– We are here, Holy One, longing to experience the Peace of Jesus the Christ. As we offer our whole selves to you, may your Spirit stir among us—renewing and refreshing us—so that we can be ready to serve you by loving and caring for others.
Welcoming* Inclusive* Supportive* Engaged*
As we continue to follow Safer at Home guidelines for worship, your WISE Team asks you to continue your WISE education at home. We encourage you to click below to watch two videos that explore mental health issues:
Mental Health: Why Should I Care/ Companionship
Four additional videos give good insights into Ebenezer’s WISE initiative:
Videos with insights on mental health
An article by Rev. Megan Snell shares words of hope in these uncertain, and often overwhelming, times. She suggests we focus on three “G” ideas as we navigate these uncharted waters: Gratitude, Grace, and Give It To God. Click below for the article.
Holy One, as we gather in your Presence on this sacred day, you know that we yearn to ‘fast-forward’ to the celebration of resurrection. Yet, the path of this journey leads here with you. Give us, we pray: ears to hear, eyes to see, spirits that are open, and feet that are willing to follow. Amen.
Click below to join in worship.
Holy and Loving God, as we seek to receive this story with our whole selves –
In moving closer to Christ and his crucified love,
may we draw closer to you and your beloved world. 
– You may click on the worship video below to watch and listen.
Maundy Thursday worship with Communion – all are welcome at Christ’s table
On this Palm Sunday, join in worship – We trust that you are here, O God. We trust that your Love still lives and moves among us. So stay with us, we pray…hear our songs and prayers, fill us with love, and send us out ready to face the future.
Ebenezer YouTube worship service
Join in worship with songs, prayers, scripture, and a reflection by Rev. Lorri. – In the light of your love, O God, we journey through the dark places of life. So hold us close, we pray, as we linger in these delicate days. Though we cannot yet perceive the way from here, we do not give in to despair. We trust in You…
– You may click on the worship video to watch and listen (after 7 am on Sunday, March 29). This worship service will also be broadcast on WSCS channel 990 on Charter or 99 on AT&T U-Verse.
Click here for video of worship service
Ebenezer United Church of Christ
ONLINE WORSHIP – MARCH 29, 2020
Hope is being able to see that there IS light despite all of the darkness. ~ Desmond Tutu
OPENING PRAYER
In the light of your love, O God, we journey through the dark places of life. So hold us close, we pray, as we linger in these delicate days. Though we cannot yet perceive the way from here, we do not give in to despair. We trust in You, who has helped us through the troubles of every generation. We trust that You, O God, help us still. Calm our restless minds and spirits, we pray, as we are reminded, again, that You are our hope for You are with us in all things and through all things. Amen.
SINGING TOGETHER When We Face An Unknown Future By Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
When we face an unknown future that we can’t imagine yet,
when the closeness we have treasured turns from blessing into threat—
As we miss our friends and loved ones, as we crave community,
may we look, God, in this season, for a whole new way to be.
Jesus faced the lonely desert as a time to look within.
There he met such trial and conflict; there he knew you were with him.
In this time of separation when we miss the life we’ve known,
may we hear your voice proclaiming: “I am here! You’re not alone.”
May we cherish those around us as we never have before.
May we think much less of profit; may we learn what matters more.
May we hear our neighbors’ suffering; may we see our neighbors’ pain.
May we learn new ways of offering life and health and hope again.
God, when illness comes to threaten, and when so much here goes wrong,
may we know this thing for certain— that your love is sure and strong.
You’re beside us in our suffering, and when times are surely tough,
we may face an unknown future, but it’s filled, Lord, with your love.
