Ellis Avenue Church: Celebrating Diversity and Building Community in Christ

Welcome to our church website.  We are thankful for your visit.  In order to learn more about our congregation we encourage you to click on the links above as well as scroll down to read about news and events in our congregation.  We are a very diverse congregation located in the heart of the Kenwood/Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.  Our diversity extends beyond race to include significant diversity in terms of economics and education, but it is a common commitment to follow Jesus Christ in life that serves to unite our congregation.   Thanks again for visiting – we would love to have you visit us in person.  God’s peace to you on your journey.

Rev. Jonathan Friesen

This Week at Ellis Avenue Church

It was a terrific service on Sunday – what a gift to have Obed and Phena visiting from Nigeria.  It was also special to have their daughter Shelmun visiting as well.  Thanks to Obed for a very thought-provoking sermon on the continued religious violence in Northern Nigeria.

There are several notes about our church life this week.  First, we will not be having choir practice on Wednesday.  Second, we are having our annual spring cleaning/spring flower planting day at the church this coming Saturday, May 22, from 1-4 p.m.  Please come to help improve both the inside and the outside of the church building and grounds.  Third, we will have adult Bible Study on Sunday morning at 9:45, followed by worship at 10:45.

Holy Week at Ellis Avenue Church

Welcome to Holy Week at Ellis Avenue Church.  This is an important time of worship and reflection as we remember the days and events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  Here is what we have planned – you are invited to participate in any of these events.

1. Tuesday March 30 at 7:00 p.m. – Lenten Bible Study at Pastor Friesen’s;

2. Wednesday March 31 at 6:30 p.m. – Intergenerational Choir rehearsal (at the church)

3. Friday April 2 at 7:00 p.m. – Good Friday Bible Study at Maria Martin’s house

4. Saturday April 3 at 1:00 p.m. – Intergenerational Choir rehearsal (at the church)

5. Sunday April 4 – Easter Worship Service;  Continental breakfast at 10:00 a.m., worship at 10:45, youth Easter Egg roll (an Ellis tradition) at 12:30 p.m.

If you need transportation to any of these events please let me know.

I look forward to a meaningful week of study and reflection.

Peace,
Pastor Jonathan

Ellis Avenue Church Christmas Program

The 2009 EAC Christmas Program is here!  This Sunday, Dec. 20th during our normal worship time (10:45 a.m.) we will be having a Christmas Program that includes the following:

• A drama of the Christ birth narrative by the kids in Children’s Church.
• Two special musical selections from the youth choir
• Congregational Carols
• An organ solo
• A Christmas poem from Pastor Brenda
• Additional special music

After the service we will have a time of fellowship with Christmas Cookies, heavy snacks, and lots of warm drinks.  We also will be having a simple gift exchange for anyone who wants to participate.  The only rules are that you must bring a gift in order to get a gift and that gifts may not be more than $5.   We will have separate tables for youth and adult gifts.

Please come and join us as we celebrate the coming of Christ  – and the love and the light that Christ brings.

Worship Notes – October 4th

A few notes about our service this week:

1. Lamarr will be leading the adult Bible study starting at 9:45.  We will be looking at Hebrews 4:12-16 and Mark 10:17-31.

2. I will be leading the youth Sunday school class that also begins at 9:45.

3. I will be preaching this week and since it is the first Sunday of the month we will also be celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

4. Looking ahead a little bit we have the following events scheduled: Church yard/garden workday on Saturday Oct. 10th starting at noon, Missions Sunday on Oct. 11th, Women’s Day on Oct. 18th (entire service led by the women of the church), and the Church Rummage Sale on Saturday Oct. 24th starting at 10:00 a.m.

We have a lot of good activities going on right now and I looking forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Peace,
Jonathan

Rummage Sale October 24th

We have selected the date and time for our fall rummage sale – Saturday October 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  We will need volunteers to help work the sale and we are also currently receiving donations of items  to be sold.

Worship – September 20

Hi all,

We have a busy week ahead with a lot of events and activities:

1. Youth Choir rehearsal is set for its regular time tomorrow (Wed.) from 5:00 – 6:15.

2. Immediately following youth choir rehearsal we will be holding the first rehearsal for the intergenerational women’s choir that is preparing for our upcoming Women’s Day service.  The women’s choir will be practicing this Wednesday (9/16) and next Wednesday (9/23) immediately after youth choir rehearsal concludes (6:30 – 7:30 or so). Contact pastor Brenda if you have questions or interest in singing in the women’s choir.

3. We will be sponsoring a trip to see Pastor Brenda’s show – the Rebirth of Momma Brenda – on Friday night at 7:30 on the westside.  If you want to attend and/or need transportation via the church van please let me know.

4. We have a fellowship meal and church business meeting following the service on Sunday.  Please plan to bring side dishes and salads to contribute to the community meal.

5. Last, but certainly not least, we will have one additional element in our service on Sunday – the baby dedication of Caroline Friesen.   We will have quite a few family members in attendance including all of Caroline’s grandparents and several of her aunts, uncles and cousins.

I look forward to seeing you all this week.

Peace,

Jonathan

Welcome to Ellis Avenue Church

Welcome to the new Ellis Avenue Church website.  We’re glad you’ve visited us on-line -we’d love to have you visit us in person as well. Click on the links above to learn more about our church community and our congregational life.  Or you can click on the news link and read through the most recent posts to learn about some of the many things going on currently in our congregation.  Thanks again for visiting and God’s peace to you on your journey.

This Week at Ellis Avenue Church

Hi everybody,
 
A few quick notes about our church life this week:
 
1. We will not have youth choir rehearsal this week.  We will pick up again next week (Sept. 9th) and begin our regular fall schedule with rehearsal beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
 
2. Pastor Brenda will be leading the adult Bible Study this week.  Any and all are invited to attend.  She will be leading from the following set of scriptures:
 
Esther 7: 1-10, 9:20-22
Psalm 124 or Psalm 19
James 5: 13-20
Mark 9: 38-50 
 
3. We will have a special time in our service this week where we offer a back-to-school blessing for all of the young people (and the teachers) in our congregation.
 
4. As is our custom we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper on this, the first Sunday of the month.
 
5. I will be on a silent retreat in Michigan from Wednesday at 6 p.m. until Friday at 10 a.m.  Pastor Brenda is on call for any pastoral needs.  Her number is: 773.213.9783.
 
See you on Sunday,
Jonathan

Youth Sunday

What a terrific Youth Sunday!  The Youth Choir was sharp.  The preaching was thought-provoking.  The praise dance was powerful.  Thanks to all for their participation – we will do it again soon!