May 12, 2020

All in-person church activities, including Sunday worship services, are cancelled through June 4, 2020.  Please continue to meet with us via Livestream for Sunday morning worship and the 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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May 6, 2020

Due to the changing situations concerning Covid-19, the elders have chosen not to have in-person church services or activities this Sunday, May 10. However, the Elders will be meeting on Monday night, May 11, to discuss when and how Ebenezer’s ministry will reopen. We ask that you pray for us as we seek the Lord’s will. Please continue to watch our Livestream this Sunday morning and our mid-week service today. Keep a watch on this web page where we will be posting our decisions and plans.

 

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April 22, 2020

All in-person church activities, including Sunday worship services, are cancelled through May 8, 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 31, 2020

All in-person church activities, including Sunday worship services, are cancelled through April 30, 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 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 by Livestream for Sunday Morning Worship! 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. Each week the service will be available for streaming starting Sunday mornings.

 

 

(https://livestream NULL.com/ebfcstream/weekly-sunday-service-2020/videos/206317439)

Recorded: May 20, 2020

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

 

Sundays, Spring 2020
10-11am

(https://zoom NULL.us/j/174118667?pwd=bVdCNXc1L0dMbndpQkJIQnpzWVR2dz09)

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 year that Christians are not exempt from trials, just as those in Peter’s day were finding out. This class will be offered for as long as our Sunday Morning worship services are by Livestream only.  To join in this Adult Elective, simply click this link (https://zoom NULL.us/j/174118667?pwd=bVdCNXc1L0dMbndpQkJIQnpzWVR2dz09) on Sunday morning.

April 19, 2020 – Class Recording available HERE (https://zoom NULL.us/rec/play/upx7Ieqv-zs3SdOTtQSDA6UqW9W0e6-s1SQa-qIMn0bkWyRXYFXyN7FGMeLWeyxIToeCjBhMdAWOvsib?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=NfJHdqu7RPCfodNJI6Q1sw NULL.1587412814341 NULL.81894dfc9ca138f343de82977b9e5d66&_x_zm_rhtaid=320)
April 26, 2020 – Class Recording available HERE (https://us02web NULL.zoom NULL.us/rec/play/u5UlJOmsq2k3HYeQ5gSDAKcvW43ve6Ks13Ie86cJxUzjU3hVNQCmMOQXMLHP-jH_JnE3rZ3Ne_CCEjDO?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=thty2MAuQqKIL6dQQe-IZw NULL.1587996673931 NULL.83ad69f150a5c76506fd26b11e19e219&_x_zm_rhtaid=882)
May 3, 2020 – Class Recording available HERE (https://us02web NULL.zoom NULL.us/rec/play/7pF7dOH6-z03Sd2WsQSDBv9-W43revishyYW-KFYxUyzUyJWZleuZORHZuvSiALNWG5oGKM302dQNuNj?continueMode=true&_x_zm_rtaid=98lu-9txTfWGUTCnp2bbhw NULL.1588622836997 NULL.d86cf8f11fb421b9733e2bb31c87f6ef&_x_zm_rhtaid=787)
May 10, 2020 – Class Recording available HERE (https://us02web NULL.zoom NULL.us/rec/play/6ZArdbirrT43E9aVtwSDA_5_W9W9fams0XJL_vsExRu9W3YKMFSnNbYTN7CXDdZMvPdFhdH2XQevUfxj?continueMode=true)

 

Sundays, 11am
Children age 3 through grade 5 are invited to join us on Sundays at 11am for a Sunday School class via Zoom. Our Sunday School teachers are taking turns teaching the Gospel Project curriculum, and we have the ability to break-off into age appropriate discussion groups in two separate Zoom classrooms. Please contact Jennifer Schanely (jennifer null@null aplaceforyou NULL.org) to receive the Zoom access information.

 

Posted: May 18, 2020

As we journey through these uncertain times of the Covid-19 crisis, 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.