SCRIPTURE Mark 13:1-8, 24-37
REFLECTION
We usually think of ‘apocalypse’ and ‘apocalyptic texts’ as those that speak about ‘the end of times’ and the second coming of Jesus–a time to ‘fear’–so keep awake! Yet, what we see, when we read these words of Jesus in their context in the story, is that Jesus is talking about removing the ‘veil’ before our eyes so that we can see what God is doing in the world, in and through Jesus, more clearly. There is certainly change coming…but it’s not the change we were anticipating. We can relate to that these days in ways we could not have envisioned days and weeks ago. Yet, the promise of the Gospel is Good News! So, Keep Awake! God is here, calling you–‘electing’ you–to reveal the Love of the Living Christ that is CONSTANTLY HERE…even when it feels like everything else is changing.
INVITATION TO BE GRATEFUL
SINGING TOGETHER Heaven by Andra Moran
Wide open spaces with places to run
Billowing clouds and a bright yellow sun
A box full of pieces that finally fit
In one complete picture I think this is it…
Heaven
Beautiful flowers that grow in the yard
Holding a baby close in my arms
Finally knowing the right thing to say
Seeing Your face at the end of the day…
Heaven
Well I can see that place in me
Where everything is just as it should be
Heaven…oh…Heaven
Your arms around me, surround me tonight
Here in the silence with You by my side
Staring at stars on a hot summer night
Feeling the sweet touch of wind rushing by
Heaven…Heaven
Well I can see that place in me
Where everything is just as it should be
Heaven…oh…Heaven
Yea…Heaven
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
God of Love and Compassion, though we face difficult truths and realities, we are grateful that we do so in the company of You and one another. As we are keenly aware of the ways we struggle with lack in these days – lack of connection, lack of certainty, lack of resources, or lack of hope – we remember that You can turn even the smallest offerings into an abundance of hope…for us and for others. Make us generous in spirit, Holy One, as we seek to be mindful of the needs of our most vulnerable neighbors. Bless all that we offer, we pray, for we know that You multiply all that we share in love.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE /THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
FOCUS ON OUR LIFE TOGETHER
SENDING SONG
Wait For God by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
Wait for God, be strong and let your heart take courage
Wait for God, be strong and let your heart take courage
Wait for God.
Watch and hope, be strong and let your heart take courage
Watch and hope, be strong and let your heart take courage
Watch and hope.
Stay with me, be strong and let your heart take courage
Stay with me, be strong and let your heart take courage
Stay with me
And watch and hope
And wait for God.
BENEDICTION
May Grace and Peace, Light and Love, and
Hope and Joy be with you all. Amen
CREDITS
Opening Prayer: adapted from Spill the Beans and Enfleshed
Prayer of Dedication: Adapted from Enfleshed
WISE – Welcoming* Inclusive* Supportive* Engaged*
Hello Ebenezer (from your WISE Team)! Four videos at the site below give good insights to Ebenezer’s WISE initiative:
The Power of Personal Story and Breaking the Silence on Mental Illness
Minority Mental Health—What Does Faith Have To Do With It?
The “Big Three” Mental Illnesses
Self‐care for the Selfless
Five Surprising Mental Health Statistics: (from: mentalhealthfirstaid.org) By Rubina Kapil on February 6, 2019
These statistics provide a look at how many people face a mental health or substance use challenge, whether we see it or not:
Ebenezer United Church of Christ, Sheboygan, WI
YOUTUBE WORSHIP, MARCH 22, 2020
Click here to link to YouTube for this worship service
PRAYER (adapted from a prayer from Enfleshed)
Loving God, you Who Knows, all that we experience is held in your care. Nothing is hidden from you – not the burdens we bear in public or the quiet pain felt only in secret. Your love for us welcomes everything that aches. With hearts open to your Spirit, we bring all our hopes and fears to you. Amen.
A Message from Rev. Lorri – 
We are the church, the Body of Christ…whether gathered or scattered. Though we are not able to gather in the sanctuary, be assured, beloved, we are woven together by the Spirit of the One who loves and cherishes all.
I pray that we may seek safe and effective ways to be present for each other and for others. Know that you are in my heart and all my prayers.
May God bless and keep you.
May you share and experience kindness and compassion.
May the grace of Christ surround you.
May the Spirit embrace you with peace.
~ Rev. Lorri