March 24, 2020

At this point we are cancelling all in-person church activities, including Sunday worship services, through April 6, 2020.  Please continue to meet with us via Livestream for Sunday morning worship (8:30 am) and Mid-Week Service (Wednesdays).  Please also continue to check our events page for more ways to stay connected during this time.

 

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March 17, 2020

Our elders met last night and made a few decisions regarding how things will unfold at Ebenezer due to the coronavirus restrictions.  They decided that we will remain closed for as long as the Bethlehem Area public schools are closed. So, we’ll extend our closure past March 27 if the schools do.  Please check back here to confirm any changes we are making.  Please know that we will continue to answer the phone and email, so please feel free to reach out should you need anything.

During our time of closure we will increasingly offer ways to fellowship and worship remotely.  Here are a few being offered already:

• Our Sunday morning worship services will continue, and we’ll make them available via Livestream (https://livestream NULL.com/ebfcstream/weekly-sunday-service-2020) only.  (Note that the recording can be watched at ANY time after the live taping begins.)
• A Mid-Week Service is now also being recorded for you to view via video.  Here is today’s (https://livestream NULL.com/ebfcstream/weekly-sunday-service-2020/videos/203065522)!
• Pastor Mike is posting short video teaching sessions for the youth throughout the week.

 

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March 13, 2020 | 5:10 pm

Dear Church Family,

Late this afternoon the Governor closed all schools in Pennsylvania through March 27.  Therefore, Ebenezer is cancelling our Sunday morning worship services and all other events and activities, effective March 15-27, 2020. The Ebenezer worship services will be provided ONLY through the livestream for the next two Sundays.  We invite you to join us in worship as I will continue to preach and the worship team will continue to lead us in singing. In this manner, we will be encouraging all of Ebenezer to continue to worship on the Lord’s Day in your homes with your families via our livestream ministry.  We are also asking that you continue to be faithful in your giving so that the ministry of Ebenezer can continue to flourish for the glory of God.  You can give online, via our mobile app, or mail it in. Please also keep an eye on our website as we may be posting updates and encouragements throughout the week.

Again, please be a praying and fearless people.  Lead your families to put their hope in the Lord.  We are praying that these measures will only be temporary. May the Lord bless you all!

Fearlessly Serving Christ,
Pastor Tim & the Elders of Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church

 

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March 13, 2020 | 11:10 am

Dear Church Family,

Our elders met on Thursday night for prayer to seek wisdom from the Lord concerning how Ebenezer activities will be affected by the coronavirus.   After prayer, we decided that all Ebenezer activities including worship services will follow the lead of the local schools at this point in time, and remain open.  For this Sunday, March 15, here is our plan:

• We will hold both worship services at their usual times (8:30am & 11:15am).
• We are cancelling adult elective classes, children’s Sunday school classes, nursery, and children’s church this week.
• We are suggesting that the vulnerable in our congregation stay home and watch the livestream service which can easily be accessed on our website at aplaceforyou.org/sermons (https://aplaceforyou NULL.us8 NULL.list-manage NULL.com/track/click?u=1da2fc912796b5e9cd1a43982&id=8b0949aa20&e=cee2223291).
• We ask that if you have a cold or are feeling sick in any way, that you stay home and watch the service via livestream (https://aplaceforyou NULL.us8 NULL.list-manage NULL.com/track/click?u=1da2fc912796b5e9cd1a43982&id=bd53df154a&e=cee2223291).  Please do not bring your sick children to church.

Here are a few changes we are making for the time being:

• The ushers will be opening the front doors for everyone as they enter the building on Sunday mornings to prevent “many hands” from touching the door.
• We ask you to greet one another with a warm smile & wave for the time being, and kindly ask others before shaking hands or hugging, and avoid pressuring them to do so.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in the lobby and throughout the building.
• The back rail of each pew will be cleaned & sanitized after services.
• Door handles throughout the church will be sanitized many times daily.
• Fellowship pads will not be passed during Sunday worship; instead the sermon guides will be in your bulletin.
• Offering plates will not be passed during Sunday worship; instead the ushers will hold plates in which you can drop your offering as you leave. (Alternatively, you are welcome to give online (https://aplaceforyou NULL.us8 NULL.list-manage NULL.com/track/click?u=1da2fc912796b5e9cd1a43982&id=81701ae086&e=cee2223291).)
• Classroom tables & chairs will be sanitized several times throughout the week.
• As always, the nursery toys, counters, and tables will be disinfected weekly and additional times as needed.
• For communion we will use pre-filled and sealed cups with wafers.