 

Tim Gibson (https://www NULL.thegospelcoalition NULL.org/article/church-dont-let-coronavirus-divide/)
Senior Pastor

Church, Don’t Let the Coronavirus Divide You! – In this unprecedented time, it is inevitable that there is great potential for division in the Church. The complex issues that face us are often tricky to maneuver. Many will differ on how to reopen the church for in-person gatherings, whether we ought to sing or not, what size the crowd should be, and the list can go on and on. It is for this reason that the Church must walk in the Spirit and guard against disunity. Brett McCracken has written a great article on the Gospel Coalition website encouraging the church to practice countercultural 1) sacrifice, 2) humility, and 3) patience. We are not to be like the world. The way we handle this crisis could be a great witness to the world. We must stay unified and not pitted against one another. In short, we must be like Jesus who displayed continual sacrifice, humility and patience in a wicked world. I want to encourage all of you to read this article (https://www NULL.thegospelcoalition NULL.org/article/church-dont-let-coronavirus-divide/). Let’s all commit ourselves to the unity of the body and not allow this stressful time to cause division among us!

 

Jeremy Harkins (https://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?v=OibIi1rz7mw)
Worship Pastor

1 Corinthians 15:19-21 says, “19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.”

Paul reminds the Corinthian church that this life is a momentary yet meaningful place for Jesus alone to be magnified through His death and resurrection. “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death,” written by Keith & Kristyn Getty, and Matt Papa speaks of the past, present, and future confession that Christ is our hope in life and death. Take a listen! (https://www NULL.youtube NULL.com/watch?v=OibIi1rz7mw)

 

Mike Notary (https://artsandculture NULL.withgoogle NULL.com/en-us/national-parks-service/)
Youth Pastor

In Psalm 8:3-4 David acknowledges that when he looks upon God’s creation he is immediately in awe of God’s care for His people. The glory of creation really is a humbling thing. Have you ever looked up at the stars on a clear night, viewed the surrounding valleys from a mountain top, or gazed upon the vastness of the ocean? Have you taken in a sunrise or sunset, watched budding shrubs and flowers come to life in the spring, or sat in the woods in silence listening to the swaying trees and singing birds? When is the last time you allowed God’s creation to humble you in a way that drew you into the presence of God as He reminded you that you are desperately loved in Christ? All of God’s creation declares His glory but it is only man who was created in His image. As beautiful as this world is, it pales in comparison to the beauty found in His people. Take some time this week to marvel at God’s creation. Stay up late and look at the stars. Get up early and catch a sunrise. Go for a hike. As you stand in awe of God’s creation meditate on the truth that as God cares for His creation He cares for you too. Whatever is going on around us, however frustrating, confusing, or scary it is, creation should remind us that God is in control.

Take some time this week to go on a virtual tour of a National Park:

• Kenai Fjords National Park (https://artsandculture NULL.withgoogle NULL.com/en-us/national-parks-service/kenai-fjords/exit-glacier-tour), ALASKA – kayak through majestic icebergs, descend into an icy crevasse
• Volcanoes National Park (https://artsandculture NULL.withgoogle NULL.com/en-us/national-parks-service/hawaii-volcanoes/nahuku-lava-tube-tour), HAWAII – explore the Nahuku Lava Tube, “fly” over an active volcano
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park (https://artsandculture NULL.withgoogle NULL.com/en-us/national-parks-service/carlsbad-caverns/natural-entrance-tour), NEW MEXICO – take a walk through the fascinating caverns
• Bryce Canyon National Park (https://artsandculture NULL.withgoogle NULL.com/en-us/national-parks-service/bryce-canyon/sunset-point-tour), UTAH – view rock hudus, take a horseback ride, explore the night sky
• Dry Tortugas National Park (https://artsandculture NULL.withgoogle NULL.com/en-us/national-parks-service/dry-tortugas/near-little-africa-tour), FLORIDA – swim through the third largest coral reef in the world
• More Virtual Park Tours (https://www NULL.nationalparks NULL.org/parks-at-home) – there are countless ways to enjoy the National Parks from home

 

 

Dick Bickings
Pastor of Discipleship

For this week, here is another great Puritan prayer entitled, “Divine Support.”

Keep me walking steadfastly towards the country of everlasting delights, that paradise-land which is my true inheritance. Support me by the strength of heaven that I may never turn back, or desire false pleasures that will disappear into nothing. As I pursue my heavenly journey by Your grace let me be known as a man with no aim but that of a burning desire for You, and the good and salvation of my fellow men.

 

 

 

New Videos Throughout the Week!
Click HERE 

Be encouraged as our youth staff, students and families testify to how they’ve been encouraged during this challenging time of the Covid-19 crisis. God is at work and we testify to His faithfulness! Check our Youth Page for new videos throughout each week!

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

 

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)