divorce and explains why pursuing reconciliation is so important, even when those involved don¹t feel like reconciling. Moving On, Growing Closer to God - Session 13 How can God produce something good out of something as bad as divorce? This segment will show participants how they can grow closer to God through their divorce experience.  DivorceCare for Kids, DC4K, is a ministry for children ages 5-12. Children attending DC4K will find understanding and will connect with other children whose parents are divorcing. No longer will they feel alone on the divorce journey. As their parents attend DivorceCare, children will be in their groups having fun while learning to process their parent's divorce. Some children struggle deeply with separation and divorce, while others seem to bounce back quickly. But in the long run, all children are affected. The DivorceCare for Kids program will help minimize and eliminate the short- and long-term negative effects of divorce on a child's schoolwork, relationships, emotional health and spiritual life. DivorceCare for Kids provides the opportunity for children of divorce to experience hope, help and restoration in their lives today and in the future. Session 1 -What's Happening to My Family? Helps children of divorce find comfort and relief from the anxiety of what is happening to their families. Session 2 - God Loves Children in All Kinds of Families Assists the children in realizing that everyone's family situation is different and helps each family develop a healthy single parent home. Session 3 - Facing My Anger Helps the children recognize angry feelings and know how to deal with these feelings ina healthy and acceptable way. Session 4 - Journey From Anger to Sadness Acquaints the children with the sadness phase of grief in the divorce process and helps them learn how to process this in a healthy emotional way. Session 5 - I Am Not Alone Helps the children realize they are not alone and that there are people, including a Heavenly Father, who care about them and love them. Session 6 - God's Plan For Me Gives the children hope and comfort in knowing that God always loves them and will meet all their needs. Session 7 - Developing New Relationships Helps the children realize their relationships with Mom and Dad and others are different since the divorce and helps them learn to develop new relationships. Session 8 - Developing Money Smarts Helps the children understand various aspects of budgeting and spending that will help them and their families. Session 9 - It's Not My Fault Communicates to the children that divorce is an adult problem between the two parents and that it is not their fault. Session 10 - Telling My Parents How I Feel Shows the children how to go to their parent and talk about how they feel about various situations in an honest, yet respectful, manner. Session 11 - Forgiveness Helps the children understand what forgiveness is, and how to forgive others. Session 12 - Loving My Parents Educates the children that their parents still love them and helps the children express love to their parents. Session 13 - Moving On: Growing UP and Closer to God Assists the children in realizing that life goes on after divorce, and their futures can be healthy and happy.  It may be hard for you to feel optimistic about the future right now. If you've lost a spouse, child, family member or friend, you‘ve probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel. That’s the reason for GriefShare, a special seminar and support group for people grieving the loss of someone close. This group is sponsored by people who understand what you are experiencing and want to offer you comfort and encouragement during this difficult time. Ogle County Young MomsA division of Parents Care and Share of Illinois.Ogle County Young Moms is a free support group for moms under 25. This group meets every Monday from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. at the church. Childcare and snacks will be provided. For further details, interested moms can email ocym05@yahoo.com or call Jean Frampton at 815-632-8112. Sunday School & Bible StudiesEach Sunday Christian Education is provided for all. Classes meet from 9:00 - 9:45 A.M.Junior Department (2 years through 5th grade) To teach, to grow, to live, to show Christ's love to all we know. The children meet in the fellowship hall for a time of worship. Then children attend grade-based Sunday School class. Youth Department (6th through 12th grade) The 6th - 8th grade students meet in the youth room for a time of worship, then attend classes. The high school class meets in the library for the entire Sunday School hour. Adult Department Disciples of Christ should be on a continual path of growth. Our adult Sunday School department allows for growth, fellowship, and encouragement. Each class lasts for 6 - 8 weeks. There are 2 or 3 options each session. There is also a continuous Bible study that uses the Sunday School Guide as it's curriculum. Some of our recent classes include money management, parenting, Romans, The Network Class, and That the World May Know. Class choices are listed in the church newsletter, Ebenezer Rays, and in the weekly bulletin. Small Groups Each Thursday morning a group of adults meets at church from 9:30 - 10:30 A.M. for a Bible study. The group picks a book of the Bible to study and discuss. CouncilsEbenezer uses a council system to set goals and accomplish tasks. Each ministry and task is assigned to a specific council. All people are welcome to serve on a council. The councils meet the second Tuesday of every even month.Discipleship / Education Council This council provides direction for the church in the areas of discipleship and education. It is responsible for fostering growth in our Christian lives and guiding us in the teaching of God's Word. (Matthew 28:19-20) Mission / Outreach Council This council provides direction for the congregation in the area of mission and outreach. It is responsible for overseeing evangelism and for helping us make the great commission a reality. (Matthew 28:19-20) Stewardship / Property Council This council oversees the use and maintenance of church property and involves members in giving of our time, talents, financial support and other means of stewardship, not only material but also spiritual. (1 Peter 4:10) Worship / Music Council This council provides direction for the congregation in the areas of worship and music. The aim of worship and music is for us to draw near to a Holy God(Hebrews 10:19-25; Isaiah 6:1-8), for us to give expression to our time with Him and to have our lives transformed in the process. (Romans 12:1-2) Worship
*Council Chair - (Jon Underhill) coordinates this item. Other OpportunitiesPrayer Chain Prayer is an essential part of our congregation. The prayer chain is a group of people who are committed to prayer. Requests are passed via the telephone. If you would like to be added to the prayer chain or have a request, please contact the church office. Usher & Greeters This is an essential part of our ministry as a church. Ushers ang greeters are responsible for creating an atmosphere of love and acceptance. They help newcomers find their way and welcome old timers into the church family. Mission Trip Each summer individual members and families of the church take a week-long mission trip to serve people in need. The experience is designed to give opportunity for people to share God's love and truth (e.g. leading Vacation Bible Studies, home repair), to explore another part of God's church (mission sites are generally in a somewhat different culture) and to deepen relationships with one another and God. Past locations include: Milwaukee, WI; Ensenada, Mexico, King's Camp; Chicago, IL; Macy, NE; Annville, KY. Newsletter Staff The Ebenezer Rays staff meets once a month, on the Thursday following Consistory meeting. The Newsletter Editor is currently looking for an individual, or individuals, that would be interested in performing interviews, and would be willing to write articles for the newsletter from those interviews. Contact: Discipleship / Education Council Softball Team Each summer Ebenezer plays softball in Davis Junction. Games are on Sunday nights throughout the summer. The team also takes on the youth of the church in one or two games each season. |
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