Please keep your eye on our website (https://aplaceforyou NULL.us8 NULL.list-manage NULL.com/track/click?u=1da2fc912796b5e9cd1a43982&id=1c60f803ca&e=cee2223291) where we will be posting updates about our services and activities. If and when the schools decide to close, we will close as well. If the schools close, Ebenezer worship services will be provided only through the livestream (https://aplaceforyou NULL.us8 NULL.list-manage NULL.com/track/click?u=1da2fc912796b5e9cd1a43982&id=93db14d6ef&e=cee2223291) for a period of time as the elders deem necessary.  Our services will continue as normal but only on the livestream.  I will continue to preach and the worship team will continue to lead us in singing.  In this manner, we will be encouraging all of Ebenezer to continue to worship on the Lord’s Day in your homes with your families via our livestream ministry.  We are also asking that you continue to be faithful in your giving so that the ministry of Ebenezer can continue to flourish for the glory of God.  You can give online (https://aplaceforyou NULL.us8 NULL.list-manage NULL.com/track/click?u=1da2fc912796b5e9cd1a43982&id=1f99ed6101&e=cee2223291), via our mobile app (https://aplaceforyou NULL.us8 NULL.list-manage NULL.com/track/click?u=1da2fc912796b5e9cd1a43982&id=d321c751ad&e=cee2223291), or mail it in.

Please be a praying and fearless people.  Lead your families to put their hope in the Lord.  We are praying that these measures will only be temporary.  We will also share all of these details during our worship service this Sunday.  May the Lord bless you all!

Fearlessly Serving Christ,
Pastor Tim & the Elders of Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4:6-7

 

Join us LIVE online for Sunday Morning Worship at 8:30am! During the coronavirus restrictions, Ebenezer worship services are available by Livestream ONLY. Pastor Tim will continue to preach and the worship team will lead us in singing. Don’t worry, you can still play, rewind and pause the video if you tune in late by a few minutes (or hours/days).

Sunday, April 5: We will continue to have communion on Sunday April 5, via livestream. Pastor Tim will be leading us as usual. In order to be prepared, we are asking everyone to get some sort of juice (grape, apple, orange, or wine if you are not opposed) and a cracker or piece of bread of some sort. At the end of the service, Pastor Tim will lead us all virtually in remembering & celebrating the death of our Savior.

 

March 29 & April 5, 2020
10-11am

Join us by Zoom (video chat) for an Adult Elective class this Sunday! Pastor Dick will be teaching us lessons from 1 Peter, where Peter answers the question of what should we be doing, “While We Wait?” We’re realizing anew this month that Christians are not exempt from trials, just as those in Peter’s day were finding out. To join in this Adult Elective, simply click this link (https://zoom NULL.us/j/174118667?pwd=bVdCNXc1L0dMbndpQkJIQnpzWVR2dz09) on Sunday morning.  (If you’ve never used Zoom before, allow yourself an extra 5 minutes to download a small app that enables you to open the link).

 

(https://livestream NULL.com/ebfcstream/weekly-sunday-service-2020/videos/203523413)

Recorded: March 25, 2020

Our pastors here at Ebenezer invite you to join them via video for a mid-week service! Pastor Jeremy opens with a few songs, Pastor Tim leads in a time of Bible Study, and Pastor Dick and Pastor Mike lead us in a time of prayer for the people in our church family, community, and world.

 

As we continue to find creative ways to connect with one another during the coronavirus restrictions, Pastor Mike will be sharing short videos for the youth! Several times a week he will be providing a 5-10 minute video lesson/devotional on a Psalm and posting it to our youth webpage. While he isn’t promising high quality video editing, he can promise that these videos will challenge us all to find peace in the midst of the chaos around us. Please feel free to reach out to Pastor Mike if you need him, or just want to check in to let him know how you’re doing!

Mike Notary, Youth Pastor
610-297-2025
[email protected] (mike null@null aplaceforyou NULL.org)

 

Posted: March 23, 2020

As we journey through these uncertain times of the Covid-19 Pandemic, may we do so together as a church family. May we continue to reach out and encourage one another daily. Even during these trying times, there are many opportunities to be reminded of God’s promises. So we wanted to share some of the inspiring posts that spoke to us this week. May you be much encouraged.

 

(https://www NULL.thegospelcoalition NULL.org/article/never-better-family-prayer/)Tim Gibson
Senior Pastor

These times of isolation should prove to be advantageous for us as families. There isn’t a better time to implement prayer & family devotions to your schedule. Megan Hill writes a great article on the Gospel Coalition website called, “Never a Better Time for Family Prayer (https://www NULL.thegospelcoalition NULL.org/article/never-better-family-prayer/).” Let us all take this time to be sober minded and lead our families in prayer and devotions during this time.

 

(https://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?v=nbr-Oky1qV0)Jeremy Harkins
Worship Pastor

As we continue to look to Him for our strength may we read through Psalm 46 (https://www NULL.biblegateway NULL.com/passage/?search=psalm+46&version=ESV) and reflect upon the “With Us” phrases that emphasize His power and presence in hardship. Take a listen to this powerful song of deliverance by Shane and Shane called Lord Of Hosts (https://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?v=nbr-Oky1qV0).

 

(https://www NULL.helpfulgames NULL.com/subjects/brain-training/memory NULL.html)Mike Notary
Youth Pastor

A Call to Remember: The call to remember is a common theme throughout the entire Bible. The word is mentioned over 125 times. In the Old Testament God calls his people to remember His marvelous deeds. In Luke 22:19b, Jesus instructs His disciples to remember Him through communion. However, if you’re like me, sometimes it’s easy to quickly forget the wondrous work of Christ. In this time of uncertainty, let’s take a moment to remember all that God has done in your life.

Matching Pairs: Spend some time this week playing a matching pairs game with your family, or even by yourself. Make your own matching tiles with this template or play online (https://www NULL.helpfulgames NULL.com/subjects/brain-training/memory NULL.html). While playing, take a moment to share memories of how God has shown up in miraculous ways. Share memories of Christ’s faithfulness in all circumstances.

 

Dick Bickings
Pastor of Discipleship

This morning I prayed the prayer that was sent out by Peter A. Lillback, President of Westminster Theological Seminary. It is a portion of the prayer developed for his community’s use during their recent Day of Prayer for our nation amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also a prayer intended for all of us as well. I was blessed today while praying this prayer and I thought, what if all of us prayed this prayer for the next several days. I will be praying this prayer each morning for the next 3 days at 8am and invite you to join me wherever you will be, and together we will bombard heaven and seek the Lord’s healing of our land and blessings on our families, churches and ministries.

We pray today through the mighty strength of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness and confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation. Grant O Lord that we may hear Your voice since we have hoped in you. Show us the way in which we should walk, since we have lifted up our souls unto You. Deliver us from our enemies, O Lord, we have fled unto You. Teach us to do Your will, for You are our God.

Heavenly Father, we come to You today because Your mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness! We approach Your throne of Grace today in America through united prayer as we have been called to do so by the President. We honor his call for prayer, affirming that prayer knows no political parties and is not the provenance of Republican or Democrat. We pray for our President, his cabinet, and health officials, as well as the honorable Congress and all leaders throughout our land. We pray earnestly to You during this season of great crisis because You are the Giver of Life and Health. Please hear the prayers of Your people!

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, You are our only sure hope in this time of need. We humbly beseech You to visit and relieve each one who calls out to You in their afflictions. Please look upon them with eyes of mercy; comfort them with a personal sense of Your goodness; preserve them from the temptations of the evil one and the fear of death. Please give them patience in their loneliness and sufferings, particularly for those who are alone, shut off from others whether in their homes, quarantined, or hospitalized. In Your sovereign and perfect time, we humbly ask that You restore them to health, and enable them to lead each day of their lives thereafter in holy gratitude to Your glory. And if this should be the time that You have chosen to call them to Yourself, please grant that they may dwell with You in everlasting life through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ whose death, resurrection and perfect life have merited the forgiveness of our sins and assure to every believer eternal blessings in Your presence.

All this we ask in the exalted name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

 

May 1-2, 2020
Registration Deadline: April 29, 2020

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Calling all men to join us here at Ebenezer for a weekend of fun, fellowship, worship, prayer, and the study of Romans 6 & 7. During our three sessions, we’ll focus on “Waging War” on sin and how we can victoriously battle it. We’ll also enjoy some delicious man-sized meals, fun athletic tournaments and games, as well as great times of discussion.

 

 

Choose a plan to guide you in reading through the Bible this year.
(click to download the pdf)

1. 52 Week Bible Reading Plan: Daily OT & NT Readings (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/52-Week NULL.pdf)
2. New Testament Reading Plan (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/NT-Reading_2020 NULL.pdf)
3. Old Testament Reading Plan (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/OT-Reading_2020 NULL.pdf)
4. 100 Day Reading Plan (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/100-Day-Reading-Plan_2020 NULL.pdf)
5. Chronological (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/Chronological_2020 NULL.pdf)
6. Commands of Christ (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/Commands-of-Christ_2020 NULL.pdf)
7. MacArthur (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/MacArthur_2020 NULL.pdf)
8. Through the Bible – Narrative Plus Poety Reading (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/Thru-The-Bible-Narrative-plus-Poetry_2020 NULL.pdf)
9. Through the Bible – Single Reading (http://aplaceforyou NULL.org/upload/Thru-The-Bible-Single-Reading_2020 NULL.pdf)